Cargill Invests EUR 56 Million Across Three Belgian Facilities to Expand Food Production and R&D

Key Takeaways

• Cargill has announced approximately EUR 56 million in total investment across three Belgian facilities covering edible oils, gourmet chocolate, and R&D.
• The Izegem edible oils site, Cargill's largest bottling facility in Europe, nearly doubled capacity and added two dedicated foodservice production lines following a EUR 21 million transformation.
• The Mouscron gourmet chocolate facility received EUR 30 million to add 10,500 sqm of production space, nearly doubling output capacity for the Veliche couverture range and artisanal foodservice customers.
• A EUR 5.4 million extrusion pilot plant at the Vilvoorde Innovation Center adds rapid prototyping and ingredient functionality testing across food, feed, and pet food applications.
• Cargill has operated in Belgium since 1953 and employs more than 1,500 people across nine locations in the country.

Cargill Invests EUR 56 Million Across Three Belgian Facilities to Expand Food Production and R&D

Cargill has announced approximately EUR 56 million in combined investment across three Belgian facilities, expanding production capacity for edible oils and gourmet chocolate while adding new R&D capabilities at its Vilvoorde Innovation Center. The investments span Izegem, Mouscron, and Vilvoorde, reinforcing Belgium's position as a strategic hub in Cargill's European network.

At Izegem, a EUR 21 million investment transformed approximately 60% of the site over 12 months, nearly doubling capacity at Cargill's largest edible oil bottling facility in Europe and adding two dedicated foodservice production lines. In Mouscron, a EUR 30 million expansion adds 10,500 sqm of production space, nearly doubling gourmet chocolate output. The expanded site will produce Cargill's Veliche premium couverture chocolate range and support artisanal foodservice customers, restaurants, and food manufacturers.

“Belgium is a key strategic hub for Cargill in Europe, thanks to its strong food industry, close customer connectivity, and advanced logistics infrastructure that enable efficient supply across Western Europe,” said Geert Maesmans, Vice President of R&D for Cargill's Food business in EMEA and Cargill's Belgium country lead. “These investments not only strengthen our local food R&D and production capabilities but allow us to continue to grow with our customers and provide them with more diverse and innovative food solutions across Belgium and the EMEA region.”

Vilvoorde Extrusion Pilot Plant Expands European R&D Capabilities

A EUR 5.4 million extrusion pilot plant at Cargill's Vilvoorde Innovation Center adds rapid prototyping, ingredient functionality testing, and customer collaboration capacity across food, feed, and pet food applications. The facility builds on a previously announced EUR 45 million investment in Cargill's food innovation center at the same site, further strengthening the company's broader European R&D network.

Cargill's Long-Standing Belgium Footprint

Cargill has operated in Belgium since 1953 and employs more than 1,500 people across nine locations covering production, R&D, and regional coordination.