Food and Drink Awards 2025 | 27 Best Liquorice Manufacturer 2025 Halva is a cherished Finnish confectionery brand that has been feeding the nation’s sweet tooth for almost a century. The company stands as a leading manufacturer of premium liquorice and traditional sweets, combining Nordic craftsmanship with quality ingredients to create tantalising treats that are beloved in Finland and enjoyed worldwide, with approximately 40% of its productions distributed to countless countries around the world. We took a closer look at Halva and its premium products below, following its recent recognition in the Food and Drink Awards 2025. The story of Halva began more than 85 years ago, in 1930s Europe. Brothers Jean and Michael Karavokyros left their home in Greece as teenagers to look for work abroad and had heard that there were plentiful professional prospects in St. Petersburg. As the brothers prepared to leave, their grandmother shared the family’s secret recipe for halva, in case they needed a sweet, familiar treat whilst on their journey. While this journey was arduous, the Karavokyros brothers were determined. They soon found work in a food factory after arriving in St. Petersburg and quickly discovered that halva was a popular dish amongst the Russian population. Due to rising political tensions, however, Jean and Michael were forced to relocate elsewhere. After some thought, they chose the nearest neighbouring country, Finland. The Karavokyros brothers arrived in Helsinki in 1919, basing themselves in the country’s capital to boost their employment prospects and holding a variety of odd jobs as they found their feet. The boys noted that halva was just as popular and well-known in Finland, though all halva products were imported. This presented a clear opportunity for Jean and Michael, in the form of their grandmother’s halva recipe. Halva was subsequently founded in 1931, offering a range of products developed from the original family recipe. Its products were successful, and, after a few years, the company began to expand its operations into juices. Schocolate kisses and pop corns 1960s/ 1970s. And then to include various other confectionery; first, with marmalades, and then hard candies, liquorice, and gummy sweets, before more into its offerings. Today, Halva is a renowned manufacturer of liquorice confectionery products. The company has remained true to its roots since its inception and is currently led by thirdgeneration entrepreneur Jean Karavokyros, following in the footsteps of his father Fokion Karavokyros. These family values extend beyond the company’s leadership team; Halva has built a multicultural workforce of dedicated employees, many of whom have worked for the company for two generations. This ethos is reflected in all that Halva does, as it continually strives to honour its legacy. The company’s liquorices recipes date back to 1951, the year of its first liquorice product launch, and are produced through time-honoured methodologies. All liquorice is cooked in batches for hours using traditional practices, which gives the product its unique taste and strong flavour. Of course, consumer behaviours are always evolving, and businesses must stay ahead of emerging novelties. Halva recognises the importance of ongoing improvement and continuously adapts its offerings without ever compromising its longstanding legacy. It regularly introduces new flavours to keep its product portfolio interesting and has responded to major market shifts with determination, integrating vegan, palm oil-free, and gluten-free treats into its offerings. Alongside its flavour profiles, Halva also pays close attention to the development of its packaging. In addition to offering traditional packaging for both its grocery and retail clients, the company further separates itself from its competitors through unique and upscale gift packaging options, as well as advent calendars for consumers who wish to add a festive flair to their liquorice purchase. These endeavours are supported by the continued modernisation of Halva’s production machinery and sustainability endeavours; Halva holds certifications in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 28000, and the BRC Product Safety Certificate. These certifications emphasise that product safety and environmental considerations are of paramount importance to the company and reflect Halva’s continued commitment to improving the quality of its operations. Halva has focused strongly on evolution since its inception and will continue to do so in the upcoming years. The team’s dedication to continuous improvement and evolution – all the while never losing sight of the Karavokyros brothers’ legacy – has enabled Halva to earn its title of the Best Liquorice Manufacturer 2025. Looking to the future, Managing Director Jean Karavokyros shared: “We want to make more of our delicious products, and, for that, we need to step up our production. The growing demand for our products outside of our borders must also be met. Ultimately, we will continue to launch new products in new packaging to keep the liquorice enthusiasts happy.” Contact: Jean Karavokyros Company: Halva Ltd. Web Address: www.halva.fi
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