This Halloween, Cindy Verchere is anticipating a visit from more than 3,000 children at her residence in Vancouver’s Douglas Park area, a popular trick-or-treating destination. She has invested nearly $500 on candy supplies for this year, marking an increase from previous expenditures. “It can start adding up,” she mentioned. “I try to find discounted items when possible.”
According to the 2025 Halloween Treat Cost Report, candy prices have risen by 10 to 20 percent nationwide compared to the previous year. In British Columbia specifically, Statistics Canada data reveals an 11.9 percent increase in confectionery prices last year.
A few years back, Verchere decided to reduce the amount of candy given to trick-or-treaters from two pieces to one. “It becomes overwhelming,” Verchere acknowledged. “I feel a bit sorry for the kids, but that’s the reality of it.” She opts for nut-free alternatives to cater to a wider audience, although they tend to be pricier than nut-containing candies.
Sylvain Charlebois, the director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, attributed the price surge to various factors. He pointed out a notable rise in cocoa prices due to climate-related calamities affecting cocoa-producing nations in West Africa, resulting in higher chocolate costs. Additionally, expenses related to packaging and shipping candy have also escalated.
Charlebois highlighted that manufacturers are utilizing “shrinkflation” as a strategy to cope with rising costs, reducing product sizes instead of raising prices, especially for mini chocolate bars and chip packets. “They aim to attract customers with affordable Halloween candy, and the only way to do that is by reducing the quantity,” Charlebois explained.
The report also noted that Canadians are spending more on Halloween candy, emphasizing that generosity has not diminished. Verchere, despite acknowledging the Halloween expenses, considers it worthwhile and feels fortunate to be able to manage it. “We’re fully committed,” she affirmed.
For those still looking to purchase Halloween candy, Charlebois suggested the possibility of finding compelling deals at the last minute, particularly on Thursday and Friday. He advised shoppers to explore drugstores or dollar stores for potentially lower candy prices compared to grocery stores.