HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Check Out Europe's 20 Biggest Candy Companies

Nick Jardine
trick or treat

Photo: Morning Calm News via Flickr

As Halloween rears its proverbial spooky head, millions of kids (and adults) all over the world will chow down on some sumptuous sugary delights.So, it only seems fair to pay homage to those who create these tasty treats by having a look at Europe’s biggest candy companies.

Based on their net sales last year, we’ve listed the top 20 continental candy connoisseurs. How many of these guys are going to be responsible for your Halloween fix of candy?

#20 Alfred Ritter

Country: Germany

Number of plants: 1

Number of employees: 800

2010 net sales: $364 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#19 Fazer Bakeries and Confectionery

Country: Finland

Number of plants: 3

Number of employees: 950

2010 net sales: $371 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#18 Katjes Fassin

Country: Germany

Number of plants: 5

Number of employees: 1,200

2010 net sales: $405 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#17 Chocolate Frey

Country: Switzerland

Number of plants: 2

Number of employees: 764

2010 net sales: $420 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#16 Orkla

Country: Norway

Number of plants: 8

Number of employees: 30,167

2010 net sales: $501 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#15 Konti Group

Country: Ukraine

Number of plants: 4

Number of employees: 3,000

2010 net sales: $538 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#14 Group Cemoi

Country: France

Number of plants: 13

Number of employees: 3,000

2010 net sales: $631

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#13 Henry Lambertz

Country: Germany

Number of plants: 7

Number of employees: 3,500

2010 net sales: $665 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#12 Bahlsen

Country: Germany

Number of plants: 5

Number of employees: 2,691

2010 net sales: $672 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#11 Leaf International

Country: Netherlands

Number of plants: 11

Number of employees: 2,500

2010 net sales: $757 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#10 Barry Callebaut

Country: Switzerland

Number of plants: 40

Number of employees: 7,550

2010 net sales: $790 million

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#9 Roshen Confectionery Co.

Country: Ukraine

Number of plants: 6

Number of employees: 10,000

2010 net sales: $1.06 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#8 United Confectioners

Country: Russia

Number of plants: 15

Number of employees: 17,000

2010 net sales: $1.18 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#7 August Storck

Country: Germany

Number of plants: 5

Number of employees: 4,500

2010 net sales: $2.00 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#6 Yildiz Holdings

Country: Turkey

Number of plants: 53

Number of employees: 29,0000

2010 net sales: $2.18 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#5 Lindt and Sprungli

Country: Switzerland

Number of plants: 8

Number of employees: 7,409

2010 net sales: $2.60 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#4 Haribo

Country: Germany

Number of plants: 18

Number of employees: 6,100

2010 net sales: $2.66 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#3 Perfetti Van Melle

Country: Italy/Netherlands

Number of plants: 31

Number of employees: 17,000

2010 net sales: $2.87 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#2 Ferrero Group

Country: Italy

Number of plants: 18

Number of employees: 21,500

2010 net sales: $8.76 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

#1 Nestle

Country: Switzerland

Number of plants: 449

Number of employees: 278,000

2010 net sales: $11.27 billion

SOURCE: Candy Industry

Want more? Have a look at the fastest growing tech companies in Central Europe >

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