Woolworths has responded after a photo of a popular supermarket item on its shelves left Aussies fuming.
Chocolate lovers were left in shock when a post in the popular Markdown Addicts Facebook group exposed the soaring cost of their favourite treat.
The image featured Cadbury Dairy Milk 180g blocks priced at $7 each in Woolies, equating to $3.89 per 100g.
The supermarket display included Cadbury Slices in Raspberry and Crackle flavours, along with Breakaway blocks.
For just $1 more, customers can buy a 360g block of Cadbury Dairy Milk at the Australian retailer — labelled an “everyday low price”.
“I don’t care for price increases and can easily afford any and all increases! I will not pay $7/8 for a block of subpar chocolate though!” the person said in the caption.
Woolworths has since responded to the furore, explaining the cause of the seemingly rising chocolate prices.
“Chocolate manufacturers are experiencing increased costs of production as a result of higher cocoa prices,” a Woolworths spokesperson told news.com.au
“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 photo quickly gained attention, racking up nearly 600 reactions and more than 200 comments from people similarly outraged by the price hike.
“I refuse to buy these blocks at full price. Either buy at half price or buy other brand blocks,” one person wrote.
“Same!” claimed another. “I’d rather pay $10 for a small block of Haigh’s!”
A third called it “daylight robbery” while a fourth joked, “It keeps us healthier at least.”
“Not sure how they can justify $7 a block as normal price, especially when no one will pay it!” voiced another member.
One person said they remembered when the price was just $5 earlier in the year, while someone else said they’d noticed the packs getting smaller too.
“This is getting out of control,” remarked one, with someone else calling the price “a joke” and another “a rip off”.
“No way I’m paying that for chocolate, sorry kids,” one mum admitted.
The recent price increases have not gone unnoticed by experts who point to the dwindling global cacao supplies as a major contributor.
Ongoing bad weather and severe crop diseases in West Africa, where the majority of the world’s cocoa beans are produced, along with economic pressures such as rising labour, packaging, and energy costs, have created challenges for the industry in recent months.
Rabobank commodity analyst Paul Joules told the Sydney Morning Herald in September that “the worst is yet to come for consumers” as the stockpiles of cocoa that manufacturers have been relying on for the past 18 months run out.
“While hedging has protected many manufacturers from the worst effects of the price rises until now, eventually all these forward contracts will get used up, and prices will have to increase to reflect the current cocoa price,” Rabobank’s Soaring chocolate prices report read.
Due to its high cocoa concentration, dark chocolate prices will be the most affected.
The outrage over chocolate prices comes after another similar uproar just last month when Australians kicked off about Tim Tam packets priced at $6 when they were spotted for $3.85 in a UK supermarket.
The social media backlash was swift, with many calling the price “un-Australian”.
“And they are still saying there is no price gouging and sadly we are still shopping in those supermarkets,” one said.
“Tim Tams being $6 is a crime,” another person commented.
