Work on the site will start once final construction permit are approved, but the company hopes that construction will begin later this year, ADM stated. With the new plant, the company plans to expand its processing operations to provide cocoa products from a single source, said Mark Bemis, president of ADM's cocoa unit. "This investment demonstrates ADM's commitment to expand our premier position in the agricultural processing value chain," said Bemis. "Our strategy includes the geographic expansion of our food processing and distribution network." Bemis said the company is committed to providing local jobs in the Ghanian community. "By locating the plant in Kumasi, we will be processing cocoa closer to the farmers and providing local jobs to the community," he said. "It fits securely within the Ghanaian government's strategic and economic objectives of adding value to its cocoa production." ADM already has cocoa processing plants in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa. As well as cocoa powders, it supplies vegetable oils and fats, shortenings, flours, soya proteins, lecithins, xanthan gum and acidulants to baked goods companies. ADM products are often used in breads, pizza bases, cakes, cookies, wafers or snacks, according to information on the company web site.
