HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG

What HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG does

HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German family-owned confectionery company founded in 1922 by Hans Riegel Sr. in Bonn and headquartered in Grafschaft, Germany. The company invented the gummy bear and remains the world's leading gummy candy manufacturer, producing over 1,000 products globally sold under the HARIBO master brand and sub-brands such as Goldbears, Starmix, Sour Goldbears, Happy-Cola, Twin Snakes, Berry Clouds, and Z!NG. Core technology centers on proprietary recipes combining glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin, and natural/artificial flavors with specialized multi-texture manufacturing processes (classic chewy, foam, stretchable, multi-layer flavor) — Goldbears is America's #1 gummi by units sold (IRI 2023).

HARIBO generates revenue primarily through wholesale confectionery sales to mass-market retailers, supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty candy chains, and e-commerce channels, complemented by licensing/royalty income from branded collaborations (Harry Potter via Warner Bros. Discovery, JENNIE Ruby Hearts, CandyRific snack kits). The company distributes in over 35 countries, operates its own retail outlets at premium outlet malls in the US, and sells at unit price points (e.g., £1.25 per 175g Harry Potter sharing bag) across bags, rolls, and sharing formats. Customer segments span the general consumer market (children and adults), seasonal/holiday purchasers (63% of annual confectionery sales concentrate in four seasonal windows), and an emerging health-conscious consumer segment.

Key commercial infrastructure includes the 2023 opening of HARIBO's first North American manufacturing facility (500,000 sq. ft. in Pleasant Prairie, WI — the largest capital investment in company history), exclusive US distribution partnerships with Target (JENNIE collab) and IT'SUGAR (specialty candy), and a US regional headquarters in Rosemont, IL. The business operates under a decentralized model allowing country-specific marketing adaptations, supported by the Kids' Voices advertising campaign running in 19 countries since 2014 and a high-cadence product launch engine (Berry Clouds, Unicorn-i-licious, Sour Sodas, Harry Potter, Ruby Hearts). In 2022, the US business drove over $500MM in retail sales; the UK operation contributed 59.2% of total sugar confectionery category volume growth. The company faces regulatory pressure from evolving UK Nutrient Profiling Model reforms and a May 2025 product recall following cannabis contamination of cola sweets.

Name

HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG

Legal name

HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://haribo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German family-owned confectionery manufacturer that invented the gummy bear in 1922 and is the global leader in gummy candy, producing 1,000+ products sold through mass retail, specialty chains, and e-commerce in 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gummy Confectionery

NAICS

Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing (31134), Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113)

SIC

Sugar & Confectionery Products (2060)

akta.pro primary industry

Sugar Confectionery (Gummies, Hard Candy, Chews) (CRADABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Confectionery Manufacturing (Chocolate, Candy, Gum) (AFAKAAAD)

Keywords

• Gummy candy manufacturing
• Sugar confectionery products
• Branded candy retail
• Licensing collaborations
• Global confectionery distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Yorkshire

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Confectionery Product Sales: HARIBO generates primary revenue through the manufacture and sale of gummy candies, with over 1,000 products sold globally through retail partners, direct store distribution, and e-commerce channels. Products are sold at various price points in bags, rolls, and sharing formats.
2. Licensing and Brand Partnerships: HARIBO licenses its brand and characters for limited-edition products and collaborations with entertainment franchises (Harry Potter) and celebrities (JENNIE), generating additional revenue streams through royalty arrangements and expanded brand reach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG manufactures and globally distributes gummy-based sugar confectionery products, having invented the gummy bear in 1922. The company produces over 1,000 products worldwide, including its flagship Goldbears line, and sells through mass retailers, specialty candy stores, branded outlet shops, and e-commerce channels, complemented by brand licensing partnerships for limited-edition collaborations.

