David Branch

“For chocolate manufacturers, the principal 2026 issue is no longer simply cocoa availability. It is the timing mismatch between falling futures, high-cost inventories, retailer negotiations, and consumer elasticity.”

David Branch · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-30

David Branch explained that the principal 2026 issue for chocolate manufacturers is a timing mismatch between falling futures and high-cost inventories.

“The worst of the cocoa crisis has passed, but price relief hasn't reached store shelves yet,”

David Branch · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-30

David Branch told CNBC that while the cocoa crisis has eased, price relief has not yet reached store shelves.

“Consumers will continue buying candy, but shopping baskets are likely to contain fewer chocolate pieces, more value packs, and a greater share of gummies, sour products, wafers, caramel, and other lower-cocoa alternatives,”

David Branch · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-30

David Branch predicted shoppers would favor value packs and lower-cocoa alternatives over chocolate.