Easter Candy Now Costs 67% More Than in 2020
The cost of eggs has dropped sharply since reaching a high early last year, but the same relief hasn’t reached chocolate eggs and other Easter treats. A recent analysis by InvestorsObserver shows that candy prices connected to the Easter holiday have climbed about 67% since 2020, while consumer spending on candy has risen only about 15%.
According to data from the National Retail Federation, a family of four spent roughly $93 on Easter candy in 2020. Today, buying the same selection would cost about $155. Many familiar favorites have seen noticeable price increases. Items such as Reese’s eggs, Cadbury eggs, and Hershey’s chocolate bars that once sold for around $3.49 to $3.99 now range from approximately $4.79 to as much as $8.29.
Higher prices have also been accompanied by what many call “shrinkflation.” Some products, including Cadbury Mini Eggs, have gradually been reduced in size over time, meaning shoppers are paying more while receiving smaller packages. Sam Bourgi, a senior analyst at InvestorsObserver, says this trend has made it harder for shoppers to judge what a product should normally cost. Instead of quickly grabbing familiar items, customers are more often comparing prices and calculating value by weight to make sure they aren’t overpaying.
Bourgi says that several years of steady price hikes, smaller packaging, and changing price ranges have significantly altered the cost of a traditional American Easter celebration. Although cocoa prices have recently fallen after major spikes in 2024 and 2025, that decline hasn’t yet translated into cheaper Easter candy.
David Branch, sector manager at the Wells Fargo Agri-Food Institute, explained to ABC News that most Easter chocolate products were manufactured when cocoa prices were still extremely high. Because of that timing, shoppers are likely to see prices similar to, or slightly higher than, what they paid for chocolate during Valentine’s Day.
Despite the higher prices, holiday spending continues to grow. The National Retail Federation expects Americans to spend a record $24.9 billion this Easter, an increase of 5.5% compared with last year.
About Post Author
