A 12-ton shipment of KitKat chocolate bars has been stolen in Europe, disappearing during transit from central Italy to Poland just days before the Easter rush. Nestlé confirmed that a truck carrying 413,793 units from its new chocolate range went missing last week while moving between production and distribution points. The company said “the vehicle and its contents remain unaccounted for,” and did not disclose where along the route the theft took place.
The scale of the loss comes at a critical time. The shipment was meant to be distributed across several European countries, placing store supply at risk during one of the busiest periods for chocolate sales. Nestle warned that “the theft may lead to a shortage of KitKats appearing on shelf,” adding that “consumers, unfortunately, may struggle to find their favourite chocolates ahead of Easter.” For buyers, this means fewer products on shelves as demand rises.
“We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat,” a spokesperson said. “But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tonnes of our chocolate.” The company also warned that the stolen products “could enter unofficial sales channels across European markets,” raising concerns that the bars may resurface outside regulated retail systems.
Nestle said investigations are ongoing in coordination with local authorities and supply chain partners. Each bar carries a unique batch code that allows the shipment to be traced if it appears in the market. “If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat who will then share the evidence appropriately,” the company said.
In a later statement, KitKat said there are no concerns for consumer safety and that supply is not affected, even as efforts continue to locate the missing truck and contain the impact of the theft.
