Increased profitability in recessionary markets

Barry Callebaut reports results for first six months of fiscal year
2008/09:
Increased profitability in recessionary markets

* Sales volumes remain stable at 611,920 tonnes in a declining
global chocolate market
* Sales revenue increases 4.7% in local currencies. In Swiss
francs: CHF 2,543.1 million (H1 2007/08: CHF 2,585.0 million)
* Operating profit (EBIT) increased 17.6% in local currencies. In
Swiss francs: CHF 218.6 million (H1 2007/08: CHF 200.4 million)
* Net profit for the period rose 23.2% in local currencies. In
Swiss francs: CHF 143.4 million (H1 2007/08: CHF 124.4 million)
* Barry Callebaut sees fiscal year 2008/09 as a year of slower
volume growth; confirms its mid-term financial targets[1]

Group key figures for the first six months of fiscal 2008/09

+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| | | | Change vs H1 2007/08 |
|--------------------+-------+------------+-------------------------|
| | | Six months | Reporting | Local |
| | | up to | currency | currencies |
| | | Feb 28, | | |
| | | 2009 | | |
|--------------------+-------+------------+------------+------------|
| Sales volumes | mt | 611,920 | -0.1% | |
|--------------------+-------+------------+------------+------------|
| Sales revenue | CHF m | 2,543.1 | -1.6% | 4.7% |
|--------------------+-------+------------+------------+------------|
| Operating profit | CHF m | 218.6 | 9.1% | 17.6% |
| (EBIT) | | | | |
|--------------------+-------+------------+------------+------------|
| EBIT/Tonne | CHF | 357.2 | 9.2% | 17.7% |
|--------------------+-------+------------+------------+------------|
| Net profit for the | CHF m | 143.4 | 15.3% | 23.2% |
| period | | | | |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

Zurich/Switzerland, April 2, 2009 - During the first half of fiscal
year 2008/09, Barry Callebaut AG, the world's leading manufacturer of
high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, succeeded in significantly
increasing its profitability in an exceptionally difficult
environment. Sales volumes remained stable at 611,920 tonnes in a
declining global chocolate market. The period under review was
characterized by adverse currency effects, in particular the
weakening of the euro, pound sterling and the dollar currencies
against the group's reporting currency, Swiss franc. In local
currencies sales revenue grew by 4.7%, while operating profit (EBIT)
rose 17.6%. In Swiss francs, sales revenue came in at CHF 2,543.1
million and EBIT rose to CHF 218.6 million. The strong profitability
increase was achieved thanks to margin improvements, tight cost
control, efficiency measures and the beneficial impact of higher
cocoa product margins. Net profit rose 23.2% in local currencies. In
Swiss francs, net profit increased to CHF 143.4 million.

[1] Four-year growth targets for 2007/08-2010/11 on average: Volumes:
9-11%, EBIT: 11-14%, net profit 13-16%

The complete news release can be downloaded from the following link:
http://hugin.info/100441/R/1302770/298216.pdf

Contacts
for investors and financial for the media:
analysts:

Simone Lalive, Head of Investor Josiane Kremer, Corp.
Relations Communications
Barry Callebaut AG Barry Callebaut AG
Phone: +41 43 204 04 23 Phone: +41 43 204 04 58
simone_lalive@barry-callebaut.com josiane_kremer@barry-callebaut.com

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