The Barry Callebaut Group reported sales volume of 580,876 tonnes during the first three months of the fiscal year 2023/24 (ended on November 30, 2023).  

According to the company, volume was slightly up + 0.4%, ahead of a challenging and overall declining chocolate confectionery market according to NielsenIQ (- 2.7%; source: NielsenIQ volume growth excluding e-commerce - 26 countries, September 2023 - October/November 2023; data subject to adjustment to match Barry Callebaut's reporting period. NielsenIQ data only partially reflects the out-of-home and impulse consumption). The chocolate business grew + 0.7% in the period against a low comparative in Q1 2022/23, which was still affected by limited product availability due to the Q4 2021/22 Wieze salmonella incident.

Peter Feld, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, commented: "We are focused on delivering on our promise to offer the best chocolate solutions and best-in-class services to our customers globally every day. This is key for our future and for our performance in the current challenging market environment. At the same time, we are investing in areas most important for our customers which will make Barry Callebaut stronger and more resilient with our strategic investment program, BC Next Level, which positions the Group for sustainable profitable growth and allows for a more attractive financial profile. The implementation of BC Next Level is well underway with our new operating model announced and new leadership team in place and the majority of the planned measures already initiated.”