Matthijs Candy: The Skull Gummy Specialist
Matthijs candy makes the skull gummies on Swedish pick-and-mix walls. All 7 cases we stock, exact dietary flags, and how to merchandise them.
Matthijs is a Dutch maker that specializes in skull-shaped gummies, including country-named skulls like the Swedish and Danish versions. We stock seven Matthijs cases, all 4.41 lb. All seven are flagged gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian. Six are also gelatin-free, and for Matthijs Pinky Skulls we hold no ingredient list, so we do not add a gelatin-free claim to that case.
Dutch makers have supplied Swedish candy walls for as long as those walls have existed, and Matthijs is one of the names Swedish shoppers pick up without thinking about where it was made. We ran candy shops in Sweden before we started importing, and the skull bins were always among the first to empty. Here is the full Matthijs range we carry, what each case is, and how to put it on a shelf.
Why the skull shape matters
The skull is the defining silhouette of the modern Nordic candy wall. It reads as slightly transgressive, it photographs well, and it has carried European candy into feeds and shopping baskets far outside Scandinavia over the last few years.
Matthijs works almost entirely in that shape. Where other makers treat the skull as one item in a broad range, Matthijs treats it as the format and varies the flavor and finish around it: plain, fizzy, country-named, and colored variants, all in the same recognizable piece. That single-format focus is genuinely useful for a retailer, because you can build a whole section that reads as one visual idea while giving shoppers real variety inside it.
The Matthijs pieces are gummy, not foam. If you want the airy version of the same silhouette, Frisia makes foam skulls, and BUBS makes the chewy version. All three together are covered in Matthijs, Frisia and Lonka: the Dutch neighbours.
Every Matthijs case we stock
All seven Matthijs SKUs come in the same 4.41 lb (2 kg) case, which makes assortment planning simple: every bin holds the same amount and reorders on the same rhythm.
- Matthijs Cola Skulls (4.41 lb). The cola flavor in skull form, and the easiest sell to an American shopper who has never bought European candy. Gelatin-free, gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian.
- Matthijs Fizzy Skulls (4.41 lb). The skull with a fizzy, sour-sugar finish, for the shoppers who go straight to the sour bins. Gelatin-free, gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian.
- Matthijs Melon Skulls (4.41 lb). Melon is a signature Nordic candy flavor and one of the most under-served flavors on US candy walls. Gelatin-free, gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian.
- Matthijs Swedish Skulls (4.41 lb). One half of the country-named pair, built around a national flag theme rather than a single flavor idea. Gelatin-free, gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian.
- Matthijs Danish Skulls (4.41 lb). The other half of the pair, following the same flag convention for Denmark. Gelatin-free, gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian.
- Matthijs Pinky Skulls (4.41 lb). The pink skull. Flagged gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian, but we hold no ingredient list for this case, so we do not add a gelatin-free claim to it. Ask us and we will request current specifications from the maker before you commit shelf space.
- Matthijs Veggie Sour Cola Bottles (4.41 lb). The one non-skull in the range, in the classic cola bottle shape with a sour finish. Gelatin-free, gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian.
The Matthijs skull range
If you would rather add a shape break to the section, the cola bottle is the one that does it without leaving the brand:
The dietary picture, stated exactly
This matters more than most categories, so we keep it precise.
Gelatin. Six of the seven cases are gelatin-free: Cola Skulls, Fizzy Skulls, Melon Skulls, Swedish Skulls, Danish Skulls, and Veggie Sour Cola Bottles. Gelatin-free is a real advantage in a US bulk set, because most domestic gummy candy is not.
Gluten. All seven cases carry a gluten-free flag. The starch in these pieces is declared as modified starch from gluten-free wheat, corn and potato, and gluten-free wheat starch is processed so the gluten is removed, which is why the line qualifies. Buyers sometimes see the word wheat on the panel and assume the opposite, so it is worth explaining at the counter. Our gluten-free Swedish candy guide covers what does and does not qualify across the rest of our range.
Halal, vegan and vegetarian. All seven cases carry halal, vegan and vegetarian flags from the manufacturer. We are the importer rather than a certifying body, so treat the halal flag as the maker's declaration and check the mark printed on the pack for the production run you receive.
