Barry Callebaut: growth momentum picks up in recessionary markets

Barry Callebaut AG, Zurich announced its key sales figures for the first nine months of fiscal year 2008/09 ended May 31, 2009. With sales volumes up 2.6% to 895,391 tonnes for the 9-month period under review, growth has resumed after reaching a low in November 2008. In the third quarter, Barry Callebaut’s sales volumes significantly accelerated across all regions and businesses and showed an increase of 8.8% – in sharp contrast to the contraction in the global chocolate market.

Sales volume growth was driven by several factors: a late Easter; the need of food manufacturers, artisans and retailers to restock; the dynamic development of new markets; and the ongoing implementation of outsourcing contracts. In the period under review, sales revenue in local currencies grew 6.3%, driven by higher sales volumes and higher cocoa bean prices. However, sales revenue was impacted by continued unfavorable currency translation effects. In the group’s reporting currency, Swiss franc, sales revenue went up by 0.9% to CHF 3,639.6 million.