Mintec proposes to launch three new European cocoa product ratio assessments

All Market Notes 17 November 2021

Mintec is proposing to launch three new weekly Mintec Benchmark Prices assessments for European cocoa product ratios, effective 22 December 2021. Mintec is collecting feedback on this proposal from any market participants involved in the cocoa industry until Friday, 3 December 2021.

The proposed assessments, including their specifications, are:

The proposed assessments would reflect implied ratio values on the basis of the weekly assessments of the physical cocoa products in question, as well as the last traded futures value specified above, as close as possible to 15:59:59 UK time. For example, this would mean that the spot ratio for cocoa butter would use the Mintec Benchmark Prices assessment for Cocoa Butter EXW Eur [Mintec Code: COBS], divided by the last traded value as close as possible to 15:59:59 each Wednesday for the London ICE Cocoa front month price, with the COBS price converted to GBP using the spot rate as close as possible to 15:59:59 UK time.

The proposed assessments would provide additional pricing information and transparency for the cocoa industry, enabling more meaningful ratio comparisons that can be used to more fully understand the total cost structure of cocoa products traded in western Europe.

Please send any feedback on this proposal to Methodology@mintecglobal.com by Friday 3 December, and clearly state which market note your comments relate to, and if comments are intended for publication by Mintec.

Mintec will acknowledge receipt of all comments by email.