How Bell Food Group is expanding its market leadership in Europe
Swiss group acquires raw ham producer in Germany and sells Eastern European sites for strategic realignment
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The Bell Food Group can look back on a successful 2025 financial year, which matched the good results of the previous years. All essential key indicators improved.
«The Bell Food Group held its own in a competitive environment and further expanded its growth in the 2025 financial year», says CEO Marco Tschanz. Adjusted for once-off effects, all essential key indicators have seen an increase. EBITDA increased by CHF 9.7 million to CHF 360.3 million (+2.8 %). At CHF 171.5 million, EBIT was up on the prior year by CHF 4.6 million (+2.8 %). Net revenue increased organically by CHF 212.1 million to CHF 4.9 billion (+4.5 %). The annual profit amounted to CHF 126.9 million (+CHF 3.2 million; +2.6 %).
Continued EBITDA growth
The company is one of the leading European producers of meat and convenience products. In 2025, it benefited from the strong performance of its business areas Bell Switzerland, Hubers/Sütag, Bell International and Hilcona, all of whom continued the positive trend of the previous years. “Through focused actions, we further expanded our market position and optimised the production landscape,” says CEO Marco Tschanz.
Strengthened competitiveness through strategic focus
Eisberg has sold its companies in Eastern Europe and is now focusing on the DACH region. This strategic redirection is making it possible for the salad specialist to strengthen its competitive position in its core market. The acquisition of the production facility of Hermann Wein GmbH & Co. KG in Freudenstadt (DE) strengthens the position of Bell International in the European market for air-dried ham and perfectly complements its existing activities. “As we are specifically investing in areas with high value-added potential, this acquisition strengthens our position as a leading provider of air-dried ham in Europe,” says Tschanz. Hügli’s focus falls on production optimisation: the relocation of the production activities in Redditch (UK) to the existing facilities in Radolfzell (DE) and Zásmuky (CZ) in the medium term underscores its consistent focus on efficiency and sustainability.
Strong performance of the business areas
The business area Bell Switzerland made significant progress in all sales channels and product groups and reinforced its leadership in the Swiss market. At Bell International, all country divisions once again improved on the good prior-year results and further enhanced their profitability. At Hubers/Sütag, persistent strong demand for poultry products combined with high productivity resulted in substantial volume and earnings growth. The measures that are needed to keep Hubers/Sütag on track to meet the expected future growth targets have been implemented. Following the sale of the Eastern European locations, Eisberg will focus its efforts on the DACH region. While the Swiss business is developing favourably, the potential inherent in the Austrian and German markets has not yet been tapped in full. Hilcona registered strong momentum in all its areas of activity in the fresh convenience segment and successfully continued its growth trajectory. Hügli registered pleasing growth in the important food service sales channel, but market corrections meant that the retail sales channel lagged behind expectations.
Ideally positioned in strategic terms
It can be assumed that the general economic situation and consumer sentiment will remain volatile in 2026. “We know the challenges that lie ahead,” emphasises Marco Tschanz, “and we are perfectly positioned both strategically and operationally: with our broad range of products in all price segments, we are fully equipped to master these challenges.”
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