Good morning, everyone. This is Catherine Chacón, Grupo Nutresa's IR officer and corporate finance director, and it is my pleasure to welcome you to Grupo Nutresa's first quarter 2026 earnings call. Joining me today is Mr. Jaime Gilinski, Grupo Nutresa CEO, and Andrés Bernal, our CFO and chief strategy officer. We will begin the presentation with a brief overview of the quarter's highlights and key messages, followed by a detailed financial review. Afterwards, we will open the room for your questions. To pose a question, please refer to the chat box on your screen, and don't forget to state your name and the institution that you represent. Similar questions will be grouped in order to allow for everyone to participate. To begin our presentation, I leave you with Mr. Jaime Gilinski, CEO of Grupo Nutresa.
Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us. Grupo Nutresa had a strong start of the year, with double-digit sales increases in our home market of Colombia, up by 14.3%, and a high single digit increase, +8.3% in dollars in our other geographies. It's very important that sales were leveraged by a 2.5% increase in volumes. The company achieved a 370 basis points expansion in its gross margin, mainly due to strategic hedging decisions in both commodities and foreign exchange. The adjusted EBITDA margin reached 20.4%. We reported a margin of 20% during the term, showcasing the structural results of our optimization plan. We continue to work in consolidating additional initiatives that will be reflected in this year's and next year's financials.
Continuing on slide four, we share the new category-based business reorganization within Grupo Nutresa, which will apply starting this quarter and going forward. This reorganization was decided with much thought and consideration, looking to simplify and unify the company regional operations to allow for faster decision-making and strategy implementation across our different geographies. One of the most relevant changes includes the removal of Tresmontes Lucchetti as a reporting unit. Our Chilean operation results will now be part corresponding business categories. The coffee business will consolidate Chilean coffee sales, as well as the tea and beverage categories. Pasta, chocolate, confectionery, and snacks will be reported under their corresponding business as well.
Retail Food will continue to report to Colombia's restaurant operation, and the Ice Cream Division will integrate all regional ice cream businesses, including our Pops and Bon platforms in Central America and the Caribbean, which were previously reported under Retail Food. We will also report the Food Service Segment separately based on the special characteristics of this distribution business. Lastly, to find last year's sales and EBITDA results under this structure for comparative purposes, please access our detailed report via our investor relations webpage. I will now turn it over to Catherine and Andrés to continue with the presentation, and I will be back at the end of the presentation to deliver key messages about the ongoing year.
Thank you, Jaime. Moving to slide five, we report total sales reaching COP 5.2 trillion, representing a 6.6% increase. This performance reflects the broad-based expansion across our core regions and geographies, supported by a 2.5% increase in volumes and a 4% in price improvements. The quarter's results were mainly driven by double-digit advancements in several key segments such as food service, ice cream, retail food, and biscuits and snacks. FX played an important role in consolidating those results, impacting international sales when translating them into our local reporting currency. Without this effect, our total sales would have reported a 10.4% growth for the period. On slide six, we detail the sales execution for the term. In Colombia, sales reached COP 3.3 trillion with a 14.3% year-over-year growth.
In dollars, these sales were $888 million, with a 29.5% growth. Colombian business unit performance was led by the ice cream division with a 31.5% growth, the coffee segment, and the biscuits and snacks businesses. The chocolate segment, despite a modest 2% value growth, achieved a 4% increase in volumes, driven by strategic pricing adjustments that were well-received by our consumers. Overall, six of our eight businesses reported double-digit growth. In terms of channel performance, growth was led by the traditional channel with a 23% increase for the quarter, followed by the modern channel with an increase of 15% and our restaurant chains with a 13.4% growth.
