Good growth momentum continues

Our proven long-term strategy and its consistent execution delivered another set of strong results, creating value for our shareholders and other stakeholders. The successful completion of our 4-year mid-term guidance gave us the confidence to renew it for the next 3-year period.

• Sales volume up +5.1%, well above the market growth¹

• Sales revenue of CHF 7.3 billion, up +7.8% in local currencies (+5.2% in CHF)

• Operating profit (EBIT) up +11.9% in local currencies (+8.5% in CHF)

• Net profit² up +14.2% in local currencies (+10.4% in CHF)

• Free cash flow of CHF 290 million

• Mid-term guidance 2015/16 – 2018/19 delivered³, on average +4.5% volume growth and +13.9% EBIT growth in local currencies

• Board members Jakob Baer and Juergen Steinemann will not stand for reelection

• Proposed payout to shareholders of CHF 26.00 per share, up +8.3%

_{1. Source: Nielsen, +1.8% in volume, August 2018 to August 2019 – 25 countries, excluding e-commerce channels.}

_{2. Net profit excluding one-off costs for early bond repayment of CHF 33m, partly offset by the tax effect of CHF 7m.}

_{3. On average for the 4-year period 2015/16 to 2018/19: 4-6% volume growth and EBIT above volume growth in local currencies, barring any major unforeseen events.}

Strong volume growth and profitability

Region EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) delivered strong volume growth well above the market and a good EBIT growth.

Healthy growth and strong profitability

Region Americas maintained a healthy growth rate, well above the growth of the chocolate confectionery market. The improved product mix was reflected in a strong EBIT.

Strong growth momentum

Region Asia Pacific accelerated in the second half of the fiscal year, achieving double-digit volume growth and a strong profitability.

Further improved profitability

Healthy volume growth and further improved profitability, benefiting from disciplined execution.

Creating impact through the power of data, technology, and scale

Sustainability is at the heart of our business. This is why in 2016 we launched Forever Chocolate, our plan to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025. Every year we report on the progress we are making against the Forever Chocolate targets.

Our third, most recent, progress report shows that we are creating an impact on the ground and leading change in the cocoa and chocolate value chain. We are focusing on big innovative projects which we know will create the tipping point to further a sustainable chocolate supply chain. For this, we are using a combination of big data and technology as the backbone to scale our efforts. 

We are very proud that our efforts were acknowledged in July 2019, when Sustainalytics, one of the leading companies assessing companies’ sustainability efforts, ranked Forever Chocolate the #1 sustainability strategy in the packaged foods industry out of 178 companies.

Forever Chocolate is a movement. We need the expertise from academia and NGOs, the resources from our customers and partners, and an enabling policy environment from governments. We welcome all feedback and offers for support.