Stats that are local: Spending more on cocoa

December 13 is National Cocoa Day, and what better time to grab your favourite chocolate-based food while we give you the sweet, sweet spending statistics?

The Survey of Household Spending releases detailed data every two years on expenditures by Canadian households on various food items. Our most recent data are from 2021, when Canadian households spent an average of $99 on chocolate bars, up from $88 in 2019. It’s also up from $35 in 2010, the beginning of the current data series.

Average household purchases for other chocolate confections rose from $66 in 2019 to $71 in 2021, while those for baking chocolate, cocoa, and chocolate substitutes increased from $11 to $17 over the same period.

Lots of chocolate bar fans out East…

Newfoundland and Labrador households spent an average of $192 on chocolate bars in 2021, tops among the provinces and continuing the trend of taking the first or second spot since collection began in 2010. Nearby Prince Edward Island ($179 on average) and New Brunswick ($120) rounded out the top three in 2021.

The only other province where average household spending on chocolate bars reached triple digits in 2021 was Ontario ($106). Most other provinces hovered near the national average, except for British Columbia ($73).

…and B.C. likes variety

British Columbian households might have spent the least on chocolate bars in 2021, but with an average spending of $113 in 2021, they led all their provincial counterparts on other chocolate confections, such as truffles, boxed chocolates, and chocolate-coated nuts.

Households in Alberta spent an average of $69 on products in this category, while Manitoba ($61 on average) wasn’t far behind.

Who wants to bake?

Manitoba and Alberta households tied for top spot in average expenditures ($30) on baking chocolate, cocoa, and chocolate substitutes in 2021, followed by Quebec ($28).

In a fun twist through the time machine, Prince Edward Island households led all provinces with an average of $19 spent in this category in 2010, while Ontario households spent $6 in 2021. That’s quite a difference between the least- and most-populated provinces!

OK, you chocolate fiends—go grab some tasty treats (and statistics) to share with your friends!