US-based food technology company Voyage Foods is expanding its operations by opening a new facility in Mason, Ohio, aimed at producing cocoa-free chocolates, nut-free spreads, and bean-free coffee. This 284,000 sq ft plant is set to commence operations by the beginning of the new year, significantly enhancing the company’s manufacturing capacity, with an expected annual output of 10,000 tonnes of chocolate.
Voyage Foods, headquartered in Oakland, California, is undertaking this expansion following a strategic partnership with Cargill, a leading US agri-food company. This partnership, established in April, designates Cargill as Voyage’s exclusive B2B global distributor for its spreads and chocolates. With this new facility, Voyage plans to meet the increasing demand from manufacturers as well as the foodservice sector.
The company aims to capitalize on the current cocoa shortage, driven by adverse weather conditions in major cocoa-producing nations such as Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. According to forecasts, global cocoa production for the 2023-2024 period is projected to fall by 11%, reaching 4.37 million tonnes.
Voyage Foods offers a range of products, including Peanut-Free Roasted Seed Spread and Hazelnut-Free Roasted Seed Spread, which are devoid of the top nine allergens. The company prides itself on using affordable, readily available plant-based ingredients, many of which are upcycled from waste and byproducts.
To date, Voyage has successfully secured over $94 million in funding from investors. The construction of the Ohio facility has been bolstered by a guaranteed loan of approximately $25 million from the US Department of Agriculture, further demonstrating the company’s growth potential in the evolving food and drink business landscape.
For those interested in the food and beverage industry trends, this expansion indicates a significant shift toward allergen-friendly alternatives in food production processes. With an emphasis on sustainable and upcycled ingredients, Voyage is positioning itself to respond to evolving food and drink consumer trends.
