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                                                                                            Press release no. 8/2024

Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft publishes Interim Report Q1/2024
Earnings and profitability increased in the first quarter of the 2024 financial year

• Consolidated EBIT of EUR 1.3 million achieved – an increase of 33.0% compared to the same quarter of the previous year
• Consolidated revenues of EUR 40.9 million slightly below the same quarter of the previous year
• Annual forecast confirmed

Haselünne, 7 May 2024 - Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN: DE0005201602), which is listed on the Regulated Market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, has published its Interim Report for the first quarter of the 2024 financial year. In the first three months, the corporate group generated consolidated revenues of EUR 40.9 million (Q1/2023: EUR 41.8 million). Consolidated operating profit before interest and taxes (consolidated EBIT) totalled EUR 1.3 million (Q1/2023: EUR 1.0 million), while consolidated operating profit before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (consolidated EBITDA) amounted to EUR 3.4 million (Q1/2023: EUR 2.9 million).

The beginning of the year was characterised by a difficult market environment with consumer restraint as a result of inflation. "In the first quarter of this year, we were nevertheless able to achieve pleasing revenue growth for our two strategic core brands Berentzen and Mio Mio", says Oliver Schwegmann, CEO of Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft. The revenue success of the Berentzen brand is attributable in particular to the spirits category of liqueurs, which is the strategic focus. "This is confirmation that we are on the right track with our product strategy," says Schwegmann. According to market research data, March showed the first signs of a recovery in the overall sales markets for both spirits and non-alcoholic beverages in Germany.

The fact that a slight decline in revenues of 2.2% was recorded across the Group despite positive developments was mainly due to two individual factors. Firstly, the cooperation business with prominent artists in the Non-alcoholic Beverages segment was terminated last year. "This negative revenue effect in relation to the first quarter is already bigger than the slight decline in revenues across the Group as a whole," said Schwegmann. 

Secondly, several high-revenue marketing campaigns were not realised in the first quarter of 2024 due to difficult price negotiations with some key retail partners. This had a particularly negative impact on the revenue performance of the strategic core brands in the marketing focus - especially the Puschkin brand. "Increasing our profitability is a central element of our Building BERENTZEN 2028 strategy, which we presented in February. In addition to optimising the portfolio and customer mix, further price increases are also necessary to regain our margin quality after years of cost explosions," explains Schwegmann, adding: "Temporary conflicts with an impact on revenues during phases of intensive negotiations are part of the game." Revenue in the Fresh Juice Systems segment remained stable compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

However, the key earnings figures consolidated EBITDA and consolidated EBIT increased. Consolidated EBITDA increased by 17.5% to € 3.4 million compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Consolidated EBIT increased by 33.0% to EUR 1.3 million. "We have thus succeeded in significantly improving our profitability in the first quarter. We have thus taken an important first step towards achieving our ambitious medium-term targets," said Schwegmann.

Further outlook for the 2024 financial year

Against this backdrop, the Berentzen Group confirms its annual forecast for the 2024 financial year. The corporate group expects positive momentum for all three key performance indicators. Consolidated revenues are forecast to range between EUR 190.0 million and EUR 200.0 million. Consolidated EBITDA is expected to be between EUR 17.2 million and EUR 19.2 million and consolidated EBIT between EUR 8.0 million and EUR 10.0 million.

"We are determined to further strengthen our market presence with a clear focus on our strategy and to reach the first important milestone in our growth plan for the coming years as early as 2024," concludes Schwegmann.

The Interim Report Q1/2024 was published at
https://www.berentzen-gruppe.de/en/investors/reports

About the Berentzen Group:

The Berentzen Group is a modern, innovative beverage group whose roots go back over 260 years. Broadly positioned with its Spirits, Non-alcoholic Beverages and Fresh Juice Systems divisions, the corporate group today develops, produces and markets beverage concepts for a wide range of consumer needs - from spirits, mineral waters and lemonades to Fruit juicers for freshly squeezed orange juice. With well-known brands such as Berentzen, Puschkin, Mio Mio and Citrocasa as well as contemporary private label products, the Berentzen Group is present in more than 60 countries worldwide. The shares of Berentzen-Gruppe Aktiengesellschaft (ISIN DE0005201602) are listed on the Regulated Market (General Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Further information is available at:

Berentzen Group Aktiengesellschaft

Thorsten Schmitt

Director Corporate Communications & Strategy

Phone +49 (0) 5961 502 215

pr@berentzen.de

www.berentzen-gruppe.de