Chocolate sales rise with holiday cheers

ZURICH, Switzerland, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Chocolate producers in Zurich, Switzerland, reported elevated sales this holiday season.

"Sales are going well. Champagne truffles are very popular, as well as our Christmas packages, which we decorate ourselves," Madeleine Rubio-Teuscher of the traditional Zurich chocolate makers Teuscher told the Web site swissinfo.

Larger Swiss chocolate companies Lindt & Sprungli and Chocolat Frey also said the holiday season brought their businesses cheer, although final sales statistics were not yet available.

Sylvia Kalin of Lindt & Sprungli said Christmas is the most important time for the premium chocolate maker.

"(Trends are) very gifty, with elegant packaging, as well as products with special recipes that are adapted to Christmas ... cozy recipes with caramel, nuts and spices, like Christmas cookies," Kalin told swissinfo.