Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Money & Work • Food & Beverage

Haribo

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

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Haribo is a German confectionery company founded in 1920, best known for its gummy candies, especially Goldbears.

What it is

Haribo is a private confectionery company based in Grafschaft, Germany. Its name is an abbreviation of "Hans Riegel Bonn," combining the founder's name and the city where the company began. The company is widely associated with gummy candies, particularly Goldbears, and has expanded into a range of fruit gum and liquorice products.

Key details

Haribo was founded on 13 December 1920 by confectioner Hans Riegel in Bonn, Germany. The company now sells products in nearly 200 countries and operates 16 production sites across 11 countries, with approximately 8,500 employees. Haribo products are sold in Canada and are familiar to Canadian consumers as imported confectionery items.

Why it matters

Haribo has grown from a small German confectionery business into a global brand, making gummy candies a household staple worldwide. Its presence in nearly 200 countries, including Canada, highlights its role as a major player in the international confectionery market.

In short

  • Haribo was founded in Bonn, Germany, in 1920 by Hans Riegel.
  • The company name is short for "Hans Riegel Bonn."
  • Haribo is best known for gummy candies, especially Goldbears.
  • Products are sold in nearly 200 countries, including Canada.
Canadian angle

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

Quick 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.

Sources

  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