A POPULAR item has disappeared from supermarket shelves and fans are reeling from the news.
The pantry staple has quietly vanished from Aldi stores across the country.
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Aldi shoppers have noticed a missing product in the retailer’s baking section.
The Baker’s Corner Baking Cocoa powder has been a fan favorite item.
Now, fans of the German supermarket chain say that the product is no longer available.
Customers took to social media to spread the news, with some confirming that the product is vacant from their local stores.
In a post shared to Reddit, users discussed the disappearance of the product, and speculated reasons behind it.
FAN REACTIONS
A Reddit post titled “My local Aldi (USA) says they are no longer stocking cocoa powder in the banking section. Is this nationwide?”
The post sparked a massive discussion, in which many users claimed to be experiencing similar shortages.
“This is a CRISIS,” one user wrote.
“I couldn’t find it at any store in my area,” wrote another.
“Aldi, Kroger, or Walmart.”
“Have not had cocoa powder at my central [Connecticut] Aldi for several months,” another added.
PRODUCT SHORTAGE
Users in the comments explained that the shortage of cocoa powder may be explained by environmental factors.
“This has been going on for months,” one user wrote.
“Africa produces 60% of the world’s cocoa and they haven’t been able to produce much because of climate change. Everywhere is out not just Aldi.”
“Nation wide I believe,” another user from Florida confirmed.
“I’m in central Florida and my Aldi has been out for weeks. Finally asked and got the same answer you did. But then they also said there was a possibility it could come back.”
“There is a worldwide shortage of cocoa,” said another.
“Thank you global warming.”
Environmental circumstances – primarily in West Africa, which sources most of the world’s cocoa – have caused cocoa prices to hit record highs.
Cocoa has also seen widespread unavailability against demand throughout most of the world.