Snickers manufacturing moves back to Australia – with one unwelcome difference
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We have good news and bad news for our members who are major lovers of the Snickers bar.
Good news first: Mars Wrigley Australia, which also makes Maltesers, Twix, M&Ms, and Mars Bars, has moved its Snickers production back to Ballarat, Victoria.
During the time the plant was down for repairs and renovations, the Snickers bars were produced in Jiaxing, a city near Shanghai in China. But now, our favourite chocolate bars are being made locally again!
As for the not-so-good news: Even though the new goodies made in Australia will still cost you $2, the bars are now only 44g in size (down from the 50g Chinese versions).
Woolworths is the only major retailer still stocking 50g bars, while Coles has switched to 44g.
While Snickers production shifted back to Australia, Mars Wrigley made an unwelcome change. Credit: news.com.au.
A representative from Mars Wrigley confirmed to news.com.au that, despite the switch of facilities, the Snickers formula and ingredients have not changed.
They said that 'unprecedented cost pressures' across the company's operations, which were caused 'by a variety of external causes,' were the reason for the decision to cut the size of the Snickers bars.
'While we continue to absorb cost increases, changes to product weight are sometimes necessary to ensure we can continue to supply our much-loved chocolate bars to Australian consumers,' they said.
Several online news agencies sought comments from Coles and Woolworths, but officials for the grocery stores turned down the requests.
Mars Wrigley Australia is among the country's largest and fastest-growing lolly manufacturers, along with competitors Nestle Australia and Mondelez Australia (creators of Cadbury, Milka, and Toblerone).
When the company announced in May 2021 that it was moving the Snickers factory overseas, there was a backlash among hundreds of consumers.
However, the company later announced that the move was only temporary and that local production would resume by the last few months of 2022.
The Snickers bars made in China were 6g heavier than the ones made in Australia. Credit: news.com.au.
According to a Mars Wrigley representative, the company was able to modernise the technology and infrastructure at their Ballarat facility while Snickers production was relocated to China.
'These upgrades have been completed, and as of August this year, we have started manufacturing Snickers back in Australia,' the representative said.
'As a proud Australian manufacturer, where possible, we make our products locally across our two manufacturing sites in Ballarat and Asquith. Our Ballarat factory has been producing some of the country's most-loved brands, including M&Ms, Maltesers, Mars, Snickers and Pods, for more than 43 years.'
It’s likely that every one of us here is already aware of the concept of 'shrinkflation' – we've been witnessing it almost everywhere!
Aside from Snickers bars, here are some other items that have gotten smaller while keeping the same price:
Let us know in the comments if you've come across any more products that have shrunk in size. It might be helpful for the other members as well!
Good news first: Mars Wrigley Australia, which also makes Maltesers, Twix, M&Ms, and Mars Bars, has moved its Snickers production back to Ballarat, Victoria.
During the time the plant was down for repairs and renovations, the Snickers bars were produced in Jiaxing, a city near Shanghai in China. But now, our favourite chocolate bars are being made locally again!
As for the not-so-good news: Even though the new goodies made in Australia will still cost you $2, the bars are now only 44g in size (down from the 50g Chinese versions).
Woolworths is the only major retailer still stocking 50g bars, while Coles has switched to 44g.
While Snickers production shifted back to Australia, Mars Wrigley made an unwelcome change. Credit: news.com.au.
A representative from Mars Wrigley confirmed to news.com.au that, despite the switch of facilities, the Snickers formula and ingredients have not changed.
They said that 'unprecedented cost pressures' across the company's operations, which were caused 'by a variety of external causes,' were the reason for the decision to cut the size of the Snickers bars.
'While we continue to absorb cost increases, changes to product weight are sometimes necessary to ensure we can continue to supply our much-loved chocolate bars to Australian consumers,' they said.
Several online news agencies sought comments from Coles and Woolworths, but officials for the grocery stores turned down the requests.
Mars Wrigley Australia is among the country's largest and fastest-growing lolly manufacturers, along with competitors Nestle Australia and Mondelez Australia (creators of Cadbury, Milka, and Toblerone).
When the company announced in May 2021 that it was moving the Snickers factory overseas, there was a backlash among hundreds of consumers.
However, the company later announced that the move was only temporary and that local production would resume by the last few months of 2022.
The Snickers bars made in China were 6g heavier than the ones made in Australia. Credit: news.com.au.
According to a Mars Wrigley representative, the company was able to modernise the technology and infrastructure at their Ballarat facility while Snickers production was relocated to China.
'These upgrades have been completed, and as of August this year, we have started manufacturing Snickers back in Australia,' the representative said.
'As a proud Australian manufacturer, where possible, we make our products locally across our two manufacturing sites in Ballarat and Asquith. Our Ballarat factory has been producing some of the country's most-loved brands, including M&Ms, Maltesers, Mars, Snickers and Pods, for more than 43 years.'
It’s likely that every one of us here is already aware of the concept of 'shrinkflation' – we've been witnessing it almost everywhere!
Aside from Snickers bars, here are some other items that have gotten smaller while keeping the same price:
- Mars bars - $2, from 53g to 47g
- Traditional White, Helga's Wraps - 8 packs for $5, 560g to 508g
- Tina Wafers from Arnott's - $3.05, from 250g to 200g
- Oreo cookies - $2, from 137g to 133g
- Aqua Pure Fruit Splash Tropical Water - $2.50, from 1.25L to 1L
- Infuzions BBQ Rib Flavor Prawn Crackers - $2.75, from 100g to 90g
- Doritos Nachos Cheese Dip - $4.95, from 300g to 280g
Let us know in the comments if you've come across any more products that have shrunk in size. It might be helpful for the other members as well!
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