The Barry Callebaut Group reported sales volume of 1.131 m tonnes in the first six months of fiscal year 2022/23 (ended February 28, 2023). Following a slow start in the first quarter (- 5.1%) due to the residual effects from the Wieze ramp-up, volume progressively recovered in the second quarter (- 0.5%), resulting in a volume decline of - 2.9% in the first half year.

According to the company, chocolate volume picked up in the second quarter in Region EMEA (+ 1.8%, half-year - 3.7%) and remained about stable in Region Asia Pacific (+ 0.4%, half-year + 0.3%). Volume declined in Region Americas (- 6.6%, half-year - 4.4%). Overall chocolate volume in the first six months declined (- 3.6%). Excluding the Wieze ramp-up effect, volume performance was in line with the underlying global chocolate confectionery market (- 1.8%; source: NielsenIQ volume growth excluding e-commerce – 26 countries, September 2022 - January 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 group's key growth drivers turned positive in the second quarter: Outsourcing + 3.0% (half-year + 1.4%), Emerging Markets + 2.1% (half-year - 1.0%), and Gourmet & Specialties + 0.4% (half-year - 5.8%). Global Cocoa volume normalized and amounted to 227,773 tonnes, flat (- 0.1%) compared to prior-year period.

Sales revenues amounted to CHF 4.181 bn, up 7.9% in local currencies (+ 3.7% in CHF). Gross profit was CHF 664.1 m, up 11.4% in local currencies (+ 9.5% in CHF). Operating profit (EBIT) amounted to CHF 348.4 m, an increase of 11.0% in local currencies (+ 9.5% in CHF). Net profit for the period was CHF 234.3 m, up 10.4% in local currencies (+ 10.5% in CHF).