Technology company Bühler is currently experiencing a welcome countertrend to the otherwise tense situation in the industry, particularly at its production site in Appenzell. In view of rising global cocoa prices and the increasing focus on resilient supply chains, the cocoa industry is embarking on a remarkable new wave of investment.
Governments and companies worldwide, especially in cocoa-producing countries, are increasingly relying on local cocoa processing to secure value creation in their countries, reduce transport costs, and strengthen local economic cycles. They are investing strategically – not only in capacity, but also in quality and yield. In this rapidly changing environment, Bühler has consolidated its reputation as a trusted partner for efficient, sustainable, and future-proof solutions in cocoa processing. A key advantage of Bühler is its strong presence in cocoa-growing regions, which means that the systems can be maintained on site by service specialists.
Overcoming challenges: adding value at the point of origin
Cocoa prices have been at record levels for around two years and are likely to remain high in the medium term. This is due to poor harvests caused by extreme weather conditions and disease outbreaks in key producing countries. Added to this is the structural constraint that cocoa trees only grow in certain climate zones and take up to five years to bear fruit. For these reasons, and in view of the price trend for cocoa, there is a significantly greater incentive to expand processing capacities in the countries where it is grown. Investors and cocoa processing companies are turning to Bühler not only for state-of-the-art process technology that ensures maximum yield of this expensive commodity with the highest efficiency. An equally important factor is that Bühler can support its customers locally with the best service and offers customized training and development opportunities for customer technicians at their plants. The combination of these advantages has led to a significant increase in investment in new processing plants over the last few months, which in turn has triggered a wave of orders for Bühler. “In challenging times, our customers rely on quality and efficiency, as well as on local support and service. Our commitment to innovation and partnership-based collaboration worldwide gives our customers security and confidence. That’s why Bühler is the obvious choice,” says Stefan Scheiber, CEO of the Bühler Group.
Bühler solutions: Local proximity, global expertise
Bühler’s strength lies in combining state-of-the-art cocoa technology with a regional presence on site. This holistic approach goes far beyond machine engineering and the installation of solutions. Throughout Africa, especially West Africa – the heart of the global cocoa industry – Bühler works directly with its customers, providing on-site support, building long-term relationships, and contributing broad expertise. The Bühler Cocoa Innovation and Competence Center in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, enables customers to develop skills and expertise tailored to their local context. This is complemented by the ongoing support of the Bühler Flavor Creation business unit with its engineering and testing facilities in Uzwil – a unique combination that builds trust and ensures success in the market.
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Media contact
Joseph Clarke
Editor, International Confectionery
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 920
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