Cadbury Easter Eggs Shrink Again as Prices Soar 73% Per Gram
Australian consumers face a bitter Easter surprise as Cadbury's hollow chocolate eggs continue to shrink while prices skyrocket, according to new findings from consumer advocacy group Choice. The annual investigation reveals that Cadbury has reduced the size of its entire range of boxed, hollow Easter eggs by at least one egg per package, while simultaneously implementing significant price increases.
Shrinking Eggs, Expanding Prices
Choice journalist Liam Kennedy described Cadbury as "definitely our main culprit" in what appears to be a sustained pattern of shrinkflation. The watchdog's comprehensive price comparison shows that Cadbury's largest pack of hollow Easter eggs has undergone dramatic changes over just two years. In 2025, the product decreased from 408 grams to 374 grams while increasing in price from $12.50 to $15. By 2026, the same product now weighs only 340 grams and costs $18.
"We shone a light on Cadbury for doing this last year, and they've gone and done it again," Kennedy stated. "They're not too worried about being called out for this – they've doubled down on the tactic." The cumulative effect means consumers are now paying almost 73% more per 100 grams than they were just two years ago.
Manufacturer's Defense
A spokesperson for Mondelēz International, Cadbury's parent company, defended the changes by citing global market pressures. "Like all chocolate makers, we are navigating significantly higher cocoa and input costs globally," the representative explained. "While we've made carefully considered adjustments to some of our products ... with packs adjusted to help manage cost increases while keeping products at key price points. The individual 17g eggs remain the same size."
The company emphasized that cocoa prices have reached record highs over the past two years, making chocolate production substantially more expensive. However, Kennedy noted that cocoa prices have fallen significantly over the past nine months, reaching levels not seen since 2023. He acknowledged that the cocoa used for this year's Easter egg production would have been purchased before this recent decline.
Broader Market Context
Choice's investigation found that "pretty much all chocolate products" in the Easter egg category have experienced price increases this year. While most products have maintained their original sizes, Cadbury stands out for implementing both size reductions and price hikes simultaneously.
"With Cadbury, they make so many chocolate products, they're so ubiquitous across shelves that we're very quick to spot ... where they're shrinking it," Kennedy explained. The consumer group maintains an ongoing schedule of product reviews, allowing them to track pricing and size changes over multiple years.
Consumer Frustration and Future Outlook
The practice has generated significant consumer frustration, according to Choice. "It's something that people are very frustrated about," Kennedy reported. The organization actively encourages its members to report cases of shrinkflation they encounter on supermarket shelves.
Looking ahead, Kennedy cautioned that multiple factors beyond cocoa prices influence Easter egg costs. "The experts aren't promising there's going to be ... a drop in prices next Easter," he said, citing rising transportation costs and other economic pressures.
Mondelēz International's spokesperson concluded by advising consumers to "shop around to find the best value" and noted that "there are great specials in-store." As Easter approaches, Australian shoppers will need to weigh whether smaller chocolate eggs at higher prices still represent the sweet deal they've come to expect from this seasonal tradition.
