In a shocking turn of events, cocoa prices catapulted to an eye-watering $10,000 in the final week of March 2024, signifying an unprecedented surge of 240% from the previous year, likely leaving chocolate enthusiasts with a bitter taste this Easter season.
This surge has positioned cocoa’s market performance parallel to that of the tech giant Nvidia Corp NVDA, the reigning S&P 500 stock over the past year, outpacing even Bitcoin‘s BTC/USD with its remarkable 160% surge during the same timeframe.
Chart: Cocoa Rivals Nvidia’s 1-Year Stock Surge, Outperforms Bitcoin
The Unprecedented Surge in Cocoa Prices: Uncovering the Catalysts
Many are left wondering what has fueled this astronomical rise in cocoa prices.
As per a recent Reuters report, a series of unfortunate events in West Africa, notably in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which collectively control over 60% of the global cocoa supply, have triggered this steep hike in cocoa prices.
Experts, farmers, and industry insiders have highlighted several factors contributing to this surge: illegal gold mining, climate fluctuations, sector mismanagement, and the rampant spread of diseases affecting cocoa crops.
The heavy downpours of El Niño in December worsened the situation, causing crop damage and accelerating the spread of the devastating black pod disease.
Indulging in Chocolate: A New Extravagance?
Consumers in the United States are already feeling the impact, as NielsenIQ data reveals a more than 10% surge in Easter confectionary prices over the past year.
Tedd George, an expert in Africa-focused commodities at Kleos Advisory, predicts that chocolate bars could transition into a luxury category, envisioning a doubling of their current price.
The Value of a Ton of Cocoa in Today’s Market
Owning a ton of cocoa has suddenly transformed into possessing a golden ticket. Should you find yourself in possession of this highly sought-after commodity, here’s what it could secure in today’s market:
- 10 shares of Nvidia Corp
- 55 shares of Tesla Inc. TSLA
- 187 shares of Reddit Inc. RDDT
- 770 shares of Gamestop Corp. GME
- 9,635 shares of Nikola Corp. NKLA
- 4.4 ounces of gold
- 1.1 tons of copper
- 117 barrels of light-crude WTI
- 0.14 Bitcoin
With Easter on the horizon, the traditional zenith of chocolate consumption, the repercussions of this price spike are set to redefine our chocolate gratifications.
Read further: Agriculture Commodities Rise To 9-Year Highs, Cocoa Prices Skyrocket: Chocolate Lovers Brace For Hyperinflation
Image created through artificial intelligence using Midjourney.
