site.btaBulgaria's Oldest Chocolate Factory in Svoge Marks 100th Anniversary

The oldest chocolate factory in Bulgaria Tuesday celebrated its 100th anniversary in the presence of US Ambassador Kenneth Merten. The factory in the town of Svoge, established in 1924, has built a reputation for quality and become an important economic factor in the region, the organizers of the event said.

The factory director, Anna Marinkova, said the 100th anniversary is a landmark moment for all people working there. She stressed she is proud of the factory's teams and all the employees involved in production and administration. "I am delighted to work with outstanding professionals, young, capable and ambitious people. Here in Bulgaria, we implement specific complex production processes unique to this location," she added.

About 400 people are employed in production and administration, and the products are sold in about 25 markets in five continents. Since 1993, the factory has been part of the family of international giant Kraft Jacobs Suchard, from which Mondelez International emerged.

US Ambassador Mertens said in his address that this is a truly impressive success story, achieved thanks to the strong partnership between Mondelez headquarters and the team in Svoge.

Ivaylo Naydenov, Mondelez International General Manager for Southern and Central Europe, said the chocolate factory in Svoge is of strategic importance to the company. He said Svoge makes 171 varieties of products from the company's portfolio in more than 40 flavours that reach five continents, and thanked Anna Marinkova and all colleagues at the plant for being pioneers in innovative and complex projects. The diverse product range positions the factory in Bulgaria as an asset for the company, Naydenov added.

Mondelez International sells its products in more than 150 countries worldwide and had net revenues of approximately USD 36 billion in 2023. The company is a member of the Standard and Poor's 500, NASDAQ 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Mondelez Bulgaria was established at the acquisition of the chocolate factory in Svoge in 1993 (then Kraft Foods), where local brands such as Moreni, Svoge and Sezoni were made.

The anniversary book, written entirely by factory employees, was launched at the event. The book-album titled The River of Time will be donated to the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library and all regional libraries.