US Halloween candy prices jump 7.7% as cocoa costs linger
Why it matters: Americans are still expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween, even as shoppers trade down to smaller candy packs.
Halloween candy is costing more in the United States this year, with candy and chewing gum prices up 7.7% from a year earlier, outpacing broader food inflation. The increase has been driven largely by elevated cocoa costs after poor weather hurt harvests in West Africa, especially in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Analysts said much of the chocolate on shelves this season was made with cocoa bought months ago, so lower commodity prices have not yet reached consumers. The National Retail Federation expects Halloween spending to hit a record $13.5 billion, or about $115 per person. Retail tracking data showed candy sales were down earlier in the season but improved as Oct. 31 approached, with shoppers favoring smaller packs over larger bags.