Halloween candy is getting a little scarier this year – about 13% scarier.
Those who prefer treat over trick will be paying 13.1% more than last year, according to the most recent inflation report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
It's the largest yearly jump in candy prices the CPI has ever recorded. (For comparison, it took nine years — from 1997 to 2006 — for candy prices to rise 13%.)
And the price of candy (along with chewing gum, which is in the same category) has risen 2% since August, one of the largest monthly increases of any food in the report .
Sweets of all kinds are costlier than last year, driven by major increases in the prices of sugar and flour. Sugar is up over 17% since last September. Supply chain disruptions and a poor beet sugar production year have all helped contribute. Flour prices have risen even more at 24%.
That's helped drive up the costs of cakes, cupcakes and cookies by 16% since last September. Frozen and refrigerated baked goods are up more than 20%.
Americans collectively are expected to spend about $3.1 billion on candy this season, according to the National Retail Federation , an industry trade group.
On a $15 bag of assorted Halloween-sized candies, a 13% increase comes out to about $2.
Costumes, too, may feel more expensive than usual.
While the CPI report does not specifically track costumes, the price of clothing has jumped 5.5% since last year. Those crafty enough to make handmade costumes will feel the pinch even more: Sewing machines, fabric and supplies are up 11% since last September.
Inflation overall has remained stubbornly high . Prices rose 8.2% for the 12 months ending in September, down slightly from last month but still much higher than the Federal Reserve's target of 2%.
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