All Tricks, No Treats—Hershey Warns of Halloween Shortage
The candy manufacturing giant announced it will not be able to meet consumer demands for this year's Halloween
Halloween season is already looking frightening.
Candy aisles are expected to be a little bare this year, as chocolate production company Hershey claims they won't have enough product to meet consumer demands for the upcoming trick-or-treating holiday.
"We will not be able to fully meet consumer demand due to capacity constraints," Hershey CEO Michele Buck stated in an earnings call on Thursday, July 28, reported CNN.
The candy manufacturing giant—which is responsible for fan-favorite treats like Hershey Bars, KitKats, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Twizzlers and more—is reportedly facing ingredient shortages due to ongoing supply chain issues as a result of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Despite stockpiling efforts that began back in April to save up for the holiday season, the Pennsylvania-based manufacturers have been struggling to keep up with even regular consumer demand as a result of sales spikes, forcing the company to choose between prioritizing every day candies or making holiday-themed products.
"We had a strategy of prioritizing everyday on-shelf availability," Buck explained. "That was a choice that we needed to make. It was a tough decision."
According to the outlet, Hershey is in the process of adding more manufacturing lines in the hopes of meeting consumer demands for holiday seasons in the future.
In the meantime, candy competitors such as Mars Wrigley—which produces M&Ms, Skittles, Twix, Snickers and more sweets—will likely be the go-to option for those doing their Halloween candy shopping this year.
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