Italy: Ferrero to partner with Unilever on Kinder ice cream

Confectionery and nut butter firm Ferrero is to partner with FMCG multinational Unilever to bring the Kinder chocolate brand to the ice cream category, according to a report in La Stampa.

Under the terms of the agreement, Ferrero will license the Kinder brand to Unilever, who in turn will take responsibility for production and distribution. The brand range will reportedly be launched in cup, stick, cone and sandwich formats, with the first products set to hit shelves in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland from 2018.

The Kinder ice cream range will represent the Italian firm’s first major foray into the ice cream space.

In a statement, Ferrero said: “This is an important step forward in strengthening our competitive position in the chocolate and confectionery market. We will leverage Unilever’s considerable expertise to maximise this opportunity”.

Source: La Stampa