India’s Patanjali Foods Q4 profit falls on higher expenses, lower edible oils sales
In Bengaluru, India, Patanjali Foods (PAFO.NS) faced a 22% decline in fourth-quarter profit, totaling 2.06 billion rupees, attributing the slump to sluggish demand in its edible oils business. Revenue from this segment dipped by almost 9% to 58.89 billion rupees, amidst a 6% increase in total expenses, reaching 80.48 billion rupees. Despite this setback, Patanjali remains hopeful for a rural demand upsurge in the coming quarters. In contrast, rival Adani Wilmar (ADAW.NS) reported a significant 67.5% profit surge.
BENGALURU, May 14 (Reuters) – India’s Patanjali Foods (PAFO.NS), opens new tab reported a 22% fall in fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, as sluggish demand dragged overall sales down in its mainstay edible oils business amid a surge in expenses.
The Ruchi Gold oil maker’s profit fell to 2.06 billion rupees (around $25 million) for the quarter ended March 31, from 2.64 billion rupees a year earlier.
Higher prices of everyday items like milk and wheat flour have slowed demand for consumer goods in rural India, causing people to cut back their spending on other essentials as well as discretionary items.
Patanjali’s revenue from the edible oils segment fell nearly 9%, to 58.89 billion rupees, limiting its overall revenue growth.
The company’s total expenses rose about 6%, to 80.48 billion rupees.
However, the firm said it is optimistic about an increase in rural demand in the upcoming quarters.
Last month, India’s Supreme Court reprimanded the head of a state drug regulator for negligence in addressing claims made by yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s company, Patanjali Ayurved.
Despite being informed in 2018 about advertisements by its Divya Pharmacy unit, which claimed to cure chronic diseases, the state drugs department failed to take action against Patanjali Ayurved, prompting criticism from the court.
Rival and Fortune cooking oil maker Adani Wilmar (ADAW.NS), opens new tab reported a 67.5% rise in its fourth-quarter profit earlier this month.
