Oreo continues accelerated global growth

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Although its Oreo cookie brand turned 100 years old this year, Kraft Foods said the brand's global presence is greater than ever.

Oreo grew double digits in North America during first quarter 2012 and nearly 40% in Europe and developing markets, the company said. Sales of Oreo also grew nearly 25% in 2011, Kraft Foods said.

The company said that its continued expansion efforts, as well as its social media outreach via Facebook — which originally debuted to English language community in 2009 and now reaches fans from more than 200 countries in 10 different languages — has helped bring the brand to a whole new level.

"The twist, lick and dunk of an Oreo brings people together with a universal ritual cherished in more than 100 countries where Oreo is sold," Kraft Foods chairman and CEO Irene Rosenfeld said. "We're delighted to bring the joy of the world's top-selling cookie to more people than ever. In fact, Oreo has had average growth of more than 17 percent annually since 2006. It surpassed $2 billion in annual revenues in 2011 — doubling sales over just five years ago."