WASHINGTON — Candy prices may cause more sticker shock this Halloween as weakened cocoa harvests and tariffs grip the confectionery industry.

New data from FinanceBuzz revealed that Halloween candy prices are up 78% since 2020, a number that far outpaces inflation. The personal finance company gathered supermarket ads for full-priced items in some of the top grocery chains over the last five years, with the average 100-piece candy bag costing $16.39 in 2025.

Last year, the average 100-piece bag of candy was $14.06.

Part of the price hike, specifically in chocolate candy, is a direct result of poor harvests in West Africa, which accounts for 70% of cocoa harvested, according to the International Cocoa Organization. Global cocoa prices more than quadrupled between January 2023 and

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