Woolworths has hit back after sweet tooths expressed outrage over the rising price of a popular chocolate product.
A photo of 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks in a Woolworths store was posted online with a price tag of $7, which equates to $3.89 per 100g.
Australian chocoholics were shocked by the high cost of several flavors, including Cadbury Breakaway, Crackle and Black Forest.
But for just $1 more, the store has the larger 360g block of Cadbury Dairy Milk as part of an ‘everyday low price’ product.
The photo of the chocolate display was accompanied by a caption of the poster, stating that the price was too high.
“I don’t care about price increases and can easily afford all price increases!” they wrote.
“I’m not paying $7/8 for a block of bad chocolate though!”
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the Cadbury price increase is due to factors beyond their control.
Australian chocoholics were outraged by the $7 price tag on 180g Cadbury chocolate blocks in Woolworths (pictured)
“Chocolate manufacturers are experiencing higher production costs due to higher cocoa prices,” they said.
‘That said, given the popularity of chocolate, we always want to ensure we can offer a range of bars, blocks and biscuits to suit any chocoholic’s budget.’
But Australians already suffering from the high cost of living were less than impressed.
‘I refuse to buy these blocks at full price. Buy 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 cocoa beans from West Africa will push up chocolate prices (photo of Cadbury chocolate blocks)
Other outraged chocoholics labeled the price increase as ‘daylight robbery’.
“It certainly keeps us healthier,” one Australian joked.
“I’m not sure how they can justify $7 per block as the regular price, especially when no one wants to pay it!” another added.
One shopper noted earlier this year that a block of Cadbury cost just $5, while someone also claimed the packs appeared to be shrinking.
“There’s no way I’m going to pay that for chocolate, sorry kids,” said one mother.
Global cocoa supplies have declined recently and are seen as the main reason for rising costs. news.com.au reported.
Bad weather and crop diseases in West Africa – where most of the world’s cocoa beans are produced – have had an impact on 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 the rising costs faced by chocolate manufacturers
This is what commodity analyst Paul Joules of Rabobank says Sydney Morning Herald it was recently said that ‘the worst is yet to come for consumers’ as manufacturers’ supplies run low.
“Prices will have to rise to reflect the current cocoa price,” according to Rabobank’s Soaring Chocolate Price Report.
Rabobank said cocoa prices were at $3,000 a tonne before rising sharply earlier this year to $12,000 before settling at $8,000 a tonne.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cadbury for comment.