Valentine’s Week is in full swing, and couples are already exchanging surprises, making each other feel special and loved. Today, February 9, 2026, we celebrate Chocolate Day, the perfect excuse to indulge. But this year, our favourite treat feels more expensive, even though cocoa prices have fallen. Scroll down to know more!
Sudden Rise In Cocoa Prices
In 2024, cocoa prices witnessed a sudden rise. The cost shot up to $12,000 per tonne, the highest ever till now. Why did this happen? According to The Times of India, a lot went wrong at the same time. West Africa, which grows about 60% of the world’s cocoa, had weak harvests. Bad weather linked to climate change made things worse. Farmers also struggled with crop diseases, old trees, and years of low investment. With less cocoa available in the market, prices naturally climbed fast. So yes, your chocolate got expensive because cocoa had a rough year.
After hitting record highs, cocoa prices finally started to cool down. In 2026, they dropped almost 30% from their peak. By early 2026, cocoa was trading between $5,400 and $6,000 per tonne. That sounds like good news, right? But here’s the catch. These prices are still much higher than what the market used to see. From 2012 to 2022, cocoa averaged around $2,500 per tonne. Even now, prices are nearly double that level. So yes, cocoa is cheaper than during the spike — but it’s far from cheap.
Also Read: Valentines Day 2026: 22 Best Gifts To Make Your Valentine Feel Special This Year
Why Aren’t Chocolate Prices Reducing?
Even though cocoa prices have fallen, you won’t see much difference on store shelves. As per The Times of India, chocolate brands raised their prices when cocoa became expensive. Reports say some international brands increased retail prices by 20% to 30% during the spike. Companies explain that they dealt with higher raw material costs and supply chain issues. Now, instead of lowering prices quickly, many brands are using that extra margin to balance their costs and protect profits.
At the same time, demand has not dropped as much as expected. People still buy chocolate, especially premium options. Emerging markets continue to support sales even with higher prices. Some big chocolate makers saw a dip in sales volume, but smaller and niche brands still reported modest growth. Since customers did not completely stop buying, companies feel less pressure to cut prices immediately.
India shows the same pattern. In 2025, a homemade bean-to-bar chocolate bar (45 grams) increased from ₹235 to ₹280. Cocoa bean prices in India also jumped sharply. Producers say rates rose from around ₹400 per kg in 2022 to nearly ₹950 per kg in 2025. So while cocoa prices have cooled globally, chocolate still feels expensive in your hands.
Which is your favourite chocolate? Tell us in the comments below!
Also Read: 7 Days, 7 Surprises: How To Surprise Your Partner On Each Day Of This Valentine’s Week
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