Apetit Warns of Profit Decline Amid Harvest Delay

Apetit has issued a revised earnings outlook, forecasting a 12% decline in adjusted operating profit for the current fiscal quarter compared to prior expectations. The company attributes the shortfall to delayed harvests in Finland, Sweden, and parts of Estonia, which have disrupted the timely supply of critical raw ingredients such as barley, oats, and potatoes. These delays have forced Apetit to rely on more expensive alternative sourcing and increased storage costs, directly affecting gross margins. The company's procurement team reported that the harvest window for key crops was pushed back by an average of three to four weeks due to persistent wet weather and delayed soil drying. As a result, production lines at several processing facilities have operated below capacity, particularly in northern Finland and eastern Sweden. Apetit’s Q4 forecast now projects a 9% reduction in revenue from its grain and vegetable processing divisions, with losses concentrated in the first half of the quarter. Market analysts note that the profit impact could extend into early 2026 if weather conditions do not improve. The stock, listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki under the ticker APETIT.L, has already seen a 5.3% drop in early trading, reflecting investor concerns over margin pressure and supply chain volatility. Competitors in the Nordic food processing space are also monitoring the situation closely, as similar weather disruptions could affect regional supply chains. The situation underscores the vulnerability of agricultural supply chains to climate variability, even in well-developed Nordic economies. Apetit's management emphasizes that long-term contracts and diversified sourcing are being leveraged to mitigate risk, but short-term financial performance remains under strain.