Whittaker’s prices to rise again due to Cocoa Shortage

November 22, 2024

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Whittaker’s, the popular New Zealand chocolate company, announced it will raise prices starting Monday, November 18, due to a global cocoa shortage.

This is the second price hike this year, following a similar increase in May. The company cited the rising cost of ingredients as the reason for the change.

In a statement on Facebook, Whittaker’s expressed understanding of how significant a price increase can be for its customers. They assured fans that the price adjustment is necessary to maintain the quality, size, and ethical standards of their chocolate products.

The company explained that it sells its chocolate to retailers at a Recommended Retail Price, but the final cost to customers is set by individual stores. Whittaker’s emphasised that using the finest ingredients and supporting ethical cocoa sourcing remain top priorities.

The cocoa shortage has had a global impact, with production in Africa, which supplies 70% of the world’s cocoa, dropping by about 40% this year. Whittaker’s, which historically sourced cocoa exclusively from Ghana, now supplements its supply with beans from other parts of Africa that meet its high standards.

Co-chief operating officer Matt Whittaker said last month that the cocoa shortage is likely to persist, affecting chocolate prices worldwide in the future.

Article written by Milli Banbury

This article was written using AI as an assistive tool for research and writing.

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On the edge of the South Island, a coastal sanctuary has become a safe place for sea birds to nest. Years ago, the area was disturbed by pests, rubbish, and too much foot traffic. To protect the birds, conservation workers cleared litter, fenced off nesting zones, and monitored the beach during breeding season.

The results have been encouraging. More eggs have survived, and several species now return each summer in larger numbers. Visitors are still welcome, but they must stay on marked paths and keep dogs away from protected areas. The sanctuary manager explained that the project works because people and nature are both given space to thrive.

Which is the best summary of the passage?

Visitors are being allowed to walk anywhere if they are careful. Conservation work has helped protect a coastal sanctuary for nesting sea birds. The beach was closed because too many birds were nesting there. Dogs are the main reason more eggs have survived this season.