In a significant move to boost its chocolate production, the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) has announced the expansion of Amul’s chocolate factory in Gujarat to double its current capacity. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of GCMMF, revealed the plans during the convocation ceremony of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).
“We are doubling the capacity of the chocolate plant,” said Mehta. “When Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to Mogar in 2018, we had increased the capacity by five times. That capacity got exhausted in two years. We have been working on the expansion for the last year.”
The Amul chocolate plant, located in Mogar near Anand, is the only such facility within the GCMMF network. Initially inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, the plant currently produces 1,000 tonnes of chocolate per month. The ongoing expansion, which involves installing new machinery, is expected to be completed in the next few months. The Mogar complex also includes a 600-tonne-per-day take-home-ration plant and a therapeutic food plant with a 600 metric tonne per day capacity.
Rising Cocoa Prices Impact
Addressing the challenge of rising cocoa prices, Mehta noted the significant price increase over the past 25 years. “In 25 years, the rates of cocoa increased from ₹150 to ₹200 per kilogram. Now, it is difficult to get it at ₹850-900,” he said. The increased cost has been partly passed on to consumers.
GCMMF sources most of its cocoa from the Central ArecaNut and Cocoa Marketing and Cooperative Society (CAMPCO), a cooperative body in Karnataka. “We are their largest customer,” Mehta stated, though he did not disclose the specific amount of cocoa procured.
The expansion of the Amul chocolate factory is a testament to the growing demand for Amul chocolates and the brand’s commitment to scaling up its production capabilities to meet consumer needs. This strategic move is set to reinforce Amul’s position in the competitive chocolate market while supporting the cooperative’s broader goals of enhancing production efficiency and sustainability.
