• Jacobs Holding AG has sold 10.0% of Barry Callebaut’s share capital by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process
• 550,000 shares have been sold to a broad range of undisclosed shareholders at a price of CHF 1,990 per share
• Barry Callebaut’s free float at SIX Swiss Exchange will increase from 54.9% to 64.9%
• With a 30.1% shareholding, Jacobs Holding AG remains Barry Callebaut’s reference shareholder

Barry Callebaut AG, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, has been informed by Jacobs Holding AG, its reference shareholder, that it has successfully sold 550,000 shares in Barry Callebaut AG by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process at a price of CHF 1,990 per share. This transaction is part of Jacobs Holding’s continued execution of portfolio diversification and in preparation to seize further investment opportunities.

After completion of the transaction, Jacobs Holding AG retains 1,649,976 shares representing 30.1% of Barry Callebaut’s share capital. As a result, Barry Callebaut’s free float at SIX Swiss Exchange will increase from 54.9% to 64.9 %.

Patrick de Maeseneire, CEO of Jacobs Holding, said: 

Jacobs Holding remains the reference shareholder of Barry Callebaut and an active supporter to its continued growth journey. We stay fully involved in the further development of Barry Callebaut, which includes unchanged representation on Barry Callebaut’s Board of Directors.

Jacobs Holding AG has agreed to a lock-up of one year with respect to its remaining holding in Barry Callebaut.

About Barry Callebaut Group 

With annual sales of about CHF 6.9 billion (EUR 6.4 billion / USD 7.1 billion) in fiscal year 2019/20, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products – from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings, decorations and compounds. The Group runs more than 60 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of more than 12,000 people.

The Barry Callebaut Group 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 global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut^® and Cacao Barry^®, Carma^® and the decorations specialist Mona Lisa^®.

The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to make sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025 to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.