The world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, The Barry Callebaut Group, is on track to open its third manufacturing facility in India, and the new chocolate and compound factory will be located in the Ghiloth industrial area, in the city of Neemrana, about 120 km southwest of Delhi. Scheduled to be operational in 2024, the new chocolate factory will include state-of-the-art assembly lines, catering to the various needs of its customers.
The new Greenfield facility in Neemrana will shield 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 compounding it in different delivery formats, catering to the various needs of its customers—international food manufacturers, local confectioneries, and semi-industrial bakeries and patisseries. The new facility will also house a warehouse and a research & development laboratory.
Upon completion of the new chocolate factory, India will become Barry Callebaut’s largest chocolate-producing market in the Asia Pacific region. With this announcement, Barry Callebaut’s total investment in India over the last 5 years is projected to exceed CHF 50 million.
This investment confirms the company’s pledge to the country over the last 15 years. Barry Callebaut has consistently invested in the Indian chocolate and cocoa market since the establishment of the first CHOCOLATE ACADEMYTM Center in Mumbai in 2007.Today, the company operates two factories in Baramati, producing high-quality chocolate and compounds.
Jo Thys, President of Barry Callebaut in Asia Pacific, said that India is a crucial market for Barry Callebaut in the Asia Pacific region. “Our ambition in India is to become the market leader for high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, and 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.”
Dhruva Jyoti Sanyal, Managing Director for Barry Callebaut India, said: “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.”
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.
Barry Callebaut has achieved double-digit volume growth in India over the last five years and currently has more than 160 employees in the country. The company has built its presence in India by serving food manufacturers and has established a strong network of nationwide distribution and committed channel partners over the years. Barry Callebaut also imports to India its global gourmet chocolate brands, including Callebaut, Cacao Barry, and Mona Lisa.
In recent months, Barry Callebaut has also unveiled several innovative chocolate products for its customers in India, including its first dairy-free, plant-based chocolate and WholeFruit chocolate, which is made from 100% cacao fruit.
Barry Callebaut is one of Asia Pacific’s largest chocolate and cocoa manufacturers.Employing more than 1,900 employees in the region, the company already operates eleven other chocolate and cocoa factories, namely those in Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. The company has also expanded its sales operations in Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, in addition to its existing sales offices in India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.