Results: Chocolate prices have tripled. What does that mean for your Easter egg basket?

Cocoa prices have tripled in the last 12 months due to the spread of bean disease among cacao crops in West Africa, where more than 70 per cent of the global cocoa supply is produced. The resulting cocoa crisis is pressuring chocolate makers who, during the typically busy Easter holiday, are trying to sustain business — and sweet-toothed customers who are trying to curb spending. "I think for those that haven't bought candy since, say, Halloween, the price of chocolate on the store shelves may be a bit of a surprise," said Billy Roberts, a senior analyst of food and beverage at CoBank. Hershey's has introduced a line of non-chocolate Easter treats, like cookies and cream treats, lemon KitKat bars and mixing in gummy bears in its assortment bags, though a spokesperson said these additions are not connected to rising cocoa prices.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/chocolate-prices-rising-drought-sugar-1.7155045