With the price of cocoa beans setting unprecedented records on the commodities market, it will certainly turn the gift of love into a bigger financial commitment than it once was. Turns out that if love is reputed to be eternal, a low price for cocoa, the essential ingredient in chocolate, is not.

Cocoa prices rose to record highs last year amid a global supply shortage. Chocolate makers have raised their retail prices to compensate.

Valentine's Day is expected to bring a needed bump in sales for local bakeries as they deal with rising costs in eggs due to the recent bird flu outbreak.