Cocoa futures have soared to a record high in New York, with the price for the most active contract jumping 5% to $11,578 per metric ton, driven by global supply shortages and robust demand. This significant increase, which has seen cocoa futures more than double since the beginning of 2024, is pushing up chocolate prices and fueling concerns about food inflation worldwide. Despite the spike in cocoa prices, chocolate factories have maintained steady processing rates, with a nearly 4% rise in North America during the first quarter, indicating sustained demand amidst rising costs.