Introduction

The price of chocolate will likely keep rising as demand for it increases. Cocoa beans may soon be in short supply due to the high demand for the product. Chocolate ice cream, candy bars and other chocolate confectioneries will rise in price -- as consumers in more countries jump on the bandwagon.

"A worldwide shortage of cocoa beans could drive up chocolate prices. Experts say reports about the health benefits of dark chocolate and a new taste for the treat in China are driving up demand. They predict a shortage of 1 million tons of cocoa in the next eight years. They also say that could mean candy makers will start using artificial flavorings or adding more nuts to fill out chocolate bar."

Source: News 14 Carolina.

Once upon upon a time, the worlds demand for chocolate was lower, with Switzerland leading the way in consumption. But this is likely to change -- as demand for chocolate increases in other areas of the world. Consumption in North America is not as high as it is in Europe and one day China may soon be the global leader in chocolate consumption as it has a high population: 1,339,724,852 (Wikipedia). Many may soon be eating chocolate covered bugs (just kidding). "in China, they're considered delicacies. The Chinese snack on a wide variety of insects, from water bugs ... to live scorpions doused in baijiu, a robust liquor." (US News).

Like in the World Cup, Canada does not make it into the top 23 countries that consume chocolate. Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom do (see Supply & Demand). That does not, however mean, that more people in Canada should eat more chocolate. Too much chocolate will make you pudgy ... there is also salt, sugar and peanuts in many chocolate products. Some individuals who are anaphylactic often have to be careful with regard to their choice of chocolate, as many contain nuts ... and this is liable to increase due to a shortage in cocoa beans; as one ingredient decreases, another usually increases.