Bell Food Group, Switzerland’s largest poultry company, reported a solid financial performance during 2020, despite challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company recently revealed its year-end results, reporting that its annual profit improved on a year-over-year basis by 12.1% to CHF117.7 million (US$126.7 million) during 2020. Bell Food Group also noted that its adjusted sales revenue rose by 2.7% to CHF 4.1 billion.
“We are very pleased about the course of business and the results for the financial year, and a look at the balance sheet tells us that the Bell Food Group has a very solid financial foundation” said Lorenz Wyss, CEO of Bell Food Group.
In the retail channel, Bell Food Group posted gains in almost all product groups, with the traditional meat and meat products business posting the strongest growth. The increases in business at the retail level more than offset losses through the foodservice channel during the COVID-19-related lockdowns.
Outlook for 2021
While the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to continue to impact business in 2021, Wyss said he is “convinced that we will continue to successfully manage the difficult-to-forecast effects while consistently pursuing our long-term strategic objectives at the same time.”
Part of the company’s plan for 2021 includes sustainably expanding its leading domestic position in its core business with meat, poultry, charcuterie and seafood in the Swiss retail and foodservice market, by further differentiating its product ranges and services. Concerning Bell Food Group’s international business, the company is continuing the strengthening of its market position and the profitability of air-dried ham products and expanding its range of sustainable poultry products.
Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Bell Food Group has more than 12,000 employees in 15 countries. According to the Poultry International Top Companies Survey, Bell Food Group slaughters 300 million broilers on an annual basis.
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