Barry Callebaut has unveiled a new cocoa processing facility in Makassar, Indonesia through its joint venture (JV) with Comextra Majora, following an investment of $33m.
The swiss cocoa and chocolate products manufacturer entered into the JV - P.T. Barry Callebaut Comextra Indonesia - in November 2011, where Barry Callebaut owns 60% stake and P.T. Comextra Majora holds the remaining.
The new facility will cater to the growing demand for cocoa and its derivatives in Asian region.
The Makassar cocoa factory is strategically located on Sulawesi Island where most of the Indonesian beans are grown, which helps the company to lower logistics costs, and will initially have annual grinding capacity of 30,000 tons.
Barry Callebaut will undertake operations at the facility and will purchase the manufactured products, while P.T. Comextra Majora will provide cocoa beans under a long-term supply agreement.
Barry Callebaut CEO Juergen Steinemann said that the new facility opens new cocoa sourcing possibilities and further strengthens the company's overall manufacturing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Together with earlier investments and the recently acquired cocoa factories from Petra Foods in Asia, we are able to offer the best factory structure and support in a region where demand for quality cocoa and chocolate products is growing rapidly," Steinemann added.
P.T. Comextra Majora CEO and president commissioner of P.T. Barry Callebaut Comextra Indonesia Jimmy Wisan said: "Our businesses complement each other and the partnership will harness the strengths of both companies."
Barry Callebaut already owns four cocoa and four chocolate facilities, in additions to the Makassar factory, in the region.