CNBC
Cocoa prices are easing. So why is chocolate still so expensive?
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Cocoa futures prices declined in recent months after reaching record highs in 2024, but retail chocolate prices have remained elevated. Chocolate manufacturers attributed higher retail costs to tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and weather damage to cocoa crops in West Africa. Some manufacturers shifted product strategy toward premium offerings and increased social media marketing as sales declined.
