Brief
Candy makers shrink Halloween treats as costs rise, experts say
Mars, Hershey and other brands have cut the weight of popular candy packs while keeping prices steady, a pattern dubbed “shriek‑flation.”
By Felo News Desk · Published
Consumers filling Halloween bowls on Oct. 31 may notice smaller candy portions, as major manufacturers have reduced package weights while keeping price tags unchanged, the New York Post reported.
What happened
Mini‑sized candies have been getting smaller, with Mars bars dropping from 65 g in 1991 to 51 g today and a 1980s Snickers falling from 61.2 g to 52.7 g. A retail worker said Hershey’s party‑size dark‑chocolate bag lost more than five ounces of candy this summer. Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Assortment party pack fell from 29 oz in 2019‑20 to 23.9 oz now, a 17 % reduction, yet the price remains $19.99.
What the reports add
The Post notes that “shrink‑flation” – called “shriek‑flation” for the Halloween season – mirrors similar trends in fast food and soda. FinanceBuzz data cited in the article shows Halloween‑candy costs have risen 71 % since 2021, far outpacing the national inflation rate. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an 87.6 % rise in confection‑production costs between 2019 and 2024.
What was said
Edgar Dworsky, a consumer‑advocacy veteran and former Massachusetts assistant attorney general, told the Post, “Part of it has to do just with the increased costs that manufacturers face. They have higher shipping costs, higher raw material costs.” He added, “They’re not going to remember, ‘Oh, did this package have 160 little fun‑size bars in there or did it have 205?’”
How it came about
Dworsky, who contributes to ConsumerWorld.org, says the weight cuts stem from rising raw‑material and shipping expenses, as well as companies’ preference to hide price hikes behind smaller packages. He also points out that product names such as “super‑size” or “big bag” can mask the reduced net weight, making the changes harder for shoppers to detect.
Key facts
- Mars bars have shrunk from 65 g in 1991 to 51 g today (nypost.com)
- Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Assortment party pack fell from 29 oz in 2019‑20 to 23.9 oz now (nypost.com)
- Halloween‑candy costs have risen 71 % since 2021, according to FinanceBuzz (nypost.com)
- Production costs for confections rose 87.6 % between 2019 and 2024, per the BLS (nypost.com)
- Consumer‑advocate Edgar Dworsky attributes the shrinkage to higher shipping and raw‑material costs (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Your Halloween candy is falling victim to a ghoulish shriek-flation”
