New York Post
· collected 2026-10-08 · by Reda Wigle, Andrea Palladino
Finance Buzz reports that the cost of Halloween candy has surged 71% since 2021, more than triple the national inflation rate. The study analyzed prices at four major supermarkets from 2021 through 2026, finding a recent significant increase in costs. This year, a 100-piece bag of assorted candy averages $16.96, up by $7.05 over five years, with price hikes accelerating between 2023 and 2026. The article also highlights higher costs for packaging materials and suggests budget-friendly alternatives like honey sticks, pretzel snacks, or Mandarin oranges to offset the rising prices.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
As 74% of Americans prepare for Halloween, a recent study by Finance Buzz reveals that the cost of Halloween candy has surged by 71% since 2021, far outpacing national inflation at just 22%. Researchers analyzed bulk candy prices at major retailers like Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Albertsons from 2021 to 2026, finding that a typical 100-piece bag of assorted Halloween candy now averages $16.96, up by $7.05 over the past five years. Recent price hikes account for much of this increase, with costs jumping $5.05 between 2023 and 2026 alone. This makes each piece of candy cost about 17 cents per unit on average. To mitigate costs, experts suggest healthier alternatives such as honey sticks or salty snacks like pretzels, which are cheaper options for budget-conscious shoppers.
Written for “Halloween Candy Costs” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
As 74% of Americans prepare for spooky season, new research is warning Halloween candy shoppers to brace for another jump scare: horrifyingly high prices.
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research → prepare → scare
A recent study by Finance Buzz found that the cost of filling the candy bowl has climbed 71% since 2021—more than triple the national inflation rate of 22%.
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cost → find → %
Researchers analyzed bulk Halloween candy prices at four major supermarkets — Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons — from 2021 through 2026, comparing price increases with annual inflation rates and calculating the average cost per piece.
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Researchers → analyze → piece
For perspective, a 100-piece bag of assorted Halloween candy averages $16.96 this year, up 3.5% from last year and $7.05 over the past 5 years.
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bag → average → years
Recent price hikes make up a significant portion of the overall surge.
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hikes → make → surge
Between 2023 and 2026, the cost of a 100-piece candy bag jumped by $5.05 ($2.45 in 2024, $2.34 in 2025, and $0.57 in 2026), compared to just $1.70 between 2021 and 2023.
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cost → jump → 2021
Overall, Halloween candy inflation over the last three years was nearly triple that of the preceding two-year stretch.
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inflation → precede → stretch
Per unit, each piece of candy now costs a customer roughly 17 cents.
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piece → cost → cents
In New York City, candy customers are primed to pony up even more.
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customers → prim → more
A 75-piece bag of Halloween candy at Target in Times Square costs $20.68, or 28 cents per piece, meaning Gothamites pay more for less candy.
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Gothamites → cost → candy
Elsewhere in Times Square, price gouging continues: a 100-piece variety pack costs $23.40 at CVS, and a 150-piece assortment at Walgreens comes in at $30.
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assortment → continue → 30
In addition to volatile cocoa costs, other key ingredients have risen.
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ingredients → rise → costs
While sugar has fallen, vegetable oil, a controversial alternative to cocoa butter, has risen alongside labor, energy, packaging, and transportation costs.
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oil → fall → costs
Experts note that the plastic packaging that enshrouds most candy, including chocolate, is made from petrochemicals derived from oil and natural gas.
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that → note → oil
Experts predict Americans will spend a record amount on spooky season this year, with consumer spending expected to reach $13.5 billion.
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spending → predict → billion
With war raging in the Middle East, packaging manufacturers have warned that “unprecedented disruptions” to resin supplies may have led to price increases.
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disruptions → rag → increases
Some experts in the field of candy consumerism — that is, cash-strapped parents on the Internet — have previously shared some key strategies for your holiday boo-dget
The health-conscious go for less sinful sweet treats, such as this 100-count bag of honey sticks for $20, putting the price per unit at 20 cents, or a salty snack like pumpkin- and bat-shaped pretzel bags, a 70-pack of which costs just $25, or 35 cents per piece.
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pack → strap → piece
With the aid of a Sharpie marker, Mandarin oranges make a perfect facsimile of a jack-o’-lantern.
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oranges → make → o’-lantern
A 3-pound bag of mandarin oranges (like Halos or Cuties) contains around 30 fruits and usually costs $5 to $7.
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bag → contain → 7
Budget-conscious buyers can also create a “choice bowl” by mixing a small amount of traditional candy with a large amount of cheap toys or glow sticks, and inviting kids to pick one item.
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buyers → create → item
The Aporia