International sales for the quarter reached $518 million, with an increase of 8.3% over the same period in 2025. In Colombian pesos, total sales amounted to COP 1.9 trillion, a decrease of 4.4% impacted by an 11.8% revaluation of the Colombian peso against the dollar. International business unit performance was driven by biscuits and snacks with a 15.3% growth, coffee with a 10% growth, and pasta with a 12.6% growth. The ice cream division continues its international expansion, reflecting a 6% sales increase over the term. The chocolate's performance was impacted by a contraction in the ingredient sales category for the period. In terms of geographies, we report double-digit growth in Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. On slide seven, we report our sales breakdown for the period.
The breakdown in the region reflects a largely consistent sales execution across the different platforms. Colombian sales represent 63% of total, followed by the U.S. with a 12.6%, and Central America with a 9.3% for the term. On the next slide, we report our cost structure. On the left of the screen, we show a decrease of 28% in the Grupo Nutresa commodities index, mainly due to the lower cost in commodities such as cocoa, which dropped 60%, sugars with a cost decline of 25%, coffee - 16%, and pork - 19%. Our hedging strategy, accompanied by a less volatile commodity environment, resulted in a 370 basis points expansion in our gross margin. I now leave you with our CFO, Andrés Bernal, who will detail EBITDA margins and the structure of our debt.
Thank you, Cathy. On slide nine, we report the EBITDA for the term. The quarter yielded an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.4%, highlighted by double-digit growth across our core business units. These results stemmed from gross margin expansion and a disciplined operational expense execution. Adjusted EBITDA exclude non-recurring expenses for the period. Regarding EBITDA, the adjusted EBITDA reached COP 1.26 billion, while reported EBITDA stood at COP 1.04 billion. Growth, that is on adjusted EBITDA, was +43.4%. Not only, with the exception of retail food and food service, all business units achieved double-digit growth led by pasta, yogurts, ice cream, and others unit, which posted growth exceeding 60%. In terms of the above average results, ice cream, yogurts, retail food, and cold cuts all maintain EBITDA margins above 20%.
On slide 10, we report consolidated debt for the first quarter of the year. Our net debt to EBITDA ratio for that term is 3.22 x. That includes principal and hedging for financial obligations and right-of-use liabilities, and it is 2.85 x on a run rate basis for the term. The company closed the term with a cash position of COP 3.8 trillion. On slide 11, we report our forward-looking principal debt amortizations. For 2030 and 2035, you can see the principal repayments of our $3 billion issuance for last year and some smaller local debt repayments across 2027 and 2032. The average duration of our debt is currently 5.54 years. I will now turn to Mr. Jaime Gilinski for some final remarks.
Thank you, Andrés. For the year ahead, we maintain our initial guidance, which includes a high single to double-digit top-line growth with an adequate balance between local and international execution. EBITDA margins will remain in a corridor of between 19% and 20%, equivalent to $1.15 billion - $1.25 billion. CapEx execution will be approximately 2.8% of total sales for the year, investing in current and new capabilities to fuel growth. I will now turn it over to Cathy to take your questions. Thank you again for your time.
That box on your screen. We have two questions from Robert. Those are: What is the net gross leverage pro forma with the perpetual that was issued in mid-April? Do you plan to pay down any debt this year?
I'll take that one. Using the 50% equity treatment methodology, which is given by the agencies for the perpetual, the expected pro forma net leverage is in the high threes, while gross leverage is around the mid-fours. We plan to pay local debt during the course of the year, some during second quarter. Keep in mind that Colombia has elections in less than a month, and we're going into this cycle with a large cash position and hedging position.
Thank you, Andrés. The next question comes from VG: Can you share 1Q transactions? Perp was COP 1.250 billion. How much of this is yet in cash with Nutresa versus upstream? Is there any intention to upsize the preference share capital issuance given the approved limit was not fully utilized during 1Q of 2026?
Yeah, I will take that one. I think that we don't expect in the short term to increase the preferred issue. It was COP 500 million, which came into Nutresa at the end of March. I think the second question that you are asking is, you know, in terms of the leverage, you know, the COP 1.25 billion came in, and we're going to use that to reduce debt. As it was mentioned, you know, about the COP 1 billion of it was upstream.
