ADM Opens Cocoa Plant in Kumasi, Ghana

The Company has been active in West Africa since 1997 and has a cocoa processing plant in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; bean collection and cleaning facilities in Abidjan, Anyama and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire; and a joint venture with Usicam in Douala, Cameroon.

12 Oct 209 --- Archer Daniels Midland Company has officially opened its new cocoa processing plant in Kumasi, Ghana. The ribbon cutting was attended by His Excellency, Professor John Evan Atta Mills, president of Ghana; representing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Nana Akyeampimhene; Mr. Tony Fofie, chief executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board; and John Rice, ADM executive vice president Commercial and Production.

“I am pleased that ADM has chosen Kumasi to build its new cocoa processing plant. This is an excellent example of how we can create a business environment that balances the growth of local industries with the operations of international businesses and so support our growing economy by investing in our people, and creating jobs and revenue,” said His Excellency, Professor John E. A. Mills, president of Ghana.

ADM has had a presence in Ghana since 2005, when the company opened a branch office. The Company has been active in West Africa since 1997 and has a cocoa processing plant in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; bean collection and cleaning facilities in Abidjan, Anyama and San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire; and a joint venture with Usicam in Douala, Cameroon.

“Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world. This new plant will not only help Ghana maintain its reputation as a producer of premium quality cocoa but will also create new opportunities for Ghanaian cocoa farmers,” said Mr. Tony Fofie, chief executive of the Ghana Cocoa Board.

“This new plant enhances our ability to source high-quality cocoa beans from Ghana, and to give our customers access to cocoa and chocolate products from this key growing region,” said John Rice, ADM executive vice president Commercial and Production. “Along with the acquisition earlier this year of Schokinag, our new Kumasi processing plant puts ADM in a stronger position to become the preferred global supplier of cocoa and chocolate solutions. These actions extend our value-added business and global operations to support our customers’ innovation and growth.”

The facility is comprised of a bean warehouse, a processing plant and a finished goods warehouse that sit on a 75,000 square-meter site. The new plant processes cocoa beans into cocoa liquor for use in chocolate. Construction of the Kumasi plant started in January 2008, and the facility began processing beans in July 2009.

“Safety is at the core of our business and the commitment to safety at this site has been exemplary.” said Mark Bemis president Cocoa, Milling and Financial Services. “ADM has not had any incidents during the construction of this site and this excellent safety record has continued since that day.”

ADM is one of the world’s largest cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, with cocoa processing plants in Europe, Africa, North America, South American and Asia. It recently opened a new plant in Hazleton, Pa., United States.