Ricola delivers solid results in 2024
Laufen, 14 May 2025 – 2024 was a year of consolidation and transition for Ricola, including the acquisition of a production facility in Lenzburg. The generational handover on the Board of Directors was concluded at the Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2025.
After two very successful years in 2022 and 2023, Swiss family company Ricola achieved moderate organic growth in 2024 in a challenging market environment. The US market grew slightly from a high level and the company successfully defended its market leadership in the cough drop category. Ricola performed rather well in European markets, including Switzerland, France, Austria and Spain. By contrast, Germany, the largest European market in terms of sales, fell slightly short of growth expectations, despite Ricola gaining market share there.
Despite the general economic slowdown in Asia leading to stagnation in Asian confectionery categories, Ricola achieved double-digit growth in many Asian markets such as South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Ricola also posted moderate growth and expanded its market share in China, the Group’s largest Asian market, in 2024.
Capacity expansion in the home market and a commitment to Switzerland as a manufacturing base
The acquisition of a production plant in Lenzburg, Switzerland, in autumn 2024 was an important event for Ricola Group Ltd. The purchase of the former jam factory of Hero AG will enable Ricola to overcome production bottlenecks in Laufen and meet the growing demand for its products. Ricola plans to start production in Lenzburg at the end of 2026.
A wide range of new marketing activities
Ricola Fresh Mint, another strong innovation, was successfully launched in selected European countries. Ricola Raspberry Mint has established itself as a new flavour alongside other Ricola products in Switzerland. Its launch was accompanied by a large-scale sampling campaign and quickly attracted new consumers. At the Ricola innovation centre in Laufen, new products are continuously being developed, and the range is constantly optimised for sustainability and adapted to customer needs. In Switzerland, Ricola launched a four-year partnership with Swiss Ski, which got off to a successful start and attracted a great deal of attention thanks to a strong activation campaign and the excellent results of the Swiss athletes.
A leader in sustainability: Ricola is B Corp certified
Responsibility and sustainability are in Ricola’s nature and can be traced back to the company’s founding in 1930. Thanks to its commitment to people and the environment and its adherence to the highest standards, Ricola was certified as a B Corp in 2023. It was the first globally active company in the confectionery industry worldwide to receive this distinction.
Generational handover on the Board of Directors
Raphael Richterich was elected as the new Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ricola Group Ltd. at the Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2025. He has been Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2019 and is taking over the role of Chairman from his father Felix Richterich, who has shaped the company for decades as CEO and later as Chairman of the Board of Directors. As the new Vice-Chairwoman, Eva Richterich will also represent the owner family on the Board of Directors. Long-standing Board members Diana Strebel and Ruedi Blatter are stepping down from the Board of Directors. Birgit Conix, Cristina Kenz and Hans Melotte have been elected as new non-family members of the strategic body. They will join Douglas Günthardt, who has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2009.
Ricola Group Ltd. owes a debt of gratitude to the departing colleagues. They have done pioneering work over many years and shaped the group for the long term.
Looking ahead to a challenging 2025
After a good start to 2025, Ricola is facing challenges due to new US tariffs. The new US tariffs are having a significant impact on Ricola. However, the Group is doing everything in its power to respond to this new challenge appropriately and with the right measures. Despite a geopolitical market environment fraught with uncertainty due to trade tariffs, exchange rate fluctuations and recession scenarios, Ricola will continue to pursue its growth strategy 2030.
Ricola Group AG
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