After reaching record highs, cocoa prices have dropped sharply. While that might sound like good news, it comes with a serious downside. For cocoa farmers, it can mean less money to support their families. 

What’s happening in the cocoa market? 

Cocoa prices have seen a huge swing in the past year. They peaked at over $10,000 USD per tonne in early 2025. By early 2026, they had fallen by more than half. 

So, what changed? 

Over the past few years, cocoa was in short supply. Farmers had been earning low prices for a long time, making it hard to invest in their farms. At the same time, changing weather patterns affected harvests, especially in West Africa, where most of the world’s cocoa is grown. 

This led to smaller crops and higher prices. 

Now, the situation is shifting. Harvests are improving, and more farmers are planting cocoa to benefit from the earlier high prices. At the same time, some chocolate makers are using less cocoa or looking for alternatives to keep costs down. 

The result? More supply, less demand, and falling prices. 

Will chocolate get cheaper? 

Not straight away. 

Even though cocoa prices have dropped, it usually takes time for this to show up on supermarket shelves. When prices went up, chocolate didn’t get more expensive overnight either. 

So, while prices may ease in the future, it’s unlikely you’ll see big changes right away. 

What does this mean for farmers? 

For cocoa farmers, falling prices can be tough. 

Lower prices often mean less income. That can affect everyday essentials like food, schooling, healthcare, and housing. After a short period of higher prices, many farmers are now facing another downturn. 

This is where Fairtrade plays an important role. 

Fairtrade helps provide more price stability through: 

• The Fairtrade Minimum Price, which acts as a safety net when market prices fall 

• The Fairtrade Premium, which farmers can invest in their communities or farms 

This helps farmers plan for the future, even when markets are unpredictable. 

What can you do? 

This matters most during big chocolate moments like Easter, but your everyday choices count too. 

When you shop, look for Fairtrade options such as: 

• Loco Love Easter eggs 

• Tony’s Chocolonely Easter eggs 

And beyond Easter, choosing Fairtrade chocolate throughout the year is a simple way to support farmers and their families. 

See Fairtrade chocolate brands