Chocolates Surge in Price
The price of festive chocolates, including popular brands like Quality Street and Cadbury, has skyrocketed by up to 108% in the past year. Supermarket own-brand snacks have also seen significant price increases. According to research by consumer watchdog Which?, many Christmas chocolates now cost at least 50% more than they did last year, with chocolate prices rising at almost twice the rate of other grocery items.
Reasons for Price Rises
The steep price increases have been attributed to rising costs of key ingredients like cocoa and sugar. Supply issues and poor production have impacted the availability and quality of these ingredients in the last year, contributing to the price hikes.
Worst Offenders
Asda has been identified as one of the supermarkets with the highest price increases. Its own-brand Chocolate Caramel Chews have seen a staggering 107.7% price hike since 2022. Other products, such as Malteser Truffles and Quality Street boxes, have also seen significant price increases at Asda. Morrisons, Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, and Sainsbury's are among the other supermarkets that have raised prices on festive chocolates.
Full List of Price Increases
Here is the complete list of festive chocolates that have experienced price hikes:
- Asda – ASDA Snack Size Chocolate Caramel Chews (6x38g) – up 107.7%
- Morrisons – Bolands Elite Chocolate Kimberley (132g) – up 99.2%
- Aldi – Dairyfine Titan (6 pack) – up 75.8%
- Asda – Green & Black's Organic Classic Miniature Chocolate Bar Collection (180g) – up 67.2%
- Lidl – Mister Choc Choco & Caramel Bars (6x38g) – up 66.8%
- And more…
Reasons for the Price Rises
Mondelez, the owner of Cadbury, and Nestle, the maker of Quality Street, have both reported increased sales this year despite the higher prices. They cite cash-strapped shoppers turning to more basic gifts and treats as the reason for the boost in sales. Rising costs of raw materials, energy, packaging, and transportation have led to the need for price adjustments, according to the companies.
Tips for Shoppers
Which? advises shoppers to compare the price per gram across different pack sizes, retailers, and brands to ensure they are getting the best value for money on their Christmas chocolates. Additionally, signing up for supermarket loyalty cards and shopping at the right times can help save money on food shopping. Swapping to own-brand products and making a list before shopping are other effective strategies to cut costs.
