Candy imports from Mexico have increased twofold since 2002, suggesting that inexpensive labor and sugar supplies have lured U.S. candymakers to Mexico in large numbers. Hersey recently continued the trend, announcing plans to replace U.S. and Canadian factories with a new site in Monterrey. The movement of factories has pushed U.S. candymaking jobs down by 23% from 2000. Candy firms respond by citing market conditions and pointing out that most of the candy is still made in the U.S.. But the Mexican government is also concerned, saying that U.S. companies are not even buying ingredients such as cacao from Mexico; firms are importing supplies from Africa and Brazil instead.
See "Candymakers make bittersweet move to Mexico", Chris Hawley, The Arizona Republic, February 12, 2009