Chocolate Maker Exiting Consumer Market in 2010

Barry Callebaut is aiming to exit the consumer chocolate business in 2010.

The announcement follows the attempted failure of the chocolate maker to sell the Alprose and Sarotti brands, to Spanish food group Natra in exchange for a 45-49 per cent minority stake in September.

A company spokesperson said the strategic decision would allow the company to focus on its industrial operations.

Juergen Steinemann, told Swiss publication Finanz und Wirtschaft, that inquiries concerning the consumer operation had been ‘brisk’ from industry and private equity.

Barry Callebaut reported increased profits and sales volumes for 2008/09, despite shrinking global chocolate consumption.

The company reported an improvement in net profits for the year ended August 31, 2009 of 10.4 per cent, reaching CHF226.9m (€150m), and a 4.1 per cent increase in sales volumes, to 1,213,610 tonnes.