Origin profits rise to €100.7m despite pressures on farming sector

CITYWEST-based Origin Enterprises posted higher operating profits and revenues for the year to the end of July “despite challenging market conditions.”

The international agri-services group based out of Citywest Business Campus reported a “resilient performance”, with an operating profit of of €100.7 million, an increase of 1.8 per cent on the previous fiscal year and bolstered by growth in Latin America that offset more subdued figures from Ireland/UK and Europe markets.

The company boast a strong five-year operating profit delivery of €474.2m, more than 14 per cent above the ambition set out four years ago (€415m).

Origin’s Chief Executive Officer Sean Coyle noted “increasingly evident” benefits of the group’s diversification strategy.

The CEO stated: “We delivered a strong FY26 performance despite a challenging operating backdrop. Group Operating profit increased 1.8 per cent to €100.7m, and adjusted diluted EPS of 53.51 cent was in line with guidance.

“The benefits of our diversification strategy are increasingly evident. Living Landscapes now contributes 20 per cent of Operating Profit and continues to expand in attractive higher-growth and higher-margin markets, improving the quality, resilience and consistency of Group earnings.”

The Living Landscapes division offers sports, landscaping and environmental offerings such as irrigation systems, a wide selection of planting materials and ecological assessments, among others.

It now represents just under one-fifth of the entire operating profit figure, sitting at 19.8 per cent of the full pie.

Market conditions became more challenging during H2, according to the CEO, as drought conditions, weaker grain and oilseed prices, as well as selective input cost inflation reduced farm profitability and discretionary spending.

Mr Coyle also stated that the company a “a more resilient diversified business” than they were in the previous five-year cycle and look forward to the next Capital Markets Day in 2027.

“Living Landscapes delivered another year of strong progress, with operating profit increasing to €17.7m driven by good organic growth of 5.2 per cent and the benefit of prior year acquisitions.

“Continued investment in environmental services, planning, biodiversity and sports infrastructure supports attractive long-term growth opportunities…

“…Origin today is a more resilient diversified business with more consistent earnings, a stronger balance sheet and greater cash generation than seen in the previous five-year cycle.

Having exceeded the operating profit ambition established at our 2022 Capital Markets Day, we look forward to outlining the next phase of Origin’s development and establishing a new set of medium-term financial ambitions at our next Capital Markets Day in London on November 17, 2026.

“I would like to thank all our colleagues for their contribution during the year, and our customers and partners for their continued support.”