Nestlé Q3 2026 Growth Led by Petcare, Americas

Nestlé reported total sales of CHF 22,756 million for the third quarter of 2026. Organic growth for the period was 4.0%, reflecting real internal growth of 2.8% and a 1.1% contribution from pricing. The figures indicate that higher volumes were the main driver of the quarter’s performance, with pricing playing a smaller but positive role.

For the first nine months of 2026, organic growth reached 3.7%, supported by real internal growth of 1.9% and pricing of 1.8%. This shows continued progress through the year, with the third quarter slightly ahead of the year-to-date trend on an organic basis.

Petcare was a major contributor to the group’s performance in the third quarter of 2026. The category delivered 5.3% organic growth, including real internal growth of 4.3%. Growth was strong across geographies, supported by continued momentum in cat products. Key brands such as Pro Plan and ONE posted strong sales, underlining Petcare’s role as a growth engine.

Food & Snacks also performed well, recording 5.0% organic growth in the quarter. Nestlé Waters and Premium Beverages further complemented the category mix with double-digit organic growth, highlighting ongoing demand in these segments.

By geography, growth in the third quarter was broad based. The group reported organic growth of 4.0% overall, with Zone Americas at 3.3%, Zone Asia, Oceania & Africa at 6.4%, and Zone Europe at 1.2%. This underscores a balanced contribution across major regions, with particular strength in Asia, Oceania & Africa.

In the Americas, the company saw positive organic growth across major markets, led by volume. In the United States, both organic growth and real internal growth accelerated in the quarter. In Latin America, growth was also volume-led and broad based across markets and categories, reinforcing the region’s role in supporting group performance.

Nestlé’s business in the Russian Federation is no longer consolidated in the group’s accounts, effective at the end of September 2026. This follows the placement of the operations under temporary external administration. As a consequence, approximately CHF 1.6 billion of net assets were derecognized on deconsolidation.

The group recognized a charge of about CHF 1.4 billion related to cumulative currency translation adjustments. This charge is non-cash and does not affect total group equity. Nestlé stated that the deconsolidation has no impact on third-quarter or nine-month 2026 sales and will have only a limited financial impact on underlying results for 2026.

Nestlé maintained its guidance for the full year 2026. The company continues to expect organic growth in the range of 3% to 4%. It also anticipates an improvement in the underlying trading operating profit margin compared with 2025.

Free cash flow for 2026 is expected to exceed CHF 9 billion. The reaffirmed guidance, alongside solid third-quarter and nine-month organic growth, indicates that the company sees its current trajectory as consistent with its full-year financial objectives.