Barry Callebaut to Build First Chocolate Factory in Southeastern Europe

The Barry Callebaut Group has 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 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 tones. Total investment volume over a period of five years is projected to amount to EUR50m (CHF56.7m). 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, Barry Callebaut Group CEO, explained that Southeastern Europe was a successful region for the company over the past few years.

“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,” Antoine de Saint-Affrique said.