Chocolate production halted

Latvia's Laima candy company has suspended the production of chocolates, Latvia's Netkariga Rita Avize daily reports.

According to the official explanation, production has been stopped due to technical reasons, but unofficial sources claim the company's storage facilities are filled with costly products that are no longer on such a high demand as previously.

Citing Laima public relations consultant Ingars Rudzitis, the Latvian newspaper says the company is still working and only the production of chocolates have been temporary stopped due to technical problems. "Production is being organized depending on demand. That the storage facilities are full is nothing unique. This is how it should be to make sure that stores do not run out of our products," Rudzitis told the newspaper.

According to Laima representatives, demand for Laima's candies increased steadily during the first three months of 2008, as sales in kilos rose by 14 percent, with the sale of other Laima products growing as well.

Laima belongs to NP Confectionary AB group and is 97-percent owned by Icelandic-controlled Nordic Partners, while Juris Jonaitis holds the remaining 3 percent.