(Bloomberg) -- Cocoa processor Blommer Chocolate Co. is cutting hundreds of jobs after announcing it will close its 85-year-old Chicago factory. 

The company, owned by Japan’s Fuji Oil Holdings Inc., will lay off 226 workers in the city, according to a WARN notice. The move comes as the 1939 factory became too costly to operate, maintain and repair, Blommer said in a statement last week.

Cocoa and chocolate companies are under pressure as global shortages sent futures traded in New York beating records day after day. Cocoa now costs almost $10,000 a metric ton, exceeding the price of copper. 

Read More: Hershey Hit With Downgrade as Cocoa Prices Soar to Record High

Blommer is not alone in closing factories. Barry Callebaut AG, the world’s largest bulk chocolate maker, said it plans to close a factory in Norderstedt near Hamburg and a facility in Port Klang, Malaysia, according to a company spokesperson. It has also cut 2,500 jobs, or about 18% of its work force.

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