With what the company sees as the rapid rise in consumer demand for premium, high quality Belgian chocolate, Cargill has invested in a new liquid chocolate production line in its Mouscron production facility in Belgium. This investment increases the company’s capacity to produce milk and dark chocolate and creates up to 10 new local jobs.

Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business will open the production line in the last quarter of 2018. With an investment of €12 million ($14 million), the company says it will be able to further enhance and expand its chocolate capabilities. The investment is said to be a response to growing customer demand for high quality chocolates tailor-made to individual customer specifications, demonstrating what Cargill says is its continued commitment to providing its customers with a secure and broad supply of bespoke cocoa and chocolate products.

The new production line will, according to Cargill, help food manufacturers innovate in a market characterized by rapidly changing consumer preferences and expectations.

Inge Demeyere, managing director for Cargill’s chocolates and compound activities in Europe, said: “Indulgence is a key driver of the demand for premium chocolate. With the new production line, we will be able to better meet Belgium’s chocolate needs – and offer more quality Belgian chocolate to customers in other global markets who want to benefit from the country’s world-class reputation. At Cargill, we are fully committed to our long-term growth in the Belgian chocolate market.”

Cargill currently employs approximately 150 people in production and related services in Mouscron. The Mouscron facility processes dark and milk chocolate in liquid and solid form for manufacturers active in confectionery, biscuits, bakery, ice-cream and artisanal applications. The company has another chocolate site in Belgium, Antwerp, producing liquid and solid chocolate.