EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - Halloween candy is costing more this year as cocoa prices have surged, affecting both large retailers and local businesses like Maureen's Sweet Shoppe in East Longmeadow.

The price increase is largely due to a cocoa shortage caused by adverse weather conditions in West Africa, which supplies nearly 70% of the world's cocoa. This has led to significant cost hikes for chocolate, a staple of Halloween celebrations.

"The cocoa shortage is having a huge impact. The cost increases over the last year and a half have been three times what we were paying before," said Maureen Basile, owner of Maureen's Sweet Shoppe.

Maureen's Sweet Shoppe, renowned for its handmade chocolates and confections, has been in operation for approximately 16 years. The shop is adapting t

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