Damon Mcknight
Cadbury, one of the best-known British brands, was founded in 1824 in Birmingham, England, by John Cadbury. In 1881, the company received its first overseas order from Australia. As part of its international expansion plans, Cadbury built its first factory outside the UK in Tasmania, Australia, in 1919. Cadbury's Claremont factory in Hobart, Tasmania, is the largest chocolate factory in the Southern Hemisphere. Cadbury has been upgrading the facility since 2001. While Cadbury chocolates are manufactured in Australia, there is a debate about whether the taste and recipe are the same as those made in the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first overseas order | 1881 |
| Location of first factory outside the UK | Tasmania, Australia |
| Year of first products from Claremont | 1922 |
| Location of Australian factory | Hobart |
| Year of closure of visitor's centre | 2017 |
| Halal certification | Yes |
| Location of second factory | Auckland, New Zealand's North Island |
| Location of factory that was closed in 2018 | Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Country where Cadbury was founded | England |
| Year of founding | 1824 |
| City where Cadbury was founded | Birmingham |
| Founder of Cadbury | John Cadbury |
| British chocolate's key ingredient | Palm and shea oils, along with cocoa butter |
| Australian chocolate's key ingredient | Cocoa butter |
| US chocolate's key ingredient | Butyric acid |
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What You'll Learn
Cadbury's Claremont factory in Tasmania
The Claremont factory is the largest chocolate factory in the Southern Hemisphere, producing a company-record of over 60,000 tonnes of chocolate annually, including the iconic Dairy Milk blocks and novelty products like Freddo and Caramello Koalas. The factory employs over 450 staff and operates 24 hours a day.
Cadbury's Claremont once welcomed visitors eager to learn about the brand's history, observe the production process, and sample chocolates. It recorded 150,000 visitors annually until its on-site visitor centre closed in 2015. The tours were discontinued in 2008 due to health and safety regulations, but a newly built visitor centre opened in 2010.
In 2024, a private enterprise plans to develop a "chocolate experience" theme park adjacent to the factory, promising educational exhibits and the world's largest chocolate fountain. This project aims to celebrate Cadbury's long history in Tasmania and revitalise one of the state's beloved attractions.
Cadbury's Claremont factory has been an integral part of the local community for over a century, contributing to Glenorchy's reputation as an industrial hub and supporting various local groups, charities, and events. The factory sources milk from 48 dairy farms in Tasmania's north-west, emphasising its strong connection to the region.
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Cadbury's Australian factory workforce
Cadbury's Chocolate Factory, also known as Cadbury's Claremont, is a prominent Australian chocolate factory situated in Claremont, Tasmania. The factory was established in 1921 and was Cadbury's first business expansion outside the United Kingdom. The factory was modelled on Bournville, with its own village and sporting facilities.
Over the years, the Claremont factory has expanded and modernised, incorporating state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. In 2021, it produced a company record of over 60,000 tonnes of chocolate, earning it the distinction of being the largest chocolate factory in the Southern Hemisphere. The factory has been a major employer in the City of Glenorchy, employing 1,100 workers in 1960. However, advancements in manufacturing technology and automation have reduced the workforce over time. In 2018, the factory employed 450 people, compared to up to 850 people in 2003.
The workforce at Cadbury's Claremont has faced several challenges in recent years. In 2015, 80 factory floor jobs were cut following a $75 million upgrade by Mondelez International, and 11 more jobs were lost with the closure of the visitor centre. In 2017, Cadbury announced that 50 additional workers would be laid off from its Hobart factory. These reductions in staffing numbers are part of a broader trend, with Mondelez International closing Cadbury factories in several developed countries and shifting production to lower-cost locations.
Despite these challenges, the Cadbury factory in Claremont, Tasmania, remains a significant employer in the region and a vital part of the Tasmanian economy. The factory has sponsored various community events and initiatives, such as the Cadbury Marathon and the Tasmanian T20 franchise cricket team, the Hobart Hurricanes. Additionally, it has contributed to environmentally sustainable practices, such as achieving 100% sustainable cocoa in its Australian-made goods through the Cocoa Life program.
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Cadbury's New Zealand factory closure
Cadbury, one of the best-known British chocolate brands, was founded in 1824 in Birmingham, England. In 1881, the company received its first overseas order from Australia. As part of its international expansion plans, Cadbury built its first factory outside the United Kingdom in Tasmania, Australia, in 1919. The company chose Tasmania due to its proximity to Hobart, access to inexpensive hydroelectricity, and an abundant supply of high-quality fresh milk.
