If you have noticed chocolate costing more in the shops, you’re not alone. UK chocolate prices have risen by over 17% in the year to October 2025.
So what’s driving the increase and what does the future look like for chocolate lovers on a budget?
Why Has the Price of Chocolate Gone Up So Much?
Paul Kelso from Sky news paid a visit to our factory in Skiption and asked our managing director William Whitaker exactly this question:
(Paul also shared more footage on his Instagram page).
Cocoa, the key ingredient in chocolate, comes from the beans of the cacao tree, with countries such as Ivory Coast in West Africa among the world’s leading producers due to their climate.
However, climate change, extreme weather and plant diseases like cacao swollen shoot virus have made cocoa harder to grow, leading to a global supply shortage.
As a result, cocoa production has fallen by more than 14%, pushing prices higher and increasing the cost of making chocolate.
What Are Whitakers Doing to Keep Costs Down?
At Whitakers, we are working hard behind the scenes to manage rising cocoa costs while staying true to the quality and recipes we’ve been perfecting for over 135 years.
One key focus is improving factory efficiencies and increasing automation, allowing us to reduce production costs without compromising on craftsmanship or ingredients.
Streamlining processes helps us work smarter and keep costs as controlled as possible.
We also keep a very close eye on the global chocolate market.
By securing our chocolate contracts at the right time and for longer periods, we can achieve more consistent pricing and protect our customers from sudden market spikes wherever possible.
Alongside this, we are continuing to grow our range of non-solid chocolate products, such as chocolate-enrobed Brazil nuts, marzipan, fruits and Turkish delights.
These products still deliver the indulgence you expect from Whitakers, while using chocolate as a coating rather than the main ingredient.
This helps us balance costs without changing our core chocolate recipes.
And for customers looking to save a little more, we regularly share discount codes, special offers and sale updates with our subscribers.
Signing up to our emails is the best way to make sure you don’t miss out.
At every step, our priority remains the same: protecting quality, maintaining trust, and offering the best possible value without cutting corners.
(What we are NOT doing is lowering the quality of our porducts unlike some well known manufacturers).
Why is the Price of Cacao So High?
Cocoa prices have been unusually volatile and elevated over the past year due to a mix of supply-side and demand-side pressures.
Climate & Crop Challenges: Key producing countries such as Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana (which together supply most of the world’s cocoa) have seen disrupted harvests due to extreme weather and crop disease, reducing output and tightening supply.
Market Imbalances: Strong global demand for chocolate combined with lower production levels has pushed cocoa futures prices higher. These futures contracts help set global cocoa pricing.
Historic Volatility: Cocoa futures reached record levels in late 2024 — above US $12,000 per metric ton — before easing in 2025, but prices remain well above historic averages. CBI+1
Broader Commodity Pressures: Like many agricultural commodities, cocoa costs are also affected by wider inflation in energy, transportation and input costs. The Guardian
All of this has translated into higher cocoa costs for chocolate makers, contributing to higher retail prices for consumers.
The Cocoa Price Trend: Last 12 Months
| Month-Year | Price (USD per Metric Ton) |
|---|---|
| Dec-2024 | 10,320 |
| Jan-2025 | 10,750 |
| Feb-2025 | 9,856 |
| Mar-2025 | 8,084 |
| Apr-2025 | 8,150 |
| May-2025 | 8,990 |
| Jun-2025 | 8,402 |
| Jul-2025 | 7,374 |
| Aug-2025 | 7,602 |
| Sep-2025 | 7,025 |
| Oct-2025 | 5,954 |
| Nov-2025 | 5,615 |
Source: YCharts
What Does the Future of Chocolate Pricing Look Like?
While cocoa prices have eased slightly from their recent peaks, most industry experts agree that chocolate pricing is unlikely to return to historic lows in the near future.
Climate change continues to pose long-term challenges for cocoa-growing regions, particularly in West Africa, where extreme weather and crop disease are expected to remain ongoing risks.
At the same time, global demand for chocolate remains strong, meaning any supply disruption can have an immediate impact on prices.
Industry bodies such as the British Retail Consortium and the Food and Drink Federation have also highlighted wider cost pressures — including energy, labour, packaging and transport — which continue to affect food manufacturers and retailers alike.
Even if cocoa prices stabilise, these additional costs mean prices across the supply chain are likely to remain elevated.
That said, volatility is expected rather than constant increases.
Cocoa prices may fluctuate year-to-year depending on harvest conditions and market dynamics, but the overall trend points towards higher average prices than we’ve seen historically.
For consumers, this means chocolate may continue to cost more than it once did — but it also places greater importance on quality, transparency and value.
Buying from brands that invest in ingredients, heritage and long-term sustainability ensures that higher prices reflect genuine quality rather than compromise.
Where Can You Buy Tasty Chocolate Without Breaking the Bank?
Whitakers Chocolates has been making delicious, affordable chocolate for generations, with a wide range to suit everyone — including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
While cocoa prices continue to disrupt the industry, one promise we will always keep is never to compromise on our ingredients, recipes or the quality of our products, so customers can buy with confidence.
Customer favourites such as Coffee Creams, Neapolitans, Chocolate Wafer Thins, Stem Ginger, Chocolate Brazils and Luxury Chocolate Truffles are perfect for enjoying alongside your favourite coffee or as an everyday treat..
Click here to see our full range of delicious chocolates…
Final Notes On the Price of Chocolate Rising
The rising cost of chocolate in the UK is being driven by forces far beyond the supermarket shelf — from climate change and global cocoa shortages to increased energy, transport and production costs across the food industry.
While cocoa prices may fluctuate in the future, the reality is that chocolate is likely to remain more expensive than it was historically.
In response, many brands have chosen to reduce product sizes, lower cocoa content or replace key ingredients with substitutes.
At Whitakers Chocolates, we have taken a very different approach.
For over 135 years, we have built our reputation on quality, heritage and trust.
While cocoa prices continue to disrupt the industry, one promise remains unchanged: we will never compromise on our ingredients, our recipes or the quality of our chocolate.
Our core range will continue to be made using original family recipes, high cocoa content and natural ingredients — exactly as it should be.
At the same time, we are working hard behind the scenes to manage costs responsibly, invest in efficiencies and innovate thoughtfully, so our customers can continue to enjoy great chocolate at fair prices.
In an uncertain market, we believe that transparency, consistency and craftsmanship matter more than ever.
Buy with confidence. Buy Whitakers.
Sources:
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/vegetable-fats-choc-horror-are-cheap-candy-bars-worthy-of-the-name-chocolate-joanna-blythman-thinks-not-1431739.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_crisis_(2024%E2%80%93present)
https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/cocoa/what-demand
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/dec/18/a-chocolate-orange-has-doubled-in-price-and-got-smaller-why
