Disputes erupt among Belarusians concerning the cost of "Alenka" chocolate
A Com heated debate unfolds over a pricy Belarusian video shared on TikTok.
Give this video a watch and you'll find a polarized comment section—on one side folks think the price is fine, while on the other, they're left shocked by the price spike.
"Milka 300g in Poland for the same coin?" someone quips, frustrations voiced.
"Swiss chocolate for just 3 euros? That's a steal in Europe for 200g!" another user remarks.
"Guess it's time to buy a carcass, meat costs less now," another chimed in.
But the brand's advocates didn't let it slide—cocoa beans are getting costlier worldwide, they pointed out, and Belarus is no exception to this predicament.
"Yep, cocoa prices have skyrocketed globally, it's a fact, we don't raise cocoa plants here," writes one commenter.
Indeed, since the year 2024, worldwide cocoa prices have more than doubled and reached astounding levels of over 10,000 dollars per tonne. This zealous increase is due to poor harvests in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, the world's leading cocoa producers, and increased demand.
This surge in prices isn't limited to the US market; it steroids the entire sector, including Belarus. According to statistics by Belstat, chocolate and confectionery prices in Belarus increased by an average of 20-30% over the year. However, the official figures may not tell the whole story.
"Kommunarka has really missed the mark," some grumbled about the hiked prices, while others lamented the altered taste.
"Before, it was chocolate, now it's just a lump of clay."
Yet, not everyone grumbles about the cost—there are those willing to pay.
"Exquisite chocolate with no chemicals, reasonable pricing."
Some consumers notice that cheaper bars may contain only 10-20% cocoa, with the rest being sugar, dried milk, and cocoa butter substitutes. With such high prices, it's not always a question about quality goods. Meanwhile, most Belarusians' wages remain stagnant, making these delightful treats less accessible.
"The wages are the real issue here," concluded one commenter.
- In response to the pricy Belarusian video on TikTok, someone suggested, "Maybe we should compare Milka 300g in Poland instead."
- Amidst the controversy, a user commented, "Swiss chocolate for 3 euros is a bargain in Europe, considering it's only 200g."
- In a different vein, another individual observed, "With meat costing less now, I guess it's time to buy a carcass."
- Defending the brand, a commenter argued, "Yes, cocoa prices have soared worldwide due to poor harvests and increased demand."
- Backing this, another wrote, "Cocoa prices have more than doubled since 2024, reaching over 10,000 dollars per tonne."
- Consequences of this global surge weren't limited to the US market; it affected Belarus as well, according to Belstat statistics, with chocolate prices averagely increasing by 20-30% over the year.
- Despite the hiked prices, not everyone grumbled about the cost—some consumers lauded the quality of the exquisite chocolate, saying, "Reasonable pricing for no chemicals chocolate."