In February 2017, Cadbury announced that it would be closing its factory in Dunedin, New Zealand, by March 2018, resulting in an estimated loss of 350 jobs. The decision was made by Mondelez, Cadbury's owner, to shift chocolate manufacturing to Cadbury's Australian factories. Despite the closure, Mondelez confirmed that the popular Cadbury World tourist attraction in Dunedin would remain open.
The factory closure had a significant impact on Cadbury's New Zealand operations. With the cessation of factory operations, the revenue from the factory was no longer included in the New Zealand annual accounts. Employee remuneration in New Zealand saw a substantial decrease from $35.8 million in 2017 to $13.6 million in 2018. The closure also led to a reported before-tax loss of $17.4 million for Mondelez New Zealand Investments in the year ending in December.
The decision to close the Dunedin factory sparked a backlash from consumers and employees. Many consumers in Australia and New Zealand objected to the change in taste and the use of palm oil due to its environmental impact. Employees of the Dunedin factory, affectionately known as "the Cadbury family," faced job losses, and some chose to relocate to Australia with sponsorship from Cadbury.
Despite the challenges, Mondelez remained committed to investing in its New Zealand business and working closely with local retail partners to support growth. The company announced a $7 million redevelopment of Cadbury World in Dunedin, creating 25 new jobs.
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Cadbury's British recipe vs. Australian recipe
There are several differences between the British and Australian recipes for Cadbury chocolate. The recipes vary in terms of ingredients, taste, and texture.
Firstly, the recipes differ in their ingredients. The Australian recipe uses full cream milk, milk solids, and cocoa butter, while the British recipe uses milk, vegetable fat, and cocoa butter. The Australian recipe also contains emulsifiers such as soya lecithin and E476, while the British recipe uses E442, or ammonium phosphatides, as an emulsifier. Additionally, the British recipe includes palm and shea oils, which may be labelled as "non-cocoa vegetable fat," while the Australian recipe does not contain palm oil.
Secondly, the recipes result in distinct tastes and textures. Some people attribute these differences to variations in milk and cocoa sources and processing techniques between the two countries. The Australian chocolate is said to be sweeter and creamier, with a waxy texture, possibly due to additives that increase its melting point to prevent melting in the hotter Australian climate. In contrast, the British chocolate is described as having a drier, dustier, and less sweet taste, with a chalky texture. It is also said to have a stronger cocoa flavour.
People have varying preferences between the two recipes. Some prefer the Australian chocolate for its creaminess and sweetness, while others favour the British version for its more pronounced cocoa flavour and less sweet taste. Some also attribute their preference to what they are accustomed to, as taste can be influenced by familiarity.
It is worth noting that Cadbury has recently reduced the sugar content in its British Dairy Milk bars, making them even less sweet. This change has not yet been confirmed for the Australian market, but the company has hinted at the possibility.
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Mondelez Australia Pty Ltd
Cadbury's first overseas order in 1881 was for the Australian market. In 1919, as part of its international expansion plans, the company decided to build its first factory outside the United Kingdom in Tasmania, Australia. The factory, known as Cadbury's Claremont, was modelled on Bournville in the UK and had its own village and sporting facilities. The first products from Claremont were sold in 1922, and it became a popular tourist attraction, offering daily tours until 2008 when they were stopped due to health and safety concerns.
Over the years, Cadbury has faced some challenges in Australia, including a reduction in its workforce and the closure of its visitor's centre at its Hobart factory in 2015 and 2017, respectively. There has also been debate within Australia regarding the halal certification of Cadbury's products, with some, like One Nation politician Pauline Hanson, expressing controversy over the issue.
In recent years, Cadbury has faced consumer backlash in Australia and New Zealand due to changes in its recipes, including the use of palm oil, which is linked to the destruction of rainforests. In response, the company announced in 2009 that it would revert to using cocoa butter in these markets, although palm oil still remains in some of its fillings.
Despite some differences in taste and texture compared to UK Cadbury products, Australian Cadbury chocolates are generally well-regarded and considered closer in quality to the original UK recipes than the licensed versions produced by Hershey in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cadbury chocolate is manufactured in Australia and New Zealand. Tasmania was chosen as the location of Cadbury's first factory outside of the United Kingdom in 1919.
Australian Cadbury is said to have a slightly different taste and texture compared to British Cadbury. Australian chocolate is also said to have a more "chalky" taste and texture.
Cadbury's Claremont in Tasmania, Australia, is the largest chocolate factory in the Southern Hemisphere. It has been producing chocolate since 1922 and has been upgraded since 2001.
