Dutch chocolate brand Droste in Belgian hands

Droste has escaped the worst: the Dutch chocolate manufacturer is relaunching in Belgian hands, after the pandemic and subsequent crises almost meant the end for the 160-year-old company.

Loss of foreign sales

In July, the management of the well-known Dutch chocolate brand started looking for a buyer, after the company had ran into problems during the pandemic due to the loss of foreign and travel retail sales. Pauwels Engineering, a Belgian family holding company that owns The Belgian Chocolate Group and Koetjesreep, has now stepped in to save Droste.

Pauwels Engineering is ensuring that the brand, which has been producing “real Dutch chocolate since 1863” according to its slogan, will continue to exist: production will resume at the Vaassen plant as soon as possible. The current management team will also remain on board.