US agribusiness giant Cargill is to invest around EUR20m (US$26.5m) on the upgrade of two newly-acquired cocoa and chocolate facilities in Germany.
The Berlin-based facilities, which Cargill acquired last year when it bought German chocolate maker KVB, will allow the it to “strengthen and expand” its cocoa and chocolate capabilities in Germany, the firm said yesterday (8 February).
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Cargill said the investment maintains its cocoa and chocolate growth strategy in Europe.
Eastern Europe,” “By upgrading, expanding and integrating these two production sites into our wider cocoa and chocolate network, we are better placed to serve our customers and seamlessly provide them with the best quality product from the most appropriate site,” Jos De Loor, MD of Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate division, said.
A spokesperson for the firm told just-food that its acquisition of KVB last year, and the announcement today, marks “a significant step in Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate’s growth strategy in Europe”.
“It builds on our existing cocoa offerings, strengthens our chocolate business, creates opportunities to expand our chocolate offering into new markets and enhances our position in Germany, the largest chocolate market in Europe,” the spokesperson said.
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By GlobalDataOf the two facilities, Reinickendorf will remain a cocoa bean processing facility that will produce cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and chocolate products, while Lichtenrade will continue to produce a wide range of chocolate products, the spokesperson said.
Cargill has 12 locations across Germany, employing around 1,600 staff.
