CNBC: “The scariest thing haunting Halloween this year isn’t a ghost, goblin or ghoul — it’s the price of chocolate.”
This Halloween, North Carolina families are getting more tricks than treats as Michael Whatley’s trade war drives up the cost of candy.
As consumers face an 11% increase in candy because of his reckless tariffs, Whatley has called the tariffs “record setting in terms of […] effectiveness” and said he supports them “wholeheartedly.”
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NBC News: Chocolate crunch sends Halloween candy prices soaring
- Halloween treats are as sweet as ever, but the rising costs of candy may make consumers feel tricked this year.
- Most of the chocolate sold for Halloween was produced when cocoa was trading at the highest price. “Manufacturers had no choice but to raise prices just to break even,” he said.
- And 79% of shoppers anticipate higher prices specifically because of tariffs.
CNBC: Chocolate’s reign over Halloween is under threat from inflation, tariffs and high cocoa prices
- The scariest thing haunting Halloween this year isn’t a ghost, goblin or ghoul — it’s the price of chocolate.
- From Snickers to Reese’s to Twix, one of America’s favorite indulgences is getting more expensive, as tariffs, inflation and high cocoa prices squeeze profit margins and customers’ pocketbooks, possibly leading to fewer chocolate bars landing in trick-or-treat buckets this year.
- Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation, using data from NielsenIQ, found that Hershey variety packs rose 22%, Hershey Peanut Butter Cup packs rose 8%, and Tootsie Roll lollipops rose about 34% between fall 2024 and 2025.
- Tariffs and weather are culprits.
CNN: Why Halloween candy is getting more expensive and less chocolate-y
- Cocoa bean industry experts are expecting high price tags to be passed down to consumers.
- Overall, candy is 10.8% more expensive this Halloween season than last year…
The Guardian: Halloween candy prices rising, spooked by Trump’s tariffs and climate change
- Ghosts and goblins might not be the only scary things popping up this Halloween. Prices for the holiday’s most popular candy treats are rising, spooked by Donald Trump’s tariffs and climate change.
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