Mondelez International, which has faced a growing boycott of the company in the Nordic region over its continued presence in Russia, said late on Sunday that it had asked to meet with the Norwegian government to protect its local business. Reuters.

Airlines SAS and Norwegian Air, rail group SJ, hotel chain Strawberry, retailer Elkjop, transport group Fjord Line and the Norwegian Football Association were among those to announce in recent days that they would stop selling Mondelez products.

The global snack maker, which makes Oreo, Toblerone and dozens of other brands, has a strong presence in Norway and Sweden through its local chocolate makers Freia and Marabou.

While some Western companies have sold their Russian assets since the Russian incursion that began last year, others, such as Mondelez, have stayed despite pressure from employees in other countries.

The companies in northern Europe said their decision to stop selling Mondelez products was based on the announcement this year by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Agency that it would blacklist the candy maker and other groups. Coop Norge, Norway’s second-largest food retailer, said on Saturday it would seek advice from the Norwegian government before making any decisions.

In a statement, Mondelez said it would try to meet with the relevant government agencies to explain its position, adding that it had not sold Russian-made products in Norway.

Official policies should be based on official sanctions imposed by Western and other nations, and any directives should be based on objective criteria that treat companies equally, the US group added.

Mondelez said it was maintaining “limited” operations in Russia, while suspending investment and advertising, and condemned the war. “Mondelez International respects all political decisions and sanctions and will continue to consider necessary adjustments to operations to ensure they are fully compliant,” the company said. added

—

Photo: 128101405©Denismart|Dreamstime.com