Less chocolate for the same money – this is the latest development in the Czech Republic as manufacturers embrace “shrinkflation,” a phenomenon where products shrink while prices stay the same. Chocolate giant Milka has announced size reductions, and competitor Nestlé is considering similar moves.
American food company Mondelez is reducing its classic Milka chocolate bars from 100g to 90g, affecting varieties like milk chocolate, white chocolate, and hazelnut. Larger chocolate bars will shrink from 270g to 250g for certain flavors. According to Mondelez spokesperson Jiří Šebek, these changes are already underway in the Czech market, driven by persistently high cocoa and energy costs.
Nestlé, producer of popular brands like Orion, Studentská pečeť, and Granko, might follow suit this year. The company’s spokesperson Tereza Procházková indicates they’re trying to avoid price increases for cocoa-containing products. The company has already implemented such changes, with products like Delissa Orion wafers shrinking from 33g to 30g last spring.
This downsizing trend extends beyond chocolates. Bohemia pretzels decreased from 190g to 160g in mid-2023, while their smaller packages went from 85g to 80g. The phenomenon has also affected other consumer goods, including Heinz ketchup, mayonnaise, and dishwashing products.
Economists and consumer protection groups warn that manufacturers often implement these changes quietly, making them less noticeable to customers who might otherwise reconsider their purchases if faced with direct price increases.