Nestle India, the Indian arm of the Swiss multinational food and beverage company Nestle, has exceeded market projections by reporting a 25% increase in net profit for the first quarter of the financial year 2022. The company’s net profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, stood at Rs 736 crore, up from Rs 587 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year.
The company’s Q1 revenue from operations rose to Rs 3,785 crore, a growth of 7.1% compared to the same period last year. The growth in revenue was mainly driven by a strong performance in the domestic market, which contributed 98.7% of the total revenue. Nestle India’s export sales, which account for the remaining 1.3% of revenue, also grew by 15.2% year-on-year.
Nestle India’s flagship brand, Maggi, continued to be the key contributor to the company’s revenue growth. The instant noodle brand saw a strong demand during the quarter, driven by a mix of pent-up demand and new product launches. The company’s other major brands, such as Nescafe, KitKat, and Munch, also witnessed a strong demand, contributing to the overall growth.
The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the quarter stood at Rs 1,129 crore, up from Rs 944 crore in the corresponding period last year, a growth of 19.6%. The EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 29.8%, up from 26.6% in the same period last year.
Nestle India’s Managing Director, Suresh Narayanan, expressed his satisfaction with the company’s strong performance in the quarter. He credited the company’s strong portfolio of brands, innovation, and efficient supply chain management for the growth.
“We are pleased to deliver broad-based growth across all our brands in a challenging environment. Our performance is a testament to the resilience of our brands, the strength of our portfolio, and the agility of our teams in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic,” Narayanan said in a statement.
He further added that Nestle India remains committed to investing in the country, and the company will continue to innovate and introduce new products to meet the evolving needs of the consumers.
“We remain committed to our strategy of driving sustainable and profitable growth, delivering shareholder value, and investing in the future of India,” he said.
The strong performance of Nestle India in the first quarter of the financial year 2022 has been well-received by analysts, who have remained optimistic about the company’s growth prospects. They attribute the company’s success to its strong brand portfolio, a focus on innovation, and efficient supply chain management.
Its portfolio includes some of the most popular food and beverage brands in India such as Maggi, Kit Kat, and Nescafe. Nestle India has also been aggressive in its marketing strategy, investing heavily to stay ahead of competition. This has enabled it to establish a strong presence across different segments including packaged foods and beverages, dairy products, baby food, and nutrition among others.
“Overall, we remain optimistic on Nestle India’s prospects given the company’s leadership in the packaged food and beverage industry, strong brand portfolio, and distribution network,” said an analyst from a Mumbai-based brokerage firm.
Another analyst from a leading research firm said that Nestle India’s strong performance in the quarter has validated the company’s growth strategy and demonstrated the resilience of the business in a challenging environment.
“Nestle India’s strong performance in the quarter highlights the company’s ability to execute its growth strategy and adapt to changing consumer needs. We remain positive on the company’s long-term growth prospects,” the analyst said.
Nestle India has been one of the leading players in the Indian packaged food and beverage industry, with a strong presence across various categories. The company has been focusing on innovation and introducing new products to meet the changing needs of the consumers, which has helped it maintain its market leadership position.
