Nestle stops most of its Russian production, barring essentials

Bloomberg

Nestle SA, the world’s largest food maker, said it’s suspending the vast majority of its manufacturing in Russia amid growing pressure on multinationals to fully exit the country following its invasion of Ukraine.
The Swiss company is stopping the sale of brands like KitKat and Nesquik and will focus on essential foods including baby food and medical nutrition, it said in an emailed statement. The company is in the process of identifying solutions for its factories and employees in Russia, who will continue to be paid, a spokesperson said, adding the move means Nestle will suspend most of its pre-war sales volume and production volume in Russia.
“As the war rages in Ukraine, our activities in Russia will focus on providing essential food, such as infant food and medical/hospital nutrition — not on making a profit,” Nestle said. “This approach is in line with our purpose and values. It upholds the principle of ensuring the basic right to food.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy criticised Nestle for still conducting business in Russia in a streamed speech to thousands of protesters in Switzerland’s capital of Bern. Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal sent a tweet saying CEO Mark Schneider has shown no understanding and that he hoped he would soon change his mind.
Nestle has been gradually reducing its footprint in Russia since the war began, first halting advertising and capital investments, and then earlier this month stopping shipments of non-essential products like Nespresso coffee capsules and San Pellegrino water. It has kept selling baby food, cereals and some pet food, but said it doesn’t make a profit from its remaining activities in Russia.
Nestle has more than 7,000 employees and six factories in Russia.