(BFM Stock Exchange) – The European leader in the poultry market unveiled a dynamic activity in the first quarter of its fiscal 2025-2026. It was supported by an increase in chicken consumption as well as by new group acquisitions internationally. LDC displays its confidence in its ability to achieve with a year in advance all the objectives set as part of its 2026-2027 strategic plan.

LDC begins its 2025-2026 exercise (closed at the end of February 2026) on the wheel hats, thanks to consumption up poultry.

Between March and the end of May 2025, which corresponds to the first quarter of the poultry specialist, LDC saw its turnover amount to 1.682 billion euros, an increase of 10.9% with data published compared to the first quarter of 2024-2025. At identical perimeter, the increase stands at 4.1%.

This level of quarterly sales turns out to be “online with the expectations” of TP ICAP Midcap which was tabling for its turnover of 1.655 billion euros, the design office adding that “acquisitions contributing a little more than expected”. The quarterly LDC performance stands 1.5% above the ODDO BHF forecasts, which was tabling for a quarterly turnover of 1.658 billion euros.

In volume, the growth of the turnover of the owner of the Loué or Marie brands is 7.4% including 1.2% in organic. It is slightly in the expectations of TP ICAP, but the group was able to benefit from “more favorable” price effects than anticipated by the design office.

“A good sales resistance on everyday chicken”

In detail, sales of the poultry pole France increased by 5.5% to 1.161 billion euros in the first quarter of 2025-2026. With identical scales, sales are up 4.2%, driven by an increase of 1.4% of volumes but also an increase in poultry consumption qualified as “well oriented” by the owner of the rented brand. The latter also cites a high -area sales increase (GMS) and brand products.

LDC specifies that the turnover of the upstream pole is slightly withdrawn by 1.2 %, a drop which is attributable to the lack of availability of shell eggs “in a high demand market,” added the group.

The international “finds colors” reports TP ICAP Midcap. Between January and March 2025, the turnover of the International Pole increased by 4.6% in organic, thanks to an increase of 2.1% of volumes and a pricing upright, 2.5%.

“In the context of an increase in chicken consumption combined with a health crisis in certain European countries LDC has raised its prices and increased its production capacities,” explains Oddo BHF.

In published data, the progression is much more impressive, 54% over a year, supported by the integration of Polish companies Indykpol and Konspol, of the Romanian company Calibra, and European Convenience Food in Germany, which joined the group in 2024.

The gradual improvement of market conditions on the duck allows this family to reconnect with growth after a difficult year 2024, explains LDC.

On the Paris Stock Exchange, LDC increased by 3.5%, after the publication of the first point of activity of its financial year 2025-2026.

Objective achieved one year in advance

For the rest, the number one of poultry in Europe says that it is able to achieve with one year in advance all the objectives set as part of its 2026-2027 strategic plan at the end of the 2025-2026.

The group therefore plans to cross the CAP of 7 billion euros in turnover at the end of February 2026. This ambition is accompanied by an increase in profitability with an objective of almost 560 million euros in EBITDA in the year 2025-2026.

Oddo BHF adds that LDC should provide more details on the evolution of the operational margin when publication of the half -yearly results (at the end of November).

The owner of Loué and the Marie brand also indicates to continue his negotiations to obtain pricing increases which will be partly redistributed in order to ensure better remuneration of breeders.

“During the current course, the valuation of LDC is close, both in absolute and relative market, of the levels affected historically, this while LDC presents better prospects in terms of evolution of margins in a carrier poultry market”, concludes the design office which raises its objective of courses at 103 euros, while maintaining its opinion to outperformance on the title.