{"id":9802,"date":"2026-07-09T17:07:34","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T15:07:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nordzucker.com\/en\/?post_type=news_article&p=9802"},"modified":"2026-07-09T17:07:34","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T15:07:34","slug":"nordzucker-annual-general-meeting-confirms-consistent-course-and-clear-strategic-direction","status":"publish","type":"news_article","link":"https:\/\/www.nordzucker.com\/en\/news\/nordzucker-annual-general-meeting-confirms-consistent-course-and-clear-strategic-direction\/","title":{"rendered":"Nordzucker: Annual General Meeting confirms consistent course and clear strategic direction"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tAgainst the background of an exceptionally challenging market environment, the Annual General Meeting confirmed the company\u2019s chosen course, which focuses on stabilising and strengthening profitability through a consistent package of measures. Shareholders granted discharge to the Executive Board and Supervisory Board by a very clear majority.<\/div>\n\n\n

At today\u2019s Annual General Meeting of Nordzucker AG and Nordzucker Holding AG at the Volkswagenhalle in Braunschweig, shareholders confirmed the company\u2019s chosen course. The Executive Board and Supervisory Board were granted discharge by a very clear majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earnings performance shaped by exceptional market dynamics<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nordzucker concluded the 2025\/2026 financial year in an exceptionally challenging market environment. Two high-yield beet harvests, high stock levels in the EU sugar market and a sharp fall in sales prices weighed on profitability and led to a historically low profit. Revenue fell from 2.77 billion Euro to around 2.34 billion Euro. Operating result (EBIT) came to minus 226 million Euro, compared with plus 100.5 million Euro in the previous year. The Australian subsidiary Mackay Sugar Ltd. contributed 0.3 million Euro to the result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consistent measures strengthen cost structure and resilience<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In view of the extreme market volatility, Nordzucker has further intensified existing excellence initiatives and launched an additional immediate contingency programme. The focus is, in particular, on reducing administrative, personnel and material costs, as well as adapting adjustments to the network structure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEspecially in a market environment characterised by high volatility, closer alignment between earnings performance and raw material costs is crucial,\u201d emphasises Lars Gorissen, CEO of Nordzucker AG. \u201cTo strengthen our core beet business, we are optimising our internal cost structures and, together with our growers in Germany, have introduced an adapted beet pricing model that can respond more agilely and flexibly to the company\u2019s earnings situation. The new model provides an important foundation for future collaboration and strengthens the conditions for competitive and sustainable beet cultivation in Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Fields for Growth strategy sets the course<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With its Fields for Growth strategy, Nordzucker continues to follow a clear course. The goal is to develop Nordzucker into a larger, more diversified and more profitable company by 2033. The aim is to reduce dependence on the European sugar market whilst at the same time strengthening its market position in Europe. Nordzucker sees particular growth potential in the expansion of its cane sugar business as well as the alternative proteins sector and functional food ingredients (Smart Ingredients).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outlook on earnings performance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Against the background of the measures introduced, Nordzucker expects a gradual easing of pressure on its cost structure. For the 2026\/2027 financial year, the company continues to anticipate a negative EBIT in the mid tens of millions. The aim of returning to a positive operating result in the 2027\/2028 financial year is to be achieved through excellence initiatives, the immediate contingency programme and adjusted pricing and cost structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Annual General Meeting discharged the Executive Board and Supervisory Board of both Nordzucker AG and Nordzucker Holding AG by a very clear majority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detailed voting results for Nordzucker Holding AG<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nordzucker Holding AG is the parent company of Nordzucker AG and holds 83.8 per cent of the shares in the operating company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n