31 October 2016 — On the occasion of the 22nd edition of the chocolate show Salon du Chocolat in Paris, at which he spoke, the Executive Director of the ICCO, Dr. Jean-Marc Anga, was interviewed by French television service France 24 about the current situation for cocoa supply, processing and chocolate availability, among other topics.
The interview can be seen here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYQlK0z4Neo&feature=youtu.be
London, 7 October 2016 – The ICCO is well on track to move to its new headquarters in the Ivorian commercial capital of Abidjan by January 2017, Executive Director Dr. Jean-Marc Anga reported to the 94th regular session of the International Cocoa Council, held in London 26 – 30 September.
Logistics related to the relocation, agreed at last year’s 92nd session, have been progressing well, Dr. Anga said, and the new building being provided by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire was almost ready for occupation by over 20 ICCO staff.
The Council meeting — graced with the presence of the Cameroon Ministers of Commerce H.E. Mr. Luc Magloire Mbaraga Atangana, and of External Relations, Minister Delegate H.E. Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, the High Commissioner of Cameroon H.E. Mr. Nkwele Ekaney, the Ecuadorian Vice Minister of Agriculture H.E. Mr Luis Valverde and Ambassadors H.E. Mr. Hermano Telles Ribeiro of Brazil, H.E. Dr. Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Mr. Carlos Abad of Ecuador, H.E. Mrs. Guisell Morales Echaverry of Nicaragua, H.E. Mr. Claudio de la Puente of Peru and H.E. Ms. Rocio Manero of Venezuela — also involved discussion of a broad range of other issues related to the Organization’s international work.
At an initial meeting of the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy, members praised the ICCO’s third edition of the World Cocoa Conference (WCC3), held in Bávaro, Dominican Republic, in May, thanks to the generous hosting of the Government of the Dominican Republic. Board members began making plans for a working group to direct the content of the fourth edition, once again to combine with a Council meeting. WCC4 (including the accompanying Council session) is now scheduled to take place 22 – 28 April 2018 at the Maritim Hotel Berlin in the heart of the German capital, by the kind invitation of hosts the Government of the German Federal Republic.
Board members also recommended that the ICCO organize an International Conference on Cocoa Research, and heard a report by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) on key performance indicators and how they could be used to monitor the success of the ongoing work towards the goals of the Global Cocoa Agenda, the ICCO’s roadmap to a sustainable cocoa sector. The Board also expressed its full support to the Government of Ecuador in its efforts to rehabilitate its cocoa sector following the devastating earthquake that struck the country in April.
After last year’s success, the September session of the Council once again incorporated the Cocoa Market Outlook Conference, a day-long meeting of sector experts whose forecasts and analysis of the cocoa and chocolate business in the current and upcoming cocoa years attracted an appreciative international audience of over 200 participants.
In reporting to the Economics Committee about the outcome of the Asian CocoaSafe project, the Secretariat was able to show that the capacity-building work, conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea, had achieved more than originally expected in improving stakeholder knowledge on areas such as Good Agricultural Practices and in creating a platform for exchange of information among stakeholder groups.
The Secretariat also reported on nine ICCO projects and studies under implementation and making good progress. The Committee was also updated on the current functioning and efficiency of the cocoa futures markets, following changes in the futures contracts and increased presence of speculators in commodity markets.
On the issue of selecting a new Executive Director, the Council took note of the withdrawal of two applicants out of three vying for the position, leaving only one. Giving due consideration to the possible challenges facing the Organization in its new host country and the need to provide critical continuity in the new environment, the Council decided to extend the appointment of the incumbent Executive Director, for two years, ending in September 2018.
Finally, the International Cocoa Council unanimously elected H.E. Mr. Luis Valverde (Ecuador) as its Chairman for the 2016/17 cocoa year, while Mr. Tri Purnajaya (Indonesia) was unanimously elected to serve as Vice Chairman for the year in question, beginning 1 October.
Mr. Conradin Rasi (Switzerland) was unanimously elected to serve as Chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 cocoa years. H.E. Mrs. Guisell Morales-Echaverry (Nicaragua) was unanimously elected to serve as Vice-Chairman for the two years in question.
On the Economics Committee, Mr. Corneille Tabalo (Democratic Republic of Congo) was unanimously elected to serve as Chairman for 2016/17 and 2017/18. The Vice Chairman for the two years will be nominated by France.
Finally, the Board elected Ms. Cathy Pieters, Director of the Cocoa Life programme at Mondelēz International as Chairman for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 cocoa years. Dr. Victor Iyama of Nigeria was nominated as Vice Chairman.
