In a call to analysts this morning after publication of Barry Callebaut Group – Full-Year Results, Fiscal Year 2024/25 it was noted that while the group eked out recurring EBIT growth and accelerated deleveraging in the second half, the North American supply hiccup—and the board’s green-light to rebuild the regional network—frame the near-term playbook as much as the headline numbers.
Barry Callebaut confirmed volumes fell as customers recalibrated amid record-high bean prices, but revenue surged on cocoa-linked pass-throughs. The group kept cash discipline in focus, proposed a CHF 29.00 dividend, and unveiled a long-term partnership with Planet A Foods to expand cocoa-free ‘ChoViva' offerings—moves aimed at decoupling earnings from bean-price whiplash over time.
What Happened in Québec—and Why it Matters
On the analyst call, CEO Peter Feld said a roasting-equipment issue (unconfirmed reports claim it was a metal contamination problem) forced a proactive shutdown at Saint-Hyacinthe for roughly three weeks, with a “trickle-on effect” across North American customers and some volume loss. He added that the board has approved significant upgrades across North America and a new US facility to bring reliability to the expected standard. The company did not disclose precise dates, affected lines, or customer names. (Statements per management remarks shared with this publication.)