DUBAI, April 19 -- A global craze for pistachio-filled chocolate bars that began in Dubai has reportedly triggered a sharp rise in pistachio prices and led to a worldwide supply crunch of the nut.

The Financial Times (FT) wrote that prices for pistachio kernels have climbed from US$7.65 (RM33.70) per pound a year ago to US$10.30 now.

"The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment," Giles Hacking, of nut trader CG Hacking, was quoted saying.

The surge in demand was sparked by a TikTok video posted in December 2023 featuring a chocolate bar made by boutique Emirati chocolatier FIX - which combines pistachio cream, shredded Middle Eastern pastry called kunafa, and milk chocolate.

Meanwhile, competitor Lindt's version of the D...