Scary prices: Americans scared by high Halloween candy prices

In Chile, the Halloween celebration has not taken root for many years. Several years, a decade perhaps. But in the United States, it is a tradition taken seriously. Every year, millions of children take to the streets of this North American country in disguise to participate in the famous game “Charity please”. Trick or treat, in its original version. However, this year many of them may return home early and with few treats in their pockets.

The price of candy has increased again compared to last year. In October 2022, it had already experienced an increase of 14% compared to the previous period. Today, inflation in this subgroup was 13%, more than double the 6% increase in overall U.S. food prices, detailed Datasembly, a retail price tracker.

This increase for the second year in a row is due to the drought affecting the cocoa and sugar industry, but this is not the only blow linked to Halloween. Pumpkins, these orange fruits (they are not vegetables, contrary to what common sense would say) so typical of films and the streets, always decorated with sculpted faces at this time of year, will also be seen less due to of the complex water situation of some. of its producers.

Jessica Weathers, a small business owner in Shiloh, Illinois, already assumed she wouldn’t buy as much candy this year because “the price of candy has gotten outrageous.” Therefore, he believes “it makes no sense to spend $100 on candy,” he told the Associated Press.

Typically, the woman buys many for events at the local school or church, where hundreds of children come to her door to give gifts. However, this year the light at your door will go out early, as you will only have two bags to fuel the pockets of your costumed visitors.

According to Numerator, a market research company, about a third of consumers choose to buy cheaper brands, over more popular and well-known ones.

But there is a reason for this increase: drought and climate change. The climatic hazards which have affected Africa have a lot to do with it. Cocoa, which soared to 44-year highs after torrential rains in West Africa limited production for the season that began last fall, the Associated Press reported, now contrasts with conditions generated by the El Niño phenomenon, causing the region. to dry.

Ivory Coast, for example, a country that produces nearly 40% of the world’s cocoa, is showing signs of what could be its worst drought since 2003, Kelly Goughary, senior analyst at Gro, told the same news agency. Intelligence, a society. agricultural analysis. Meanwhile, sugar prices are also at their highest level in 12 years, the expert added.

The category associated with pumpkins was also affected, but due to droughts in the United States. Farmers in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado have suffered the consequences of the drought affecting the west and southwest of the North American nation, where some have reported losses of up to 20% of their production due to lack of water and high temperatures. the production of the orange fruit that decorates and gives life to Halloween.

“This is one of the worst years we’ve had in a long time,” Mark Carroll, Texas A&M extension agent for Floyd County, told the Associated Press. He explained that many must weigh between the allocation of scarce water to certain hectares and the energy costs that this entails, always wondering if the plant manages to survive the 38° Celsius recorded in the area.

Between fewer and more expensive pumpkins, and a two-year increase in candy prices, Halloween 2023 in the United States is frightening due to the possible brevity and austerity of the celebration.