Cocoa Association of Asia says consumption may pick up pace in the second half if vaccine roll-outs are successful, travel restrictions are lifted & global economy recuperates.
The International Cocoa Organization in November said India and China will be major drivers of chocolate demand as processing in the West shows signs of weakness.
India is currently one of the fastest-growing chocolate markets, with demand steadily rising over the past years. But chocolate producers are struggling.
Scientists are only just beginning to introduce early detection methods of the disease, which was identified nearly a century ago and has cut Ghana's crop forecast by 11% this season.
The global chocolate market shows no sign of slowing down with the three main cocoa processing regions reporting a rise in cocoa demand in the third quarter from a year earlier.
Indians have a fling for anything sweet and chocolate has become one of their favourite treats as they perceive it as healthy, hence they do not hesitate when it comes to snacking.
In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.
IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.
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