Shoppers in Australia will find themselves paying more for their beloved Easter eggs this year, with prices set to increase by up to 33%. The rise is tied to shrinkflation, a phenomenon where the price stays the same but the product size decreases.
According to a recent investigation by CHOICE and reported by SkyNews, popular brands like Cadbury, Nestlé, and Aldi are all seeing this trend affect their offerings.
While the chocolate remains a holiday staple, the changes may leave many consumers feeling like they are getting less for their money this Easter.
Shrinkflation Hits Easter Chocolate Eggs
The investigation found that popular chocolate egg products have shrunk in size despite prices remaining the same or increasing.
For example, a 24-pack of Cadbury Dairy Milk hollow eggs, previously priced at $12.50, now costs $15.00, but contains just 22 eggs, down from 24. Another Cadbury product, a 340g hollow chocolate egg, still costs $20, but weighs 60 grams less than in 2024.
Other brands like Nestlé are also seeing smaller product sizes with no corresponding drop in price. For instance, Nestlé’s KitKat-flavoured chocolate mini eggs have decreased from 110g to 90g while the price has remained at $3.99.
Similarly, Aldi’s Dairy Fine Milk mini eggs have shrunk by 100g, with a price of $5.99 still intact, leading to a 33% price hike per gram.
The global rise in cocoa prices has played a significant role in the shrinkflation trend. Factors such as climate change, diseases, and weather challenges in West Africa—responsible for around 80% of the world’s cocoa supply—have led to a reduction in cocoa availability. J.P.Morgan research revealed,
Disease pressures, climate change and threatening weather have ravaged crops in West Africa, which contributes around 80 per cent of the world’s cocoa output, and cocoa availability is at historical lows.
This has driven up the cost of cocoa, which, in turn, affects the price of chocolate products.
The impact on Australian consumers
With many Australians already feeling the financial strain due to rising living costs, the increase in Easter egg prices is a significant concern. CHOICE journalist Liam Kennedy highlighted that these price hikes on traditional Easter treats could lead to disappointment for families looking to maintain holiday traditions without breaking the bank. He stated,
Chocolate eggs are a classic part of any Easter spread, but this year your treats may taste more bitter than sweet once you discover your money probably isn’t getting you as much chocolate as it was last Easter.
Kennedy also pointed out the broader economic challenge, saying,
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.
For many, the Easter chocolate egg has been a staple of the holiday season, but this year, the combination of price increases and smaller portion sizes may leave consumers feeling like they’re not getting as much for their money.
