Cacaolat continues expansion, opening new market in Portugal

Catalan chocolate milkshake firm Cacaolat continues its international expansion. The drinks group has now entered the Portuguese market, where the consumption of milkshakes per person is nearly three times higher than in Spain. The venture is in conjunction with the distribution network, Sumol-Compal, which will make the popular beverage produced in Santa Coloma de Gramenet available in more than 350 retail outlets and 6,000 bars and restaurants.

With the Portuguese expansion, Cacaolat is now present in 17 markets, largely the result of a strategic expansion plan that came into effect in 2012. At that time, the drinks company was in crisis but was given a new lease of life when it was acquired by the Damm beer company and Cobega, the main bottling company of Coca-Cola in Spain.

The firm's director general, Francesc Lluch, yesterday said that the new phase in the company's trajectory has already shown results, with sales outside Catalonia accounting for 22% of total turnover. Apart from this latest venture, the firm already operates in markets such as Russia, Morocco, Algeria, Ukraine, the UK, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden, Croatia, Taiwan and Azerbaijan.