Latest news with #RJ'sConfectionery


Otago Daily Times
an hour 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
6 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.


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


Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Race on to stock up on Jaffas
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 jaffas used in each event. The last race was held in 2017 following the announcement of the closure of the Cadbury factory in Dunedin. 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

RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Iconic Jaffas to be discontinued for good after decline in sales
Photo: Supplied Iconic kiwi sweet treat Jaffas is being discontinued indefinitely and will no longer be available on any New Zealand shelves. Jaffas' parent company RJ's Confectionery told RNZ 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. While held dear to many kiwis, Jaffas was originally produced in 1931 by James Stedman-Henderson's Sweets Ltd in Australia. But the lolly is so iconic here in New Zealand, there was even an annual Jaffas race down the steepest street in the world - Baldwin Street Dunedin. RJ's Confectionery said it was sad to the iconic 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". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.