Kerry has unveiled its innovative Cocoa Booster at the East Africa Bakery & Pastry Expo and Bakers Summit 2025, the region’s leading event in the baking industry.
The new solution aims to help manufacturers reduce cocoa powder usage by up to 30% across various baked goods and related applications, all while preserving the rich, indulgent chocolate flavor consumers expect.
The launch comes in response to a significant global cocoa supply crisis, driven by declining yields in West Africa’s major cocoa-producing nations, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Production in these countries has fallen by 34% due to a combination of crop diseases, soil degradation, and climate change, which together account for more than half of the world’s cocoa output.
In 2024, the world faced an estimated cocoa deficit of around 11%, leading to a more than threefold increase in commodity prices year-over-year. The surge has placed mounting pressure on food manufacturers worldwide, with cocoa prices soaring over 150% in the past year and setting historic highs. This has impacted sectors from baked goods and beverages to confectionery and snacks.
Kerry’s Business Development and Technical Lead for Bakery in Africa, Leonel Figueira, explained, “Our Cocoa Booster is timely, practical, and designed to address the challenges faced by our customers across Africa. It’s not just about cost savings; it’s about helping our partners uphold high product standards in a volatile market while supporting supply chain resilience.”
Developed by Kerry’s global team of food scientists, the Cocoa Taste Solutions deliver an authentic cocoa flavor by enhancing roasted, nutty, caramel, and smoky notes. This allows manufacturers to significantly reduce cocoa powder content without sacrificing taste or quality.
Key benefits of Kerry’s Cocoa Booster include:
- Authentic Cocoa Flavor: Delivers the rich, familiar chocolate taste with less cocoa powder.
- Cost Efficiency & Supply Stability: Helps manage input costs amid volatile cocoa markets and reduces dependency on unpredictable supplies.
- Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of products such as biscuits, cakes, brownies, chocolate drinks, dairy, and spreads.
- Technical Support: Kerry’s experts assist with formulation to ensure consistent product quality during reformulation.
This launch underscores Kerry’s commitment to fostering resilient and sustainable food systems. By providing scalable, innovative solutions, the company empowers food and beverage manufacturers across Africa to navigate the ongoing cocoa shortage without compromising on flavor or quality.
With growing local demand for authentic cocoa taste—despite rising input costs—Kerry’s localized approach combines global expertise with regional insights, helping brands adapt efficiently. This strategy remains a key differentiator for Kerry across the continent.
To learn more about Kerry Cocoa and how it can enhance your product portfolio, visit Kerry Cocoa.
