Barry Callebaut Optimistic About Cocoa Market Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 17 hours ago
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Cocoa Market Outlook: Barry Callebaut's CFO Peter Vanneste stated that despite the expected emergence of a strong El Niño, the company does not foresee a repeat of the cocoa market turmoil seen in 2023 and 2024, as ample cocoa stocks are expected to stabilize the market.
- Inventory Advantage: Unlike the continuous deficits during the 2023/2024 cocoa main crop season, the company currently benefits from a strong surplus, which is anticipated to mitigate potential climate impacts and enhance supply stability.
- Demand Monitoring: The firm is closely monitoring cocoa grind data, a proxy for chocolate demand, with the latest figures showing a 39.7% year-on-year increase in Ivory Coast, indicating potential recovery in market demand.
- Strategic Adjustments: Barry Callebaut has strengthened its resilience through origin diversification, increased sourcing flexibility, and enhanced cocoa bean blending capabilities, positioning itself to better navigate future market fluctuations.
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Analyst Views on HSY
Wall Street analysts forecast HSY stock price to rise
17 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
14 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 174.410
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
Current: 174.410
Low
181.00
Averages
196.27
High
222.00
About HSY
The Hershey Company is a snacks company. The Company's segments include North America Confectionery, North America Salty Snacks and International. The North America Confectionery segment is responsible for its traditional chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery market position in the United States and Canada. This includes its business in chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery, gum and refreshment products, protein bars, spreads, snack bites and mixes, as well as pantry and food service lines. This segment also includes its retail operations. The North America Salty Snacks segment is responsible for its salty snacking products in the United States. This includes ready-to-eat popcorn, baked and trans fat free snacks, pretzels and other snacks. The Company's portfolio includes chocolate and confectionery brands such as Hershey's, Reese's, Kisses, Kit Kat, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers, LesserEvil, Shaq-a-licious alongside salty snacks, including SkinnyPop and Dot's Homestyle Pretzels.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Hershey Company to Release Q2 Earnings on July 30, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: The Hershey Company has announced that it will release its second-quarter sales and earnings results on July 30, 2026, which is expected to provide investors with the latest financial performance data, aiding analysts in assessing the company's market performance and future outlook.
- Analyst Conference Call: The company will hold a conference call with analysts at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day as the earnings release, aiming to enhance market transparency and investor confidence by addressing questions from investors and analysts through real-time interaction.
- Live Webcast Format: This conference call will be hosted via a live webcast on the Hershey corporate website, ensuring that global investors can access information in real-time, thereby improving communication efficiency between the company and its investors and further solidifying its market position.
- Focus on Investor Relations: By regularly releasing earnings reports and holding analyst meetings, Hershey demonstrates its commitment to investor relations, aiming to enhance market trust through transparent information disclosure and promote the company's long-term growth.
See More
Barry Callebaut Optimistic About Cocoa Market Outlook
- Cocoa Market Outlook: Barry Callebaut's CFO Peter Vanneste stated that despite the expected emergence of a strong El Niño, the company does not foresee a repeat of the cocoa market turmoil seen in 2023 and 2024, as ample cocoa stocks are expected to stabilize the market.
- Inventory Advantage: Unlike the continuous deficits during the 2023/2024 cocoa main crop season, the company currently benefits from a strong surplus, which is anticipated to mitigate potential climate impacts and enhance supply stability.
- Demand Monitoring: The firm is closely monitoring cocoa grind data, a proxy for chocolate demand, with the latest figures showing a 39.7% year-on-year increase in Ivory Coast, indicating potential recovery in market demand.
- Strategic Adjustments: Barry Callebaut has strengthened its resilience through origin diversification, increased sourcing flexibility, and enhanced cocoa bean blending capabilities, positioning itself to better navigate future market fluctuations.
See More
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- Market Launch Timing: The product is set to launch nationwide on July 17, 2026, with king-size versions to follow, which is expected to attract more consumers and enhance the brand's market share.
