This Halloween, shoppers can expect to pay more for popular candy brands like Hershey and Mars as cocoa prices have doubled since the start of 2024. The high prices are projected to continue through at least September 2025, according to a report by Wells Fargo’s Agri-Food Institute. The increase is due to changing weather patterns in West Africa, the main cocoa growing region, leading to a decline in production.
David Branch, a sector manager at the Agri-Food Institute, explained that cocoa production is especially sensitive to weather conditions, making it difficult for producers to meet the growing demand for chocolate without raising prices. As a result, major candy producers like Hershey, Nestlé, and Mars are shifting their focus to candies that do not rely on expensive cocoa, such as new gummy candies and cinnamon toast flavored Kit Kat bars.
Consumers may also notice “shrinkflation” in Halloween candy bags this year, with fewer treats at the same price as last year. Warehouse stocks of cocoa are at 50-year lows, further contributing to the challenges facing the chocolate industry.
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Lara Heller graduated from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands with a degree in New Media and Communication. During her studies, she specialized in digital media, social media strategies, and content creation. She participated in various digital media projects during her university years, focusing particularly on online journalism and media ethics. After graduation, Lara started working as a content strategist at one of Europe’s leading digital media agencies, where she developed campaigns that strengthened the digital presence of numerous international brands.
