> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://cocoaradar.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Chocoa 2025: How to finance your cacao business - in a volatile market - URL: https://cocoaradar.com/chocoa-2025-how-to-finance-your-cacao-business-in-a-volatile-market/ - Published: 2025-01-27T16:00:12.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-27T16:00:12.000Z - Description: This year, the price of cocoa and other raw materials will dominate Amsterdam's Chocoa festival. Anticipating the potential troubles ahead, an intensive two-day finance course is scheduled to equip cacao entrepreneurs with the financial knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industry - Author: Anthony Myers - Tags: Chocoa Andrea Mecozzi, a sustainable cacao sourcing expert, posted on LinkedIn that he expects the price of chocolate in Europe to increase by 30% in February due to ongoing problems with supply issues in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. He told cocoaradar.com that in simple analysis, banks are struggling to provide liquidity to chocolate factories, and the factories have to inject cash to weather the storm for two reasons: “First because cocoa must be paid for as soon as it is found, second because the retail market has shown signs of resilience to increases. So those who increase prices and improve profitability hold up, the others must differentiate.” [Most crucial cocoa stories this week: Barry Callebaut reports lower sales volumes, Eleanor Harrison appointed CEO of Fairtrade Foundation, Dr Randy Abbey to head up Cocobod in GhanaMarket report and latest cocoa prices![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/e5/42e56cb4-2135-4886-b7a8-860153b64965/content/images/icon/sophie-LOGO-FINAL_WEB-54.png)From The Desk of CocoaRadarAnthony Myers![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/42/e5/42e56cb4-2135-4886-b7a8-860153b64965/content/images/thumbnail/ELEANOR-HARRISON-CEO-FAIRTRADE-FOUNDATION.png)](https://cocoaradar.com/most-crucial-cocoa-stories-this-week-barry-callebaut-reports-lower-sales-volumes-eleanor-harrison-appointed-ceo-of-fairtrade-foundation-dr-randy-abbey-to-head-up-cocobod-in-ghana/) Unless you are Barry Callebaut, other cocoa operators must differentiate themselves and establish direct sourcing or enter into contracts with direct sourcing companies, as Mecozzi advises. ## Sign up for From The Desk of CocoaRadar 'From our desk to yours'. The 'go-to newsletter' for the cocoa, chocolate & confectionery industry Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. To help cacao entrepreneurs navigate these and other problems, **Financial Tools for Cacao Entrepreneurs: Money is Not a Problem!** is a session at Chocoa specially designed to equip them with the financial knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the industry. For example, structuring financial deals is crucial for securing capital and supporting business growth. Rabobank’s Alessandro Morgagni will guide entrepreneurs through this process in a Tuesday, session From Basics to Deal Structuring and Capital Raising. ### Risk Management Under Risk Management and Practical Application on Wednesday, 5 February, Albert Scalla and Vladimir Zientek from US financial services StoneX will look at understanding how to negotiate and structure financial agreements. Their session will focus on identifying common risks in the cacao industry and strategies to mitigate them. Topics will include insurance and trade instruments to manage market volatility (hedging, futures, contracts). Experts will also discuss other critical risks for investors, such as jurisdictional risks and regulatory challenges that may impact cacao businesses. By the end of the two-day course, participants will discover how to: - Master essential financial principles and tools specific to the cacao industry - Identify and evaluate the best sources of capital, including loans, pre-financing, and climate finance - Develop strategies to identify and mitigate financial risks within the cacao supply chain - Gain hands-on experience in crafting and delivering impactful business pitches --- - **Chocoa runs from 4 to 9 February as part of Amsterdam Cocoa Week, with events held at Beurs van Berlage. For more details and tickets, visit** [**chocoa.nl**](https://www.chocoa.nl/?ref=cocoaradar.com) - **Cocoaradar.com is the official media partner of the event -** [**subscribe for free here**](https://cocoaradar.com/annual-discount) **and benefit from a 35% discount on an annual plan** - [**StoneX**](https://www.stonex.com/en/?ref=cocoaradar.com) **is bronze sponsor of Chocoa 2025**