World shortage of chocolate

Chocolate, a decadent treat, a guilty pleasure and sometimes, a girl’s best friend. But could it be possible that we are in the midst of experiencing a global shortage of chocolate?

The Sun said that the International Cocoa Organization has reported that there is, indeed, a shortage of cocoa supply. To eradicate this shortage, there would need to be an excess of 700,000 tonnes of chocolate produced. There has been an increase in demand for dark chocolate. Dark chocolate requires a greater cocoa concentration, partially leading to the cocoa shortage. This means that prices of chocolate will rise, and continue to rise. The Wall Street Journal noted that the price of chocolate has risen to 9 per cent this year and rose 30 per cent in 2013 (International Cocoa Organization).  Some of the largest manufacturers of chocolate, like Hershey, has transitioned some of its products to purely milk chocolate.

Cocoa production is a process that cannot be accelerated, mainly due to the fact that production occurs in developing countries. Liberty Voice recently brought light onto the issue of the dismal conditions in cocoa production, including child labour, amid the cocoa shortage. Adverse conditions surrounding certain methods of cocoa production may be the cause of cocoa supply not configuring to the demand of the masses.

There are two sides to every story. While we may be criticizing the inflating price of an old friend, other parts of the world will continue to struggle to meet our demand. What is the price of a chocolate bar to you? What will the masses be willing to pay for chocolate?

But the main question remains, could you live without chocolate?