Tehran tightens grip on Hormuz; Trump says 'we don't need any help with Iran' - Middle East conflict 13 May
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran as he le...
Since the end of 2024, the price of cocoa has fallen below $7,000 per tonne, as expectations of increased supply and weakening demand triggered a sharp market decline.
The highly volatile price of cocoa declined more than 40% in global markets as drought concerns eased in West Africa and harvest increases.
In West Africa, forecasts have improved due to higher rainfall, while the blossoming of cocoa trees continues to put pressure on prices.
High prices and U.S. tariffs could reduce chocolate demand, adding further strain to the market.
Experts predict that production will rise in the coming season, and although there may be short-term price gains, the overall trend is expected to remain downward.
Last year, cocoa prices reached a record $12,931 per tonne amid global supply concerns. Weak output in the Ivory Coast and Ghana, rejection of poor-quality beans, prolonged droughts, heavy rains, and plant diseases such as the CSSVD virus all contributed to the price surge.
Zafer Ergezen, a futures and commodities market expert, noted that West Africa accounts for 70% of global cocoa production, and reduced output last year and in the first half of this year significantly pushed up prices. He added that production is expected to rise this year, which will increase supply.
Rabobank analyst Oran van Dort said that a significant surplus is anticipated for the 2025/2026 season due to production recovery and weaker demand. Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Nigeria, and Cameroon have already shown growth, while production in the Ivory Coast and Ghana is expected to recover.
Dort added that although the drop in demand has been slower than expected, it will continue next year, and cocoa prices are likely to trend gradually downward in the short and medium term. However, limited supply in the Ivory Coast and Ghana is expected to keep prices above $3,000 per tonne.
Kuwait arrested four members of an IRGC-linked group as they tried to enter the country by sea, the Gulf state's KUNA news agency reported on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a senior IRGC officer said Iran had expanded its definition of the Strait of Hormuz to include a far wider area.
Biological samples from an Italian man were transferred to a specialist hospital for testing on Tuesday, after he was suspected of contracting hantavirus. Meanwhile, World Health Organization boss Tedros Ghebreyesus said there were “no sign” of a larger outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise.
Exclusive flight-tracking material obtained by AnewZ has raised new questions about French military aircraft movements linked to President Emmanuel Macron’s recent diplomacy with Armenia and the wider scope of France’s defence cooperation with Yerevan.
Just one week after a similar move by Australia, Greece announced that it will ban access to social media for children under the age of 15 from January 1, 2027, as governments around the world weigh tougher rules amid growing concerns over mental health, safety and screen addiction.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not think he will need China's help to end the war with Iran as he left for a high-stakes summit in Beijing on Tuesday, as hopes for a lasting peace deal dwindled and Tehran tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz.
TUI has reported sustained demand for holidays despite the Iran war, as the world’s biggest travel company posted lower-than-expected quarterly losses and said bookings for the second half of the year remained strong.
By the time American shoppers began noticing higher prices on everything from trainers to televisions, the world's two largest economies were already deep in a trade war that left the world wondering how it would end.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital maritime chokepoint and serves as the primary artery linking the Persian Gulf to international energy markets. With approximately 20% of global oil and gas shipments transiting this waterway, it is the backbone of energy security for Asia, Europe, and beyond.
China’s exports grew faster than expected in April, as overseas buyers moved quickly to secure supplies amid fears that the conflict involving Iran could drive up global energy and transport costs.
Asian stocks surged to record highs on 7 May as investors priced in growing hopes of a potential Middle East peace deal, while oil prices eased and the U.S. dollar weakened amid shifting global risk sentiment.
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