Even though Ebola is spreading toward Ivory Coast in Liberia and Guinea, Nestle said they have no plans of shutting down the eight factories in West and Central Africa, and gave no plan if Ebola reaches the area, Reuters reported.
Paul Bulcke, the Chief Executive of Nestle, said no plans of shutting down the plants because it hasn't happened yet.
"That could happen, but it hasn't happened yet," Bulcke said, Reuters reported. "We're not there yet. I hope we never get there. Whatever happens, we're going to have to adjust," Bulcke added.
West and Central Africa are cocoa and coffee-rich and Nestle's has factories in the region including both Ghana and Ivory Coast that produce chocolate beverages, instant coffee, powdered milk, cereals and bottled water, according to Reuters.
Even though there have been no reports of lack of supply or transport disruptions due to Ebola in nearby Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, prices of cocoa have already increased because the virus could limit supplies in the area where 60 percent of the world's cocoa beans are produced, Reuters reported.
"(Cocoa) prices are already going up," Bulcke said, adding that he hoped they would not rise any higher, according to Reuters.
So far, the virus has been contained in Nigeria and Senegal, but it is reportedly spreading toward the Ivory Coast in Liberia and Guinea, according to Reuters. Kankan, a district on a major trade route with Mali in Guinea, saw its first Ebola case in this past week.
The Ebola outbreak has claimed more than 4,500 lives, Reuters reported. There have been more than 9,000 cases so far.
