The prices of products linked to Easter are less bitter this year than in 2023, according to research released this Monday (25). An XP study shows that consumers will spend up to 3.63% more on chocolate bars and bonbons this year. This is much less than the 10.7% increase observed in the same period last year.
The specific variation of these products is also lower than the IPCA accumulated in 12 months until February, which was 4.50%, according to IBGE.
The XP survey was carried out based on the IPCA variation and does not include the prices of Easter eggs in the basket of products analyzed.
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But, according to research by Procon-SP also released today, the kilo of chocolate eggs – without a specific brand – in the city of São Paulo had an average drop of -15.52% (from R$ 318.26 to R$ 268, 87) between March 2023 and February 2024, using the IPC-Fipe as a basis.
Alexandre Maluf, an economist at XP, explains that, in addition to the increase in demand, which puts pressure on prices on the commemorative date, other factors, such as the price of cocoa, influence the final price of these products.
He points out that the increase in prices for products such as chocolate drinks, chocolate bars and sweets is strongly influenced by the increase in the value of cocoa on the international market. And it was being driven by crop failure in producing countries, mainly in Africa.
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“In the last two years, however, the rise in chocolate prices was even greater due to one of the ingredients: sugar, which was impacted by the crop failure in the United States with global repercussions on the production chain”, he highlights.
Comparison
To find more affordable prices, Procon-SP advises consumers to make a comparison between the prices charged by different establishments, even in virtual stores, considering the relationship between quality, weight and price of the item to be purchased.
“In online stores, it is also essential to compare shipping prices. Licensed products with characters generally have a higher price, due to the passing on of the cost of this licensing”, says the consumer protection agency.
According to Procon, in the city of São Paulo, it was possible to find a 150g Arcor Bon Bon Easter Egg – Strawberry, with prices between R$26.98 and R$69.90 in the city’s supermarkets between March 11th and 13th. The Colomba Pascal Visconti Chocolate Drops, 360g, had prices between R$14.98 and R$29.99
Easter lunch
For Easter lunch, however, prices varied differently, according to XP. Cod, one of the traditional items of the time, kept its price practically stable (0.46%) compared to last year, while fish in general rose 2.68%.
But the price of olive oil, also a basic ingredient for recipes, is 40.7% more expensive in 2024. This is due to a combination of factors, with emphasis on the effects of the El Niño climate phenomenon in Europe.
Other important falling items in the “Easter basket” are soybean oil (-22.73%), meat (-7.95%) and margarine (-8.43%).
Highlights include refined sugar (13.92%), crystal sugar (7.51%), ice cream (10.43%) and alcoholic beverages, except beer and wine (11.27%).
