VEVEY, Switzerland – Nestlé S.A. reported today three-month sales for 2022. Organic growth reached 7.6%, with real internal growth (RIG) of 2.4% and pricing of 5.2%. Growth was broad-based across most geographies and categories, with increased pricing, continued momentum in retail sales and a further recovery in out-of-home channels.
Total reported sales increased by 5.4% to CHF 22.2 billion (3M-2021: CHF 21.1 billion). Foreign exchange decreased sales by 0.8%. Net divestitures had a negative impact of 1.3%.
Portfolio management on track. In April, Nestlé Health Science completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Orgain, a leader in plant-based nutrition.
Full-year 2022 outlook is confirmed: the company expects organic sales growth around 5% and underlying trading operating profit margin between 17.0% and 17.5%. Underlying earnings per share in constant currency and capital efficiency are expected to increase.
Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO, commented:”In these first months of the year, the war in Ukraine has caused unspeakable human suffering. We remain focused on supporting our colleagues there and providing humanitarian relief, while standing with the international community in the call for peace.
Amid this challenging environment, we delivered strong organic sales growth with resilient RIG. We stepped up pricing in a responsible manner and saw sustained consumer demand. Cost inflation continues to increase sharply, which will require further pricing and mitigating actions over the course of the year. The Nestlé team addressed these headwinds and advanced our long-term strategy and sustainability objectives with agility and determination. We confirm our guidance for the year.”
Nestlé: Group sales
Organic growth was 7.6%, with RIG of 2.4%. Pricing increased to 5.2% to reflect significant cost inflation. Organic growth now excludes the Russia region, given significantly disrupted trading conditions and Nestlé’s decision to focus on providing essential food.
Growth was broad-based across most geographies and categories. Organic growth was 6.7% in developed markets, with increased pricing and resilient RIG following a high base of comparison in 2021. Organic growth in emerging markets was 8.8%, with strong RIG and pricing.
By product category, Purina PetCare was the largest contributor to organic growth led by its science-based and premium brands Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan and Fancy Feast as well as veterinary products.
Coffee saw high single-digit growth fueled by continued demand for Nescafé, Starbucks and Nespresso.
Sales in confectionery grew at a double-digit rate, with strong growth for KitKat and gifting products. Water posted double-digit growth, driven by a further recovery of out-of-home channels and premium brands S.Pellegrino and Perrier.
Dairy reported mid single-digit growth, with strong sales developments in coffee creamers and ice cream as well as premium and fortified milks.
Growth in Infant Nutrition reached a mid single-digit rate, supported by improved sales developments in the Americas and Europe. Nestlé Health Science recorded mid single-digit growth, reflecting high demand for Medical Nutrition and healthy-aging products.
Prepared dishes and cooking aids posted low single-digit growth following a high base of comparison in 2021, with continued strong demand for Maggi and Garden Gourmet.
By channel, organic growth in retail sales was 5.9%. Within retail, e-commerce sales grew by 5.0%, building on very strong growth of 39.6% in the first quarter of 2021. Organic growth in out-of-home channels reached 35.6%, with sales exceeding 2019 levels.
Net divestitures decreased sales by 1.3%, largely related to the Nestlé Waters North America transaction, which closed on March 31, 2021. Divestitures were partially offset by acquisitions, including the core brands of The Bountiful Company. The impact on sales from foreign exchange was negative at 0.8%. Total reported sales increased by 5.4% to CHF 22.2 billion.
Nestlé: Portfolio Management
On April 1, 2022, Nestlé Health Science completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Orgain, a leader in plant-based nutrition. Orgain complements Nestlé Health Science’s existing portfolio of nutrition products that support healthier lives. The deal is expected to be slightly accretive to Nestlé’s organic growth, while slightly dilutive to the Group’s underlying trading profit margin in 2022. The agreement includes the option for Nestlé Health Science to fully acquire Orgain in 2024.
