Barry Callebaut, the Switzerland-based manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products, has entered into a new long-term supply agreement with British-Dutch consumer goods group Unilever.
Under the terms of the agreement, Barry Callebaut will become Unilever's strategic global supplier and innovation partner of choice for its cocoa and chocolate needs. The new agreement builds on the existing long-standing working relationship and will nearly double Barry Callebaut's current volumes with Unilever.
Ultimately Barry Callebaut will provide 70% of Unilever's global cocoa and chocolate products. This will be achieved through close co-operation across the areas of innovation, sustainable sourcing, capacity expansion and value improvement.
As a result of the agreement, Barry Callebaut will invest approximately CHF22m ($24m) in its worldwide factory network in order to prepare the capacity required to fulfill the long-term partnership agreement.
Unilever's Refreshment Category president Kevin Havelock said the company's leadership position has been built on great taste, innovation and increasingly sustainable ingredients.
"We need partners like Barry Callebaut to help us extend this position and achieve our overall aim," Havelock added.
