India, April 20 -- Cocoa prices. chocolate demand down; but are bullish trends ahead?

Over the past few months, cocoa prices are down, as is the demand for chocolates, and chocolate-laced candies. Despite the geopolitical trends, and trade disruptions, cocoa supplies are high, even as chocolate makers, the main users of the raw material, clock lower revenues because of the customers' aversion for the sweets. However, drought conditions in major producer nations like Ghana and Ivory Coast, as well as the winding down of short positions may curtail cocoa supplies, and boost prices in the future. But only if chocolate demand picks up, and user firms are willing to hike their offtakes.

According to media reports, cocoa prices, which peaked ...