As climate change increasingly becomes an ever-growing issue, people are experiencing the impacts of unpredictable weather patterns beyond melting icebergs and hurricanes.
One issue that is sure to become more noticeable this holiday season is the high prices for chocolate.
Lake Champlain Chocolates states that while cocoa prices have remained steady at about $2,800 per metric ton, a more than 300% increase in pricing has occurred in the past six months, leading to chocolate spiking to $12,000 per metric ton.
Foodinstitute.com indicates that 60% of cacao is grown in the west African countries of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The changes in weather patterns, such as increased rainfall and hot harsh winds across these growing areas, have caused a significant decrease in cacao production.
This has resulted in a total global cocoa deficit of 462,000 metric tons, according to foodinstitute.com.
The effects of such a shortage has hit consumers during the last year.
In 2023, Ghirardelli’s 80-piece Chocolate Squares Bag cost $32, according to an article published in March on newsweek.com. The price for this same item has increased 25% this year to $39.95, according to Ghirardelli’s website. Recently, it dropped back down to $29.96.
Some Bay Area chocolate businesses have experienced increased prices as a result of the chocolate shortage.
Jacqui Amayo, owner of Danville Chocolates, noted there has been a 10%-15% increase in the costs of their supply, and she expects the costs to rise an additional 15% in January. Amayo said the downtown Danville shop does its best to make sure the increased prices for their supply are not passed onto the customers.
Not all companies are able to avoid passing increased sale prices onto customers.
“Inflation and increased ingredient costs, especially cocoa price increases, will likely continue to be passed onto consumers,” said a former Ghirardelli Chocolate company employee, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid affecting her professional network. “This will come in the form of higher shelf prices or reduced product ounce weight, which helps keep products accessible, just smaller.”
Love and Chocolate, a family-owned chocolate shop in downtown Walnut Creek, has not seen any real obvious impacts of increased chocolate prices on sales.
But some customers have also observed the cost of chocolate rising.
Walnut Creek resident Paula Thomas, who buys chocolate about once a week, said she has noticed prices increasing for chocolate and related products, especially chocolate cookies in grocery store bakery sections.
“The prices have gone up significantly,” Thomas said. “Seems like they go up every year.”
Clayton resident Ilse Krick, a regular chocolate shopper, agrees.
“I now buy less chocolate,” Krick said. “I look for chocolate on sale, or I purchase chocolate at Trader Joe’s, where prices have increased, but are still somewhat reasonable.”
The price increase especially seems to affect customers during the holidays, since chocolate and other sweet treats are such a holiday staple.
“I have reduced the number of chocolate gifts I buy to give away during the holidays,” Krick said, “Specialty chocolates are now outrageously priced.”
Caroline Donahoe is an 11th grader at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek.
Paula Thomas • Dec 7, 2024 at 11:51 am
This is a great article. Helps us all to be aware of price increases for so many food items including chocolate. Consumers will be forced to buy less and shop around for the best prices.