Who owns Marabou chocolate?

Marabou chocolate is ultimately owned by Mondelēz International, Inc., a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. The ownership chain is Marabou, Mondelez Sverige AB, then Mondelēz International, Inc.

Is Marabou chocolate gluten free?

Some Marabou products may have recipes without gluten-containing ingredients, but gluten-free status must be checked product by product. Read the package's ingredient and allergen declaration, especially if you have coeliac disease or a wheat allergy.

Is Marabou chocolate halal?

Halal status depends on the specific Marabou product, market and certification or ingredient declaration. Check the packaging for halal certification and review ingredients such as flavourings, emulsifiers and gelatin before purchase.

Is Marabou chocolate vegetarian?

Some Marabou products may be suitable for vegetarians, while others can contain ingredients that are not suitable for every vegetarian diet. Check the product label for gelatin, animal-derived ingredients and any vegetarian suitability statement.

Is Marabou sold in the United States?

Marabou has an established presence in European markets, including Sweden and Germany, but availability in the United States depends on importers and individual retailers. Product names, recipes and labelling may differ from those used in Sweden.

Is Marabou the same as Milka?

Marabou and Milka are separate chocolate brands. Both are owned by Mondelēz International, but Marabou originated in Sweden and Milka is a different brand with its own product identity and history.

Why is Marabou named after a stork?

Marabou was named after the marabou stork depicted in Freia's packaging and logo. The chocolate brand's name therefore comes from a bird associated with its founding company's visual identity.

Who owns Marabou?

Marabou

Ultimate ownerUnited StatesMondelēz International, Inc.

Brand origin: Sweden
Main production: Several countries, incl. Sweden

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Ownership chain

BrandMarabouSweden
Mondelez Sverige AB
Ultimate ownerMondelēz International, Inc.United States

About Marabou

What is Marabou?

Marabou is a Swedish chocolate brand that makes chocolate confectionery. Marabou was founded in 1916 as a Swedish subsidiary of the Norwegian chocolate company Freia. The brand is now part of Mondelēz International and is associated with products including Marabou milk chocolate, Japp, Daim, Twist, Fortuna and Non Stop. Marabou's official website is marabou.se. Marabou's Swedish operating company is Mondelez Sverige AB.

Who owns Marabou?

Marabou is ultimately owned by Mondelēz International, Inc., according to Made O'Meter's ownership data verified on 13 September 2026. The ownership chain is Marabou, Mondelez Sverige AB, then Mondelēz International, Inc. Mondelēz International, Inc. is headquartered in the United States and is a publicly listed company. Marabou's own website identifies the brand as part of the Mondelēz International group. Mondelēz International became Marabou's ultimate owner after Kraft Foods split in 2012. Marabou is not owned by Nestlé.

Where does Marabou come from?

Marabou originated in Sweden. Johan Throne Holst founded Marabou in 1916 in Sundbyberg, near Stockholm, as a Swedish subsidiary of his Norwegian chocolate company Freia. Freia had established the subsidiary and named Marabou after the marabou stork shown on Freia's packaging and logo. Marabou's first manufacturing site was a newly built chocolate factory in Sundbyberg. Production began there in 1919 after wartime restrictions on cocoa imports delayed the start. The first Marabou product was milk chocolate made with the same recipe as Freia's milk chocolate.

How did Marabou change ownership?

Marabou began as an independent Swedish operation that worked closely with Freia before Freia acquired the Marabou chocolate business. Henning Throne Holst, Johan Throne Holst's son, ran the Marabou factory from 1918 and served as chief executive from 1918 to 1947. During his leadership, Marabou's portfolio came to include Japp, Daim, Twist, Fortuna and Non Stop. Marabou acquired Skånska Fruktvin- och Likörfabriken in 1941, an acquisition that became the starting point for the frozen-food company Findus. Freia acquired all Marabou shares in 1990 and combined the businesses as Freia Marabou. The combined business became Scandinavia's leading manufacturer of chocolate and sugar confectionery. Kraft General Foods purchased Freia Marabou in 1993 for 3 billion Norwegian kroner. Kraft Foods later split in 2012, and Mondelēz International became Marabou's ultimate owner.

