This Halloween, chocolate lovers may face higher prices for their favorite treats due to a recent surge in cocoa costs. Additionally, companies may resort to shrinkflation, a strategy where product weight is reduced without a corresponding price decrease.
A review of online ads for Halloween candy in October 2024 revealed that major candy manufacturers like Mars Inc. and the Hershey Company had downsized several chocolate bar variety packs by almost 17 percent this year. This reduction in weight may go unnoticed by shoppers as the number of candy bars in the variety packs remains the same as in 2024.
The companies attributed these changes to evolving customer preferences without providing specific examples. In some instances of shrinkflation, companies claim to have reduced product weight to offset increased production costs.
Consumer advocates are calling for more transparency in such practices, urging companies to disclose any downsizing of products. As Canadians grapple with rising grocery prices, there is a growing demand for food producers to be forthright about any changes in product sizes.
Rising cocoa prices have more than doubled over recent years, primarily due to adverse weather conditions affecting harvests in West Africa, the main global cocoa supplier. This has impacted small cocoa farms, leading to supply challenges.
Statistics Canada reports a 10 percent increase in confectionery prices, including chocolate, over the past year. Despite this, some Halloween ads from 2024 and 2025 show consistent prices for chocolate products, masking significant weight reductions in the newer versions.
Mars and Hershey have reduced the weight of their products, with Mars citing a focus on offering value and variety to consumers while adapting to changing preferences. Hershey adjusts its candy mixes periodically to align with consumer demands, affecting product weight.
Several countries like France and Brazil require manufacturers to inform consumers of any changes in product weight or volume. Advocates in Canada suggest government intervention to mandate such disclosures on product packaging to keep consumers informed.
While enforcing such regulations may be challenging, the Canadian government has taken steps to address shrinkflation through a grocery task force and research initiatives into harmful retail practices. Online tools like the Food Price Data Hub aim to empower Canadians to make informed choices when grocery shopping.