The average retail price for chocolate for Valentine’s Day this year is ¥390 including tax, up by 7% from the previous year.
Increased costs for ingredients, such as cacao beans, sugar and milk, are driving the higher prices.
The price per piece was found to be ¥355 for domestic brands, compared to ¥433 for import brands from France, Belgium and other countries. Imported chocolate prices were apparently affected by the weak yen.