ZURICH (Reuters). -Schweizer chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut has confirmed its midterm guidance after reporting an 8.9% increase in sales volume in the three-month period to Nov. 30. This was due to easier comparisons and a strong performance in its catering business.

The group, based in Zurich, stated that sales volumes reached 610.048 tonnes during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 and revenue rose 14% ($2.22 Billillion) to 2.32 billion Swiss Francs.

Last year saw a rebound in global chocolate confectionery demand. Barry Callebaut has been able to take advantage of the outsourcing by big food corporations.

Barry Callebaut (who supplies chocolate to Nestle and Hershey) stated that “the increase [in sales revenue] was affected by the overall inflationary climate, which Barry Callebaut manages though its cost-plus pricing structure for the majority its business.”

Barry Callebaut’s cost-plus pricing model allows Barry Callebaut to pass on any price rises to its customers.

According to the largest chocolate manufacturer in the world, volumes in the chocolate and gourmet businesses grew by 9.6%. However, they saw stronger recovery following the pandemic. Volumes rose 33.8%.

It also reiterated its mid-term guidance, which was 5% to7% volume growth per year over the period from its fiscal 2022/23.

Last week, Swiss peer Lindt & Spruengli posted a 13.3% rise in organic sales for 2021.

($1 = 0.9173 Swiss francs)