Rising inflation forces Halloween candy prices to climb more than 13%, with the highest price increases impacting Skittles and Starbursts

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Consumers might be terrified to see how much the price of Halloween candy has surged over the past year due to inflation.

According to the Labor Department, candy prices went up more than 13% in September compared with a year ago. The department’s statistics showed the sugary delights became 2% more expensive from August to September this year — a scary realization for those buying candy for parties and trick-or-treaters this Halloween.

It comes at a time when inflation in the US rose 8.2% in September compared with the same period last year.

Candy had the largest quarterly increases of any food category at 7.6%, followed by condiments, sauces, and spices, data company Datasembly reported in its September Grocery Price Index.

In particular, Skittles and Mars’ Starbursts experienced the highest price hikes, increasing 42% and 35% respectively between September and the same period last year, Datasembly told The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, the candy products that had the smallest price increases over the year were Butterfinger and Crunch bars, which rose 7% and 6% respectively in price, Datasembly told the Journal.

Klover, a commerce data site, told the Washington Post that compared with last year, a Kinder Joy chocolate egg treat with a toy increased 16% in price, a regular Hershey’s chocolate bar climbed by 15%, and a king-size pack of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups shot up 14%.

Consumers plan to spend $100 on average for Halloween candy, cards, costumes, and decorations, the National Retail Foundation reported in its 2022 survey. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $10.6 billion this year, overtaking 2021’s record of $10.1 billion, per the National Retail Foundation.

The soaring cost of Halloween sweet treats prompted Sen. Bernie Sanders to speak out about the issue. He said that while the prices of Halloween candy have soared more than 13.1% since last September, the “Mars candy family” became $32.6 billion wealthier in the pandemic.