Uni-President Enterprises Corp. reported a 6.8% year-on-year decline in first-quarter profit to NT$5.16 billion (US$165 million), highlighting the Taiwanese food conglomerate’s continued challenges despite strong performance from its mainland China operations.
The earnings drop came despite revenue growth in the company’s core business, with earnings per share falling to NT$0.91. The profit decline was primarily attributed to decreased investment income from non-operating activities.
In contrast, Uni-President China Holdings delivered remarkable results, with first-quarter net profit jumping 31.8% to RMB 602 million (US$84.3 million), reaching a record high for the period. The Chinese subsidiary benefited from simultaneous growth in both food and beverage segments, with particularly strong performances from its tomato juice, tea, and Ocean Spray product lines.
Meanwhile, the company’s 7-Eleven convenience store business in Taiwan posted a 1.7% profit decline to NT$2.9 billion (US$92.7 million). The convenience store unit’s earnings were impacted by planned investments in digital transformation, logistics infrastructure, and international store expansion.
The mixed results reflect Uni-President’s ongoing struggle to balance growth initiatives with profitability across its diverse business portfolio, even as its Chinese operations continue to outperform other divisions.
