August News & AMA | #PSC 224
OVERVIEW: Episode 224 of #PodSaveChocolate features chocolate and cocoa news fit to eat, as well as the monthly live AMA (Ask Me Anything about chocolate or cocoa) for August 2026.
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Episode 224 Overview
In this episode: Chocolate News that’s Fit to Eat™ for August 2026.
The Ongoing Saga of the Cost of Cocoa
| MARKETS |
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| Barchart.com Futures Prices / Futures Overview |
| Trading Economics Chart |
| TradingCharts.com 1977 Baseline |
| ICCO Pricing Stats |
Ghana: Parliament passed a tough new law (contents made public just this weekend) that could send cocoa farmers to prison for up to 20 years for converting farmland to other uses without government approval. President Mahama hasn't signed it yet. This ties directly into deforestation/land-use enforcement, even though it's a domestic law rather than an EUDR development.
Cameroon’s marketed cocoa production fell 20% in the 2025/26 season, reversing the previous season’s growth and reflecting a significant decline in volumes available for export and local processing, the regulator said on Thursday.
Global cocoa supplies could come under renewed pressure as Ghana projects a 16% decline in cocoa production for the 2026/27 season while neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire also expects a smaller harvest due to adverse weather, disease and other production challenges.
At this point, I will show some early prototyping on a visualization showing the difference between constant-dollar pricing and pricing adjusted for inflation.
I began my career as a professional chocolate critic, journalist, consultant, and educator in mid-May 2001. That means I am celebrating my 25th anniversary as a professional chocolate critic, journalist, consultant, and educator in 2026. To help me celebrate, I hope you will consider becoming a Lifetime Member!
This updated special offer is available through December 31, 2026.
More Headlines
TheChocolateWire
Published Mondays, for Premium members
A new analysis by Consumer Reports (CR) found detectable levels of inorganic arsenic in all 52 rice products it tested, suggesting that exposure to the toxic heavy metal from rice remains a persistent concern. The U.S currently has no enforceable federal limit for inorganic arsenic in most rice products. [Currently, there are no specific federal limits for inorganic arsenic in cacao products in the U.S. However, general food safety regulations apply to contaminants in all food products.]
International Rights Advocates filed suit against Lindt & Sprüngli’s U.S. and North American subsidiaries under state consumer protection law, alleging that the confectionery giant misled buyers about human rights abuses tied to its cocoa supply chains in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
Save the Date: Terry Collingsworth will be joining me on Friday, September 18th to observe the [lack of] progress made since the signing of Harkin-Engel in 2001 and this new lawsuit will be one of the topics we discuss. Filmmaker Miki Mistrati will be joining us.
Commission Finalizes EUDR Information System Rules as Questions Persist Over Delayed Rollout. The European Commission has adopted the long-awaited Implementing Act governing the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Information System, completing one of the final legal steps before the regulation begins applying from the end of 2026. The Implementing Act sets the technical rules for the digital platform through which operators will submit due diligence statements and simplified declarations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced four public health priorities that […] are intended to guide the agency’s “enduring mission in a new era” amid rapid advances in science, technology, and public health.
According to Growth Market Reports, the global chocolate confectionery market size reached USD 155.2 billion in 2025, reflecting robust consumer demand and dynamic product innovation across all regions. The market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2026 to 2034, bringing the total value to approximately USD 233.8 billion by 2034. This steady growth trajectory is underpinned by evolving consumer preferences, increased disposable incomes, and the expansion of distribution channels worldwide. The broader confectionery industry continues to serve as a strong foundation for chocolate’s sustained commercial momentum.
Future Episodes
Ceremonial Cacao “Certifications”: WtAF?
Cocoa and Health – new research, with regular ChocolateLife contributor, Keith Ayoob.
Celebrating(?) the 25th anniversary of the signing (on Sept 19, 2001) of the Harkin-Engel Protocol with confirmed special guests Terry Collingsworth and Miki Mistrati.
Episode Hashtags
#News #AMA #AskMeAnything
#cocoa #cacao #cacau
#chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate
#PodSaveChoc #PSC
#LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife
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Clay Gordon
Clay Gordon