Thank you, Jaime. The following question is from Luisa Fernanda from Legal & General. Could you elaborate on the working capital outflows during the quarter and your expectation going forward? Also, what are your expectations on inflation effect on profitability for the company in the coming quarters, and your view on commodity prices?
Andrés.
Regarding your first question, working capital for Grupo Nutresa on the first quarter requires additional days in mainly raw materials. This is the first time in several years that the company was able to, using its own cash flow, get all the working capital in place with no additional debt. For the following quarters, those inventories should reduce, and therefore that net increase in working capital shouldn't be significant this year as we continue working in inventories and receivables. On your second question, for inflation, at this point in time, packaging has been hit by the oil situation. We do expect some increase in prices on those. However, for the last couple of months, cocoa, sugar, coffee had been on a downturn, except the last couple of weeks. It obviously is quite difficult to foresee what's gonna happen with those prices.
At this point in time, our hedging is quite complete for the rest of the year in the most important commodities that we use.
Thank you, Andrés. The next question is from Luisa again, and it states, "Could you elaborate on all the intercompany transactions during the quarter? The share issuance to related company, the buybacks, and the increase of intercompany debt by Colombian pesos, and what to expect in this going forward beyond the perpetual bond issuance?
Andrés.
I'll take this one.
Sorry.
'cause Andrés
Okay, take it.
Okay.
Take it, Cathy.
Sure. Luisa , the share buybacks were COP 1 billion available to shareholders. The intercompany debt is within the perimeter of the company and used to facilitate the movement of cash in different jurisdictions. In regards to the intercompany loans that you were mentioning, remember that those are back-to-backs, so those are not necessarily debt. Those are just a way of using the international cash in a more efficient financial way for us. Let us see the next question. It says, "How much have you guys advanced in the Venezuelan market?" I guess this question relates to how are we doing in terms of our prospects in this country, this is stated by Karen.
Good. Thank you. I'll answer on that. You know, since January 3rd, we have spent a lot of time analyzing opportunities and strategies to growing in Venezuela. During the first quarter of the year, we started to experience some increase in sales from the operation that we had there. As you know, last year, our revenues in Venezuela were only about COP 14 million. We expect to continue to grow this year. We have strategies for our different categories, and we hope to be able to be somewhere between COP 6 million and COP 10 million at the end of the year in terms of run rate.
That is an optimistic goal, but we see that Venezuela used to be for us close to 25% of our revenues 20 years ago, and there's a tremendous opportunity for our products in the market. We have continued to look at opportunities there, and we feel that Venezuela should be, during 2027, 2028, an important growth generation for our company.
Thank you, Jaime. The next question states, "What are the terms of the intercompany loan that was used to upstream the COP 1 billion of proceeds from the hybrid issuance? Separately, is there any guidance on dividend policy for 2026?
I think the terms of that loan were exactly, you know, similar to the cost of the funds. The interest is being paid every semester, so there's really no cashflow requirement to pay for the debt. It has been quite some time since Nutresa last accessed the capital markets prior to. Okay, looking at our capital structure going forward, we don't have any plans of issuing more financing in the short term.
Perfect, Jaime. That was the next question. Thank you. It was stating if we were interested in accessing capital markets at this point, and that was answered already by Jaime. Next question, again from Luisa, from Legal & General. Are you expecting any impact on the spike on energy prices?
I think that the answer is yes. You know, it's a minor effect. We don't think it's going to be, you know, more than probably 1% of our cost in the short term. We have, as you know, in some of our plans already incorporated some saving efficiencies that are going to allow us not to have that such a large increase. I think that it will affect us in terms of, you know, the cost of our transportation because of the gasoline. You know, we don't think that it's going to be more than 1% of our total revenues.
Thank you, Jaime. The next question comes from Patrick. It's actually a couple of questions. Is there any significant M&A transaction expected in the near term? Are there any material one-off restructuring expenses projected for the year, or will they be significantly lower than 2025?
