Latest news with #Jaffas
Otago Daily Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Otago lolly firm chews over Jaffa alternative
Oamaru-based sweets-maker Rainbow Confectionery has said it would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas as "we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH It may not be the end of the Jaffa after all. An Otago confectionery company has not ruled out creating its own alternative to the beloved orange treat it has dubbed an "iconic Kiwi favourite". RJ's Confectionery announced on Tuesday the sweet was being discontinued indefinitely, citing declining sales. Rainbow Confectionery general manager Brent Baillie said they were sad to see the "iconic" product taken away from New Zealand consumers. "Jaffas are as much of a cultural symbol to New Zealand confectionery lovers as Snifters were and their supporters will be left feeling a bit put out." It was a sign of the times, as excessive manufacturing costs had "severely impacted" the options to produce products that were not sold on volume. "This is just another example in a long line of departed iconic Kiwi favourites." Brent Baillie. Photo: file But when asked if the Oamaru-based sweets-maker would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas, Mr Baillie said: "Yes, definitely, as we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". There was no "real alternative" to the product on the market, he said. Jaffas were originally produced by Australia's James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd, in 1931. In 2018, Levin-based RJ's Confectionery announced the signing of a deal with Mondelez International to take over the manufacturing and production of the sweet. That followed the closure of Mondelez's Dunedin factory months earlier, which produced its New Zealand Cadbury's products. The city's annual Jaffas race down Baldwin St was last held in 2017.
Otago Daily Times
9 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Confectionery company may launch alternative to ‘iconic' Jaffa
Oamaru-based sweets-maker Rainbow Confectionery has said it would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas as "we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH It may not be the end of the Jaffa after all. An Otago confectionery company has not ruled out creating its own alternative to the beloved orange treat it has dubbed an "iconic Kiwi favourite". RJ's Confectionery announced on Tuesday the sweet was being discontinued indefinitely, citing declining sales. Rainbow Confectionery general manager Brent Baillie said they were sad to see the "iconic" product taken away from New Zealand consumers. "Jaffas are as much of a cultural symbol to New Zealand confectionery lovers as Snifters were and their supporters will be left feeling a bit put out." It was a sign of the times, as excessive manufacturing costs had "severely impacted" the options to produce products that were not sold on volume. "This is just another example in a long line of departed iconic Kiwi favourites." Brent Baillie. Photo: file But when asked if the Oamaru-based sweets-maker would consider launching its own alternative to Jaffas, Mr Baillie said: "Yes, definitely, as we believe the Kiwi customers deserve quality New Zealand-made confectionery". There was no "real alternative" to the product on the market, he said. Jaffas were originally produced by Australia's James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd, in 1931. In 2018, Levin-based RJ's Confectionery announced the signing of a deal with Mondelez International to take over the manufacturing and production of the sweet. That followed the closure of Mondelez's Dunedin factory months earlier, which produced its New Zealand Cadbury's products. The city's annual Jaffas race down Baldwin St was last held in 2017.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Deborah Pead: How do you mess up a Kiwi classic like Jaffas?
Levin-based lolly company RJ's has stopped making Jaffas. Photo / Getty Images THE FACTS 'We are unfortunately unable to keep making Jaffas due to declining sales,' said RJ's. 'There have sadly not been enough people buying Jaffas in recent times to support its continued ranging on shelves.' What a cop-out. And here's some PR advice for free: Don't blame the customer for
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Opinion: Jaffas have been discontinued. Are Pineapple Lumps also headed for extinction?
