Easter chocolate sales are expected to be affected by soaring cocoa costs and Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports. The US is heavily reliant on cocoa from west Africa, where farmers have struggled with climate-related crises, leading to a 400,000-ton cocoa deficit. This has driven up the price of cocoa, which peaked at over $12,000 per ton in 2024.
The National Confectioners Association estimates that Americans spent $5.4 billion on Easter candy last year, but chocolate prices are expected to rise further due to tariffs and cocoa costs. Hershey’s raised prices last year after struggling with consumer demand, and other companies may follow suit.
Chocolate is a sensitive commodity, with no substitutes in the market. This means that price increases will have a significant impact on consumers. Economists estimate that tariffs could cost consumers $4,900 per year, with an average price increase of 3% across all goods.
While some US-based chocolate manufacturers are trying to adapt to the changing environment, it’s unlikely that they can meet the entire demand for cocoa. The US produces only 100 tons of cocoa per year, and most is imported from west Africa. This means that companies like Dandelion Chocolate and Primo Chocolate will continue to feel the effects of rising cocoa costs.
With the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and pricing, chocolate makers are adopting a wait-and-see approach. While some may try to increase prices, others risk losing customers if they’re seen as price-gouging. As one chocolate maker noted, “I’ve known three chocolate makers that have gone out of business over the last three years because there’s too much turmoil in pricing.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/19/chocolate-trump-tariffs