Your Sweet Tooth Is Getting Expensive.

Cocoa prices have reached record highs, impacting chocolate makers, bakers, and consumers. The increase in price is due to bad weather in West Africa, where most of the world's cocoa is grown, as well as speculation in the market. As a result, chocolatiers and confectioners have raised prices, adjusted recipes, and reduced product sizes. The rising cocoa prices have also led to higher candy and chewing gum prices. While some experts predict that cocoa prices may continue to rise, others anticipate a fall in the second half of the year. There are concerns about the long-term impact on the industry, including the potential for "shrinkflation" and the need to find new areas to plant cacao trees. [Extracted from the article]