Halloween Candy Gets Smaller as Prices Rise Amid 'Shriek-flation'
Consumers are paying more for less candy as manufacturers face increased production costs, leading to smaller portions and higher prices for popular Halloween treats.
Halloween candy is experiencing a phenomenon dubbed 'shriek-flation,' as packages shrink in size while prices climb, leaving consumers with less for their money.
This trend affects popular brands like Mars Wrigley and Hershey, with mini-sized candies becoming noticeably smaller. Online discussions and consumer watchdog groups have documented significant weight reductions in popular chocolate bars and party-size assortments over the past several years. For instance, a Mars bar that weighed 65 grams in 1991 now weighs 51 grams, while a Snickers bar has decreased from 61.2 grams to 52.7 grams.
The cost of Halloween candy has surged by 71% since 2021, a rate nearly triple the national inflation rate during the same period, according to a FinanceBuzz study. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the cost of producing confections increased by 87.6% between 2019 and 2024.
Edgar Dworsky, a consumer advocate and shrinkflation expert, attributes these changes to rising costs for manufacturers, including higher shipping and raw material expenses. He also notes that companies may use the tactic of reducing package size rather than increasing prices directly, as consumers are less likely to notice subtle weight changes.
Several popular Halloween candies have seen notable reductions in size:
Hershey's Dark Chocolate Assortment
A party pack of Hershey's Dark Chocolate Assortment, which contained 29 ounces in 2019, now weighs just 23.9 ounces, representing a decrease of over 17% while maintaining the same price point of $19.99.
Rolo Party Pack
The Rolo Party Pack has decreased from 40 ounces to 35.6 ounces. While the price has also increased, the net result is less candy per dollar.
Reese's Miniatures Party Pack
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups party packs have reduced in size by nearly 11%, from approximately 40 ounces to 35.6 ounces. Prices for these have also seen an increase, with some retailers charging up to $13.24 for a 35.9-ounce bag compared to $8.98 for a 40-ounce bag in 2019.
Party Pack Hershey's Miniatures Assortment
This assortment has shrunk from 40 ounces in 2019-2020 to 35.9 ounces currently, a decrease of 10.25%. During the same period, the price at Walmart rose from $8.98 to $13.24.
M&M's Party Size
The M&M's Milk Chocolate Party Size bag now weighs 38 ounces, down from 42 ounces in 2019, and costs over $4 more. The dark chocolate version also saw a weight reduction from 19.2 ounces to 18 ounces, with prices up over 50%.
A Mars Wrigley spokesperson stated that ongoing cost pressures, particularly in the price of cocoa, have necessitated these carefully considered changes. However, they added that final pricing is determined by individual retailers. The rising cost of cocoa, specifically, has seen an increase of 143.9% from 2019 to 2024, according to BLS data.