Chocoholics have witnessed a significant surge in the prices of certain holiday treats, with some items now costing up to 72% more compared to last Christmas, according to recent research.
The consumer group Which? has observed a sharp increase in the prices of various seasonal essentials. Monitoring over 25,000 food and drink products across eight supermarkets throughout the year, Which? found that chocolate prices have soared by an average of 14.2% in the past year. This inflation is attributed to ongoing challenges in cocoa harvests and supply chain issues.
Among the notable price hikes, a Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles treat box (37g) at Asda has risen from £1.15 last year to £1.98 now, marking a 72.2% increase. Similarly, at Morrisons, the cost of Lindt Milk Chocolate Teddy Christmas Tree Decorations has surged from £3.50 in 2024 to £6, representing a 71.4% jump.
Furthermore, at Morrisons, a 40g Lindt Christmas milk chocolate Teddy has increased from £1.50 to £2.50, while at Tesco, a 145g Terry’s Chocolate Orange Dark Ball has seen a two-thirds price hike from £1.50 to £2.50.
Another category affected by significant price increases is Christmas turkeys, with prices up by 4.7% year-on-year for fresh whole birds, crowns, and other cuts. Factors such as bird flu outbreaks and rising operational costs for farmers are contributing to individual price hikes. For instance, a Tesco Finest Free Range Bronze Turkey Crown Medium (2.99kg) has surged by £14.95, rising from £53.82 to £68.77, a 27.8% increase.
The latest data from the Which? tracker reveals that Waitrose experienced the highest price increase of 6.2% in the year leading up to November, while Asda boasted the lowest increase at 3%, surpassing even discount competitors Aldi and Lidl.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, commented on the findings, emphasizing the importance of monitoring individual item prices as they can vary significantly, even within the same store. Shoppers concerned about their holiday budgets can benefit from shopping at Aldi, Lidl, and Asda, known for their lower inflation rates and overall affordability.
Both Asda and Morrisons have reaffirmed their commitment to offering quality products at competitive prices, with unique benefits for shoppers, such as loyalty rewards and discounts.