Global confectionery giant Haribo has cancelled plans to build a new factory in Germany, citing “disruption” from market conditions.

"In recent years, ongoing global crises have led to supply chain disruption and increases in the cost of building materials. A project of this size requires certainty, both in terms of timeframes and budget,” a company spokesperson told Just Food.

In May 2024, the confectionery group had revealed plans to invest €300m (then $326.5m) at the site in Neuss-Holzheim industrial park in the North Rhine-Westphalia region. The proposed facility was scheduled to begin production in 2028, creating 100 local jobs.

The new site was projected to double the output capacity in Germany, using Haribo's Jülicher Landstrasse facility as a yardstick, located five kilometres away.

Under the original roadmap, the Goldbears maker planned to operate both locations concurrently for fruit gums and Maoam production until 2030, before decommissioning the older facility.

The rationale was that Haribo had indicated the Jülicher Landstrasse site could not be expanded in a way that was “sustainable” and “future-orientated” to absorb expanding consumer demand.

Haribo has now reversed that planned closure, confirming the Jülicher Landstrasse plant will remain operational while maintaining its workforce.

When asked about the strategy for the site, the spokesperson said: "We will work on a plan now.”

The Starmix producer also reiterated its commitment to its German footprint, adding it is focused on “modernising” existing facilities.

This covers the existing Neuss plant, which the spokesperson affirmed “remains an integral part of the Haribo family and a central component of our future business plans".

Beyond Neuss, Haribo also maintains domestic manufacturing operations in Bonn, Solingen, and Grafschaft.