What is "svitoch"

Svitoch is a Lviv-based Ukrainian confectionery manufacturer, owned by Nestlé. The company produces chocolate, chocolate candy, lollipops and many other types of candy.

In the times of the USSR, Svitoch was considered one of the best manufacturers, along with the ROT Front and Babaevsky chocolate factories. After its acquisition by Nestlé in mid-1990s, the company opted to produce more Western-style chocolate with lower cocoa content and was forced to move into middle segment of the market, losing some of its appeal, but gaining greater turnovers. It is unclear how this will affect its future development, though, as dark, highly sophisticated chocolate is becoming increasingly more popular with Ukrainians. This change in strategy provoked a labour dispute in late 1990s.

Svitoch tried to re-brand Strela candy (Rus. Стрела - arrow) as Stozhary ( - Pleiades (star cluster)) but had little success.