Swiss chocolate and cocoa processor Barry Callebaut has appointed former Unilever executive Hein Schumacher as its new chief executive, replacing Peter Feld on January 26, as the company reported first-quarter sales volumes below expectations.

Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s largest cocoa processors and supplier to brands including Nestlé’s KitKat and Magnum ice creams, said first-quarter volumes for its cocoa products fell 9.9% to 509,401 tonnes, short of the 512,000 tonnes forecast in an internal analyst poll. The company confirmed its outlook for the full financial year.

Schumacher, who previously led Unilever’s global operations, takes the helm as the company navigates a challenging cocoa market marked by fluctuating raw material costs, supply chain pressures and shifting consumer demand.

Leadership experience in consumer goods could support Barry Callebaut’s strategic focus on premium chocolate and industrial solutions for food manufacturers.

Barry Callebaut’s customers include both large chocolate brands and foodservice operators, and the volume shortfall underscores ongoing pressures in the cocoa supply chain, including variable harvests in West Africa and evolving sustainability requirements.

The company operates a network of cocoa processing and chocolate production facilities across Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa, supplying industrial chocolate, couverture and cocoa products.