The Barry Callebaut Group increased its sales volume by 8.2% to 585,620 tonnes during the first three months of fiscal year 2019/20 (ended on November 30, 2019). According to the company, sales volume in the chocolate business grew by 7.7%, well above the global chocolate confectionery market which was flat (- 0.0%; source: Nielsen, volume growth excluding e-commerce – 25 countries, September to November 2019, data subject to adjustment to match Barry Callebaut’s reporting period).

Growth was supported by all Regions and key growth drivers: Outsourcing (+ 2.7%), Emerging Markets (+ 16.7%) and Gourmet & Specialties (excluding Beverage, + 4.4%). Sales volume in Global Cocoa grew 10.2%. Excluding the first-time contribution from the consolidation of Inforum, organic volume growth was 6.2%.Sales revenue amounted to CHF 2.001 bn, which represents an increase of 8.7% in local currencies (+ 6.3% in CHF).

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, said: “We had a strong start to the year, outperforming the overall flat underlying chocolate confectionery market. Our volume growth was broad based, with positive contributions from all Regions and key growth drivers. The strong start to the year, together with a healthy portfolio and the diligent execution of our ‘smart growth’ strategy, give us confidence that we are on track to deliver on our mid-term guidance for the period ending with fiscal year 2021/22.”