Most workers declined to comment after being told not to speak to media, but a few made their feelings known after the 10am meeting.
One man who had been working at the factory for about 30 years said the closure was not only a sad day for staff but also for Dunedin.
There were some tears at the meeting, which started at 10am, as workers were told the news, he said.
However, he had no hard feelings against Mondelez International, the owner of Cadbury.
"It’s a company decision, a corporate decision, they have got to run a business.
"It just hasn’t worked out for us here," he said.
The closure was no reflection on the workers who had all "done their best," he said.
The workers "were like family" and would stick together to support each other.
He was surprised by the announcement.
"I don’t think staff were expecting it."
He was unsure whether he would stay in Dunedin.
Some staff, who would not be named, emerged from the meeting angry, while others said the writing had been on the wall.
"Anyone that thinks it’s a surprise is stupid.
"We have been expecting this for years," one man said.
"They have been taking money out of the company ever since Kraft [which later became Mondelez] took over," another said.
There was a mixture of emotions expressed by staff at the meeting.
"Some are upset. Some aren’t," one staff member said.
Others said the mood was "sombre" and staff were hurting.
"People have been here a lot of years," one man said.
Frank Miller was the managing director of Cadbury from 1986 to 1991. He called from his home in Australia and said he was "saddened" by the closure.
"I’m saddened for the people of Dunedin.
"In my day it was a flexible and efficient factory that made high-quality products," Mr Miller said.
He did not want to speculate on the reasons for the closure, but said the exchange rate with Australia was more favourable towards New Zealand when he was working there.
About 500 people worked out of the Dunedin factory at that time.
