Toblerone ‘Disappoints’ Devotees By Dropping Iconic Dark Chocolate Bar

by News Editor

April 18, 2025

Fans of Toblerone’s iconic dark chocolate bar are in for a bitter surprise: after 56 years on shelves, the 360g version is being quietly discontinued—at least in the UK.

The move was confirmed by a spokesperson from Mondelez, the U.S. company behind the Swiss-born brand, who acknowledged the decision “may be disappointing for some consumers.” No clear explanation was offered, though Mondelez assured it remains committed to investing in Toblerone’s future.

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The decision follows months of confusion, with frustrated fans turning to social media in search of answers. “I’ve been looking everywhere,” one user posted on X, formerly Twitter, after Toblerone’s team previously denied the product had been pulled.

The discontinuation is the latest twist in Toblerone’s recent identity shift. In 2023, the brand was forced to drop the iconic Matterhorn mountain from its packaging due to Swiss “Swissness” laws, which prevent companies from using national symbols on products not entirely produced in Switzerland.

When Mondelez moved some of Toblerone’s production to Slovakia, the brand had to swap the 4,478-metre alpine peak for a more generic summit to stay compliant. These regulations, introduced in 2017, require that milk-based products labelled “Swiss” must be made exclusively in the country. For other foods, at least 80% of the ingredients must be of Swiss origin.

These rules matter: research shows consumers are willing to pay around 20% more for items marketed as “Made in Switzerland.”

Launched in 1908 in Bern, Toblerone was born from a clever blend of its creator Theodor Tobler’s name and “torrone,” the Italian word for nougat. The brand’s unique triangle shape and honey-almond flavour earned it global fame, but today’s changes reflect a broader tension between nostalgia and modern commercial reality.

With iconic visuals gone and a fan-favourite product now shelved, Toblerone faces a delicate balancing act: preserving its heritage while adapting to global production and regulation shifts.

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Strained Household Finances: Eurostat Data Reveals Persistent Payment Delays Across Europe and in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 22, 2025

Improved Financial Resilience Amid Ongoing Strains

Over the past decade, Cypriot households have significantly increased their ability to manage debts—not only bank loans but also rent and utility bills. However, recent Eurostat data indicates that Cyprus continues to lag behind the European average when it comes to covering financial obligations on time.

Household Coping Strategies and the Limits of Payment Flexibility

While many families are managing their fixed expenses with relative ease, one in three Cypriots struggles to cover unexpected costs. This delicate balancing act highlights how routine payments such as mortgage installments, rent, and utility bills are met, but precariously so, with little room for unplanned financial shocks.

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Breaking Down Payment Delays Across the European Union

Eurostat reports that nearly 9.2% of the EU population experienced delays with their housing loans, rent, utility bills, or installment payments in 2024. The situation is more acute among vulnerable groups: 17.2% of individuals in single-parent households with dependent children and 16.6% in households with two adults managing three or more dependents faced payment delays. In every EU nation, single-parent households exhibited higher delay rates compared to the overall population.

Cyprus in the Crosshairs: High Rates of Financial Delays

Although Cyprus recorded a notable 19.1 percentage point improvement from 2015 to 2024 in delays related to mortgages, rent, and utility bills, the island nation still ranks among the top five countries with the highest delay rates. As of 2024, 12.5% of the Cypriot population had outstanding housing loans or rent and overdue utility bills. In contrast, Greece tops the list with 42.8%, followed by Bulgaria (18.7%), Romania (15.3%), Spain (14.2%), and other EU members. Notably, 19 out of 27 EU countries reported delay rates below 10%, with Czech Republic (3.4%) and Netherlands (3.9%) leading the pack.

Selective Improvements and Emerging Concerns

Between 2015 and 2024, the overall EU population saw a 2.6 percentage point decline in payment delays. Despite this, certain countries experienced increases: Luxembourg (+3.3 percentage points), Spain (+2.5 percentage points), and Germany (+2.0 percentage points) saw a rise in payment delays, reflecting underlying economic pressures that continue to challenge financial stability.

Economic Insecurity and the Unprepared for Emergencies

Another critical indicator explored by Eurostat is the prevalence of economic insecurity—the proportion of the population unable to handle unexpected financial expenses. In 2024, 30% of the EU population reported being unable to cover unforeseen costs, a modest improvement of 1.2 percentage points from 2023 and a significant 7.4 percentage point drop compared to a decade ago. In Cyprus, while 34.8% still report difficulty handling emergencies, this marks a drastic improvement from 2015, when the figure stood at 60.5%.

A Broader EU Perspective

Importantly, no EU country in 2024 had more than half of its population facing economic insecurity—a notable improvement from 2015, when over 50% of the population in nine countries reported such challenges. These figures underscore both progress and persistent vulnerabilities within European households, urging policymakers to consider targeted measures for enhancing financial resilience.

For further insights and detailed analysis, refer to the original reports on Philenews and Housing Loans.

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