Liquid chocolate venture: Cargill invests €12 million in Belgian chocolate facility

20 Jun 2018 --- As the consumer demand for premium, high-quality Belgian chocolate continues to rise, Cargill has invested €12 million (US$13.8 million) in a new liquid chocolate production line at its Mouscron production facility in Belgium. This additional investment brings the total investment of the site up to €47 million (US$54.3 million). The investment increases the company’s capacity to produce milk and dark chocolate and creates up to 10 new jobs in Mouscron, Belgium.

Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business will open the new production line in the last quarter of 2018. With an investment of €12 million ($14 million), the company will be able to enhance further and expand its chocolate capabilities. The investment is a response to growing customer demand for high-quality chocolates tailor-made to individual customer specifications, demonstrating Cargill’s continued commitment to providing its customers with a secure and broad supply of bespoke cocoa and chocolate products.

The new production line, along with the company’s in-depth chocolate knowledge, extensive food experience and R&D proficiency, will help food manufacturers innovate in a market characterized by rapidly changing consumer preferences and expectations. 

Inge Demeyere, Managing Director for Cargill’s chocolate and compound activities in Europe, says that this investment is a further sign of things to come: “This is the first phase of a two-phase plan for expansion at Mouscron. The second phase of this expansion project concerns the building of additional capabilities to specialize our liquid lines, the installation of solid lines, as well as new offices. Planning for the second phase of the investment project will begin in the second half of 2018.”

“As an organization committed to growth, we are continually looking at opportunities to make our business stronger and more successful in the long term,” she tells FoodIngredientsFirst. 

Demand from customers for high-quality Belgian chocolate continues to increase, according to Demeyere. “We believe this investment will enable us to offer greater product innovation, increased levels of service and a broader and more bespoke service to meet their individual needs.”

“Our overall ambition is to be the leading global player with a fully integrated supply chain, by giving our customers peace of mind providing security of supply, integrity through sustainability and excitement through our sensory expertise. Our strategy will bring long-term stability to our business,” explains Demeyere.

This investment will create a new production line exclusively for dark chocolate at Mouscron. However, the addition of this line will create more milk and dark chocolate capacity across Cargill’s network of facilities. 

“There are a number of trends that guide us in our strategic growth decisions – but they all have a common driving force – rapidly changing consumer preferences and expectations,” she continues. “Being aware of the latest trends and responding to them means we can develop products for our customers that their consumers are looking for.”

‘Indulgence’ for example is a key driver of the demand of premium chocolate, while ‘health and wellness’ is resulting in demand for sugar-free or added food functionality, says Demeyere. “Alongside this, the increasing demand for ‘food transparency’ is reflected in growing interest in non-GMO and organic chocolates,” she states. 

Another significant trend is the rising demand for Belgian claim chocolate and this investment at Mouscron will enable Cargill to meet this demand, according to Demeyere. Belgium has been a focal point of Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business for many years and Belgian chocolate has a strong reputation.

Indulgence is a key driver of the demand for premium chocolate. With the new production line, Cargill will be able to better meet Belgium’s chocolate needs – and offer more quality Belgian chocolate to customers in other global markets who want to benefit from the country’s world-class reputation. “At Cargill, we are fully committed to our long-term growth in the Belgian chocolate market,” Demeyere adds.

Cargill currently employs approximately 150 people in production and related services in Mouscron. Belgium has been a focal point of Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business for many years thanks to the country’s iconic chocolate production tradition combined with a strong focus on safety and product integrity. The Mouscron facility processes dark and milk chocolate in liquid and solid form for manufacturers active in confectionery, biscuits, bakery, ice-cream and artisanal applications. The company has another chocolate site in Belgium, Antwerp, producing liquid and solid chocolate.

By Elizabeth Green