Australians predicted to spend $4.8 billion over the Easter long weekend

Amid a cost-of-living crisis, Australians are still predicted to spend big this Easter.

Shoppers are expected to part with $4.8 billion on food, travel and entertainment over the long weekend.

Almost half of Australians plan to indulge in Easter chocolate, spending about $68 each or a national total of more than $700 million on confectionery alone, according to Australian Retailers Association and Roy Morgan research.

Easter eggs and bunnies have not been budget friendly after cocoa prices recently reached an all-time high, although the cost has dipped slightly in recent months.

Fresh fish, scallops, oysters and salmon will also be on the menu for some households.

About 36 per cent of grocery buyers said they have regularly bought seafood in the previous four weeks but over Easter that jumps to 42 per cent or an extra 500,000 buyers.

Australians with lamb on their shopping lists can expect to pay more with prices up 20 per cent since last year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Demand for last-minute chocolate eggs will be high this weekend, with Orthodox Easter falling on the same Sunday this year.