Witch’s, oops sorry, Which’s latest food and drink inflation tracker has found that chocolate prices soared by 11 per cent in the year to August 2024, meaning shoppers could pay over the odds for Halloween treats this year.
Chocolate prices have risen far more than overall food and drink prices, which were up just 2.7% in the same period. A significant rise in global cocoa prices has been attributed to poor harvests because of weather conditions in West Africa.
Which? found that, in some of the worst examples of chocolate inflation, prices almost doubled. For example, the cost of Sainsbury’s No Added Sugar Milk Chocolate (100g) – increased from an average of 95p in the three months to the end of August 2023 to £1.84 in the same period in 2024. And it’s not just at Sainsbury’s.
When shopping for Halloween chocolates, consumers should shop around and compare the price per gram across different pack sizes, retailers and brands to ensure they get the best value for money.
Ele Clark, Which? retail editor, said: “Our research shows that despite overall food and drink inflation continuing to fall, chocolate prices have risen dramatically in the last year. To ensure you get the best value for money on your Halloween chocolate, shop around and compare the price per gram across different pack sizes, retailers and brands.”
More broadly, supermarkets continue to have an important role to play in supporting consumers to make affordable choices – including in areas that only have pricier convenience stores.
Here at TnP, we hope that the tricksters accept the possible absence of treats when they knock on their neighbours’ doors. Actually we don’t. Sounds like trickification is going to win the Halloween balance of torments this year. And this is a fun thing. Well, for us anyway.
Tricks, treats, toys and sweets – it’s not just Halloween, it’s a 365 day and night thing for children, parents and beyond.