Product overview

HARIBO is a German confectionery company and the world's leading gummy candy manufacturer, having invented the gummy bear in 1922. The company produces over 1,000 products globally and operates as a single unified product line of gummy/candy offerings. HARIBO's portfolio consists primarily of sugar confectionery gummies available across multiple formats including classic bear shapes (Goldbears), animal and character shapes (Dinosaurs, Rainbow Worms, Mini Rainbow Frogs, Unicorn-i-licious), fruit shapes (Peaches, Berries), beverage-inspired (Happy-Cola, Sour Sodas), and multi-flavor mixes (Starmix, Roulette, Fruit Salad). The company differentiates through sour variants (Sour Goldbears, Z!NG Sour Streamers, Z!NG Sour S'ghetti), seasonal and limited-edition products (Red White & Blue Goldbears, Harry Potter Edition, Ruby Hearts collaboration with JENNIE), and specialty textures (Berry Clouds with triple-layer foam). HARIBO's US operations are headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, with the company's first North American manufacturing facility opened in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin in 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Goldbears: Iconic HARIBO gummy bear — America's #1 gummi by units sold (IRI 2023). Available since 1922.
• Starmix
• Mega-Roulette
• Roulette
• Unicorn-i-licious
• Happy Cherries
• Berry Clouds
• Sour Goldbears
• Z!NG Sour Streamers
• Z!NG Sour S'ghetti
• Red, White & Blue Goldbears
• Dinosaurs
• Rainbow Worms
• Mini Rainbow Frogs
• Berries
• Fruit Salad
• Twin Snakes
• Fizzy Cola
• Peaches
• Watermelon
• Happy-Cola

Products and services

• Goldbears The original HARIBO gummy bear featuring five fruit flavors (pineapple, orange, lemon, strawberry, raspberry); HARIBO's flagship product.
• Twin Snakes Two-flavor coiled gummy snakes with pairings such as Cherry & Orange, Apple & Lemon, and Blueberry & Blackcurrant.
• Starmix Mix of five different gummy shapes (Goldbear, cola bottle, ring, foam heart, and foam egg) in various chewy textures and flavors.
• Sour Goldbears Classic Goldbear flavors (Lemon, Orange, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry) with a sour and tangy coating.
• Happy-Cola Mini cola bottle-shaped gummies delivering classic cola flavor in a chewy format.
• Z!NG Sour Streamers Stretchable, twistable sour gummy streamers in Sour Cherry, Sour Blue Raspberry, Sour Orange, and Sour Apple.
• Peaches Peach-shaped gummies with sweet, velvety soft texture and peach flavor.
• Watermelon Watermelon-flavored gummies with three layers of color and flavor and a soft, juicy texture.
• Z!NG Sour S'ghetti Extra-sour strands of sugar-coated gummies in Strawberry, Blueberry, Green Apple, and Watermelon.
• Happy Cherries Cherry-shaped gummies with playful design and intense fruity flavor.
• Roulette Conveniently packaged rolls containing five fruity flavors (Lemon, Orange, Pineapple, Raspberry, Strawberry).
• Mega-Roulette Larger version of Roulette with five fruity flavors in a mega-sized roll.
• Unicorn-i-licious Unicorn-shaped gummies in six flavors including Apple, Blue Raspberry, Berry Punch, Banana, Cotton Candy, and Tangerine.
• Berry Clouds Triple-layer foam gummi with soft, cloud-like texture in Blueberry, Wildberry, and Strawberry flavors; Product of the Year 2023.
• Rainbow Worms Squiggly, wiggly worm-shaped gummies in lemon, strawberry, and black currant flavors.
• Dinosaurs Dinosaur-shaped gummies in flavors including Strawberry, Mango, Banana, Melon, and Blackcurrant.
• Mini Rainbow Frogs Small-sized rainbow frog-shaped gummies in strawberry, lemon, orange, and raspberry flavors.
• Berries Red and black berry-shaped gummies combining soft and crunchy textures.
• Fruit Salad Sugar-dusted fruit gummies in Cherry, Peach, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Passion Fruit flavors.
• Red, White & Blue Goldbears Patriotic limited-edition Goldbears in Cherry, Pineapple, and Blue Raspberry flavors for US summer celebrations.
• Ruby Hearts Limited-edition gummies collaboration with JENNIE, inspired by her 'Ruby' era; sold exclusively at Target.
• Sour Sodas Sour soda-flavored gummy product featuring three flavors, debuted in Houston with nationwide rollout.
• Harry Potter Limited Edition Gummies Themed sharing bags featuring Harry, Hermione, and Ron characters with six flavors: candy floss, cola, lemon sorbet, green apple, caramel, and cherry.
• Harry Potter Brand Licensing & Limited-Edition Products Harry Potter themed gummies sold under licensing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, with branded packaging and themed flavors.

