Easter chocolate is becoming more expensive while some products are getting smaller, according to new research from the consumer advocacy group CHOICE.
The group says the price of Cadbury hollow eggs has almost doubled per gram compared with two Easters ago, even though global cocoa prices have fallen sharply since reaching a 50-year high in 2024.
CHOICE also found price increases across a range of popular products, including Lindt chocolate bunnies, which have risen by about a third on 2025 prices.
Many seasonal items have also been affected by “shrinkflation”, where the size is reduced but the price stays the same or increases.
In the past two years, four eggs have been removed from Cadbury’s large hollow egg box while the price has risen from $12.50 to $18.00.
The company also changed its deluxe Easter egg for a second consecutive year, adding $3 to the 2026 price after reducing the weight by 60 grams in 2025.
Manufacturers have pointed to rising cocoa prices in recent years to explain the changes, after poor harvests, crop disease and supply issues pushed prices higher. However, cocoa prices have since dropped by about 75 per cent from their peak.
Cadbury’s parent company said it had made “carefully considered adjustments” to manage rising costs while continuing to offer value.
“Throughout this volatility, our focus has remained on delivering Australian-made quality, great taste and an Easter range that offers genuine choice and value for families,” a spokeswoman said.
“Consumers are encouraged to shop around to find the best value. There are great specials in-store.”
Supermarket chain Aldi also confirmed some products had been reduced in size but said it aims to keep prices as low as possible.
The federal government says it is strengthening the unit pricing code to make it easier for shoppers to compare prices more clearly.
“This is about clear, accessible information which allows shoppers to compare prices fairly and make informed choices,” Assistant Competition Minister Andrew Leigh said in a statement.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the price of snacks and confectionery, including chocolate, rose by 5.6 per cent in the 12 months to January.
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