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]

西方传统节日情人节来临，不少美国人准备选购巧克力作为节日礼物送给亲朋好友。据美国有线电视新 闻网13日报道，美国巧克力价格持续上涨，今年以来同比涨幅已超过14%。美国巧克力价格走高，主要 受核心原料可可豆全球供应短缺影响。西非地区可可豆产量占全球约70%，极端天气导致歉收，曾一度 将可可期价推至历史高位，从2022年年中的约每吨2500美元，一路飙升至2024年末的每吨12600美元以 上。尽管近期国际可可价格明显回落，但目前美国市面上的巧克力产品仍在消化此前高价采购的原料库 存，叠加假日消费需求刺激，巧克力涨价势头可能在短期内仍将持续。 ...

转载请注明央视财经 据报道，美国市场调研公司Datasembly的数据显示，今年1月1日至2月初，美国巧克力零售价同比上涨14.4%，涨幅较去年同期的7.8%、2024年的10.5%进一 步扩大。其中，丹佛和洛杉矶等城市的巧克力价格同比上涨约17%，达拉斯沃斯堡地区涨幅高达19%。Datasembly公司在追踪全美5.7万家门店、4000多款巧 克力产品售价后得出这一报告。 美国巧克力价格走高，主要受核心原料可可豆全球供应短缺影响。西非地区可可豆产量占全球约70%，极端天气导致可可豆歉收，曾一度将可可期价推至历 史高位，从2022年年中的约每吨2500美元，一路飙升至2024年末的每吨12600美元以上。尽管近期国际可可价格明显回落，但目前美国市面上的巧克力产品 仍在消化此前高价采购的原料库存，叠加假日消费需求刺激，巧克力涨价势头可能在短期内仍将持续。 （央视财经《天下财经》）西方传统节日情人节来临，不少美国人准备选购巧克力作为节日礼物送给亲朋好友。据美国有线电视新闻网13日报道，受全球可 可主产区供应短缺等因素影响，美国巧克力价格持续上涨，今年以来，同比涨幅已超过14%。 编辑：令文芳 美国国家糖果制造商协 ...

Group 1 - Major chocolate companies, including Ferrero and Hershey, have announced price increases for their chocolate products due to rising cocoa prices and increased competition from domestic brands [1][2][3] - Hershey indicated that it would raise average chocolate product prices by double digits, while Nestlé also announced price hikes for its chocolate products [2] - Cocoa prices have surged, with futures reaching $7,380 per ton as of July 23, representing a 121% increase compared to two years ago [3] Group 2 - The increase in cocoa prices is attributed to a decline in international cocoa production and supply chain issues, leading to sustained high prices for over two years [3][5] - The price hikes from major chocolate brands may impact downstream markets, such as restaurants and dessert shops, although the overall effect on the companies' performance is expected to be minimal due to their strong bargaining power [4][5] - The market for chocolate products is becoming increasingly competitive, with the rise of domestic brands and the introduction of chocolate desserts in various retail outlets, putting pressure on traditional chocolate giants [3][4]