Cocoa prices have reached record highs due to concerns over potential supply shortages for the fourth year in a row. This concern is being fueled by dry weather conditions in West Africa, which is expected to reduce cocoa supply, and speculators betting on price increases. The physical market trading for cocoa is experiencing delays and cash flow issues due to rising futures trading costs. Despite an increase in cocoa arrivals at Ivory Coast ports, the country's top producer, the arrivals are behind previous seasons. Low output from Ghana, the world's second-largest producer, has also contributed to low cocoa stocks in ICE warehouses. Other soft commodities such as arabica coffee, robusta, raw sugar, and white sugar have also seen price movements.