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Pilgrims Pride Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 April 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Sales edged up, operating profit fell: Net sales were $4,532.6 million, up 1.6%. Operating income was $162.6 million against $404.5 million, down 59.8%. GAAP EPS was $0.43 against $1.24. Operating margin was 3.6%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin 6.8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $308.1 million against $533.2 million a year earlier. Segment margins were 7.0% in the U.S., 7.8% in Europe and 3.1% in Mexico. Source
  • Adjusted EPS $0.51 versus $1.31: Adjusted net income was $121.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, against $312.6 million and $1.31 a year earlier. Adjusted measures exclude litigation, restructuring and currency items. Source
  • U.S. margin down to 4.2%: U.S. adjusted operating income margin was 4.2% against 11.9%. U.S. adjusted EBITDA was $185.5 million against $392.5 million. U.S. net sales were $2,635.4 million against $2,743.2 million. Source
  • Just Bare retail sales near 40%: Just Bare retail sales rose nearly 40% against last year on higher distribution and velocity. The release also cites record retail volumes in U.S. Prepared Foods. Source
  • Plant downtime and commodity prices cited: Management said margins were challenged by planned plant downtime, winter storms, lower deli small bird values and a decline in commodity cutout fundamentals. Source

“During the quarter, chicken demand continued to be healthy across all regions,”

Fabio Sandri, Pilgrim’s President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net leverage target Sourcenot stated1.25x current; target 2x to 3x Adjusted EBITDA

What changed from last quarter

  • New: U.S. Fresh completed the conversion of the Russellville, Ala., plant to a Case Ready plant to support a key customer. Source
  • New: Live operations in the South and Peninsula regions ramped up, and a new prepared foods line in Porvenir began, both on schedule. Source

Results and profit decline

  • Sales edged up, operating profit fell: Net sales were $4,532.6 million, up 1.6%. Operating income was $162.6 million against $404.5 million, down 59.8%. GAAP EPS was $0.43 against $1.24. Operating margin was 3.6%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin 6.8%: Adjusted EBITDA was $308.1 million against $533.2 million a year earlier. Segment margins were 7.0% in the U.S., 7.8% in Europe and 3.1% in Mexico. Source
  • Adjusted EPS $0.51 versus $1.31: Adjusted net income was $121.7 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, against $312.6 million and $1.31 a year earlier. Adjusted measures exclude litigation, restructuring and currency items. Source
  • Interest income and FX swung lower: Interest income was $6.9 million against $25.0 million. Foreign currency transaction losses were $0.9 million, against a gain of $2.1 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • U.S. margin down to 4.2%: U.S. adjusted operating income margin was 4.2% against 11.9%. U.S. adjusted EBITDA was $185.5 million against $392.5 million. U.S. net sales were $2,635.4 million against $2,743.2 million. Source
  • Europe steady on volume and margins: Europe adjusted operating income margin was 5.0% against 5.3%. Net sales rose to $1,351.7 million from $1,231.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $105.8 million against $99.5 million. Source
  • Mexico margins compressed sharply: Mexico adjusted operating income margin was 2.0% against 7.5%. Net sales were $545.5 million against $488.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $16.8 million against $41.2 million. Source

“Our operations underwent a significant amount of transition over the past several months,”

Fabio Sandri, Pilgrim’s President and CEO

Products and customers

  • Just Bare retail sales near 40%: Just Bare retail sales rose nearly 40% against last year on higher distribution and velocity. The release also cites record retail volumes in U.S. Prepared Foods. Source
  • Europe brands outpaced category averages: Rollover grew faster than its category average. Fridge Raiders held a steady presence in snacking. Source
  • Mexico branded Fresh volumes up: In Fresh, branded sales volumes increased double digits against last year. Source
  • Russellville converted to Case Ready: The Russellville, Ala., plant was converted to a Case Ready plant to support growth of a key customer. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross profit fell on higher costs: Gross profit was $345.5 million against $554.9 million. Cost of sales rose to $4,187.1 million from $3,908.1 million. Source
  • SG&A up, restructuring down: Selling, general and administrative expense was $180.2 million against $133.8 million. Restructuring activities cost $2.8 million against $16.6 million. Source
  • Depreciation and amortization up: Depreciation and amortization was $118.5 million against $104.5 million. Stock-based compensation was $6.1 million against $7.0 million. Source
  • Plant downtime and commodity prices cited: Management said margins were challenged by planned plant downtime, winter storms, lower deli small bird values and a decline in commodity cutout fundamentals. Source

“Our achievement in emissions intensity reduction reflects our long-standing focus on driving sustainability throughout our business,”

Fabio Sandri, Pilgrim’s President and CEO

Demand and fundamentals

  • Key Customer demand stable in Europe: In Europe, grocery poultry and meals grew faster than category averages, and Key Customer demand remained stable. Source
  • Value focus drives European buying: Management said consumers became increasingly focused on value, and many offerings across the portfolio were available for retail and foodservice needs. Source
  • Affordability and grain supply cited: Management described overall business fundamentals as positive, citing chicken affordability, consumer momentum in retail and foodservice, and ample grain supplies. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow edged higher: Cash from operations was $140.8 million against $126.9 million. Trade receivables provided a $74.3 million inflow in the period. Source
  • Capital spending rose sharply: Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment were $234.8 million against $98.3 million. Business acquisitions were $3.1 million. Source
  • Cash balance declined from year-end: Cash and cash equivalents were $542.4 million at March 29, 2026, against $640.2 million at December 28, 2025. Source
  • Dividends in prior year: The fourth quarter 2025 release reported $2 billion returned to shareholders through special dividends during 2025.

Strategy and investment

  • Walker County facility on track: Construction of the new Walker County, Ga., facility remains on track, according to management. Source
  • Emissions targets exceeded for bond: Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity reduction targets for 2025 under the Sustainability-Linked Bond were surpassed. Source
  • Mexico ramp started on schedule: Live operations ramped in the South and Peninsula regions, and the Porvenir prepared foods line began on schedule. Source
  • Mexico investments to diversify: Management said Mexico investments would drive growth and diversification through value-added offerings and a wider geographic presence in live commodity markets. Source
  • Europe back-office integration continues: Back-office integration and network optimization are described as improving productivity and supporting further growth in Europe. Source
  • Big Bird operational projects implemented: Several projects during the quarter upgraded product mix and enhanced operational efficiencies in Big Bird, while growing Key Customer partnerships. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 April 2026

  • Walker County facility completion: Once complete, the Walker County facility is expected to enhance margins and further drive U.S. Prepared Foods sales growth. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Just Bare retail sales growth Sourcenearly 40% versus last year
Mexico branded volume growth Sourcemore than 10% versus last year

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management cited higher live-market supply, improved growing conditions and imports as compressing Mexico margins through the quarter. Source
  • Demand: Management cited declining consumer confidence in Europe as a backdrop to the quarter's steady volume and margins. Source
  • Financial: Litigation settlement expenses of $23.2 million were recognized in the quarter against $7.3 million a year earlier, and are excluded from adjusted measures. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said construction of the Walker County facility remains on schedule, which the release labels on track. Source
  • Met: Management said the South and Peninsula live operations ramp and the Porvenir prepared foods line began on schedule. Source
  • Ahead: Management said the company surpassed the 2025 Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity targets in the bond. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.