Overview
- Overall candy is 10.8% more expensive than last year, with analyses showing notable hikes for big-brand variety packs and popular chocolate items.
- Chocolate’s share of Halloween candy fell to 44% of volume in the 12 weeks ending Oct. 5, down from about 52% last year, as non-chocolate options gained ground.
- Retail data show chocolate averaged $8.02 per pound versus $5.77 for non-chocolate, reinforcing a shift toward gummies and fruit candies.
- Major makers are leaning into alternative coatings, new non-chocolate variety packs, and shrinkflation, with examples from Mars, Ferrero, and Hershey reported across product lines.
- A survey found 57% of Americans say higher chocolate prices are affecting their Halloween spending, while small retailers report price hikes or efforts to hold the line as tariffs and other costs compound pressures; prices may ease next year as cocoa markets stabilize.