IVORY COAST – Guan Chong Bhd (GCB), the world’s fourth-largest cocoa grinder, has announced its acquisition of a 25% stake in Ivory Coast-based cocoa manufacturer Transcao Côte d’Ivoire (Transcao CI) for RM130.1 million (US$28.9M).
The acquisition, executed through GCB’s wholly owned subsidiary, GCB Cocoa Singapore Pte Ltd, was formalized via a share sale agreement with Conseil Café-Cacao (CCC), the Ivorian government’s cocoa and coffee regulatory body.
The purchase price comprises US$7.85 million for the equity stake and an asset contribution of US$21.08 million, with funding sourced from internal reserves and partially reimbursed through banking facilities.
Expected to conclude by the second quarter of 2025, the transaction will grant Guan Chong a 25 percent shareholding in Transcao CI. CCC’s stake will reduce from 99.83 percent to 74.83 percent, while Transcao Negoce will retain its 0.17 percent share.
The acquisition aligns with Guan Chong’s growth strategy and supports the Ivory Coast’s vision of industrializing its cocoa sector. “This move demonstrates our commitment to advancing the Ivorian government’s development strategy for the cocoa industry,” GCB stated in its announcement.
Transcao CI, a private entity majority-owned by CCC, plays a critical role in Ivory Coast’s cocoa sector. Ivory Coast is the world’s largest cocoa producer, contributing significantly to global supply.
Separately, Guan Chong has delayed its plan to double the processing capacity of its cocoa bean plant in Ivory Coast from 65,000 tonnes to 120,000 tonnes annually, citing a global cocoa bean shortage.
The expansion remains part of its long-term strategy, pending favorable market conditions, including a drop in cocoa bean prices and increased demand for cocoa ingredients.
Guan Chong currently boasts a total annual cocoa grinding capacity of 335,000 tonnes. Its operations span production facilities in Johor, Malaysia (150,000 tonnes); Indonesia (120,000 tonnes); and Ivory Coast (65,000 tonnes).
The company also operates a cocoa cake and butter grinding facility in the United States, and a European presence through its German subsidiary, SCHOKINAG Holdings GmbH, which has an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes.
Additionally, Guan Chong owns a UK-based industrial chocolate subsidiary with a production capacity of 16,000 tonnes annually, solidifying its position as a global leader in the cocoa industry.
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