July-September, continuing operations
January-September, continuing operations:
July-September, Group, including discontinued operations*
January–September, Group, including discontinued operations*
* Discontinued operations: On 29 June 2017, Apetit Plc signed an agreement on selling its seafood business to the Norwegian company Insula AS. The transaction was completed as of 1 November 2017. The transferred business is reported as discontinued operations in this interim report.
The information has not been audited. The figures in parentheses are the equivalent figures for the same period in 2016, and comparison period means the corresponding period of the previous year, unless otherwise stated.
The profit guidance remains unchanged. The Group’s full-year operational EBIT is expected to improve year-on-year (EUR 0.9 million in 2016). Due to the seasonal nature of the Group’s operations, most of the annual profit is accrued in the second half of the year.
“The Apetit Group continued to focus strongly on vegetable-based food solutions. The sales of frozen and fresh products increased and profitability improved. We have solidified our position in the minds of consumers and retailers as a forerunner in vegetable-based eating. We continued to invest in product development in order to delight consumers and retailers with new products more frequently.
Customers’ expectations evolve and we seek to respond to these expectations proactively. In the summer we launched an organic programme, the goal of which is to substantially increase the proportion of organic products in our range in the coming years. During this harvest season, we brought our first Finnish organic products to stores and professional kitchens. We will increase research and development into organic products at our experimental farm and offer our knowledge on new farming methods to our contract growers who are interested in this information. This way we can ensure that we also have organic alternatives of high-quality produce available for our products and at the same time we can support the competitiveness of Finnish primary production.
The July-September operational EBIT improved year-on-year, boosted by Food Solutions. We have succeeded in making the sales of frozen products grow, ensuring the product group’s profitability. In fresh products we continued to change our operating model from direct retailer to professional kitchens to partner serving the retail trade and professional kitchens and as a result we achieved new, profitable net sales. In Grain Trade and Oilseed Products the delay in the domestic harvest reduced volumes in Finland, but the results were at a satisfactory level considering the challenging harvest conditions.
The sales of the fish processing business to Insula AS in Finland, Norway and Sweden, announced at the end of June, was completed at the end of October. Insula AS, the new owner of the seafood business, is a growing company with a strong position in its sector that offers new growth and development opportunities for both our transferring staff and for our customers.
According to a consumer survey that we commissioned in July, a third of Finns have increased their consumption of vegetables in the past year and more than half intend to continue increasing their consumption. This delights us at Apetit and inspires us to go forward. We actively renew our products and procedures to retain our position as number one in vegetables and to strengthen our position as our customers’ first choice.”
|
EUR million |
7-9 |
7-9 |
Change |
1-9 |
1-9 |
Change |
2016 |
Rolling |
|
Continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Net sales |
75.0 |
77.8 |
-4 % |
226.9 |
231.6 |
-2 % |
312.0 |
307.2 |
|
Operational EBITDA |
3.2 |
2.8 |
4.7 |
4.2 |
6.3 |
6.8 |
||
|
Operational EBIT |
1.8 |
1.6 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
||
|
Operating profit |
1.8 |
1.6 |
0.5 |
0.7 |
1.5 |
1.3 |
||
|
Share of profit of associated company Sucros |
0.1 |
-0.1 |
-0.4 |
-0.7 |
0.7 |
1.1 |
||
|
Profit for the period |
2.7 |
2.1 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
3.1 |
||
|
Earnings per share, EUR |
0.44 |
0.34 |
0.16 |
0.08 |
0.41 |
0.49 |
||
|
Working capital |
39.5 |
49.7 |
43.9 |
40.1 |
||||
|
Group |
||||||||
|
Net sales |
89.9 |
91.9 |
-2 % |
276.2 |
286.4 |
-4 % |
386.5 |
376.8 |
|
Operational EBIT |
1.9 |
1.4 |
0.4 |
-0.7 |
0.9 |
2.0 |
||
|
Operating profit |
-0.7 |
1.4 |
-3.8 |
-0.7 |
0.6 |
-2.5 |
||
|
Profit for the period |
0.5 |
1.8 |
-3.0 |
-1.2 |
1.2 |
-0.6 |
||
|
Earnings per share, EUR |
0.09 |
0.29 |
-0.48 |
-0.19 |
0.19 |
-0.10 |
||
|
Equity per share, EUR |
|
17.75 |
18.70 |
19.00 |
||||
|
Return on capital employed (ROCE), % |
|
1.2% |
2.5% |
|||||
|
Net cash flow from operating activities |
|
12.2 |
14.5 |
21.9 |
||||
|
Equity ratio |
|
62.6% |
64.3% |
64.1% |
||||
|
Gearing |
|
8.8% |
17.3% |
12.4% |
||||
|
Investment |
|
4.4 |
7.9 |
9.7 |
The Apetit Group’s reporting business segments are Food Solutions, Oilseed Products, Grain Trade and Seafood.
