NESTLE has warned that the skyrocketing cocoa prices that have already risen 16 per cent recently could rise further if the Ebola virus in Liberia and Guinea spreads to Ivory Coast, the world’s biggest cocoa-bean producer.

Martin Brown, Nestle’s General Manager for confectionery and snacks, said the company was forced to lift prices this year for its branded chocolate due to wild swings in commodity prices, but at this stage no decision had been made on a fresh round of ­increases.

However, the rapid spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa is a huge concern, as hedge funds reportedly are already speculating that the cocoa price will surge as concerns grow that the Ivory Coast could soon report its first victim.

Brown, who oversees local sales for chocolate brands such as KitKat, Aero, Smarties, Wonka and Milkybar, said the Swiss-based global confectionery manufacturer was keeping a watchful eye on events in West Africa.

“There are no cases of Ebola (in the Ivory Coast yet); clearly it’s a major concern for us,’’ Mr Brown said. “We are very active. We have a big business there with our leading R&D centre in Africa based in Ivory Coast, and we are watching the Ebola crisis with considerable concern for the communities we work in.’’