Costco sells 10 pound chocolate bunnies. Check out the giant Easter treat.
Costco is selling a 10-pound chocolate Easter bunny that contains more than 22,000 calories, but shoppers can’t believe its gigantic size.
Add an Easter basket to your list of more expensive things this year. Chocolate prices are skyrocketing ahead of the weekend, but one expert believes the market will ease soon.
Although Easter isn’t as candy-focused as other holidays, chocolate is a big part of it. According to the National Confectioners Association’s annual report, about 90 percent of all Easter baskets contain chocolate.
Fortunately, the international cocoa market is showing signs of stabilization after a tumultuous past few years, David Branch, sector manager at Wells Fargo Agri-Food Research Institute, said in emailed comments.
These ups and downs have come from West Africa, where about 70% of the world’s chocolate is produced. This region is plagued by erratic weather and aging trees.
Some of these problems have been resolved and cocoa futures prices have fallen, but it will be a while before lower prices hit shelves. Mr Branch said shoppers should expect prices to be on par with or slightly above Valentine’s Day levels, but Halloween could see some relief as cocoa costs continue to fall throughout the production cycle.
Would jelly beans be a good substitute?
Of course, Americans have other candy options. A recent National Confectionery Association survey found that one-third of Easter celebrants sort their jelly beans by color, and two-thirds prefer a random assortment. Strawberry, cherry, and grape are the most popular flavors.
Still, Blanch said, “It’s hard to imagine Easter without a chocolate bunny, and most consumers will stick with that tradition, even if they mix in more non-chocolate candies and gummies to stretch their budgets.”
(According to the same NCA survey, 77% of Americans say they bite off a rabbit’s ears first, 16% start with the feet, and 6% bite the tail first.)
In rare good news for consumers, egg prices have fallen from last year’s highs. The average price for 12 Grade A eggs in the U.S. was $2.50 in February, according to the most recent data available. This was a whopping 58% decrease from the previous year.
But if the Easter Bunny needs to fill up the tank to deliver the candy, the cost is much higher. Right before the holidays, gas prices averaged more than $4 a gallon.
