Barry Callebaut said that a fresh attempt to dispose of its consumer division was receiving considerable interest as it restated its determination to join in the round of chocolate sector consolidation.

The world's biggest chocolate maker said inquiries for the unit, both from private equity firms and trade buyers, had been "brisk", raising hopes that its latest sale process would fare better than the last.

"The business has developed well recently so a transaction can be carried out on a good basis," Juergen Steinemann, the Swiss group's chief executive, told newspaper Finanz und Wirtschaft.

"We plan to settle the sale in 2010."

The comments come as Cadbury, the UK chocolate giant, is being pursued by America's Kraft and is reportedly mulling a tie-up with Hershey.

Change of tack 

Barry Callebaut attempted earlier this year to dispose of its consumer division to Spain's Natra in exchange for a 45-49% stake in the merged business, but the talks foundered over differences on pricing.

The Swiss group wants to sell out of the consumer market to focus on its business-to-business operations, which including making chocolates for giants such as Hershey and Nestle.

Mr Steinemann said in his interview that he expected such outsourcing deals to account for more than half of Barry Callebaut's growth.

The other half would be provided by measures such as organic growth in new regions and cost cutting.

Barry Callebaut shares closed SFr0.5 higher at SFr656.50.