Cargill invests €12mn in Belgian chocolate facility

Cargill has invested €12mn ($13.9mn) in a new liquid chocolate production line at its facility in Mouscron, Belgium.

The investment aims to increase Cargill’s capacity to produce milk and dark chocolate so that it can tap into the rapid rise in consumer demand for premium, high-quality Belgian chocolate.

"Indulgence is a key driver of the demand for premium chocolate,” said Inge Demeyere, managing director for Cargill's chocolates and compound activities in Europe. 

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“With the new production line, we 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," she added.

“At Cargill, we are fully committed to our long-term growth in the Belgian chocolate market."

Set to open in the last quarter of 2018, Cargill says the investment demonstrates its commitment to providing its customers with a broad range of cocoa and chocolate products.

Cargill’s Mouscron facility processes dark and milk chocolate, in both liquid and solid form, for manufacturers in the confectionery, biscuit, bakery, ice-cream and artisanal markets.

Today, around 150 people are employed at the Mouscron site, and Cargill says that the investment will create an extra ten roles at the facility.