The President and CEO of Barry Callebaut, Hein Schumacher, has announced plans to triple the company's chocolate production capacity in Côte d'Ivoire. This decision was made during a meeting with Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Trade, Industry, and Handicrafts, Kalil Konaté, on October 6, 2026. Schumacher was accompanied by the Vice President of the group, Emmanuel Toureille, and the Managing Director of SACO Côte d'Ivoire.
The meeting focused on the company's investment prospects in Côte d'Ivoire, challenges facing the cocoa industry, and opportunities for local development. Barry Callebaut aims to diversify its offerings to meet local and regional demand. The company has been present in Côte d'Ivoire for many years, with two industrial units and approximately 3,000 people employed directly and indirectly.
Minister Konaté emphasized the government's commitment to industrialization as a key driver of economic growth. He encouraged Barry Callebaut to continue investing in cocoa processing and to develop partnerships with Ivoirian companies. The Minister highlighted the importance of creating jobs, wealth, and value through investment.
The discussions also addressed challenges facing the cocoa industry, including an expected decline in cocoa production, plant diseases, port congestion, and energy constraints. Minister Konaté mentioned initiatives to improve logistics infrastructure and support investors. SACO Côte d'Ivoire currently has a grinding capacity of 230,000 tons of cocoa beans, purchasing 210,000 tons from 250,000 cocoa producers.
Barry Callebaut's growth strategy is based on Côte d'Ivoire, with a 10-year plan to expand its operations. The company aims to create more jobs and increase the value added to Ivoirian cocoa through local processing. This meeting demonstrates a shared commitment to strengthening local transformation and development.
Minister Konaté stressed the need to develop industrial units in cocoa-producing areas to promote the emergence of national champions. He encouraged Barry Callebaut to invest in these regions to create more jobs and stimulate local economies.
The partnership between Barry Callebaut and the Ivoirian government is expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and development. By tripling its chocolate production capacity, Barry Callebaut is poised to become a major player in the Ivoirian cocoa industry.
Key points
- Barry Callebaut plans to triple its chocolate production capacity in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The company aims to diversify its offerings to meet local and regional demand.
- The partnership between Barry Callebaut and the Ivoirian government is expected to create jobs and stimulate local economies.
