Barry Callebaut Levapan deal strengthens South American presence
José Luis Murillo, CEO, Levapan (L) and Jesús Carlos Valencia, Managing Director, North LATAM, Barry Callebaut (R) mark their new deal. Pic: Barry Callebaut
Barry Callebaut has sought to further expand its portfolio of interests in South America, after signing a long-term deal with Colombian food ingredient business Levapan, aimed at strengthening its operations in the region, writes Neill Barston.
The new arrangement with the regional specialist is considered significant, given its broad distribution networks including Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, that are anticipated to prove strategically important to the global Swiss-headquartered chocolate and cocoa business.
Levapan, which was founded in 1956, is a specialist in producing, marketing and distribution of raw materials for the food industry, bakery and confectionery, mass consumption products, gastronomy, as well as industrial agriculture.
Steve Woolley, President & CEO, Region Americas, Barry Callebaut, believed the deal would offer a strong development for the company’s presence in the region.
He said: “This strategic supply agreement enables both companies to continue to drive strategic, long-term growth throughout Latin America. We will continue to drive expansion in the Americas to be the #1 chocolate partner for our customers.”
The agreement will allow Levapan to increase capacity and service offerings including chocolate products from the global Barry Callebaut brands Mona Lisa, Callebaut and Sicao, to supply chocolate in Latin America.
Jesús Carlos Valencia, Managing Director of Barry Callebaut Group for Northern Latin America, also welcomed the deal, which was for an undisclosed sum. He said: “This is just the beginning of our expansion in North Latin America and the Caribbean. We have a strong growth ambition and are seizing the potential in these vital markets for our chocolate products.”