At a special last-ever London reception held in Wembley Stadium, near the venue of the Council meetings, dignitaries, delegates and Secretariat members from the Organization’s 43-year history gathered to celebrate both the ICCO’s time in the UK and its move to Côte d’Ivoire. Executive Director Dr. Jean-Marc Anga reviewed some of the past achievements and outstanding personnel involved with the Organization and looked forward to the ambitious plans that the ICCO has for its tenure in Abidjan beginning next year.
The 95th regular session of the International Cocoa Council and subsidiary bodies is set for 24 – 28 April 2017 in Abidjan at a venue to be confirmed.
Below: Past and present members of the ICCO Secretariat at the final London reception for the Organization held at Wembley Stadium, 28 September 2016
London, 27 September 2016 – The ICCO’s second Cocoa Market Outlook Conference today brought over 200 delegates to London to hear the latest analysis and forecasts for the upcoming cocoa season from a panel of experts from across the sector and the globe.
After a welcome from Executive Director Dr. Jean-Marc Anga, and an introduction from moderator Ms. Emiko Terazono of the Financial Times, the international audience at the day-long Conference heard an overview presentation on the global prospects for cocoa supply and demand from ICCO Director of Economics and Statistics Mr. Laurent Pipitone.
Mr. Laurent Souron, Head of Cocoa Research at Armajaro Research, looked in detail at the effects on current West African production of weather patterns including El Niño and the harmattan winds.
From West African financial institution Ecobank, Head of Group Research Dr. Edward George examined the prospects for a possible rebound of cocoa production in West Africa, while Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board Dr. Francis K. Oppongexplained his government’s policies aimed at accelerating growth in cocoa output and addressing a number of issues that affect that process.
Rounding off the morning session, cocoa trader Mr. Max Goettler of Cocoanect in Amsterdam reported on current increasing trend in Latin American cocoa production, and said that Ecuador and Peru, the two countries with the strongest growth, could well represent the solution to the current structural deficit in the market.
At a lively panel session featuring all of the morning’s presenters, the engaged audience raised questions touching on the professionalism of cocoa farmers, different models of marketing cocoa in different origins, the effects of climate change on production and whether or not origin grinding actually adds value, among many other subjects.
After lunch, the topics moved onto industry’s quality requirements and increasing regulatory pressure, with Dr. Michelle End, Cocoa Research Manager at the UK’s Cocoa Research Association, reviewing the recently updated guidelines for cocoa quality from the European cocoa processors and chocolate makers.
Ms. Ann Duponcheel, Global Trade & Regulatory Affairs Manager at Barry Callebaut, speaking on behalf of the European Cocoa Association, reviewed recent and upcoming regulatory changes and their challenges in relation to cocoa production. She also considered the post-Brexit role of the UK government, in taking on the responsibility for both trade agreements and regulations, under which both cocoa and its products would in future be imported into Britain.
As the focus moved onto the market for semi-finished products, Mr. Gerard Stapleton, Head of Coffee, Cocoa and Natural Rubber Research at LMC International, outlined the recent trends and future outlook in the global market for cocoa products including cocoa butter and powder. Mr. Carlos Mera Arzeno, Senior Commodity Risk Analyst with Rabobank charted the various mechanisms in place for coping with the shifting tides of the cocoa grinding industry.
Finally, moving onto the chocolate sector and the recipe for its growth, Mr. Alan Rownan, Ethical Labels Analyst with Euromonitor International, looked at the problems of affordability of chocolate in many markets, and the effect of labels and the presentation of sustainability issues on chocolate products as a spur to consumption.
After the Conference, the delegates networked at a special reception hosted by the ICCO’s Executive Director, and the consensus appeared to be that the Conference had been very worthwhile in supporting the ICCO’s aim of increasing transparency in the market.
The 2016 Cocoa Market Outlook Conference was kindly sponsored by the CME Group.
The presentations from the Conference are now available to download by clicking here.
Click here for a downloadable gallery of images from the Conference.
Pictured above: Panel session at the Cocoa Market Outlook Conference 2016 (l-r): Moderator Emiko Terazono with presenters Max Goettler, Laurent Souron, Dr. Edward George, Dr. Francis Oppong and Laurent Pipitone
To download the presentations from the Cocoa Market Outlook Conference 2016, please click on the presenter names below.
