Poor harvests in West Africa, the world's main producing region, and poor growth in other areas explain the shortage.

Cocoa international prices surpassed the US$9,000 per ton mark this Monday, a historical record amid lack of supply in the market.

After this, futures in New York rose by 7.57%, to US$ 9,207, the highest level ever reached in a contract. As a reference, just twelve months earlier cocoa was trading at around US$2,900.

So far in March, the price of this key raw material for some African economies has doubled. Poor harvests in West Africa, the world's main producing region, and poor harvest growth in other areas explain the shortage.

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In this context, the price rebound could translate into an increase in the cost of chocolate throughout the year, leading some manufacturers to reduce the size of the bars sold or to promote varieties with alternative ingredients in order to contain price increases.

"Chocolate could be even more expensive in Easter 2025 if cocoa tree diseases and inclement weather prolong the deficit amid high sugar prices," explained Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Diana Gomes.