Business · Companies · 8 hrs ago
Fatso raises chocolate prices as cocoa costs surge
Ella McKay founded Fatso during the Covid lockdown, aiming to make dark chocolate with bigger chunks and familiar flavours.
The UK business launched in 2022 and now sells through Waitrose, Whole Foods and other outlets.
Cocoa costs have surged amid pressure from climate change, disease and ageing trees, while energy, transport and packaging costs have also risen.
Fatso raised its bar price to £7.50 at Waitrose, up from £5.95 at launch, rather than making the bars smaller.
McKay says the increase has not widened the company’s margin, and Fatso guarantees farmers 90% of the global market price for cocoa.
Its chocolate is made in Colombia from locally grown cocoa, a model McKay says keeps more value near the growers and helped Fatso avoid supply shortages.
Fatso is expanding production and retail sales while working to ensure it can meet demand without lowering quality.
Fatso has raised the price of its chocolate bars as cocoa and other business costs have risen.
Founder Ella McKay says the price of a bar has increased from £5.95 at launch to £7.50 at Waitrose.
McKay says the higher price has not increased Fatso’s margin, and its farmers are guaranteed 90% of the global market price for cocoa.
The company’s dark chocolate is made in Colombia by Luker Chocolate, keeping more of the production process in the country where the cocoa is grown.
Fatso launched in October 2022 and is now sold at Waitrose and Whole Foods, as well as through independent shops, cafés and hotels.
- Who
- Fatso, founded by Ella McKay.
- What
- The chocolate business has raised prices as cocoa and other costs have increased.
- When
- Fatso launched in October 2022; the article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- Fatso sells in the UK, including at Waitrose and Whole Foods. Its dark chocolate is made in Colombia.
- Why
- Cocoa costs have surged, alongside rising energy, transport and packaging costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fatso launched online and through independent shops, cafés and hotels.
The price of a Fatso bar had risen from £5.95 at launch to £7.50 in Waitrose.
- Price at launch
- £5.95 per bar
- Price at Waitrose
- £7.50 per bar
- Farmers' guaranteed share
- 90% of the global market price for cocoa
- Dark chocolate maker
- Luker Chocolate, Colombia
- Launch
- October 2022
What people are saying
I'd rather someone buys Fatso less often because it costs more, than more often because we've compromised what's inside.
The recent price spike just stopped the system hiding the true cost.
Our farmers are guaranteed 90% of the global market price for cocoa, so when prices went up, they benefited.