Where is Marabou chocolate made?

Marabou chocolate is manufactured at the Mondelēz facility in Upplands Väsby, north of Stockholm, Sweden. Marabou moved its Swedish factory from Sundbyberg to the new Upplands Väsby facility in the 1970s. The Upplands Väsby factory was inaugurated in 1976 and continues to manufacture Marabou chocolate. The former Sundbyberg factory site became associated with Marabouparken, which Sundbyberg municipality purchased in 2006. Marabou products have been sold in Germany since 1982. Marabou products are also associated with the Nordic markets through Mondelēz Sverige.

What products does Marabou make?

Marabou makes milk chocolate bars and other chocolate confectionery. Marabou's product history includes Japp, Daim, Twist, Fortuna and Non Stop. The original Marabou product was milk chocolate based on Freia's milk chocolate recipe. Marabou's wider product range includes chocolate bars with different fillings, pieces and flavour combinations, although the exact range varies by market. Mondelēz's wider portfolio also includes Milka, Cadbury, Toblerone, Côte d'Or, Suchard and Oreo, but these are separate brands from Marabou. Marabou and Milka therefore have the same ultimate owner, but they are not the same brand.

Is Marabou chocolate Swedish?

Marabou chocolate is Swedish in origin. Marabou was founded in Sundbyberg, Sweden, in 1916, and its Swedish manufacturing operations later moved to Upplands Väsby. Marabou is now owned by the United States headquartered company Mondelēz International, so the brand's origin and its current ultimate ownership are different facts. Marabou's Swedish operating company is Mondelez Sverige AB.

How should shoppers understand Marabou ingredients and dietary claims?

Whether a Marabou product is gluten free, halal or vegetarian depends on the specific product and its current ingredient and allergen labelling. Marabou products are not all interchangeable because recipes, fillings and manufacturing conditions can differ. Shoppers with coeliac disease, food allergies or religious dietary requirements should check the package for wheat, gluten, milk, nuts, gelatin and certification information before eating a product. A product recall involving undeclared almonds, wheat and nuts shows why allergen information matters for individual Marabou products. Ingredient and labelling requirements can also vary between countries.

Frequently asked questions about Marabou

Who owns Marabou chocolate?: Marabou chocolate is ultimately owned by Mondelēz International, Inc., a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States. The ownership chain is Marabou, Mondelez Sverige AB, then Mondelēz International, Inc.
Is Marabou chocolate gluten free?: Some Marabou products may have recipes without gluten-containing ingredients, but gluten-free status must be checked product by product. Read the package's ingredient and allergen declaration, especially if you have coeliac disease or a wheat allergy.
Is Marabou chocolate halal?: Halal status depends on the specific Marabou product, market and certification or ingredient declaration. Check the packaging for halal certification and review ingredients such as flavourings, emulsifiers and gelatin before purchase.
Is Marabou chocolate vegetarian?: Some Marabou products may be suitable for vegetarians, while others can contain ingredients that are not suitable for every vegetarian diet. Check the product label for gelatin, animal-derived ingredients and any vegetarian suitability statement.
Is Marabou sold in the United States?: Marabou has an established presence in European markets, including Sweden and Germany, but availability in the United States depends on importers and individual retailers. Product names, recipes and labelling may differ from those used in Sweden.
Is Marabou the same as Milka?: Marabou and Milka are separate chocolate brands. Both are owned by Mondelēz International, but Marabou originated in Sweden and Milka is a different brand with its own product identity and history.
Why is Marabou named after a stork?: Marabou was named after the marabou stork depicted in Freia's packaging and logo. The chocolate brand's name therefore comes from a bird associated with its founding company's visual identity.
Is Marabou Norwegian?: Marabou is Swedish in origin, although its founder Johan Throne Holst established it as a Swedish subsidiary of his Norwegian chocolate company Freia. Marabou's country of origin is Sweden, while its early corporate connection was Norwegian.