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Haribo

Haribo is a German confectionery company best known for gummy candies, especially Goldbears.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Haribo is a German confectionery company best known for gummy candies, especially Goldbears. It was founded by Hans Riegel in Bonn in 1920, and its name comes from "Hans Riegel Bonn." The company now sells products in nearly 200 countries and operates production sites in multiple countries.

History

Haribo was founded on 13 December 1920 by Hans Riegel in Bonn, Germany. The company’s name combines the founder’s name and the city of Bonn.

Products

Haribo is best known for gummy candies, especially Goldbears. The brand has expanded into a wide range of fruit gum and liquorice products.

International expansion

Haribo has grown from a German confectionery business into a global brand. The company says its products are sold in nearly 200 countries.

Corporate structure and operations

Haribo is a private confectionery company based in Grafschaft, Germany. It reports production across multiple countries and a workforce of roughly 8,500.

Key facts

  • Haribo was founded in Bonn, Germany, in 1920 by confectioner Hans Riegel.
  • The company name is an abbreviation of Hans Riegel Bonn.
  • Haribo is widely associated with gummy candies, particularly Goldbears.
  • The company says it sells products in nearly 200 countries.
  • Haribo reports production at 16 locations across 11 countries and about 8,500 employees.
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Canadian context

Haribo products are sold in Canada and are familiar to Canadian consumers as imported confectionery items.

Frequently asked questions

What does Haribo stand for?
Haribo is short for "Hans Riegel Bonn," combining the founder’s name and the city where the company began.
Who founded Haribo?
Haribo was founded by Hans Riegel in 1920.
What is Haribo best known for?
Haribo is best known for gummy candies, especially Goldbears.
Where is Haribo headquartered?
Haribo’s headquarters are in Grafschaft, Germany.
How many countries does Haribo operate in?
Haribo says its products are available in nearly 200 countries.

References

  1. HARIBO — https://www.haribo.com/en-us/about-us/history
    Supports: Founding date, founder, name origin, global availability, production sites, employee count
  2. Smithsonian Magazine — https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-colorful-history-of-haribo-goldbears-the-worlds-first-gummy-bears-180980094/
    Supports: Haribo founding in 1920, name origin, early company history, Goldbears context
  3. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/haribo-gmbh-co-kg
    Supports: Company overview and history, founder, corporate identity
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haribo
    Supports: Headquarters, industry, products, private company status