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Australian shoppers can expect to pay as much as 33 per cent more for some Easter eggs compared to last year and receive fewer treats in other products, according to an investigation by Choice.
The change comes as a significant increase in the price of cocoa drives up the cost of chocolate products.
The study found a 24 pack of Cadbury Dairy Milk hollow chocolate eggs had a recommended retail price of $12.50 last, but a new version of the product released this year contained 22 eggs for an increased price of $15.
“That means consumers are paying 31 per cent more per 100g of chocolate than they did last year,” CHOICE journalist Liam Kennedy said.
Another Cadbury product, the large 340g chocolate egg, has remained $20 but weighed an extra 60 grams last year.
Nestle’s bags of KitKat-flavoured mini eggs have maintained a price of $3.99 but the product went from 110g to 90g since last February.
The study also found Aldi’s packets of Dairy Fine Milk mini eggs have also decreased in size, going from 400g to 300g however the price has remained the same at $5.99.
While the price has remained the same at $5.99, you’re now paying 33 per cent more per 100g to get your chocolate fix,” Kennedy said.
For those who want to identify shrinkflation, CHOICE has recommended shoppers count the number of eggs in their packet and compare it with the number on the packaging.
Chocolate lovers should also keep an eye on the unit price to watch for any change in value and keep an eye out for slogan rebrands such as “new and improved” which appear on products following shrinkage.
“With many consumers still struggling to cover the cost of food and groceries, the last thing people need is the squeeze being put on their Easter favourites,” Kennedy said.
Queensland University of Technology professor Garry Mortimer told 9News in February consumers could expect to pay more for chocolate products this year.
“Ultimately we’ve seen the commodity price of cocoa, essentially chocolate, skyrocket in the last 12 to 18 months,” Mortimer said.
“You’d expect to see retail prices lift anywhere between sort of 10 to 20 per cent.”