HKFoods Plc’s Half Year Financial Report 2026: Growth in net sales and EBIT continued

HKFoods Plc, Half Year Financial Report, 5 August 2026 at 8:30 a.m. EEST

HKFoods’ Half Year Financial Report 1 January–30 June 2026
 

April–June 2026

• HKFoods’ net sales from continuing operations grew by 5.3 per cent to EUR 258.7 (245.7) million. Sales grew across all sales channels.  
• In retail, sales grew in poultry products, meal components and ready meals. In addition, beef sales showed a clear increase from the comparison period, when the availability of beef raw material was lower. Sales of grilling sausages, however, were below the target. Sales in the food service channel developed strongly in meal components and poultry products. Export and industrial sales grew, driven particularly by poultry meat sales. 
• The Group’s comparable EBIT from continuing operations strengthened by 19.3 per cent to EUR 7.7 (6.5) million, representing 3.0 (2.6) per cent of net sales. The comparable EBIT was strengthened by sales growth in the retail and food service channels and by improved profitability at HKFoods’ subsidiaries.  
• The rise in oil prices caused by the war in Iran and the resulting increase in logistics and packaging material costs weakened the comparable EBIT at the end of the review period. In addition, the comparable EBIT was weakened by higher personnel costs and the price increase in purchased services. Sales price increases only partially covered the rise in costs. The challenging global market situation for pork, caused by subdued import demand in Asian markets and oversupply in the EU, particularly weakened export profitability.
• The Group’s profit for the period from continuing operations improved to EUR 3.1 (2.0) million, driven by a stronger EBIT. 
• Cash flow from operating activities, including discontinued operations, was EUR 11.9 (21.2) million. Cash flow declined as a result of a change in working capital, as stocks were at an exceptionally low level during the comparison period due to a strike in the food industry and a shortage of beef.
• On 22 April 2026, the Annual General Meeting resolved that the company would distribute a dividend of EUR 0.08 per share for the financial year 2025. The dividend was paid in May.
  

January–June 2026

• HKFoods’ net sales from continuing operations grew by 4.6 per cent to EUR 501.2 (479.4) million. Sales grew across all sales channels, except exports. In Finnish retail and the food service channel, sales developed positively in all product categories apart from meat products. HKFoods’ market share in the retail sector remained at the comparison period’s level.
• The Group’s comparable EBIT from continuing operations strengthened by 21.1 per cent to EUR 13.5 (11.1) million, representing 2.7 (2.3) per cent of net sales. The comparable EBIT was strengthened by sales growth in the retail and food service channels, and by measures under the company’s efficiency programme, which increased production efficiency and improved profitability.
• The comparable EBIT was weakened by the rise in oil prices caused by the war in Iran and the resulting increase in logistics and packaging material costs, increased personnel costs and the price increase in purchased services, as well as significantly higher energy costs caused by the cold winter. The sharp rise in the purchase price of beef due to the shortage of beef continued. The increases in sales prices and electricity price hedging measures only partially covered the rise in costs.
• The Group’s profit for the period from continuing operations improved to EUR 5.9 (2.8) million.
• Cash flow from operating activities, including discontinued operations, decreased due to a change in working capital and amounted to EUR 6.0 (16.6) million.  
• Interest-bearing net debt rose to EUR 157.7 (156.3) million. Net gearing was 82.9 (76.3) per cent. 
• Interest-bearing net debt, excluding leasing liabilities under IFRS 16, was EUR 76.5 (70.4) million.  

The figures in parentheses refer to the same period in the previous year, unless otherwise mentioned. The figures are unaudited.

Outlook for 2026 (unchanged)

HKFoods expects that in 2026 the Group’s comparable EBIT will grow compared to 2025.

