In recent years chocolate prices have continued to rise, driven by increasing cocoa prices alongside higher manufacturing costs.

Rabobank senior analyst Michael Harvey told ABC that we won’t be seeing chocolate prices returning to the cheaper prices seen a few years ago any time soon.

“It’s been a very volatile ride,” he said.

The high cost of cocoa has been attributed to a number of factors including weather events and a virus affecting crops. Combined, these have created global supply issues and, in turn, caused the price of chocolate to rise.

As a result, it’s thought chocolate could move from an everyday item to an occasional sweet treat with consumers.

A Mondelez spokesperson – the parent company for brands like Cadbury – said cocoa prices were still well above pre-crisis levels, while the price of other ingredients and manufacturing had also increased.

“We work hard to absorb these cost increases where possible while ensuring that we can continue to provide the high-quality, great tasting chocolate,” they told the ABC.

The spokesperson said Mondelez was focused on strengthening the sustainability and resilience of cocoa, “including investing in climate-smart farming, improving productivity and expanding the geographic diversity of supply”.

As yet, there is no indication as to when cocoa prices may decrease, and in fact there are concerns it could continue to increase.

Australian Food and Grocery Council chief executive officer Colm Maguire said even if cocoa prices eased, the overall costs facing all manufacturers like energy, packaging and transport, remained high.

“That’s exactly why we need to keep working on Australia’s competitiveness, making it more affordable to make products Australians love is a win for manufacturers and chocolate lovers,” Mr Maguire said.

In an attempt to counteract the increasing prices, calls have been made to establish a local industry.

Australian Cocoa Ltd put the call out at the end of 2025 for investors to help establish an Australian cocoa industry in Far North Queensland.

According to the Cairns Post, Australian Cocoa Ltd chief executive officer Jim McKerlie said a combination of declining global supply and the climate in Far North Queensland, agricultural tools and practices placed the region in good stead for the launch of a new industry.

“The big questions is ‘why the hell hasn’t Australia already got a cocoa industry’,” Mr McKerlie said.