Barry Callebaut breaks ground on third chocolate facility in India

Its new chocolate and compound factory will be located in the Ghiloth industrial area, in the city of Neemrana, approximately 120 km southwest of Delhi. Upon completion the facility will become Barry Callebaut’s largest chocolate producing market in Region Asia Pacific. With this announcement, Barry Callebaut said its total investment in India over the last five years is projected to exceed CHF 50 million ($52m).

This investment reaffirms the company’s commitment to the country in the last 15 years. Since the opening of the first Chocolate Academy in Mumbai in 2007. The company operates two factories in Baramati, producing high-quality chocolate and compound.

“As a global leader in the chocolate industry, India is a key market for Barry Callebaut in Region Asia Pacific. Our ambition in India is to become the market leader for high-quality chocolate and cocoa products. The creation of our third factory in India clearly displays Barry Callebaut’s confidence in this growth market and enables us to get even closer to our customers​,” said Jo Thys, President of Barry Callebaut in Asia Pacific.

The new greenfield facility in Neemrana will cover a total of 20,000 m2 and is scheduled to be operational in 2024. The new chocolate factory will include state-of-the-art assembly lines capable of manufacturing chocolate and compound in different delivery formats, catering to the various needs of its customers – international food manufacturers, local confectioneries and semi-industrial bakers and patisseries. The new facility will also house a warehouse and a research & development laboratory.

“India is among the fastest growing chocolate markets in the world. Over the years, we have invested significantly in our local manufacturing and sales capabilities, which positions us well for the future. The new factory will act as a northern hub, bring us closer to customers and create opportunities for us to introduce our high-quality products and industry-leading innovations​,” said Dhruva Jyoti Sanyal, Managing Director for Barry Callebaut India.

The expansion of the Group’s footprint in India is tied to the country’s rapidly developing demand for high-quality chocolate, and will serve to meet the growing needs of Barry Callebaut’s customers, the company said in a statement.

India is one of the fastest-growing markets for the chocolate confectionery industry. Sales volume of chocolate confectionery in India grew +26% in 2021 and at a CAGR of +10% between 2017-2021, according to Nielsen.