Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — Trick-or-treaters may have less chocolate than usual in their bags this year thanks to high cocoa prices.
Poor recent growing seasons have caused the price of cocoa to rise 45 percent from January to Septemeber. Growing cocoa has been difficult because of weather in West Africa, where the crop is commonly grown. Last growing season, high amounts of rain brought disease to plants. This time around, high temperatures and strong winds from El Niño have hurt harvests.
The issues with cocoa production have led to increased prices for chocolate candies. As a result, chocolate candy sales have fell by 5 percent in the past year. This trend could hurt chocolate sales into the normally popular seasons of Christmas and Valentine’s Day.