Dedicated to cocoa completely and accurately: Cocoa 4 Life: Cocoa Market

Lindt’s shares tumbled 7%, their lowest level for more than three years . They plan on shutting 50 of its 80 Ghirardelli retail boutiques, concentrating on boutiques in shopping malls. Since US sales were now made through Wal-Mart, Costco, Target and Walgreens, and because shoppers were unwilling to pay the higher prices charged at its own stores.

Cadbury holds the No.1 or No.2 spots in more than 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets.

Walmart Stores is planning on launching two Hispanic-focused supermarkets this summer. The pilot stores called Supermercado de Walmart, are planned for Phoenix and Houston.

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., with an estimated 45 million Hispanic/Latino in the U.S.. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic buying power is expected to top $1 trillion by 2011.

May cocoa has been one of the stronger commodities with concerns about this year's crop in the Ivory Coast. Yesterday prices closed back above the 125 day average and at their highest level in almost a month - an impressive sign of strength.

Hershey plans to close its 600,000 sq foot distribution center in Redlands CA and relocate to Ogden, UT as part of thier new global distribution plan. Utah offered a refundable tax credit to move to Ogden. About 90 employees could be out of work starting next week.

The chief executive of The Hershey Co. received a more than 40 percent hike in his compensation in 2008. David J. West received compensation valued at $6.2 million in his first full year as president and CEO after taking over in a late 2007.

Ivory Coast exported 498,674 MT of cocoa beans in the first five months of the 2008-09 main crop (October to February). Its 23% down on the 646,499 tons shipped in the same period last season. Other than the previous poor quality conitions, poor weather conditions slowed maturation of the 2008-09 main crop (October-March) and new local cocoa processing plants have been built in the past year have also contributed to the drop.

Ivory Coast exported 155,923 MT of semi-manufactured cocoa products (Liquor, Butter, Powder, Cake) in the first five months of the 2008-09 season (October-February). Compared to last year its up by 31,000 tons and almost 25%, on the 124,923 tons shipped a year earlier. Local grinding is up on year as new cocoa processing plants became operational and Barry Callebaut doubled the capacity of its San Pedro plant to 105,000 MT per year. - Interesting how the bean export is low due to poor quality and grind is up on semi-finished (Things that make you go Hmmmmmm).

U.S. Dollar Dropped after the biggest 1 day slide since 1985. The Fed said it will $300 billion of long-dated Treasuries over the next 6 months. This is the 1st large scale purchase of government debt since the early 1960s. U.S. jobless benifits hit a record high tempering the dollar loss a little. The Euro rose to $1.37, its strongest level since January.

Cocoa 4 Life: Cocoa Market

Lindt’s shares tumbled 7%, their lowest level for more than three years . They plan on shutting 50 of its 80 Ghirardelli retail boutiques, concentrating on boutiques in shopping malls. Since US sales were now made through Wal-Mart, Costco, Target and Walgreens, and because shoppers were unwilling to pay the higher prices charged at its own stores.

Cadbury holds the No.1 or No.2 spots in more than 20 of the world's 50 largest confectionery markets.

Walmart Stores is planning on launching two Hispanic-focused supermarkets this summer. The pilot stores called Supermercado de Walmart, are planned for Phoenix and Houston.

The Hispanic population is the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., with an estimated 45 million Hispanic/Latino in the U.S.. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic buying power is expected to top $1 trillion by 2011.

May cocoa has been one of the stronger commodities with concerns about this year's crop in the Ivory Coast. Yesterday prices closed back above the 125 day average and at their highest level in almost a month - an impressive sign of strength.

Hershey plans to close its 600,000 sq foot distribution center in Redlands CA and relocate to Ogden, UT as part of thier new global distribution plan. Utah offered a refundable tax credit to move to Ogden. About 90 employees could be out of work starting next week.

The chief executive of The Hershey Co. received a more than 40 percent hike in his compensation in 2008. David J. West received compensation valued at $6.2 million in his first full year as president and CEO after taking over in a late 2007.

Ivory Coast exported 498,674 MT of cocoa beans in the first five months of the 2008-09 main crop (October to February). Its 23% down on the 646,499 tons shipped in the same period last season. Other than the previous poor quality conitions, poor weather conditions slowed maturation of the 2008-09 main crop (October-March) and new local cocoa processing plants have been built in the past year have also contributed to the drop.

Ivory Coast exported 155,923 MT of semi-manufactured cocoa products (Liquor, Butter, Powder, Cake) in the first five months of the 2008-09 season (October-February). Compared to last year its up by 31,000 tons and almost 25%, on the 124,923 tons shipped a year earlier. Local grinding is up on year as new cocoa processing plants became operational and Barry Callebaut doubled the capacity of its San Pedro plant to 105,000 MT per year. - Interesting how the bean export is low due to poor quality and grind is up on semi-finished (Things that make you go Hmmmmmm).

U.S. Dollar Dropped after the biggest 1 day slide since 1985. The Fed said it will $300 billion of long-dated Treasuries over the next 6 months. This is the 1st large scale purchase of government debt since the early 1960s. U.S. jobless benifits hit a record high tempering the dollar loss a little. The Euro rose to $1.37, its strongest level since January.