Business Forum • 24 February, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Agroland Business System, the Romanian entrepreneurial retail, agriculture, and food group that owns the largest network of agricultural stores in Romania, posts, at the consolidated level, operating revenues of RON 315.7 million in 2024, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. In 2024, the company's operating profit amounted to RON 17 million, a 53% growth compared to 2023, while net profit reached RON 7.7 million, up 63%.
"2024 was a significant year for our company, during which we continued our development plan and initiated a series of investments that will be completed in 2025. We achieved positive results, reflected in the growth of operating revenues and operating and net profit, demonstrating the company's resilience and its ability to successfully navigate a complex economic environment. Additionally, in 2024, we adjusted the group's sales strategy, improving profit margins, including by increasing the share of sales from products manufactured in our production facilities. One example of this approach is the table eggs segment, where we see significant growth opportunities. This trend is supported by the 7% increase in egg prices in the EU at the beginning of 2025 compared to 2024, as well as the growing egg deficit in Europe, with EU imports rising by 27% in the first 10 months of 2024 compared to the same period the previous year. To this end, we will operationalize two investments at the Mihailesti poultry platform, one aimed at increasing the production capacity of table eggs and another focused on expanding egg packaging capacity, thus supporting production expansion," stated Horia Cardos, founder and CEO of Agroland Business System.
In 2024, Agroland Business System registered consolidated turnover of RON 306.5 million, a 6% increase compared to the previous year. The sale of feed and concentrates continued to hold the largest share of turnover, generating revenues of RON 100 million, a 15% increase compared to 2023, driven by the diversification of the product range offered through the Caransebes and Isalnita factories, as well as the growth of the day-old chicks category. Sales of day-old chicks grew by 11%, reaching RON 58.9 million, continuing their positive trend.
The agricultural inputs division, representing the performance of Agroland Agribusiness, contributed RON 49 million to the consolidated turnover, down 22% from 2023. This decline was driven by the shift of grain trading activity towards the Group's factories, with these amounts being eliminated in the consolidation process. Sales of food products, which include table eggs, increased by 28% in 2024, reaching RON 39.9 million, while pet food products generated revenues of RON 26.7 million, up 3%.
"Starting in the second half of 2024, our country has been facing political instability, in addition to existing factors such as persistent inflation, high financing costs, and market volatility. Moreover, the latest global geopolitical developments show that the economic environment remains unpredictable, requiring a flexible strategy and continuous adaptation to new realities. In this context, we have focused on optimizing operations and strengthening business lines that can add value in the current climate. Agroland is in an advantageous market position, operating in various segments that, while complementary, help reduce seasonality and mitigate risks, protecting the business from external factors. We are confident that our ongoing investments will continue to contribute to the development of our group and the increase in profit margins," added Horia Cardos.
Agroland Business System is currently undertaking a series of investments aimed at increasing production and sales capacity, as well as diversifying its activities. At the Mihailesti poultry platform, the company will complete a significant investment in renovating and equipping six production halls, which will have a capacity of 116,000 laying hens. Additionally, Agroland will operationalize an egg sorting and packaging station with a capacity of 120,000 eggs per hour, three times the current capacity.
In the feed segment, the company has initiated expansion work at the Isalnita factory, which will increase the annual production capacity by 10,000 tons, as well as storage capacity. Furthermore, Agroland Agribusiness will operationalize a seed and grain conditioning station in Mehedinti County in the first half of the year, diversifying the company's activities.
At the end of 2024, the Agroland Group operated 234 stores, of which 27 were MEGA stores. Agroland Business System is listed on the AeRO market of the Bucharest Stock Exchange as of March 1, 2021, and trades under the symbol AG.