PRESS RELEASE: Barry Callebaut: 9-month key sales figures, FY 2012/13 - Maintaining strong volume growth momentum

   (MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

   July 04, 2013 01:01 ET (05:01 GMT)- - 01 01 AM EDT 07-04-13

-2 of 3- 04 Jul 2013 05:01:00 UTC  PRESS RELEASE: Barry Callebaut: 9-month key sales figures, FY 2012/13 - Maintaining strong volume growth momentum

Barry Callebaut / Barry Callebaut: 9-month key sales figures, FY 2012/13 - Maintaining strong volume growth momentum . Processed and transmitted by Thomson Reuters ONE. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

-- Sales volume up 8.2%

-- Growth driven by strategic partnerships, emerging markets as well as Gourmet

-- Successful closing of acquisition of Cocoa Ingredients Division from Petra Foods

-- Mid-term guidance confirmed1 #ftn1

Juergen Steinemann, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: "We are pleased to have again achieved such strong, broad-based volume growth for the first nine months, especially as the general market environment in Western Europe was still challenging. Key growth drivers were our strategic partnerships, emerging markets and the Gourmet business. Now, after the closing of the acquisition, we are focusing on the integration of the cocoa business from Petra Foods, having made all the necessary preparations for this during the past six months."

Group key sales figures for the first 9 months of fiscal year 2012/13 - from continuing operations

Change in % 9 months up to May 31, in local 9 months up to 2012(2 currencies in CHF May 31, 2013 #ftn2) Sales volume Tonnes 8.2 1,112,309 1,028,237 Sales revenue CHF m (1.3) (0.5) 3,540.7 3,557.3

Zurich/Switzerland - July 4, 2013

- Barry Callebaut - the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products - achieved strong top-line growth with an increase in sales volume of 8.2% to 1,112,309 tonnes in the first nine months of fiscal year 2012/13 (ended May 31, 2013). During Q3, the company even accelerated its volume growth to 8.9%. With this, Barry Callebaut significantly outpaced the global chocolate market, which increased by 1.9%.(3 #ftn3)

For the nine-month period, growth was recorded across all Regions, strongly supported by the company's long-term outsourcing agreements and strategic partnerships as well as the Gourmet & Specialties Products business. Business in emerging markets continued to perform well, in particular EEMEA and Latin America.

Based on Barry Callebaut's cost-plus model, lower average raw material prices compared to the previous year translated into lower sales revenue(4 #ftn4) : -1.3% in local currencies (-0.5% in CHF) to CHF 3,540.7 million. Outlook - Integration process successfully initiated, mid-term guidance confirmed

Barry Callebaut's continuous growth is the result of the consistent execution of its long-term strategy. After the closing of the recent acquisition of the cocoa business from Petra Foods, Barry Callebaut will focus on both a successful integration of the acquired business and on the Group's margin improvement. CEO Juergen Steinemann on the outlook: "Based on our leadership position and the visibility on the business front, we are confident of achieving our mid-term guidance(1) ."

Strategic developments -

Successful closing of acquisition of Petra Foods' Cocoa Ingredients Division

On June 30, 2013, Barry Callebaut successfully closed the acquisition of the Cocoa Ingredients Division from Singapore-based Petra Foods Ltd. The signing of the transaction was announced on December 12, 2012. Subsequently, a joint integration team developed the integration masterplan that is now being implemented. The combination of the two complementary businesses makes Barry Callebaut the world's largest cocoa and chocolate products manufacturer with over 8,000 employees, an estimated annual sales volume of 1.6 million tonnes and CHF 6 billion (EUR 4.9 billion / USD 6.4 billion) in sales revenue and expands the company's global footprint to 50 factories on four continents.

In June, Barry Callebaut funded the purchase price which will be approximately USD 860 million (subject to final adjustments following the closing) with the placement of 10 year senior notes of USD 400 million with a coupon of 5.5% and the issuance of new shares (c. USD 300 million). The remainder will be financed through the partial utilization of an existing bridge loan.

Regional / Segment performance

Region Europe - Continued solid growth in a challenging market environment

Sales volume in Region Europe continued its solid growth path with an increase of +5.7% to 554,284 tonnes. Again, Western Europe performed very well against the background of a still challenging market environment. The Gourmet & Specialties Products business showed strong growth in Q3. In Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (EEMEA) sales volume went up double-digit in both the Food Manufacturers Products and the Gourmet business. Russia performed particularly well.

Sales revenue in the Region increased by 4.4% in local currencies (+5.0% in CHF) to CHF 1,748.0 million.

Region Americas - Continued strong volume growth momentum

Region Americas continued to grow double-digit; sales volume went up 17.1% to 308,492 tonnes. In North America, business was driven by both the company's corporate accounts in the industrial business and Gourmet thanks to a continued improvement in the food service business in the US. Business in South America went up double-digit positively influenced by good Gourmet sales.

Sales revenue in the Region increased by 4.2% in local currencies (+ 6.7% in CHF) to CHF 863.4 million influenced by lower average raw material prices compared to last year.

Region Asia-Pacific - Strong Gourmet performance

In Asia-Pacific, Barry Callebaut's overall sales volume was up 5.4% to 44,791 tonnes. For the Food Manufacturers Products business both strategic as well as local customers contributed to the good growth. Driven by good sales with the global brand Callebaut(R) , the Gourmet & Specialties Products business increased double-digit.

Overall, sales revenue decreased by 2.8% in local currencies (-2.5% in CHF) to CHF 168.7 million as a result of lower raw material prices.

