As the 2025 National Chocolate Week kicks off, consumers may enjoy more affordable treats following a recent dip in chocolate prices. After significant price surges throughout 2024, the cost of chocolate has eased, offering some relief, although prices remain beyond the reach of many Ghanaians.
This price reduction comes just in time for the week-long celebration, which will culminate on February 14th. The event aims to promote the consumption of locally made chocolate and highlight its health benefits. This year’s theme, “Eat Chocolate, Stay Healthy, Grow Ghana,” encourages the public to indulge in the country’s cocoa products as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Earlier in 2024, the cost of cocoa beans hit record highs, with prices peaking at $10.97 per kilogram in April. By December, cocoa futures soared, reaching $11,441 per tonne in London and $11,545 per tonne in New York. As a result, the price of a large chocolate bar in Ghana rose from 15-18 cedis in January 2024 to around 45 cedis by June. Despite the recent reduction, with prices now around 30 cedis for a large bar and 15 cedis for a smaller one, many consumers are still finding it difficult to afford chocolate, and patronage may fall short compared to previous years.
National Chocolate Week, launched in 2005, has been instrumental in boosting local cocoa consumption. Initially aligned with Valentine’s Day, the celebration expanded into a week-long event in 2021 through a collaboration between COCOBOD and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the GTA, Mr. Ekow Sampson, has called on hospitality businesses and airlines to offer complimentary chocolates on February 14 as a gesture of love and care. He also underscored the health benefits of consuming chocolate, such as lowering blood pressure, reducing stroke risk, and enhancing brain function.
The celebration features a range of activities, including media engagements, a “Melting Moment” event at the GTA head office, a street parade, and a chocolate feast at the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park on February 14. Regional GTA offices will visit pediatric units in regional hospitals, continuing the tradition of spreading joy through chocolate. The event is a collaboration between the GTA, COCOBOD, and the Cocoa Processing Company, with support from local chocolatiers like Fair Afric and Niche Cocoa.
