That’s because cocoa prices have more than doubled since the start of the year and have remained at record highs, according to Wells Fargo data shared with CNN. The surging prices have caused grief for confectioners during prime chocolate sales seasons like Valentine’s Day and Easter. The company’s president, Michele Buck, said in a call in August with analysts that cocoa prices are “not sustainable,” and pointed toward higher prices. Though hope is on the horizon, experts project cocoa prices will remain high until at least September 2025. A customer shops for Halloween candy at a Walmart Supercenter on October 16, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

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Persons: it’s, ”, David Branch, Francis Kokoroko, Reuters El, Michele Buck, Hershey, Joseph , Missouri Nick Ingram, Sally Lyons Wyatt, Mars, Brandon Bell, ” Lyons Wyatt Organizations: CNN, Wells, Food Institute, Reuters, International Cocoa Organization, Hershey, Walmart, Getty, ’ Association, NCA, “ Locations: Wells Fargo, West Africa, Osino, Eastern Region, Ghana, St, Joseph , Missouri, Austin , Texas