Easter shoppers may find chocolate bunnies and other treats more expensive this year as cocoa prices remain high following a significant market surge.
Extreme weather conditions during the 2023-2024 season negatively impacted cocoa harvests, causing the price of chocolate to climb steadily over the last two years.
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According to Trading Economics, cocoa was worth approximately $3,000 per ton in 2023 before spiking to around $12,000 per ton in 2024. Although the market has fluctuated since that peak, the chocolate industry continues to deal with the effects of the 2023-2025 price increase.
Local business owners have attempted to manage the fluctuating costs without immediately impacting consumers. Sara Harris, owner of Pulakos Chocolates, said her business has tried to protect customers from the surge.
“Over the last year and a half, cocoa prices have gone up, but we’ve done our best to absorb as much of that cost as possible and not pass it on to our customers to keep our prices affordable for everybody and I think we’ve done a really nice job at it,” Harris said.
At Stefanelli’s Candies, staff members have also noted the volatility of the market. Sierra Walters, a chocolatier at the shop, agreed that the current market environment is unusual.
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“I would agree, I would say the prices are kind of crazy, but I can’t control that,” Walters said.
Despite the higher costs, local shops report that customer demand remains high during the holiday season. Harris noted that the Easter period has been very busy as residents seek out traditional treats.
“Easter’s been very busy, everyone’s coming in to buy their favorites, the dinner mints, the chocolate bunnies, sponge candy and of course, chocolate-covered strawberries,” Harris said.
Walters also described a fast-paced environment at Stefanelli’s Candies amid the holiday rush.
“It’s been fairly busy, a lot of customers have been in and out and a lot of molding, making candy,” Walters said. “It’s been a lot, just a lot of running around back and forth.”
While the price of cocoa has begun to decrease since the 2024 peak, retailers have yet to see the full benefit. According to market data, delays in the supply chain mean it will take more time for retail prices to reflect the lower commodity costs.
Cocoa harvests improved in the 2024-2025 season, which could lower prices in the future as the supply chain catches up to the improved yields.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published.