Cocoa and chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut has reported solid volume and value growth in the past 12 months.

In its full fiscal year results between 2010 and 2011, the Swiss-based global company reported an overall 7.2% increase in sales volume, with an increase in Western Europe by 1.8% to 671,424 tonnes. Its sales revenue, however, outperformed volume growth at 7.5%.

This is despite the company announcing the sale of Stollwerck, its European Consumer Products business, to Belgian Baronie Group in July. As a result of this move, Barry Callebaut has refocused on serving the business-to-business markets supplying its premium chocolate, fillings and decorations to artisan bakers and food manufacturers.

Juergen Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: “We saw another year where we delivered on our targets. We again outperformed the global chocolate market, both with our Food Manufacturing Products and our Gourmet business.

“With the sale of our European Consumer Products business we confirmed our strategy. I am proud of our performance in the emerging markets and the fact that we were able to also sign four new strategic partnership agreements. This proved once again the attractiveness of our business model.”

The company’s Food Manufacturers Products business and Gourmet & Specialties Products division, which includes confectionery, bakery, pastry and the HORECA (hotels, restaurants and catering) business, also showed good growth during the 12-month period.

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