Nestlé sales reach CHF107.6bn in 2007

In 2007, consolidated sales of the Nestlé Group amounted to CHF107.6 billion, an increase of 9.2 per cent over the same period last year. This was driven by organic growth of 7.4 per cent, consisting of real internal growth of 4.4 per cent and price increases of three per cent.

Acquisitions net of divestitures, primarily driven by the acquisition of Novartis Medical Nutrition and Gerber, contributed another 1.4 per cent of growth while exchange rate fluctuations added another 0.4 per cent. The group's food and beverages business, with sales of CHF100.3 billion, was the main contributor to growth, achieving organic growth of 7.1 per cent, consisting of real internal growth of four per cent and price increases of 3.1 per cent. In 2007, the organic growth of Nestlé's total food and beverages business (including globally-managed businesses such as Nestlé Waters, Nestlé Nutrition, Nespresso, the food and deverages joint ventures, as well as the zones) amounted to 4.2 per cent in Europe, 8.6 per cent in the Americas and 9.6 per cent in Asia, Oceania and Africa. Nestlé is confident that the momentum built up over time and once again demonstrated by the 2007 results will be maintained over the coming years. The company's strategic re-orientation and the related structural adjustments have largely been completed and the group's leadership position in nutrition, health and wellness is now deeply rooted.

The group is confident of achieving the Nestlé model in 2008, which includes achieving organic growth of between five and six per cent and a further capital efficiency improvement.