Shrinking candy bars: smaller packages await customers this Christmas

Hungarian manufacturers: 6–18 percent reduction

According to the National Trade and Consumer Protection Authority, several domestic manufacturers and distributors have officially announced changes. Bonbonetti’s candies will shrink from 300 grams to 280 grams (–6.7%), while most Milka varieties will drop from 310 grams to 255 grams, representing nearly an 18 percent reduction. Tibi candies will go from 330 grams to 280 grams (–15.2%), and Vadász products from 350 grams to 300 grams (–14.3%).

Mandatory consumer notification

By law, manufacturers and distributors are required to notify consumers about size reductions, unless the larger versions are sold in parallel for at least six months.

International trend: shrinking and rising prices

The phenomenon is not unique to Hungary: similar changes are taking place in the United Kingdom. According to The Grocer, Quality Street boxes have shrunk from 600 grams to 550 grams (–8.3%), while prices have risen by 16.7 percent. Toblerone bars saw a 5.6 percent size reduction accompanied by double-digit price increases.

Rising raw material and tax burdens

The FAO sugar price index reached a new peak in the autumn of 2024, while according to Hungary’s Central Statistical Office, the “chocolate and cocoa” category showed a 20 percent year-on-year increase by the summer of 2025. Christmas candies are also disproportionately affected by rising packaging costs, as they are particularly packaging-intensive products.
Domestic manufacturers also face pressure from currency fluctuations and regulatory burdens – such as the EPR fee and the public health product tax (NETA) – which further reduce flexibility in the seasonal confectionery market, where margins are already thin.

In the UK market, official sugar reduction guidelines also contribute to smaller portion sizes. Since sugar not only sweetens but also provides bulk and texture, reducing it often leads to smaller products unless replaced with other ingredients.