Inflation is wreaking havoc on Americans’ budgets in several areas, but the sky-high cost of candy this Halloween is downright scary.
A report from Datasembly released earlier this month shows the price of candy and gum has soared 12.8% over the past year — nearly twice the amount of other groceries, which rose 6.7%.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSY | THE HERSHEY CO. | 185.98 | +1.87 | +1.02% |
| NSRGY | NESTLÉ SA | 108.46 | +1.31 | +1.22% |
| MDLZ | MONDELEZ INTERNATIONAL INC. | 65.98 | +0.97 | +1.49% |
HERSHEY TOPS QUARTERLY ESTIMATES BOOSTED BY HIGHER CANDY PRICES
While candy costs are up nationwide, the price hikes vary by state, according to the data. On the low end, candy prices in Alaska rose 7.1% over the past year, but the Northeast was hit particularly hard, with Vermont’s candy and gum prices surging by 14.7%.
Although stocking up for trick-or-treaters will be a pricier endeavor this year, candy inflation is actually lower than in 2022, when the average nationwide price for candy and gum jumped by 19.9%.
HALLOWEEN SPENDING WILL HIT A NEW RECORD BUT CONSUMERS WEARY OF INFLATION’S IMPACT: REPORT
The latest Labor Department data shows the consumer price index — a broad measure of the price for everyday goods, including gasoline groceries and rents — rose 3.7% in September from the same time last year.
Last month, the cost of groceries rose for the sixth straight month, and was up 2.4% compared to the same time last year.
FOX Business’ Megan Henney contributed to this report.
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