January cocoa grinding output hit 47,000 tonnes, up from 44,000 tonnes during the same month last year, the data showed.

Ivory Coast's Q1 grind year on year reached 135,510 tonnes, up from 124,360 tonnes.

The GEPEX data only covers six of the largest grinding companies, including Barry Callebaut, Olam and Cargill, among 12 active firms.

Ivory Coast is world's top cocoa producer and vies with the Netherlands for the top grinder spot.

The west African nation has total grinding capacity of 712,000 tonnes but ground only 505,000 tonnes of beans last season.