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Ivory Coast cocoa exporters cut purchases as port rates rise, sources state

Swiss chocolate maker Barry Callebaut and Singaporebased food group Olam have been buying fewer cocoa beans from Ivory Coast because midDecember after an increase in port costs at Abidjan and San Pedro, industry sources said on Thursday.

7 cocoa purchasers based in the regions of Soubre, San Pedro, Duékoué and Meagui informed Reuters they are charging exporters, including smaller operators, more than an authorities cap in order to benefit from an increase in international cocoa rates towards record levels.

We have actually needed to decrease our cocoa purchases in the bush because mid-December due to the fact that of price inflation at the ports, stated one Barry Callebaut manager who did not want to be called.

The sources said the companies exporting from top cocoa grower Ivory Coast were overpaying suppliers where needed to meet their targets because production for the 2024/25 season has been lower than projection.

The Barry Callebaut supervisor said cocoa providers at ports had been asking between 2,230 and 2,250 CFA francs ($ 3.55) per kg of cocoa. The cost is officially capped at 1,930 CFA francs/kg by Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC). regulator.

A supervisor at Olam said the company had actually been forced to lower. cocoa purchases despite high need for beans and low international. supply due to unfavorable weather.

We require cocoa, however not at this rate, the Olam supervisor. said.

Barry Callebaut and Olam did not instantly react to. requests for remark.

The cocoa purchasers said they intentionally stockpiled beans for. longer than the 15-day limitation enforced by the CCC, creating an. artificial scarcity that pressed exporters to accept greater. rates.

Although the CCC forbids overpayment, it is common offered the. competition to obtain cocoa.

It is the only method to make more money with exporters when. the world market is on the increase and there isn't sufficient cocoa for. everyone, said a significant buyer based in San Pedro.

He said he did not deliver cocoa beans to port for less than. 2,230 CFA francs/kg.

The higher port costs are also putting small exporters at. threat of missing their acquiring targets.

There isn't sufficient volume for everyone. Production is down. and all the cocoa is going to a couple of companies, so the danger of. default is much greater for business like ours, one such. exporter stated, calling on the CCC to step in.

The CCC decreased to comment.

(source: Reuters)