The associated company Sucros (holding 20%) has been reported after operating profit in the income statement since the beginning of 2016.
Continuing operations
|
Net sales, EUR mill. |
7-9 |
7-9 |
Change |
1-9 |
1-9 |
Change |
2016 |
Rolling 12 m |
|
Food Solutions |
23.6 |
22.8 |
+3% |
74.9 |
72.1 |
+4% |
97.8 |
100.6 |
|
Oilseed Products |
16.5 |
17.6 |
-6% |
49.6 |
52.3 |
-5% |
68.2 |
65.5 |
|
Grain Trade |
41.1 |
38.9 |
+6% |
113.5 |
119.9 |
-5% |
159.7 |
153.3 |
|
Intra-segment net sales |
-6.2 |
-1.5 |
-11.2 |
-12.7 |
-13.7 |
-12.1 |
||
|
Total |
75.0 |
77.8 |
-4% |
226.9 |
231.6 |
-2% |
312.0 |
307.2 |
Discontinued operations
|
Net sales, EUR mill. |
7-9 |
7-9 |
Change |
1-9 |
1-9 |
Change |
2016 |
Rolling 12 m |
|
Seafood |
17.6 |
20.5 |
-14% |
58.0 |
63.7 |
-9% |
87.8 |
82.1 |
|
Intra-segment net sales |
-2.5 |
-4.6 |
-8.3 |
-8.9 |
-12.6 |
-12.6 |
||
|
Total |
15.1 |
15.8 |
-5% |
49.7 |
54.8 |
-9% |
75.2 |
69.5 |
Continuing operations
|
OPERATIONAL EBIT, EUR million |
7-9 |
7-9 |
1-9 |
1-9 |
2016 |
Rolling 12 m |
|
Food Solutions |
0.7 |
0.2 |
-1.7 |
-2.5 |
-2.6 |
-1.8 |
|
Oilseed Products |
0.5 |
0.8 |
1.4 |
2.1 |
2.7 |
2.0 |
|
Grain Trade |
0.6 |
0.6 |
0.9 |
1.1 |
1.4 |
1.2 |
|
Total |
1.8 |
1.6 |
0.7 |
0.7 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
Discontinued operations
|
OPERATIONAL EBIT, EUR million |
7-9 |
7-9 |
1-9 |
1-9 |
2016 |
Rolling 12 m |
|
Seafood |
0.1 |
-0.2 |
-0.3 |
-1.4 |
-0.6 |
0.5 |
Sales in the Finnish retail sector and professional food service sector are expected to pick up in comparison to the previous year, but the price competition is expected to remain intensive. Ample supply is expected to continue to prevail in the global grains market, keeping prices and margins at a low level. This situation is not expected to change significantly during the rest of the year.
The Group’s full-year operational EBIT is expected to improve year-on-year (EUR 0.9 million in 2016). Due to the seasonal nature of the Group’s operations, most of the annual profit is accrued in the second half of the year.
With regard to profitability, favourable development will be supported by higher added value and positive sales development in Food Solutions and improved operational efficiency in Seafood segment.
Due to the substantial effect of international grain market price fluctuations on the Group’s net sales, Apetit will not issue any estimates of its expected full-year net sales.
Interim report Q3/2017
Presentation
Esa Mäki, CEO: "Apetit Group’s operating result for the third quarter fell short of the comparison period. Oilseed Products improved its result slightly, but Food Solutions’ operating result declined from the strong comparison period. In Food Solutions, the deterioration of the result was influenced by the challenging harvest season for frozen peas. Some of the pea fields had to be skipped during the harvesting phase. In accordance with the cultivation agreements, Apetit has compensated the farmers for the pea fields that were not harvested. The operating result of Food Solutions includes EUR -0.4 million of expert expenses related to the acquisition of Foodhills. The delivery reliability situation, which weakened Apetit’s result for the first half of the year, normalised in both businesses in June, after which delivery reliability has remained at a good level. The Group’s net sales increased slightly from the comparison period. On 9 October 2025, Apetit announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire 100 per cent of the share capital of Foodhills. Foodhills is Sweden’s largest contract grower and producer of frozen peas. The completion of the sale is subject to approval by the Swedish ISP authority. The acquisition of Foodhills is a growth project in line with our strategy. We will have a strong foundation in the Swedish market and significantly increase the volume of frozen peas. Apetit has strengthened its position in Sweden in recent years, and now it is time to take a significant step in the company’s internationalisation. The critical phases of the Group’s ERP project with regard to deployment have been completed as planned. In Oilseed Products, the implementation phase took place in early October. The strategically significant project was completed on schedule and within budget. I am proud of the achievements of our committed personnel in the project, which has lasted approximately three years in total. We have launched a strategic investment in Kantvik’s vegetable oil milling plant to improve the raw material production process for BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed powder and to multiply its production capacity. The investment has largely progressed as planned and is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2026. The yield levels of Finnish rapeseed sown in autumn have been excellent in some places. According to the harvest estimate published by Natural Resources Institute Finland on 22 September, the rapeseed harvest would increase by more than 60 per cent from last year and be the highest in eight years. The successful growing season of oilseed plants was also reflected in the variety tests of the RypsiRapsi forum, which saw exceptionally high yield levels for several varieties. The results of the variety tests provide a good basis for further tests and give confidence to Finnish oilseed plant growers, even though the exceptionally good growth conditions of the harvest season should be taken into account in assessing the results. The current year’s harvest outlook for field vegetables is moderate. Of Apetit’s contract farming crops, frozen peas had a challenging harvest season. The hottest