Chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has announced that it has commenced the construction of a cocoa production facility in Durán, Ecuador.
Once operational, the state-of-the-art facility will receive, dry, clean and store cocoa beans and prepare the raw material for exports to its cocoa and chocolate factories in the US, Canada, Asia and Europe.
The site will also house the company’s offices in Ecuador, which is likely to employ more than 40 people, the company added.
The project represents a significant investment in Ecuador and reflects the chocolate maker’s commitment to further develop the cocoa value chain in the country, Barry Callebaut said.
'Long-Term Commitment'
Angela Gubser, managing director of Barry Callebaut in Ecuador, said, “With this state-of-the-art infrastructure, we are making a long-term commitment to the country and its cocoa producing sector.
“Our team is looking forward to moving into the new premises, further developing business relations with existing and new partners and enhancing our sustainability programs with the Ecuadorian cocoa farmers.”
Since 1996, Barry Callebaut has been sourcing cocoa from Ecuador for products such as Carma Milk Ecuador, Callebaut Origine Ecuador and Cacao Barry Équateur.
The country is renowned for its flowery-fruity flavoured variety of cocoa, known as Cacao Nacional or Arriba.
Ecuador is the third-largest cocoa producer in the world after Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, the company added.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
