Briefly
The board of directors of the Swiss-Belgian company Barry Callebaut has appointed Hein Schumacher as chief executive officer. He will start on 26 January, replacing Peter Feld, who had held the post since April 2023, the company’s press service said.
What the company reported
In a press release, Barry Callebaut also published first-quarter results for the financial year (September–November 2025): sales volume fell by 9.9% — to 509,401 tonnes. In the "Global Chocolate" segment sales dropped by 6.8% (compared with the chocolate confectionery market, which fell by 6.1%). The "Global Cocoa" segment showed a decline of 22.0%, which the company attributes to weaker market demand and a prioritization of higher-margin segments. The company also clarified that the temporary suspension of production in Saint‑Hyacinthe (Canada) has been resolved.
"Sales volume in the 'Global Cocoa' segment decreased by -22.0%, reflecting negative market demand and a prioritization of volumes in higher-margin segments within 'Cocoa'."
— Barry Callebaut, press service
Why Schumacher’s appointment matters
Schumacher led Unilever from 2023–2025, where he implemented a growth plan focused on higher value‑added brands. Before that he held senior roles at the dairy cooperative Royal FrieslandCampina. That background sends several signals to the market:
- Focus on profitability and premiumisation: experience in building a high‑margin portfolio could mean prioritizing profitability over volumes.
- Operational discipline: a manager from large international FMCG companies typically strengthens supply‑chain efficiency and quality control.
- Investor engagement: a candidate with transformation experience is better positioned to restore investor confidence amid falling sales.
Implications for the market and for Ukraine
The leadership change at one of the world’s largest cocoa processors has several practical implications. First, lower cocoa bean prices, which the company references, could ease production costs for confectioners — including Ukrainian ones. Second, if Barry Callebaut does shift its focus toward premium products, that will open niches for local producers who can offer artisan or premium chocolate for export contracts.
At the same time, a concentration on margin and optimisation could increase pressure on smaller supplier companies: demands for quality, volumes and delivery stability will rise. Ukrainian manufacturers and raw‑material suppliers should monitor these trends to adapt in time.
Context
This appointment comes amid structural changes in the global FMCG sector. Recall that on 6 December 2025 Unilever completed the spin‑off of its ice cream division into a separate company, The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (TMICC) — an example of how major players are reorganising business models under market pressure.
Conclusion
The appointment of Hein Schumacher is not just a change of names in board reports. It signals Barry Callebaut’s intent to turn a temporary decline in volumes into a sustainable recovery through higher profitability and operational rigour. For the Ukrainian industry this means opportunities (cheaper input costs, premium product niches) and challenges (higher demands on suppliers). The question for the company’s management and the market now is whether the new CEO can turn these signals into real growth — and how quickly producers and consumers in Ukraine will feel the effects.
