Export-led growth in the food industry – Univer and MIRELITE MIRSA business results for 2024

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 06. 10. 12:11

In 2024, two key Hungarian food industry players, Univer Product Zrt. and MIRELITE MIRSA Zrt., both successfully closed the year, but their results are based on different paths and strategies. However, they have one thing in common: export markets were the engine of growth for both companies – and this direction may become even more pronounced in the future.

Univer: stability and spectacular foreign market strengthening

Univer Product maintained its position in the domestic market in 2024, while its foreign market presence expanded spectacularly. Domestic net sales increased from HUF 34.66 billion to HUF 36.04 billion, which is considered a balanced growth, but the dynamics experienced in the export sector are even more striking: the revenue realized here jumped from HUF 12.10 billion to HUF 15.52 billion. This represents an expansion of approximately 28% in international sales.

The company’s total sales revenue thus increased by 11%, from 46.77 billion to 51.92 billion forints. The operating profit also developed favorably: it increased from 5.17 billion forints to 5.86 billion, which indicates an improvement in operational efficiency.

At the same time, the result of financial operations remained in negative territory: although after -962 million forints in 2023, there was an improvement in 2024 (-614 million), this item continues to worsen the pre-tax result. Nevertheless, the after-tax result was 4.84 billion forints, compared to 3.88 billion in the previous year – meaning that Univer closed the year with strong profitability.

MIRELITE MIRSA: declining domestic, increasing export

MIRELITE MIRSA Zrt., specializing in the production of frozen vegetables, fruits and pasta. In the case of , domestic sales revenue became more subdued in 2024: it decreased to 3.26 billion after 3.55 billion forints in 2023. The domestic market still remained the largest source of revenue, but the company’s change of focus is clear: they are concentrating on international sales.

The company made serious progress in this area: export sales revenue increased from 1.05 billion to 1.83 billion forints in 2023 – an increase of almost 75%. The total sales revenue thus increased from 4.61 billion to 5.09 billion, so the performance changed in a positive direction despite the declining domestic sales.

The operating result remains positive, but the financial background shows a somewhat more volatile picture. Interest payable and similar expenses increased significantly: in 2023, this item was 21.1 million forints, while in 2024, it was 51.9 million forints. The result of financial operations turned from positive to negative: from 277.4 million forints to -26.7 million.