Halloween candy costs about 8% more than last year, and some Texoma families are heading to trunk-or-treats instead

Filling the bowl for trick-or-treaters is costing more again this year.

Candy prices are running about 8% above last year and are up more than 70% since 2021, according to National Retail Federation figures cited by KXII in a Sherman report on Friday. Halloween ranks second only to one other holiday for consumer spending in the U.S., the station reported.

Bill Dendy, a financial strategist, pointed to chocolate as a main driver. "Cocoa manufacturing and supply-chain issues have caused cocoa prices to increase by fifty percent over the last decade," he told KXII.

The increases reach past chocolate bars, Dendy said. "Even gum and other standard candy is up about eight percent, which is twice the average inflation rate," he said. Shoppers may also find a favorite treat in a smaller package, or notice it tastes different, the station reported.

Free candy at community events

Some Texoma shoppers told KXII they are skipping the candy aisle and taking their children to trunk-or-treat events, where candy is handed out at no cost. One shopper said she paid $34 for a bag of candy, which she bought for her church.

Dendy said the higher prices are real, but "not scary higher." About three out of four people surveyed say they plan to do something for Halloween, he said.

Watch the credit card

His bigger worry is how families pay for it. Shoppers who put Halloween on a credit card may see the bill arrive around Thanksgiving, just as holiday spending begins, Dendy said.

To keep costs down, the station passed along a few suggestions: trade costumes with friends, buy decorations that can be used again next year and set aside money for candy ahead of time.

Sources

KXII

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