TL;DR: Chocolate and cacao prices have hit record highs due to devastating crop failures in West Africa and increased demand for Peruvian cacao. At Organic Fix, we're absorbing costs where possible while maintaining our commitment to ethical, sustainable cacao that supports farming families—because quality and values matter more than profit margins.
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You're Not Imagining It—Chocolate Really Has Gone Up
Standing in the chocolate aisle lately feeling a bit of sticker shock? You're absolutely not imagining things. Chocolate and cacao prices have genuinely skyrocketed, and there's a very real story behind those higher price tags.
As your local organic store in Eltham, we've been feeling this pressure too, and we reckon you deserve to know exactly what's happening and why we're making the choices we are.
The Global Cacao Crisis Explained
Right now, the global cacao market is under enormous pressure, and it all comes down to geography and weather.
West Africa produces about 70% of the world's cacao—that's the vast majority of what becomes your favourite chocolate. Over the last two years, this region has been absolutely hammered by devastating conditions. We're talking heavy rains, massive floods, and widespread crop disease that have wiped out huge amounts of cacao, creating an enormous shortage.
When 70% of supply gets hit this hard, the whole world feels it.
Peru Steps Into the Spotlight
Peru is actually the second largest cacao producer globally, with around 90,000 farming families across 16 Amazonian regions who rely on cacao for their livelihoods. Their harvest hasn't suddenly changed—it's been fairly consistent.
But here's where it gets interesting. With West Africa struggling, the entire world is now looking to Peru to fill that massive gap. The demand for Peruvian cacao has gone through the roof, and basic supply and demand economics kicked in hard.
At one point recently, cacao prices soared to record highs of over $12,000 US per tonne—the highest we've ever seen in history.
What This Means for Organic Fix (And You)
This global situation puts us in a genuinely tough spot. We know you've noticed the higher prices on our cacao and chocolate products. We've seen the out-of-stock situations, and we completely understand the frustration.
Here's what we've been doing behind the scenes: we've absorbed as much of these cost increases as possible to avoid passing the full price rise onto you. We could easily source cheaper cacao—plenty of suppliers have offered us alternatives.
But here's the thing that keeps us up at night: cheaper often means sacrificing quality or buying from supply chains that don't align with our values. For us, that's simply not an option.
Why We Choose Quality Over Quick Profits
We choose cacao that's grown sustainably, without chemicals, and that genuinely supports the farmers who make our favourite chocolate possible. When you're buying bulk wholefoods or organic chocolate from us, you know it's come from ethical sources.
This means supporting farming families who are literally weathering these storms—both environmental and economic. When we choose quality suppliers, we're choosing to be part of the solution rather than contributing to a race-to-the-bottom mentality that ultimately hurts everyone.
Our Favourite Chocolate Ranges at Organic Fix
Despite the challenges, we've managed to keep stocking some absolutely beautiful chocolate options:
The Loco Love chocolate range remains one of our most popular choices—their commitment to quality ingredients aligns perfectly with our values. We've also got Loco Love's higher bean varieties for serious chocolate lovers.
For those morning rituals, our Nutri Organics hot chocolate with an extra boost of collagen has been flying off the shelves. And Chief Nutrition's collagen powder in chocolate flavour gives you that chocolate hit while supporting your health goals.
Of course, we've maintained our organic times chocolate range available in bulk, perfect for baking or when you want to stock up on quality chocolate without the individual packaging.
The Bigger Picture
Next time you sip your cacao drink or indulge in that chocolate treat, remember this: behind every block of chocolate is a farming family who's literally weathered storms to bring it to you.
By choosing ethical cacao and chocolate from stores like ours, you're not just buying a sweet treat. You're supporting real families, sustainable farming practices, and a food system that values people and planet over pure profit.
Yes, it costs more. But the alternative—cheap chocolate from questionable sources—comes with hidden costs that someone, somewhere, is paying. We'd rather those costs be transparent and fairly distributed.
Looking Forward
The cacao market will eventually stabilise, but these experiences remind us why supporting ethical, sustainable supply chains matters so much. When you shop with us, you're choosing to be part of a food system that can weather these storms because it's built on genuine relationships and fair practices.
Ready to support ethical chocolate? Visit us in-store in Eltham or browse our chocolate and cacao range online at organicfix.com.au. Every purchase supports farming families and sustainable practices.