Rising Candy Prices Haunt Halloween: How to Navigate the Spooky Situation As Halloween approaches, the ghouls, ghosts, and monsters aren’t the only things giving consumers a fright. The price of Halloween candy has become a bone-chilling reality, with prices soaring for the second year in a row. U.S. shoppers are experiencing double-digit inflation in the candy aisle, as candy and gum prices have surged by an average of 13% compared to last October, according to Datasembly, a retail price tracker. This increase is more than double the overall 6% increase in grocery prices. To make matters worse, this follows a 14% surge in candy and gum prices in October 2022. The rising cost of indulging in Halloween treats has left many consumers feeling spooked and frustrated. One small business owner, Jessica Weathers from Shiloh, Illinois, expressed her dismay, stating, “The price of candy has gotten to be outrageous. It doesn’t make sense to me to spend $100 on candy.” Weathers, who usually buys plenty of candy for trick-or-treaters and events, has had to cut back this year, purchasing only two bags. She plans to turn off her porch light when she runs out. It seems Weathers is not alone in her predicament. Numerator, a market research firm, reports that about one-third of U.S. consumers plan to trade down to value or store brands when purchasing candy for trick-or-treaters this year. The rising costs have forced many to reconsider their choices and find more affordable alternatives. So, why are candy prices haunting consumers this Halloween? The main culprit is the weather. Heavy rains in West Africa, the leading cocoa-producing region, caused limited production last fall. Now, El Nino conditions are exacerbating the situation, leading to drier conditions that are expected to persist well into the spring. As a result, cocoa prices are at 44-year highs. Ivory Coast, responsible for approximately 40% of the world’s cocoa production, is already experiencing one of its worst droughts since 2003. Such extreme weather conditions have created a ripple effect, impacting the availability and cost of cocoa, a key ingredient in many candies. But it’s not just cocoa that’s affected