From fuel to food, prices are rising everywhere you look. The chocolate we grab to celebrate special occasions or to spark a little personal joy are no exception, and the costs to produce our beloved sweet treats are rising for people who make them possible: cocoa farmers.

If the cost to produce cocoa is changing, then so should the price that cocoa farmers earn for the fruits of their labor. Read on for answers to your questions about Fairtrade pricing changes.

What's changing now, in 2026?

On September 1, 2026, Fairtrade’s new prices for cocoa took effect in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire to reflect what farmers are really dealing with: higher costs for farming inputs like fertilizer and fuel for equipment, reduced yields due to changing climate, and significantly increased costs associated with meeting trade regulations in the European Union.

Why are prices increasing? 

Fairtrade International reviews cocoa minimum prices and premiums every 4 to 5 years to make sure that they continue to reflect both farmers’ and market realities and support sustainable cocoa production. We don’t increase prices without data and thorough consultation with stakeholders, and we recognize that higher ingredient costs could create challenges for brands and manufacturers. At the same time, the long-term resilience of cocoa farmers requires pricing that reflects the real costs of sustainable production.

How does Fairtrade set minimum prices?

Fairtrade pricing is based on research on the cost of production and the input of the stakeholders who are affected by the prices that Fairtrade sets. Every price review begins with determining the cost of sustainable production (COSP). We collect detailed data directly from certified Fairtrade producer organizations, asking them about all of the costs included in their production practices, across multiple cocoa-producing countries.

The data is then weighted based on Fairtrade production volumes per country to create representative cost estimates that inform a proposed minimum price, Fairtrade Premium and organic differential. These inputs are weighted and included in a global consultation that all stakeholders are invited to participate in. 

What did the most recent assessment of the cost of sustainable production show?

• Production costs have increased significantly due to inflation, rising input prices, higher labor costs and other operational expenses. 

• Cocoa yields in West Africa have declined due to adverse weather, trees, pests and diseases. 

• Organic production costs have more than doubled, driven by increased certification, compliance and management requirements. 

"If these costs are not recognized, I am certain that supply will contract. Many groups and producers will stop maintaining organic certification because they will no longer have that motivation. As a consequence, supply will decline, and it is possible that there will be a deficit relative to current demand for organic production.”

- Freddy Cabello, UNOCACE, Ecuador

How are farmers and businesses involved in setting prices?

The proposed new cocoa prices were shared through a formal global consultation of cocoa producer organizations, business leaders, Fairtrade stakeholders and civil society to make sure that both producers’ needs and business considerations were reflected in the final decision.  

The 2025 cocoa price consultation generated one of the strongest responses we’ve seen. 

A total of 172 producer organizations and 39 commercial partners, as well as 14 civil society and Fairtrade organization offices weighed in, demonstrating the importance of this decision across the entire supply chain.  

Producer organizations overwhelmingly emphasized that increases to the minimum price, Fairtrade Premium and Organic Differential were necessary to keep pace with inflation, declining productivity, and the growing cost of meeting EU due diligence and organic regulations. In fact, 80% of producers voted for an increase to $3,500/MT; 95% of producers voted for an increase in Premium; and 99% of producers voted to increase the Organic Differential at least to $450/MT.  Commercial partners also shared valuable perspectives on market conditions and commercial realities.  

As with every Fairtrade consultation, the final prices reflect a careful balance between supporting farmer livelihoods and maintaining a commercially viable market for Fairtrade cocoa.

Why does the Fairtrade Minimum Price matter?

Resilient supply chains, thriving communities and a healthy planet rely on sustainable livelihoods for the farmers who uphold our food systems. 

• The Fairtrade Minimum Price acts as a safety net when market prices fall below sustainable production costs, which makes sure farmers can continue to invest in their farm operations to mitigate price spikes. When market prices rise producers receive the higher market price.

• The Fairtrade Premium is paid in addition to the sales price and is invested collectively by farmers in projects they democratically choose, such as improving productivity, investing in climate resilience, strengthening cooperative businesses, or supporting education and healthcare in their communities. 

• Farming organic cocoa carries significant investments from farmers to meet organic certification requirements, and Fairtrade’s organic differential recognizes the additional costs and investments required to produce and maintain certified organic production.

These pricing mechanisms set farmers’ businesses up for both economic resilience and long-term sustainability.

Does Fairtrade only set prices?

While pricing is core to the Fairtrade model, it is bolstered by rigorous standards and auditing, and best in class producer programming via our producer networks.

When buyers purchase from Fairtrade cocoa farmers, they know that they have met environmental, social and economic standards that are developed in a similar way, through a multi-stakeholder consultation and governance process. This is because Fairtrade works with just one certifier, FLOCERT, a leading third-party certification body that audits against the standards and provides credibility and transparency in the supply chain. Fairtrade is also unique in its strong producer representation. Producer Networks from Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America participate directly in governance and pricing decisions and provide training and capacity building for Fairtrade producer organizations. 

Fairtrade is also leading the way in setting Living Income Reference Prices that allow for businesses to purchase cocoa by paying a price that reflects the living income of producers.