Police put out an appeal for information on Monday after the refrigerated trailer and its cargo of Nutella, Kinder Surprise eggs and other chocolate treats vanished from the town of Neustadt over the weekend.

"Anyone offered large quantities (of chocolate) via unconventional channels should report it to the police immediately," a statement said.

The load, believed to be worth up to 70,000 euros ($82,000), was likely stolen between Saturday evening and midday Sunday, officers said.

A spokesman told local media the perpetrators would have needed a truck of their own, not just a car, to be able to tow such heavy cargo. Officials were investigating whether it was linked to another theft in nearby Weimar also over the weekend - this time of a truck with an empty trailer.

Separately, police in the northern town of Wittenburg were searching for a semi-trailer filled with 30 tons of fruit juice, and worth about 70,000 euros, that was stolen sometime on Saturday morning. They have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

nm/rc (AFP, dpa)