This is the secret behind Kométa 99’s spectacular revenue growth last year

The raw materials purchased at a lower price improved the company’s balance sheet. (Photo: Pixabay)

The profit before tax increased from HUF 900 million to HUF 1.389 million compared to 2020. The improvement in the result was explained by the efficiency improvement measures of the past years, as well as by the decrease in the purchase prices of the offense. At the end of 2021, the purchase prices were around HUF 374 per kilogram, compared to prices above HUF 500 two years earlier. Last year, 600,000 pigs were processed by 10 percent more in the Kaposvár factory with an annual capacity of 800,000, which is double the value of 2014, seven years earlier. The volume of sales increased to 77.1 thousand tons, of which the export rate was 42 percent. Four countries account for 90 percent of the export revenue. The largest market is Italy, with a nearly 50 percent share, followed by Croatia, Slovenia and Germany. Next year, the management expects double-digit growth from the main foreign markets and from Sweden.

The company has several new owners

In the executive summary, Giacomo Pedranzini, the managing director of Kométa 99′ Zrt., highlighted that the increased energy costs have already hit the company since the last quarter of 2021, and the increase in fuel and raw material prices due to the war represents an additional burden. Compared to September, the price of gas almost quadrupled and electricity tripled in just a few months. In 2013, the city’s municipality acquired a 38 percent stake in the meat processor, which was in a difficult situation at the time, with a capital increase of 2 billion, which was later bought out by the Italian owner in several rounds. At the end of 2021, the city’s share decreased to 3 percent. In May 2021, the Croatian Zito Group and MFB Invest entered the company, acquiring 7.7 percent and 18 percent shares, respectively.

MTI