Cargill has opened the Cargill Cocoa Development Center, the first of its kind in the APAC region. Situated in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest cocoa producing countries, the facility will address fast-changing Asian consumer preferences.
Located in Gresik, Indonesia, the Cocoa Development Center is integrated into Cargill’s cocoa processing plant within the same site, and facilitates the faster creation of cocoa products with unique and desired taste profiles.
Cargill Southeast Asia MD food solutions Francesca Kleemans said Asia currently accounted for 25 per cent of cocoa consumption.
“The Cargill Cocoa Development Center is a substantial investment that strengthens our capability to innovate for Asian consumers as a ‘bean to bar’ innovation partner to our customers, backed by our global supply chain networks, market insights and customised sustainability solutions.
“Asia stands out for its immense innovation potential as the fastest-growing region that currently accounts for about 25 per cent of cocoa consumption in the world. Across this region are different and distinctive consumer palates, influenced by its geographical and cultural diversity,” said Kleemans.
The Cocoa Development Center operates as an advanced pilot commercial production facility, allowing for faster prototype development and product trials from cocoa beans to cocoa ingredients.
Positioned as a one-stop shop for tailored cocoa solutions where Cargill customers can co-create and experiment the cocoa recipes before embarking on large-scale production, the centre enhances Cargill’s existing global R&D capabilities and networks by enabling an end-to-end innovation from cocoa product development to food and drinks application.
“The center serves as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration, and the advancement of new, sustainable cocoa products. Through this centre, we are excited to collaborate and innovate more closely with our customers to bring innovative food solutions to delight consumers across Asia and the world,” said Kleemans.