- Diverse Consumption Scenarios: REESE'S PIECES with Chocolate Cookie is designed for various occasions, whether as an afternoon snack, shared on a road trip, or enjoyed during a movie, aiming to boost brand loyalty and purchase frequency.
- Strategic Brand Significance: This innovation marks the first update in 10 years, showcasing HERSHEY's keen insight into market trends and aiming to attract younger consumers, thereby driving overall sales growth.
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- Strategic Objectives: As President, Hoytink will have end-to-end accountability for Hershey's U.S. commercial business, advancing the unified aONE Hershey commercial model aimed at delivering greater value to retail partners and consumers while driving growth across away-from-home, omnichannel, and digital channels.
- Growth Potential: Hoytink expressed excitement about joining Hershey, highlighting the strong foundation for future growth provided by the company's iconic brands and customer partnerships, and her focus will be on building high-performing teams, investing in talent, and collaborating closely with customers to unlock new opportunities.
- Company Background: Hershey is an industry-leading snacks company with over $11.7 billion in annual revenue and more than 20,000 employees, committed to delivering high-quality products across 85 brands, showcasing its strong influence in the global market.
See More
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- Impact of SNAP Policies: As of May, the USDA has approved food restriction waivers in 23 states affecting about one-third of SNAP participants, with estimates suggesting a potential $830 million drop in food and beverage sales this year, compelling companies to reassess their product lines to adapt to shifting consumer spending.
- Consumer Spending Pressure: Kroger CEO Greg Foran highlighted that customers are under financial pressure due to reduced SNAP benefits and rising gas prices, leading to more cautious shopping behavior, indicating that changes in market demand could significantly influence food companies' sales strategies.
- Legislative Push for Healthy Eating: Iowa has become the first state to codify elements of the
See More
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- Sales Decline Forecast: According to Numerator, SNAP purchase restrictions have been approved in 23 states, potentially reducing food and beverage sales by up to $830 million, affecting about one-third of recipients, indicating a direct impact of policy on the food industry.
- Consumer Behavior Shift: Kroger CEO Greg Foran noted that customers are under pressure due to reduced SNAP benefits and rising gas prices, shopping more cautiously, which suggests significant changes in consumer spending patterns that may affect retailers' sales strategies.
- Accelerated Product Reformulation: As the MAHA movement gains traction, food manufacturers are accelerating product reformulations, with many companies pledging to phase out artificial colors by 2027, reflecting the industry's response and adaptation to health trends.
- Increased Market Competition: Major food companies like Hershey and Kraft Heinz are closely monitoring shopper behavior to assess the impact of new policies on their product lines, indicating that businesses need to quickly adjust to maintain market share amid policy changes.
See More
Hershey Company to Release Q2 Earnings on July 30, 2026
- Earnings Release Schedule: The Hershey Company has announced that it will release its second-quarter sales and earnings results on July 30, 2026, which is expected to provide investors with the latest financial performance data, aiding analysts in assessing the company's market performance and future outlook.
- Analyst Conference Call: The company will hold a conference call with analysts at 8:30 a.m. ET on the same day as the earnings release, aiming to enhance market transparency and investor confidence by addressing questions from investors and analysts through real-time interaction.
- Live Webcast Format: This conference call will be hosted via a live webcast on the Hershey corporate website, ensuring that global investors can access information in real-time, thereby improving communication efficiency between the company and its investors and further solidifying its market position.
- Focus on Investor Relations: By regularly releasing earnings reports and holding analyst meetings, Hershey demonstrates its commitment to investor relations, aiming to enhance market trust through transparent information disclosure and promote the company's long-term growth.
See More
Barry Callebaut Optimistic About Cocoa Market Outlook
- Cocoa Market Outlook: Barry Callebaut's CFO Peter Vanneste stated that despite the expected emergence of a strong El Niño, the company does not foresee a repeat of the cocoa market turmoil seen in 2023 and 2024, as ample cocoa stocks are expected to stabilize the market.
- Inventory Advantage: Unlike the continuous deficits during the 2023/2024 cocoa main crop season, the company currently benefits from a strong surplus, which is anticipated to mitigate potential climate impacts and enhance supply stability.
