Lindt & Sprüngli announced on Monday that its chief executive officer, Adalbert Lechner, will step down amid challenges including lowered sales forecasts and subdued performance in the European market. The Swiss chocolate manufacturer appointed former CEO Dieter Weisskopf as interim chief executive with immediate effect.

In a statement, the company’s board of directors explained that new operational leadership was necessary to restore consistent growth and seize global market opportunities. This management change follows a difficult period for Lindt, which has seen its shares decline by nearly 25% year to date. On Monday, the stock dropped an additional 1.7%.

The company recently revised its sales outlook for 2026 downward for the second time within the year. This adjustment reflects pressures from rising cocoa prices and a slowdown in chocolate demand in Europe. As of the previous Friday, cocoa prices had surged to £4,356 ($5,803) per metric ton, more than doubling since February’s level of £2,057 per metric ton.

The leadership transition at Lindt & Sprüngli comes as the company seeks to navigate these headwinds and reestablish stronger revenue growth across its markets worldwide.