Sweet Shift: Non-Chocolate Candies Take Center Stage This Halloween

As chocolate scarcity leads to increased costs, U.S. confectionery companies shift focus to non-chocolate candies like gummies and licorice for Halloween. Despite higher prices, they're more affordable than chocolate, aligning with trends and consumer demand. Hershey and Mondelez are pivotal in this evolving candy landscape.

This Halloween, trick-or-treaters might find fewer chocolates in their haul as U.S. confectionery firms pivot towards more affordable non-chocolate treats like gummies and licorice. This shift is prompted by shrinking margins in chocolate production due to supply chain issues and a cocoa bean shortage.

Market research firm Circana reports a rise in non-chocolate treats, which have been adjusted to suit changing consumer preferences. Hershey, though facing disappointing sales with its cocoa-light products in past holidays, plans to introduce novelty flavors for brands like Reese's and KitKat to reclaim consumer interest.

Retailers, keen on capitalizing on Halloween's importance, have adopted early sales strategies and themed trends. With the pressures of increased raw material costs, confectionery companies like Hershey continue to seek strategic opportunities to balance pricing with consumer appetite.

(With inputs from agencies.)