Store aisles stocked with skeletons and chocolate can only mean one thing: it’s Halloween, but the most haunting thing this year might be the price of candy. According to the 2025 Halloween Treat Cost Report, Canadians are set to spend 10 to 20 per cent more on sweets this year. Sylvain Charlebois of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab says the real problem is shrinkflation. “The costs of inputs for manufacturers have gone up. Like cocoa, for example, for chocolate,” he said. “Bites are much smaller or pieces are much smaller, which tends to push households to give more.” From pharmacies to grocery stores, the same box of 50 pieces ranges from $8.97 at Walmart to $11.99 at Jean Coutu before tax. Buying in bulk may not lead to a better deal. The same box of 100 confections is selling for $28.99 at Jean Coutu, $17.97 at Walmart and $16.99 at Pharmaprix before tax. “Deals are sparse at the grocery store, I would say,” said Charlebois. “Looking at what’s going on right now, you’re probably more likely to save money if you buy Halloween candy at a pharmacy or even at a dollar store.” He adds that increasing packaging and freight costs are also contributing to rising prices.
