Whittaker's has revealed it will raise its chocolate prices from next week, citing increased costs for its ingredients.
"Hello Chocolate Lovers. From Monday 20 May there will be an increase to our prices," it said in a Facebook post.
Whittaker's said the costs of its ingredients have "risen significantly" and it didn't want to compromise on quality, size, or ethical sourcing of cocoa for its chocolate blocks.
"Thank you for your ongoing support, as we continue to craft world-class chocolate in Porirua," said Whittaker's.
As of Saturday, May 18, its standard 250g blocks cost $5.88 each at Pak'nSave, $6.29 at Woolworths, and $5.59 - on special - at New World.
The news comes after the much-loved chocolate brand raised its prices last March, with the owners saying at the time its costs "continue to rise".
It's the third increase Whittaker's has made to its chocolate prices over two years.
On social media, Kiwi chocolate lovers mostly didn't seem to mind about the price hike.
"And that's how you do it! Be honest with your customers, don't sneak in smaller sizes or change ingredients using the same packaging. Cheers Whittaker's!" one person commented.
"Well… so be it. Whittaker's is STILL indisputably the BEST quality chocolate ever," said another.
A third said it was the "best chocolate around" and they didn't mind paying extra for "good quality chocolate".
But others saw the increase in a different light.
"One way for me to lose weight," one person wrote.
"Now truly out of my price range," another added.
