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Cargill has announced a €56 million investment programme to expand its edible oils, gourmet chocolate and R&D capabilities across Belgium, reinforcing the country’s role as a strategic hub for food innovation and manufacturing in Europe.
The investment spans three key sites, Izegem, Mouscron and Vilvoorde, and is designed to strengthen capacity, accelerate product development and support evolving customer demand across foodservice, retail and industrial segments.
At its Izegem site, Cargill has invested €21 million to upgrade what is already its largest edible oils bottling facility in Europe.
Around 60% of the plant has been transformed, nearly doubling capacity while introducing automation and new technologies aimed at improving operational efficiency and supply reliability.
The expansion includes two dedicated foodservice production lines, enhancing flexibility and enabling the company to better serve quick-service restaurants, catering providers and other large-scale foodservice customers.
In Mouscron, a €30 million investment has significantly expanded Cargill’s gourmet chocolate operations. The addition of 10,500 square metres of production space nearly doubles capacity and strengthens the company’s ability to respond to seasonal demand and customer-specific product requirements.
The site produces the company’s premium Veliche couverture chocolate range and supports a broad customer base, including artisanal chocolatiers, restaurants and food manufacturers. The expansion is expected to shorten lead times and enable more tailored product development.
Geert Maesmans, vice president of R&D for Cargill’s Food business in EMEA and the company’s Belgium country lead, said: “Belgium is a key strategic hub for Cargill in Europe, thanks to its strong food industry, close customer connectivity and advanced logistics infrastructure."
Cargill has also invested €5.4 million in a new extrusion pilot plant at its Vilvoorde Innovation Center, enhancing its research and development capabilities across Europe.
The facility will support rapid prototyping, ingredient testing and collaborative development across food, feed and pet food applications.
This builds on a previously announced €45 million investment in the Vilvoorde site, further strengthening the company’s European innovation network.
Maesmans added: “These investments strengthen our local R&D and production capabilities while enabling us to grow with our customers and deliver more diverse and innovative food solutions across the region."
Cargill has operated in Belgium since 1953 and today employs more than 1,500 people across nine locations, covering production, R&D and regional coordination activities.
