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Introduction & Market Context
Atria Plc (HEL:ATRAV) reported a strong first quarter for 2025, with significant profit growth across all business areas despite facing challenging market conditions. The Finnish food company’s interim report, released on April 24, 2025, showed consolidated EBIT of EUR 12.8 million, representing a 60% increase from the EUR 8.0 million reported in the same period last year.
The company achieved this performance amid varying retail market conditions across its regions, with Finland experiencing a 3.5% decline, while Sweden saw 4.8% growth, Estonia 2.5% growth, and Denmark a modest 0.2% increase.
"Atria has a good quarter in a challenging market situation," the company stated in its presentation, with CEO Kai Gyllström adding, "All business areas improved their result on the corresponding period last year. In particular, Atria Finland performed well."
The stock responded positively to the results, with Atria shares trading up 2.65% at EUR 13.55 following the announcement.
Quarterly Performance Highlights
Atria’s net sales for Q1 2025 reached EUR 420.5 million, a modest 0.9% increase from EUR 416.8 million in the comparable period. However, the company’s profitability metrics showed more substantial improvements, with EBIT margin expanding to 3.1% from 1.9% a year earlier, and earnings per share nearly tripling to EUR 0.28 from EUR 0.10.
The performance breakdown by region reveals the sources of this improvement:
As shown in the following chart of Atria Group’s EBIT for Q1 2025:
Atria Finland, the group’s largest business area, delivered an EBIT of EUR 11.2 million, up by EUR 4.0 million year-on-year. This improvement was primarily attributed to intensified poultry production and concentration in the new Nurmo plant, as well as successful chicken exports to China.
Atria Sweden reported an EBIT of EUR 0.7 million, a significant improvement from breakeven performance in Q1 2024. The company cited good sales to foodservice and retail customers, with the acquisition of the Gooh! convenience food business contributing significantly to this positive development.
Atria Denmark & Estonia achieved an EBIT of EUR 1.8 million, up EUR 0.3 million from the previous year, representing an impressive EBIT margin of 5.9%. In Estonia, retail sales increased and market shares strengthened, while Denmark saw positive export development, particularly to the UK market.
The company’s key financial indicators show broad improvement across multiple metrics:
Atria’s financial position also strengthened during the quarter, with improved cash flow and reduced debt levels:
Cash flow from operating activities showed a dramatic improvement to EUR 17.5 million, compared to negative EUR 16.8 million in Q1 2024. Free cash flow turned positive at EUR 11.7 million, compared to negative EUR 28.1 million a year earlier. Net debt decreased to EUR 255.5 million from EUR 302.6 million, lowering the net gearing ratio to 58.5% from 74.3%.
Strategic Initiatives
Atria is actively planning for the future, with several strategic initiatives underway. The company has begun preparation of a new group strategy, expected to be published by the end of 2025.
In Finland, Atria has launched planning for a significant investment program to modernize convenience food production and energy management at its Nurmo plant. The total cost is estimated at EUR 60-90 million, aligning with the company’s strategy to invest in convenience food and sustainable production.
"The investment program aligns with Atria’s strategy to invest in convenience food and sustainable production, enabling a carbon-neutral food production," the company stated in its presentation.
Additionally, Atria has committed approximately EUR 7 million to a new pancake production line and technical modernization at the Nurmo plant.
Sustainability remains a key focus area, with Atria’s emission reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company aims to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 from 2020 levels, and scope 3 emissions by 20% per tonne of processed meat within the same timeframe.
The company’s sustainability efforts appear to be resonating with consumers. In the Sustainable Brand Index survey, Finnish consumers’ perception of the Atria brand improved by 15 places from 2024, ranking 13th in the food category. In Estonia, Atria’s Maks & Moorits meat product brand was recognized as the most sustainable in the country.
Forward-Looking Statements
Despite the strong Q1 performance, Atria provided a cautious outlook for the remainder of 2025. The company expects its adjusted EBIT for the full year to be lower than the EUR 65.4 million achieved in 2024.
Several factors contribute to this conservative outlook. The Finnish Food Workers’ Union strike from April 8-10, 2025, which stopped deliveries from the Nurmo plant (excluding poultry), had a negative impact on Easter season deliveries and will affect sales and results for the rest of the year.
Atria also highlighted several short-term business risks, including the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine and geopolitical instability leading to decreased consumer confidence. The company noted that an increase in tariffs from Europe to China or an import ban would impact Atria’s Finnish pork exports and the European market overall.
The following chart shows Atria’s historical and current EBIT performance, providing context for the company’s outlook:
Despite these challenges, Atria emphasized its strong market position, brands, customer relationships, and industrial processes as factors that position the company well for the future.
As the company continues to implement its strategic initiatives and navigate market challenges, investors will be watching closely to see if Atria can maintain the momentum demonstrated in Q1 or if the cautious full-year outlook proves accurate.
Full presentation:
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