Jaffas: Beloved Candy Faces Possible Farewell

A Sweet Treat’s Uncertain Future

The future of the beloved Jaffas candies hangs in the balance after recent reports of their removal from store shelves. This development has sparked sadness amongst fans of the spherical, orange-flavored treats.

While online stores initially showed the product, the candy’s availability remains uncertain. **RJ’s**, the company that took over manufacturing, stated that they are focused on new product innovation.

“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”.

—RJ’s, Statement

Introduced in 1931, the confection was created by **James Stedman-Henderson’s Sweets Ltd** in Sydney, Australia. The treat, though popular in New Zealand, has Australian origins.

Past Events and Production Changes

In 2018, **RJ’s** partnered with **Mondelez International** to handle the production of Jaffas. This followed **Mondelez’s** decision to close its Dunedin factory, which previously manufactured New Zealand Cadbury products. Until that year, Dunedin hosted the Jaffa Race, where thousands of candies were released down Baldwin Street, known as the world’s steepest residential street.

According to a recent report, the global confectionery market is projected to reach $600 billion by 2027 (Statista 2024). This highlights the competitive nature of the industry that Jaffas must navigate.

Declining Sales

Similar to the developments in New Zealand, the candies faced removal from Woolworths stores in Australia in December 2023. The supermarket cited reduced sales as the reason for this decision. **RJ’s**, based in Levin, also produces other well-known confectionery items.