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國際時事跟讀 Ep. L088: Halloween's New Reality: Gummies Replace Chocolate

Highlights 主題摘要

Chocolate's Halloween market share dropped from 52% to 44% as fruity gummies gain popularity among younger consumers.
Global cocoa prices quadrupled between 2023-2025 due to West African drought, making chocolate far more expensive.
Non-chocolate candy sales surged 4.9% in 2024 while chocolate sales grew only 0.4%.

This Halloween, trick-or-treaters might notice something different in their candy bags: fewer chocolate bars and more gummy bears, fruity chews, and freeze-dried treats. The shift reflects a major transformation in the Halloween candy market. According to market research from Circana, chocolate accounted for just 44% of Halloween candy sales in the weeks leading up to October 2025, down from 52% the previous year. This trend particularly appeals to younger consumers, who have been gravitating toward the diverse shapes, colors, and flavors that non-chocolate candies offer.

今年萬聖節，不給糖就搗蛋的孩子們可能會發現糖果袋裡有些不同：巧克力棒變少了，小熊軟糖、水果軟糖和冷凍乾燥零食變多了。這個轉變反映出萬聖節糖果市場的重大變革。根據Circana的市場研究報告，在2025年10月前幾週的萬聖節糖果銷售中，巧克力僅占44%，比前一年的52%下降。這種趨勢特別受到年輕消費者的青睞，他們越來越被非巧克力糖果提供的多樣形狀、色彩和口味所吸引。

Behind this sweet revolution lies a bitter reality: a global cocoa crisis. Between January 2023 and January 2025, cocoa prices skyrocketed more than fourfold, reaching $10,710 per metric ton—an all-time high. The culprit? Severe drought and climate change devastated cocoa harvests in West Africa, which produces 70% of the world's cocoa supply. This shortage hit consumers' wallets hard. In the 12 weeks before October 5, chocolate Halloween candy averaged $8.02 per pound, while non-chocolate alternatives cost just $5.77 per pound—a price gap that made many shoppers reconsider their purchasing decisions.

在這場甜蜜革命的背後，隱藏著苦澀的現實：全球可可危機。2023年1月至2025年1月間，可可價格暴漲超過四倍，達到每公噸10,710美元的歷史新高。罪魁禍首是什麼？嚴重乾旱和氣候變遷摧毀了西非的可可收成，而西非生產了全球70%的可可供應量。這種短缺重創了消費者的荷包。在10月5日前的12週內，巧克力萬聖節糖果平均每磅8.02美元，而非巧克力替代品每磅僅5.77美元——這樣的價差讓許多消費者重新考慮購買的決定。

The impact on consumer behavior has been dramatic. Despite these challenges, Americans spent $7.4 billion on Halloween candy in 2024, representing 18% of all annual candy sales. However, the distribution shifted notably: non-chocolate candy sales surged 4.9% while chocolate sales crawled forward at just 0.4%. Major manufacturers responded swiftly. Mars Inc. began rolling out Halloween products as early as July 5, planning two years ahead for each season. Hershey maintained its market leadership with a 40.8% share, though even its chocolate-heavy lineup faced growing competition from gummy and fruity alternatives.

對消費者行為的影響相當戲劇化。儘管面臨這些挑戰，美國人在2024年仍在萬聖節糖果上花費74億美元，占全年糖果銷售的18%。然而，分布出現顯著變化：非巧克力糖果銷售激增4.9%，而巧克力銷售僅以0.4%緩慢成長。大型製造商迅速回應。瑪氏食品公司早在7月5日就開始推出萬聖節產品，為每個季節提前兩年規劃。好時公司則保持40.8%的市場領導地位，儘管其巧克力為主的產品線也面臨軟糖和水果糖果日益增長的競爭。

This transformation extends beyond individual trick-or-treat bags to broader market dynamics. Statistics Canada reported confectionery prices in Newfoundland and Labrador jumped 10.4% year-over-year, with similar increases nationwide. Retailers noted chocolate remaining 10-20% more expensive even after initial spikes. Yet Halloween spirit endures. Approximately 61% of consumers still purchased candy for trick-or-treaters, while 45% bought treats for themselves. Industry experts emphasize that Halloween celebrates more than candy—it's about costumes, community, and traditions. As families adapt to higher prices and evolving preferences, the holiday continues thriving, just with a more colorful, chewy twist.

這場轉變不僅影響個人的萬聖節糖果收穫，也擴及更廣泛的市場動態。加拿大統計局報告紐芬蘭-拉布拉多省的糖果價格年增10.4%，全國各地也有類似漲幅。零售商指出，即使在最初的價格飆升後，巧克力仍貴10-20%。然而萬聖節的精神依然延續。約61%的消費者仍為討糖的孩子購買糖果，45%的人為自己購買零食。業界專家強調，萬聖節慶祝的不僅是糖果——它關乎裝扮、社區和傳統。隨著家庭適應更高的價格和不斷演變的偏好，這個節日持續蓬勃發展，只是有了更多彩、更有嚼勁的新面貌。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字

Gravitate [verb, to be drawn or attracted to something]: Younger consumers have been gravitating toward non-chocolate candies.
Skyrocket [verb, to increase rapidly and dramatically]: Cocoa prices skyrocketed more than fourfold between 2023 and 2025.
Devastate [verb, to cause severe damage or destruction]: Severe drought and climate change devastated cocoa harvests in West Africa.
Reconsider [verb, to think again about a decision]: The price gap made many shoppers reconsider their purchasing decisions.
Swiftly [adverb, quickly and promptly]: Major manufacturers responded swiftly.

Reference articles:
1. https://apnews.com/article/halloween-candy-trick-treat-chocolate-gummies-c832722558e760445e6a563a4534d5a4
2. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/halloween-candy-high-prices-nl-9.6950471

國際時事跟讀 Ep. L088: 萬聖節新趨勢：軟糖取代巧克力Halloween's New Reality: Gummies Replace Chocolate

通勤學英語 15Mins Today