The Barry Callebaut Group, a manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, celebrated the opening of its factory expansion in Campbellfield, located on the outskirts of Melbourne.
The investment expands the existing Campbellfield factory, acquired in 2020 and added significantly to the total production capacity of the Australian factory and its range of offerings.
With the expansion of the Campbellfield factory, Barry Callebaut is well-positioned to become the leading chocolate manufacturer in Australia, Australian managing director Denis Convert said.
“I am proud that our gourmet chocolates have been brought into the country for many years now,” Convert said.
“Today, I am even prouder that our high quality ‘made in Australia’ products are available in higher volumes, creating more chocolate happiness for our local consumers.”
Australia is one of the largest chocolate and confectionery markets in the Asia Pacific, according to Euromonitor. It sits with a per capita consumption of 5.1kg of chocolate confectionary in 2021.
The investment into the 11,000 square metre site is equipped with state-of-the-art chocolate refining. The site’s expansion reflected the increasing demand for high-quality chocolate in Australia.
This factory expansion underlines Barry Callebaut’s ongoing commitment to Australia, president for Asia Pacific, Jo Thys said.
“The facility further strengthens our regional footprint in the Asia Pacific, producing safe and high-quality products. This move is in line with our ambition to locate production close to our consumers,” Thys said.
Through its facility in Campbellfield, Victoria, Barry Callebaut can serve the entire food industry in Australia, from global and local food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate.
The new factory lines offerings now include liquid chocolate, compound, buttons, chips, and specialities such as coatings and fillings.
The Barry Callebaut group supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future and improve farmer livelihoods.