Record Cocoa Prices Drive U.S. Halloween Chocolate Cost Surge

This Halloween season in 2025, consumers face higher prices and smaller portions of chocolate due to a global cocoa shortage driven by crop failures, climate change, and supply chain challenges, particularly in West Africa where key producers Ivory Coast and Ghana are experiencing poor harvests. Cocoa prices hit historic highs starting in 2024 and remain elevated, causing chocolate manufacturers to increase prices and reformulate products, while some companies pass these costs onto consumers amid cautious spending. Smaller chocolate portions and adjusted recipes are becoming common as manufacturers try to manage the financial strain of volatile raw material costs and increased hedging expenses. Chocolatiers like Emily Bean of Mitchell’s Fine Chocolates anticipate raising prices on products with higher cocoa content, while other chocolate-containing items, such as baking chips and snack packs, may see significant price hikes of 30-40%. Despite these cost pressures, Halloween remains a cherished tradition in the U.S., with 94% of Americans sharing chocolate and candy, and nearly $7.4 billion spent on Halloween candy last year, underscoring the season’s cultural and economic importance. Industry leaders are investing in long-term supply solutions, but the outlook suggests continued instability in cocoa markets and sustained higher prices for consumers.