How Much Do Candy Canes Cost?

Last Updated on March 5, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Candy canes are a popular holiday tradition, but how much should you expect to pay for this festive treat? This guide will break down the key factors that impact candy cane pricing and provide tips for getting the best deals.

Whether you want budget-friendly candy canes or specialty flavors, read on to learn what goes into determining the cost of this iconic Christmas candy.

How Much Do Candy Canes Cost?

On average, expect to pay:

• $2 – $6 for a bag of small candy canes at a grocery store
• $10 – $20 for 10-20 premium gourmet candy canes from specialty shops
• $15 – $40+ for large tins of 25 or more fancy candy canes

Grocery store brands like Brach’s cost just $2 – $3 for a 14 oz bag with 50 mini canes. At this price, they cost around $0.06 each. Even the premium Brach’s peppermint candy canes cost less than $0.20 apiece if you buy multi-packs.

For fancy flavors like chocolate or caramel, handmade boutique candy canes might average $1 – $1.50 each when buying small quantities. For the rarest flavors in novelty tins or boxes, the price can be $2 – $4 or more per cane.

In general, expect to pay $0.50 – $1 per standard-sized candy cane, and $2 – $5+ for jumbo or gourmet candy canes. But you’ll pay the lowest per piece price by buying bulk bags at grocery stores or wholesale clubs.

Main Factors Affecting Candy Cane Prices

Several key factors impact how much you’ll pay for candy canes:

Brand

The brand of candy cane makes a difference. Major candy companies like Brach’s tend to be more affordable, usually between $2-$5 for a bag. Premium brands like Hammonds or Spangler’s range from $5-$10 per bag. Boutique and gourmet candy brands fetch the highest prices, sometimes $10-$20 for novelty tins with unique flavors.

Quantity

Bulk quantity brings down the price per candy cane. Buying individually wrapped candy canes is most expensive per piece. Bags of around 50 small candy canes offer a lower per unit price. Bulk boxes with 200-500 bring the most savings, at well under $0.10 per cane.

Size

Standard size candy canes (4-6 inches) are the most affordable. Jumbo candy canes (10-12 inches) carry about a 200-300% markup. The largest two-foot long candy canes can cost $10 or more apiece from gourmet retailers.

Flavor

Peppermint is the classic, lowest priced option. More unique flavors like raspberry, caramel, or chocolate tend to cost slightly more. The rarest flavors through gourmet shops command the highest prices.

Buying Candy Canes in Bulk or Wholesale

Purchasing candy canes in bulk quantities can bring big savings:

• Grocery store bags with 40-80 candy canes offer slight discounts. A 50 count bag may cost $12-15 instead of $25-30.
• Wholesale club boxes with 200-400 candy canes range from $10-25. This brings the cost down to $0.05-0.10 per candy cane, saving at least 50%.
• Direct wholesale cases of 1,000-2,000 candy canes can cost as low as $0.02-0.05 per piece. But you need to buy in high volumes.

Watch for candy cane price drops right after Christmas when stores want to clear out inventory. Stock up on clearance bags and boxes to save up to 75%.

Seasonal Price Variations

Candy cane prices fluctuate based on seasonal supply and demand:

• October-November: Most grocery stores stock candy canes ahead of the holidays. Prices remain normal.
• Early December: Prices may inch up slightly with more holiday shoppers.
• Mid December: Peak holiday demand can increase prices, especially at specialty candy shops.
• Late December: Retailers start offering discounts to sell remaining inventory. Look for sale prices up to half off.
• January-September: Candy cane selection is smaller outside the holidays. But you can find year-round deals at major retailers.

Shopping early in the season and buying on sale after Christmas are great ways to save money on candy canes. For the lowest prices, buy off-season.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Christmas gift, a Christmas meal, and Christmas decorations.

Unique Flavors and Gourmet Options

Beyond peppermint, candy canes now come in endless unique flavors and designs. Here are some examples with their typical price ranges:

• Fruit candy canes (raspberry, cherry, lemon) $2-$4 each
• Chocolate or caramel candy canes for $1-$2 apiece
• Jumbo candy canes up to a foot long for $3-$7 each
• Filled candy canes (with caramel or chocolate filling) $2-$5 each
• Shaped or image candy canes (animal shapes, letters) $1-$5
• Sugar free candy canes at a slight premium to regular

The more novelty the design, the higher the price. But gourmet flavors remain a splurge any time of year.

Best Places to Buy Candy Canes

Here are good options for finding fair prices on candy canes:

• Grocery stores: Check sale prices or bulk bags around the holidays
• Warehouse clubs: Big bulk boxes offer the lowest per piece cost
• Dollar stores: Affordable smaller bags year-round
• Online: Buy direct bulk cases with free shipping
• Candy shops: Wide flavor selection but higher prices

Avoid airport gift shops, drugstores, and convenience stores. Their small pack sizes and markups make candy canes expensive.

Saving Money on Candy Canes

Here are some tips for getting better candy cane deals:

• Shop at discount grocery stores like Aldi or Lidl for lower everyday prices
• Buy store brands instead of name brands
• Look for coupons and promotions for candy canes around holidays
• Check clearance racks after Christmas and Easter for deep discounts
• Consider buying in bulk and dividing up candy canes as gifts
• Buy plain peppermint candy canes instead of specialty flavors
• Purchase off-season to take advantage of lower prices
• Join loyalty programs at candy retailers for exclusive deals

With smart shopping, you can find great prices on candy canes year-round. Avoid impulse buys and shop with a budget in mind.

Conclusion

From classic peppermint to gourmet flavors, candy canes are a staple of the holiday season. While prices range widely, you can expect to pay on average $0.50 – $1 per candy cane or $2-$5 for premium gourmet styles.

Buying candy cane bulk bags and boxes saves the most money for large quantities. With strategic timing and smart budgeting, you can enjoy this nostalgic treat without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a normal sized candy cane?

The most common size for a standard candy cane is 5-6 inches long. This is the typical size you’ll find in grocery store bags or boxes. Some brands range a bit smaller or larger, from 4-8 inches long for regular candy canes, but 5-6 inches is the average length.

Jumbo candy canes can reach 10-12 inches while super size novelty candy canes may be 1-2 feet long. But when most people think of a normal sized candy cane, they picture the 5-6 inch size. This fits well in a stocking while still offering a satisfying sweet treat.

How many small candy canes come in a bag?

The typical bag of small candy canes contains 40-80 individual pieces, with 50 being the most standard quantity. Major candy brands like Brach’s sell 14 ounce bags with around 50 miniature 1.5 inch candy canes. Some discount stores offer smaller 20-30 count bags.

On the high end, Costco and Sam’s Club sell huge 3-5 pound bags with 200-400 mini candy canes. So while amounts vary, the most common size is a 14 ounce plastic bag with approximately 50 bite-size candy canes per bag.

Can you buy candy canes year round?

Yes, candy canes are available year round at most major retailers. While grocery stores, discount chains, and warehouse clubs offer the best availability and prices on candy canes, you can still find them anytime outside of the peak holiday season.