Since Hostess’ Nov. 16 announcement it would be going out of business, a black market of its products has emerged. Stores have not been able to keep Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos and other Hostess treats on shelves, as consumers have attempted to stock up on their favorite goodies, preparing for what has been termed the Twinkie-pocalypse. Some, however, have purchased excess baked goods in order to resell them online at wildly inflated prices.

Ebay sellers are listing boxes of Twinkies and Donettes as high as $21 million—granted they haven’t found buyers yet. Other Ebay listings offer Hostess products for $3 million and state 50 percent of proceeds will be donated to charity. Many Ebay sellers are auctioning their Twinkies to the highest bidder, however, and some bidding wars have ensued. More often, buyers are purchasing boxes of snack cakes for $20 to $30 each. Likewise, on Amazon.com Twinkies are selling from $15 to $50 a box, and individual twin-packs can be found for $8 to $10 each.

Before any Twinkie or Ding Dong fans start pulling from retirement in order to finance their future sweet tooth cravings, they should certainly keep in mind the final chapter for Hostess has not yet been written. Hostess CEO Gregory Rayburn has said he plans to seek a buyer for Hostess’ various brands, including Twinkies.

“I’m certainly hopeful that we can sell the brands and the brands will live on,” Rayburn told CNBC. “They’re iconic.”

Various media have reported that manufacturers ConAgra and Flowers Food expressed interest in purchasing some of Hostess’ brands, as has Little Debbie baker McKee Foods. Another contender for the products is Mexico’s Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest bread baking company and part owner of Sara Lee, Entenmann’s and Thomas English Muffins. According to Forbe’s, Grupo Bimbo offered to buy Hostess for $580 million several years ago. Hostess value may now be as low as $135 million.

Samantha Lile

Samantha Lile is a 2002 Missouri State University graduate of journalism and mass media. She has served as a reporter and editor for various newspapers throughout her journalism career. She made the leap into writing full-time after working for a major financial institution since 2000.

Because of her banking background, Samantha is knowledgeable in finance reporting, but is also strong in commentaries, personal profiles, youth studies, horticulture, history and entertainment-related works.

Samantha lives in Ozark, Mo. with her husband of nine years, four dogs and two cats.

More Posts