Fazer’s giant new chocolate factory in Lahti nears completion as company targets export growth

Fazer’s massive new chocolate factory in Lahti, Finland, is progressing ahead of schedule, with exterior walls set to be completed in the coming weeks, Finnish public broadcaster Yle reports. The €400 million facility—the largest investment in the company’s history—will begin production trials in autumn 2027, with the first products expected on shelves in 2028.

The 330-metre-long factory, covering 33,000 square metres, is being built in Lahti’s Pippos district. Construction employs around 200 workers, with local subcontractors and labour accounting for roughly half of the workforce. Project manager Harri Kämppä described the site as one of the world’s most modern chocolate factories, noting its unique production process.

“This may be the only chocolate factory where the initial production resembles dairy processing,” Kämppä said. “Our blue chocolate is made from fresh milk, which makes the early stages of production exceptional.”

The factory’s construction, led by Skanska, began in 2025 following a final investment decision in July that year. Fazer first announced plans for the facility in 2022. The project remains on budget, with energy price fluctuations posing minimal risk due to pre-existing contracts.

Carolina Bade, head of Fazer’s chocolate business, emphasised the factory’s role in boosting exports. “The new plant is crucial for expanding production capacity, particularly for milk chocolate-based products like bars, countlines, and boxed chocolates,” she said. The company also plans to develop new products at the site, catering to demand for varied textures and flavour combinations.

While Fazer already operates across the Nordics and parts of Europe—with Sweden as its second-largest market—the company sees significant potential in Poland. It is also exploring partnerships in India and expanding its Asian presence, despite lower chocolate consumption in the region compared to Europe.

Internationally, Fazer will focus on select brands rather than its broad domestic range. “When entering new markets, we concentrate on clear, strong brands,” Bade explained. The factory is expected to reduce the company’s overall emissions by 10% compared to 2024 levels.