More Halloween shoppers are skipping chocolate candy this year heres why

It’s frightening news for chocolate-loving trick-or-treaters.A recent report from market research and technology company Circana revealed that people are buying more non-chocolate candies to give out to kids on Halloween.Last year, chocolate made up 52% of the total volume of Halloween candy sold in the US — but this year it dropped to 44% in the 12 weeks leading up to Oct.5, Dan Sadler, a principal for client insights at Circana, told ABC News.Instead, shoppers are opting for sweet treats like gummies, freeze-dried candies and other colorful candies.For eight weeks through mid-September, Circana found that the sales of non-chocolate Halloween candy outpaced chocolates.As of Sept.

14, non-chocolate pound seasonal sales were up 4.5%, and seasonal sales of chocolate candies dropped 13.7%.Consumers are also looking for more unique and fun candy to give out this Halloween, the report noted.Circana noted that the increase in chocolate prices is something that’s influencing consumers’ buying choices.Between January 2023 and January 2025, global cocoa prices more than quadrupled due to poor cocoa harvests in West Africa, where 70% of cocoa is produced.Sadler said that chocolate Halloween candy in the US cost an average of $8.02 per pound in the 12 weeks ahead of Oct.

5, while non-chocolate candy cost an average of $5.77 per pound.Soaring cocoa prices were an issue for Halloween last year, too, causing companies to shift gears away from chocolate sweets.Last year, Mars, the candy giant that produces brands such as Skittles and M&M’s, told CNN that it has expanded their fruity candy and gummy options for Halloween thanks to an increase in interest from Gen Z and younger consumers.These candy options may offer more flavors and variety than chocolate, but it’s also cheaper....