Ex-Woolworths supplier Beyers Chocolates faces liquidation, maintains retailer 'abused' its power

Chocolate lovers in particular have been paying attention to the news that former key Woolworths supplier Beyers Chocolates is filing for liquidation.

Beyers produce that beloved South African chocolate-covered marshmallow treat, the Sweetie Pie.

Company founder and Belgian master chocolatier Kees Beyers said they had to go into liquidation because of a dispute with Woolworths over supply exclusivity.

Beyers tells Stephen Grootes that they started supplying the retail giant in 1990, after he opened a chocolate factory in South Africa in 1987.

"We supplied Woolworths for 34 years... Twenty years ago, if you'd bought any chocolate product there it would have come out of our factory."

The dispute stems from Beyers acquiring another factory where they started manufacturing products different to those for Woolworths, to supply Checkers and Pick n Pay.

They had to diversify because the fact that Woolworths started introducing other chocolate brands about 15 years ago, had affected the business, Beyers says.

"We were very dependent on them and they became quite aggressive in some of their dealings with us... Another smallish chocolate factory had come up for sale which we bought - a separate team, separate production, and we started supplying Checkers and Pick n Pay out of there. Then Woolworths got wind of that and said 'you're stabbing us in the back'. I said, we're still giving you product exclusivity... but then I got called into a meeting by Chan Pillay (Woolworth Foods Commercial Director) and he basically told me we had only one option and that was to close down the other factory."

"When I said that wasn't realistic, he made it a very personal and over a short period of time they cut all the business we had built up with them over 34 years and, in the process, the sad story is that 700 people lost their jobs and when I put that to Woolworths they said 'well that's on you'. "

Woolworths declined an interview opportunity, but did provide The Money Show with a statement, in which they deny "any implication" that they acted unfairly.

The statement highlights that the relationship with Beyers came to an official end in January 2025, after this intention was shared with the business in September 2024.

"This means that no Beyers chocolate has been sold in Woolworths for well over a year... Woolworths was not Beyers' only client and we cannot be held responsible for the actions of a business from whom we've been separated for over a year."

"We are deeply saddened to learn that Beyers is facing liquidation; this is an outcome that is extremely unfortunate but one for which Beyers, and Beyers alone, will need to take full responsibility."

Kees Beyers maintains, however, that what the retailer has done in this case is "an abuse of power".

"We had a beautiful chocolate business with Woolworths; it was good for us and good for them. When you deal with a customer for 34 years and they're over 50% of your turnover, surely they must know that pulling the plug is going to have devastating consequences. They actually said 'we are going to use you as an example for other suppliers'. The door is closed for me, but I'm hoping I can help other suppliers in their journey because in my view what they're doing is an abuse of power."

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to Beyers' detailed argument