Mondelez to bring Milka chocolates to China market

DEERFIELD - Global snack maker Mondelez International said it will enter China's $2.8 billion chocolate market.

Europe's Milka brand will hit shelves in September with more than a dozen core products, alongside special editions created for seasonal occasions, as the company looks to capitalize on China's growing love for chocolate.

"When we launched our growth plan last year, we said we'd focus on geographic white spaces where we could accelerate the growth of our core categories and Power Brands," said Tim Cofer, chief growth officer. "This is a perfect example of that plan in action - launching a snacking category where we're already a world leader into an emerging market where we have an established, successful presence.

Stephen Maher, President of Mondelez China, said the company has had products in China for over 30 years, "so we know this market and what it takes to launch a business here.

"In 2012, we entered the gum category in China for the first time and have now built this into a $200 million business with two much-loved brands," Maher said. "The strength of our iconic Milka brand, combined with a winning recipe uniquely designed for Chinese consumers gives us great confidence that we'll be successful with chocolate in China, too."

Mondelez is one of the world's largest chocolate companies, with a portfolio of iconic brands, including Milka, Cadbury Dairy Milk, Côte d'Or, Lacta and Toblerone. The move into China will enhance and accelerate the company's growth plan, by introducing a global Power Brand to one of the world's biggest markets.