In Opava, the construction of a cookie factory worth over 2 billion has begun.

visualization of the expansion of the Mondelez factory in Opava, source Mondelez

Opava - The construction of a new cookie factory by the American food company Mondelez International began today in Opava-Vávrovicích with the laying of the foundation stone. The company plans to invest over two billion crowns in the construction of the factory, which will expand the existing production, making it the largest investment project in Europe in recent years. The completion of the construction and the start of production are planned for the first half of next year. The investment will create 200 new jobs. Jaroslava Hájková from Mondelez Czech Republic informed ČTK about this.
The reason for the expansion of production at the Opava cookie factory is the growing demand for the company’s products. Oreo and BeBe Dobré ráno cookies will be produced on the lines of the new hall. The products are primarily intended for the European market, but a large portion of them will also appear domestically.
Approximately 90 percent of the new jobs will be for employees with vocational education in the food and technical fields. Local suppliers of raw materials will also have opportunities, as flour and sugar, for example, will come from the Moravian-Silesian Region or the Czech Republic.
"In recent years, we have seen phenomenal growth in cookie sales, especially for the Oreo and BeBe Dobré ráno brands. This new factory will help us keep pace with the increasing demand for our products thanks to the increased production capacity," said Albert Mathieu, president of the cookie category at Mondelez Europe.
According to the Minister for Regional Development Věra Jourová, the project will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the Czech Republic. "I see this as a symbolic step into the future. I welcome this extensive investment plan and believe it will be a great promise for the Moravian-Silesian Region," Jourová said.
During extensive rescue archaeological research at the site of the planned factory, one of the largest settlements from the late Stone Age in Central Europe was discovered, along with numerous graves as old as the Egyptian pyramids and the richest site of the Únětice culture. The archaeological findings date back to around 3700 BC.
"During the research, archaeologists found and examined around 650 settlement objects belonging to the mentioned culture, to which about 130 objects found in close proximity earlier must be added. After the demanding field work is completed, long-term laboratory processing of the findings will follow," said Jana Tichá, spokesperson for the National Heritage Institute.
Mondelez International is a leading global manufacturer of chocolate, cookies, chewing gum, candies, coffee, and powdered drinks. Currently, the Mondelez International group employs approximately 110,000 employees and sells its products in 165 countries worldwide. In the Czech Republic, the company operates under the name Mondelez Czech Republic and currently employs 670 people at the Opava factory.