US-based food processing company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has temporarily halted cocoa roasting operations at its Schokinag processing plant in Germany due to fire at the plant.
Early on 24 October, fire broke out in the roasting area of ADM's plant at Mannheim, Reuters reported.
The plant is anticipated to have a capacity to process around 80,000 tonnes of cocoa annually, making it one of the largest in Europe.
ADM spokesman David Weintraub was quoted by the news agency as saying: "Cocoa roasting operations have been suspended while we investigate the cause and damage.
"It is likely that we can meet customer needs from our other cocoa operations in Europe and around the world. We will work with any affected customers and keep them informed."
Earlier in September, ADM agreed to divest its global chocolate business to US establishment Cargill, including part of the Mannheim operations, in a deal worth $440m.
ADM, however, said that the part of the Mannheim operations where the fire broke out is not included in the sale.
