Changes to the Product Range due to Increased Cocoa Prices

On one hand, the ongoing geopolitical and economic instability has created an unpredictable environment that is disrupting global supply chains. This uncertainty has led to the sporadic availability of some raw materials.

On the other hand, the effects of climate change are also taking a toll on the food manufacturing industry. Poor harvests are limiting the availability of natural ingredients. This shortage, coupled with additional speculation on future crop yields, has driven up prices for many raw materials.

Rising Costs for Cocoa

We are also experiencing the impact of rising costs, particularly in fruits, seeds, nuts, and almonds, with cocoa prices seeing the most significant increase. Approximately 70% of global cocoa production comes from the Ivory Coast and Ghana, where extreme weather events and disease outbreaks affecting cocoa trees have caused substantial harvest losses in recent years. Additionally, structural challenges—such as outdated, low-yielding cocoa tree populations and illegal gold mining—have further reduced cocoa availability. All of these factors drive up the prices.

Increase in the Cost of Fruit

In addition, the 2024 fruit harvest has been severely impacted by late frosts, hail, and an unusually wet spring, leading to poor yields. As a result, many fruits are in short supply, and the prices for those that are available have surged. Furthermore, below-average harvests in previous years and reduced cultivation volumes have made it increasingly difficult to secure various fruits.

How Dr. Oetker is Navigating the Rising Costs

Raw material prices continue to fluctuate significantly and remain at historically high levels. In addition to the increased cost of raw materials, other factors are contributing to higher food prices. The cost of freight rates, tolls, fertilizers, and animal feed have all risen, alongside growing personnel expenses.

Unfortunately, we can no longer offset these cost increases with other cost-saving measures and have to factor them into our pricing.

We offer a wide range of products—from cakes and desserts to pizzas—designed for different occasions. To ensure we can continue to offer these products at reasonable prices, we have carefully reviewed each item and made necessary adjustments on a case-by-case basis.

Zudem haben späte Fröste, Hagel und ein insgesamt regenreiches, nasses Frühjahr in 2024 zu schlechten Obsternten geführt. Aus diesem Grund sind viele Früchte nicht in ausreichenden Mengen vorhanden und die Preise für die verfügbaren Früchte deutlich gestiegen. Ferner fielen in den Vorjahren die Ernten einiger Früchte unterdurchschnittlich aus. Erschwert wird die Beschaffung verschiedener Früchte auch durch verringerte Anbaumengen.

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