Ghouls, goblins… and gummy bears.
Trick or treats You may find more fruity candy than chocolate among their Halloween posts this year. That should go down well with younger consumers I’ve been attracted for years Toward non-chocolate candy such as gum, freeze-dried candy, and other sweets that come in a variety of shapes, colors, and flavors.
Last year, 52% of the total volume Halloween The candy sold in the United States was made with chocolate, according to Dan Sadler, director of customer insights at market research firm Circana. But in the 12 weeks ending October 5, chocolate made up 44% of Halloween candy sold in the United States.
Prices may be part of it. Global cocoa prices more than quadrupled between January 2023 and January 2025 due to poor harvests in West Africa, where 70% of cocoa is produced. As a result, chocolate candy became much more expensive.
Sadler said chocolate Halloween candy in the United States cost an average of $8.02 per pound in the 12 weeks leading up to Oct. 5, while non-chocolate candy cost an average of $5.77 per pound.
Here’s a look at Halloween candy by the numbers:
The amount Americans spent on Halloween candy in 2024, according to the National Confectioners Association. That was 18% of total candy sales last year.
number m&M manufactured by Mars Inc. every day at the facility in Topeka, Kansas, that produces Halloween candy.
The price per metric ton of cocoa in January was the highest ever. Cocoa prices have fallen since then, but Sadler said it will take months for consumers to see the impact of lower prices.
Miles between Topeka and New York. If you stretched out all the Snickers bars Mars makes annually in Topeka, you could make this trip seven times.
Percentage of U.S. consumers who purchased candy to trick-or-treat in the past year, according to Hershey. Hershey said 45% of consumers reported buying Halloween candy for themselves.
Hershey’s market share in Halloween candy last year, making it the top performer. Hershey said its Halloween lineup — which includes Reese’s, Kit Kat and Amund Joy — was the best-seller last Halloween.
The date on which Mars began releasing Halloween candy into US stores this year. Mars makes snickers, m&Mrs., Skittles, Starburst and other candy.
Growth in dollar sales of non-chocolate candy in the United States in 2024, according to the National Confectioners Association. In comparison, chocolate candy sales rose 0.4%.
The average number of weeks before Halloween that Americans buy Halloween candy, according to Mars. Gen Z buys them early, about 4.5 weeks in advance.
The amount of time it takes Mars to plan the Halloween season.