Lindt relocates production: Golden rabbits from the USA in the future!

Lindt relocates production: Golden rabbits from the USA in the future!

Lindt & Sprüngli has announced that it will move production of its iconic gold-wrapped Easter bunnies to the USA. This comes as part of a planned investment of up to $10 million at the Stratham, New Hampshire site. The move was made necessary because the Trump administration has imposed import tariffs of 15 percent on chocolate products from the EU, significantly impacting the competitiveness of European manufacturers.

The golden Easter bunnies are currently made exclusively in Germany. However, Lindt is also exploring the possibility of moving production of other popular chocolate characters, such as Santa Claus, to the United States. The Company has been evaluating the creation of additional investments in the US market for several years, underscoring the importance of this market to the Company.

Market growth and strategic importance

The US represents a strategically important market for Lindt, with sales of $843 million last year and growth of 4.9 percent. Developments in international trade relations, including a 39 percent tariff on imports from Switzerland, are increasing the nervousness of European companies and forcing them to take quick reaction measures.

Lindt not only captures demand in the USA, but also thinks about the Canadian audience. The company is considering moving production for the Canadian market from Boston to European locations, motivated by Canada's retaliatory tariffs against the United States. These strategic considerations show that Lindt reacts flexibly to the challenges in international trade.

Rising costs and price adjustments

A key factor influencing Lindt's decisions is the increased cost of raw materials, particularly cocoa prices. These developments have already led to a 16 percent price increase for Lindt products in the first half of the year. Further price increases of around 10 percent have been announced for the German market for the coming Easter period. These pricing strategies reflect the challenges posed by globalization and protectionist measures.

While Lindt continues to produce its products locally in the regions where they are sold, the question remains how changes in international trade will impact its long-term business strategy. For more information about Lindt and their products visit Lindt USA.