Lambertz is considering building a chocolate factory in Ivory Coast

The Aachen-based pastry manufacturer Lambertz is considering setting up a chocolate factory in the West African country of Ivory Coast, one of the largest cocoa producers in the world. “The Ivory Coast not only wants to export beans, but also wants to maintain and develop more added value in its own country,” said company boss Hermann Bühlbecker in an interview with the “Aachener Zeitung”. So far there are only a few plants there that produce finished chocolate. Lambertz sources cocoa from the country.

This was preceded by a request from the General Director of the Conseil du Café-Cacao, Yves Koné, to Bühlbecker. According to Bühlbecker, this authority regulates the country's entire cocoa business. According to Bühlbecker, during a visit to the West African country, he said to him: “We think it's good that you make chocolate and pastries from our beans. But it would be even better if you built a large bakery or chocolate factory here.” We're checking that now. “Of course it’s not easy. A decision in this regard has not yet been made,” continued Bühlbecker.

Lambertz boss: Arab markets are “interesting”

Regarding further prospects for his company outside Europe, Bühlbecker said that the Arab markets were “interesting”. A declaration of intent has been signed with the trading group Lulu Group from the United Arab Emirates for a business commitment in 2027 worth several million euros. “For us, this is initially an export business. We deliver our products and Lulu brings them to its markets.” The Gulf region has purchasing power. “Our tradition, our brands and the company’s more than 300-year history are met with great interest there,” Bühlbecker continued.

Bühlbecker puts annual sales at around 750 million euros. According to him, the group employs around 4,000 people.