Candy and gum prices jumped 7.7% over the last year, largely due to chocolate production lag times, expensive sugar, fuel expenses, and U.S. tariffs. In response, brands are pivoting toward marshmallow or white creme treats, while shoppers face shrinking package sizes for the price. Even with these elevated shelf costs, the National Retail Federation projects overall Halloween retail spending will hit a record $13.5 billion.
Key points
Physical volumes of chocolate purchased have declined even as overall dollar sales contin…: Physical volumes of chocolate purchased have declined even as overall dollar sales continue to rise for retailers.
Complex supply chain pressures including expensive sugar, import tariffs, and high fuel c…: Complex supply chain pressures including expensive sugar, import tariffs, and high fuel costs keep shelf prices elevated.
Individual consumer spending for the holiday is projected to average $115 per person desp…: Individual consumer spending for the holiday is projected to average $115 per person despite persistent confectionery inflation.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
For people stocking up on candy this Halloween, it's a spooky season in the grocery store — and not in a fun way.
Prices for candy, the most popular Halloween purchase, and gum have risen 7.7% in one year and are up more than 18% in two years, according to the latest federal data. That's higher than the average rate of food inflation during that time.
One major culprit: chocolate. Drought and heavy rains in places like West Africa have hurt cocoa harvests in recent seasons and pushed up prices worldwide.
Global cocoa production is now rebounding, but that isn't much help to consumers preparing to hand out candy to peckish trick-or-treaters this weekend, according to David Branch, sector manager with the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute.
"The candy on the shelves right now — chocolate candy — that cocoa was purchased in 2025," he said. And last year's cocoa prices were high.
Still, rising consumer prices aren't expected to scare people away from celebrating the holiday, with the National Retail Federation estimating consumers will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween this…
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