Hershey CEO Michele Buck to step down in 2026

(Reuters) -Chocolate maker Hershey on Friday introduced the departure of CEO Michele Buck, who has been on the helm for roughly seven years, efficient June 30, 2026.

Buck, a client packaged items veteran with almost 20 years on the firm, will proceed as CEO till her successor is appointed, after which she’s going to transition to a senior advisor position till her retirement, the corporate stated.

The board has appointed a particular committee to help within the seek for a brand new CEO, which is able to consider each inside and exterior candidates for the place.

In November, the Reese’s peanut butter cups maker trimmed its annual income forecast and missed its third quarter gross sales expectations, as repeated value hikes harm client demand.

Cocoa costs almost tripled in 2024, far outpacing beneficial properties in different commodities, as crop losses in prime cocoa-producing nations the Ivory Coast and Ghana, attributable to adversarial climate, bean illness, smuggling, and a shift from cocoa plantations to unlawful gold mining.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg Information reported that Hershey sought permission from the Commodity Futures Buying and selling Fee (CFTC) to buy as much as 90,000 metric tons of cocoa from ICE-certified shares, exceeding the usually allowed most quantity.

Semafor reported on the corporate’s CEO departure plans earlier within the day.