UK Christmas Chocolates Shrink Amid Record Cocoa Price Surge

Chocolate manufacturers are facing significant challenges as both hazelnut and cocoa supplies decline, leading to shrinking product sizes and rising prices. Turkey's hazelnut harvest is projected to fall drastically due to a severe spring frost, while West African cocoa crops have suffered from dry weather and disease outbreaks, pushing prices to record highs. In response, popular festive chocolates such as Quality Street, Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Toblerone, and Cadbury Roses have all reduced their sizes by up to 8.3% and increased prices by as much as 33.3% in some cases across major UK retailers. Some companies are cutting hazelnut content or removing it altogether to cope with rising costs. Retailers like Asda have offered smaller chocolates at lower prices than competitors, but overall, consumers face fewer options or steeper costs. These supply and cost pressures reflect broader impacts on farmers, manufacturers, and shoppers within the multibillion-dollar chocolate industry.