(Reuters) -Chocolate maker and cocoa processor Barry Callebaut on Wednesday reported lower-than-expected sales volume in its first quarter, hit by customer-retailer pricing negotiations and delayed orders amid record high cocoa prices.
The Swiss-based group, which supplies chocolate for Unilever (LON:) soon the Magnum ice creams and Nestle (NSE:)’s KitKat bars, said its sales volume fell 2.7% to 565,000 tonnes in the quarter ended November 30, compared with analysts’ forecast of 568,000 tonnes in a consensus provided by the company.
The company said it expected full-year sales volume to fall by a small percentage point. It previously said it expects flat cocoa sales for the fiscal year, as the raw material sells in London for about 8,700 pounds ($10,737.54) per metric ton.
It also said it issued a bond worth 300 million Swiss francs ($331 million) to meet high costs and ensure liquidity.
($1 = 0.8102 pounds)
($1 = 0.9063 Swiss francs)