SAVOLA Achieves strong net profit

Savola Group - a leading strategic investment holding group in the food and retail sectors across the MENA region (Middle East, North Africa) - announced its interim financial results for the 2nd Quarter and the period ended on 30-06-2020 (six months), which revealed that the net profit for the current quarter has significantly increased to SAR 409.6 million in comparison to SAR 110.2 million for the quarter ended 30 June 2019, which represents an increase of 271.7%. This brings the net profit for the first half 2020 to SAR 582.3 million in comparison to SAR 116.6 million for the period ended 30 June 2019, which represents an increase of 399.4%.

The results also achieved revenues of SAR 11.93 billion for the 1st half of 2020 compared to SAR 11.03 billion for the same period of last year (an increase of 8.2%). 

The strong growth in the Group’s profit is mainly attributed to the increase in the gross profit as a result of the higher sales and margins in retail and frozen foods sectors, and the higher share of profit from associates as well as lower operating expenses and net finance cost due to decrease in the financial charges on borrowings. The net profit was achieved despite of the higher zakat and tax expense; and a non-recurring zakat and tax provision reversal relating to prior years assessments that was recorded in the period ended 30 June 2019.

In this regard Eng. Anees Ahmed Moumina- Savola Group CEO, highlighted “the strong results for this quarter and the six-month period ended 30 June 2020, were in line with our strategy and our commitment to the retail and food business, while simultaneously focusing on optimizing our asset allocation, and adapting our investment strategy to dynamic markets in Saudi Arabia and abroad. Our restructuring approach, which prioritized innovation while also focusing on group-wide cost rationalization and efficiencies, yielded excellent results last year and the current period. These achievements are accomplished while actively managing the risks and implications of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our operations in light of the local and worldwide market and economic conditions in the countries in which the Group operates”.

These results further boost the status of the company, which this year was ranked as one of the top 100 companies in the Middle East by Forbes Middle East magazine, and it was ranked number 14 in Saudi Arabia and number 39 in Middle East  in the same ranking.

Founded in 1979, Savola Group invests in the food and retail sectors across MENA. It operates Savola Food Company, which produces and exports everyday household products including oil, sugar, and pasta in more than 50 countries around the world. It also invests in the retail sector, notably in the largest grocery store chain (Panda), with 205 stores in more than 42 cities across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Savola also owns a stake of 34.52% in Almarai dairy company and a stake of 51% in Alkabeer Group for frozen foods. Savola also owns the largest stake (49%) in Herfy Food Services Company, which manages 394 outlets.