What’s an Easter or Passover celebration without chocolate?

As the spring holidays approach, chocolate remains a center piece for many families, but costly cocoa prices are making it more expensive for both businesses and customers. Even though prices have dipped slightly compared to last year’s highs, local shop owners say the relief hasn’t been enough.

At The Chocolate Duck in Farmingdale, the busiest season of the year is already underway. Staff are working nonstop to create chocolate bunnies, eggs, and other festive treats ahead of Easter. To keep products affordable, the shop has had to make adjustments behind the scenes, including cutting back on labor.

"I would say in the last two years we've had a slight raise in chocolate, but we try and keep it as low as possible," said Christina Bisbee, owner of The Chocolate Duck. "When chocolate goes up, it goes up and when it goes down, sometimes distributors keep it up."

Over in Plainview, Sweet Karma Desserts is also feeling the pressure. With Passover underway, one of their most popular items is chocolate-covered matzah. Owner Brian Fishman says the store is absorbing much of the increased cost to avoid raising prices too sharply for customers.

"I used to spend maybe $25 or $30 for a five-pound bag of cocoa powder. That's like $70 now," Fishman said. "Chocolate by itself is going for about $10 a pound."

Experts say some relief is a few months away.

"A lot of manufacturers hedged the price of cocoa, but I think by Halloween prices should be lowered," said Gary Strumeyer, a professor of finance and economics at LIU Post.

Despite the higher costs, customers say chocolate remains a non-negotiable part of their holiday traditions. For many, it’s worth the extra expense.

"There's no price on good chocolate and good cake. It doesn't make a difference to me, I'll pay anything," said Debbie Wells, of Plainview.