An increasing price and decreasing quality. The increase by Ghana of the price of cocoa to production is likely to have an impact on the chocolate which will then be offered to us.
To support its farmers, Ghana increased the price of cocoa to production last week 62.58 %. This increase, which could exert pressure on other producing countries and the world costs of raw material, will not spare chocolate makers and consumers, predict various chocolate craftsmen. This is also the opinion of Pascal Thériault, agronomist and economist at McGill University.
“We know that there was already a lot of pressure on the price of cocoa because of climate change, plantations which are increasingly old. There are droughts and irregular rains that have made yields [sont moins bons] “Explains Professor Thériault.
It increased the price of cocoa worldwide because it is a commodity that is negotiated on the markets. But the price of the producer had not moved that much.
Pascal Thériault, agronomist and economist at McGill University
“We only buy the processed product, so difficult to say if this change will have an impact for favorite chocolates or if it will have a significant impact on a global scale for the price of cocoa,” replied its president, Dominique Brown. Ghana has been in deficit for a few years compared to its historic capacity, so it is to hope that it will thus be able to increase its production and return to higher levels. »»
PHOTO FRANCIS KOKOROKO, ARCHIVES REUTERS
The president of Ghana, John Mahama
Certainly, the decision of Ghana, which is one of President John Mahama’s electoral commitments, elected in December, is added to the list of variables that will influence the price of cocoa and therefore that of chocolate that manufacturers transform and that consumers then buy, predict experts. Otherwise, the Kat, Caramilk, Aero Kit, Aero and other “mass chocolates” could see their quality decrease to avoid too large increase in retail price, according to Pascal Thériault.
The Montreal chocolate maker Maxime Simard, co -founder of Qantu Chocolat and Cocoa, recalls that the price of the raw material began to increase at least a year and a half ago. “Currently, it is around $ 8 [US] The kilo. With the Ghana decision, the price could increase at $ 10 or $ 12 per kilo, “believes this small cocoa transformer adept at the” headband to the tablet “.
“It is sure that it will affect the price of chocolate. »»
And his business always pays a higher price to make sure you have quality cocoa. “We are still paying around $ 4 to $ 6 more per kilo compared to the stock market price. »»
“Chocolate keeps increasing”
Maxime Simard still believes that chocolate enthusiasts will continue to afford the sweets he makes. “We are still in a market where our tablets are more expensive. It is not a grocery tablet. These are tablets (50 g) that we sell $ 13, $ 14, $ 15. These are rare cocoa tablets that are made in an artisanal way. So the customer may have greater tolerance for price increases. »»
PHOTO FRANCIS KOKOROKO, ARCHIVES REUTERS
Treatment of pods harvested in a farm in southern Ghana
“In 22 years of career, I have never seen a drop in the cost of cocoa,” adds Juliette Brun. The founder of Juliette & Chocolat, who had to close her eight establishments in 2023 due to the pandemic and government aid to be reimbursed, has revived her business and now has four shops. She does not hide her intention to open others.
“Year after year, chocolate keeps increasing,” she adds. [Le cacao]it is a product that is very complicated to cultivate. It takes on special conditions. There were lots of weather problems. So the price of chocolate is not likely to decrease in the coming years. »»
We must now ask the question: “Do we prefer to consume better, or consume more and less well?” “, She asks, adding in the process that the less high quality chocolate made with palm oil and artificial flavors is” more fatty in the mouth and background less well “.
“I think people who want good products will have to pay a little more, space their purchases or cut elsewhere. »»
