Why Chocolate Is Getting More Expensive

If you’ve noticed the price of chocolate creeping up recently, it’s not your imagination. Cocoa prices have skyrocketed, hitting a record high in December 2024 — and they’ve continued to rise ever since. While this affects the whole industry, artisan chocolate makers are among the hardest hit.

Behind the scenes of your favourite chocolate treat is a story of weather, disease, global trade, and a crop in crisis.

What’s Causing the Cocoa Price Surge?

In late 2024, cocoa prices reached an all-time high of around £10,000 per metric tonne, more than triple what they were just a year prior. And the upward trend hasn’t slowed. This sharp increase is being driven by a perfect storm of challenges:

1. Extreme Weather in West Africa

More than 60% of the world’s cocoa is grown in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. These regions have faced unusually heavy rainfall, followed by periods of drought. These erratic weather patterns have disrupted growing seasons and reduced yields.

2. Crop Disease

Cacao Swollen Shoot Virus (CSSV) is wreaking havoc on cocoa plantations. The disease, which kills cocoa trees slowly over time, has spread rapidly through major growing areas, decimating harvests.

3. Labour Shortages and Political Instability

Cocoa farming is labour-intensive. Political unrest, rising costs, and a lack of young farmers entering the industry have further strained the supply chain. This combination of supply issues has created a significant global cocoa shortage — and when supply drops, prices rise.

Why Artisan Chocolate Is Hit Harder

While rising cocoa prices affect all chocolate producers, artisan chocolatiers are particularly vulnerable. Why?

Because high-end chocolate makers typically use more cocoa — not less. Unlike mass-market chocolate, which may contain added oils, sugars, and milk powders to bulk out the product, artisan chocolate is often made from just a few key ingredients: cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and perhaps a touch of sugar.

This means that for artisan producers, the rising price of chocolate ingredients hits at the core of their recipes. They can't easily cut corners without compromising on quality — and they won’t.

Many small-batch chocolatiers already operate on slim margins, making them less able to absorb rising costs. For some, this may mean price increases. For others, it may lead to reduced production, smaller product ranges, or even temporary pauses in operations.

What Does This Mean for Chocolate Lovers?

You may notice that your favourite artisan chocolate is now a little more expensive — but rest assured, the quality remains. In fact, paying a little more for a bar that contains real, ethically sourced cocoa and nothing artificial is still excellent value when you consider the care, skill, and sustainability behind it.

And while supermarket brands might be slower to raise prices, some do so by using more fillers and cutting back on cocoa content. For true chocolate enthusiasts, the difference in taste and texture speaks volumes.

Why Supporting Artisan Chocolate Matters More Than Ever

When you buy from artisan chocolatiers, you’re not just enjoying a treat — you’re supporting craftsmanship, ethics, and innovation. You’re backing businesses that:

• Use ethically sourced cocoa, supporting initiatives like Cocoa Horizons, which provide fair pay and better farming practices.

• Avoid artificial fillers and flavourings.

• Prioritise quality over quantity.

• May employ underrepresented groups, including autistic individuals, in meaningful, supported roles.

Amid soaring cocoa prices, continuing to support these producers helps ensure that fine chocolate — chocolate made with care and purpose — doesn’t become a luxury out of reach.

Looking Forward: Will Cocoa Prices Settle?

There’s cautious optimism that prices may stabilise if growing conditions improve and disease control measures are implemented. But experts say it could be several harvests before supply rebounds to meet global demand.

In the meantime, chocolatiers — especially those committed to premium, ethical products — are doing what they’ve always done: adapting, innovating, and finding ways to keep creating beautiful chocolate.

Yes, cocoa is more expensive. And yes, it’s having a real impact — especially on artisan chocolate. But what hasn’t changed is the value of real, high-quality chocolate made with intention. Understanding the story behind the bar adds meaning to every bite — and makes supporting small producers all the more rewarding.