Global chocolate producer Barry Callebaut has warned about a “challenging” year ahead – after it saw its net profit decline by 5.9% to CHF240 million (£157m).

Revealing its full-year results for its fiscal year 2014/15, it said the company’s growth in sales volumes of 4.5% to 1.7 million tonnes compared well with a reported -2.7% slump in the global confectionery market.

The company saw revenue increase by 6.4% to CHF6.2bn, up from CHF5.8bn the year before.

Newly appointed chief executive Antoine de Saint-Affrique said: “We see significant growth opportunities ahead and we are committed to achieving consistent, above-market volume growth based on our three key growth drivers: outsourcing & partnerships, emerging markets and gourmet & specialties.

“However, we foresee a challenging fiscal year 2015/16 due to the current cocoa products market, which will temporarily affect our profitability.”