Nestlé has invested €11 million in a new production line for organic baby snacks in its Avanca factory in Portgual, to meet increased global consumer demand.
The new production line will manufacture organic baby snacks, including Natures Bio NutriPuffs and Cerelac, in 100% recyclable packaging. As well as providing its national market, the snacks manufactured in the Avanca facility will supply more than 30 countries.
According to Nestlé, the investment has enabled the new line to produce 80 cans per minute or 130kg per hour, in an effort to meet the brand’s needs over the next 15 to 20 years.
Due to the growth of the global organic baby food market, Nestlé expects to grow in volume, producing around 400 tons per year by the end of 2021.
As a result of the line installation, 14 new employees were hired and trained.
The investment is part of the €40 million total budget given to Nestlé Portugal to use in its Avanca and Porto units, the latter of which makes coffee beans, over the next 20 months.
“The organic baby food segment has a great expression in countries like the USA, where it reaches 40%,” said Ludovic Aujogue, business executive officer at Nestlé child nutrition.
Aujogue added: “At a national level it is still very small, with a share of up to 3% in baby food, but of which Nestlé has a 40% share, so we feel that we also have a responsibility to make it grow.”
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