Feb 9 2012 --- Cargill has unveiled plans to invest close to €20 million in its newly acquired cocoa and chocolate facilities in Berlin, Germany.

This investment will enable Cargill to upgrade, strengthen and expand its cocoa and chocolate capabilities in Germany in order to offer customers superior choice, quality and market reach.

Cargill plans to upgrade both production sites – based in Lichtenrade and Reinickendorf in Berlin – which will increase the capacities of specific product lines and strengthen its ability to provide a high quality cocoa and chocolate portfolio. These expansions will also enable the efficient integration within Cargill’s global network and optimise product flows to customers.

“This investment highlights Cargill’s ongoing commitment to helping our customers meet the growing consumer demand for chocolate particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe,” said Jos De Loor, Managing Director, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate. “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.”

This investment maintains Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate growth strategy in Europe and the company’s ability to serve its customers. It will continue to enhance Cargill’s leading position in Germany, the largest chocolate market in Europe and will create two state-of-the-art cocoa and chocolate facilities to better serve customers in the bakery, confectionery and ice-cream categories with a broad portfolio of chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa liquor and cocoa butter.

Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate facilities in Germany are part of its wider cocoa and chocolate network in Western Europe, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Brazil, Canada and the USA.

Cargill has been supplying quality cocoa and chocolate products to customers around the world in the chocolate, confectionery and food industry for over 50 years.