How to save on Halloween candy

If you’re looking for the cheapest candy this Halloween, your candy bowl might look a little different this year.

Because the only thing you might notice while shopping is the higher prices, especially for chocolate items.

Paul Picton is a chocolatier who specializes in high-quality confectionery at his shop Maverick Chocolate Company.

But last year it suffered a sharp rise in the price of its main ingredient, cocoa.

“The price of cocoa beans at the commodity level, meaning from the farms, has skyrocketed,” he said.

This modern-day Willie Wonka says he won’t skimp on ingredients, but says some companies limit quality or sizes.

“They start putting less chocolate in it or go from dark chocolate to milk chocolate,” which he said he wouldn’t do.

Lower cocoa production means higher prices

Global cocoa production is expected to decline by about 14 percent, according to a report from Wells Fargo.

That means shoppers can expect to pay more for chocolate candy in 2024 and possibly 2025 as well.

The company Pattern, which studies average prices on Amazon, found that prices for candies like Starburst, Jolly Ranchers and Smarties have fallen year over year.

But Twix, which contains a lot of chocolate, is up four percent.

The website Coupon Follow found that 3 Musketeers is the most expensive Halloween candy at 79 cents an ounce.

It is claimed that Skittles are the cheapest at 32 cents per ounce.

How to save on your sweets

To save, shopping expert Trae Bodge recommends buying in bulk.

“If you live in a place that gets a lot of Halloween traffic, go big. This saves you a lot,” Bodge said.

She says buy some of your favorites, but complement them with something cheaper.

And if you’re not picky, wait until the day before Halloween when prices drop.

“Euro stores will also have a lot of candy and they will mostly be cheaper than everyone else.”

Paul Picton says you should try to be understanding if prices appear slightly higher this year.

“Everyone is still trying to deliver a product and do it in a sensible way,” Picton said.

This way you don’t waste your money.

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