Laurent Souron, Armajaro Research
Edward George, Ecobank
Francis K Oppong, Ghana Cocoa Board
Max Goettler, Cocoanect
Ann Duponcheel, Barry Callebaut
Gerard Stapleton, LMC International
Carlos Mera Arzeno, Rabobank
Alan Rownan, Euromonitor International
Fielding questions at the morning panel session (l-r): moderator Emiko Terazono, Max Goettler, Laurent Souron, Dr. Edward George, Dr. Francis Oppong and Laurent Pipitone
London, 31 August 2016–The International Cocoa Organization today releases its revised forecasts for the current 2015/2016 cocoa year and revised estimates of world production, grindings and stocks of cocoa beans for 2014/2015, as summarized below. The data published in Issue No. 3 – Volume XLII – Cocoa year 2015/2016 of the Quarterly Bulletin of Cocoa Statistics, reflect the most recent information available to the Secretariat as at the beginning of August 2016.
| Cocoa year (Oct-Sep) |
2014/2015 | 2015/2016 | Year-on-year change | ||
| Revised estimates |
Previous forecasts a/ |
Revised forecasts |
|||
| (thousand tonnes) | (Per cent) | ||||
| World production | 4 236 |
4 039 | 3 988 |
– 248 | – 5.9% |
| World grindings | 4 152 |
4 179 | 4 160 | + 8 | + 0.2% |
| Surplus/deficit b/ | + 42 | – 180 | – 212 | ||
| End-of-season stocks | 1 588 |
1 432 |
1 376 | – 212 | – 13.4% |
| Stocks/Grindings ratio | 38.2% | 34.3% | 33.1% | ||
Notes:
a/ Estimates published in Quarterly Bulletin of Cocoa Statistics, Vol. XLII – No. 2 – Cocoa year 2015/2016
b/ Surplus/deficit: net world crop (gross crop adjusted for loss in weight) minus grindings
Totals may differ due to rounding.
This issue of the Bulletin contains the Secretariat’s revised forecasts for the 2015/2016 cocoa year as well as data for the past four years of production and grindings of cocoa beans, detailed by country. The main features of the global cocoa market are illustrated in colour charts. In addition, the Bulletin includes comments on crop and demand prospects in the leading countries for the current season, and a review of price developments on international markets for cocoa beans during the April-June quarter of 2016.
Statistical information on trade in cocoa beans, cocoa products and chocolate, by country and by region, published in this edition, covers annual data from 2012/2013 to 2014/2015 and quarterly statistics for the period April-June 2014 to October-December 2015. Details of origin of imports and destination of exports for leading cocoa importing countries are also provided. Historical statistics on cocoa trade and consumption, by country and by region, for the period 2006/2007 to 2014/2015 are presented for reference.
Copies of the Quarterly Bulletin of Cocoa Statistics, including in Microsoft Excel files and Adobe PDF format versions, can be ordered by completing and returning this form or from the ICCO Secretariat at the address below:
International Cocoa Organization
Westgate House
Ealing
London W5 1YY, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8991 6000
Fax: +44 (0)20 8997 4372
E-mail: registry@icco.org or info@icco.org
London, 22 August 2016 – The ICCO today published its Study on the Establishment of a Cocoa Sustainability Fund, which aims at reviewing options to source additional funding to support cocoa farmers.
The cocoa economy faces a number of severe challenges, including low yields and productivity, prevalent poverty among smallholder cocoa farmers, child labour and price volatility, to name just a few. All key stakeholders in the cocoa value chain – including the governments of both cocoa exporting and cocoa importing countries, international developmental institutions, non-governmental organizations and companies – are aware that the precarious situation faced by cocoa farmers must improve. A roadmap, the Global Cocoa Agenda, was set up by the cocoa community at the first World Cocoa Conference, in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, in November 2012.
While many initiatives by parties involved in the cocoa value chain and development agencies have been put in place in recent years, encountering some significant successes, the problems remain, as the challenges are vast and clearly require activities scaled up to ensure that cocoa farmers are given the right opportunities to become successful and improve their situation significantly.
With this background, the ICCO commissioned a study to explore the options for a Cocoa Sustainability Fund, which would be able to mobilize sufficient funds, guarantee the participation of the key stakeholders, and be able to address the most urgent problems faced by smallholder cocoa farmers.
Funds could be sourced from an additional fee charged for certified cocoa, a fee on cocoa financial market transactions, a fee on non-certified cocoa trade, or a voluntary or compulsory levy on every bar of chocolate, the study says. It also makes proposals for management and distribution of the raised funds, based on the experience of similar efforts in other agricultural sectors, for example, in palm oil, cotton, meat and coffee.
First introduced by its main author Friedel Hütz-Adams of the NGO Südwind-Institut at the third World Cocoa Conference in the Dominican Republic in May, the study will be further discussed by the ICCO Consultative Board (representatives from the private sector, the research community, and farmers) in September in London and subsequently by the ICCO Council.
