You’ve probably noticed your favourite chocolate bar costs a bit more lately. That’s because cocoa prices are hitting record highs. With the market offering more than usual, it’s easy to assume that cocoa farmers must finally be getting a fair deal. But as Fairtrade’s recent analysis shows, the reality on the ground is a lot more complicated.
In fact, just this April, Fairtrade International announced an increase in the Fairtrade Minimum Price for cocoa, a move designed to give farmers more protection from the ups and downs of the market.
So, do farmers still need Fairtrade? Absolutely. Here’s why.
High prices don’t mean fair prices
Global cocoa prices are currently at historic highs. Extreme weather, crop disease, and years of underinvestment have led to serious supply shortages—particularly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which produce the majority of the world’s cocoa. With less cocoa available, market prices have surged.
On the surface, this might seem like a win for farmers. But as outlined in a recent Fairtrade International’s position paper, the reality is far more complex. These price spikes follow seasons of crop failure, rising production costs, and long-standing issues like poverty and lack of infrastructure. For many farmers, these temporary gains don’t make up for the financial strain they’ve already endured—or the uncertainty ahead.
As Fairtrade’s cocoa advisor Jon Walker put it, the question isn’t just about how much farmers earn today—it’s whether they can build enough security to weather future shocks. Because when the market drops again (and it will), farmers without long-term protections risk being worse off than before.
And that’s why the recent review and update of the Fairtrade Minimum Price was so crucial—ensuring farmers have a stable, reliable safety net during these times of volatility is more important than ever.
What Fairtrade brings to the table
This is where Fairtrade really proves its value. It’s not just about setting a price floor—it’s about creating lasting change that supports farmers beyond the ups and downs of the market.
Short-term price hikes don’t solve the deeper, ongoing challenges that farmers face. That’s why Fairtrade continues to focus on a bigger picture: helping farming communities build stability, invest in their futures, and weather whatever comes next.
That includes things like:
- A guaranteed minimum price, which acts as a safety net when market prices fall which has recently been reviewed and updated
- Living Income reference prices, aimed not just at survival but at a life with dignity
- The Fairtrade Premium, an extra sum paid to cooperatives to either invest back in their business or community projects, schools or healthcare
- Climate-smart agriculture support, including training and tools to help farmers adapt to climate change, protect their crops, and improve sustainability
- Child labour monitoring and remediation systems (CLMRS), which are implemented in Fairtrade-certified cocoa cooperatives to actively monitor child labour, and when it’s found, provide solutions that help keep children in school and support families to address the root causes
“I’ve seen that Fairtrade has helped us a lot in cocoa farming. The Fairtrade Premium has enabled us to do many things, especially women. It has enabled us to advance our children, and also we use the Fairtrade Premium to build for the future.“
— Rosine Bekoin, cocoa farmer and member of CAYAT co-operative, Côte d’Ivoire
Why Fairtrade Chocolate Matters
Choosing Fairtrade cocoa isn’t just about doing the right thing when prices are low—it’s about backing a system that supports farmers, no matter what the market’s doing. Brands that commit to Fairtrade are helping build a more stable, fair, and sustainable cocoa industry—one block of chocolate at a time.
Fairtrade chocolate available in Australia & New Zealand include
For more information please refer to Fairtrade Chocolate Brands