Barry Callebaut will open a fourth office and the third Chocolate Academy Center in Shenzhen, China. 

The new facilities aim to better serve the growing demand for high-quality chocolate and address “the great growth potential China offers,” according to the company.

“The inauguration of the office and the Chocolate Academy in Shenzhen is part of our continuous expansion in China, and another milestone in our growth story which started here 12 years ago,” says Ben De Schryver, president of Barry Callebaut at Asia Pacific.    

Barry Callebaut currently has a local factory in Suzhou, sales offices and Chocolate Academy Centers in Shanghai, Beijing, to which it now adds Shenzhen. 

“We’ll continue to invest in our business and strengthen our collaboration with food manufacturers and artisanal customers in China,” De Schryver adds.

Training at the academy
The new office in Shenzhen makes for Barry Callebaut’s 23rd Chocolate Academy Center globally. 

“China is one of our largest gourmet markets in the world. Our Chocolate Academy Centers in China have become a hub of expertise, creativity and inspiration for both professionals and chocolate lovers. And this extends online too,” says Denis Convert, vice president of gourmet for Barry Callebaut at Asia Pacific. 

Through education and personalized support, the Chocolate Academy Centers enable artisans, pastry chefs, confectioners, bakers and caterers to create the chocolate delights of tomorrow, according to the company. 

“We support our customers and empower chefs to be at their very own best. They can explore chocolate science, innovative techniques and inspiring recipes together with world-leading chocolatiers, pastry chefs and bakers,” Convert adds. 

Moving online
In the last 12 years, more than 5,000 craftspeople in China have attended training and demonstrations in the Chocolate Academy Centers in Shanghai and Beijing. 

The centers have recently hosted several online learning sessions in Mandarin on topics such as home baking, which have attracted over 130,000 viewers since February 2020. 

After Suzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, the Shenzhen office is positioned to become the company’s operational hub in southern China. 

Barry Callebaut’s growing footprint
Barry Callebaut has launched a number of new building projects and initiatives this year as it continues to expand its global reach.

Last month, the company broke ground on the construction of a new cocoa facility in Durán, Ecuador, laying the foundation for the future growth of the cocoa value chain in the South American country. 

Earlier this summer, Barry Callebaut expanded its facility in Singapore, adding a fourth production line to boost the volume of its chocolate production for the Asia Pacific market

The company is also preparing for its 2021 launch of its Wholefruit Chocolate, which was recently spotlighted in a collaboration with Cabosse Naturals.