French cocoa trader Touton SA has entered exclusive negotiations to be acquired by Hartree Partners, with the deal expected to close in early January 2026 pending regulatory approval and employee consultations, Reuters disclosed.
Headquartered in Bordeaux, Touton is responsible for nearly 10% of global cocoa trade, making it one of the most influential independent players in the sector. Hartree, which recently expanded its footprint in agricultural commodities by acquiring ED&F Man Commodities in the UK, is seeking to deepen its position in soft commodities through the transaction, Reuters highlighted.
The potential sale comes amid an industry marked by historic price surges and supply disruptions following weak harvests in West Africa. Analysts referenced by Reuters stressed that the transaction would combine Touton’s established global presence with Hartree’s broader commodity platform, positioning the merged entity to better weather ongoing volatility.
If finalized, the deal is set to reshape dynamics within the cocoa trade while reinforcing a wider consolidation trend across agricultural markets as firms turn to mergers and acquisitions to secure supply chains and stabilize growth.
