Barry Callebaut AG, the Swiss‑Belgian giant headquartered in Zurich and known for supplying cocoa products and chocolate ingredients to markets worldwide, appointed Hein Schumacher as its new chief executive officer, effective January 26, 2026. This change came as the company navigated a difficult period marked by falling sales volumes, volatile cocoa prices and strategic transformation efforts that have tested its resilience and operational model. Schumacher replaces Peter Feld, who steps down after leading the company through a multi‑year restructuring, underscoring how critical leadership has become to Barry Callebaut’s future growth and stability.

Understanding Barry Callebaut’s Global Role

Barry Callebaut, formed through the 1996 merger of French cocoa producer Cacao Barry and Belgian chocolatier Callebaut, is the largest B2B cocoa and chocolate supplier in the world, with production facilities spanning Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. Its products — cocoa beans, cocoa butter, chocolate masses and couverture chocolate — serve industrial clients ranging from major consumer brands to artisanal chocolatiers. The company’s global reach means its performance and leadership decisions have ripple effects across supply chains and commodity markets, influencing cocoa sourcing strategies, pricing and even sustainability initiatives in producing countries.

Hein Schumacher: Experience and Expectations

Hein Schumacher arrives at Barry Callebaut with over 25 years of experience in the global food sector. Prior to this appointment, he served as CEO of Unilever from 2023 to 2025, where he led efforts to sharpen Barry Callebaut CEO  brand focus and drive shareholder value. Before Unilever, Schumacher held top roles at Royal FrieslandCampina, a major dairy cooperative, including stints as CEO and CFO. His extensive leadership across both business‑to‑consumer and business‑to‑business environments positions him as a leader familiar with complex global markets, operational turnaround and stakeholder engagement — skills the Barry Callebaut board believes are essential as the company transitions from restructuring toward renewed growth. Schumacher’s task will be to boost customer focus, reinforce corporate culture and stabilize financial performance amid ongoing market pressures.

The Context of Leadership Change

Schumacher’s appointment follows a turbulent period for Barry Callebaut. Under the stewardship of Peter Feld, who became CEO in April 2023, the company launched the “BC Next Level” transformation programme aimed at simplifying operations, improving agility and navigating unprecedented cocoa price volatility. While this crash programme helped the company adapt to market headwinds, global cocoa prices soared in 2024 due to poor West African harvests and supply disruptions, causing sales volumes to slide nearly 10 % in the months preceding the leadership change. Even though revenue remained resilient thanks to pricing strategies, the combination of external challenges and internal restructuring highlighted the need for a fresh strategic approach under Schumacher’s leadership.

Strategic Challenges and Industry Pressures

The cocoa and chocolate industry faces structural pressures that go beyond corporate leadership transitions. Market volatility remains a core issue: fluctuations in cocoa bean prices have a direct impact on margins, inventory costs and customer contracts. Barry Callebaut also has to balance its integrated business model — linking cocoa processing to chocolate manufacturing — with calls from investors and analysts to explore ways to de‑risk exposure to commodity swings. Some industry observers have discussed potential strategic options such as segmenting business units or refining global supply chains to mitigate risk, although no formal corporate action has been confirmed yet. Under Schumacher, the company will likely reassess strategic priorities to ensure both resilience and competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.

Looking Forward: The CEO’s Mandate

As Hein Schumacher assumes the helm, his mandate is clear: stabilize operations shaken by recent turbulence, reignite volume growth without sacrificing profitability, and strengthen Barry Callebaut’s position as the world’s leading chocolate ingredient supplier. Success in these areas could enhance confidence among customers and investors alike, while also reinforcing sustainable sourcing practices and long‑term relationships with cocoa producers. Given the company’s critical role in global cocoa supply chains and its influence in food industry markets worldwide, Schumacher’s leadership will be closely watched not only by industry participants but also by global investors and commodity analysts. The next phase of Barry Callebaut’s evolution under his stewardship may determine how one of the world’s most iconic chocolate companies adapts to future economic, environmental and consumer trends.