Barry Callebaut has noted an upturn in sales volume growth in its third quarter results for the first time in two years – yet the business remains impacted by declining revenues, writes Neill Barston.

As the Swiss-headquartered firm observed, its group volume declined by -2.8% for the first nine months, turning positive in Q3 (+5.7%), as it asserted that conditions had been returning to a more stable position.

Significantly, sales revenue decreased by -9.5% in local currencies in the first nine months (-12.7% in CHF) to CHF 9.6 billion, reflecting lower year-on-year cocoa bean-related pricing.

However, with futures commodities markets within the past week continuing to reportedly in a state of flux due to unexpected notable price rises within the past week – with prices reaching over $5,900 per tonne, amid emerging reports of potential slowdown in crop supplies in Ivory Coast – which remains a core market for Barry Callebaut’s cocoa supplies.

Indeed, the company noted that the global chocolate market ‘remains challenge’ declining 4.4% in the third quarter, though gradual improvements have been projected. 

Despite such tests, the company hailed its Focus for Growth action plan under new leadership, and end-to-end chocolate and cocoa supply policy as being instrumental in seeing signs of positivity.

The company recently successfully exhibited at Sweets & Snacks Expo in Las Vegas, and also confirmed plans for a return to the key ISM event in Cologne, Germany for 2027, which will be its first appearance there in seven years.

Hein Schumacher, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, believed there was hope ahead for the business, which recently launched a bond buyback scheme that further cemented its financial position.

He said:  “We are encouraged by the return to positive volume growth in the third quarter, which partly reflects early signs of stabilising fundamentals and service levels in North America. At the same time, the chocolate market remains challenging and our improvement will be gradual.

“During the quarter, we took targeted steps to evolve our organizational set up and advance our Focus for Growth journey by strengthening regional empowerment while preserving global functional alignment. We are unwavering in our focus on further reinforcing our fundamentals to gain market share and drive sustained profitable growth.”