The scariest part of Halloween this year is not the costumes or the haunted houses, but the price of chocolate.
Across the United States, the cost of producing and buying chocolate has soared, creating ripple effects through an industry that depends heavily on one crop, one region, and one global supply chain.
A CNBC report states that this steep rise is not a seasonal anomaly but the result of long-standing pressures, including climate change, supply bottlenecks, and tariffs that have upended cocoa markets.
As prices climb, shoppers and confectionery giants alike are being forced to rethink how they celebrate one of the sweetest traditions of the year.
Cocoa supply shortage hits global production
Cocoa is the foundation of all chocolate products, and most of the world’s supply comes from West Africa.
The region’s production has fallen by nearly 13% in the current crop year, leading to a global shortfall of almost half a million metric tonnes.
The decline stems from years of erratic weather, crop disease, and ageing plantations.
In practical terms, that means the supply of cocoa has failed to meet global demand for three consecutive years.
The futures price of cocoa peaked at more than 12,000 dollars per tonne in December, before stabilising around 6,000 dollars, which is still twice the pre-pandemic average.
The shortage has caused chocolate manufacturers to pay record amounts for raw materials, and these costs are now being passed on to consumers.
Tariffs and inflation intensify the problem
The strain on the supply chain has been compounded by trade tariffs on agricultural imports.
Cocoa shipments from the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Ecuador face tariffs between 15 and 25% in the United States, increasing production costs for companies like Hershey and Mars.
At the same time, broader inflation has raised expenses related to packaging, fuel, and transport.
Hershey recently estimated that tariffs alone will cost the company up to 170 million dollars this year.
The firm raised prices by a low double-digit percentage earlier in 2025, though it insists the increase is not tied specifically to Halloween pricing.
These financial pressures have also led to smaller product sizes and reduced variety, a practice now known as shrinkflation.
Consumers turn to cheaper sweets
The combined effects of high costs and reduced output are visible on store shelves.
Chocolate’s share of Halloween candy sales has dropped from 52% last year to 44% this season.
Non-chocolate options like gummies, sour candies, and chewy fruit sweets are gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers who value flavour novelty and lower prices.
Retailers are responding with bigger discounts and promotional campaigns to offset the sticker shock.
However, even with discounts, the average price per pound of chocolate has risen by nearly 14% in the 12 weeks leading up to 5 October.
Non-chocolate candy sales, in contrast, have grown by more than 8% in the same period.
What happens next for chocolate prices
Experts suggest that chocolate prices may remain elevated well into next year, though a modest improvement in West African crop yields could ease the pressure slightly.
The global cocoa deficit is still the largest in six decades, and recovery will depend on weather conditions, replanting efforts, and investment in sustainable farming.
For manufacturers, the challenge will be balancing rising input costs with consumer sensitivity to higher prices.
Many companies are already diversifying their product lines by adding nut-based or cocoa-free confections and smaller packaging sizes.
The goal is to preserve market share while keeping chocolate within reach of average households.
For shoppers, the takeaway is simple. Chocolate remains a beloved indulgence, but this Halloween, a bag of sweets costs far more than it used to.
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