The price of chocolate could increase again in 2025, driven by a historic surge in cocoa prices, hurting lovers of sweet treats.
The world of chocolate prepares to face bitter news. This famous Swiss chocolatier, master of refined sweets, announced in a press release that a price rise would be inevitable in 2025. In focus: the surge in cost of cocoaan essential ingredient in his creations.
Ce confectionery giantalready appreciated for its emblematic pralines and its high-end bars, specified that additional adjustments will be necessary to deal with this situation. An announcement that risks disturb the amateurs of chocolate, accustomed to savoring without counting the sweet pleasures offered by the chocolate giant.
The price of chocolate under pressure from cocoa in 2025
This Tuesday, January 14, Lindt & Sprüngli revealed sales above expectations for 2024, despite a price increase intended to absorb the surge in cocoa price.
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With a average increase of 5% applied last year, the group justified this adjustment with an implacable observation: “Compensating for the high costs of cocoa forced the group to adjust its prices”he explained, pointing to a historic record achieved by this raw material at the end of the year.
The spectacular rise in cocoa prices, which climbed 161% on the New York Stock Exchange in 2024 after a 70% increase in 2023, marked global markets, as reported Le Figaro.
In mid-December, the tonne of cocoa reached a peak at 10,100 dollars on the New York Stock Exchange, before falling slightly to $9,165 at the end of the year.
This outbreak is explained by a drastic fall in global reservesthe harvests having been strongly impacted by unfavorable climatic conditionssending stocks plunging to their lowest level in 36 years.
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The chocolatier does not hide that new increases will be “required in 2025” to cope with these economic pressures. Adjustments which, despite the greed they arouse, risk weighing more on enthusiast budgets of chocolate. The group promises to reveal all of its results March 4an expected date to measure the impact of this turbulence on thechocolate industry.
Chocolate brands at the heart of price tensions
In the midst of commercial negotiations in France, Mondelezowner of the famous brands Milka, Cadbury et Côte d’Orfaced an outcry from distribution brands.
Discussions focus on prices, shelf placement and promotional calendars, sensitive subjects in a context where inflationary pressure stay strong. Despite criticism, Mondelez defended its demands for price increases, calling them “carefully studied”.
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Promising prospects despite challenges
In this difficult economic context, the Lindt brand, for its part, is showing remarkable performancewith sales increasing both in value and volume, while consolidating its global market shares.
Lindor pralines and gift chocolatessupported by an innovation strategy, were the drivers of this growth. Among recent successes, the limited edition of tablets “Dubai” with pistachio has sparked real enthusiasm on social networks.
In Europe, the sales increased by 9.5%while in North America and the rest of the world they increased by 5% and 10% respectively.
Jean-Philippe Bertschy, analyst at Vontobel, welcomed the results “very robust“emphasizing that Lindt is “well positioned to navigate” through a year 2025 announced as complex for industry.
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