Chocolate’s Decline and Gummy’s Rise: The Hidden Costs Behind Halloween Candy Choices

As millions of American families prepare for Halloween, a notable shift is quietly reshaping traditional treats: trick-or-treaters may find more gummy candy than classic chocolate bars this year. This change isn’t just about kids’ preferences—it reflects deeper economic and geopolitical realities that directly impact American households.

Is America Paying the Price for Global Cocoa Shortages?

Chocolate candy, once the dominant choice during Halloween, has seen a significant retreat in market share. Last year, chocolate made up 52% of total Halloween candy volume sold in the U.S., but recent data shows a drop to 44%. Why? The answer lies thousands of miles away—in West Africa, where nearly 70% of the world’s cocoa is produced. Poor harvests there caused global cocoa prices to more than quadruple between January 2023 and January 2025. While cocoa prices have slightly dipped since their peak, it will take months before American consumers feel any relief.

This price surge translates directly into higher grocery bills for families. Chocolate candy now costs an average of $8.02 per pound compared to $5.77 per pound for non-chocolate alternatives like gummies and freeze-dried sweets. For families already battling inflation and economic uncertainty, these increases amount to an unwelcome squeeze on household budgets.

What Does This Mean for America’s Supply Chain and Sovereignty?

The reliance on foreign cocoa producers exposes vulnerabilities in America’s supply chains—a glaring reminder that national sovereignty extends beyond borders into our pantries. Unlike chocolate makers such as Mars Inc., which operates a massive facility in Topeka, Kansas producing millions of M&Ms daily, cocoa ingredients remain subject to global disruptions outside domestic control.

Despite these challenges, companies like Hershey seized last Halloween with strong sales from their diverse product lines including Reese’s and Kit Kat bars—products dependent on those costly imported ingredients. The growing popularity of non-chocolate candies could signal a market adaptation but also raises questions about why America cannot better secure or diversify these essential agricultural supplies.

Given that almost half of U.S. consumers reported buying candy specifically for Halloween last year—and many even purchased sweets for themselves—the stakes are high not only economically but culturally.

How long will Washington continue to overlook bolstering domestic agricultural production or reducing reliance on unstable foreign sources? As Americans make purchasing decisions weeks ahead—Generation Z leading the charge—these trends are not just economic footnotes; they represent broader consequences stemming from missed opportunities to prioritize national self-sufficiency.

This Halloween, when parents hand out gummy bears instead of chocolate bars, it might be worth remembering who is really paying the price—not just at checkout counters but across our economy and security.