Quantifiable outcome

• US retail sales exceeded $500 million in 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Recht LogistikcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026HARIBO partnered with transport operator Recht Logistik to deploy battery electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 semi trucks for deliveries between facilities in Grafschaft, Neuss, and Eindhoven. The company expects electrified routes to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 37 kg per 100 km, translating to over 40 metric tons annually on the two daily cycles. This initiative is part of HARIBO's broader sustainability strategy.
• JENNIEflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 November 2025HARIBO collaborated with global superstar JENNIE to launch 'Ruby Hearts' gummies in the United States, available exclusively at Target stores and Target.com. The limited-edition product was inspired by JENNIE's 'Ruby' era and reflects her artistic style, generating significant fan interest since teasing the product in April 2025.
• Warner Bros. DiscoveryflagshipOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 15 April 2025HARIBO launched three Harry Potter limited edition sharing bags in the UK featuring themed packaging with Harry, Hermione, and Ron characters and six flavors (candy floss, cola, lemon sorbet, green apple, caramel, cherry). This represents a new licensing partnership for the Harry Potter franchise.
• IT'SUGARflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 October 2024IT'SUGAR and HARIBO announced an exclusive partnership for specialty candy retail distribution, positioning HARIBO products prominently in IT'SUGAR's candy-focused retail locations.
• CandyRificcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 27 June 2024CandyRific and HARIBO confirmed a licensing agreement for Haribo-themed snack kits and holiday products. The partnership produces items like Movie Night Snack Kits and holiday snack buckets featuring HARIBO branding.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• PEZ International: Austrian-based confectionery manufacturer known for PEZ dispensers and related gummy/candy products. Comparable as a smaller international peer with licensing and character-driven sugar confectionery products competing for the same family/kids demographic.

Direct peers

• Cloetta: Swedish-based sugar and chocolate confectionery manufacturer with brands including Kexchoklad and Sweet Pandas. Comparable as a European sugar confectionery peer competing in similar grocery and convenience channels across Nordic and broader European markets.
• Jelly Belly Candy Company: US-based premium jelly bean and gummy candy manufacturer. Comparable as a directly competing specialty sugar confectionery brand with overlapping distribution through grocery, mass retail, and premium outlets, targeting similar consumer occasions.
• Just Born, Inc. US confectionery manufacturer producing Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, and Peeps. Comparable as a directly competing sugar confectionery manufacturer with similar seasonal product strategy and mass retail distribution footprint.
• Ferrara Candy Company: US-based sugar confectionery manufacturer producing gummy, chewy, and novelty candies (Black Forest, SweeTarts, Trolli). Directly comparable as a non-chocolate sugar confectionery competitor serving mass retail and convenience channels with similar price points and target consumers.
• Perfetti Van Melle: Global sugar confectionery company producing Mentos, Chupa Chups, Fruittella, and other gummy/candy brands. Directly comparable as a multinational non-chocolate confectionery peer competing for similar shelf space, consumers, and licensing/franchise opportunities.

Broad incumbents

• Mondelez International: Global snacks and confectionery conglomerate owning brands such as Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, Maynards, and Trident. Comparable as a broad incumbent with significant gummy and chewy confectionery exposure competing in identical retail channels and seasonal moments.
• Mars, Inc. (Wrigley/Mars Confectionery): Global confectionery giant producing Skittles, Starburst, M&M's, and a wide gum/candy portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent in sugar confectionery with overlapping gummy and chewy categories, though Mars operates across chocolate, pet food, and other segments well beyond HARIBO's gummy focus.
• The Hershey Company: Major US-headquartered confectionery manufacturer producing chocolate and sugar confections including Twizzlers, SweeTarts (legacy brands). Comparable as a broad incumbent competing in the same mass and grocery channels with overlapping seasonal and gummy-adjacent product lines.

Regional players

• Meiji Holdings: Japanese confectionery company producing gummy and chocolate candies including the Gummy Choco brand. Comparable as a peer in sugar confectionery (particularly gummies) operating primarily in the Asian market where HARIBO also has presence via the Kids' Voices campaign executed in Japan and Korea.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCDRCXCrqXDfEHW8dRUNxEPg
• Facebookfacebook.com/haribo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/haribo-france
• Instagraminstagram.com/haribousa
• Xx.com/tagadaofficiel

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HARIBO GmbH & Co. KG