The week through Friday, 25 September 2026, brought a mixed picture. The ECB EUR/USD fixing was 1.1403, so converting USD quotes into EUR increases the euro price compared with the week when the exchange rate was 1.1460. Among the weekly benchmarks in this issue, cocoa beans, tapioca starch and Brent are rising, white sugar and rapeseed oil are falling, and the other weekly items are stable. Monthly, quarterly, annual and indicative benchmarks are stated only as a level without w/w.
Main market moves this week
Cocoa beans, futures: +6.0%, keep the offer valid for 7 days
ICE London Cocoa futures closed on 25 September at 5,619 USD/t, which at the ECB exchange rate of 1.1403 represents 4,927 EUR/t. These are cocoa beans, futures, not cocoa powder. The Rootie range is 5,419 – 5,912 EUR/t.
ICE #5 white sugar: -0.7%, short fixation for Q4
December ICE London White Sugar #5 closed at 502.60 USD/t, approximately 441 EUR/t after conversion using the ECB exchange rate. The Rootie range is 485 – 529 EUR/t.
Brent crude: +0.9%, keep logistics under control
Brent futures closed on 25 September at 104.32 USD/bbl, which is approximately 91 EUR/bbl at the ECB exchange rate of 1.1403.
Tapioca starch: +0.5%, verify the test and basis
TTSA Bangkok reports 700 USD/t FOB Bangkok as of 22 September, which is approximately 614 EUR/t at the ECB exchange rate. The Rootie range is 675 – 737 EUR/t. For dairy and frozen products, send the price only after the sample and technical data sheet have been confirmed.
RBDW sunflower oil: monthly level 1,440 EUR/t, no w/w
TESEO/EK reports the Bulgarian national average at 1,440 EUR/t for September. This level is neither CIF Rotterdam nor DAP. In every offer, clearly state EU wholesale, CIF Rotterdam or DAP, because these are different levels.
Potato starch: quarterly index, 867 EUR/t, no w/w
ChemAnalyst reports Germany FOB Hamburg at approximately 989 USD/t, which at the ECB exchange rate represents approximately 867 EUR/t. The Rootie range is 954 – 1,040 EUR/t. For an inquiry, request the exact quality, batch, COA, expiry date, Incoterms and delivery date.
Cocoa powder 10-12%: monthly level 6,516 EUR/t, no w/w
Procurement Resource reports a UK FOB price of 7,430.06 USD/t for the latest available monthly figure from July 2026. After conversion using the ECB exchange rate, this is approximately 6,516 EUR/t. Never confuse this level with cocoa beans, futures, and do not state a weekly change for it.
What this means for you by segment
Bakeries and confectioneries
Sugar is at 441 EUR/t and fell by 0.7% in euro terms, so a Q4 tender makes sense with short validity. Keep T550 flour as a proxy based on the wheat futures benchmark, not as a direct spot quote.
Chocolate producers
Cocoa beans, futures, are at 4,927 EUR/t and are rising by 6.0%, while cocoa powder has a separate monthly level of 6,516 EUR/t. In one message, ask about the form, fat content, alkalisation, volume and date.
Dairies
Tapioca is at approximately 614 EUR/t FOB converted into EUR and is slightly higher, but make the final offer conditional on the sample. Potato starch is a quarterly index at 867 EUR/t, so do not compare it as a w/w spot level.
Fitness and muesli
Maltodextrin is a monthly level of 998 EUR/t without w/w. For protein and carbohydrate inputs, collect the specification, certification and monthly consumption before pricing.
Gastro and oils
RBDW sunflower oil is a monthly Bulgarian level of 1,440 EUR/t. Assign a basis and validity to the gastro offer so that EU wholesale, CIF Rotterdam and DAP are not mixed.
Logistics
Brent is at 104.32 USD/bbl, i.e. approximately 91 EUR/bbl. For long routes, check the fuel clause and do not rewrite the entire price list without a specific impact on transport.
Practical impact for buyers
- Send chocolate producers an updated cocoa bean futures calculation at 4,927 EUR/t with 7-day validity.
- Request a Q4 sugar price from the supplier at around 441 EUR/t with a 5 – 7 day fixation, volume, packaging and confirmed date.
- For sunflower oil, have the offer separate the 1,440 EUR/t EU wholesale level from the CIF Rotterdam and DAP basis.
- For potato starch and cocoa powder, use only the level and the latest index update, not a w/w percentage.
Why Rootie works this week
Rootie reports 3 closed contracts this week, 180 tonnes of aggregated volume and an average saving of 8% compared with the spot price. For every inquiry, add the volume, quality, Incoterms and date so that the benchmark becomes a comparable offer.
Need help timing your purchase?
Send us the commodity, specification, volume and delivery location. We will compare fresh offers and set a short or regular purchasing window.
Sources: ECB EUR/USD reference rate • WSJ ICE White Sugar #5 • Barchart ICE White Sugar #5 • Trading Economics Cocoa • Reuters Brent settlement • TTSA Thailand tapioca • TESEO CLAL oilseeds • ChemAnalyst potato starch • Procurement Resource cocoa powder • AHDB futures • Barchart rapeseed XR*0 • BusinessAnalytiq salt index.