Switzerland-based Barry Callebaut, a global chocolatier, has opened a new factory in Novi Sad, Serbia, representing an investment of €55m ($63.64m). The plant will have an initial annual production capacity of more than 50,000 tonnes and will produce a range of chocolate, compound and filling products. The company will use the new facility as a regional hub to support an increase in demand from customers in south-east Europe.

Peter Boone, chief executive officer of the Barry Callebaut Group, explained in a company press release: “Novi Sad is the perfect location for us. I am pleased with the successful start and I am confident that from Novi Sad we can address the rapidly growing chocolate markets of south-east Europe and become the solution provider of choice for customers in the region.”

Barry Callebaut operates more than 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a global workforce of 12,000 people. It has an additional Serbian facility located in Belgrade and further eastern European facilities in Poland and Russia.