Nespresso
Organic growth was 3.3% based on RIG of 0.2% and increased pricing of 3.1%. Foreign exchange negatively impacted sales by 2.0%. Reported sales in Nespresso increased by 2.0% to CHF 1.6 billion.
Nespresso reported low single-digit organic growth, following strong double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2021. Out-of-home channels saw continued recovery, with increased adoption for the recently launched Momento system.
Growth was fueled by continued momentum for the Vertuo system and innovation. New products included limited editions in the Master Origins range, Aged Sumatra and Papua New Guinea, as well as in the World Explorations range with Miami Espresso.
By geography, North America posted double-digit growth with continued market share gains. Europe reported a sales decrease, following a high base of comparison in 2021. Other regions combined recorded double-digit growth.
Zone Europe
Organic growth reached 6.9%, with solid RIG of 2.8%. Pricing increased to 4.1%, with an acceleration across most geographies and categories. Foreign exchange negatively impacted sales by 5.4%. Reported sales in Zone Europe increased by 2.2% to CHF 4.6 billion.
Zone Europe reported high single-digit organic growth, supported by higher pricing, sustained e-commerce momentum and a further recovery in out-of-home channels. The Zone continued to see market share gains, particularly in pet food, coffee and plant-based food.
By product category, the key growth driver was Nestlé Professional, with sales exceeding 2019 levels. Sales in Purina PetCare grew at a double-digit rate, driven by premium brands Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan and Gourmet as well as veterinary products. Tails.com and Lily’s Kitchen also saw strong momentum, supported by continued distribution expansion. Sales in Infant Nutrition grew at a double-digit rate, helped by market share gains. Water posted double-digit growth, led by S.Pellegrino. Confectionery reported mid single-digit growth, with a strong recovery for KitKat and gifting products. Growth in coffee was almost flat, following strong double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2021. Starbucks products and Nescafé Farmers Origins, a new range of coffee capsules for Nespresso machines, resonated strongly with consumers. Culinary posted a sales decrease, following a high base of comparison in 2021. Garden Gourmet plant-based products continued to see strong momentum.
Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA)
Organic growth reached 6.0%, with RIG of 1.7%. Pricing increased to 4.3%, with broad-based contributions from most geographies and categories. Foreign exchange reduced sales by 2.8%. Reported sales in Zone AOA increased by 3.0% to CHF 4.6 billion.
Zone AOA reported mid single-digit organic growth, with particular strength in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Growth was supported by increased pricing, a further recovery in out-of-home channels and continued momentum for affordable offerings. The Zone saw market share gains in most categories, particularly culinary, coffee and ice cream.
South-East Asia posted low single-digit growth, with robust demand in Maggi and Nescafé, particularly in Malaysia. South Asia recorded double-digit growth, supported by continued distribution expansion and innovation, with strong growth for Maggi and KitKat. Sales in Sub-Saharan Africa grew at a double-digit rate, based on strong momentum for affordable nutrition offerings particularly in Maggi and Milo. Middle East and North Africa posted low single-digit growth, as robust demand in culinary was partially offset by a sales decline in dairy. Japan reported high single-digit growth, driven by coffee and Purina PetCare. Sales in South Korea grew at a double-digit rate, driven by coffee. Oceania reported mid single-digit growth, with particular strength in Nescafé and Maggi.
By product category, culinary was the largest growth contributor, led by Maggi. Coffee posted high single-digit growth, with continued strong demand for Nescafé and Starbucks products. Sales in Nestlé Professional grew at a double-digit rate. Cocoa and malt beverages grew at a high single-digit rate. The recently launched Milo Soy resonated strongly with consumers. Confectionery reported high single-digit growth, with strong demand for KitKat. Growth in Infant Nutrition turned positive, driven by Lactogen. Sales in Purina PetCare grew at a high single-digit rate, led by Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE.
Zone Latin America
Organic growth was 12.5%, with strong RIG of 4.7%. Pricing increased to 7.7%. Foreign exchange had a positive impact of 1.8%. Reported sales in Zone Latin America increased by 14.4% to CHF 2.7 billion.
