Cocoa processing in Côte d’Ivoire is expanding: grinders in the Gepex exporters’ group processed 157,446 tonnes in the third quarter, 40.3% more than a year earlier. Data published on 15 October also showed European grindings up 3.2% to 348,215 tonnes, their first annual rise since the second quarter of 2024, and Asian grindings up 29.2% to a record 233,767 tonnes. Over the past decade, part of the processing once done in Europe has moved to Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest producer. Local grinding keeps more value and jobs in the country, but grinders will compete with exporters for a main crop already threatened by dry weather. Firmer global demand from a smaller crop would support cocoa prices and farm incomes.