Cocoa bean prices have soared to record highs, with a ton now exceeding $10,000, marking a significant increase due to crop failures in West Africa, exacerbated by extreme weather conditions and the El Niño phenomenon. This has led to a shortage of cocoa beans, driving up prices by almost 10% since February, 50% since the start of the year, and 130% from 2022. The aging of cocoa trees and diseases have further impacted yields. As a result, chocolate makers, including Lindt & Spruengli, Hershey's, and Mondelez, are raising their product prices. In Ukraine, chocolate prices are expected to double by the end of the year, influenced by the cocoa price surge and logistical challenges, including the blocking of the Polish border. This situation is compounded by reduced cocoa processing in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, a forecasted drop in cocoa production, and rising sugar prices, indicating that chocolate prices worldwide are likely to continue rising.