The Italian fresh produce importer recorded net sales of €389.2m in Q1 2026, up 2.5 per cent year-on-year
Italian importer Orsero Group has released its results for the first quarter of 2026, noting a positive start to the year with revenue rising.
Net sales came in 2.5 per cent higher year-on-year, climbing to €389.2mn from €379.6mn, driven by the performance of both key business units.
Adjusted EBITDA dipped 3.4 per cent to €20.8mn, hit by the ”slightly negative” performance of the group’s shipping operation.
This registered a lower loading factor, caused by less ’captive’ volumes of bananas, and higher operating costs linked to difficulties in maintaining the planned vessel schedule due to adverse weather conditions in North Atlantic.
Adjusted net profit stood at €8.3mn, up 1.4 per cent on the €8.1mn recorded in the first quarter of 2025.
Orsero’s overall net profit fell to €6.5mn from €7.5mn last year.
“The first quarter of 2026 ended with positive results, in line with expectations,” said Raffaella Orsero, vice-president and CEO of Orsero, and Matteo Colombini, CEO of Orsero in a joint statement.
”The distribution business unit made a significant contribution to revenues growth, particularly in Europe, driven by a favourable price/mix effect and increased volumes in high value-added categories, offsetting the expected decline in banana volumes.
”The shipping business closed the quarter in line with the same period of the previous financial year, despite the anticipated reduction in the loading factor and some operational challenges experienced during the first months of the year, related to extraordinary maintenance and adverse weather conditions,” they continued.
“In a market environment still characterised by persistent geopolitical uncertainty, the group’s strategy, focused on high value-added product categories, continues to generate positive results and steady growth, confirming the solidity of its business model.
“In particular, the group continues to grow in the distribution business unit through supply chain projects, such as the exclusive agreement for the distribution of Madagascan lychees in Europe, as well as through investments in logistics platforms aimed at strengthening the group’s distribution network, including the acquisition, completed in April this year, of a warehouse and a wholesale market stand in Vigo, in northern Spain,” Orsero and Colombini outlined.
”The financial structure remains very solid. The group has, in fact, recorded a significant improvement in its net financial position thanks to operating cash flow generation, as well as favourable working capital management, in contrast to the usual seasonal trends of the first quarter.
”Looking ahead to the coming months, we remain focused on achieving our economic and financial targets and on growth opportunities, both organic and through external expansion,” the added.
