Mondelez 'singled out' in boycott over Russia business: executive, 16 June 2023

Mondelez International's Europe president said...that the Milka chocolate bar-maker was being "singled out and treated differently" from rival companies that are also continuing to sell food and drinks in Russia, according to a memo seen by Reuters.

In the memo titled "A note on Nordics/Russia" sent to employees...Vinzenz Gruber wrote about the boycotts initiated against Mondelez by Scandinavian companies over its decision to remain in Russia where it is legally permitted to operate. He described the pressure in the Nordics as "challenging," and that he was "deeply saddened by what's happening" to its brands there. Marabou is popular in Sweden, and Freia is Norwegian.

"It is hard for all of us to see our company singled out and treated differently from other peers despite the realities of the situation," Gruber said in the memo, which was distributed internally at Mondelez. "If you look in most kitchen cupboards, you will see many products from food and beverage companies that have not exited Russia." Gruber didn't refer to any specific brands.

"If there were boycotts on all brands that have parent companies with activity in Russia, there would be a food supply issue," Gruber said, without specifying any brands.

The boycotts, initiated by companies including airline SAS, began last week in Sweden and Norway. The backlash stemmed from Ukraine's National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption naming Mondelez an "international sponsor of war" last month for continuing to sell its goods in Russia. Mondelez did not comment on the designation...