Chocolate priceSeven major nationalChocolate manufacturers (including such well-known companies as Kraft Foods (Milka chocolate), Mars (the leader in the production of chocolate bars), Nestlé and Ritter Sport) are accused of a cartel agreement, although the manufacturers themselves categorically deny all the accusations and insist that the main reason for the sharp increase in chocolate prices was the rise in the cost of ingredients for its production. For example, two years ago, a kilogram of hazelnuts cost Ritter Sport for their famous bars only 4.6 euros, but today they have to pay 6.25 euros for the same kilogram. Ritter also points to the increase in prices for sugar and milk, which are necessary for the production of chocolate. Two years ago, a campaign to modernize recipes began among confectionery manufacturers in Europe, and higher quality products require more ingredients. Cocoa prices are rising especially sharply: two years ago, a kilogram of cocoa mass cost only 1.8 euros, but now - already 2.4 euros. The same is true for cocoa butter. In addition, the price increase is being driven by speculation caused by the global financial crisis and changing consumer preferences. Analysts from the Bonn consumer protection society Verein Verbraucherschutz Ernährung Landwirtschaft note that consumers have recently been increasingly opting for chocolate with a high cocoa content. Source: RBC-Daily
