The reason is a dispute over prices between Rewe and the US consumer goods giant Mondelez, write several media outlets in Germany and Austria. Mondelez wants to impose higher prices for its products, but Rewe refuses, according to the “Lebensmittel Zeitung”, which first reported on it. The confectionery shelves are also emptying in Austria. “In order to be able to offer our customers the best price, we are constantly negotiating with our suppliers, including in the chocolate sector. Therefore, there may currently be shortages in certain places, but we are confident and are continuing to negotiate for a good solution in the interests of our customers Customers,” explained Rewe Austria according to the “Kleiner Zeitung” on Tuesday. At Mondelez they are more reserved. “I ask for your understanding that we generally do not comment publicly on ongoing discussions with our trading partners,” it said, according to the newspaper.
According to “Lebensmittel Zeitung”, Mondelez has imposed a delivery stop on the retailer because the companies have fallen out in price negotiations. Chocolate manufacturers are under pressure because of the increased cocoa prices – within a year the price of raw materials on the stock exchange has more than tripled. Many producers have therefore raised prices or announced increases this year.
It is not the first time that Rewe has taken on a heavyweight from the consumer goods industry. There was already a similar dispute with Mars over different price expectations. As a result, Snickers, Mars, Pedigree and Whiskas, Wrigley’s chewing gum and Ben’s rice disappeared from the shelves for a while in 2022.
