Cargill invests €56 Million in Belgium to expand food production 

BELGIUM – Cargill has invested €56 million across three facilities in Belgium, expanding production capacity for edible oils and gourmet chocolate while enhancing food innovation capabilities to support growing customer demand across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). 

The investments, spanning the company’s sites in Izegem, Mouscron and Vilvoorde, include major manufacturing upgrades and the launch of a new pilot plant dedicated to product development and testing.  

Cargill said the projects reinforce Belgium’s strategic role within its European operations and strengthen its ability to deliver innovative food solutions to customers. 

At its Izegem facility, Cargill has completed a €21 million expansion of its edible oils bottling plant, which is the largest of its kind in Europe. The company transformed approximately 60% of the site, nearly doubling production capacity and adding two dedicated foodservice production lines.  

The upgrade also introduced advanced automation systems designed to improve operational efficiency and enhance supply reliability. 

In Mouscron, Cargill invested €30 million to expand its gourmet chocolate manufacturing facility. The project added 10,500 square metres of production space and nearly doubled the site’s manufacturing capacity.  

The facility produces the company’s Veliche couverture chocolate range, supplying foodservice operators, chocolatiers and food manufacturers across multiple markets. 

The expansion comes as food manufacturers face increasing pressure to respond more rapidly to seasonal demand, reduce lead times and develop products tailored to evolving customer preferences. 

Cargill has also strengthened its innovation capabilities through a €5.4 million investment in a new extrusion pilot plant at its Innovation Center in Vilvoorde.  

The facility will support product development, ingredient testing and customer trials across food, feed and pet food applications. The project builds on a previously announced €45 million investment in the Innovation Center. 

Commenting on the investments, Geert Maesmans, Vice President of Research and Development for Cargill’s Food Business in EMEA and the company’s Belgium Country Lead, said Belgium remains a key strategic location for the company. 

“Belgium is a key strategic hub for Cargill in Europe, thanks to its strong food industry, close customer connectivity, and advanced logistics infrastructure that enable efficient supply across Western Europe,” Maesmans said. 

He added: “These investments not only strengthen our local food R&D and production capabilities but allow us to continue to grow with our customers and provide them with more diverse and innovative food solutions across Belgium and the EMEA region.” 

The latest projects build on Cargill’s long-standing presence in Belgium, where the company has operated since 1953.  

Today, Cargill employs more than 1,500 people across nine locations supporting manufacturing, research and regional business operations. 

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