Swiss chocolate producer Barry Callebaut has remained tight lipped on the future of US unit Bracht after the company’s deal with Hershey.
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Barry Callebaut, which is reviewing its options on Bracht, is set to join forces with Hershey in the Americas over supply and product innovation.
Under the deal, Barry Callebaut will supply Hershey with at least 80,000 tonnes of chocolate and chocolate products a year.
The agreement will also see Barry Callebaut build a plant to supply chocolate for Hershey’s new site in Mexico. Barry Callebaut will also lease part of a Hershey facility in the US state of Illinois.
However, a spokesperson for Barry Callebaut said the deal with Hershey is unrelated to its review on the future of Bracht. “The business remains under a strategic review and we’re analysing our options,” the spokesperson told just-food.
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By GlobalDataBarry Callebaut has four plants in the US and once each in Canada and Brazil.
The deal with Hershey will help Barry Callebaut fulfil its ambitions in the Americas, the spokesperson added. “We have major ambitions on that continent. Hershey is the number one consumer chocolate company and it’s a compliment to Barry Callebaut to be chosen as their strategic partner.”
In February, Barry Callebaut signed a similar deal with Nestlé in Europe. Under that deal, Barry Callebaut gained control of two Nestlé sites in Italy and France and agreed to supply Nestlé with chocolate mass for Russia.
The Barry Callebaut spokesperson said demand for premium and dark chocolate in the US is on the up, something the company had already seen in Europe.
Officials at Hershey could not be reached for comment as just-food went to press.