The study, commissioned by the ICCO, and co-funded by the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) and the ICCO, is available to download free of charge by clicking here.The International Cocoa Council and subsidiary bodies, including the Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy, as well as the Economics and Administration and Finance Committees, will meet at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Wembley, London, UK, 26 – 30 September 2016.
The one-day Cocoa Market Outlook Conference 2016 will take place on Tuesday 27 September at the same venue.
Provisional Timetable of Meetings, 26 – 30 September 2016, Wembley, London, UK
|
ED(MEM) 1007-Rev.1
|
|||
| English | French | Spanish | Russian |
International Cocoa Council: Draft Agenda
|
ICC-94-1-Rev.1
|
|||
| English | French | Spanish | Russian |
Administration and Finance Committee: Draft Agenda
|
AF-10-1-Rev.1
|
|||
| EnglishFrench | Spanish | Russian | |
Economics Committee: Draft Agenda
|
EC-8-1
|
|||
| English | French | Spanish | Russian |
Consultative Board on the World Cocoa Economy: Draft Agenda
|
CB-33-1-Rev.1
|
|||
| English | French | Spanish | Russian |
Cocoa Market Outlook Conference 2016, 27 September 2016
|
ED(MEM) 1008
|
|||
| English | French | Spanish | Russian |
After the success of the inaugural 2015 edition, once again this year, the International Cocoa Organization is to organize a one-day Conference featuring a high-level panel of sector experts who will consider the prospects for the world cocoa and chocolate market for the coming year.
The Cocoa Market Outlook Conference, taking place in the same week and venue as the meetings of the International Cocoa Council and other ICCO bodies, is a unique opportunity to meet with the most recognised analysts of the cocoa and chocolate market and with ICCO members and gain a better understanding of cocoa market developments.
Last year about 220 movers and shakers of the cocoa sector participated at the Market Outlook Conference – offering their insights into market issues and what strategies are being considered to deal with them. The full-day Conference will be conducted in English and include full simultaneous translation into French and Spanish, and delegates will receive all of the presentations after the Conference.
To download the latest brochure with full details of the Conference, which now includes speakers, topics and a registration form, click here.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on 27 June 2016 acceded to the International Cocoa Agreement 2010, the United Nations Treaty Section has confirmed.
Pictured (left): H.E. Mr. Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño, Ambassador Extraordinary And Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
London, 29 June 2016 – Some 23 countries are now recognized as exporting fine and flavour cocoa, after the ICCO member country delegates meeting on 28 May in the Dominican Republic approved the recommendations of the Organization’s expert Ad hoc Panel on Fine and Flavour Cocoa.
The Ad hoc Panel met last September to deliberate on the information presented by cocoa producing countries seeking to be included in the list of Annex “C” of the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010. For this meeting, a record 13 countries put forward their cases to the panel of experts for review.
The increase in demand for fine and flavour cocoa globally is evident as countries producing this type were able to demonstrate significant progress in their cocoa sectors, all of which were aiming at niche markets for high quality and speciality cocoa and chocolate products. The experts recognized the efforts made by countries to improve and promote their fine cocoas, while noting that there was still room for improvement.
At the end of the deliberations, the Panel agreed on the percentage of exports of fine and flavour cocoa for each country. Compared with the previous 2010 Panel meeting, which recognized 17 countries, the 2015 deliberations resulted in 23 cocoa producing countries being included in Annex “C” as partial or exclusive producers and exporters of fine and flavour cocoa.
The Council also approved a set of recommendations made by the experts about the running of the Panel, including a requirement for it to meet at least every two years.
At the last meeting of the panel in September 2015, the following recommendations were made, and subsequently approved by the International Cocoa Council in May 2016:
| Countries | Share of total exports of the country classified as fine and flavour cocoa |
| Belize | 50% |
| Bolivia | 100% |
| Colombia | 95% |
| Costa Rica | 100% |
| Dominica | 100% |
| Dominican Republic | 40% |
| Ecuador | 75% |
| Grenada | 100% |
| Guatemala | 50% |
| Honduras | 50% |
| Indonesia | 1% |
| Jamaica | 95% |
| Madagascar | 100% |
| Mexico | 100% |
| Nicaragua | 100% |
| Panama | 50% |
| Papua New Guinea | 90% |
| Peru | 75% |
| Saint Lucia | 100% |
| São Tomé and Principé | 35% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 100% |
| Venezuela, Bolivarian Rep. of | 100% |
| Vietnam | 40% |
