For the financial year 2022/2023, potato breeding company Royal HZPC Group B.V. reports a significant surge in sales. CEO Gerard Backx highlighted that the notable increase in sales volume is predominantly seen in the Asian and American markets.
The company’s Supervisory Board convened on Thursday, 5th October 2023, to discuss the annual accounts for the financial year 2022/2023. Subsequently, on Tuesday, 17th October 2023, the General Meeting of Shareholders reviewed and approved the financial statements.
Financial Highlights: Impressive Numbers
Royal HZPC Group reported a turnover of €420 million, marking an increase from the previous year’s €350 million. The company’s sales figures reveal that they sold nearly 900,000 tonnes of seed potatoes in 2021/2022, which saw a rise to 944,000 tonnes in 2022/2023.
This boost in sales was majorly influenced by elevated selling prices, which were a result of increased transport costs. Interestingly, the company’s growth in tonnage primarily occurred outside of Europe, with significant advancements in licensed growing in Asia and America.
Consistent Financial Outcomes
The financial results remained stable, with the company achieving €7.1 million in 2022/2023, closely mirroring the €7 million from 2020/2021. These figures exclude the expenses related to the Connecting Growers program. Over the financial year, Royal HZPC Group B.V. purchased a total of 16,311 certificates at a cost of €1.1 million.
The dividend was consistently set at €6 per certificate by the General Meeting of Shareholders.
Future Focus: Efficiency and Research
The potato breeding powerhouse is channeling its efforts towards streamlining internal processes and amplifying its research endeavors. CEO Gerard Backx stressed the significance of these initiatives, stating, “By investing in new business systems and refining business processes, our goal is to enhance the efficiency of Royal HZPC Group. Our investments in research will pave the way for the development of innovative potato varieties that resonate with a sustainable and habitable future.”
Mr. Backx further added that in the upcoming years, the company plans to roll out numerous robust potato varieties equipped with vital resistances. These new varieties will require considerably fewer chemicals and water, ensuring substantial yields even in challenging environments.
For a more comprehensive insight into the company’s achievements and future plans, the public can access the new annual report from Friday, 20th October at www.annualreport2022.hzpc.com.
Source: Royal HZPC Group
Key figures from the Annual Report
| 2022/2023 | 2021/2022 | |
| Turnover (* 1000 €) | 420,857 | 350,309 |
| Company result (* 1000 €) | 10,916 | 8,018 |
| Netto result (*1000 €) | 5,964 | 5,550 |
| Netto result excl the costs of the Connection Growers Program (*mln €) | 7.1 | 7.0 |
| Equity (*1000 €) | 54,296 | 54,471 |
| Balans Total (*1000 €) | 136,931 | 134,797 |
| Number share certificates | 783,725 | 783,725 |
| Profit per share (* €) | 9.01 | 9.00 |
| Dividend per share (*€) | 6.00 | 6.00 |
| Price per certificate as at 30/6 (*€) | 76.27 | 76.60 |
