Ritter Sport and Haribo are joining forces for their first UK collaboration, combining milk chocolate with fruity sweets in a limited-edition chocolate block.

The 100g Ritter Sport x Haribo Balla Bites block features Ritter Sport’s signature milk chocolate alongside pieces of Haribo Balla Bites.

Founded in 1912, Ritter Sport is a family-owned German chocolate company. Haribo was founded in Bonn in 1920 and now operates 15 factories worldwide, supplying sweets to more than 120 countries.

Benedict Daniels, managing director of Ritter Sport UK & Ireland, said the collaboration was designed to create a product that was “genuinely surprising and fun” while supporting the brand’s growth in the UK block chocolate category.

“This is much more than a product launch. It is a major investment in growing the Ritter Sport brand,” he said.

“We’re putting millions of limited-edition bars into the market, expanding distribution and giving retailers a launch that’s designed to excite shoppers and bring new energy to the category.”

Phil Murphy, chief marketing officer of Haribo UK & Ireland, said the partnership brings together the fruity chew of Balla Bites and Ritter Sport’s milk chocolate, offering consumers a new way to enjoy the two brands.

The product will launch nationwide in September, rolling out across thousands of retail outlets.