Chocolate prices in Kazakhstan have surged 30.3% over the past year, according to data from EnergyProm. The main drivers are rising production costs and a heavy reliance on expensive imports.
According to EnergyProm, chocolate price increases have outpaced overall food inflation. While growth was 8.3–8.5% in 2020–2021, the rate accelerated to 17.1% from 2022 onward. Prices rose 16.2% in 2023, 13.9% in 2024, and 29.9% in 2025. By June 2026, chocolate had become 30.3% more expensive compared to the same period in 2025.
Experts highlight three key factors. First, the cost of domestic production rose 9.2% over the year. Second, Kazakhstani factories are operating at only 52.2% capacity, producing nearly half the amount they could. Third, imports account for about 60% of the market and increased in price by an average of 39.9% over the year. Meanwhile, products from CIS countries saw a 43.2% price hike, while those from non-CIS countries fell by 6.4%.
Earlier reports noted rising prices for sugar and dairy products, with chocolate joining the top 20 goods and services that have seen the steepest price increases in Kazakhstan.