KEY FIGURES

HKFoods’ CEO Juha Ruohola

HKFoods’ net sales growth and positive profit development continued in the second quarter of 2026. Net sales from continuing operations increased by 5.3 per cent to EUR 258.7 (245.7) million. The Group’s comparable EBIT from continuing operations strengthened by 19.3 per cent to EUR 7.7 (6.5) million, representing 3.0 (2.6) per cent of net sales. The profit for the period from continuing operations improved to EUR 3.1 (2.0) million.

Our sales grew across all sales channels in the second quarter. In the retail channel, sales performance during the grilling season was particularly strong for Kariniemen® brand’s poultry products, for meal components and for HK® brand’s ready meals. As for grilling sausages, however, we were below our target.  Beef sales showed a clear increase from the comparison period, when the availability of beef raw material was lower. Growth was seen in pork as well. Sales in the food service channel also developed well.

The comparable EBIT was strengthened by sales growth in the retail and food service channels and by improved profitability at HKFoods’ subsidiaries. Measures under the company’s efficiency programme have increased production efficiency and improved profitability during the first half of the year.

The rise in oil prices caused by the war in Iran and the resulting increase in logistics and packaging material costs weakened the comparable EBIT at the end of the review period. We estimate that the cost impact of higher oil prices will continue to grow in the second half of the year. We aim to balance the impact of cost increases on profit in the pricing windows following the outbreak of the war. However, visibility in the markets is limited.

The comparable EBIT was also weakened by higher personnel costs and the price increase in purchased services. Sales price increases have only partially covered the rise in costs. The challenging global market situation for pork, caused by subdued import demand in Asian markets and oversupply in the EU, particularly weakened export profitability.

We expect the market situation to remain challenging also during the remainder of the year. In addition, according to preliminary investigations by the Finnish Food Authority, African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in wild boars found dead in Southeast Finland. The detection has no impact on our deliveries in Finland and the EU. Exports of pork and pork products to China and Japan, for example, have been suspended until further notice. We will redirect the products subject to restrictions to other target markets. Authorities are negotiating the resumption of exports to other non-EU countries.

We have advanced our responsibility programme in many ways and have also received significant recognition for our efforts. In May, the Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development and the Parliament’s Committee for the Future awarded HKFoods’ nutrition-related commitment as one of the best sustainability commitments of 2025. In addition, we achieved a bronze medal rating in the global EcoVadis sustainability assessment. This places HKFoods among the top 35 per cent of assessed companies. Compared to the previous year, improvement was seen in all areas: environment, labour and human rights, business ethics and sustainable procurement.

Our ETEVÄT programme for contract meat producers aims to improve profitability and production results for both producers and the company, as well as to promote the wellbeing of animals and people, and a vital environment. We have also joined the Saaristomerikumppanit (Archipelago Sea Partners) project led by the John Nurminen Foundation. The project brings together the food industry, retailers, agricultural producers and experts to reduce the impact of agriculture on water bodies in the Archipelago Sea catchment areas.The project aims to decrease nutrient runoff from fields into water bodies, improve soil fertility and strengthen the long-term sustainability of farms.

We continue our determined work to implement our strategy and achieve our goals. Due to seasonality, we expect most of the company’s comparable EBIT to be generated in the second half of the year. The growth investments we have carried out in meals and meal components support growth, and we estimate that the strong demand for poultry meat will continue. We will also continue our efficiency improvement programme with determination. In addition, news reports in recent weeks have indicated that the Finnish economy has turned to growth, supporting consumer demand.

I would like to thank our employees, contract producers, customers and other partners for excellent performance in the first half of the year.

Key events in April−June 2026

HKFoods launched the ETEVÄT producer programme

The ETEVÄT programme for contract meat producers aims to improve profitability and production results for both producers and the company, as well as to promote the wellbeing of animals and people, and a vital environment. The programme provides producers with information, tools and support for continuous development, and brings responsibility work in primary production together under one framework. HKFoods is developing the ETEVÄT programme together with its contract producer network and partners, such as ProAgria (advisory services) and the Pyhäjärvi Institute (training).

Details on the matter were provided in the following press release (in Finnish): 19 May 2026.