period in measurement history and the subsequent regional heavy rainfall taxed crops. The number of field sections skipped in harvesting was higher than usual, which had a negative impact on the result. For root vegetables, the situation looks good halfway into the harvest season. We launched several new products during the autumn. In retail, we introduced a new flavour option to the Apetit Superior frozen pizza product family and expanded the offering to the popular wok product family. We also introduced a Finnish leek slice product, which was very well received in store ranges. We see a growing demand for products that make using vegetables easier and more diverse. Launched in the Food service channel, Apetit Kasvisjauhis Burgerpihvi vegan patty is an interesting new product, as it contains Apetit BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed powder. Kasvisjauhis Burgerpihvi is also exceptional in its texture and taste, which is why we look forward to its market reception. The product is an excellent demonstration of BlackGrain’s potential and the innovation and product development expertise of both of Apetit’s businesses."
“Apetit Group’s operating result for the first half of the year declined year-on-year due to a weaker result in Oilseed Products. The prolonged collective bargaining negotiations between the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation and the Finnish Food Workers’ Union caused challenges to both of Apetit's businesses during the first two quarters of the year. The overtime and shift change bans during the negotiations affected delivery reliability in both businesses. The strike days related to the negotiations also affected operations in Food Solutions. Food Solutions improved its result in the first half of the year. Both sales volumes and net sales have increased slightly year-on-year. In Oilseed Products, the decline in result was attributable not only to the price of the raw material used, but also to the decrease in sales of refined oil and challenges in delivery reliability. Apetit’s operating result in the second quarter declined from the comparison period. The delivery reliability situation normalised in both businesses in June. Net sales increased in both businesses in the second quarter year-on-year. In Food Solutions, also sales volumes increased. Retail sales developed positively due to the cool early summer being favourable to the sale of frozen products. In July, we announced an investment of approximately EUR 2 million in the Kantvik vegetable oil milling plant. The strategic investment improves the production process of the raw material for the BlackGrain from Yellow Fields® rapeseed powder. The investment in late 2025 will strongly support the commercialisation of BlackGrain. The investment will multiply BlackGrain’s raw material production capacity and significantly improve the quality and efficiency of the process. The total investment includes replacement investments in the milling plant’s current processes. The availability of raw materials has been one of the bottlenecks for increasing actual production. We will continue the practical development of BlackGrain’s various product applications. Thanks to its versatility, BlackGrain is suitable for a wide range of products in the food industry. Customer-oriented product application work is carried out for both BlackGrain rapeseed powder and TVP plant protein made from BlackGrain, which contains pea protein in addition to BlackGrain. At the same time, we are investigating alternatives for producing the BlackGrain rapeseed powder. Apetit is assessing potential partnerships and starting production by making an investment in the Kantvik vegetable oil milling plant or with purchased services. The strategically important ERP project has progressed according to schedule. The new ERP system is scheduled to be implemented in Oilseed Products by the end of the year, after which all Group operations will be covered by the new system. The outlook for the harvest season is currently moderate. In early summer, even the cool weather offered a promising start to the growing season, which benefitted spinach and pea in particular. However, the hottest period in the history of measurements in July weakened the harvest for frozen peas due to the rapid ripening of the harvest. Regional heavy rains taxed frozen pea crops in some places. Frozen peas are harvested on a record-large area of 2,000 hectares. The success of the harvest season is ultimately determined by the weather in the autumn and the harvesting conditions. The growing season of onion, which is Apetit’s contract farming crop for the first time, has largely gone according to expectations. Onion is a significant crop in Apetit’s product range and a strategic addition to the list of contract farming crops. The cultivation areas for Finnish oilseed plants grew strongly from the previous year. The growth season of spring-sown oilseed plants has largely progressed according to expectations and the harvest outlook is at an average level. There are regional differences in weather conditions and pest situation. The weather conditions early in the growing season were favourable for autumn oilseed plants, so oilseed plant fields shone exceptionally yellow in the early summer. The harvest outlook for autumn oilseed plants is good. We will continue to invest in Finnish cultivation development. Several variety trials are underway in the RypsiRapsi forum. Trials are underway in autumn oilseed plants with regard to sowing technology, among other things, and fertiliser and sowing method trials are underway in spring oilseed plants, both