美国情人节巧克力价格大幅上涨 原料短缺推高零售成本

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles highlights a significant increase in chocolate prices in the U.S., with a year-on-year rise of 14.4% from January 1 to early February, surpassing last year's increase of 7.8% and the projected 10.5% for 2024 [2] - The price surge is primarily attributed to a persistent global cocoa bean shortage, exacerbated by extreme weather conditions affecting harvests in West Africa, which supplies about 70% of the world's cocoa [2] - Cocoa futures prices have skyrocketed from approximately $2,500 per ton in mid-2022 to over $12,600 per ton by the end of 2024, indicating a dramatic increase in raw material costs [2] Group 2 - Despite a recent decline in cocoa prices to below $4,000 per ton, companies are still managing high-cost inventory, resulting in retail prices not yet reflecting this decrease [2] - The retail price reduction is expected to be a slow and uneven process, with some relief anticipated around Easter and a gradual return to normalcy by Halloween [2] - In specific regions, chocolate price increases are more pronounced, with Denver and Los Angeles seeing rises of 17% and the Dallas-Fort Worth area experiencing a 19% increase [2] Group 3 - To alleviate cost pressures, the U.S. has exempted cocoa and other agricultural products from high import tariffs, a move welcomed by companies like Hershey [3] - The National Confectioners Association reports that chocolate accounts for about 75% of Valentine's Day candy sales, making it a highly popular gift during the holiday [3] - The National Retail Federation projects that U.S. spending on candy during Valentine's Day will reach $2.6 billion this year, indicating strong consumer demand [3] - Industry insiders believe that as raw material prices stabilize and inventory is gradually consumed, chocolate prices are likely to return to a more reasonable range in the second half of the year [3]