Hormel Foods has booked a jump in first-quarter sales and earnings, boosted by the acquisition of the Skippy peanut butter brand.

The company said today (20 February) that sales in the three months to 26 January increased 6% to US$2.24bn.

Top line gains were driven by the contribution of Skippy, which Hormel acquired from Nestle last year. Skippy boosted revenue in the grocery and international divisions, which rose 20.2% and 24.2% respectively. This more than offset a 16% decline at the group’s specialty foods unit.

Operating profit increased 20.4%, climbing from $203.5m to $245m in the quarter. Net earnings rose to $153.5m up from $129.7m in the comparable period of last year, an increase of 18%.

Jeffrey Ettinger, chairman, president and CEO commented: “”Our recently acquired Skippy peanut butter business was a strong contributor to our grocery products segment results this quarter. Our refrigerated foods segment benefited from strong demand for our products and positive pork operating margins.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now