The world’s largest chocolate producer, Barry Callebaut, has seen its sales volumes drop in its financial year 2024/25. However, many customers are so devoted to their chocolate that the group’s turnover still increased significantly.
42 % increase in sales
The main trend from the third quarter continued throughout the entire financial year: record prices for cocoa meant significantly lower sales, but higher revenue nonetheless. While the sales volume fell by 7 % to 2.125 million kilograms, revenue rose by no less than 42 % to 14.8 billion Swiss francs (16 billion euros).
Operating profit also rose by 42 % (to 635 million francs or 680 million euros), but net profit dropped slightly to 188 million francs (200 million euros). The chocolate group says it is able to pass on the increased costs (especially for cocoa beans) to its customers, but points to a “disrupted market.”
It is therefore not surprising that Barry Callebaut almost simultaneously announced a plan to invest in chocolate-alternatives without cocoa, in collaboration with Planet A foods. This should result in more sustainable products, both for the environment and for the wallet.
