Swiss chocolate maker Lindt has partly attributed its fall in sales to Donald Trump's war on Iran. The company said its performance in the first half of 2026 had been “affected by ongoing geopolitical uncertainties” which impacted tourism flows into Europe from Asia and the Middle East.
Conflict disrupts travel and sales
The conflict, which erupted in February, has caused major travel disruption and sent jet fuel prices soaring. On Wednesday, the US military said it had completed an 11th consecutive night of strikes on Iran, despite Tehran and Washington previously signing a ceasefire agreement last month.
Lindt added that sales of its chocolates in airports decreased “due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and therefore declining passenger traffic at airports”.
Price increases and inflation
The company said a “necessary groupwide” price increase of 11.8% was also a factor, as well as rising inflation which has left people feeling less well off. It added that “performance was impacted by more price-sensitive and mature markets such as Germany, Switzerland and the UK”.
In response, the Zurich-based chocolatier said it has adjusted prices in selected markets and increased brand marketing for the second half of the year.
Volume decline and Easter business
Lindt chief executive Adalbert Lechner said: “The actions we have initiated focus on volume recovery in the second half of 2026 and lay the foundation to regain volume growth momentum in 2027.”
The company said sales by volume declined by 7.5%, “reflecting a subdued demand, mainly in Europe”. It also experienced “weaker Easter business” in Europe. Easter is typically a key period for chocolatiers like Lindt, which is renowned for its chocolate rabbits wrapped in gold-coloured foil and a red ribbon.
Lindt said sales in Europe declined by 2.1% in the first half of the year. Overall, its sales were down by 0.9%, but the company did see growth in North America, Australia, China, and Japan. Mr Lechner said: “In a volatile market environment, we delivered results in line with expectations.”
