Mars, Nestlé and Terry’s Chocolate have been accused of shrinkflation on chocolate Easter eggs, by consumer group Which?.
Citing the rise of global cocoa prices reaching new historic highs, the group found that certain products from brands have shrunk in size and weight but not in price.
Among other brands, it specifically found:
- Mars Milk Chocolate large Easter egg shrunk from 252g to 201g at Morrisons and Tesco
- Smarties Orange Chocolate Easter egg shrunk from 226g to 188g at Asda and Tesco
- Terry’s Chocolate Orange Easter egg with Mini Eggs shrunk from 230g to 200g at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco
- Twix Milk Chocolate Easter egg shrunk from 246g to 200g at Tesco
Meanwhile other FMCG confectionery brands have also increased their prices higher than inflationary costs have risen, reported the consumer group.
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Some examples of the worse offenders include:
- Maltesers Truffles Luxury Easter Egg (286g): from £8 to £13 at Waitrose – up 62.5%
- Lindt Five Gold Bunny Milk Chocolate (50g): from £2 to £3.11 at Asda – up 55.6%
- Lindt Lindor Milk Chocolate Egg Plus Milk Mini Eggs (215g): from £6.50 to £10 at Tesco – up 53.8%
- Ferrero Rocher Golden Easter Egg (250g): from £10 to £15 at Tesco – up 50%
- Kinder Surprise Giant Egg (220g): from £10 to £15 at Tesco – up 50%
- Maltesers Mini Bunnies White Chocolate Bag (58g): from £1 to £1.50 at Tesco – up 50%
- Terrys Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs (80g): from £1 to £1.50 at Tesco – up 50%
- Thorntons Milk Chocolate Dinosaur / Unicorn Egg (151g): from £3 to £4.50 at Tesco – up 50%
- Cadbury Mini Eggs Large Pouch (1kg): from £8.86 to £12.95 at Ocado – up 46.2%
Both Nestlé and Mars maintained the change in price was a necessary move, with Mars saying it was not a decision “we have taken lightly”.
The confectionery giant said: “We have been trying to find ways to absorb the rising costs of raw materials and operations, as we know the increase in the cost of living has impacted both consumers and businesses across the UK.
“Reducing the size of some of our products, whilst raising prices, is not a decision we have taken lightly but it is necessary for shoppers to still be able to enjoy their favourite Easter eggs without compromising on quality or taste.”
Nestlé added: “Like every manufacturer, we have been experiencing significant cost increases making it much more expensive to manufacture our products. We have been working to be more efficient and absorb increasing costs where possible.
“However, in order to maintain quality and taste, it has been necessary to make adjustments to the weight of some products. Retail pricing is always at the sole discretion of individual retailers.'”
In the past other FMCGs have warned on price rises as the sector attempts to tackle rising inflation, with Cadbury confirming earlier this year it will increase prices across its range following a steep rise in production costs.
