Yahoo Finance Shrinkflation bites again as famous Walnut Whip becomes the 'Walnot' Whip
Shrinkflation appears to have struck once more as Nestle’s famous Walnut Whip has become the ‘Walnot’ Whip.
The surging price of the nuts has prompted the chocolate maker to ditch the synonymous headpiece from a new range of sweet treats.
First produced by Duncan’s of Edinburgh in 1910, Walnut Whips are eaten every two seconds in the UK, according to Nestle.
MORE: Proof at last: ‘Shrinkflation’ has been making your supermarket favourites smaller for five years
But, the new range – which includes caramel and vanilla flavours – will not be topped with a walnut.
Alison Clinton, brand manager of chocolate classics at Nestlé UK and Ireland, said: “We are very excited to bring these new additions to Walnut Whip.
“These new products will offer consumers more choice enabling them to share their favourite products with their family and friends.” A mint flavoured whip is coming soon.
However, according to Helen Graham, an importer of nuts, the key product has been hit by a combination of the falling value of the pound since the Brexit referendum, strong global demand and a poor crop in Chile, a major producer.
That has seen prices of walnuts surge 20%, she told The Guardian.
“There was a shortage of crop and then there is the additional factor of exchange rates and rising transport costs as well,” she said.
MORE: Supermarkets join Tesco’s Marmite price war with Unilever
The news is a further indication of the impact of shrinkflation. Fans of Toblerone were left fuming after maker Mondelez cut the number of little triangle peaks on the unique bars in order to save money.
It said the changes were introduced “to keep the product affordable” as it was experiencing higher costs for “numerous” ingredients.
In July, the Office for National Statistics reported that as many as 2,529 products have shrunk in size over the past five years, but are being sold for the same price.
MORE: Toblerone has shrunk the size of its bars and people are outraged
The ONS said it was not just chocolate bars that have been subject to so-called “shrinkflation” but also toilet rolls, coffee and fruit juice.
And many products, most famously Marmite, have seen price rises with manufacturers blaming Brexit for higher import costs.
Nestlé said walnut fans would still be able to buy single Walnut Whips all year round and six-packs at Christmas.
