WORMER, THE NETHERLANDS — Cargill said it plans to invest nearly €20 million ($26.5 million) in its newly acquired cocoa and chocolate facilities in Berlin.

As part of the investment, Cargill said it plans to upgrade both production sites — based in Lichtenrade and Reinickendorf in Berlin — which will increase the capacities of specific product lines and strengthen its ability to provide a high quality cocoa and chocolate portfolio. The expansions also will enable the efficient integration within Cargill’s global network and optimize product flows to customers, Cargill said.

“This investment highlights Cargill’s ongoing commitment to helping our customers meet the growing consumer demand for chocolate particularly in Germany and Eastern Europe,” said Jos De Loor, managing director, Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate. “By upgrading, expanding and integrating these two production sites into our wider cocoa and chocolate network, we are better placed to serve our customers and seamlessly provide them with the best quality product from the most appropriate site.”