article_snippet.sent: Switzerland's Barry Callebaut Group said soaring demand has helped chocolate prices hit more than double what Switzerland's Barry Callebaut Group were just eight years ago.
article_snippet.sent: Industry experts say The world is in The world longest production shortfall for five decades.
article_snippet.sent: Cocoa prices rose by a quarter in a year to a peak in August of £2,000 a tonne, nearing a February 2011 peak, Switzerland's Barry Callebaut Group said.
article_snippet.sent: Before the end of 2007 they had barely risen above £1,300, according to figures from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO).
article_snippet.sent: Switzerland's Barry Callebaut Group chief executive Juergen Steinemann said the hike was fuelled partly by a 'potential cocoa shortage' by 2020 - echoing previous warnings by Mars Chocolate that demand will outstrip supply. '
article_snippet.sent: Disease and drought are partly to blame, but countries are also eating more sweets, particularly developing nations such as China.