Barry Callebaut revealed today (16 January) that first-quarter sales volumes remained flat despite a “strong” increase in volumes.
The business-to-business chocolate maker said volumes of chocolate products and ingredients rose by 8.3% in the three month period, with gains driven by “substantial” growth in emerging markets. Barry Callebaut added that it saw “solid” development in North America and Western Europe.
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However, in spite of the group’s growing volumes, sales value slipped 0.5% to CHF1.24bn (US$1.3bn), down from CHF1.25bn in the comparable period of last year. The group attributed the decline to lower prices for cocoa ingredients “at the time when the business was contracted”.
The firm said its acquisition of Petra Foods, which will increase its exposure to Asia, was on track. It added that it expects to reach “mid-term financial targets”.
