Danone reports sales growth in Q3 as prices increase
French food company Danone has reported "solid performance" in the third quarter (Q3) of the year, despite a "volatile" environment.
In financial results published today (Wednesday, October 28) Danone reported sales of €7.2 billion for Q3 2026, up 4% on a like-for-like basis.
The company said the result was driven by a 3.6% increase in price, along with a 0.4% increase in volume and mix. On a reported basis, sales increased by 5.2%.
Across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, like-for-like sales were up 3.9% driven by Danone's Essential Dairy and Plant-based (EDP) and waters divisions.
However, specialized nutrition faced pressure resulting in total volume/mix reducing by 1.3%, while price was up 3.2%.
EDP posted strong growth, notably in France, Spain and the UK, driven by the Danone, Alpro, Activia and High Protein brands.
In specialized nutrition, the infant milk formula situation returned to normal in the Middle East, while the category continued to recover progressively in Europe.
The season was strong in waters, notably with Volvic delivering double digit growth.
Danone
In the Americas, like-for-like sales were up 4.4%, with volume/mix at 0.7% and price at 3.7%.
North America delivered like-for-like sales growth of 2.4%, with volume/mix at -0.6% and price at +3.0%.
Danone said that Specialized Nutrition delivered an "outstanding performance", driven by Aptamil, Neocate and Kate Farms.
Waters posted strong growth with solid performance of evian in North America and improved momentum in Mexico.
In EDP, high protein continued to drive growth across the region.
"In North America, decisive actions are in place to regain momentum, focusing on step-changing execution and regaining innovation leadership through strong product pipeline beyond high protein.
"Effective immediately, new leadership has been appointed for the US business, reporting to Henri Bruxelles," the company said.
In Asia Pacific, Danone saw a 3.6% increase in sales on a like-for-like basis, with volume/mix at 1.7% and price at 1.9%.
China, North Asia and Oceania (CNAO) delivered strong mid-single digit growth, driven by both infant milk forula and medical nutrition.
The rest of the zone was described as "very dynamic", particularly across Indonesia and India.
The company said that waters were impacted by Mizone amid a poor season with adverse weather conditions, resulting in "disciplined inventory management".
EDP continued to show strong momentum in Japan, with both Activia and Oikos, the company added.
Guidance
Danone confirmed its 2026 guidance with like-for-like sales growth of between 3-5% expected.
Commenting on the latest financial results, Antoine de Saint-Affrique, Danone chief executive officer (CEO), said: "We delivered another strong quarter in Q3, with like-for-like sales up 4.0%, reflecting broad-based momentum across categories and geographies".
"Our multi-engine growth model continues to demonstrate its resilience, underpinned by the strength and relevance of our health-focused portfolio.
"Demand for our winning platforms, from high protein to gut health and medical nutrition, remains strong across the world.
"In North America, we have taken decisive actions to further step up execution and sustainably restore performance.
"In an environment that remains volatile, we reiterate our full-year guidance with confidence," he added.
