By Paolo Laudani (Reuters) -Chocolate maker and cocoa processor Barry Callebaut reported a lower sales volume than expected for its first quarter on Wednesday, hit by delayed orders as its clients renegotiate product prices with retailers amid record high cocoa costs.

The Swiss-based Barry Callebaut Group has reported a further sales dip, with volumes for the first quarter of its 2024/25 year being down 2.7, to 565,238 tonnes amid a continued surge in cocoa prices,

Barry Callebaut's actual sales volume decline of 2.7% exceeded the market's expected decline of 2.2%. This drop was particularly sharp in Western Europe, where volumes fell by 7.5%. The region faced tough comparisons from a large one-off contract from the previous year, as well as impacts from customer delistings at retailers.

The chocolate company’s shares fell after it missed sales volume expectations and cut its guidance for fiscal 2025 as soaring cocoa bean prices drag demand.

Chocolate maker and cocoa processor Barry Callebaut has reported a lower sales volume than expected for its first quarter.