Sales at fruit juice and food maker Lassonde (LAS-A-T) were lower than last year’s Q1 results but profits were up, according to its financial results released this week.

The Rougemont, Que.-based company reported $664 million in revenue in first quarter 2026, which is a drop from $699.7 million in Q1 2025. However, its profit rose to $36.8 million, versus $23.8 million earned in the same period last year.

“Lassonde delivered solid profit growth in the first quarter of 2026 as discipline pricing strategies and stabilization of input costs resulted in better cost-to-price alignment. Operating profit increased by 22 per cent,” Vince Timpano, chief executive officer with Lassonde Industries said during an earnings call.

“This improvement was accomplished notwithstanding a decrease in sales, which resulted from a combination of market and supply chain factors, as well as specific choices made concerning our product portfolio. That said our portfolio once again proved its strength as our national brands gained market share in both Canada and the United States.”

Quebec-based family juice business

Lassonde was founded over 100 years ago, as a family-owned business. Today it produces more than 3,500 unique products and the company’s brand lineup includes juices such as Allen’s, Del Monte, Oasis and Rougemont. It also produces pasta sauces, ready-to-eat soups, fondue broths and sauces.

The drop in sales volume came in at 2.5 per cent, said the company. The firm blamed an unfavourable foreign exchange effect for the decline.

“The variance reflects reduced sales volume, primarily within private-label categories. Volume declines were partially attributable to subdued demand across select markets, and comparative against last year, (an) exceptionally strong first quarter, which benefited from substantial volume growth through our U.S. program and favourable momentum at the outset of ‘Buy Canadian,’” Eric Gemme, chief financial officer said during the call.

This will be Gemme’s last earnings call after 12 years with Lassonde. His previously announced departure is set for July.

Higher gross profits

Despite challenging conditions, the company’s gross profits reached $188 million in the first quarter contrasted to $183 million for 2025.

“Excluding unfavourable FX (foreign exchange) impact, it rose $13 million, or seven per cent reflecting the favourable impact of selling-price adjustments; a positive shift in the sales mix, mainly in Canada, and a decrease in the cost of orange concentrate. In addition to the volume effect, these factors were partly offset by higher apple and pineapple concentrate costs and an increase in certain conversion costs, mainly in Canada,” Gemme said.

The company also reported positive news about its debt obligations: $474 million at the end of the first quarter, down from $489 million three months earlier.

“The decrease results from a solid operating cash flow generation partly upset by CapEx (capital expenses). As a result, the net debt to adjusted EBITDA divide ratio improves to 1.35 to one at the end of this first quarter, 2026 compared to 1.42 to one at the end of the previous quarter. All things being equal, we expect the leverage ratio to remain within that range throughout 2026, well within our comfort zone of less than 3.25 to one,” Gemme said.

In mid-April Lassonde announced it was shutting its Sun-Rype plant in Kelowna, B.C., affecting approximately 80 employees.

During this week’s 2026 Mercuriades Awards ceremony, Lassonde took home the Mercure award in the high-performance manufacturing company category. The awards were first launched in 1981 by the Quebec Federation of Chambers of Commerce (FCCQ).

The company also highlighted positive results for its American operations.

“During the first quarter, our U.S. branded business demonstrated resilience, highlighted by apple in an exceptional performance, recognized for its strong reputation amongst both parents and children, the brand continued to expand its market share in single-serve and juice-box formats, supported by strategic investments in these platforms at our North Carolina facility,” Timpano said.

Overall, Lassonde is poised for a positive future, he said.

“Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our strategy and driving profitable, sustainable growth, while staying mindful of a challenging macro-environment and its potential effects on supply dynamics and consumer spending. We continue to expect to reach approximately $3 billion in sales by 2026 excluding FX and absent major external disruptions.”