Pinky Skulls. This case carries the same gluten-free, halal, vegan and vegetarian flags, but we hold no ingredient list for it, so we do not add a gelatin-free claim, and neither should your shelf tag. We will chase current specifications from the maker on request.
When a customer asks a dietary question, the honest answer builds more trust than a confident guess. This is the single most common way candy retailers lose a repeat customer.
How Matthijs earns its shelf space
A skull section that reads as one idea. Run four or five skull bins together and the section becomes a destination. The shape does the marketing, and shoppers browse across flavors instead of picking one bag and leaving.
Flavors American walls do not have. Melon in particular is a Nordic staple that almost never appears on a US candy wall. Fizzy and cola are the familiar entry points, and melon is what makes a regular come back. Our Swedish sour candy types guide explains where fizzy skulls sit in the wider sour family.
Uniform case sizes. Seven identical 4.41 lb cases means predictable bin fills, predictable reorders, and no awkward half-empty containers. It is a small operational detail that makes a real difference in a scoop wall.
A country-named talking point. The Swedish and Danish skulls give staff something to say, and give tourists and Nordic expats something to point at. That kind of shelf story is a large part of why imported candy outperforms its shelf space.
For the wider assortment picture, our guide on how to stock Swedish candy covers how many SKUs to start with and how to balance textures. The gummy category as a whole is covered in Swedish gummy candy.
Buying Matthijs wholesale from us
We import direct and ship from our warehouse in Santa Fe Springs, California, to retailers across the US and Canada.
- Order by the case, mix and match, no order minimum. Start with two or three skull cases and add from there through Bulk Order.
- Public list pricing. Tier 1 list pricing is public on the catalog, and approved volume and strategic buyers get Tier 2 and Tier 3 pricing. Wholesale accounts approve automatically when you apply.
- Import-direct and DDP. Duties are paid and US labeling is handled before it reaches you, in both the US and Canada.
- Shipping. UPS Ground, UPS Express, and UPS Ground Saver at checkout, plus pallet freight on orders of $2,000 or more, arranged by email.
Ready to build a skull section? Apply for a wholesale account, start a bulk order, or get in touch and we will send current specifications for any case in the range.
Frequently asked questions
What is Matthijs candy?+
Matthijs is a Dutch maker specializing in skull-shaped gummies, long stocked on Swedish pick-and-mix walls. We carry seven Matthijs cases, six skull variants plus a sour cola bottle, all in 4.41 lb cases.
Are Matthijs skulls vegan or gelatin-free?+
All seven cases carry vegan and vegetarian flags. Six of the seven are also gelatin-free: Cola, Fizzy, Melon, Swedish, and Danish Skulls, plus the Veggie Sour Cola Bottles. For Pinky Skulls we hold no ingredient list, so we do not add a gelatin-free claim to it.
Are Matthijs skulls gluten-free?+
Yes. Every Matthijs case we stock carries a gluten-free flag. The starch is declared as modified starch from gluten-free wheat, corn and potato, so the word wheat appears on the panel even though the product is flagged gluten-free.
Are Matthijs skulls halal?+
Every Matthijs case we stock carries a halal flag from the manufacturer. We are the importer, not a certifying body, so if certification matters to your customers, check the mark on the printed pack for your production run and ask us for the manufacturer specification sheet.
What is the difference between Matthijs, BUBS, and Frisia skulls?+
Mainly texture. Matthijs skulls are gummy, BUBS skulls are chewy, and Frisia makes the skull as an airy foam piece. Many shops run all three so shoppers can choose their bite.
What size cases does Matthijs come in?+
Every Matthijs SKU we carry is a 4.41 lb (2 kg) case, which keeps bin fills and reorders consistent across the whole section.
How many Matthijs SKUs should I start with?+
Three is a sensible starting point: cola for familiarity, fizzy for the sour shoppers, and melon for the flavor nobody else on your street has. Add the country-named skulls once the section proves itself.
Keep reading
Gustav Lindqvist · Candy Master
Gustav grew up in Sweden on a strict Saturday-candy schedule, mixing his lördagsgodis bag at the lösgodis wall before he could spell salmiak. He has spent years tasting his way across Scandinavian candy, and now curates the range at TheSweetsTruck, from BUBS sour skulls to the saltiest licorice most people cannot finish.
Last updated 7/30/2026