Cargill to start up chocolate facility in India

US agribusiness giant Cargill is partnering with an Indian manufacturer to launch its first chocolate manufacturing operation in Asia aimed at bakery and confectionery customers.

The facility, which will create 100 jobs locally, is expected to begin operating in western India in mid-2021 and will initially produce 10,000 tons of chocolate compounds.

“The domestic market is seeing average annual growth of 13-14%, making India the world’s fastest growing chocolate market,” said Cargill commenting on its entry into the business. According to a report by Imarc Group, in 2019 the Indian chocolate market reached a value of $1.68 billion, driven by younger consumers.

However, the US giant is not the only company investing in the dynamic Asian chocolate market. In early June, Barry Callebaut did the same by adding a fourth production line to its Singapore facility.

Cargill has been operating in India since 1987 with businesses in refined oils, food ingredients, grain and oilseeds, and animal nutrition. It employs more than 3,500 people.