Local chocolatier prepares for price increases ahead of tariffs

NORTH CREEK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — A local chocolatier is preparing to handle price increases from tariffs after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause in tariffs to nearly all countries.

The White House tariffs were supposed to go into effect at midnight on Wednesday, however President Trump announced Wednesday afternoon that additional tariffs will be held for 90 days. However, the baseline 10% tariff that was implemented last week, will still be in effect.

For chocolate makers like Debbie Morris, the co-founder and managing member of Barkeater Chocolates in North Creek, this is great news.

“I would say that putting a 90-day pause on the tariff will absolutely be helpful. I would like to think that that would get pushed off again,” said Morris.

Between making, tempering, molding and decorating chocolates, Morris said her team can make thousands of chocolate bars a day.

“Chocolate can take a very long time,” said Morris. “Once we start with a product, it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours to make depending on the product.”

Barkeater Chocolates are sold at over 300 stores across the northeast, including at Market 32 and Honest Weight stores. However, she said times for the chocolate industry have not been so sweet.

“In the regions where cacao grows, which is mostly in west Africa, we have seen a blight, disease happen in the trees and it spreads and therefore the supply of cacao is down considerably,” said Morris. “And our prices have gone up considerably, and in 2024 we hit an all time, record high for cacao pricing.”

With cacao prices already high, plus reciprocal tariffs, chocolate products will have to increase in price again. Before President Trump reversed the additional tariffs on Wednesday, he placed a 21% tariff on goods from the Ivory Coast, which is where cacao beans are from.

“Now that we’ve been seeing 600% increases, I honestly cannot predict how much more its going to go up, I just know that this year unfortunately we probably won’t stabilize as much as we thought we would,” said Morris. “Do I expect another price increase? Sure, of course, but then again I’ve been expecting it to go up regularly so its something that we’re just dealing with.” 

However, now that the White House decided to delay those tariffs, Morris is even more hopeful that things will stabilize. She said no matter the tariff, Barkeater Chocolates won’t be letting go of any ingredients, or shrinking the size of their bars.

“What we are doing is continue to operate business as usual,” said Morris. “We’re gonna weather this like we’ve weathered every storm in the last 17 years in business.”

Plus, they’re launching a new chocolate bar called Summit Sea Salt to keep customers coming. Later this spring, they’re also launching a new bark flavor and Morris said they have plenty of ideas brewing. Anyone interested in learning more about Barkeaters Chocolate can visit their website. Stick with NEWS10 for all updates on the status of the tariffs.