- Demand Monitoring: The firm is closely monitoring cocoa grind data, a proxy for chocolate demand, with the latest figures showing a 39.7% year-on-year increase in Ivory Coast, indicating potential recovery in market demand.
- Strategic Adjustments: Barry Callebaut has strengthened its resilience through origin diversification, increased sourcing flexibility, and enhanced cocoa bean blending capabilities, positioning itself to better navigate future market fluctuations.
See More
HERSHEY Launches First REESE'S PIECES Innovation in 10 Years
- Product Innovation: HERSHEY's new REESE'S PIECES with Chocolate Cookie combines the iconic peanut butter flavor with a crispy chocolate cookie center, creating a novel snacking experience that caters to consumers' desire for diverse textures.
- Market Launch Timing: The product is set to launch nationwide on July 17, 2026, with king-size versions to follow, which is expected to attract more consumers and enhance the brand's market share.
- Diverse Consumption Scenarios: REESE'S PIECES with Chocolate Cookie is designed for various occasions, whether as an afternoon snack, shared on a road trip, or enjoyed during a movie, aiming to boost brand loyalty and purchase frequency.
- Strategic Brand Significance: This innovation marks the first update in 10 years, showcasing HERSHEY's keen insight into market trends and aiming to attract younger consumers, thereby driving overall sales growth.
See More
Hershey Appoints New President for U.S. Operations
- New Leadership: The Hershey Company has appointed Heather Hoytink as President of U.S. operations, effective July 8, 2026, bringing over 20 years of sales and operations experience, most recently as Senior Vice President at PepsiCo, where she demonstrated strong customer relationships and growth capabilities.
- Strategic Objectives: As President, Hoytink will have end-to-end accountability for Hershey's U.S. commercial business, advancing the unified aONE Hershey commercial model aimed at delivering greater value to retail partners and consumers while driving growth across away-from-home, omnichannel, and digital channels.
- Growth Potential: Hoytink expressed excitement about joining Hershey, highlighting the strong foundation for future growth provided by the company's iconic brands and customer partnerships, and her focus will be on building high-performing teams, investing in talent, and collaborating closely with customers to unlock new opportunities.
- Company Background: Hershey is an industry-leading snacks company with over $11.7 billion in annual revenue and more than 20,000 employees, committed to delivering high-quality products across 85 brands, showcasing its strong influence in the global market.
See More
U.S. Food Companies Navigate Changes to SNAP Policies
- Impact of SNAP Policies: As of May, the USDA has approved food restriction waivers in 23 states affecting about one-third of SNAP participants, with estimates suggesting a potential $830 million drop in food and beverage sales this year, compelling companies to reassess their product lines to adapt to shifting consumer spending.
- Consumer Spending Pressure: Kroger CEO Greg Foran highlighted that customers are under financial pressure due to reduced SNAP benefits and rising gas prices, leading to more cautious shopping behavior, indicating that changes in market demand could significantly influence food companies' sales strategies.
- Legislative Push for Healthy Eating: Iowa has become the first state to codify elements of the
See More
SNAP Restrictions Impact Food Sales
- Sales Decline Forecast: According to Numerator, SNAP purchase restrictions have been approved in 23 states, potentially reducing food and beverage sales by up to $830 million, affecting about one-third of recipients, indicating a direct impact of policy on the food industry.
- Consumer Behavior Shift: Kroger CEO Greg Foran noted that customers are under pressure due to reduced SNAP benefits and rising gas prices, shopping more cautiously, which suggests significant changes in consumer spending patterns that may affect retailers' sales strategies.
- Accelerated Product Reformulation: As the MAHA movement gains traction, food manufacturers are accelerating product reformulations, with many companies pledging to phase out artificial colors by 2027, reflecting the industry's response and adaptation to health trends.
- Increased Market Competition: Major food companies like Hershey and Kraft Heinz are closely monitoring shopper behavior to assess the impact of new policies on their product lines, indicating that businesses need to quickly adjust to maintain market share amid policy changes.
See More
