Warren Buffett is a lot of things — a master stock buyer, a noted philanthropist, even a pretty decent singer — but he can now add “diplomatic favorite” to his list of accomplishments.
You see, Buffett’s investment vehicle Berkshire Hathaway owns a company called “See’s Candy.” They’re the ones with the kiosks at the mall every Christmas. And See’s Candy, reports Bloomberg, isn’t just big among kids looking for something cheap to give their Aunt. It is also a favorite of U.S. Embassies around the world looking to give something to local officials and dignitaries.
At least $330,000 has been spent by the State Department on See’s since 2010, the report says. It is probably actually more, because gifts under $3,500 don’t have to be reported.
The Japanese embassy has spent $257,551 on the candy, by far the most of any country’s outpost. Other big spenders include Germany, Turkey, and the Bahamas.
Why is See’s Candy so popular? They’re high quality, made in America, and are generally a safe gift. Bloomberg notes that gift-giving among diplomats can be fraught with cultural concerns. For instance, the ambassador to Israel wouldn’t want to give something non-kosher, and the ambassador to Turkey couldn’t give anything that was not halal.
