Shock Easter Prices: IGA, Woolworths, and Coles specials fail to ease Aussie wallet pain

The price of some of the most popular Easter bunnies and eggs have doubled in the last four years, leaving a bittersweet taste amid a cost of living crisis. A review of catalogues from major supermarkets and suburban stores found the price of a 100g Lindt Gold Bunny had hopped up in price everywhere since 2021 _ from $5 to $10, from $5.25 to $10 and from $4.49 to $6.99 at three different outlets. A large 250-270g Cadbury Bunny has increased from $4 to $8, even with the chocolate treat continuing to be advertised as 33 per cent off its usual price of $12. A smaller 150-170g Cadbury Bunny has also bounced from $4.50 to $6. A 243g pack of Cadbury eggs has gone up from $6 to $11.50 and a single 100g hollow egg has jumped from $2.50 to $4.50. While Easter chocolate is getting more expensive, consumers are getting even less bang for their buck thanks to a phenomenon known as shrinkflation. Consumer advocacy body CHOICE found several cases of Easter products decreasing in size, even as the price rised. CHOICE reporter Liam Kennedy found in March 2024 retailers were selling a 24 pack of Cadbury Dairy Milk hollow eggs with a recommended retail price of $12.50, but that a new version of the product only contained 22 eggs, with the price increasing to $15. “That means consumers are paying 31 per cent more per 100g of chocolate than they did last year,” Mr Kennedy said. According to the banking specialist firm Rabobank, disruptions in supply chains led to a more than 200 per cent increase in the global price of cocoa — the main ingredient in chocolate — between 2023 and 2024. This was largely due to agricultural issues in west Africa, where a majority of the crop is produced. The West Australian found for a family of five, it will cost an average of $157 to buy Easter chocolate for two parents and three kids. This was broken down into one chocolate for each parent and a bunny, a large egg, hollow eggs, and a bag of small eggs for each child. Financial Wellbeing Collective general manager Helena Jakupovic said families across WA are struggling to put food on the table, let alone Easter products. “Something like Easter eggs is, you know, really exciting for kids and even some adults as well, but it’s something for a lot of families is just going to be out of reach, which makes it really hard for them,“ she said. “For many of the clients we support, Easter would fall in the discretionary spending bucket, which is smaller and almost nonexistent for our clients who are barely able to manage the cost of essentials like rent and food.” A Coles spokesperson said the “significant global challenges in the supply of cocoa beans” have impacted production costs for suppliers. “We are working closely with our suppliers to offer competitive prices for our customers this Easter,” the spokesperson said. A Woolworths spokesperson said they are also working to keep chocolate affordable for families. “Despite the cocoa supply challenges that chocolate manufacturers are continuing to experience, we’re working to help keep Easter chocolate affordable and accessible,’ they said. According to a spokesperson for Mondelez International, Cadbury’s parent organisation, cocoa prices have quadrupled since 2022 and “rising input costs across the supply chain have increased the overall cost of chocolate production”. “We understand that affordability is top of mind for many families this Easter, and we are working hard to ensure there are options for everyone to enjoy their favourite Easter treats.” Easter Chocolate price breakdown: Coles Chocolate for parents: 200g Lindt Gold Bunny: 2 for $25 or 1 for $18 Chocolate for kids: 240g Big egg: $20 x3 160g bunny: $6 x3 11 Hollow Easter Eggs: $7 x3 243g small Easter eggs: 8.5 x3 Total: 149.5 Woolworths: Chocolate for parents 200g Lindt Easter egg: 13.5 x2 Chocolate for kids Big Easter egg: $20 x3 160g Bunny: $6 x3 11 Hollow easter eggs: $6 x3 440g mini eggs 12.5 x3 Total: 160.5 IGA: For Parents 200g Lindt gold bunny 15.99 x2 For kids Big egg $20.80 x3 160g Bunny $8.5 x3 9 Hollow eggs 8.85 x3 90gm mini eggs 5.5 x3 Total $162.93