aneekaguptaWTE

Cocoa outlook improves as El Niño Strengthens

NYMEX:CJ1!   Cocoa Futures
Cocoa continued its upward price trajectory, rising 3% over the prior month (22 May to 23 June 2023).
The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has corrected its forecast for the supply deficit on the cocoa market in the current crop year up from 60,000 tonnes to 142,000 tonnes as production is expected to be lower and grinding higher than previously expected. The production estimate was lowered by 37,000 to 4.98 million tonnes, while the grinding forecast was revised higher by 45,000 to 5.07million tonnes.

The revisions are largely due to Ivory Coast (the world’s largest cocoa producing country) where the crop is set to be 30,000 tonnes lower than the prior forecast, but still 79,000 tonnes higher than last year, resulting in a minor downward revision given the considerable year-on-year shortfall in cocoa arrivals at the ports. On the other hand, 35,000 tonnes more cocoa is set to be ground in Ivory Coast than previously predicted by the ICCO. The higher deficit is likely to push global stocks down to 1.63 million tonnes by the end of the crop year, which equates to a good 32% of annual grinding.

The last time the stocks-to-grinding ratio was any lower was 38 years ago. The cocoa price remains well supported against this backdrop. El Niño is now once again a source of concern, as prospects for the new season starting September are not bright due to the threat of dryness. In addition, recent heavy rains have been reported in major producing countries, slowing down mid-crop harvest in top supplier Ivory Coast and elevating fears of disease outbreaks.

The front end of the cocoa moved more deeply in contango, with the negative roll yield of -2.5% weighing on performance.

This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

For more market insights, please click here:

www.wisdomtree.eu/blogs
Disclaimer

The information and publications are not meant to be, and do not constitute, financial, investment, trading, or other types of advice or recommendations supplied or endorsed by TradingView. Read more in the Terms of Use.