Global Sourcing & Cocoa(5 #ftn5) - Revenue impacted by lower cocoa powder prices The segment Global Sourcing & Cocoa increased its total sales volume by 3.5% to 204,742 tonnes. Higher internal demand for cocoa powder limited sales to third parties.

Market and selling prices for cocoa powder were significantly lower compared to last year. This had an impact on sales revenue, which declined by 16.4% in local currencies (-16.5% in CHF) to CHF 760.6 million.

Raw material price developments

In the past three months, cocoa prices continued to trade in the range of GBP 1,400 and 1,600 per tonne. Good 2012/13 mid-crop arrivals and 2013/14 forward sales combined with funds building long positions led to relatively stable prizes.

World sugar market prices continued to decline thanks to the surplus that is still on the market. In the EU, special measures (import quotas and reclassification) stabilized prices, but at still rather high levels.

Due to a drought situation in New Zealand, the world's leading dairy supplier, market prices for milk powder rose sharply before stabilizing at historically high levels.

***

Financial calendar for fiscal year 2012/13 (September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013): Full-year results 2012/13 (news release & conference) November 7, 2013, Zurich Annual General Meeting 2012/2013 December 11, 2013, Zurich

***

Barry Callebaut (www.barry-callebaut.com):

With annual sales of about CHF 4.8 billion (EUR 4.0 billion / USD 5.2 billion) in fiscal year 2011/12, Zurich-based Barry Callebaut is the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products - from sourcing and transforming cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolate, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. Combined with the recently acquired cocoa ingredients business from Petra Foods, Barry Callebaut generates estimated annual sales of CHF 6 billion (EUR 4.9 billion / USD 6.4 billion), runs around 50 production facilities worldwide, sells its products in over 100 countries and employs a diverse and dedicated workforce of more than 8,000 people.

Barry Callebaut serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two global brands catering to the specific needs of these customers are Callebaut(R) and Cacao Barry(R) .

***

Contacts: for investors and financial analysts: for the media: Evelyn Nassar Raphael Wermuth Head of Investor Relations Head of Media Relations Barry Callebaut AG Barry Callebaut AG Phone: +41 43 204 04 23 Phone: +41 43 204 04 58 evelyn_nassar@barry-callebaut.com raphael_wermuth@barry-callebaut.com

Group key sales figures for the first 9 months of fiscal year 2012/13 -

from continuing operations

Change in % 9 months up in 9 months up to May 31, in local reporting to May 31, 2012(6 currencies currency 2013 #ftn6)

Group Sales volume Tonnes 8.2 1,112,309 1,028,237 Sales revenue CHF m (1.3) (0.5) 3,540.7 3,557.3

By Region Europe Sales volume Tonnes 5.7 554,284 524,345 (MORE TO FOLLOW) Dow Jones Newswires

   July 04, 2013 01:01 ET (05:01 GMT)- - 01 01 AM EDT 07-04-13

-3 of 3- 04 Jul 2013 05:01:00 UTC  PRESS RELEASE: Barry Callebaut: 9-month key sales -2-
Sales revenue CHF m 4.4 5.0 1,748.0 1,664.2

Americas Sales volume Tonnes 17.1 308,492 263,515 Sales revenue CHF m 4.2 6.7 863.4 809.0

Asia-Pacific Sales volume Tonnes 5.4 44,791 42,514 Sales revenue CHF m (2.8) (2.5) 168.7 173.0

Global Sourcing & Cocoa Sales volume Tonnes 3.5 204,742 197,863 Sales revenue CHF m (16.4) (16.5) 760.6 911.1

By Product Group Sales Volume Tonnes 8.2 1,112,309 1,028,237 Cocoa Products Tonnes 3.5 204,742 197,863 Food Manufacturers Products Tonnes 9.4 784,844 717,309 Gourmet & Specialties Products Tonnes 8.5 122,723 113,065

Sales Revenue CHF m (1.3) (0.5) 3,540.7 3,557.3 Cocoa Products CHF m (16.4) (16.5) 760.6 911.1 Food Manufacturers Products CHF m 3.3 4.6 2,177.7 2,081.8 Gourmet & Specialties Products CHF m 5.9 6.7 602.4 564.4

1 #body_ftn1 As of consolidation of Petra Foods' cocoa business: 6-8% average volume growth per year and EBIT per tonne restored to pre-acquisition level until 2015/16 - barring any major unforeseen events.

2 #body_ftn2 Restated figures due to the divestiture of the consumer business.

3 #body_ftn3 Source: Nielsen September 2012 until May 2013.

4 #body_ftn4 Barry Callebaut passes on raw material prices to customers for 80% of its business.

5 #body_ftn5 The figures reported under "Global Sourcing & Cocoa" include all sales of cocoa products to third-party customers in all Regions while the figures shown under the respective Region show all chocolate sales.

6 #body_ftn6 Restated figures Q3 2011/12 due to consumer divestiture.

The complete news release can be downloaded from the following link:

Press Release: http://hugin.info/100441/R/1714117/569142.pdf

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(ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the

information contained therein.

Source: Barry Callebaut via Thomson Reuters ONE

HUG#1714117

--- End of Message ---

Barry Callebaut

P.O. Box Zurich Switzerland

WKN: 914661;ISIN: CH0009002962;

http://www.barry-callebaut.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   July 04, 2013 01:01 ET (05:01 GMT)- - 01 01 AM EDT 07-04-13