Kamil Perry
Babybel cheese is a brand of small, snack-sized, wax-coated cheese products that are individually packaged and available in various flavours. The original Mini Babybel is an Edam-style cheese made from pasteurised milk, rennet, lactic ferments, and salt. It is produced by Le Groupe Bel (French for 'The Bel Group'), a company with roots in the Jura region of France, started by Jules Bel in 1865. In this paragraph, we will explore where Babybel cheese is made.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Company | Le Groupe Bel (French for The Bel Group) |
| Founder | Jules Bel |
| Year founded | 1865 |
| Place founded | France |
| Year launched in France | 1952 |
| Year arrived in America | 1970 |
| Year arrived in Brookings, SD | 2012 |
| Number of employees worldwide | 12,000 (2022) |
| Number of employees in Brookings, SD | 250 (2014) |
| Number of countries distributed in | 120 (2022) |
| Number of countries distributed in (including plant-based version) | 130 (2022) |
| Number of production sites | 28 (2022) |
| Number of Mini Babybel produced in Brookings, SD per day | 1.5 million (2016) to 1.7 million (2022) |
| Amount of milk used in Brookings, SD per day | 650,000 pounds (2022) |
| Distance from farms to plants in Brookings, SD and Leitchfield, KY | 350 miles or less |
| Number of partner farms in western France | 700 |
| Number of farmers who are members of the APBO | 1300 |
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What You'll Learn
Babybel's global production
Babybel cheese is produced by Le Groupe Bel (French for The Bel Group), which was started by Jules Bel in the Jura region of France in 1865. The company launched Babybel in 1952, and the smaller, more portable version of the cheese was introduced in 1977.
Half of the global production of Mini Babybel takes place in Évron, a commune in the northwest of France. The company has also produced Mini Babybel in the US state of Kentucky since 1970, when it purchased the Avalon Cheese plant in Leitchfield, Kentucky. In 2012, Bel Brands USA began construction of a new, $140 million Mini Babybel plant in Brookings, South Dakota, which opened in 2014. The company projected that its 250 employees would produce 1.5 million Mini Babybel cheese wheels per day.
In 2016, Bel Brands USA opened another new plant in Brookings, South Dakota, and in 2018, Le Groupe Bel announced that its first Canadian production facility would be in Quebec. The company now has a presence in over 120 countries and 28 production sites.
The milk used to make Babybel is collected from nearly 700 partner farms located in western France (APBO). The milk is collected every two days from the 1300 farmers who are members of the APBO, before being transported to the Group's factories. In the US, the milk for Mini Babybel comes from local farms within an average distance of 350 miles of the company's plants in Brookings, SD, and Leitchfield, KY.
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Babybel's US production
Babybel cheese was first launched in France in 1952, and the miniaturized version, Mini Babybel, was introduced in 1977. The Bel Group expanded to the US in 1970, purchasing the Avalon Cheese plant in Leitchfield, Kentucky, and began producing Mini Babybel there. In 2012, Bel Brands announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art Mini Babybel plant in Brookings, South Dakota, to meet growing consumer demand in the US. Construction of the $140 million facility was completed in 2014, and it now produces approximately 1.5 to 1.7 million Mini Babybels a day, using 650,000 pounds of milk. The Brookings plant is a flagship location for automation, equipment, processing, and efficiency.
The Leitchfield, KY, and Brookings, SD, plants are supplied with milk by local farms within an average distance of 350 miles. The milk is collected every day or two, and can be traced from the factory to the farm in under four hours. All US dairy farms that supply to Mini Babybel adhere to the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management program (FARM), ensuring the highest standards in animal welfare.
Bel Brands USA opened its Chicago headquarters in 2006, and is now present in over 130 countries, backed by 12,000 employees worldwide. The company has continued to expand and evolve, introducing new flavours and product lines, such as Boursin Gourmet Spreadable Cheese and The Laughing Cow Smooth Sensations Cream Cheese. In 2022, Bel Group launched a plant-based version of Babybel in the US, the UK, and Canada.
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Babybel's Canadian production
Babybel cheese, a product of Le Groupe Bel, was first launched in France in 1952. The Groupe Bel has roots in the Jura region of France, dating back to 1865 when it was started by Jules Bel. In 1977, the company introduced Mini Babybel, a smaller version of the original Babybel cheese.
