Ivory Coast’s July Cocoa Grind Rises 53.3% as Exporters Report Strong Demand

Ivory Coast’s cocoa processing industry recorded a sharp increase in activity in July, with cocoa bean grinding rising 53.3% year on year to 60,263 metric tons, according to data from exporters’ association GEPEX.

The latest figures highlight the continued strength of cocoa processing in the world’s largest cocoa-producing country, where grinders have been processing beans at a significantly faster pace than during the previous season.

GEPEX data show that total cocoa grinding from the beginning of the 2025/26 season in October through the end of July reached 553,731 tons. That represents an increase of about 7.5% compared with the same period of the previous season.

The data cover six of the country’s largest cocoa grinding companies, including Barry Callebaut, Olam International and Cargill.

Ivory Coast has a total cocoa grinding capacity of approximately 750,000 tons per year, making it one of the world’s most important cocoa-processing hubs.