HARRISBURG — Hershey is assembling a bid to acquire British candymaker Cadbury without the help of Italian candymaker Ferrero International, a person familiar with Hershey's plans said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the company that bid first, American food giant Kraft, continued to defend its offer and issued an earnings forecast that could have been intended to show off its strength.

Hershey has been working on two parallel bids for Cadbury — one with Ferrero and one on its own. But Ferrero reportedly has withdrawn. Hershey is still crafting its own potential bid, the person familiar with Hershey said.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter, said Hershey hoped to avoid a bidding war by waiting until Cadbury's shareholders decide on a competing $16.5 billion bid by Kraft.

Kraft has until Feb. 2 to win support from a majority of shareholders. It said last week it had received acceptance from holders of 1.5 percent of Cadbury shares to date. Kraft's deadline to increase its bid is Tuesday.

A spokesman for the maker of Hershey's Kisses and Reese's peanut butter cups said, as a matter of policy, the company does not comment on merger and acquisition issues.

Cadbury shares rose, adding 12.5 pence, or 1.6 percent, to close at 789.50 on the London Stock Exchange. Hershey shares fell 93 cents to $36.82 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

An Italian business daily reported Wednesday Ferrero International SA is no longer interested in bidding for Cadbury. The paper cited unidentified sources close to the family run Italian firm.

Ferrero did not comment on the report.

Any bid for Cadbury would involve bringing jobs and assets to Hershey, while voting control of the company would remain with the charitable trust set up by its late founder, Milton S. Hershey, the person said.

In November, Hershey and Ferrero told the London Stock Exchange they were considering an offer for Cadbury but cautioned one might not materialize.

Without a well-financed partner, analysts question how Hershey alone can afford the acquisition of the larger Cadbury. Hershey is America's most recognizable name in chocolate, but it is dwarfed by some of the world's other major candymakers, including Mars and Nestle.

Hershey posted revenue of $5.13 billion in 2008, while Cadbury reported $7.8 billion in 2008.

On Wednesday, Kraft maintained it would be the best partner for Cadbury. Kraft shares fell 3 cents to $29.26.

If Kraft does win Cadbury, it would combine the world's second-largest food maker with one of the world's largest confectioners.

But Kraft, based in Northfield, Ill., is under pressure from its biggest shareholder, billionaire investor Warren Buffett, not to sweeten its offer with more shares, which he believes are undervalued.