Swiss chocolate sales fell for the first time in six years in 2009, figures issued by trade body Chocosuisse show.
Sales were down 5.9% in volume terms to 174,109 tonnes and fell 6.4% by value to CHF1.7bn (US$1.57bn).
Exports slipped 5.2% to 105,734 tonnes and declined 9.9% in value to CHF832m.
“Contrary to previous years, Switzerland’s chocolate industry did not pursue the expansion in its export volumes in 2009 due to the reduced purchasing power of consumers in leading markets and to the Swiss franc remaining strong,” explained Chocosuisse, which groups 18 chocolate makers including Lindt, Kraft Foods and Barry Callebaut.
Chocosuisse expects exports to stabilise in 2010 and is also hopeful of regaining the ground lost in its domestic market.
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