Swiss chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has signed an additional long-term supply agreement with Indonesian food and beverage company Garudafood.

Barry Callebaut will supply another 7,000t of compound chocolate a year to Garudafood’s biscuit factory located in Rancaekek, a sub-district of Bandung, Indonesia.

The Swiss company intends to begin delivery of the additional volumes of chocolate to the factory in the middle of next year.

Barry Callebaut Asia Pacific president Ben De Schryver said: “It is truly an honour for us to further strengthen our relationship with Garudafood, a true leader in its field.

“This business expansion will also solidify our footprint in Indonesia, the world’s fourth most populous country with more than 260 million people and one of the most vibrant economies in Asia Pacific.”

Additionally, an investment of nearly CHF2.8m ($2.8m) will see the deployment of a ‘plant in the plant’ concept in Garudafood’s Rancaekek (Bandung) factory.

Established in 1990, Garudafood supplies products under five brands; Gery, Garuda, Chocolatos, Leo and Clevo.

Its product portfolio includes biscuits, nuts, pilus, chips, confectionery, milk drinks and chocolate powder.

Garudafood CEO Hardianto Atmadja said: “This collaboration is also part of our open innovation strategy and in support of Industry 4.0 so that our products made are of world-class quality.

“We further intensify the collaboration with Barry Callebaut, which will support the performance of Garudafood in producing innovative products to provide added value for Indonesian and foreign consumers.”