WASHINGTON — Filling a trick-or-treat bowl costs noticeably more this year. Federal price data show candy and gum up 7.7% from a year ago and more than 18% over two years, a faster climb than food prices overall.
Chocolate is the main driver. Poor weather in cocoa-growing regions of West Africa, with drought in some seasons and heavy rain in others, cut harvests and sent bean prices soaring worldwide. Cocoa supplies have since recovered and bean prices are off their peaks, but the candy now on store shelves was made with cocoa bought in 2025, when prices were still elevated.
Retail chocolate prices also tend to lag behind any drop in raw cocoa. Candy makers are paying more for sugar and fuel, and imported packaging and ingredients carry added tariff costs.
Some brands have responded by leaning into gummy and sour treats and by rolling out seasonal products that use little or no chocolate. Supermarket tracking by the research firm Circana shows chocolate candy dollar sales rising for several years even as the amount shoppers buy has fallen, meaning households are paying more for less.
None of that appears to be dampening the holiday. The National Retail Federation projects Americans will spend $13.5 billion on Halloween, edging past last year’s record of $13.1 billion. Its survey puts average spending at $115.14 per person, up from $114.45.
About 74% of consumers plan to celebrate, and handing out candy remains the most popular activity at 61%. Nearly half of shoppers said they started buying in September or earlier. If prices run higher than expected, 31% said they would compare stores and 26% said they would hunt for coupons or sales.
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