Why the price of chocolate is skyrocketing in France this Easter

The price of Easter chocolate in France has risen by 14% on average compared to the previous year, according to a leading consumer watchdog magazine. 

Products under French supermarket ‘store-brands’ have been hit even harder, and are 23% higher this year in 2024, said UFC-Que Choisir in its study.

The sharp increase in prices is being driven by a global hike in cocoa prices, caused by successive poor harvests in West Africa where the lion’s share of the raw materials are produced. 

A serious disease has also infected many cocoa trees in the area, leading to lower than usual yields.

Easter is one of the main seasons for French households to purchase sweet treats, with household spending on ‘Pâques’ chocolate reaching €24 on average. 

However, this year that will correspond to a lower amount of chocolate than usual. 

Chocolate is one of main items – alongside orange juice and coffee – set to see prices rise significantly in the coming months, as shifting climate patterns affect output of raw materials.

Store-brands see prices rocket 

Perhaps surprisingly, the most significant increases were recorded on supermarket own-brand products. 

Prices for chocolate products under a supermarket’s name-brand label (for example, Ivoria in Intermarché, chocolat U in Super U, etc) increased by 23%, compared to 11% for brands available across multiple supermarkets. 

“The price of a 200g milk chocolate rabbit from E. Leclerc has risen from €2.97 to €3.99,” said the watchdog, giving an example of a store-brand that has seen such a severe jump in price.

However, E.Leclerc’s store-brand chocolate bunny is still cheaper than the Lindt Gold (luxury brand) equivalent, which costs €6.35 on average.

Other major increases include E.Leclerc’s ‘sachet mix lapin et oeufs’ (up 29%), and a ‘Lapin chocolat Ivoria’ in Intermarché, which has seen an increase of 27%.

Intermarché and Super U are two of the hardest-hit supermarkets, with costs increasing 80c on average for each Easter chocolate figurine. 

The reason own-brands have been disproportionately affected is because they have a “higher proportion of raw materials in the final price of,” said the watchdog, meaning they are more susceptible to rising cocoa costs.

Read more: Why Cadbury’s chocolate fingers are coming back to French supermarkets - at double the price

Global brands also affected 

Shoppers should also be aware of national and international brands however, as despite price increases being overall less severe – an average increase of 11% – some products have seen similarly significant increases to store-brands. 

This includes a ‘Lapin au chocolat’ and ‘Oeuf coque au lait’ both from the brand Milka, up 24% and 21% respectively.

Global brands make up the majority of the market for chocolate in France, representing around 80% of all purchases despite their higher price.