Key facts
- Confectionery prices are up 15.3% this year compared to 2025.
- Halloween treat prices have risen 71% in five years.
- Cocoa prices hit over $10,700 per tonne in January 2025.
- US inflation stands at 3.7%, with high fuel prices.
- Halloween treat sales were down 11.7% by mid-September.
US shoppers are finding Halloween treats significantly more expensive this year, with cost of living pressures and soaring cocoa prices contributing to the shock. Demetrio Beltres, a financial adviser, noted he is spending $20 to $30, up from his usual $15, to buy treats for trick-or-treaters.
Stephen Zagor, an academic at Columbia Business School, stated that increased spending on essentials leaves less for non-essential holidays like Halloween, making the economic aspect of the holiday 'scary'.
Analysis from Groundwork Collaborative and the Century Foundation found popular Halloween chocolates and confectionery are 15.3% more expensive than in 2025. Finance Buzz research indicated a 71% surge in Halloween treat prices over the past five years, outpacing general inflation.
The surge in cocoa prices, exacerbated by climate change affecting supply, has pushed up confectionery costs. The IMF, via the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, reported cocoa prices exceeded $10,700 per tonne in January 2025. Broader cost of living pressures, including 3.7% inflation and high fuel prices, are also impacting consumer spending.
Consumer research company Nielsen IQ found Halloween treat sales were down 11.7% by mid-September and 6.7% by mid-October. While sales have improved as Halloween nears, shoppers remain cautious, with smaller treat packs gaining popularity over larger sizes.