This Easter, the cost of a typical basket has jumped to $49.66, marking a 34% increase compared to last year, as reported by CouponFollow, a digital coupon service.
Among the price increases, Cadbury Creme Eggs saw the steepest rise, up 57% to $5.49. This spike is notable within the company’s Easter Basket Inflation Index.
Looking back further, CouponFollow noted that the cost of a complete Easter basket has surged by 71% over the past five years, while the price of Cadbury’s treats has skyrocketed by 120% since 2021.
The study, which takes place every two years, monitored prices at various retailers such as Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons in the week leading up to Easter, according to Clay Carey, a senior trend analyst at CouponFollow.
Chuck Grom, a retail analyst at Gordon Haskett, commented on the findings, indicating that the hike in food prices over the last few years is quite significant, impacting consumer spending across all income levels.
Other Easter basket items also experienced price hikes. For instance, a 3.5-oz Lindt Gold Bunny now costs $7.29, up from $5.49 last year.
Additionally, a six-pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs increased nearly 40% to $5.99, while a 14-oz package of Starburst jelly beans rose 46% to $4.79. The price of a 10-pack of Peeps climbed 21% to $3.64.
Furthermore, CouponFollow noted a 52% increase in the average price of a bag of 48 plastic eggs compared to 2021, now priced at $3, which can be attributed to rising oil costs.
The increasing prices of candy can be linked to a significant rise in sugar costs, which have gone up 50% to $1.02 per pound over the past five years. Overall, the cost of Easter candy is up 73.5% compared to five years ago.
In the past year, chocolate Easter eggs have not only become more expensive but have also decreased in size. Supply issues have contributed to the higher chocolate prices, primarily due to challenges in sourcing cocoa from West Africa, where weather and crop disease have affected yields, although conditions have recently improved.
It’s worth noting that Easter doesn’t just hit wallets with candy. Brunch prices have surged as well, increasing 23.1% over the past five years to an average of $37.36. This rise is influenced by the costs of holiday groceries, including ham, eggs, and various kitchen staples.
