It’s now or never. The chocolate season is in full swing and it’s time to take advantage of it, as prices have only slightly increased compared to 2021, which will not be the case next year.
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For reasons specific to this sector, all the problems related to transport, raw materials and the cost of energy will only be felt in 2023.
“Our prices are set in July, August and September, a little before the galloping inflation of recent months has set in,” summarizes Jean Leclerc, owner of Laura Secord and Nutriart.
“We are selling at last year’s price with this year’s costs,” notes Mathieu Pilon, owner of Confiserie Mondoux.
Watch out for 2023
The price of these products has increased by 3.6% this year. But next year, it will be rather 12%, even 15%, recognizes Mr. Pilon.
If chocolate represents only seven of the 65 million dollars of turnover of Mondoux, thanks to its brand Giacomo, it is quite the opposite for Laura Secord and its sister company, Nutriat.
A true giant in the sector, the company employs 850 people, achieves sales of 150 million per year and, above all, manufactures its own chocolate.
As soon as the Easter day of April 17 is over, the players in the chocolate sector will move on to preparing for production in 2023. Discussions with customers will begin and will lead after a few months to orders.
And it is at this time that the rise in the price of sugar, the surge in that of cardboard and containers, as well as, to a lesser extent, that of cocoa will be taken into account.
“We already know that we are going to sell at a loss this year. To ensure the financial health of our business, we will have to adjust,” illustrates Mathieu Pilon, of Confiserie Mondoux.
At the Chocolaterie des Pères Trappistes, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, we are also in the process of establishing next year’s prices.
“The increase this year was minimal, which will not be the case next year,” confirms Marie Lalancette, director of the company known for its chocolate-dipped blueberries and 60% of whose turnover is linked to at Easter.
For now, Quebecers who go to the store to buy chocolate can still find good deals in anticipation of Easter.
“The $5.99 coconuts have gone to $6.99,” says Danielle Normandin, who takes care of purchasing, accounting and many other things for Biscuiterie Oscar, rue Ontario, in Montreal.
$50 chocolate
In office for 17 years, she finds again this year that people have not put the brakes on their chocolate spending for Easter, with the average bill hovering between $50 and $60.
According to the Quebec Retail Council, one in two shoppers (46%) intend to spend $180 for Easter, of which 28% ($50) will be spent on chocolate.
That’s about what Neyra, mother of three children, spent yesterday at Oscar, a confectionery located on rue Saint-Hubert in Montreal.
“I didn’t find it more expensive than before, but with the sugar shack and the Easter dinner, that’s a lot in a short time,” she said.
EXAMPLES PRICE INCREASES
Trappist Fathers
250 gram rabbit
2021: $11.13
2022: $11.59
Giacomo
3600 gram giant rabbit
2021: $98.99
2022: $99.99
Laura Secord
200 gram rabbit
2021 : $8.99
2022: $9.99