When was the last time you purchased a bag of Jaffas for your own consumption and enjoyment? It doesn't count if you purchased them to send to a friend overseas, or to give an international guest a 'Kiwi sweet treat,' to which they will politely 'mmm' in fake appreciation, despite there being far better chocolates out there that aren't an orange-flavoured choking hazard. When was the last time you strolled through the confectionery aisle, saw a bag of Jaffas amongst 2025's superior sweet offerings and thought to yourself, 'That is the one I want to spend my hard-earned money on'? When was the last time you sat down in front of the television and demolished a pack as it stained your mouth red and became more sickly with every sub-par bite? According to RJ's declining sales, not recently. In a tough competitor market, New Zealanders are faced with the harsh reality that there are better chocolates out there, and a nostalgic attachment to a product doesn't mean it's good. Nostalgia doesn't equal sales. Nostalgia doesn't equal good taste. Nostalgia doesn't mean it has to be around forever if it's no longer serving its purpose. If Kiwis wanted them to stick around, then they should have purchased them. Since the news dropped, I've spent my hours surveying my peers, some of whom assure me that the Jaffa is more than just a lolly to eat on its own. It's got many other purposes within New Zealand, you see. 'What about the Baldwin Street race? It's iconic!' the race enthusiast cries. Well, that hasn't taken place since 2017, when the Cadbury factory closed in Dunedin. If patriots are so passionate about Jaffas' place in the race, why haven't they been campaigning for its return for the last 8 years? The Baldwin St Jaffa race. Photo / Gerard O'Brien 'But I need to use them as Rudolph's nose on my Christmas-themed treats', the Kiwiana baker exclaims. Try a raspberry jube, or a strawberry. 'What will I eat at the movies though?!' the once-a-year movie goer pleads. Virtually any other $12 bag of lollies they have on sale will suffice. M&Ms are better in every way, so let's start there. Instead of complaining that a lolly you never ate is heading toward extinction, Kiwis need to face the hard facts that there's more Kiwiana headed to the chopping block if they don't buy it. When was the last time you purchased a Pineapple Lump to eat yourself? If you aren't a zany radio host trying to impress an international star with our local fare (while secretly knowing they are a bit meh), then chances are, you aren't keeping the sweet alive. Pineapple Lumps should be paying Jono and Ben a dividend at this point. And why haven't you purchased them in such a long time? Because just like the Jaffa, there are better sweets out there. To save Pineapple Lumps from the same fate as our so-called 'beloved' Jaffa, you might need to do the unthinkable and actually buy them, support the brand and take action to retain a treat voted Aotearoa's most iconic in a Herald poll. Pineapple Lumps Or, is it time we let go of some of the more average Kiwiana food offerings? Admit that the Jaffa, Pineapple Lump, Lamington and Kiwi Burger aren't that exceptional; there are better options out there, even if these treats mean something to us on a national level. If you are buying them and supporting them, that's awesome, and you've done your bit. This hot take isn't for you. It's for the Kiwis who cried out 'No!', 'How could they?' and 'F*** you RJs' in the comments section on Facebook, despite the fact that they haven't spent a cent on Jaffas in the last 15 years. The Jaffa is disappearing because of you, and if you aren't careful, your subpar lumps will be next. Jenni Mortimer is the NZ Herald's chief lifestyle and entertainment reporter. Jenni started at the Herald in 2017 and has previously worked as lifestyle, entertainment and travel editor.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Jaffas bite the dust
Thousands of Jaffas hurtle down Dunedin's Baldwin St, the world's steepest, in 2015. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN/ODT Iconic sweet treat Jaffas is being discontinued indefinitely and will no longer be available on any New Zealand shelves. Parent company RJ's Confectionery told RNZ today the decision to stop manufacturing the lolly was "due to declining sales". "We know this will be disappointing news for many Kiwis and loyal Jaffas fans around New Zealand. "Many of us have grown up enjoying the classic flavour combo of the crispy orange shell and smooth chocolate centre. "However, there have sadly not been enough people buying Jaffas in recent times to support its continued ranging on shelves," a company spokesperson said. RJ's Confectionery is discontinuing Jaffas. Photo: supplied While held dear to many Kiwis, Jaffas were originally produced in 1931 by James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd in Australia. The lolly is so iconic in New Zealand, there was even an annual Jaffas race down Dunedin's Baldwin St - the world's steepest. The races were run as fundraisers for Make-a-Wish, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the Parents Centre, with up to 25,000 lollies used. The last race was held in 2017 following the announcement that the Cadbury factory in Dunedin would close. RJ's Confectionery said it was sad to the treat go. "While it is extremely tough for us to say goodbye to Jaffas, we are committed to continuing to innovate across our extensive RJ's range with delicious new products to excite and delight consumers". - additional reporting ODT Online
