Lotte Wellfood, a major candy company, has strengthened its position as the top chocolate maker in Korea by launching a new system that turns cacao beans into ingredients for popular products like Pepero.
Earlier this month, the company began using a new production line at its biggest factory in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, which is one of its six factories in Korea. This new line replaces the old one and allows the company to produce more chocolate, 2.5 tons per hour, up from 1 ton. It has also made the production process 25% more efficient.
The upgrade helps Lotte Wellfood produce more liquefied cacao mass, a key ingredient in chocolate and other products. The company imports most of its cacao beans from Ghana.
Since 1995, Lotte Wellfood has been producing liquefied cacao mass at the Yangsan plant, which sets it apart from other companies in Korea that have to import solid cacao and turn it into liquid form.
As of last year, Lotte Wellfood holds more than 37% of Korea’s chocolate market. It also has a factory in Haryana, India, where it makes Pepero and Choco Pie, helping the company expand its reach in India.
Executive Statement
According to a Lotte Wellfood official, they are the only food company in Korea that processes cacao beans to secure liquefied cacao mass domestically. The Yangsan plant is the heart of all of their chocolate products. Compared to imported solid cacao mass, freshly processed liquefied cacao mass minimizes the loss of cacao’s unique aroma and maximizes the chocolate’s original flavor.