on a square and farm scale. The Räpi experimental farm, on the other hand, is running two projects related to different new plant protection methods. Development projects in Finnish cultivation lay down the conditions for the continuum of cultivation of plants significant to Apetit, especially in adapting to the changes brought about by climate change. The new national nutrition recommendations published in late 2024 and the importance of well-being and sustainability in food trends are reflected in the increased consumption of frozen vegetables in Finland. This phenomenon can be seen in frozen peas, for example. The increased popularity of legumes and the ease of using frozen vegetables combined with the uniqueness of Finnish frozen peas have increased the sales of Finnish frozen peas by more than one-third over five years. This the right direction, because adding more vegetables onto the plate is a good choice in every way." Esa Mäki, CEO
"Apetit Group’s operating result for the first quarter declined from the comparison period. The result of Food Solutions improved, but the operating result of Oilseed Products decreased from the strong result of the comparison period. In Food Solutions, both net sales and sales volumes were on a par with the comparison period. Retail sales increased slightly year-on-year. The result of Food Solutions was boosted by the harvest season production that continued until 2025 and was record-long. The weak performance of Oilseed Products was particularly attributable to anticipated expensive raw material items timed during the reporting period. The prolonged collective bargaining negotiations between the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation and the Finnish Food Workers’ Union had a negative impact on Apetit’s operations during the first quarter. The ban on overtime and shift changes weakened Apetit’s delivery reliability in both businesses. The volatile global political and economic situation causes uncertainty for Apetit’s operations and reduces predictability. The effects may be reflected in the market prices of oilseed plants in particular. No short-term impact is expected due to frontloaded raw material purchases. Work on strategically important projects has continued as planned. The ERP system upgrade is progressing according to schedule. The new ERP system for Oilseed Products is scheduled to be deployed towards the end of the year. Work with rapeseed powder BlackGrain From Yellow Fields and Finnish pea protein also continues. In the autumn, we will launch a product based on textured plant protein (TVP) processed from BlackGrain in the Food service channel. The patty with BlackGrain TVP and pea protein has an excellent taste and texture – and it is a great example of the synergies between Apetit’s two businesses. The sowing season for field vegetables is expected to begin earlier than usual as fields are quickly becoming ready for sowing. During the coming harvest season, we will further increase the area used for contract farming of frozen peas. Harvesting and the from field to freezer chain ran smoothly in last year's record-large area. As a new crop, we will contract grow Finnish onions for the first time. There has been commendable willingness to grow onions. Onion is an important crop in our products: both Finnish onion cubes and the potato-onion mix are important products in the frozen vegetable and frozen potato product categories. The domestic spring rapeseed cultivation area is expected to increase by 37 per cent in the Finnish Cereal Committee VYR’s* planting intention survey. The milder and less snowy winter than usual was favourable for autumn oilseed crops in large parts of the country. There may be regional differences in the success of the wintering of autumn rapeseed, but little winter damage has been reported and autumn rapeseed in particular looks good. We will continue to invest in promoting Finnish agricultural research in both of our businesses. Diverse experimental activities of the RypsiRapsi forum and the VARPS project aimed at increasing the cultivation reliability and volume of rapeseed continued. Variety tests of autumn and spring oilseed plants will be further established in different parts of Finland, and cultivation method experiments will be continued, for example, with plant protection alternatives and new establishment methods. Among other things, the Räpi experimental farm is participating in a project to investigate the use of side streams from the food industry as soil improvement products or recycled fertilisers. Early this year, we launched new products that fit perfectly with the food trends. A new flavour was made available for the Crispy Chick patty, which has become a favourite in Apetit’s Kasvisjauhis vegan mince product range. The sales of Apetit’s plant-based patties and balls as well as the Kasvisjauhis Crispy Chick patty have developed steadily. Crispy Chick in particular has established a solid position in shop freezers: the sales of the Crispy Chick patty have been increasing for five years and more than doubled over that time. Other new products early in the year included a new flavour in the Uuni- ja grillikasvikset frozen vegetable mix and Finnish potato slices to complement Apetit’s product range of frozen potatoes. Apetit celebrated its 75th anniversary in March. Operations began as Länsi-Suomen Sokeritehdas in 1950. Today, Apetit is at the heart of food trends and nutrition recommendations: its range of plant based frozen vegetables and foods and vegetable oils is aligned with prevailing food trends, responsible eating and nutrition recommendations.” Esa Mäki, CEO