The National Retail Federation says spending on Easter Candy – will drop to $3.1 billion this year or $24.78 a shopper – and that’s down from $3.3 billion in 2023, or $26.31 per person, according to a recent report.

The skyrocketing price of cocoa is the main reason behind the huge drop in sales and increase in prices.

The skyrocketing price of cocoa surged again recently – topping $10,000 per metric ton for the first time and some of chocolate companies plan to respond to the increase by upping the cost of products in the near future, and decreasing product sizes and advertising candies with less cocoa.

Top chocolate makers Hershey and others have already said, they intend on hiking product prices to cover for the surging cocoa cost, and that will certainly mean consumers will be paying more.

(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio)