The Philippines is the third largest market for Toblerone in the Asia Pacific Region, next only to Australia and China.
Local Kraft brand manager Gerald Blanco said Filipinos consume 2,600 metric tons of Toblerone a year, making it the preferred imported chocolate brand in the country. With the Christmas season just around the corner, Blanco said the company expects brisk demand.
Aside from various supermarkets, specialty stores and other retail outlets, Toblerone also sells like hotcakes in duty free shops in the Philippines.
For Filipinos returning from overseas trips, Toblerone is the gift of choice for friends and families.
The reported delays in the shipment of the confectionery from Switzerland had some Filipino chocolate lovers worried. Blanco, however, assured that the delays are normal given the huge demand for Toblerone in many parts of the globe. The supply, he stressed, is enough to satisfy the sweet tooth of locPhilippino consumers.
All Toblerone variants in the Philippines are manufactured in and shipped from the chocolate capital of the world, Switzerland. The chocolate is made for sale throughout the world exclusively in the Bern production center, one of the most modern chocolate factories in the world.
"Kraft is confident that it will be able to generate growth this year despite this (delivery delay)," said Blanco.
The very first Toblerone was made 1908. Chocolate manufacturer Theodor Tobler and his cousin, head of production Emil Baumann created the taste confection.
According to the official Toblerone website, the name was the result of combining the firm name, "Tobler," with "Torrone," an Italian nougat specialty.
To avert infringement, the product's name, packaging and even its shape have been copyrighted worldwide
