Barry Callebaut: maintains strong top-line growth

Zurich / CH. (bc) Barry Callebaut AG, the world´s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, announced its key sales figures for the first three months of fiscal year 2009/2010, ended November 30, 2009. In an environment that continues to be characterized by economic uncertainties, Barry Callebaut succeeded in growing its sales volume by a strong 7,2 percent to 362’973 tonnes. All regions and – on a like-for-like-basis – all product groups contributed to this growth. The most significant volume increases were noted in Region Asia (plus 17,7 percent), Region Americas (plus 15,6 percent) and in Global Sourcing + Cocoa (plus 14,0 percent). Sales revenue increased by 6,3 percent in local currencies, but was severely impacted by adverse currency translation effects. In Swiss Francs, the company´s reporting currency, it came in at 1’450,2 million CHF (+1.5 percent).