VEVEY, SWITZERLAND — Nestlé’s Petcare business stood out as one of the company’s strongest segment performances in the third quarter of 2026, posting accelerated growth driven by continued demand for cat food, improving trends in North America and expanding momentum in emerging markets.

For the quarter period ended Sept. 30, Petcare sales totaled CHF 4.66 billion ($5.68 billion USD), up 7.1% from CHF 4.35 billion ($5.3 billion USD) in the prior-year period. Organic growth reached 5.3%, supported by 4.3% real internal growth (RIG) and 1.0% pricing. Across the first nine months of 2026, Petcare generated CHF 13.59 billion ($16.56 billion USD) in sales, up slightly from CHF 13.58 billion ($16.55 billion USD) the year prior, with organic growth of 3.5%, consisting of 2.6% RIG and 0.9% pricing.

Petcare was one of Nestlé’s fastest-growing businesses during the quarter, reflecting continued consumer demand for premium pet nutrition products.

In Zone Americas, nine-month sales were reported at CHF 28.7 billion ($35.0 billion USD), a 0.1% increase from CHF 28.7 billion ($34.9 billion USD) in the prior year period. Organic growth was 3.3%, RIG was 1.5% and pricing was 1.8%. 

For the third quarter, Zone Americas’ sales were reported at CHF 10.1 billion ($12.3 billion USD), a 6.3% increase from CHF 9.5 billion ($11.6 billion USD) in the prior year period. Organic growth was 3.3%, RIG was 2.4% and pricing was 1.0%. Petcare represented 30% of zone sales and experienced mid-single-digit organic growth. Growth accelerated in the United States and was fueled by strong growth in Latin America.  

In Zone Asia, Oceania and Africa (AOA), nine-month sales were reported at CHF 15.7 billion ($19.1 billion USD), a 0.6% decrease from CHF 15.8 billion ($19.3 billion USD) in the prior year period. Organic growth was 5.0%, RIG was 3.5% and pricing was 1.5%.

For the third quarter, Zone AOA sales were reported at CHF 5.3 billion ($6.5 billion USD), a 6.0% increase from CHF 5.0 billion ($6.1 billion USD) in the prior year period. Organic growth was 6.4%, RIG was 5.0% and pricing was 1.3%. Petcare represented 4% of zone sales and experienced double-digit organic growth. Pro Plan, Purina ONE and Felix all delivered strong growth in the zone.

In Zone Europe, nine-month sales were reported at CHF 13.72 billion ($16.72 billion USD), a 0.07% increase from CHF 13.71 billion (16.70 billion USD) in the prior year period. Organic growth was 2.7%, RIG was 0.5% and pricing was 2.2%.

For the third quarter, Zone Europe sales were reported at CHF 4.7 billion ($5.7 billion USD), a 2.2% increase from CHF 4.6 ($5.6 billion USD) the prior year period. Organic growth was 1.2%, RIG was 1.0% and pricing was 0.2%. Petcare represented 30% of zone sales and experienced mid single digit organic growth, which was attributed to strength in premium wet cat food and strong performance in therapeutics and supplements. There was also double-digit organic growth in the Felix and Pro Plan brands.

Nestlé identified Petcare in emerging markets as one of its most attractive long-term growth opportunities.

“First, emerging-market Petcare; this is a significant opportunity,” said Philipp Navratil, chief executive officer of Nestlé S.A. during the company’s earnings call. “Pet population growth in emerging markets is far outpacing developed markets, growing mid- to high-single digits annually since pre-pandemic. Consumers increasingly want higher-quality nutrition, driving increased calorific coverage and premiumization. We are perfectly positioned to capture this opportunity.”

The company said rising pet ownership rates, increasing feeding penetration and premiumization trends continue to expand the addressable market across developing regions.

“Our focus is therefore on investing behind awareness, and building the category,” Navratil said. “And across the emerging markets, Nestlé has an unparalleled distribution footprint. We are leveraging this to bring our exciting pet food propositions to more consumers in Asia and Latin America.”

According to Navratil, those investments are already producing results.

“All this is already starting to pay off, with around 10% organic growth in emerging markets Petcare so far this year, doubling from a year ago,” he said.

Nestlé identified emerging markets, wet cat food, and therapeutics and supplements as key strategic growth platforms for the Petcare business going forward.

Overall performance

Companywide sales for the first nine months of the year were reported at CHF 65.87 billion ($80.25 billion USD) with no noticeable increase in the prior year period. Organic growth was 3.7%, an increase from 3.3% in the prior year period. Pricing was 1.8%, compared to 2.8% in the prior year period. RIG was 1.9%, an increase from 0.6% in the prior year.

For the third quarter, company sales were reported at CHF 22.76 billion ($27.73 billion USD), a 5.2% increase from CHF 21.64 billion ($26.38 billion USD) in the prior year period. Organic growth was 4.0%. RIG was 2.8% and pricing was 1.1%.

Nestlé maintained its full-year 2026 outlook, projecting organic growth between 3% and 4%, with accelerating RIG and an improvement in underlying trading operating profit margin compared to 2025.

“To conclude, we are strengthening how we work: prioritizing our investment and getting more consistent on execution. The strong Q3 results are evidence of our progress, and with much more still to do,” Navratil said.

Read more about corporate strategy, financial performance, mergers and acquisitions on our Business page.