Nestle to stop sales of KitKat bars and Nesquik in Russia

NESTLÉ, the world’s largest food firm, is to halt sales of KitKat bars and Nesquik mix in Russia.

It follows criticism over its presence in the country after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

Nestle is to halt sales of KitKat and Nesquik mix in Russia after criticism of its presence in the countryCredit: Alamy

The move follows Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine — The move follows Vladimir Putin’s invasion of UkraineCredit: AFP

Yesterday Nestlé said it would “suspend the vast majority of our pre-war volume in Russia” — reducing its offering to items such as baby formula and medical nutrition.

The Swiss group said this approach “upholds the principle of ensuring the basic right to food”.

Last week Ukraine PM Denys Shmyhal tweeted that he had spoken with Nestlé’s chief executive Mark Schneider about “the side effect of staying in the Russian market”.

At the weekend, Ukraine’s President Zelensky called out several firms for staying in Russia.

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Nestlé made around £1.4billion in revenues from Russia last year.

More than 400 firms have scaled back operations over the invasion.

But consumer goods groups have been more reluctant to cease operations, citing their large numbers of staff in the country and provision of essential goods.

French group DANONE said yesterday it would continue local production in Russia of essential dairy and infant nutrition products, but that it had cut other ties with the country.