Ranked No. 64 on Fortune Global 500

In 2017, Nestlé was ranked No. 64 on the Fortune Global 500 list, an annual ranking of the world’s largest corporations based on total revenue. The placement reinforced Nestlé’s position as the world’s largest publicly traded food and beverage company during that period. Headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé maintained a vast international footprint spanning nearly 190 countries and operated hundreds of production facilities worldwide. The Fortune Global 500 ranking reflected Nestlé’s strong financial performance across multiple consumer product categories, including coffee, confectionery, bottled water, pet care, frozen meals, dairy products, infant nutrition, and culinary goods. Several of the company’s major global brands were central to its revenue generation, including Nescafé, Kit Kat, Maggi, and Nespresso. These brands had established large international customer bases and contributed to Nestlé’s broad market reach across both developed and emerging economies. During this period, Nestlé’s operations were organized through an extensive multinational structure that combined manufacturing, research, product development, and global distribution networks. The company employed hundreds of thousands of workers globally and maintained production facilities across Europe, North America, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Its portfolio included both mass-market and premium consumer products, allowing Nestlé to maintain diversified revenue streams across different economic regions and consumer segments. The 2017 ranking came during a transitional phase for Nestlé as the company increasingly focused on categories linked to health, nutrition, premium beverages, and consumer wellness. Under CEO Mark Schneider, who became chief executive in early 2017, Nestlé began accelerating portfolio changes that included acquisitions in coffee and plant-based foods alongside divestments of slower-growing businesses. These strategic shifts were designed to strengthen long-term growth while adapting to changing consumer preferences worldwide. Fortune’s Global 500 rankings are widely followed as a benchmark of corporate scale and international commercial influence. Nestlé’s continued placement among the top global corporations highlighted the enduring strength of its food and beverage brands and its extensive international operating infrastructure. Why This Moment Matters: Nestlé’s 2017 Fortune Global 500 ranking illustrated the scale and global reach of multinational food corporations during a period of shifting consumer trends and industry consolidation. The company’s position reflected not only its revenue size but also the growing importance of globally recognized food brands in international retail and consumer markets.