Why Chocolate Has Become More Expensive - And What it Means for You

If you’ve noticed chocolate getting more expensive — not just at COCOAFAIR, but across the board — you’re not alone. Cocoa prices have reached historic highs over the past year, and it’s reshaping the entire chocolate industry.

To give you some perspective: in early 2023, cocoa traded at around $2,500 per metric ton. By mid-2024, it had soared past $10,000 per ton — more than a 400% increase. This sharp rise has affected every chocolate maker, large and small, as well as the prices of cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and other essential ingredients.

So, what happened?

It’s a perfect storm:

• Severe droughts and crop disease (notably swollen shoot virus) have devastated harvests in West Africa — where over 60% of the world’s cocoa is grown.

• Farmer attrition and aging trees have led to lower yields over time.

• Meanwhile, global demand remains strong, and major chocolate manufacturers are scrambling to secure limited supply, driving prices up even further.

At COCOAFAIR, we held out for as long as we could. We dipped into our existing stock, avoided price increases wherever possible, and hoped things would stabilise. But when our reserves ran out, we were faced with the harsh new reality of the market. The cocoa we needed to continue production cost us more than it ever had before.

We want you to know that we haven’t taken these changes lightly. We’ve done everything possible to absorb costs, streamline where we can, and still bring you the best in ethical, handcrafted chocolate. But to keep going — and to keep supporting sustainable cocoa farming and local jobs — we’ve had to adjust our pricing.

We’re keeping a close eye on the 2025 high season, which starts mid-year. There’s hope for a slightly better harvest, but prices remain volatile, and the road ahead is still uncertain.

We’re incredibly grateful for your support through this rollercoaster. Behind every bar is a team of real people doing their best to bring you something honest, delicious, and fair. That’s what COCOAFAIR has always been about.