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Chaos erupted in supermarkets across France as buyers struggled to get their hands on Nutella at a reduced price.
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After a temporary factory shutdown early in the year, Nutella is facing its latest challenge: striking workers and activists have virtually halted production at the brand's largest plant.

The workers at the Villes-Ecares plant in Normandy have been on strike since the end of May, interrupting production almost completely and preventing the entry or exit of vehicles from the plant, thereby putting resources at risk. peril.

A spokesman for Ferrero told CNN that the reserves and current production should prevent a global shortage.

About 160 out of 350 factory workers have demonstrated since Monday. Only one of the four production lines is operational, drastically reducing Nutella production from the factory to one-fifth of its usual size.

The Italian company Ferrero, owner of Nutella, produces more than 300,000 tonnes of chocolate-hazelnut spread per year. This plant produces more than 600,000 pots of Nutella each year, making it the largest producer in the world.

"It's war," union activist Fabien Lacabanne said in a statement. "Anger is coming up."

More: "Nutella riots" erupt in France over low-cost chocolate-hazelnut spread

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Workers called for a 4.5% wage increase, as well as an annual bonus of $ 1,000. The Ferrero management has proposed that an increase of 1.7% and a one-time bonus of between 0 and 500 USD.

Although Ferrero has said he wants to protect workers who are not on strike, they are threatening the employees on strike.

The next negotiation between the union and Ferrero will take place on June 13th.

Contribute: The Associated Press

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