Halloween candy sales fall 6.7% as prices, gas costs weigh on budgets

Halloween candy is off to a slow start this year. Sales fell 6.7% in the month that ended Oct. 17 compared with the same stretch a year earlier, according to NielsenIQ data published in news reports.

High prices for both candy and gas are part of the picture. NielsenIQ's Chris Costagli said steep fuel costs have deepened worries about what people can afford and are cutting into demand for Halloween treats, according to news reports.

Key facts

• NielsenIQ found that Halloween candy sales dropped 6.7% in the month through Oct. 17, year over year, according to news reports.
• Regular gas averaged $4.29 a gallon in the U.S. as of Friday, up close to 40% from a year before, per news reports.
• Through mid-October, small bags were the only candy size with growing sales, while large and extra-large bags fell the most, according to news reports.
• As of September, government data showed candy and gum prices up 44% over five years, compared with 22.5% for all food eaten at home, according to news reports.
• Non-chocolate candy such as gummies and lollipops averaged $6.08 a pound in the nine weeks through Oct. 17, roughly 3% below last year, yet sales did not climb, according to the report.

Background

Candy prices in the U.S. have risen faster than overall inflation for several years, according to news reports. Chocolate has felt the most pressure because of the cost of cocoa.

Global cocoa prices reached a record $10,710 per metric ton in January 2025, driven by bad weather in West Africa and heavy trading by investors, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures cited by the AP. West Africa provides 70% of the world's chocolate, the AP reported. Cocoa then dropped to $3,241 per metric ton in March before it started rising again in the spring, the AP reported. That spring climb came after the Iran war disrupted fertilizer supplies in Africa, according to the AP.

The higher costs show up on store shelves in smaller packs. Aldi was advertising a 135-piece Mars chocolate variety pack for $19.87, close to what a 250-piece pack cost five years ago, the AP reported. In other words, shoppers are paying about the same money for far fewer pieces.

The candy industry reads the season in a different way. The National Confectioners Association, which represents candy makers including Mars, Smarties Candy Co. and Ferrara Candy Co., said it is still optimistic, according to news reports. The group said shopper excitement about Halloween is still very strong, according to the report.

That leaves two views side by side. NielsenIQ data point to falling sales, while the National Confectioners Association points to strong consumer interest in the holiday.

What it means for you

For many households, candy is one more cost on top of others. Costagli said families paying more for fuel, housing, clothing and food are trimming their candy spending, according to news reports. He also said some shoppers are passing on Halloween candy not because they notice its higher price, but because so many other bills have gone up, the AP reported.

Gas is a big part of that strain. A gallon of regular gas cost $4.29 on average as of Friday, nearly 40% more than a year earlier, according to news reports.

Buying habits are shifting, too. Circana's Sally Lyons Wyatt said shoppers are taking smaller, more frequent trips to the store and may hold off on candy until the holiday gets closer, according to news reports. That pattern fits the data on bag sizes: small bags grew through mid-October, while the largest bags saw the steepest drops, according to the report.

There may be some relief outside the chocolate aisle. Non-chocolate treats such as gummies and lollipops cost about 3% less per pound than last year, according to news reports. Even so, lower prices did not lift sales of those candies, according to the report.

Practical steps

Families handing out or collecting treats can follow these safety tips from federal health officials:

• Look over commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as tiny holes or ripped wrappers, the FDA advises.
• Tell children to eat only treats that come in commercial wrapping, the FDA says.
• For very young children, take out choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candy and small toys, the FDA says.
• If a child has a food allergy, read the label to make sure the allergen is not in the treat, the FDA advises.

Shoppers watching costs can also compare prices by the pound. Non-chocolate candy averaged $6.08 a pound in the nine weeks through Oct. 17, according to news reports.

What happens next

Lyons Wyatt expects candy sales to stay soft overall but does not see the holiday as a lost cause, according to news reports. "I don't think Halloween is doomed," she said, according to the report.

Cocoa costs could stay a concern beyond this season. The El Niño weather pattern is expected to hurt cocoa harvests, with hot, dry weather forecast through February, the AP reported.

FAQ

How much did Halloween candy sales fall?

NielsenIQ data show a 6.7% drop in the month ending Oct. 17 compared with a year earlier, according to news reports.

Why does chocolate cost so much?

Cocoa hit a record $10,710 per metric ton in January 2025 after poor weather in West Africa and heavy investor trading, the AP reported.

Are any candies cheaper?

Yes. Non-chocolate candy averaged $6.08 a pound, about 3% less than last year, according to news reports.

Why are some shoppers buying less candy?

NielsenIQ's Costagli said people are paying much more for fuel, housing, clothing and food, which leaves less money for treats, the AP reported.