Swiss food giant Nestlé on Thursday unveiled net profit down 45.2% for 2022, to 9.3 billion Swiss francs (9.4 billion euros), after exceptional gains which had boosted the result in 2021.
Its turnover increased by 8.4%, to 94.4 billion Swiss francs (95.6 billion euros), boosted by price increases to offset inflation in its costs, indicates- he in a statement.
Its organic growth, an indicator closely followed by financial analysts to assess its sales excluding currency effects and acquisitions, reached 8.3%, returning to its highest level since the 2008 financial crisis.
Prices rose 8.2% as cost inflation increased in the second half, with rising costs for dairy products, cereals and energy in particular, Nestlé said.
“
Inflation has reached unprecedented levels
,” said its chief executive, Mark Schneider, quoted in the press release, noting that “
pressures on purchasing power have intensified
”.
Read alsoNestlé plans to boost its margins despite inflation
These pressures were particularly reflected in volumes, with real internal growth limited to 0.1%.
For 2023, the group, which owns, among other things, Nespresso coffee pods, Maggi broths and KitKat chocolate bars, expects organic sales growth of between 6% and 8% and a recurring current operating margin of between 17.0% and 17%. .5%.