Nestlé has officially opened a facility in Serbia to produce its plant-based Garden Gourmet products. Sited next to the company’s existing facility in Surčin, the site cost 80 million CHF (around $91.3 million) to build and has created 220 new jobs.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, along with other notable politicians. The guests were given a tour of the 18,440-square-meter facility, which includes environmental initiatives such as insulation panels made from recycled Nestlé packaging and an on-site wastewater treatment plant.
Nestlé has pledged to empower Serbian farmers by using locally-produced ingredients at the facility. The company has already established a partnership with a local soy protein producer, and has helped it switch to regenerative agriculture to strengthen natural ecosystems.
“Our goal is to strengthen the regional market — it is the path to the European market and Serbia is ready for it. It will be a huge step for our country and a huge opportunity for further development,” said President Vučić at the ceremony.
“Shaping a sustainable future”
The construction of the facility began two years ago, with plans to export most of the plant-based foods produced to other European countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. However, there may also be a market for the products in Serbia, as the country’s Orthodox Church has a fasting tradition that involves avoiding most animal products for several weeks throughout the year.
The opening of the facility comes just months after Garden Gourmet launched a new range of plant-based fish alternatives. The brand has proven popular in mainland Europe, though it stopped retailing in the UK last year due to weak sales.
“By expanding our plant-based range one step at a time, we are working to shape a more sustainable future for everyone. In the new factory, we will also apply the highest standards of ecologically responsible production, in which we are pioneers in Serbia,” said Marjana Davidović, director of Nestlé for Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
