Barry Callebaut announces organic growth

Barry Callebaut AG, Zurich, has announced organic growth of 2% in sales volume up to almost 300,000 tonnes for the first quarter of the business year 2005/6 (ended 30.11.05). Sales value grew 3.8% up to CHF 1.2 bn,driven primarily by greater sales volumes, slightly higher underlying cocoa bean prices,an improved consumer product mix and positive currency translation effects.EBIT rose 14.7% to CHF 100.1 m. Overall profits rose 15.8% to total CHF 63.9 m (CHF 55.2 m).“In our seasonally-influenced business the first quarter leading up to Christmas is traditionally the strongest.This year we got off to a particularly good start thanks to growth in our business with industrial and artisanal customers and a positive contribution to EBIT from our European consumer business ,”said CEO Patrick de Maeseneire.