Happy Halloween, Canada! With the spookiest day of the year right around the corner, practically everyone in the country is preparing their jack-o-lanterns, sewing the last button on their costume, and hoping for no rain.
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But if you’re not trick-or-treating– or over the acceptable age to do so– then, most likely, you are buying candy for the neighbourhood kids. And yet, all those freaky costumes aren’t even the scariest thing out there on Halloween.
It’s the candy prices.
Halloween Candy Prices In Canada
For all the parents and people who stay in on Halloween, you may have noticed an uptick in candy prices this year. Those cost hikes are apparently due to the counter-tariffs Canada implemented on the U.S. earlier this year.
Michael von Massow, a University of Guelph Food Economist, told 1130 NewsRadio that these tariffs were put into place when grocery stores were buying their annual Halloween and holiday candy stocks.
You could also potentially see these prices further into next Valentine’s Day, too. Since this candy also doesn’t expire for some time, it may remain on shelves for a while.
Chocolate Problems
As for chocolate costs, cocoa is being affected by global warming. Since the plant is very sensitive to small temperature changes, yields can differ depending on a half degree of change. Yields are currently down, meaning that cocoa– chocolate– is going up in price.
According to Statistics Canada, confectionary prices have gone up 10.4% in September when compared to September 2024.
As the trade war between Canada and the U.S. rages on, this Halloween may be less treats and more tricks as candy prices will remain higher-than-average for now.
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