NOVI SAD, Serbia — The Barry Callebaut Group, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Serbia and the City of Novi Sad to construct its first chocolate factory in Southeastern Europe.
The state-of-the-art facility will be located in Novi Sad, Serbia, about 90 km northwest of the country’s capital Belgrade, and is planned to have an initial annual production capacity of over 50,000 tonnes.
Total investment volume over a period of five years is projected to amount to EUR 50 million (CHF 56.7 million). The factory is expected to be operational by 2021. Before the signing, the Barry Callebaut delegation was welcomed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Antoine de Saint-Affrique, Chief Executive Officer of the Barry Callebaut Group stated:
“Barry Callebaut has been very successful in Southeastern Europe over the past few years. Novi Sad is the perfect location for us: It is the second largest city in Serbia, it has a reputable university and thus offers us access to the resources we need to realize our plans. With the new factory in Novi Sad, in line with our ‘smart growth’ strategy, we will be able to expand our footprint in the region and supply current as well as new customers with a wide range of chocolate, compound and filling products. The factory will serve as a regional hub from which Barry Callebaut can address the rapidly growing chocolate markets of Southeastern Europe.”
Aleksandar Vučić, President of Serbia stated:
We are very happy and proud to welcome an export oriented market leader into Serbia’s food industry. Not only will Barry Callebaut bring state-of-the-art technology and expertise to our country but also investments and employment for our people. Serbia will do its utmost to make this a success.