HKFoods received the Commitment2050 award for measures supporting public health
 

The Finnish National Commission on Sustainable Development and the Parliament’s Committee for the Future recognised HKFoods’ nutrition commitment as one of the best sustainability commitments of 2025. The awarded commitment includes four concrete measures: reducing the salt content in the highest-volume HK@-branded whole meat cold cuts; increasing the number of consumer products that meet the Heart Symbol criteria; creating recipes that meet the Heart Symbol criteria and developing plant-based meals for the HoReCa sector. HKFoods responds to the changing needs of consumers and professionals by, for example, expanding its range of products and recipes that meet the Heart Symbol criteria. The actions in the commitment focus on widely consumed foods and the HoReCa sector, which directly supports the National Nutrition Recommendations and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases without requiring consumers to make active choices.

Details on the matter were provided in the following press release (in Finnish): 20 May 2026.

HKFoods joins the new Archipelago Sea Partners collaboration

HKFoods is participating in the Saaristomerikumppanit (Archipelago Sea Partners) project led by the John Nurminen Foundation. The project brings together the food industry, retailers, agricultural producers and experts to reduce impacts of agriculture on water bodies in the Archipelago Sea catchment areas. The goal is for approximately 20 of HKFoods’ contract producers to participate in the project, which will be carried out between 2026 and 2028. Expert advice and support are provided to farms to enable them to implement water protection measures that are tailored to their specific fields and have the greatest possible impact. The aim is to reduce nutrient runoff from fields into water bodies, improve soil fertility and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the farms.

Details on the matter were provided in the following press release (in Finnish): 30 June 2026.

Events after the reporting period

African swine fever detected in Virolahti, Southeast Finland, on 30 July 2026

According to preliminary investigations by the Finnish Food Authority, African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in wild boars found dead in Southeast Finland. The Food Authority’s results are still being verified at the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL) for African swine fever in Spain. However, immediate action has been taken to limit the spread of the disease. African swine fever does not infect humans.

HKFoods has no contract producers of pork within the infected zone designated by the authorities. The detection has no impact on HKFoods’ deliveries in Finland and the EU. Exports of pork and pork products to China and Japan, for example, have been suspended until further notice. HKFoods will redirect the products subject to restrictions to other target markets. Authorities are negotiating the resumption of exports to other non-EU countries.

Information on the matter has been published on HKFoods’ website.

Turku, 5 August 2026

HKFoods Plc
Board of Directors

Webcast

In connection with its Half Year Financial Report, HKFoods will hold a briefing for analysts, institutional investors and media on 5 August 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EEST as a webcast at https://hkfoods.events.inderes.com/q2-2026. The event will be held in Finnish, and the recording will be available later in the day at www.hkfoods.com.

The Half Year Financial Report will be presented by CEO Juha Ruohola and CFO Mika Tilli.

To arrange investor calls, please contact Executive Assistant Suvi Oksava, tel. +358 44 554 4231 or
suvi.oksava@hkfoods.com.

Financial reporting in 2026

HKFoods will publish its Interim Report for January–September 2026 on Wednesday 4 November 2026 at about 8:30 a.m. EET.

Further information

Juha Ruohola, CEO, tel. +358 400 647 160

Mika Tilli, CFO, tel. +358 50 538 5793

HKFoods Media Service Desk email communications@hkfoods.com or tel. +358 10 570 5700.

With 110 years of experience, we at HKFoods make life tastier – today and tomorrow. With nearly 3,000 professionals, we make locally produced food for consumers’ various food moments. Our well-known brands in Finland are HK®, Kariniemen® and Via®. HKFoods is a publicly listed company, and in 2025, our net sales totalled EUR 1 billion. www.hkfoods.com

The brands mentioned in this report – HK®, Kariniemen® and Via® – are registered trademarks of HKFoods Group.

DISTRIBUTION:

Nasdaq Helsinki
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www.hkfoods.com