The Barry Callebaut Group has unveiled its latest full-year results for 2025/2026 noting sales revenues down 15.2% to CHF 12.2 billion, and group volumes decreasing by 0.7%, amid key market challenges, writes Neill Barston.

However, as the company asserted, the business experienced a second quarter of growth in Q4 (+5.7%), which it stated is ahead of the wider market, whcih has seen a downturn of 4.3%.

Furthermore, the business experienced a drop in operating profit of 14.1%, down to CHF 604.5 million (-15.6% to CHF 594.0 million in CHF), which it cited tests within its gourmet division, and volatile cocoa bean price considerations.

However, the business added that its Focus for Growth plans revealed that Q4 saw 13% growth in its specialist high-end chocolate division,

Hein Schumacher, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, who last week launched the company’s latest fermentation-focused chocolate offering, Flavourcode, believed that it had enhanced its operations, including a renewed focus on growth strategy, which was now paying dividends.

He commented: “Earlier this year, we launched Focus for Growth to strengthen our fundamentals, sharpen our portfolio and accelerate growth in value-added cocoa and chocolate solutions. Our FY 2025/26 results demonstrate early progress, including a return to volume growth in the second half of the year, strong free cash flow generation and significant deleveraging.

“We have also taken decisive action to focus the business on the customers, segments and contracts where we can create the greatest value and build a stronger, more resilient platform for profitable growth. I am particularly encouraged by the double-digit growth in Gourmet in Q4 and the momentum we are building into next year. While market conditions remain challenging, we are navigating them with increased confidence in our ability to ignite future growth through innovation and enhanced customer service.

“As such, we expect Gourmet, Specialties and our priority markets to grow ahead of the Group in FY 2026/27. We are entering the year more focused, more disciplined and better equipped to deliver on our commitments.”