Next up in Biden's America: There's Going to Be a Halloween Candy Shortage, Kids

(AP Photo/John Raoux)

We’ve reached the point in Biden’s America, almost 19 months into the most disastrous presidency in U.S. history, where a majority of Americans blame virtually everything bad that happens in the country or in their personal lives on— you guessed it — Joseph Robinette Biden Jr., the “star” of the horror show.

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Now, it appears we’ll see a shortage of Halloween candy this year.

As reported by Reuters, the Hershey Company — the 5th largest candy company in the world — on Thursday announced it will not be able to meet demand for the all-important “trick or treat” season this year, and will likely fall short during the Christmas season, as well. The company cited scarcity of raw ingredients and difficulties in securing suppliers.

Executive Officer Michele Buck summed it up: “We will not be able to fully meet consumer demand due to capacity constraints.”

The 128-year-old company, a cornerstone of America’s candy history, produces some of the most beloved Halloween candy out there, including Hershey’s Chocolate Bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Kit Kats, Mounds, Good & Plenty, Bubble Yum, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, Whatchamacallits, Milk Duds, 5th Avenue, and Hershey’s Kisses.

So, what’s a popular confectionery manufacturer to do when faced with capacity constraints, yet still concerned with its shareholders and bottom line? What every other company in Biden’s America is being forced to do: raise prices. While Hershey expects more consumer pushback over higher prices in the second half of the year, the company is relying on price increases to boost growth.

CFRA Research analyst Arun Sundaram said Hershey is well positioned to ride out supply chain issues.

Historically, Hershey’s sales growth has been driven by higher prices and not necessarily volume […] The company is entering this period from a position of strength with that expertise.

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The company’s numbers speak for themselves, per Reuters:

Shares of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup maker rose 2.5% in morning trading after the company lifted its profit and sales forecasts, benefiting from price hikes amid resilient demand for its chocolates and candies.

Hershey’s net sales rose over 19% to $2.37 billion in the quarter ended July 3, beating analysts’ estimates of $2.22 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv.

Hershey saw its net sales rise more than 19% in the second quarter – raking in $2.37 billion compared to estimates of $2.22 billion.

[The company] raised its 2022 adjusted profit per share growth forecast to 12% to 14%, from 10% to 12%. Hershey also said it now expects net sales to grow between 12% and 14%, compared with [the]10% to 12% estimated earlier.

Incidentally, the Hershey Company isn’t the only major confectionery manufacturer to be faced with Bidenomics and Bidenflation.

As reported by CNN Business, Nestlé — the world’s largest food company — said it raised prices by 6.5 percent in the first half of 2022 because of an “unprecedented” rise in costs. The company raised its prices the most in North America — a 9.8 percent increase — followed by Latin America at 9.4 percent, Nestlé said in a statement Thursday. Rising costs for commodities, packaging, freight, and energy weighed on the company’s operating profit margin, Nestlé (NSRGF) said. Joe Biden was unavailable for comment.

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Nestlė CEO Mark Schneider echoed CFRA’s analysis of Hersey’s positioning:

We limited the impact of unprecedented inflationary pressures and supply chain constraints on our margin development through disciplined cost control and operational efficiencies.

Are you smarter than a clueless president?

The bottom line:

Again, can the challenges facing major corporations be laid solely at the feet of the most inept president in the history of America? Given that the operative word here is solely, the answer is no.

Here’s a better question: Have the policies of the Biden White House from day one helped the American economy, including Hershey and Nestlė, or have they continually exacerbated at every step of the way the monumental issues facing both producers and consumers?

The question is rhetorical; the answer is “B.”

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