We Need to Talk About Coffee and Chocolate
If you’ve been keeping an eye on prices, you might have noticed that coffee, hot chocolate, and even chocolate bars are getting more expensive. And if you haven’t noticed yet—brace yourself—it’s happening.
We’ve held off passing on price increases for as long as possible, but the reality is that costs across the board have gone up, and they’re starting to hit. Instant coffee, coffee beans, hot chocolate, and even the chocolate bars we stock are all affected, from big-name brands to our own label range.
But before you start panicking about your caffeine and chocolate fix, let’s break down what’s going on.
Why Have Prices Gone Up?
The cost of coffee and cocoa has surged recently, and it’s not just a small increase—it’s record-breaking in some cases. Coffee-growing regions like Brazil and Vietnam have been hit by droughts and unpredictable weather patterns, leading to lower yields. On the cocoa front, West Africa, which produces the bulk of the world’s cocoa, has suffered from poor harvests. When supply drops, prices rise—it’s that simple.
Here’s why:
Coffee: A Brewing Price Surge
- Arabica Prices Are Up 79% – Arabica coffee futures hit $3.48 per pound in December 2024, one of the highest increases in years.
- Robusta at Record Highs – Even traditionally cheaper Robusta beans have seen unprecedented price hikes due to reduced supply.
- Brazil’s Drought – The world’s biggest coffee producer faced its worst drought in 70 years, slashing output.
- Vietnam’s Crop Struggles – Heavy rains and dry spells have hurt production in the world’s second-largest coffee-growing nation.
Cocoa: The Chocolate Crisis
- Prices Have Soared 132% in a Year – Cocoa futures skyrocketed to a staggering $12,000 per ton in April 2024.
- West Africa’s Crop Failures – Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, responsible for 60% of the world’s cocoa, have seen lower harvests due to bad weather and crop disease.
- Supply Chain Shortages – Warehouses are running low on cocoa stock, pushing prices higher.
- Chocolate Bars Are Getting More Expensive – Major manufacturers are increasing prices across the board. If you’ve noticed your favourite chocolate bar creeping up in price, this is why.
What Does This Mean for You?
We know price increases aren’t great news, but here’s what you can count on:
- We still offer some of the keenest pricing in the marketplace. Yes, brands like Lavazza & Cadbury have gone up significantly, but we’re keeping our pricing as competitive as possible.
- Our own label range is a great alternative. If you’re feeling the pinch, now might be the time to consider downshifting. Our own-label instant coffee, coffee beans, hot chocolate, and vending products deliver quality at a fantastic price point—without compromise.
- We’re keeping increases as low as possible. Even our own vending coffee and hot chocolate have gone up in cost, but we’ve done everything we can to keep this to a minimum while maintaining the quality you expect and it's still priced extremely competitively.
The Bottom Line
We’re all feeling the impact of rising costs, but we’re here to help you navigate these changes with the best value possible. Whether you stick with your usual favourites or explore our own label range, you’ll always get quality at a fair price.
The good news? A great cup of coffee, a comforting hot chocolate, or even a well-earned chocolate bar is still one of life’s simplest pleasures. And we’re making sure it stays that way.
