July 4, 2020
Barry Callebaut completes acquisition of Australian’s GKC chocolate global manufacturer of premium-quality chocolate and cocoa products, in late May 2020 announced the acquisition of GKC Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd, who is a producer of chocolate, coatings and fillings, that serves many consumer chocolate brands in Australia and New Zealand.
On 1st July 2020, Barry Callebaut revealed that the acquisition has officially completed and incorporation will start as of now.
“We are happy to welcome the team of GKC Foods to the Barry Callebaut family,” said Ben De Schryver, president of Barry Callebaut in Asia Pacific. “The heritage and local knowledge GKC Foods has built since the 1980s, combined with the expertise, the state of the art manufacturing processes and the capabilities of an undisputed leader in chocolate and cocoa innovation will bring further excellence to the Australia and New Zealand markets. We strongly believe in the growth opportunities in these still largely captive markets.”
Barry Callebaut based in Zurich, declared that the acquisition of GKC will give it an edge over with an established presence and manufacturing capacity in the growing Australian market, along with its presence, the company is planning to expand its position in the industrial chocolate market and leverage its value-adding Gourmet & Specialties business. Barry Callebaut promises it will continue to work with local distributors in the region who have been importing and distributing its industrial and gourmet chocolate and cocoa products to the country since the 1970s.
According to Euromonitor, Australia and New Zealand have an average chocolate consumption of approx 5 kilograms per capita, a figure that rates the highest per-capita chocolate consumption in Asia Pacific. In Australia, demand for chocolate has been on the rise and is perceived to touch new heights.