Egads!

 Could the appetite for chocolate exceed the world's supply?

Though the world’s demand for chocolate almost exceeds the ability of worn-out plants to produce it, experts say it’s not time to panic yet.  But something needs to be done.

The demand for chocolate increases by about 2.5 to 3 percent each year, which means about four million more tons of cocoa are needed every year.

Experts predict that by 2020, the demand for chocolate will increase by 25 percent. That’s about five million metric tons of chocolate.

Experts say newer and stronger cocoa plants need to be developed to keep up with demand, which can take years.

“From my very personal perspective, overnight there probably won’t be a major variance in chocolate prices for consumers,” Peck said.

So, for now, chocolate lovers need not fret.

“We want to make sure people can continue loving it without any cares or worries, except for having too much,” Pederson said.