Halloween candy spending is projected to reach an impressive $4.1 billion in 2024, nearly double the amount spent a decade ago, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. This translates to approximately $30.89 spent on Halloween candy per household. Despite the surge in overall spending, price increases for candy have remained relatively low, with a modest rise of just 0.9% in 2024.
This is a significant decrease compared to previous years, where candy prices increased by 6% in 2022 and 14% in 2021. However, rising costs for ingredients like sugar and cocoa have prompted candy manufacturers to pivot towards non-chocolate options to manage expenses.
As for shopping trends, consumers can expect to see seasonal sweets appearing on store shelves earlier this year, alongside a reduction in the variety of non-chocolate candies available.
Michael Zdinak, director of U.S. economics at S&P, notes that these trends reflect the candy industry’s efforts to meet sustained demand for Halloween celebrations while also appealing to shoppers’ desire for good deals. Data from Amazon indicates that most of the top 10 popular Halloween candies have seen price reductions in 2024, with notable drops for items like candy corn and Reese’s.
In contrast, gummy bears and a few other candies have experienced price increases.
Parents should also be aware of ingredients like titanium dioxide, which is often found in various candies and has been banned as a food additive in Europe.
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