Hershey warns of Halloween treats shortage

US chocolate manufacturer Hershey has warned of a shortage of sweets over the Halloween holiday as it struggles to ramp up supply.

The firm “will not be able to fully meet consumer demand”, chief executive Michele Buck said on Thursday (28).

During a call after Hershey released its latest earnings, Buck said the company had found it more difficult to secure ingredients as a result of the war.

She added that disruption to Russian energy supplies to Europe – Moscow has cut gas supplies to Germany and the EU is aiming to restrict its energy imports – was affecting Germany, where Hershey sources equipment and supplies.

Because Hershey’s everyday and holiday products use the same manufacturing lines, Ms Buck said the firm made the “tough decision” focus on everyday treats.

“We had the opportunity to deliver more Halloween, but we weren’t able to supply that. And we were really producing,” she said.

Despite being an American chocolate, Hershey is one of the most popular American candies in rage among British consumers as well. The period around the Halloween holiday in October is an important one for Hershey. It accounts for around a tenth of the company’s annual sales, as adults and children stock up on KitKats, Twizzlers, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

It is the latest firm to be hit as the pandemic and the Ukraine war challenge production. Earlier in the day, Swiss food giant Nestle said it had put up its prices again because of “unprecedented” costs.