Food giant gives up on NZ choc makers
Multinational food giant Mondelez International says a New Zealand supplier rejected the opportunity to make Jaffas and Beanies to replace production from the Cadbury site in Dunedin.
Beanies look similar to M&Ms or Smarties and the volume produced is four times that of Jaffas.
One of the main Kiwi manufacturers, Oamaru-based Rainbow Confectionery, said Mondelez had offered it crumbs rather than substance.
‘‘We were not offered a contract to make Jaffas. We offered to buy the brand and make them but were declined,’’ Rainbow’s operations manager, Brent Baillie, said.
However, Rainbow will be making Ojays, which are similar to Jaffas, and was investigating making Snifters.
James Kane, Mondelez’s New Zealand country head, said he talked with a number of suppliers about making the products in New Zealand on behalf of the company.
‘‘However, no supplier was able to meet our taste and quality standards,’’ he said.
Kane said the company identified a supplier that could, with support, reach the standards required as a partner to manufacture Jaffas in New Zealand within the timeframe to continue supply.
‘‘As such, Jaffas and Beanies were then offered to this supplier, which included Mondelez providing technical support from our Dunedin team to get them up to our standards,’’ he said.
‘‘We also offered to give them the required manufacturing equipment for free … Unfortunately, they declined this offer.
‘‘Members of our Dunedin and regional teams have invested a great deal of time and resources to retain some local manufacturing in New Zealand and we were very disappointed that the third party decided not to proceed, but we respect their decision.
‘‘Our focus now is to ensure we continue to make these products to the same taste and quality that Kiwis currently enjoy.’’