Providing new hope to farmers, the price of dried cocoa beans has reached an all-time record of ₹1,000 per kg. Two months before, it was ₹360 per kg. Vendors have reported that the price of dried cocoa beans has reached an unprecedented ₹1,000 per kg. The price was ₹360 per kg in February’s first week.
Jose Joseph, a cocoa vendor based in Thadiyampadu in Idukki, said that the price of dried cocoa has shot up over twofold within three months. “The price of dried cocoa per kg in February was ₹360, and on Tuesday, it was ₹1,000. The price of wet cocoa was ₹130, and it increased to ₹350 per kg,” said Mr. Joseph.
Kuriachen Johnson, who runs Rakkaudella Chocolates, an Ernakulam-based confectioner, said that the price increase was sudden. “The internal consumption of cocoa products has also increased in the State. There is no chance to reduce the product’s price in the near future,” said Mr. Johsnon.
