Universal Robina Corp. (URC) announced a 2% decrease in its core earnings for the first quarter of 2026, attributing the decline to weaker sugar prices that impacted its commodities sector.
The company's net income attributable to the parent company was recorded at P3.8 billion for the January to March period.
URC reported a 4% drop in net income from continuing operations, which totaled P4.1 billion. Operating income also fell by 2%, amounting to P5.4 billion.
Despite these challenges, URC achieved a 6% increase in consolidated sales, reaching P47.9 billion, driven by robust growth in its branded consumer foods division.
The branded consumer foods segment alone generated P32.2 billion in sales, marking a 9% rise from the previous year.
Sales from the Philippine branded foods business increased by 10%, reaching P22 billion, supported by sustained demand and effective pricing strategies.
We started the year with strong, volume-led growth, led by BCF Philippines, reflecting accelerating momentum and continued excellence in execution. We remain mindful of any inflationary spillover from the Middle East conflict that could pressure consumer demand,
Irwin Lee, URC President and CEO
As URC navigates these economic pressures, the company is focused on managing pricing, product mix, and operational costs to maintain its growth momentum.