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Cocoa Shortage Could Send Chocolate Prices Soaring

Cocoa Shortage

The Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 12/12/11 17:14 GMT Updated: 12/12/11 17:14 GMT

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Chocoholics, you might want to stock up on those Quality Street and selection boxes while you can because insiders are predicting a world chocolate shortage could be on the cards.

Although cocoa trade prices are currently at their lowest level in three years as a result of a bumper crop and a slowdown in consumption in Europe, industry experts are predicting a one-million-ton shortage of cocoa within eight years, fuelled by a growing taste for cocoa in China.

This could see the price of chocolate soar as manufacturers are forced to increase the use of nuts and other expensive ingredients to add bulk to their bars.

An area the size of the Ivory Coast would need to be cultivated to satisfy the demand.

Experts are warning that farmers need more training to help increase their cocoa bean crops to prevent prices soaring.

If that wasn’t excuse enough to go out and start stockpiling the sweet stuff, find out more about the health benefits of chocolate below and enjoy some guilt-free indulgence.

5 Health Benefits Of Chocolate
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Chocoholics, you might want to stock up on those Quality Street and selection boxes while you can because insiders are predicting a world chocolate shortage could be on the cards. Although cocoa tr...
Chocoholics, you might want to stock up on those Quality Street and selection boxes while you can because insiders are predicting a world chocolate shortage could be on the cards. Although cocoa tr...
 
 
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grizzly bear55
King of the forest
451 Fans
10:39 AM on 12/13/2011
Another manipulation of commodity by speculators.

Impose a huge tax on speculators to stop them from sending inflation to the stratosphere.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
earlyblue
639 Fans
10:02 AM on 12/13/2011
The notes on photo 5 ask if it could be a man replacement due the the endorphin benefit. Emotionally, maybe. I guess it could replace a man, physically, to: if you molded the chocolate properly.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MCTSilverlakeCA
retired Sr Litigation Insurance Fraud Manager
498 Fans
06:10 AM on 12/13/2011
Stop the Presses! Oh my God - no! In the midst of the World's Worst Crises in history since Rome's last Legion left England - we are going to have our only truly decadent surcease of pleasure become so outrageously priced it becomes "unavailable?" Outrageous! Where does Buckingham stand on this!
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eric14
1215 Fans
 
01:40 AM on 12/13/2011
Although cocoa trade prices are currently at their lowest level in three years as a result of a bumper crop and a slowdown in consumption in Europe,
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Really? Supermarket prices have risen steadily over last six months. Why?
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