Rising energy, cocoa and rapeseed oil prices are changing the purchasing environment. This week is not about panic, but about quickly verifying prices, transport and availability before short pricing windows close.
The buying window is narrowing this week
Brent has moved to USD 91.5 per barrel, cocoa to approximately EUR 5,247/t in euro terms, and rapeseed oil to approximately EUR 545/t. The common denominator is greater pressure on both inputs and logistics. Instead of waiting for a “better price”, it is therefore more important to know which items need to be checked and where it makes sense to lock in a shorter volume.
According to the ECB, EUR/USD moved to 1.1567, slightly above 1.1535 from the previous week. The exchange rate therefore does not offset much of the commodity pressure. For USD-denominated inputs, the key question remains whether you have a confirmed price, offer expiry and transport.
Brent is rising: transport needs to be recalculated, not automatically accepted
Brent is at USD 91.5/bbl compared with USD 84.0/bbl in Market Watch #17, representing an increase of 8.9%. Higher oil prices may translate into fuel surcharges and delivered prices, but there is no reason to automatically accept a general logistics surcharge without details.
- Ask separately for the fuel surcharge, route and transport validity.
- Lock in transport for shorter periods, until you have a confirmed volume and exact delivery window.
- Compare delivered prices, not just the commodity price without logistics.
Cocoa +7.8%: lock in a shorter volume instead of a long contract
The US futures benchmark of around USD 6,069/t corresponds to approximately EUR 5,247/t at the ECB exchange rate. For confectioneries, praline manufacturers and dairy dessert producers, this is a signal that the current offer should be checked now, not only at the next purchase.
However, a long contract without a precise specification would be an unnecessarily large risk. It is more practical to split the fixation into a shorter volume and, before confirming, check:
- fat content and processing,
- batch and expiry date,
- dispatch date,
- price validity and delivery terms.
Rapeseed oil +3.9%: Q4-Q1 offers should already be on the table
The August rapeseed contract is trading at around EUR 545.5/t. The market is again higher than in the previous edition, so it is reasonable to secure at least two comparable offers before fixing the volume.
A comparison only makes sense if the offers have the same origin, Incoterms, payment terms and delivery date. Otherwise, you are comparing two different services, not two prices for the same commodity.
A stable benchmark does not yet mean stable availability
For potato, wheat, corn and tapioca starch, flakes, maltodextrin, glucose syrup, STPP or caraway, there was no reliable fresh public spot price available for a comparable delivery. Rootie therefore keeps the last verified benchmark as STABLE.
For an actual purchase, however, the benchmark alone is not enough. Before comparing offers, you need to confirm the batch, expiry date, origin, availability and logistics. A stable price on a chart does not mean that the same product is physically available under the same conditions.
What this means for individual segments
Gastro and oil-based products
Treat rapeseed oil and transport as one decision. Compare at least two delivered prices and do not leave the fuel surcharge outside the offer.
Bakeries
Flour, sugar and starches have a stable benchmark, but the actual price depends on volume, quality and logistics. Instead of three separate enquiries, send one combined request with volumes and delivery dates.
Fitness and muesli
Maltodextrin is stable, but cocoa is more expensive. For protein and bar formulations, it makes sense to check a shorter cocoa fixation and leave the other inputs with a more flexible delivery date.
Logistics
Higher Brent is a reason to compare transport immediately, not to automatically accept a general surcharge. Ask for the specific route, delivery type and price validity.
Three steps worth taking now
- Request short-validity offers for cocoa, rapeseed oil and transport. Each offer should include validity, Incoterms and delivery date.
- For stable benchmarks, verify availability first. A price without a batch, expiry date and logistics is not a comparable offer.
- Combine commodities by company. One combined message with the volume and delivery date will speed up the response and make it easier to compare the entire purchasing basket.
Market Watch only makes sense when it turns into a concrete purchase
This week, we closed 3 contracts through Rootie with a total volume of 198 tonnes and an average saving of 9% compared with the spot price. The result did not come only from finding the lowest number. Clear specifications, comparable Incoterms, confirmed transport and fast timing made the difference.
Need to verify the price for your volume?
If you are sourcing cocoa, rapeseed oil, starches or a combined enquiry, send us the volume, quality and required delivery date. We will prepare a pricing framework based on the specific delivery.
Sources and methodology: ECB EUR/USD · Euronext Rapeseed/Colza · ICE Brent · Trading Economics Cocoa · Foodcom · Tridge wheat flour · Procurement Resource cocoa. Prices and benchmarks are indicative, and a binding offer requires confirmation of the specific specification, availability and logistics.