Barry Callebaut is set to open its third factory in Russia, in the special economic zone of the Kaliningrad region, at the Baltic Sea. 

The factory was acquired last September and will be operational this August. The current factory setup will allow Barry Callebaut to produce liquid and solid compounds and fillings for chocolate. 

Initially, the factory will employ about 40 people, creating new jobs, mainly in production, engineering and warehousing.

“The opening of our third factory further strengthens our presence in Russia and underlines our commitment to the world’s third-largest chocolate confectionery market,” says Rogier van Sligter, co-resident EMEA. 

Commitment to innovation
Apart from the factory in Kaliningrad, Barry Callebaut’s footprint in Russia already includes two factories, one in Chekhov, in the Moscow region, and another in Kasimov, in the Ryazan region.

“The three factories, together with the Chocolate Academy Center located in Moscow, enable us to serve our customers better and offer a full product portfolio. We can satisfy the growing demand in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries for chocolate innovation,” says Bart De Geyndt, general director Barry Callebaut Russia and CIS.

Barry Callebaut has been active in the European region in recent months. Last week, Barry Callebaut’s Carma Chocolate brand became the first chocolate launched by the chocolate manufacturer with “100 percent sustainable ingredients.”

The company recently signed a long-term outsourcing agreement with Atlantic Stark, a Serbia-based chocolate, biscuits and candy manufacturer. 

Last month, the Swiss chocolate manufacturer agreed to acquire Europe Chocolate Company, a Belgian privately-owned B2B manufacturer of chocolate specialties and decorations.