Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprungli is investing close to EUR70m over the next two years in increasing production capacity at its sole French plant.

Around 50 new jobs will be created at the factory in Oloron Sainte-Marie in south-west France.

Expansion is largely a result of “the strong development” of the Lindt brand in France, where it says it is market leader for chocolate bars. Nevertheless, more than 40% of the French plant’s output is exported.

Contacted by just-food, a senior manager at the plant declined to comment on reports the expansion wil represent a 25% increase in capacity taking annual production capability to 40,000 tonnes. “We are not going to comment on these figures,” he said.