Barry Callebaut ploughs €250m into world’s biggest chocolate factory

Barry Callebaut investment plans – summary

• Barry Callebaut invests €375m to modernise key Belgian production facilities
• Wieze factory receives €250m to future‑proof infrastructure and enhance efficiency
• Halle site gains €125m to improve manufacturing capacity
• Investments strengthen operational reliability amid supply chain and cost pressures
• Upgrades position Belgium as a central hub in Barry Callebaut’s global network

Barry Callebaut has announced plans to invest €250m into its Wieze factory, also known as the biggest chocolate factory in the world.

The chocolate maker says the investment is aimed at “future-proofing the production facility”, underlining its critical importance to the company.

Works include significant infrastructure upgrades to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

“Wieze is and always will be the cradle of Barry Callebaut,” says Wim Debedts, managing director of Barry Callebaut Benelux & Nordics. “It is the place where our iconic Callebaut brand was born in 1911.”

On top of this, Barry Callebaut’s Halle factory is to receive €125m for development works.

“With these major investments in our Belgian production facilities in Wieze and Halle, we now continue our journey, demonstrating our commitment to our customers and our employees,” says Debedts.

Barry Callebaut’s future

Barry Callebaut’s latest round of investment signals a strategic effort to consolidate its Belgian operations as core pillars within its global supply network.

The €250m upgrade in Wieze, alongside the €125m allocated to Halle, reflects the company’s aim to strengthen operational reliability, modernise production infrastructure and prepare for evolving market demands.

While it’s not detailed specific technological enhancements, the scale of the investment suggests a long-term commitment to modernising core assets at a time when reliability and efficiency are critical to maintaining competitiveness.

As construction and upgrades progress, Wieze and Halle are set to remain central to Barry Callebaut’s manufacturing footprint – anchoring its operations as it navigates the challenges and opportunities shaping the global chocolate sector.