Tariffs and pricing volatility in the cocoa industry

Cocoa has had the most volatile three years in its recorded history. The world market price has at times tripled, and every chocolate maker in the country has felt it.

Because we buy directly and commit years ahead, we are insulated from some of that and exposed to other parts of it. We have never lowered what we pay a farmer when the market fell, and we do not get to pay less when it climbs either.

Tariffs on imported agricultural goods add a further cost that lands squarely on small importers. We import a few container-loads a year, not thousands, so we have no leverage to absorb it quietly.

The practical result: bar prices went up by fifty cents this year, and the tasting kit by two dollars. That covers the increase and nothing more. We publish the full cost breakdown in our transparency report each year so you can check that claim yourself.

Thank you for continuing to buy chocolate from a company that tells you why the price moved.