Overview
- Aldi, Lidl and Norma reduced 250‑gram packs of own‑brand butter to €1.19 from late November, the lowest shelf price in about eight years.
- Falling input costs underpin the cuts, with producer prices for butter and milk fats down 21.8% year over year in October and wholesale quotes easing.
- By contrast, a Hamburg consumer watchdog found some chocolate Santas up to 72% more expensive than last year, often with smaller pack sizes at discounter brands.
- Official data show chocolate prices rose sharply in October versus a year earlier, averaging +21.8% with classic bars up 30.7% and pralines up 22.1%.
- Retailers are leaning on promotions to move Milka lines as demand weakens, while the Hamburg watchdog sues Mondelez over shrinkflation and the company reports higher prices but lower volumes in Europe.