Overview
- Government data shows candy prices, including chocolate, are up about 12% year over year heading into Easter.
- Cocoa prices have retreated from 2025 peaks to roughly $7,000–$7,500 per metric ton in early 2026, and some Western New York chocolatiers say they held prices for this season.
- An InvestorsObserver review finds Easter candy costs have climbed about 60–67% since 2020 while budgets rose about 15%, leaving shoppers with roughly 40% less candy by weight or a bill about $62 higher for the same amount.
- Shrinkflation is widespread, with Which? reporting popular eggs getting smaller and pricier per gram, such as a Galaxy Extra Large egg that dropped in weight and rose in unit price from 2025 to 2026.
- Analysts tie the squeeze to tight cocoa supplies from Ivory Coast and Ghana after disease, ageing trees, and bad weather, and they note overall costs remain high even as some buyers switch to cheaper sweets or baked alternatives.