Lindt Raises 2025 Sales Forecast on Strong European Growth Despite Price-Driven Volume Drop

Swiss premium chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli raised its organic sales growth forecast for 2025 to 9-11%, up from the previous 7-9%, driven by strong consumer loyalty and premiumisation trends, especially in Europe where growth hit 17.7% in the first half of the year. Despite a 15.8% price increase to offset record-high cocoa costs, sales volumes declined by 4.6%, with North America showing weaker growth of 3.6% due to weak consumer sentiment, while other regions like Japan, Brazil, South Africa, and China saw double-digit gains. The company reported a drop in EBIT by 11.3% to CHF 259.2 million, affected by lower volumes and continued high cocoa prices, although revenues rose by about 9-11% to approximately CHF 2.35-2.4 billion. Lindt plans another price hike in 2026 but expects a normalization of sales growth in Europe and hopes for improved market conditions in North America in the latter half of 2025. The company is also assessing its global sourcing strategy ahead of anticipated U.S. tariffs and continues to produce most of its North American chocolate domestically. Despite the strong sales growth, Lindt's shares fell significantly due to concerns over volume declines and price sensitivity in key markets.