Unilever has reported third-quarter underlying sales growth of 5.2%, supported by higher volumes across its household and personal care businesses, while weaker demand for food products weighed on the performance of its planned separate Foods operation.
Group turnover reached €13.3bn, an increase of 6.7% on a reported basis. Underlying volume growth contributed 2.9 percentage points to the sales increase, with higher prices accounting for another 2.3 percentage points as Unilever responded to rising commodity costs.
The underlying measure excludes the effects of acquisitions, disposals and currency movements. Those factors contributed to the difference between the 5.2% underlying sales increase and the higher reported turnover growth.
Home Care was the strongest performing division, recording 9.1% underlying sales growth and turnover of €3.1bn. Volumes increased 5.4%, while higher prices contributed 3.6 percentage points, reflecting demand across fabric cleaning and household care products.
Fabric cleaning achieved double-digit underlying sales growth, while home and hygiene products and fabric enhancers delivered mid-single-digit increases. The division’s performance was particularly strong in Asia Pacific, Africa and Latin America, including India and Brazil.
Personal Care generated €3.6bn of turnover and 6.3% underlying sales growth, supported by 3.8% volume growth and a 2.4% contribution from pricing. Skin cleansing and deodorants performed strongly, with the company identifying growth in both emerging markets and the United States.
Beauty & Wellbeing recorded 5.7% underlying growth on turnover of €3.5bn. Higher volumes contributed 3.6 percentage points, with growth supported by brands including Dove, Vaseline and Sunsilk, alongside Unilever’s premium beauty portfolio.
The company’s designated Power Brands outperformed the wider business, achieving 5.8% underlying sales growth and a 3.3% increase in volumes. Unilever has concentrated marketing, innovation and commercial investment on these brands as it reorganises its portfolio.
The Foods division recorded a substantially different result. Underlying sales increased just 0.1%, with a 1.1% decline in volumes largely offset by a 1.3% increase in pricing. Turnover remained approximately €3.1bn.
Unilever Food Solutions, which serves professional kitchens and foodservice customers, delivered low-single-digit growth. Cooking aids and condiments were broadly flat, while weaker demand among developed-market retail customers offset growth elsewhere in the division.
The results come as Unilever progresses its agreement to combine the Foods business with US food group McCormick. Separation and integration preparations are under way, but completion remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.
The proposed combination forms part of Unilever’s wider restructuring towards a company more concentrated on beauty, personal care and household products. Until the transaction completes, Foods remains within the group’s reported operating performance.
Across the first nine months of 2026, Unilever generated turnover of €38.9bn, up 2.7% on a reported basis. Underlying sales increased 4.9%, including 3.8% volume growth and 1.1% price growth.
Chief executive Fernando Fernandez has identified continued volume growth and stronger pricing as important elements of the company’s performance. Unilever now expects at least 3% underlying volume growth for the full year and approximately 5% underlying sales growth during the second half.
The group continues to forecast full-year underlying sales growth within its multi-year range of 4%–6%, together with a modest improvement in underlying operating margin from the 20% achieved in 2025. It has also declared a quarterly dividend of €0.4664 per share, 3% above the corresponding period last year.
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