Finnish food producer HKFoods reported a 3.2% rise in third-quarter sales on Wednesday, 4 November, as demand for poultry and ready meals supported growth despite higher transport, packaging and labour costs.

Net sales from continuing operations reached €255.1 million in July–September 2026, compared with €247.1 million a year earlier. Comparable operating profit (EBIT) increased 5.3% to €12.4 million, lifting the comparable margin to 4.9% from 4.8%.

The result points to continued demand for convenient meal products in Finland. HKFoods said its Kariniemen poultry range and HK ready meals performed particularly strongly in retail, while higher beef selling prices also supported turnover. The company reported favourable foodservice trading and growth in poultry exports.

That performance came against more difficult conditions in pork. Weaker Asian demand and excess supply in the EU weighed on export profitability. African swine fever detected in wild boars in southeast Finland also led to restrictions on exports to certain countries. HKFoods said it had no contract pork producers in the affected zone and that domestic and EU deliveries were not disrupted.

The company estimates the swine fever-related restrictions will reduce full-year EBIT by approximately €1 million. It has redirected affected exports to alternative markets.

For the first nine months, net sales rose 4.1% to €756.3 million, while comparable EBIT increased 13.0% to €25.9 million. The nine-month margin improved to 3.4%, compared with 3.2% a year earlier.

Reported third-quarter profit from continuing operations reached €16.8 million, up from €7.4 million. However, the company said much of that improvement reflected an accounting gain from the refinancing of its notes, rather than recurring trading alone.

HKFoods issued €90 million of four-year secured notes and agreed new bank facilities including a €20 million term loan and a €72 million revolving credit line. It expects the lower margin on its new notes to save around €3.5 million a year in cash flow.

Cash flow from operating activities, including discontinued operations, slipped to minus €0.5 million from positive €6.4 million, with more working capital held in inventories. Interest-bearing net debt stood at €149.6 million at the end of September, down from €159.4 million a year earlier.

Chief executive Juha Ruohola said sales growth continued across all channels despite cost pressures, with efficiency measures supporting profitability. HKFoods is also planning heat recovery and recycling investment at its Eura factory, with the aim of reducing fossil-fuel use at the site by an estimated 70%.

For grocery buyers, the figures show how demand for poultry and ready meals is helping a major Finnish supplier offset weakness in some export markets. The business operates in the competitive Finnish FMCG market, where retailers balance branded products, private label and supply reliability.

HKFoods maintained its outlook for comparable EBIT to grow in 2026 compared with 2025. Its next scheduled financial report is the full-year results, due on 10 February 2027.

Editor’s Note: Sales growth is encouraging, but higher input costs, weaker operating cash flow and pork export restrictions remain important risks for food buyers and suppliers. Source: HKFoods interim report, 4 November 2026.