URC sees accelerated volume growth for 2025

MANILA, Philippines — Gokongwei-led food and beverage firm Universal Robina Corp. (URC) expects accelerated volume improvement this year, as better consumer confidence and sentiment are seen fueling growth across its branded businesses.

“Our expectation is for this momentum to continue and, actually, accelerate. The interventions that we’re seeing from the business units from past year, carrying forward into 2025, are bearing fruit,” URC president and CEO Irwin Lee during the firm’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

Lee said that URC is benefiting from more positive consumer sentiment in the Philippines, especially as inflation eases.

“There is still watch-out on some down-trading that is easing a little bit, but we are seeing, from our side, internally, continued volume growth and that is expected to carry through across the business units,” Lee said.

He said URC is also keeping a close eye on the uncertainties from international events, particularly the developments on the tariff environment. 

“Nevertheless, we are prepared to counteract any measures and any slowdowns. And the businesses are gearing up for continued strong growth momentum for the balance of 2025,” Lee said.

URC delivered higher revenues in the first quarter despite posting a slight dip in its profit from continuing operations due to foreign exchange gains last year.

The company generated sales of P45.3 billion from January to March, up seven percent from the same period last year on the back of strong volume growth across most of its divisions.

Core net income increased by four percent year-on-year to P4.1 billion as a result of lower finance costs.

Net income from continuing operations, however, slipped by two percent to P4.3 billion due to higher forex gains in the same period in 2024. 

During the quarter, sales for the branded consumer foods (BCF) group grew by six percent to P29.7 billion following growth in both its Philippines and international operations. 

BCF Philippines’ sales of P20.1 billion was fuelled by a double-digit volume growth in ready-to-drink beverages, snacks and confectionery. 

BCF International, on its end, recorded sales of P9.6 billion, with Vietnam leading the way with a strong double-digit expansion, while Malaysia and Indonesia showed steady top line improvements. 

URC said  the international business continued to sustain its momentum and deliver above-market growth despite the weak ASEAN sentiment and tariff uncertainties in export-oriented economies.

The company’s agro-industrial and commodities group, meanwhile, registered an eight-percent jump in sales to P15.6 billion during the quarter.

URC said that higher sales volumes from the sugar and flour businesses helped offset weaker animal feed sales, which were affected by lower sales volumes as Philippine hog populations declined from the middle of last year.