Woolworths has responded after sweet-toothed customers expressed outrage over the price rise of a popular chocolate staple.
A photo of 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks in a Woolworths store was posted online showing a price of $7, which is equivalent to $3.89 per 100g.
Australian chocoholics have been shocked by the high cost of different flavours, including Cadbury Breakaway, crackle and black forest.
But for just $1 more, the store has the largest 360g block of Cadbury Dairy Milk as part of an “everyday low price” staple.
The photo of the chocolate display was accompanied by a sign caption saying the price is too high.
‘I don’t mind price increases and can easily afford any and all increases!’ they wrote.
‘But I won’t pay $7/8 for a block of bad quality chocolate!’
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Cadbury’s price increase is due to factors outside its control.
Australian chocoholics were outraged by the $7 price of 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks at Woolworths (pictured)
“Chocolate manufacturers are experiencing higher production costs as a result of rising cocoa prices,” they said.
“That said, given the popularity of chocolate, we always look to ensure we offer a variety of bars, blocks and cookies to suit every chocoholic’s budget.”
But Australians already feeling the effects of the high cost of living were not very impressed.
‘I refuse to buy these blocks at full price. Either buy at half price or buy blocks from other brands,” one shopper wrote.
Another added: ‘I’d rather pay $10 for a small block of Haighs!’
Australians have been warned that dwindling supplies of West African cocoa beans will keep chocolate prices rising (file photo of Cadbury chocolate blocks)
Other outraged chocoholics called the price rise a “daylight robbery.”
“At least it keeps us healthier,” one Australian joked.
‘I’m not sure how they can justify $7 a block as a normal price, especially when no one wants to pay it!’ added another.
One shopper commented that a Cadbury’s pack cost just $5 earlier this year, while someone also claimed the packs appeared to be shrinking.
“There’s no way I’m paying that for chocolate, sorry kids,” one mom said.
The global supply of cocoa has recently decreased and is considered the main reason for the increase in costs. news.com.au reported.
Bad weather and crop diseases in West Africa, where most of the world’s supply of cocoa beans is produced, have hit Australian chocolate lovers.
Combined with rising labor, energy and packaging costs, the price of cocoa has skyrocketed in recent months.
Woolworths said the price increase is due to rising costs faced by chocolate makers.
Rabobank commodities analyst Paul Joules told Sydney Morning Herald recently that “the worst is yet to come for consumers” as manufacturers’ stocks run out.
“Prices will have to increase to reflect the current price of cocoa,” according to Rabobank’s Chocolate Price Report.
Rabobank said cocoa prices were $3,000 a tonne before rising sharply earlier this year, reaching $12,000 before settling at $8,000 a tonne.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cadbury for comment.
