Barry Callebaut opens new US$104M chocolate factory in Ontario 

CANADA – Barry Callebaut has officially opened its third chocolate manufacturing facility in Ontario, Canada, marking a major expansion of its North American operations.  

The newly constructed plant in Brantford features advanced cocoa and chocolate production lines as well as warehousing, supporting the company’s efforts to increase capacity and serve customers with greater flexibility. 

The factory is equipped with modern systems dedicated to liquid molding, liquid chocolate, and industrial molding across multiple applications.  

According to the company, these capabilities will enable it to meet a wider range of customer requirements while strengthening supply reliability throughout the region. 

This development represents Barry Callebaut’s first new factory in North America since 2008 and its largest capital investment in the region to date.  

The project, valued at US$104 million, expands the company’s footprint beyond its existing facilities in Chatham, Ontario, and St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. The opening is viewed as an important milestone in the company’s ongoing North American growth strategy. 

“Brantford is more than a new facility, it’s a hub for innovation, service and excellence in everything we create,” said Natasha Chen, president for North America at Barry Callebaut.  

She added that the site will enhance collaboration with customers and reinforce the company’s long-term presence in Canada and across the broader market. 

The facility’s inauguration comes shortly after Barry Callebaut released its financial results for the 2024/25 fiscal year. Revenue increased by 42.4 percent to CHF14.79 billion (US$15.9 billion), driven primarily by higher pricing.  

However, the company reported a decline in sales volumes due to shifting consumer behaviour and challenging market conditions. Total volumes fell by 6.8 percent to 2.13 million tonnes.  

The Global Chocolate division posted a 5.3 percent decrease, while volumes in Global Cocoa declined by 12.8 percent. 

Barry Callebaut attributed the contraction in its cocoa operations to softer consumption trends and a strategic focus on return generation within the segment. Despite the slowdown, the company is prioritizing financial stability and operational resilience in the coming year. 

For the 2025/26 fiscal period, the group plans to reduce leverage to below 3.5x Net Debt/EBITDA and position itself for renewed volume growth. The company expects a challenging first half, with recovery projected later in the year.  

Forecasts include low-to-mid single-digit growth in recurring EBIT and double-digit growth in recurring profit before tax in local currencies. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.