Easter baskets are getting lighter this year as chocolate prices remain stubbornly high, even as cocoa futures have dropped significantly. Consumers like Lindsey Wallace, 35, of Los Angeles are cutting back on brand-name treats, scouring discount stores for affordable alternatives. Wallace, who typically celebrates with family and sends treats to her niece in Fort Lauderdale, says she's skipping premium chocolates entirely this season.

Supply chain disruptions have hit the chocolate industry hard, with the average price for a package of chocolate candy reaching $3.68 through March 22 - a 10% increase from last year. Despite lower cocoa prices, manufacturers have maintained elevated retail prices. The Chicago-based research firm Circana reports that U.S. consumers spent $23.5 billion on chocolate candy in 2025, marking a 39% increase since 2020.

This pricing disconnect has forced shoppers to adjust their Easter traditions. Wallace, who previously mixed brand-name and budget options, now relies entirely on discount retailers like Dollar Tree and local 99-cent stores. The trend reflects broader inflationary pressures in the food industry, where supply chain costs continue to trickle down to consumers even as commodity prices fluctuate.