Nestlé to cease production at its confectionery factory in Miskolc by the end of 2026, bringing an end to more than six decades of manufacturing at one of the company’s longest-established production sites in Hungary.
The decision follows a sustained decline in demand for seasonal hollow chocolate figures, the factory’s sole product line. Employee representatives were informed of the decision earlier this month, while negotiations over the sale of the factory are already at an advanced stage.
A factory dedicated to seasonal chocolate
The Diósgyőr facility has specialised exclusively in the production of hollow chocolate figures, including Easter bunnies and Santa Claus chocolates, that have been exported to markets around the world for decades.
But falling demand for these seasonal products has significantly reduced the plant’s output, making continued production economically unsustainable. Despite the closure, consumers will continue to find Nestlé’s seasonal chocolate figures on store shelves, with production moving to an independent manufacturing partner.
Limited impact on Nestlé’s Hungarian operations
The Miskolc factory accounts for less than 3% of Nestlé Hungaria’s annual revenue and just 0.4% of the company’s domestic manufacturing output, having a niche role within the group’s broader production network.
Nestlé confirmed that its factories in Szerencs, one of Europe’s largest soluble coffee production sites, and Bük, where the company manufactures pet food, will continue to receive investment and remain central to its Hungarian manufacturing operations.
