Breakdown by region and business line
STEF France
Turnover was stable in France at €2,351 million, while the overall margin rate declined due to a contraction in the volumes in the chilled products and seafood segments.
Frozen food and retail business benefitted from slower inflation and lower electricity costs.
Foodservice performed particularly well thanks to strong sales momentum in an expanding market with many franchise restaurant openings.
International business departing from France has been brought together in a new business unit which performed in line with our goals during its first year.
STEF International
Turnover from international business rose 11%, to €1,481 million, driven in large part by contributions from the Iberian Peninsula and Italy. The margin rate also improved significantly.
Spain and Portugal continued to build on their organic growth, signing new foodservice contracts and adding to their property assets.
Italy returned to its habitual performance levels through sustained positive sales momentum and an easing of energy prices.
Business in the United Kingdom performed well, despite negative exchange rate effects and challenging economic conditions.
Belgium, now home to a major new logistics site, benefitted from two new commercial contracts and the integration of TransWest, a company acquired in October 2023.
Lastly, the finalisation of the acquisition of Bakker Logistiek in early January 2024 marked another milestone in STEF’s development in the Netherlands, tripling its size in the country and positioning the Group as a major national player in the transport, logistics, and packaging of food products.
Dividend
The Group is continuing its dividend distribution policy of one third of its income, representing €5.10 per share, which will be submitted to a vote at the General Meeting on 25 April 2024.
As a result of the Group’s capital structure, employees and management receive 70% of the sum paid in the dividend distribution.
Outlook for 2024
The Group is entering 2024 with confidence, despite the sluggishness of food consumption, which may continue into the first half. The year will centre on the continued implementation of the Committed to a Sustainable Future strategic plan and a major collective effort to integrate the companies recently acquired.
The audit procedures on the consolidated financial statements have been completed. The certification report will be issued after the completion of procedures required for publication of the annual financial report.
* In accordance with IFRS 5, the consolidated income statement for 2022 has been restated to reflect income from continuing operations, i.e., excluding La Méridionale’s operations, which are presented on the line “Income from abandoned operations”.
