Popular Easter candies and treats may have higher price tags this year, with environmental factors as the main culprits, according to a local chocolatier, writes Wakisha Bailey for CBS News Philadelphia.
Kimberly Pietrak, owner of Skips Candy Corner in Peddler’s Village, is busy making chocolate rabbits, carrots, eggs, and dark chocolate–covered pretzels, ideal for Easter baskets.
“Some of them are solid and some of them are hollow,” she said. “We started going to more hollow recently, only because of the cost of chocolate.”
The entire process has become challenging in the past year, due to the surge in cocoa prices.
“We went from 19 cents an ounce to 40 cents an ounce,” said Al Bayard, who joined the family-owned business about three years ago.
He explained that adverse weather conditions in West Africa are damaging crops, causing a global shortage.
“We try not to hurt our customers, but we can’t keep taking the hits,” said Bayard.
But even with the challenges, Pietrak enjoys the moments when those special deliveries are out in time for Easter.
“I’m extremely grateful and extremely happy at what I do,” she said.
Watch why Easter candies and treats may have higher price tags this year at CBS News Philadelphia.
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