Europe and Germany Cocoa Grindings Decline in Q4 2025
Germany and Europe both reported sharp declines in cocoa grindings in the fourth quarter of 2025, reinforcing evidence of demand destruction driven by historically high cocoa prices.
Europe: Q4 Grinding Figures
The European Cocoa Association (ECA) reported that Europe’s Q4 2025 cocoa grind fell 8.3% year-on-year to 304,470 metric tons.
| Q4 2024 Grind (mt, implied) | Q4 2025 Grind (mt) | Absolute Change (mt) | YoY Change |
|---|
| 331,853 | 304,470 | -27,383 | −8.3% |
Q4 vs Q3 Comparison
European cocoa grindings declined sharply from the third quarter:
| Q3 2025 Grind (mt) | Q4 2025 Grind (mt) | Absolute Change (mt) | QoQ Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 337,353 | 304,470 | −32,883 | −9.75% |
This sequential drop is significant and confirms that demand weakened further into year-end, rather than stabilizing.
Germany: Q4 Grinding Figures
According to the German Confectionery Industry Association (BDSI), Germany’s Q4 2025 cocoa grind fell 9.9% year-on-year to 81,096 metric tons.
For the full year 2025, German cocoa grindings declined 10.1% year-on-year to 357,677 metric tons, highlighting sustained pressure on industrial cocoa demand throughout the year.
