Ferrero Rocher is a popular brand of chocolates that are especially loved by those who enjoy a nutty crunch to their chocolates. Most of us recognize them in their beautiful gold foil wrappers with a name sticker on the top.
They make wonderful gifts because they are beautifully packaged and are a little special. However, Ferrero Rocher chocolates are expensive and you may be wondering how the price can be justified.
Read on and we will give you an inside look into what puts this famous brand into the higher price bracket.
About The Company
The company owned by Italian billionaire Giovanni Ferrero (the wealthiest man in Italy) whose family has made most of their fortune on Nutella, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, Tic Tacs, and a few other well-known products.
The Ferrero group is the second largest chocolatier in the world next to Mars Wrigley Confectionary. The business started when Giovanni’s father, Michele, invented Nutella in 1964. His sons inherited his wealth.
What are the chocolates made of?
The delightfully moreish little bonbons are made of a crunchy shell filled with Nutella hazelnut and chocolate spread and covered with milk chocolate.
Oh, and there’s a whole hazelnut in the middle for good measure. The combination of smooth chocolate and crunchy nuts in beautiful packaging is irresistible.
Why Is Ferrero Rocher So Expensive?
1. Perceived value
With luxury items like these chocolates, much of the retail price comes from what is known as perceived value.
Perceived value refers to the customer’s opinion about a product (“It’s special”; “It’s a treat”) rather than any intrinsic value it may hold. When customers pay more for products, they value them more highly.
The Ferrero Rocher brand has spent a great deal on its advertising, promoting it as something enjoyed by the rich and famous, which increases the perceived value.
Having said this, perceived value isn’t the only cause for the expensive price tag because many other factors lead to this price.
2. Ingredients
While the ingredients aren’t rare or exotic, the company prioritizes the sourcing and procurement of sustainably grown ingredients, particularly hazelnuts and cacoa.
To make the chocolate truffles, the factory roasts individual whole hazelnuts and encases them in a thin wafer shell which is then filled up with hazelnut spread (Nutella).
To finish off, everything is covered with milk chocolate and topped with chopped hazelnuts that add crunchiness.
The main basic ingredients include skim milk powder, milk chocolate, cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar, vanillin, palm oil, butter oil, low-fat cocoa powder, whey, hazelnuts, and wheat flour.
3. Unique Production Method
About five years after its launch, the chocolate was advertised as a golden experience, which sparked conversation in the premium chocolate industry.
After saying that, the company created an incredibly secretive production system, which is often compared with that of Coca-Cola.
For instance, the company does not allow any notebooks and smartphones inside their production facilities.
This unique production method is something that builds up the hype, which results in a high price because the product is seen as “unique”, “special”, and “luxurious”.
4. Stringent Testing Procedures
Another reason behind the high price of Ferrero Rocher is the need for rigorous quality control. This is because the brand has set an extensive testing procedure to maintain a high quality and there are multiple quality checks to consider.
For instance, the brand has hired senior testers to make sure the quality and taste of every Ferrero Rocher batch are top-notch.
To be precise, the company has to make sure the chocolates are filled with salty, bitter, umami, and sweet flavors to make sure everyone has a delicious and safe experience.
On top of everything, the tasters also have to consider the cracks in the wafers. If there are any, the chocolates are thrown out.
Hiring and listening to these tasters is expensive as so much chocolate is discarded during the process. This adds to the high production price.
5. Expensive Packaging
Ferrero Rocher is known for its high-end, beautiful, premium packaging. It is fairly pretty evident that this packaging is costly.
To begin with, the golden stickers and labeling are expensive, and the brand contacts only high-end and reputed packaging suppliers.
In addition to using high-end packaging, the company also makes sure to use only recyclable packaging, which increases the packaging costs. All these high packaging costs lead to a high price.
The Bottom Line
On a concluding note, Ferrero Rocher is one of the most consumed chocolates out there – over 3.6 billion are sold a year in 42 countries. So, the company must be doing something right.
While the high price is a valid concern, the company clearly has good reasons for it. If you can afford them, enjoy your Ferrero Rocher chocolates as often as you can.
Alternatively, wait for the sales to get some discounts on the chocolate.