Underberg's Revenue Rises to 136.9 Million Euros Despite a Shrinking Spirits Market
While the German market fell by 3.7%, the family-owned company rose by 1.6% and exceeded its EBITDA target
- Semper idem Underberg AG's revenue rose to 136.9 million euros in the past fiscal year (+1.6% vs. prior year)
- Growth drivers for sales volume: international business (+9.1%), third-party brands (+15.2%), and St. Hubertus liqueur (+16.3%)
- Adjusted EBITDA of 12.3 million euros exceeded the forecast target range of 11 to 12 million euros
- Course set for further growth: capacity expansion at the Rüdesheim production site and new innovations
Despite a declining market environment, Semper idem Underberg AG successfully concluded the 2025/26 fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). While the German spirits market saw sales decline by 3.7 percent during the same period (source: NielsenIQ), the family-owned company increased its consolidated revenue by 1.6 percent to 136.9 million euros (previous year: 134.8 million euros). Adjusted EBITDA, at 12.3 million euros, exceeded the projected target range of 11 to 12 million euros. Key growth drivers included international business, the portfolio of third-party brands, and the strong momentum of innovation within the company’s own brand portfolio.
"Given the geopolitical crises and ongoing consumer caution, the goal of matching the previous year’s level was quite ambitious. It is therefore all the more gratifying that we were able to exceed this target thanks to a strong second half of the year,” says Michael Söhlke, CEO of Semper idem Underberg AG. “We are very satisfied with the result. The trend in the third-party brands segment is positive, we are growing steadily abroad, and when it comes to innovation, the St. Hubertus-Tropfen brand is a key driver of success.”
Underberg Sales Corporation Consolidated for the First Time
The strong presence in the U.S. has played a major role in this positive development. The wholly-owned sales subsidiary Underberg Sales Corporation has recently grown so dynamically that, due to its increased significance, it was consolidated for the first time. “Both the local team and the collaboration with support here in Rheinberg are working exceptionally well. This is the foundation for our continued growth path, which we also see for our other key international markets,” emphasizes Thomas Mempel, CCO of the Underberg Group. In addition to the U.S., the family-owned company focuses its activities on the Nordic countries, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as tourist destinations in Southern Europe, select markets in Africa, and the global travel retail sector.
For Thomas Mempel, the 15.2 percent growth in the portfolio of international distribution brands underscores the sustained success of the sales and marketing efforts by his colleagues at Diversa Spezialitäten GmbH. “Our team is characterized by close and trusting collaboration with international brand owners. This foundation fosters long-term and resilient partnerships that create significant added value for both sides,” says Mempel.
Coming to the market this summer: XOXO Strawberry Spritz
To further expand the innovative strength of its own brand portfolio, the Underberg Group is launching new products in the current fiscal year and consistently developing existing brands. Examples include the St. Hubertus-Tropfen Woodruff Limited Edition, introduced this spring, and the Strawberry Spritz XOXO, which will be launched this summer as a ready-to-drink product under the XUXU brand.
The growth of St. Hubertus-Tropfen, in particular, has pushed the small-bottle bottling facility in Rüdesheim to its capacity limits. To address this development, the company decided some time ago to build an additional bottling line. Preparations have been underway since spring; the line is scheduled to go into operation before Easter 2027.
Significant Challenges Remain
“Of course, given the still-weak consumer climate in Germany, we are constantly keeping an eye on costs and will continue to focus on profitability. Overall, the level of professionalism across the entire group has increased; at the same time, we continue to make targeted investments in marketing and sales,” Michael Söhlke continued. “In June, we celebrated the 180th anniversary of our family-owned company and laid the groundwork for the company’s further development. Regardless, the challenges remain significant; for example, the increase in alcohol taxes is likely to result in a decline in sales for the entire industry—and for us as well.”
The Group’s positive earnings performance has led to a slight improvement in the equity ratio to 31 percent. Semper idem Underberg AG has a solid liquidity reserve and reported consolidated cash on hand of over 17 million euros at the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2026.
About Semper idem Underberg AG: Semper idem Underberg AG is a values-driven family-owned company based in Rheinberg on the Lower Rhine. The group’s core competencies include the consumer-centric development and production of premium spirits, as well as the global distribution of its products. In addition to the internationally renowned brands Underberg, Asbach, and PITÚ, the company offers other proprietary brands and distribution brands. These include the company’s own brands St. Hubertus-Tropfen, XUXU, Zwack Unicum, and Grasovka, as well as numerous distribution brands such as Amarula, BOLS, Koskenkorva Vodka, Linie Aquavit, STROH, The Standard 1894, Túnel, and Ouzo of Plomari.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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