In Biden's First Halloween In Office, A 100-Piece Bag Of Candy Cost $9.91, A Study Found. This Year It's $16.96, And Government Data Shows Candy Prices Rose 7.7% In A Year, More Than Double Overall Inflation
Candy and gum prices rose 7.7% over the last year, more than double the rate of overall inflation, according to federal data. A 100-piece bag of candy now costs $16.96, compared to $9.91 during President Biden's first Halloween in office. While Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween celebrations this year, some households are cutting costs elsewhere. Chocolate manufacturers like Hershey are facing pressure as health-conscious shoppers reduce purchases and convenience store sales dropped 5% in September.
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- ✓ Federal data shows candy and gum prices rose 7.7% in one year.
- ✓ Candy and gum prices have increased more than 18% over two years.
- ✓ Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween this year.
What changed
Federal data now confirms a 7.7% annual price increase for candy and gum.
Live updates
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Candy Prices Rise 7.7% in One Year as Halloween Costs Climb
Candy and gum prices rose 7.7% over the last year, more than double the rate of overall inflation, according to federal data. A 100-piece bag of candy now costs $16.96, compared to $9.91 during President Biden's first Halloween in office. While Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween celebrations this year, some households are cutting costs elsewhere. Chocolate manufacturers like Hershey are facing pressure as health-conscious shoppers reduce purchases and convenience store sales dropped 5% in September.
Why it matters
Rising cocoa and chocolate costs are driving these price spikes. This trend forces consumers to adjust their spending habits during a peak seasonal window. The disparity between candy inflation and general inflation highlights a specific volatility in the confectionery market.
What is confirmed
- Federal data shows candy and gum prices rose 7.7% in one year.
- Candy and gum prices have increased more than 18% over two years.
- Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween this year.
Still unconfirmed
- Hershey may feel the pinch of climbing chocolate costs.
What to watch next
- Final sales reports for the 2026 Halloween season
- New federal inflation data for confectionery products
- Hershey quarterly earnings reports regarding seasonal sales
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (13)
- The New York Times — The Scariest Part of Halloween This Year? The Candy Prices.
- NPR — Candy prices got you scared stiff? What to know about the cost of Halloween this year
- CNBC — Halloween gets pricier as chocolate costs climb — Hershey may feel the pinch
- Reuters — Chocolate makers get Halloween fright as health-conscious US shoppers cut back
- BBC — Soaring cost of Halloween treats spooks shoppers
- 24/7 Wall St. — In Biden's First Halloween In Office, A 100-Piece Bag Of Candy Cost $9.91, A Study Found. This Year It's $16.96, And Government Data Shows Candy Prices Rose 7.7% In A Year, More Than Double Overall Inflation
- finance.yahoo.com — Halloween Candy Prices Have Jumped Over 70% In Five Years ...
- CNN — Americans may feel a bit spooked by Halloween prices
- fortune.com — Hershey warns Americans squeezed by gas prices are buying ...
- www.businessinsider.com — Inflation Means an Hour on the Clock Is Worth Fewer Candy ...
- finance.yahoo.com — In Biden’s First Halloween In Office, A 100-Piece Bag Of ...
- www.cfpublic.org — Candy prices got you scared stiff? What to know about the ...
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