Outlook for 2021
Currency volatility and unfavorable raw material price trends were confirmed in Q1 2021, calling for renewed caution going forward. While the Covid-19 pandemic and the geopolitical and economic situation in the Near and Middle East still make for a lot of uncertainty, accelerated vaccination campaigns around the world and the progressive stabilization of the situation in certain Levant countries are positive signs. Lastly, Bel expects its Q2 2020 growth to be buoyed by a more favorable comparison base, accelerated promotional campaigns with several product innovation launches in the offing, the Easter and Ramadan holidays, and the particularly strong economic recoveries expected in key markets, such as the United States and China.
Against this backdrop, Bel reiterates its trust in the company’s ability to strengthen its presence in the healthy snack market, while continuing to innovate and increase the appeal of its product offering in the three complementary markets of dairy, fruit and plant-based foods. In line with its model for engaged and responsible growth, Bel plans to continue lessening its environmental footprint and to contribute to promoting a new positive business model for the food industry, in sync with its company mission to champion healthier and responsible food for all.
In Q1 2021, Bel beefed up its policy for procuring renewable electricity at its plants to meet the company’s Scope 1 and 2[3] carbon reduction goals by end 2021. At this writing, the supply of electricity to all dairy North American sites comes from renewable sources. Bel also launched a partnership between Bel Brands USA and Land O’Lakes to jointly lead a regenerative agriculture program key to contributing to the development of sustainable dairy industry. In addition, Bel successfully deployed a campaign to raise awareness about food waste alongside Too Good To Go in the U.K. and Spain, after rolling out similar campaigns in France in March 2020 and Portugal in December 2020. Bel intends to pursue these significant actions in the coming quarter, as part of its ambitious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy.
On March 18, 2021, Bel Group and Lactalis Group entered into a Unilateral Promise to Purchase a business, including Royal Bel Leerdammer NL, Bel Italia, Bel Deutschland, the Leerdammer brand and all related rights plus Bel Shostka Ukraine, in exchange for 1,591,472 Bel shares held by Lactalis (23.16% equity stake). This transaction is in line with Bel’s strategy to expand its activities beyond cheese products to strengthen its position as a major player in the healthy snack market.
The final agreements relating to the exchange transaction may be concluded after consultation with the employee representative bodies of some of the entities concerned. Completion of the transaction will be conditional on obtaining the required merger control approvals and is expected to take place before the end of summer 2021, in accordance with the indicative timetable announced.
Following said transaction completion, Bel plans to file a public share buyback tender offer (“OPRA”)[4] at €440 per share[5] (cum dividend).
Furthermore, Bel has been notified of Unibel’s intention to file a planned public share squeeze-out offer (“OPR-RO”) with the AMF on any remaining Bel shares as soon as possible following the OPRA settlement-delivery date and at the same price per share as for the OPRA, that is to say €440 per share5 (cum dividend). Completion of the OPR-RO is expected to take place before the end of 2021.
[1] This amount includes the business comprising Royal Bel Leerdammer NL, Bel Italia, Bel Deutschland, the Leerdammer brand and all related rights, and Bel Shostka Ukraine.
[2] Organic growth corresponds to reported sales growth, excluding impacts from foreign exchange fluctuations and changes in the scope of consolidation, i.e. on a constant structure and exchange rate basis, and excluding inflation in Iran. Since 2020, Iran’s economy is deemed to be a hyperinflation economy. Accordingly, inflation impacts, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), were excluded when determining organic growth.
[3] Scope 1 covers direct factors of greenhouse gas emissions generated by an organization or a territory. Scope 2 covers indirect factors of greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity and heat usage.
[4] See Bel press release dated March 19, 2021. This proposed public offering will be subject to a compliance decision by the AMF (“Autorité des Marchés Financier”).
[5] The fairness of the price of the public offer is subject to the assessment of the appointed independent expert.