The trust that controls Hershey, the largest US chocolate maker, has for the first time indicated it is interested in a deal that could deliver rapid growth for the company while retaining its historic ownership position.

In a statement likely to refocus investor attention on possible closer ties between Hershey and Cadbury, the UK confectioner, LeRoy Zimmerman, chairman of the Hershey Trust, said the trust – which controls about 80 per cent of Hershey’s voting shares – was committed to maintaining control of the company.