Bad Bunny: Yes, your chocolate Easter egg has shrunk

No, your eyes do not deceive you.

Your Cadbury chocolate Easter eggs are smaller - and more expensive - for second year in a row.

Consumer organisation CHOICE has found shrinkflation is a holiday issue for chocolate lovers.

Last year, CHOICE revealed several examples of Easter eggs from global snack giants and supermarket home brands being guilty

Despite falling wholesale cocoa prices, manufacturers like Cadbury have doubled-down on the practice, continuing to cut the sizes of products already impacted in previous years, while retail prices for these items continue to climb, CHOICE says.

Easter is the perfect time for indulging in chocolate treats, and a great opportunity to set up Easter egg hunts for the kids. Unfortunately - but not surprisingly - Cadbury has delivered a cut in size, but a rise in price, to some of their Easter chocolates for the second year in a row,” says CHOICE journalist Liam Kennedy.

“Last year, we pointed out that Cadbury’s then 22-pack of hollow hunting eggs was coming with two fewer eggs than in 2024, and selling for an extra $2.50.

"Since then, the company has cut two more eggs from the carton and the product’s price has gone up by another $3.

"All up, the former 24-pack of eggs has shrunk by 68g and increased in price by $5.50 since 2024, meaning consumers are now paying almost 73% more per 100g than they were two years ago.

“Cadbury’s largest hollow egg box is not the only product to have shrunk. In the past 12 months, Cadbury’s entire range of boxed hollow Easter eggs have been hit by shrinkflation - each carton now contains at least one fewer egg than it did last year. In one case, a 15-pack currently selling for $15 has replaced an 18-pack that sold for $13.50 last year.”

CHOICE found Easter eggs aren’t the only products shrinking.

“Hot cross buns have also fallen victim to shrinkflation, with smaller buns now on shelves without any reduction in price. Aldi’s Rocky Road and Banoffee Inspired buns are both 20g lighter than they were this time last year.

Manufacturers told CHOICE that rising production and supply chain costs were driving the changes.

“Currently, the government is considering introducing mandatory notices to alert shoppers when a product has undergone shrinkflation," Kennedy says. "Shrinkflation is hard to spot, so these notices should be clear and placed near the product for a reasonable period to ensure consumers are aware of the change."

Read the full story: www.choice.com.au/eastershrinkflation

New Zealand wine to be made using Australian grapes

Here's one of the strangest wine stories of the year: the New Zealand wine brand that is to be made with Australian grapes.

Lindauer is a very well-known New Zealand sparkling wine brand - but it is turning its back on its Kiwi heritage, leading New Zealand news website stuff.co.nz reports.

The Lindauer Classic Brut will henceforth be made using Australian grapes rather than New Zealand fruit, while the Classic Rosé will be a blend of Aussie and Kiwi grapes.

Both wines were previously made with 100% New Zealand grapes sourced from from Gisborne and Hawkes Bay.

Jane De Witt​, chief winemaker at Lindauer owner Lion, said the decision had been made to keep costs stable.

“As with everything that’s happening at the moment costs have increased significantly for us,” she said.

“We’ve really struggled to find the volume and the quality that we’re happy with to ensure the quality and the value that our consumers expect.

“Costs are increasing, so if we are to supply Lindauer to the consumer at the same or similar price point we just couldn’t continue using New Zealand grapes.”

Bizarro.