Barry Callebaut and P.T. Comextra Majora inks pact

23 November 2011: Barry Callebaut AG, the world`s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, and P.T. Comextra Majora, a diversified soft commodities trader and a leading exporter of cocoa from Indonesia, have entered into a JV and will form a new company. The new company will be headquartered in Makassar (Sulawesi) in Indonesia, the world`s third largest cocoa producing country. Barry Callebaut will own 60%, and P.T. Comextra Majora 40%.
As part of the JV, a new cocoa processing facility will be built in Makassar, Sulawesi/Indonesia, with an initial grinding capacity of 28,000 tonnes. Operations will start in early 2013. The new company, P.T. Barry Callebaut Comextra Indonesia, is investing CHF 30 million (EUR 24 million / USD 33 million) to build this facility. The new JV will allow Barry Callebaut to increase its sustainable sourcing activities in Indonesia through P.T. Comextra`s strong on-the-ground presence and relationships with local cocoa farmers.

Source: Marketwire