Week-long strike at Nutella factory causes ingredients to run low

An on-going strike at a Nutella factory in northern France is causing key ingredients to run low of the popular hazelnut spread, which is made by Ferrero, the world’s third-largest confectionery company.

The Villers-Écalles factory produces 600,000 jars a day of the cocoa and hazelnut spread, making it the biggest Nutella producer in the world.

Fabrice Canchel of the Force Ouvrière (FO) union said 160 employees had been on strike since May 27. “No lorry has gone in or out of the site since then​,” he told French media on Monday.

Production of Ferrero’s Kinder Bueno has also been halted. “The raw materials are starting to run short​,” Canchel said.

According to reports, the strikers have called for a 4.5% pay rise and a €900 ($1,120) bonus. Bosses have offered a 0.4% rise.

Contacted by ConfectioneryNews, Ferrero, a family firm known for secrecy, declined to comment on the dispute.

Ferrero employs more than 30,000 people and the company reported a turnover of €10.7bn ($12.03bn) in the previous financial year.