Zone Latin America reported double-digit organic growth, building on a high base of comparison in 2021. Growth was supported by strong execution and continued e-commerce momentum, with broad-based contributions across most geographies and product categories. The Zone saw market share gains in pet food, Infant Nutrition and chilled dairy.
Sales in Brazil grew at a double-digit rate, with strong growth in confectionery, cocoa and malt beverages as well as Infant Nutrition. Mexico also reported broad-based double-digit growth, reflecting high demand for Nescafé, Purina PetCare and Carnation. Sales in Chile grew at double-digit rate, led by confectionery, ice cream and Purina PetCare. The recently acquired direct-to-consumer premium chocolate business, La Fête, saw strong demand in Chile.
By product category, confectionery was the largest growth contributor, in particular KitKat and gifting products. Sales in Purina PetCare grew at a double-digit rate, led by Dog Chow, Cat Chow and Purina Pro Plan. Coffee and Nestlé Professional also reported strong double-digit growth. Infant Nutrition saw mid single-digit growth, based on robust demand for Nido and NAN functional products. Growth in dairy was flat, following a high base of comparison in 2021.
Zone Greater China
Organic growth was 3.4%, with RIG of 3.8% and pricing of -0.5%. Foreign exchange had a positive impact of 4.2%. Reported sales in Zone Greater China increased by 7.6% to CHF 1.4 billion.
Zone Greater China reported low single-digit organic growth, partly impacted by the timing of Chinese New Year. Growth was supported by innovation, with market share gains in culinary, ready-to-drink coffee and confectionery.
By product category, strong sales developments in most categories were partly offset by a sales decline in Infant Nutrition. Turnaround initiatives in Infant Nutrition continued. Coffee posted double-digit growth, based on strong momentum for Nescafé ready-to-drink and Starbucks products. Sales in culinary grew at double-digit rate, supported by new product launches. Nestlé Professional reported high single-digit growth, despite regional lockdowns. Confectionery posted high single-digit growth, led by strong demand for Shark wafer chocolate and solid growth for Hsu Fu Chi.
Nestlé is providing humanitarian relief to the people of Ukraine
Since the beginning of the war, Nestlé has focused on supporting its employees, their families and the people of Ukraine. The company has mobilized teams across the region to get food and essential supplies to the local population. Working in partnership with Ukrainian charities, Nestlé has also organized direct humanitarian support in the war zone.
Nestlé is one of the few companies that continues to keep shelves stocked for the population in Ukraine. The company was able to largely maintain operations in the west of the country, whereas operations of its factory in Kharkiv were halted due to heavy shelling. Nestlé employees volunteered to transform the company’s Kharkiv Distribution Center into a donation center to provide food to the local community. To date Nestlé has donated more than 40 million servings of food, beverage and nutrition products across the country.
Nestlé has been and continues to be in close contact with its 5 800 employees in Ukraine. Among other measures, the company is providing them with advance salary payments, one-off payments to support relocation, salary continuance for the foreseeable future and job offers in other Nestlé operating companies.
Additionally, Nestlé has set up support hubs in neighboring countries, such as Poland, to welcome employees and their families who have fled Ukraine. For example, part of the company’s factory in Rzeszow, Poland has been converted into accommodation for those fleeing, and temporary housing has been arranged in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
Nestlé employees all over the world are bringing to life the company’s long tradition of humanitarian support. They are supporting humanitarian relief efforts through donations to The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), with the company matching all contributions to double their impact. The company has also supported Global Citizen’s #StandUpForUkraine campaign, pledging monetary support to Global Giving that will provide critical relief for refugees who have fled Ukraine. In total, Nestlé has committed more than CHF 15 million in monetary and product contributions to the people of Ukraine this year.
Outlook
Full-year 2022 outlook confirmed: we expect organic sales growth around 5% and underlying trading operating profit margin between 17.0% and 17.5%. Underlying earnings per share in constant currency and capital efficiency are expected to increase.
(CHF1=US$1.05)
