12-Ton KitKat Shipment Stolen as Sophisticated Cargo Theft Rises Across Europe

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A truck carrying more than 12 tons of KitKat chocolate bars has been stolen in a major cargo heist in Europe, raising concerns over chocolate supply disruptions ahead of the Easter holiday.

Swiss food giant Nestlé confirmed that 413,793 units from a new KitKat range disappeared while in transit from central Italy to Poland on March 26. The vehicle and its cargo remain missing, and investigations are ongoing.

A Nestlé spokesperson told Agence France-Presse:

We’ve always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat. … But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tons of our chocolate.

The stolen shipment included Formula 1-themed KitKat bars as part of a promotional collaboration. No injuries were reported. The company warned the products could reappear through unofficial sales channels across European markets.

Nestlé said each bar can be traced using unique batch codes, allowing retailers and authorities to identify stolen goods if they surface. The company stated there is no risk to consumer safety and that overall supply will not be affected.

Industry data shows that cargo theft is on the rise across Europe and was ten times higher in 2025 than in 2021. As in other industries, increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics are being used, enabling fraudulent carriers, cyber-enabled scams, and identity fraud. Traditional threats such as vehicle theft and depot break-ins, as well as insider collaboration, also remain common.

Another threat is the use of “phantom carriers,” where criminals pose as legitimate logistics firms to intercept shipments. Compact goods with high market value are especially at risk.