Lindt Slashes 2026 Sales Growth Forecast as European Demand Weakens

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli lowered its full-year organic sales growth forecast on Tuesday as higher prices and softer consumer demand weighed on sales across several key European markets.

Lindt now expects organic sales growth of 0% to 2% for 2026, down sharply from its previous forecast of 4% to 6%. The company pointed to weaker-than-anticipated demand in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, where consumers became more price-sensitive following recent price increases. An unusually hot summer also hurt demand, particularly for seasonal chocolate products.

CEO Adalbert Lechner said historically high cocoa prices had forced Lindt to raise prices in recent years. Combined with subdued consumer sentiment, those increases resulted in weaker order volumes in parts of Europe, especially within seasonal product categories.

Despite the reduced sales outlook, Lindt maintained its 2026 profitability guidance. The company continues to expect its EBIT margin to improve by 20 to 40 basis points compared with the previous year.

Performance outside Europe offered some support, with Lindt reporting stronger business trends in North America and Asia. Meanwhile, cocoa prices have retreated from their previous highs, potentially easing one of the biggest cost pressures facing chocolate manufacturers. Lindt expects input-cost pressures to gradually normalize over the coming months.

Looking ahead, the company expects volumes to return to positive growth in 2027. Lindt plans to support the recovery through adjustments to its pricing strategy, increased investment in its brands, new product launches and additional cost-saving measures. Lower cocoa costs are also expected to provide support for profit margins.

For the medium to long term, Lindt reaffirmed its target for annual organic sales growth of 6% to 8%. From 2028 onward, the company also expects annual EBIT margin expansion of between 20 and 40 basis points.

Lindt generated sales of 5.92 billion Swiss francs in 2025. The chocolate maker is scheduled to release its 2026 net sales figures on January 19, 2027.