Givaudan hits USD 2B sales in Q1 FY26 amid currency headwinds
Meanwhile, sales declined by –5.2% in Swiss francs due to foreign‑exchange effects and other currency‑related headwinds.
SWITZERLAND – Givaudan has reported first‑quarter 2026 sales of CHF 1.875 billion (USD 2.06 billion), representing a 2.8% increase on a like‑for‑like (LFL) basis.
Givaudan said the opening three months of 2026 marked a “solid start to the year,” coming off a strong prior‑year quarter that had posted 7.4% LFL growth.
Sales in high‑growth markets advanced 4.0% LFL, down from 12.8% LFL in Q1 2025, while mature markets grew 1.7% LFL versus 2.6% LFL a year earlier, with all customer groups and most regions contributing to the top‑line improvement.
Christian Stammkoetter, CEO, said, “We are pleased with the solid start that we have made to 2026, against strong prior year comparables.”
“In an environment where geopolitical volatility persists and end market conditions in selected markets remain challenging, the strong natural hedges of Givaudan across business segments, geographies and customer groups continue to support the resilience of our business.”
The Fragrance & Beauty segment recorded sales of CHF 1,004 million (USD 1.10 billion), up 5.9% LFL but down –0.6% in Swiss francs against 2025.
Within the segment, Fine Fragrance rose 9.6% LFL (after 16.7% LFL in Q1 2025), while Consumer Products grew 7.8% LFL (down from 7.9% LFL), and Fragrance Ingredients & Active Beauty posted a –5.9% LFL dip versus 7.7% LFL growth in the prior‑year quarter.
In addition, the Taste & Wellbeing business generated sales that were flat to slightly negative on an LFL basis (–0.4% LFL) and fell –10.0% in Swiss francs, reflecting softer conditions in the food‑ingredients space.
In Q1 2025, Taste & Wellbeing grew 5.0% LFL, suggesting the 2026 quarter will show a notable slowdown compared with the prior‑year trend.
Regionally, Asia Pacific delivered 4.1% LFL growth in 2026, compared with 6.1% LFL in 2025, while North America edged up 0.1% LFL, below the 0.5% LFL recorded a year earlier, as some categories faced tougher demand conditions.
The Company aims for average like‑for‑like sales growth of 4–6% and average free cash flow of more than 12% over the five years, while also delivering on its 2030 purpose commitments around nature, people, and communities.
It plans to cut scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions in line with the SBTi Net‑Zero Standard pathway and to ensure that, by 2030, all materials and services are sourced in ways that safeguard both the environment and people.
In addition, the Company intends to keep pursuing strategic acquisitions that fit with its core strategic priorities.
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