Yes. I think that to answer that effectively, we don't expect, you know, significant one-offs this year. As you saw in the 1st quarter, our EBITDA margin was 20.4% and reported 20%, so it was a much smaller delta than what we had last year. We don't expect that to be as high as it was last year, as we have mentioned, not only in the roadshow but in our previous calls. In terms of M&A, at the moment, you know, we are not looking at anything significant. There's a couple of small opportunities that have been shown to us, which we are analyzing.
Important to mention that our Mimo's acquisition, which took almost 9 months to get all the regulatory approvals, we're fully approved, and we will be closing on that transaction by the end of this week.
Perfect, Jaime. Thank you. The next question states, can you share some color on consumer health, both in Colombia and international markets? Have you done any price increases already, and how has the consumer and competition reacted? Do you hedge any of the key costs?
Andrés.
Okay. First, on consumer health in Colombia, it has been stable. Obviously, as we are very close to elections, things change a little bit for the next couple of months. However, the World Cup also helps Latin economies, and we expect a significant increase in consumption in the month of June and July based on that. International markets have been stable as well. We haven't been increasing prices recently. As I mentioned before, the commodity prices went down, so we have enough forwards and hedging to cover those volatilities, and therefore we have not increased prices. In fact, during the first quarter, we decreased the price of the main product, the main SKU we have, which is chocolate, it's called Jet Number One, by 16.6%, and it came with significant increase in sales in units. Do we hedge any key costs?
Yes, we do. We hedge all main commodities. We hedge electricity. We hedge gas as well. We do try to buy as much packaging in advance and to retain prices. However, as I mentioned before, for the last couple of months, as the oil prices have been up, we are getting some increase in cost for those packaging products.
Thank you, Andrés. The next question is, where do you expect gross leverage to end this year? It's currently in the mid-fours. What is the timeline for achieving IG ratings from Fitch?
As we have mentioned, you know, we expect this year to be in a range between 3x and 4 x. We expect at the end of the year to be, you know, much closer to 3.4x-3.5x, as we mentioned on the roadshow. I think that in terms of the investment grade, as we have mentioned on our previous roadshow, you know, we have both Fitch and Moody's analyzing the company. We have been told by Moody's that it's important for us to demonstrate the numbers for this year in order for them to, you know, eliminate the watch that they gave us, and we need to reach, you know, 1.15x-1.25x goal for them to consider it.
In terms of Fitch, you know, we don't expect, you know, an investment grade this year. I think they have said to us that they want to continue seeing us how we develop, and we continue to deleverage, and I think that's something that they're going to analyze 2027.
Perfect. Thank you, Jaime. The next question is from Josefina, from JP Morgan. Hi, thank you for the call. Could you explain the debt hedging currently in place and its impact on the FX loss during the quarter?
Thank you, Josefina. We have COP 2 billion in hedges. These are principal-only swaps that are due within the following months. We plan to keep most of those COP 2 billion for the coming elections. Obviously, as the peso and some other Latin American currencies reevaluated during the first quarter, that generated us a loss of roughly COP 500 billion. However, for the last month and a half, as the spot of the Colombian peso has been going up, we have been recovering those accounting losses.
Thank you, Andrés. That was our last question. I'm going to pass the floor to Jaime for some closing comments.
Thank you. Thank you very much, Andrés and Cathy, and thank you very much to all the investors and everyone on the call. I think that, you know, we continue to implement our strategy. We have been very focused on making sure that the optimization continues during 2026. We were able to achieve a 20.4% number in EBITDA margin in the first quarter. We expect, as Cathy said, that to be somewhere between 19% and 20% for the year, which is a much better situation than what we had, you know, about a year and a half ago. We continue to be optimistic. We will continue delivering our results.
We're being very careful in terms of continuing to deleverage the company to reach the goals that we have mentioned, and we look forward to being with you on our next call when we present the second quarter results. Thank you very much, and we wish everyone a good day.
Bye-bye.