The Bell Food Group posts the best half-year result in its history – the strategy proves its worth Dienstag, 11. August 2026 - 06:22
- Net revenue adjusted for foreign exchange and acquisition effects grew by CHF 47 million to CHF 2.4 billion, resulting in organic growth of 1.9 percent.
- EBITDA rose by around CHF 14 million to CHF 173 million (+8.4 %), EBIT improved to around CHF 76 million (+CHF 10 million; +15.4 %) and the half-year result increased to around CHF 55 million (+CHF 10 million; +21.3 %).
- All business areas made sustainable progress, in particular outside of Switzerland.
- The encouraging growth in operating profit confirms that the strategic and operational focus is proving effective.
- The outlook for the 2026 financial year is promising.
The reported figures are thoroughly encouraging. EBITDA increased by CHF 13.5 million to CHF 173.2 million (+8.4 %). At CHF 76.4 million, EBIT was up on the prior year by CHF 10.2 million (+15.4 %). Net revenue increased organically by CHF 46.7 million to CHF 2.4 billion (+1.9 %). The half-year profit amounted to CHF 55.4 million (+CHF 9.7 million; +21.3 %). Free cash flow increased to CHF 40.5 million. CEO Marco Tschanz comments on the record result: «The success is based on the consistent strengthening of the Bell Food Group’s four strategic pillars. It’s particularly pleasing that we have also been able to further increase our profitability at the same time.»
Best half-year result in the company’s history
The Bell Food Group is one of the leading European producers of meat and convenience products. In the first half of 2026, the company benefitted from the strong performance of its business areas Bell Switzerland, Bell International, Hubers/Sütag and Hilcona, which outperformed the previous year. «In line with our strategy, they all focused on selling high-value-added products, and that has paid off», says CEO Marco Tschanz.
Four strategic pillars for profitable growth
The Bell Food Group bases its strategy on four clearly defined strategic pillars:
- consistent expansion of its position as market leader in Switzerland in meat, poultry,charcuterie and seafood;
- expansion as the number one in the European air-dried ham market;
- further development of its leading position in the sustainable poultry business in the DACHregion; and
- targeted expansion of its position as a trendsetter in the convenience market.
In doing so, the Group is strengthening its market position in attractive categories and laying the foundations for sustainable success. «We’re laying the foundations for sustainable, profitable growth and are consistently putting our ‹Leading in Food› vision into practice», affirms Tschanz.
Sustainable progress in all business areas
It is particularly noteworthy that all business areas have made sustainable progress and increased their gross profit margins. Bell Switzerland saw growth across all channels and product categories, enabling it to offset the losses caused by the disruptions in the pork procurement market through its other activities. Bell International continued to perform to a high standard, partly as a result of the successful integration of Hermann Wein’s operations into Bell Germany. Hubers/Sütag’s performance was very strong in the first half. Sales growth was the key driver of success, particularly in the turkey business. Eisberg is seeing the first results of its focus on the DACH region and the optimisation measures initiated at the Austrian facility. Thanks to its successful growth in the retail sales channel, Hilcona was once again able to surpass the good result of the prior-year period. The business area Hügli is in the process of repositioning its sites and product ranges, and, as expected, the current financial year is a transition year. The first operational improvements have been implemented.
Ideally positioned in strategic terms
«The encouragingly strong growth in operating profit confirms, firstly, that the strategic and operational focus is proving effective. And secondly, that we’ve built a sustainably excellent basis for future profitable growth», says CEO Marco Tschanz. For the full year, the company expects EBIT of between CHF 180 million and CHF 195 million, depending on the extent to which various factors come into play. As regards investments, management does not expect the guidance amount to be required this year. Thanks to cost savings and rigorous investment management, it is currently expected that the investment volume will be around CHF 300 million. This amount can be financed from own cash flow. «We’re very confident about the second half of the year and expect the operational progress made in the first half to be reflected in a solid business performance», says Tschanz.
