Halloween Candy Prices Hit Record High

Remember when a bag of Halloween candy DIDN’T cost $30! Yup, I went to the grocery store the other day looking for Halloween candy and when I saw the prices I was shocked! Even the generic branded candies are expensive these days and apparently that’s been the trend for a while now because Inflation, however this year ther’e a different reason for the price increase!

If you thought haunted houses were scary, wait ‘til you see the price tag on your favorite chocolate bars this Halloween. A new report from the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute says cocoa prices have more than doubled since early 2024. *Gasps in Spanish*

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Candy Prices Are Scarier Than Ghosts This Halloween And Here’s Why

Blame it on the weather. No seriously! According to the report, heavy rains, droughts, and crop diseases have hit West Africa hard, the region supplies about 70% of the world’s cocoa, and that has led to the biggest supply shortage in over 60 years. In Ghana and the Ivory Coast, cocoa production dropped by more than 25% and 31%, respectively. Because of that increase, chocolate costs are climbing faster than ever!

The International Cocoa Organization reported a 12.9% drop in global production, and major candy makers like Hershey and Cadbury are feeling the squeeze. While Hershey promised not to hike prices on its Halloween-themed candy, experts warn that higher ingredient, packaging, and energy costs are still haunting manufacturers.

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Here are a few tricks to stretch your candy budget this Halloween

No need to panic just yet because your trick-or-treaters don’t have to settle for raisins. 

• Shop early and look for coupons or store promotions.
• Try generic or private-label brands. They taste just as sweet!
• Choose candies with less cocoa (Gummies, caramels, or lollipops)