MIDSONAS CEO

Margins improved by the measures taken
Operating profit for the period amounted to SEK 38 million (21), an 81 percent improvement on the previous year. This is despite the fact that Easter had a negative impact on both sales and profits. Easter is a weak period in terms of sales for the Group, which this year fell during the last week of the first quarter compared with April last year. Easter Week generally changes consumption patterns, as retailers highlight other goods from outside our product categories, and important sales days are lost. Sales for the period amounted to SEK 929 million (974), which was 4.6 percent weaker than last year. However taking into account Easter and terminated contracts, underlying sales were slightly better.The improvement in the Group's earnings was mainly driven by the higher gross margin. This was a result of well-chosen price increases, and also of the streamlining of our ranges, with a focus on best sellers and the termination of unprofitable contracts. Efficiency improvements in production also began to have an impact. The gross margin increased to 29.0 percent (26.3), despite continued relatively high raw material prices. The operating result for the period improved significantly, despite the decline in sales.

All divisions improved their profitability
We saw a broad improvement in the first quarter, as all three divisions improved their operating profit compared with last year. The Nordics Division remained the strongest with an EBIT margin before non-recurring items of 9.2 percent (8.0). Friggs continued to sell well throughout the Nordic region and Helios developed well in Norway. There was also positive development in Finland, with increasing sales and improved margins. In Sweden, the trend was slightly negative, as a result of the termination of a distribution agreement and the sale of a brand for which we had sales last year. In Denmark, margins improved despite declining sales. The quarter saw the termination of several contract manufacturing assignments in Denmark with lower margins. The North Europe Division increased its operating profit to SEK 5 million (–4). Efforts to generate new business continued according to plan and resulted in new listings and agreements for both the Davert brand and contract manufacturing. A new contract with a nationwide grocery store chain in Germany, for deliveries of Davert brand products, will begin in April. The South Europe Division increased its operating profit to SEK –1 million (–7), which was mainly achieved through improved production efficiency in Spain combined with the implementation of price increases and the termination of unprofitable contracts.

New strategy and new financial targets
During the first quarter, we launched the Group's new strategy, which is largely focused on increasing profitability and strengthening our market position for the future. To achieve this, we will build an even stronger organic platform, develop our strong health food brands and achieve greater efficiency and harmonisation across the organisation. We are confident that our food and health food brands are very well positioned to attract consumers who prioritise their health and want to eat more organic products. As part of the strategy review, we updated our financial targets, which we are now working to achieve:

• Organic growth averaging 3–5 percent annually
• EBIT margin (before items affecting comparability) to exceed 8 percent by 2027
• Net debt/adjusted EBITDA of up to 2.5 x

Recognition of our sustainability efforts

Sustainability is the foundation of our business strategy. This makes it especially pleasing that the non-profit organisation CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project) ranks Midsona as one of the top 400 reporting companies globally (category A) out of a total of 21,000 businesses assessed. In 2023, Midsona also took a respectable second place in Sweden’s Sustainable Companies rankings for 2023 and a first place in the category grocery companies.

Outlook for 2024