Chocolate prices have exploded—as has the wealth of Mars and Ferrero family empires, outsizing two of the world's top cocoa-producing countries

giovanni ferrero smiling (Credit: GIUSEPPE CACACE—AFP/Getty Images)

Chocolates are gifts that keep giving—especially for the families at the helm of Mars and Ferrero Rocher chocolate empires, who are juggernauts in their own right.   

Cocoa prices have skyrocketed recently as unfavorable weather has led to poor yields and a worsening supply crunch. That’s made chocolates more out of reach for the average shopper in grocery aisles.