Cocoa Beans

Cocoa beans are the raw material for chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder. West Africa (Ivory Coast, Ghana) produces over 60% of the world's cocoa. Quality is determined by bean count, fermentation, moisture, and free fatty acid levels. ICE NY Cocoa and ICE London Cocoa are the benchmark contracts.

Main Crop Grade 1Main Crop Grade 2Light CropFine/Flavor (Nacional, Criollo)FOBCIFCFR
Quick Facts

Cocoa Beans at a Glance

Common Origins
Ivory CoastGhanaEcuadorCameroonNigeria
Common Destinations
NetherlandsGermanyUnited StatesMalaysiaBelgium
Grades & Specifications
Main Crop Grade 1Main Crop Grade 2Light CropFine/Flavor (Nacional, Criollo)
INCOTERMS
FOBCIFCFR
Unit of Measure
Metric Tons
Price Drivers

What Moves Cocoa Beans Pricing

Cocoa prices off ICE Cocoa NY (USD) and London (GBP) futures. West African crop (Ivory Coast and Ghana combined ~60% of global) is the dominant supply variable. The 2024 cocoa price spike to $11,000+/tonne (3-4× historic norms) was driven by West African disease and weather damage. Living Income Differential (LID, $400/tonne fixed surcharge) and country premiums are now part of the FOB pricing structure for Ghana and Ivory Coast.

Contract Structure

How Cocoa Beans Cargoes Are Priced and Settled

Standard cargoes 1,000-5,000 tonnes per parcel; container shipments (25 MT) common. Pricing is futures plus origin differential plus LID where applicable. The grade differential structure (Ivory Coast Standard, Ghana Premium, Cameroon Light Brown, Ecuador CCN) is well-established and trades actively.

Quality & Disputes

Cocoa Beans Specifications and Dispute Practice

Specs cover bean count (90-100/100g for Standard), defects (slaty, mouldy, weevily), moisture (max 7.5%), and shell (max 12%). Cut-test results at arrival are the basis for most disputes. Sustainability certifications (Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Fair Trade, Cocoa Horizons) command separate premium and have moved from optional to near-mandatory for EU buyers under EUDR.

Trade Flows

Where Cocoa Beans Comes From and Where It Goes

Top exporters: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Indonesia, Ecuador, Cameroon, Nigeria. Top importers: Netherlands (Amsterdam grindings hub), US, Germany, Belgium, Malaysia, Indonesia (which both grinds and re-exports). EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance is reshaping supply-chain documentation requirements.

More in Agriculture

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Wheat (Feed)

Feed wheat is a lower-protein wheat grade used in animal nutrition, particularly for poultry and livestock rations. It is typically sourced from the Black Sea region and Europe at a discount to milling wheat. Feed wheat competes with corn as an energy source in feed formulations.

Corn/Maize

Corn (maize) is the world's most produced cereal grain, used for animal feed, ethanol production, and food ingredients. US Yellow Corn No.2 is the global benchmark. Brazil has emerged as a major second-crop (safrinha) exporter, competing with US and Argentine supplies.

Soybeans

Soybeans are the world's most important oilseed, crushed to produce soybean meal (animal feed) and soybean oil (cooking, biodiesel). Brazil has overtaken the US as the largest exporter. GMO vs. non-GMO origin commands significant price differentials in European and Asian markets.

Soybean Meal

Soybean meal is the dominant protein source in global animal feed formulations, containing 44-48% crude protein. It is produced as a co-product of soybean crushing alongside soybean oil. Argentina is the world's largest exporter, benefiting from its differential export tax structure.

Soybean Oil

Soybean oil is the second most consumed vegetable oil globally, used in cooking, food processing, and increasingly as biodiesel feedstock. Crude degummed soybean oil is the primary traded form, with refining done at destination. US biofuel mandates have significantly boosted domestic demand.

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