Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. (LDC) published its consolidated financial results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022.
The company said it relied on its diversified portfolio, global presence and network, and risk management capabilities to secure essential food and feed supply chain continuity against a backdrop of persistent global trade challenges, market uncertainty and supply chain disruptions amplified by the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
- Net sales amounted to $30.3 billion for the six-month period, an increase of 27%
- EBITDA reached $1,170 million for the same period
- Net income also increased to $662 million from $336 million
LDC relies on its teams to keep supply chains moving
LDC scaled back operations in Ukraine and Russia this year due to the war. Products sourced from two countries made up less than 4% of its sales last year.
According to reports, no war casualties have been reported among employees in Ukraine, though wheat inventories in a third-party silo were destroyed, it said.
“In the current turmoil impacting global agricommodities markets, which added to pre-existing drivers of global market uncertainty such as continued port congestion, accelerating climate challenges and concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19, LDC’s mission to bring the right product to the right location, at the right time, was all the more critical,” said Michael Gelchie, LDC’s CEO.
“In this challenging environment, our experienced and committed teams continued to work with business partners worldwide to keep key supply chains moving safely, reliably and responsibly, from farmers to end consumers.”
Both of LDC’s business segments contributed to its segment operating results of $1,375 million in a turbulent market and operating environment, as commercial teams captured origination and sales opportunities, secured purchases and successfully managed risks to meet customer demand in an uncertain and complex global trade environment.
Company continues to invest in operations, expansion, diversification
In addition to delivering strong results and focusing on its important mission for food and agricultural supply chain continuity, in the first half of 2022, LDC continued to invest in core merchandizing operations, expansion and diversification downstream, as well as group-wide innovation and digitalization, in line with its strategic roadmap.
“Among other developments, the first semester of 2022 saw the opening of LDC’s first R&D center supporting our entry to the plant proteins market, the completion of a new soy liquid lecithin plant consolidating our position in the plant-based ingredients market, and the groundbreaking for Fuling Food Industrial Park in China – a venture with Chinese partners to meet the country’s growing demand for high-quality food and feed products,” said Gelchie.
Sustainability journey continues
LDC also made positive strides in its sustainability and decarbonization journey, among which a successful biofuel trial on LDC’s first carbon neutral, transatlantic juice shipment, a long-term purchase agreement for renewable power in Argentina and, importantly, a commitment to eliminate deforestation and native vegetation conversion for agricultural purposes in our supply chains, by the end of 2025.
“As we continue to face up to regional and global challenges and disruptions, and navigate an extremely uncertain context, I want to express my warmest gratitude to our teams around the world, including and most especially in the Black Sea region, for the commitment they have shown, remaining true to our mission despite unprecedented challenges,” said Gelchie.
Highlights for the six-month period ended June 30, 2022:
- Net Sales: $30.3 billion ($24 billion over the same period in 2021)
- Segment Operating Results: $1,375 million ($879 million over the same period in 2021)
- EBITDA: $1,170 million ($778 million over the same period in 2021)
- Income Before Tax: $760 million ($425 million over the same period in 2021)
- Net Income, Group Share: $662 million ($336 million over the same period in 2021)
- Return On Equity, Group Share: 20.4% (14.3% for the year 2021)
- Adjusted Leverage Ratio: 0.8x (0.9x as of December 31, 2021)
- Liquidity Coverage: 2.0x current portion of debt (2.2x as of December 31, 2021)
