Egyptian tycoon Safwan Thabet's Juhayna Food doubles first-quarter profit to $13.6 million on surging sales

Juhayna Food Industries, Egypt's largest dairy and juice producer, posted a consolidated net profit of 668.62 million Egyptian pounds (approximately $13.6 million) in the first quarter of 2026, more than doubling the 299.62 million pounds it earned in the same period a year earlier, according to results filed with the Egyptian Exchange.

The figures mark the latest leg of a sustained earnings recovery for the Cairo-listed company, which trades under the ticker JUFO and has become one of the most closely watched consumer names on the EGX amid Egypt's broader economic stabilisation effort.

Revenue for the quarter reached 8.6 billion pounds (approximately $175 million), up from 6.8 billion pounds in the first quarter of 2025, representing growth of roughly 26 percent year on year. The top-line expansion was driven by continued strong demand across Juhayna's core product lines, which span dairy, fermented products, juices and concentrates.

Earnings per share from continuing operations rose to 0.57 pounds in Q1 2026, compared with 0.25 pounds in the same quarter of 2025. The improvement in per-share earnings mirrors the wider profit jump and signals that profitability gains are flowing through to shareholders rather than being diluted by higher costs alone.

Dairy products remain the backbone of the business, accounting for roughly 76 percent of net sales. Juhayna's dairy portfolio includes a range of milk brands such as Juhayna Milk, Bekhero, Halibo and Jino, alongside fermented lines including Plain Yoghurt, Acti-life and Rayeb. Juice and nectar products contribute around 18 percent of net sales under the Juhayna Juice and Pure brands.

The Q1 2026 result continues a trajectory of accelerating earnings that has characterised the company since Egypt embarked on a series of currency and monetary reforms. Juhayna recorded net profit of 642 million pounds in Q1 2025, meaning the latest figure represents a step up even from that already-elevated base. The company closed full-year 2024 with net profit of 2.74 billion pounds, a 168 percent jump on the prior year, and net revenue of 24.3 billion pounds.

Juhayna's stock has reflected the improving fundamentals. As of late May 2026, shares in the company were trading at around 28.09 pounds on the EGX, within a 52-week range of 19.20 pounds to 31.84 pounds. The average 12-month price target among analysts stands at 34.23 pounds, with the highest estimate at 35 pounds.

The company employs approximately 5,700 people and operates across Egypt with distribution channels extending into export markets including countries in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Export sales have grown considerably in recent years, having surged 175 percent in the first quarter of 2024 alone.

With a market capitalisation of around 33 billion pounds and its next earnings report expected around June 30, 2026, investors will be watching whether Juhayna can sustain the momentum through the second quarter, particularly as input cost pressures and Egypt's inflation environment continue to test margins across the food and beverage sector.