Cadbury Owner Mondelez Pressured to Halt Sales in Russia
Mondelez International, the multinational behind Cadbury, is facing mounting political pressure in the UK to cease its operations in Russia amid ongoing concerns over the war in Ukraine. MPs and members of the House of Lords have urged the confectionery giant to stop selling its products in the region, calling for a reassessment of its ethical responsibilities.
This scrutiny follows reports that Mondelez continues to generate significant revenues in Russia, despite widespread corporate withdrawals prompted by the invasion of Ukraine. According to Yale University’s leadership tracker, Mondelez falls into the category of companies that are “digging in” and maintaining substantial business in Russia. The US-based firm derived approximately 3.5% of its global revenues—equivalent to around £720 million—from Russia in 2022.
In a letter backed by several UK parliamentarians and addressed to Mondelez’s chief executive, Dirk Van de Put, the company was asked to exit the Russian market and distance its brands from war-associated economic support. The correspondence highlighted the reputational risks of continuing to operate in a country engaged in aggressive military action.
The backlash has been reinforced by consumer and business-led boycotts across Europe. In recent months, Mondelez products—including Cadbury, Oreo, and Toblerone—have been removed from public procurement lists and store shelves in parts of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Danish pension funds and Norwegian grocery suppliers are among those who have publicly placed the company under restriction due to its Russian presence.
Mondelez has defended its position by stating that it has scaled back new investments and advertising in Russia, and has suspended capital spending in the region. However, critics argue that the company’s continued operations provide tax revenues that indirectly support the Kremlin’s military efforts.
For FMCG leaders, the case underscores the complex balance between global market presence and corporate responsibility. With ethical supply chains and geopolitical risks increasingly influencing consumer perception and procurement decisions, brand owners face rising pressure to align corporate strategy with stakeholder expectations.
As scrutiny on FMCG multinationals intensifies, Mondelez’s situation may serve as a pivotal moment for industry peers reassessing their operational footprints in politically sensitive regions.