A 12-ton shipment of Nestle’s KitKat bars was stolen in a heist that risks a shortage in stores just before Easter.
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, Nestle told AFP that “a truck transporting 413,793 units of its new chocolate range has been stolen during transit in Europe.” The shipment went missing last week between production and distribution locations, according to the company.
Nestle Heist
A spokesperson told AFP, “We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat. But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tons of our chocolate.”
According to Nestle, the stolen truck left a factory in central Italy and was on its way to Poland when it was stolen, and “the vehicle and its contents remain unaccounted for.”
“Investigations are ongoing in close collaboration with local authorities and supply chain partner,” the company says.
The chocolatier is concerned the stolen chocolate bars may lead to a KitKat shortage and buyers may struggle to find their favorite candy just before Easter. It added that the missing chocolate “could enter unofficial sales channels across European markets.”
It is possible to trace the stolen candy by scanning the unique batch codes on each bar, according to Nestle. “If a match is found, the scanner will be given clear instructions on how to alert KitKat who will then share the evidence appropriately.”
Nestle says cargo theft has increased. “Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue for businesses of all sizes. With more sophisticated schemes being deployed on a regular basis, we have chosen to go public with our own experience in the hope that it raises awareness of an increasingly common criminal trend.”
Sources:
DW.com: Nestle says thieves stole 12 tons of KitKat chocolate bars USA Today: Thieves stole 12 tons of chocolate cars, KitKat maker says cbsnews.com: 12 tons of KitKat bars stolen in chocolaty heist in Europe, Nestle says
Featured Image Courtesy of Jesús Pérez Pacheco’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
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