Ferrero Group inaugurated its second hazelnut processing plant with an investment of USD 75 million
With 7,000-square-meter and 40,000 tons of in shell initial capacity, this new facility located in Ñiquén, Ñuble Region will more than double current processing capacity.
The event was attended by the Finance Minister, Mario Marcel, the Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, together with the Italian Ambassador to Chile, Valeria Biagiotti, as well as executives from Ferrero Hazelnut Company and AgriChile.
Ñiquen, Chile, May 24th, 2024. The second hazelnut processing plant of AgriChile, subsidiary of Ferrero Hazelnut Company, was inaugurated in Ñiquen, Ñuble Region. With initial processing capacity of 40.000 tons (in shell), the new facility will more than double current capacity, settling the bases for future expansion. Ferrero's total investment in Chile reached USD 330 million, of which USD 75 million correspond to this new plant.
With this second facility, AgriChile continues to pursue its aim of boosting hazelnuts production, covering the projected demand for the coming years through cutting-edge technology in automation and safety, in line with the sustained growth in production and exports of hazelnuts in Chile.
The event was attended by the Finance Minister Mario Marcel, the Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, the Italian ambassador to Chile, Valeria Biagotti as well as well as executives from Ferrero Hazelnut Company and AgriChile, along with other national and local authorities.
Regarding this, the Minister of Finance, Mario Marcel, praised Ferrero's investment in Chile and stated, "This new initiative represents another clear example of Ferrero's commitment to the country." He also emphasized that "these kinds of projects are essential for the sustainable growth of our economy and to consolidate Chile as an attractive destination for global companies."
In the meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, Esteban Valenzuela, highlighted Ferrero's contribution to the value chain of the European hazelnut variety in the country and praised this new investment, stating: "Throughout its more than 30 years, AgriChile has represented an innovative model which contributed to the development of a quality hazelnut value chain by working hand in hand with local producers, authorities, and communities. This has led to significant agricultural and economic development, ensuring the sustainability of the agricultural sector for future generations."
Meanwhile, Camillo Scocco, General Manager of AgriChile noted that "the inauguration of our new hazelnut processing plant marks a milestone in Chile's economic dynamism, consolidating its position as a regional leader in the agricultural industry. Beyond infrastructure, our investment translates into job opportunities, technology transfer and development of capabilities for local producers.”
In this sense, the new facility will allow the creation of more than 40 permanent jobs, reaching almost 100 in high season, 10% increase in AgriChile's workforce. In addition, through direct delivery, it will facilitate the entire process for more than 700 local producers.
Finally, Marco Botta, General Manager of Ferrero Hazelnut Company (HCo), stressed that "the inauguration of this new plant projects Chile as a global player in the European hazelnut industry. At the same time, we reaffirm our commitment to Chile, recognizing its strategic importance as a production and export platform to the rest of the world."
About AgriChile
Ferrero arrived in Chile in 1991 through AgriChile, one of its Ferrero Hazelnut Company’s subsidiaries. At the time, the first AgriFarm was established, where traditionally hazelnut cultivation has not been significant. Since then, a complete value chain, from hazelnut farming to processing, has been created. In 2015, the first industrial transformation plant was inaugurated in the Río Claro, Maule region and the second one is inaugurated in 2024 in San Gregorio, Ñuble region. Currently, AgriChile is present in three regions of the country: El Maule, Ñuble and La Araucanía, with more than 4.200 planted hectares and employing up to 1.000 people. The total investment of Ferrero in Chile reaches nowadays around USD330M. Since the beginning of its operation, Ferrero has contributed to the development of a robust value chain to ensure a sustainable production of hazelnuts.
About Ferrero Hazelnut Company
Ferrero Hazelnut Company (HCo) was created in 2015 as a division of the Ferrero Group, to bring together all hazelnut expertise in a single operational structure. More than 3,000 people work at HCo around the world, in activities ranging from supply chain development, sourcing and processing to business-to-business activities. HCo's commitment is aimed at ensuring the availability of high-quality hazelnuts by supporting the development of sustainable hazelnut cultivation globally. A fundamental element is the creation and sharing of know-how on hazelnuts, for a constant and progressive improvement in the cultivation of this important raw material.
About Ferrero Group
Ferrero began its journey as a pastry shop in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world’s largest sweet-packaged food companies, with much loved brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved products including Nutella®, Kinder®, Tic Tac®, and Ferrero Rocher®.
About 47,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group’s family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.
For more information, please visit www.Ferrero.com
