DISTRIBUTION The group specializing in canned vegetables reacted to calls for a boycott launched by Internet users. On the other hand, he confirms having sent baskets for the poor
Illustration of canned vegetables from the Bonduelle brand. — M.Libert/20 Minutes
The call for a boycott obviously made the specialist in canned and frozen vegetables react. The French group Bonduelle denied on Monday to AFP having distributed food parcels to Russian soldiers with a message to wish them a “quick victory” in Ukraine, citing a “fake” on social networks.
On Twitter, Internet users have called; this weekend at; boycott the group’s products, after the broadcast on the main Russian social network VKontakte of two photos showing packages bearing the Bonduelle logo. These images show a person in uniform holding a carton of the brand’s cans, accompanied by a greeting card and this message in Russian: “Dear Soldier, Happy New Year! We wish you the best and a quick victory!”. A publication on the account of the Russian city of Yartsevo, since deleted, claimed that 10,000 parcels had been lost. sent to soldiers.
Baskets for the less fortunate
As of Saturday Bonduelle had ensured in a press release that “this information as well as the statements attributed to the company Bonduelle and ` his direction (were) totally wrong.” The group, on the other hand, confirmed his participation in; the “benevolence baskets” operation. Organized by the Russian Food Bank, it aims to collecting products for the less fortunate and “has no connection with the army”, according to a Bonduelle spokeswoman.
The vegetable grower also denies the remarks attributed in this publication to its managing director in Russia, Ekaterina Eliseeva, who is also said to have expressed her wish for a “quick victory” in Ukraine. Based on an article in the Russian edition of Forbes, some Internet users accuse him of having links with the FSB, the security services. companies with which, according to the magazine.
Activities maintained in Russia
Bonduelle is one of the rare French companies which continued their activities in Russia after s the invasion of Ukraine, such as Leroy Merlin and Auchan (Mulliez), or even Lactalis. “The Bonduelle group continues its activities in Russia with the sole objective of ensuring access to food for the population in Russia and neighboring countries,” reaffirmed Saturday. He had, however, announced from March the suspension of “any investment project” in this country.
The French group generates 5% of its annual turnover (150 million euros) in Russia where it has three factories and employs 1,000 people, as well as in neighboring countries such as Georgia and Armenia.