Cocoa ingredients division acquisition

Barry Callebaut, manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, has acquired the cocoa ingredients division of Singapore-based Petra Foods Ltd, following approval from the regulatory authorities. The acquisition creates an organisation with more than 8000 employees, an estimated annual sales volume of 1.6 million tonnes and CHF 6 billion (€4.9 billion / US $6.4 billion) in sales revenue, as well as further diversifying Barry Callebaut’s global footprint to 50 factories on four continents.

Juergen Steinemann, Barry Callebaut’s CEO, said: “The cocoa business we acquired from Petra Foods is right at the core of Barry Callebaut, and we will benefit from the know-how of our 1800 new, highly motivated colleagues. It will support the further growth of our existing chocolate business. Being now also the largest global supplier of high-quality cocoa products, we will be able to capture opportunities in the fast-growing markets for specialty cocoa powders even better.” Looking ahead, Mr Steinemann added: “We are pleased that with the successful closing of the transaction, we can start to implement what we have prepared in the last six months and focus on the integration process.”

The acquisition of the cocoa ingredients division is highly complementary to Barry Callebaut’s existing business and will support the further growth of the company’s chocolate business. It is a strategic investment and in line with Barry Callebaut’s strategy based on the four pillars expansion, innovation, cost leadership and sustainable cocoa.