Woolworths shoppers become furious over price hike of popular chocolate: ‘No way I’m paying’
- Replies 33
Many people find the sweet allure of chocolate hard to resist. It's a small indulgence, comfort food, and, for some, a daily treat.
But for Woolworths customers, this indulgence has recently become a little less sweet and a lot more expensive.
The price of Cadbury chocolate blocks has seen a significant hike, leaving many shoppers with a bitter taste in their mouths.
A recent snapshot of the confectionery aisle at a Woolworths store revealed a startling $7 price tag on 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks, which equates to a hefty $3.89 per 100g.
This price increase has not gone unnoticed by chocolate lovers, who have taken to social media to express their dismay.
The outrage is palpable, with comments ranging from disbelief to outright refusal to pay the inflated prices for what some are calling 'subpar chocolate’.
The flavours affected by the price hike include Cadbury Breakaway, Crackle, and Black Forest, among others.
While the larger 360g block of Cadbury Dairy Milk is available for just $1 more as part of Woolworths' 'everyday low price' offering, the sharp increase in the smaller block's price has left many questioning its justification.
'I don’t care for price increases and can easily afford any and all increases,' they wrote.
'I will not pay $7/8 for a block of subpar chocolate, though!'
In response to the uproar, a Woolworths spokesperson has cited increased production costs as the primary reason for the price hike.
'Chocolate manufacturers are experiencing increased costs of production as a result of higher cocoa prices,' they said.
'That said, given chocolate’s popularity, we're always looking to ensure we're providing a range of bars, blocks, and biscuits to meet the budget of every chocoholic.'
The root of the problem lies far from Australian shores.
The majority of the world's cocoa supply comes from West Africa, where adverse weather conditions and crop diseases have severely impacted the cocoa bean yield.
This has led to a global shortage and a dramatic increase in cocoa prices, which have spiked from $3,000 to $12,000 per tonne before settling at around $8,000 per tonne.
Rabobank commodity analyst Paul Joules has warned that 'the worst is yet to come for consumers' as manufacturers' stockpiles dwindle and prices are forced to rise in line with the current cost of cocoa.
‘Prices will have to increase to reflect the current cocoa price,' Rabobank's Soaring Chocolate Prices Report said.
The frustration among Australian consumers is compounded by the already high cost of living, labelling the price hike as ‘daylight robbery’.
'It keeps us healthier, at least,' one quipped.
'Not sure how they can justify $7 a block as a normal price, especially when no one will pay it!' another added.
'I refuse to buy these blocks at full price. Either buy at half price or buy other brand blocks,' a third wrote.
Another said: 'I’d rather pay $10 for a small block of Haighs!’
'No way I’m paying that for chocolate, sorry kids,' a mum wrote.
Have you noticed the hike in Cadbury chocolate prices at your local Woolworths? Will this change your chocolate-buying habits? Let us know in the comments below.
But for Woolworths customers, this indulgence has recently become a little less sweet and a lot more expensive.
The price of Cadbury chocolate blocks has seen a significant hike, leaving many shoppers with a bitter taste in their mouths.
A recent snapshot of the confectionery aisle at a Woolworths store revealed a startling $7 price tag on 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks, which equates to a hefty $3.89 per 100g.
This price increase has not gone unnoticed by chocolate lovers, who have taken to social media to express their dismay.
Woolworths shoppers were outraged over the $7 price tag of 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks. Credit: Markdown Addicts Australia / Facebook
The outrage is palpable, with comments ranging from disbelief to outright refusal to pay the inflated prices for what some are calling 'subpar chocolate’.
The flavours affected by the price hike include Cadbury Breakaway, Crackle, and Black Forest, among others.
While the larger 360g block of Cadbury Dairy Milk is available for just $1 more as part of Woolworths' 'everyday low price' offering, the sharp increase in the smaller block's price has left many questioning its justification.
'I don’t care for price increases and can easily afford any and all increases,' they wrote.
'I will not pay $7/8 for a block of subpar chocolate, though!'
In response to the uproar, a Woolworths spokesperson has cited increased production costs as the primary reason for the price hike.
'Chocolate manufacturers are experiencing increased costs of production as a result of higher cocoa prices,' they said.
'That said, given chocolate’s popularity, we're always looking to ensure we're providing a range of bars, blocks, and biscuits to meet the budget of every chocoholic.'
The root of the problem lies far from Australian shores.
The majority of the world's cocoa supply comes from West Africa, where adverse weather conditions and crop diseases have severely impacted the cocoa bean yield.
This has led to a global shortage and a dramatic increase in cocoa prices, which have spiked from $3,000 to $12,000 per tonne before settling at around $8,000 per tonne.
Rabobank commodity analyst Paul Joules has warned that 'the worst is yet to come for consumers' as manufacturers' stockpiles dwindle and prices are forced to rise in line with the current cost of cocoa.
‘Prices will have to increase to reflect the current cocoa price,' Rabobank's Soaring Chocolate Prices Report said.
The frustration among Australian consumers is compounded by the already high cost of living, labelling the price hike as ‘daylight robbery’.
'It keeps us healthier, at least,' one quipped.
'Not sure how they can justify $7 a block as a normal price, especially when no one will pay it!' another added.
'I refuse to buy these blocks at full price. Either buy at half price or buy other brand blocks,' a third wrote.
Another said: 'I’d rather pay $10 for a small block of Haighs!’
'No way I’m paying that for chocolate, sorry kids,' a mum wrote.
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