OREANDA-NEWS. The Barry Callebaut Group announced today its group key sales figures for first 6 Months of fiscal year 2014/15, ended on February 28, 2015, with the following highlights:
  • Sales volume picking up: +2.0% (+3.9% in Q2), outperforming a currently weak global chocolate confectionery market (-1.5%1)
  • Significant profit increase: EBIT up 8.7% (+13.0% in local currencies), net profit up 10.7% (+16.3% in local currencies)
  • Solid top- and bottom-line growth driven by Western Europe and Americas, outsourcing and Gourmet
  • Mid-term financial targets confirmed,2 subject to currency translation impacts

Juergen Steinemann, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, said: "As forecasted, we had a good second quarter after a slow start to the year. Our volume growth accelerated, much in contrast to the currently weak global chocolate confectionery market. All growth drivers contributed to our growth, especially outsourcing & partnerships and Gourmet. Our business in our main regions Western Europe and Americas performed particularly well. Despite a weak cocoa products market and a negative currency translation effect, we significantly improved our profitability thanks to our continued focus on product mix, margins and cost management."