Some Easter eggs are up 50% in price this year, while others are smaller, which one?The study found

Some Easter eggs have increased in price by at least 50% this year, while others have shrunk in size, according to a study.

Dry weather in West Africa caused global cocoa prices to surge, with overall chocolate prices rising 12.6% in a year, according to Which? Supermarket food and drink inflation tracker.

Figures show that in the month to the end of February, Waitrose’s 286g Malteser Truffle Luxury Easter Egg rose from £8 to £13, an increase of 62.5% compared with the same period last year.

The price of a five-pack of 50g Lindt Gold Bunny milk chocolate at Asda has risen from an average of £2 to £3.11, a rise of 55.6%.

At Tesco, the average 250g Ferrero Rocher Easter egg rose from an average of £10 in the year to the end of February to an average of £15 in the same period this year, an increase of 50%.

Which? In February last year, Ocado’s 1kg Cadbury Mini Egg Larch bag sold for an average of £8.86, but this year it is £12.95, a rise of 46.2%.

At Sainsbury’s, the price of a 36g Kinder Easter surprise has risen from an average of £1.50 to £2, a rise of 33.3%.

Which? Its analysis did not include membership card prices or multiple purchases.

“Shrinkage and expansion” occurs as egg size decreases

It also found “contraction and expansion” Morrisons and Tesco’s Mars Milk Chocolate Large Easter Eggs increased from 252g last year to 201g in February this year.

Similarly, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Easter Eggs and Mini Eggs from Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco have dropped from 230g last year to 200g this year, while Asda and Tesco’s Smarties chocolate orange Easter eggs have been reduced from 226 grams to 188 grams.

Which? Retail editor Ele Clark said: “For many of us, the Easter egg hunt is an unmissable highlight of spring, but Which? has discovered that paying for chocolate will be even more difficult this year.

“The price of some eggs is more than 50% higher than in 2023, while other eggs have shrunk in size but not in price.

“To ensure you get the best value for money on Easter chocolate, shop around and compare price per gram across different pack sizes, retailers and brands.”

Retailers say eggs are now cheaper

Waitrose said: “We work very hard to keep our prices low and offer a wide range of special offers to help customers save even more.

“As a result of our continued focus on prices, eggs in this study are now significantly cheaper than quoted. For example, Malteser eggs are selling for £8.50 instead of £13.”

A spokesman for Mars Wrigley UK, which makes Mars, Maltesers and Twix, said: “Our focus has always been on ensuring we deliver delicious, high-quality chocolate at the best possible value.

“We have been actively looking at ways to absorb rising raw material and operating costs, as we know that increases in the cost of living have affected consumers and businesses across the UK. Unfortunately, growing pressure means more needs to be done .

“Reducing the size of some products while increasing prices was not a decision we made lightly, but it was necessary so that shoppers can still enjoy their favorite Easter eggs without compromising on quality or taste.”

Nestlé, which makes Smarties, said: “Like every manufacturer, our costs have increased significantly, making our products more expensive to manufacture. We are always working hard to improve efficiency and absorb these increasing costs where possible.

“However, in order to maintain the same high quality and great taste that consumers know and love, it is sometimes necessary to make weight adjustments to some of our products. Retail pricing is always at the discretion of individual retailers.”