---
title: "Nesquik takes a powder in SA after sales decline"
description: "With one door closing, another opens — as Nesquik is pulled from shelves, a replacement is waiting in the wings."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "FLAVOUR OF THE PAST"
author: "Georgina Crouth"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/georginacrouth/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-27-nesquik-takes-a-powder-in-sa-after-sales-decline/"
published: "2023-08-27T21:58:01"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 323
---

# Nesquik takes a powder in SA after sales decline

> With one door closing, another opens — as Nesquik is pulled from shelves, a replacement is waiting in the wings.

By Georgina Crouth · Published 27 August 2023, 23:58 SAST

## Key points
- Nestlé's discontinuation of Nesquik has left a gap in the market, with savvy local producers rising to the challenge to fill it with their own products.
- Nestlé has discontinued production of Nesquik chocolate and strawberry milk powder in South Africa
- Other chocolate milk drinks — Milo, Hot Chocolate and Cocoa — remain on sale
- Local producers are capitalising on the gap in the market, such as Beyers with Sweetie Pie and NOMU with CHOCMILK
- Numerous beloved products have been lost due to a lack of sales in recent times

## Content

If you like Nesquik, best get your hands on it quick(ly), because Nestlé has discontinued production of the childhood-favourite flavoured milk powder.

The multinational has blamed declining sales for the decision to discontinue production of both Nesquik chocolate and strawberry from this month.

In a statement, Nestlé explained that Nesquik would no longer be produced in South Africa. “Nestlé understands that this may disappoint some consumers,” the company said.

For now, Nestlé’s other chocolate milk drinks — Milo, Hot Chocolate and Cocoa — remain on sale in South Africa. “These brands have shown remarkable performance and consumer loyalty, making them the focus of Nestlé’s efforts to build a healthier and sustainable business for the future,” the food giant said, as [reported by *News24*.](https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/nesquik-to-be-discontinued-in-sa-owing-to-lower-demand-20230826)

Most retailers have their own private label brands, but shrewd independent contenders are capitalising on the gap in the market.

When Cadbury’s Sweetie Pie went off the market, local producer [Beyers launched its own version](https://www.eatout.co.za/article/sweetie-pies-relaunched-beyers/), which is now available in all major retailers.

NOMU launched [MAYU mayonnaise](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-05-dont-panic-south-africa-your-mayos-in-safe-hands/) in March this year — initially as a limited release, before becoming widely available — after [Hellmann’s discontinued sales](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-16-what-saucery-is-this-pick-n-pay-to-the-rescue-as-it-brings-hellmanns-back-to-sa-shelves/) of its popular Mayonnaise last year.

NOMU already has a product waiting in the wings, CHOCMILK. Launched in November last year, CHOCMILK is a high-quality hot or cold chocolate milk powder that contains 45% less sugar than Nesquik and stevia as a sugar substitute.

It cheekily posted:

> OK, now, look it’s a Sunday, but OK, we’ll handle this… Quik Quik.
> Here we go again. [https://t.co/8wj7rTI8u1](https://t.co/8wj7rTI8u1)
>
> — NOMU Brands (@NOMUChirps) [August 27, 2023](https://twitter.com/NOMUChirps/status/1695761622688477228?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

South African consumers have lost numerous beloved products in recent times — in most cases because of a lack of sales. Kraft has discontinued Miracle Whip, Simba no longer makes Tomato Sauce chips, Nestlé has ceased production of Chocolate Log, Redro has pulled the plug on its fish paste and Peck’s has called a halt to its [Anchovette](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-21-first-marmite-now-fish-paste-the-shattered-world-of-a-simple-breakfast/). **DM**