In 2012, Groupe Bel announced plans to build a new state-of-the-art Mini Babybel plant in Brookings, South Dakota, to meet the growing consumer demand for Mini Babybel in the US. The plant began construction in July 2012 and was completed in 2014, employing nearly 250 people. The Brookings plant is a flagship location for automation, equipment, processing, and efficiency, producing approximately 1.7 million Mini Babybels per day using 650,000 pounds of milk.
In July 2018, Groupe Bel announced that its first Canadian production facility would be located in Quebec. This expansion marked the company's continued growth and evolution, meeting the demand for its products in Canada. The company also launched a plant-based version of Babybel in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom in 2022, achieving excellent sales performance.
The production of Babybel cheese in Canada aligns with the company's commitment to sustainability and local sourcing. The milk used in Babybel production is collected from partner farms that adhere to good farming practices, ensuring the welfare of the cows and the quality of the milk. This includes initiatives such as GMO-free feed, pasture access, and comfortable stables, contributing to the overall success and reputation of the brand.
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Babybel's French production
Babybel cheese was first launched in France in 1952 by Jules Bel, who started the company in the Jura region of France in 1865. The original Babybel cheese was a full-sized cheese wheel, and it wasn't until 1977 that the Mini Babybel was born, featuring the same great taste but in a miniaturized version.
Half of the global production of Mini Babybel takes place in Évron, a commune in the northwest of France. The cheese is made with 98% milk, sourced from nearly 700 partner farms located in western France. The milk is collected every two days from the 1300 farmers who are members of the APBO (an association of dairy farmers in western France).
In 2012, Bel Brands built a new state-of-the-art Mini Babybel plant in Brookings, South Dakota, to meet the growing consumer demand for Mini Babybel in the US. The plant cost $140 million to build and employs around 250 people. The Brookings plant produces approximately 1.5-1.7 million Mini Babybels a day, using 650,000 pounds of milk.
In addition to the US, Le Groupe Bel has expanded its production of Mini Babybel to other countries, including Canada, where they opened their first production facility in Quebec in 2018.
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Babybel's UK production
Babybel cheese was first launched in France in 1952, breaking cheese consumption habits and changing the category convention with its playful red wax. In 1977, the Mini Babybel was born, featuring the same great taste but in a miniaturized version.
In the UK, Babybel offers a range of products, including the classic Babybel cheese, Babybel Mini Rolls, and Babybel 200g plant-based. The production of Babybel cheese in the UK is 100% local, with milk being collected from nearly 700 partner farms located in western France. The milk is collected every two days from the 1300 farmers who are members of the APBO (an association of dairy farmers in western France) before being transported to the Group's factories.
In terms of sustainability, Babybel has implemented several initiatives to reduce the impact of its products and processes on the environment. For example, Babybel uses 100% recycled or certified cardboard to ship its products, with all packaging being certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Additionally, Babybel has introduced an upcycling program to reuse its packaging and reduce waste.
Babybel's parent company, Le Groupe Bel, has a long history that dates back to 1865 when it was started by Jules Bel in the Jura region of France. The company has since expanded globally, with a presence in over 120 countries and 28 production sites. In the UK, Le Groupe Bel is known as Bel Brands, and it first entered the UK market with its cheese products in 1970.
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Frequently asked questions
Babybel cheese is made in a variety of locations. The original Babybel cheese was made in France, and the company Le Groupe Bel is rooted in the Jura region of the country. Half of the global production of Mini Babybel is made in Évron, France. In the US, Babybel cheese is made in Brookings, South Dakota, and Leitchfield, Kentucky.
Le Groupe Bel broke ground on its Brookings plant in 2012, and construction was completed in 2014.
The milk for Babybel cheese comes from local farms near the company's plants. In the US, the milk comes from farms within 350 miles of Brookings, SD, and Leitchfield, KY. In France, the milk is collected from nearly 700 partner farms in the west of the country.
The Brookings plant produces approximately 1.7 million Mini Babybel cheese wheels per day, using 650,000 pounds of milk.
Babybel cheese came to the United States in 1970 when Le Groupe Bel purchased the Avalon Cheese plant in Leitchfield, Kentucky.
