Huhtamaki India sales jump 23%, but warns of inventory boost
Q2 CY26 sales of ₹723 cr and EBITDA margin of 10.5% beat prior trend, but management says part of the growth came from customer stockpiling ahead of price rises and could unwind. Renewable energy project delayed.
What's new
- Q2 CY26 sales ₹723 cr, up 23.1% YoY; EBITDA margin 10.5%.
- Growth partly from inventory buildup ahead of price hikes; reversal possible.
- Renewable energy project delayed to Q3 CY26.
Why this matters
The 23% growth is a sharp acceleration from near-zero trailing revenue, but the inventory-driven tailwind raises questions about sustainability. The focus on profitable growth over volume is prudent, but it likely means moderation ahead. The margin, though improved, remains moderate.
What we're watching
- Q3 sales to see if the inventory boost reverses.
- Renewable energy project commissioning and its cost impact.
- Margin trajectory amid raw material cost moves.
The full read
Huhtamaki India delivered ₹723 cr in Q2 CY26 sales, a 23.1% year-on-year surge. EBITDA margin came in at 10.5%. These are strong numbers. But management's cautionary tint is the real story: part of the jump came from customers stockpiling ahead of price increases, and some of that benefit could reverse as Middle East crisis-related stocking normalises. A renewable energy project originally due in Q2 is now delayed to Q3, pushing out cost savings. It is a strong quarter. But the sustainability question hangs over it. The company says it is prioritising profitable growth, which is the right call, but it means the headline growth rate may not hold. For a firm with near-zero trailing revenue growth, this acceleration is a welcome reprieve but one that carries a built-in reversal risk.
Questions answered
- How much of the Q2 growth was volume-driven?
- Management cited high single-digit volume expansion. The rest came from price and product mix improvements.
- Why did customers build inventory ahead of price rises?
- The company raised prices, prompting customers to stock up in Q2. This pulled forward some demand, which could reverse in Q3 as normalisation occurs.
- What is the status of the renewable energy project?
- The project, originally slated for Q2 CY26, is now expected to be commissioned in Q3. It aims to reduce power costs.
- Is the 10.5% EBITDA margin sustainable?
- Management didn't provide explicit margin guidance but emphasised profitable growth. The margin reflects cost controls, but the inventory unwind and project delays could pressure it in the near term.
- How does this quarter compare to Huhtamaki's recent performance?
- Trailing 12-month revenue growth was near 0.5%, so this 23% jump is a significant uptick. However, PAT was declining 2.1% on a trailing basis, suggesting profitability lagging.