The London chocolate maker produced 300 tonnes yearly and supplied Harrods, Selfridges and Fortnum and Mason

A leading UK chocolate manufacturer, which produced 300 tonnes each year from its London factory, has entered administration.

Marasu’s Petit Fours has supplied major brands such as Prestat, Fortnum and Mason, Selfridges and Harrods. The company was established in 1986 by patissiers Rolf Kern and Gabi Kohler, with the goal of creating premium chocolates. It was acquired by the Prestat Group in 2006.

The firm became London’s largest producer of luxury chocolates, churning out over 300 tonnes a year from its 25,000 sq ft facilities in Park Royal. However, it has encountered challenging market conditions in recent months.

The chocolate industry has been grappling with global cocoa prices soaring to record highs in 2024 due to disease and extreme weather impacting cocoa crops.

Administrators were appointed to Marasu’s on 6 February, with Alessandro Sidoli and Jessica Barker of Xeinadin Corporate Recovery Limited named as joint administrators, reports the Mirror. This followed Prestat also entering administration. Prestat continues to operate as an online store. The luxury chocolatier, established in 1902, closed its historic Piccadilly shop in central London in February.

In recent years, the chocolate industry has struggled with global cocoa prices surging to record highs in 2024 and cocoa crops being hit by disease and extreme weather, including flooding and droughts, in key producing countries such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast. These countries together account for about 60% of the world’s production.

The closure follows a prepack administration arrangement that will see Prestat acquired by chocolate manufacturer L’Artisan du Chocolat, which is owned by Polus Capital Management.

Prestat held two Royal Warrants and counted the Royal Family, including Princess Diana, amongst some of its most renowned customers. In 2003, The Economist magazine even named it as one of the top three chocolate shops in the world.

The Piccadilly shop inspired Roald Dahl, who referenced Prestat’s truffles in his novel My Uncle Oswald. The store, which was among the few to continue making its own chocolates, is also said to have inspired the fantastical sweet shop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.