Cocoa futures have soared to a record high, exceeding $10,000 per ton due to a historic rally fueled by poor harvests in West Africa, leading to a third consecutive year of supply deficit. This price surge is pushing up chocolate costs and sparking concerns over cocoa bean availability. The situation is aggravated by financial market pressures, margin calls, and new EU regulations aimed at preventing forest destruction, potentially further restricting supplies. Despite efforts to boost production elsewhere, the impact is delayed as cocoa trees take years to mature. This has resulted in the lowest stocks-to-grinding ratio in over 40 years, highlighting a critical market condition.