Where are the Mercadona lizards made, the national biscuit sold in Spain? – Ne T

Where are the Mercadona lizards made, the national biscuit sold in Spain?

More than 6,500 packages weighing half a kilo are sold daily in the chain’s Spanish stores. It is produced in a bakery in Mafra.

They are a favorite of the whole family.

The Spaniards may not know the whereabouts of Confeitaria Carlos Gonçalves, but they are the main ones responsible for stocking a specialty that leaves this Portuguese factory. More than 6,500 units of lizards are sold daily in chain stores in Spain, they are dry biscuits with a pinch of lemon. The demand is that often runs out.

Before opening the first supermarket in Portugal – in 2019 – the Spanish retailer began working with Portuguese producers. Confeitaria Carlos Gonçalves lizards are one of the best-selling national products in Spain, and the numbers prove it.

In chain stores, you will find it on the shelves under the brand name Hacendado. It is sold in packages of 500 grams and costs 1.45 euros. According to the producers, this is one of the oldest recipes of Confeitaria. It was founded in 1983 and has been producing these traditional lizards for over 35 years.

“It’s a recipe over 35 years ago, created by founder Carlos Gonçalves, and that was success since then. It is a homemade product, the preparation of which has been adapted to the latest existing technology, which allows it to produce thousands of kilograms per day,” explains the NiT brand.

The factory located in Baril, in the region of Encarnação, in the municipality of Mafra, produces cookies every day. “Currently, Confeitaria Carlos Gonçalves has 130 employees and its sales have grown year by year.”

It’s made with wheat flour, sugar, margarine, water, salt, and pasteurized eggs. Per 100 grams 454 calories. In Mercadona it is sold in packages of 500 grams. In other supermarkets around the country, where it is also available – but without the Hacendado brand – you can find 750-gram packages.

These lizards are sold in Mercadona stores in Spain, but also in 33 places the chain already owns in Portugal. It’s not the only sweets Confeitaria produces for the chain. Another proposal that came from Mafra for the entire Iberian Peninsula is cinnamon cookies – which also cost 1.45 euros per 500 grams.

Lizards are also found in many supermarkets in the country.

“In addition to lizards and cinnamon cookies, we produce other well-known references to the Portuguese palate: palm trees, deer tongues, cat tongues, churros and chocolates.” It is located in the bakery area of ​​supermarkets across the country where you can find it.

Simply read the label carefully to see if you buy any of these products The specialties that the Spaniards began to discover. At the moment, Confeitaria does not know if Mercadora will be interested in selling other types of cookies that it produces, but the fact is that since the partnership was established, sales have increased.

Aside from lizards, there is another Portuguese product that has been driving Spaniards crazy since 2020: a chocolate bar that contains 99 percent cocoa. It is produced in Factory Imperial, in Azurara, in the Villa de Conde. It is prepared with cocoa paste, cocoa powder and cocoa butter.

This national company also produces the Regina, Jubileu and Pantagruel brands. With the Hacendado label, you can also spot these tablets on the shelves of the Spanish series. More than eight thousand units are sold daily in Spain.

Mercadona Store 34 is opened In Montego in July this year. The brand’s newest supermarket was opened In Setúbal at the end of June. It may open in Oeiras later this summer.

Marco de Canaveses, Lousada, Gondomar, Oliveira de Azeméis and Figueira da Foz are some of the sites that have already been announced for 2023.

Click the gallery to see some of the Portuguese products you can find for sale in Mercadona stores.