According to the survey conducted by UFC-Que Choisir on December 5, 2024, chocolates have suffered a price increase for the third consecutive year. The figures speak for themselves:
- A 500 gram box of national brands now costs 15 euros on average
- Private label (private label) boxes are displayed at 12 euros for the same weight
This 33% increase since December 2021 does not spare artisan chocolatiers. The Borzeix Besse house, located in Treignac in Corrèze, perfectly illustrates this trend. Faced with a 60% increase in the price of cocoa this year, the company had to adapt. Despite its efforts to diversify its production by integrating alternative ingredients such as chestnuts or hazelnuts, the price of the ballotin increased from 29 to 32 euros in one year.
This worrying situation is reminiscent of recent alerts on other food products. For example, a popular yogurt was not recommended by 60 million Consumers, highlighting the importance of remaining vigilant about the quality and price of the products we consume.
The reasons for this surge in prices
The UFC-Que Choisir highlights several factors explaining this dizzying increase:
- Climate change : Heavy rains in West Africa, the main cocoa-producing region, cause waterlogging and promote fungal diseases, decimating crops.
- The new European standards : The EU now imposes strict traceability rules to combat deforestation, forcing players in the sector to invest in costly technologies.
- Speculation : Although the price of cocoa has soared on the stock exchanges, small producers are not benefiting from the same surge in prices.
These tensions on the cocoa market inevitably have repercussions on prices, both in supermarkets and among artisan chocolatiers. The association also highlights a capitalist logic at work, where the benefits of rising prices do not benefit equally all actors in the production chain.
Adaptation strategies to rising prices
Faced with this situation, consumers and professionals must adapt. Here is a summary table of the strategies implemented:
| Actors | Coping strategies |
|---|---|
| Consumers | – Price comparison – Purchase of private labels – Reduction of quantities |
| Artisan chocolatiers | – Diversification of ingredients – Adjustment of revenue – Slight price increase |
| Large areas | – Promotion on chocolates – Highlighting private labels – Loyalty offers |
These adaptations aim to maintain the appeal of chocolate products despite rising prices. However, in times of crisis, consumers are increasingly sensitive to these increases. It is therefore crucial to remain vigilant and compare offers before purchasing.
In this tense context, it is important to remember that Christmas spending must remain reasonable. Moreover, an amount not to be exceeded for Christmas gifts has been established to avoid a tax investigation, emphasizing the importance of moderation, even during the holidays.
Outlook for the Holidays and Beyond
UFC-Que Choisir warns of a possible worsening of the situation. The surge in global cocoa prices points to even greater increases in the future. This trend could extend to other festive products, impacting household budgets for end-of-year celebrations.
Faced with these challenges, the consumer association calls for greater transparency in price setting and better distribution of profits along the production chain. It also encourages consumers to remain vigilant, to compare prices and to favor, when possible, short circuits and local producers.
Ultimately, this alert from UFC-Que Choisir on the rise in prices of star Christmas products underlines the importance of thoughtful and responsible consumption, even during the festive periods. Consumers will have to juggle between the pleasure of the holidays and the need to control their budget, in an economic context that promises to be tense for the months to come.
