Cocoa prices recently soared to an all-time high due to unusually dry weather in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, though have fallen back recently as conditions have improved.

Mutanga Grace, CEO of Mkulima Exports Uganda, told the BBC that around 30 per cent of cocoa beans produced in Uganda are being stolen.

Farmers are increasingly turning to armed guards and dogs to protect their cocoa, he said.

Mr Grace added: “Cocoa in the country right now is like a hotcake — someone takes little but has taken a lot, a lot of money.”