Retail in Asia

In Trends

Symrise announces 2020 first quarter financial report

Symrise

German flavor and fragrance producer Symrise Group remains on track for growth in the fiscal year 2020.

SEE ALSO : Adidas announces 2020 first quarter financial report

In the first quarter, sales were up by 8.0 % to € 917.1 million (US$993 million)(Q1 2019: € 848.8 million). All segments contributed to this positive development and posted gains despite the challenging global economic conditions under Covid-19. In organic terms, sales were up 2.3 % after strong comparative figures in the prior-year quarter.

The Scent & Care segment, specializing in fragrances and personal care, achieved total sales of € 368.4 million (US$399 million). In reporting currency, this represents a slight increase as compared to the strong prior-year quarter (Q1 2019: € 367.3 million). On an organic basis, the segment increased sales by 1.2 %.

The Fragrance division reported a significant increase in sales, with particularly strong demand in the EAME and Latin America regions. The application areas Fine Fragrances, Consumer Fragrances and Oral Care continued to achieve good sustainable growth.

In the Aroma Molecules division, sales came in slightly below the high level of the prior year, mainly as a result of weaker demand for fragrances. Sales in the first three months of the fiscal year 2020 received a boost from menthol applications, especially in the regions North America and Latin America.

Sales in the Cosmetic Ingredients division developed moderately as compared to the previous year, especially in the North America and Asia/Pacific regions.

In the Flavor segment, which supplies flavor ingredients for foods and beverages, sales increased by 2.2 % to € 322.6 million (US$349 million) (Q1 2019: € 315.6 million).

In EAME, the highest growth rates were recorded in applications for beverages and savory products, especially in the national markets in Germany, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa. Sales in applications for sweets were slightly below the prior-year quarter.

In the Asia/Pacific region, sales growth in the beverages application area was in the high single-digit percentage range and reached even double-digit growth rates in savory applications. The national markets of Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh developed particularly pleasing. By contrast, the currently weaker demand in China had a negative impact on the overall positive regional development.

In North America, the application areas for beverages and sweet products were slightly below the strong prior-year level. The savory business achieved solid growth with regional and global customers.

Business in Latin America developed very dynamically and achieved high single-digit percentage growth for sweet products. At the same time, sales for beverage and savory products grew in the double-digit percentage range. Demand for beverage application products was particularly strong in the national markets of Brazil and Uruguay.

Demand in the pet food business again showed a very pleasing double-digit percentage gain in organic terms, with dynamic growth continuing especially in the Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions.

Symrise continues to be fully operational worldwide and has sustained supply capability. Due to its global presence, its expanded portfolio and broad customer base, the group considers itself to be robust and reliably positioned even in this demanding market environment.

Symrise expects that the Covid-19 crisis will temporarily change consumer behavior in parts and lead to a shift in the portfolio. A large number of the products that are currently in greater demand address essential daily needs in connection with nutrition, personal care and hygiene.

After a solid start into the year, Symrise remains confident for the current fiscal year. While the development and impact of Covid-19 is difficult to assess at present, the group continues to expect to grow faster than the relevant market, supported by the very diversified competencies, in the course of the year.

SEE ALSO : Nestle announces 2020 first quarter financial report

The longer term goals until the end of 2025 remain in effect. Symrise aims to increase its sales to € 5.5 – € 6 billion (US$5.9 – US$6.4 billion). The company intends to achieve this increase through annual organic growth of 5–7 % (CAGR) and additional targeted acquisitions.