Olam to invest in cocoa facility In Indonesia

INDONESIA is one of the major origins for cocoa beans as well as a growing market for cocoa products. It is where Olam International Limited will spend some $61.0 million to put up a cocoa processing facility which will be capable of producing 60,000 metric tonnes of cocoa butter, cocoa cake and high quality cocoa powders. The new plant will mainly grind Indonesian beans sourced through the company’s traceable cocoa network of 32,000 farmers who form the core of its sustainable supply chain in the country, as well as from its plantation on Seram Island acquired in 2013. In addition, beans will be supplied from Olam’s farm-gate networks in Africa.

This investment is part of Olam’s cocoa strategy of integrating its global cocoa bean supply chain capabilities with processing capacities in selected origins to address the growing outsourcing trend by confectioners and the rising global consumption demand for sustainable high quality cocoa products, particularly in Asia.

Managing director & global head for Cocoa, Gerry Manley said: “Olam’s decision to make a strategic move to establish a processing facility in Indonesia is based upon our long term investment in sourcing cocoa in the country and perfectly meets the requirements of Olam cocoa’s strategy. We strongly believe that we are entering a phase of exceptional growth in Asian demand, which will redefine the consumption trends for cocoa and the requirements for high quality products by our customers. The ability for the Indonesian facility to be a hub for Asia underlines our belief in the strength of the Indonesian economy and attractiveness for investment.”

Olam’s executive director of Finance & Business Development A.Shekhar said: “Olam’s cocoa business is one of the platforms we identified to invest and grow. We have made a series of investments in the processing and the ingredients business in Africa and Europe, leveraging upon our strong origination presence. The expansion of our cocoa processing footprint into Asia with a state-of-the-art facility is a strategic and timely move.”

The cocoa processing plant will start operations in 2016.