SunOpta, a Canada-based organic, specialty and natural health products manufacturer, has commenced production at its cocoa processing facility in Middenmeer, Netherlands.
The facility, which is operated as the Crown of Holland, processes 9,000t of raw cocoa into cocoa liquor, butter and powder using whole-bean roasting technology, providing the company with capacity to accommodate its cocoa business.
SunOpta International Foods president Gerard Versteegh said, "Vertically integrating into our own dedicated cocoa facility allows us to have increased control over our business and expand our margins, especially as we increase throughput."
"Organic and specialty cocoa products remain a key category for the International Foods Group, and we anticipate above average growth prospects in this segment of the market," Versteegh added.
SunOpta CEO Steve Bromley said, "This expansion is consistent with our strategy of becoming a pure play natural and organic foods company, aggressively growing our value-added ingredients and consumer packaged foods portfolio, and leveraging our integrated platform."
The company plans to expand its organic and specialty cocoa business and offer certified and specialty cocoa products to the specialty chocolate industry.