AQUILA (BVB: AQ), a major distributor of fast-moving consumer goods in Romania and the region, recorded revenues of RON 2.5 billion in the January-September 2026 period, up 2% compared to the same period of the previous year.
According to the company report, AQUILA recorded a net profit of RON 4.2 million in the third quarter, as a result of measures to optimize its portfolio and reconfigure certain costs.
The gross margin on sales of goods was 18.7% in the same period, compared to 17.2% in the second quarter of 2026. AQUILA also continued to develop its operations, with an increase of nearly 17% in own-brand sales, investments in new logistics centers, and growth across all three business segments.
“The market in which we operate is going through a difficult period, with pressure on costs and margins, but we have continued to invest in the areas we consider essential for AQUILA’s long-term development: logistics infrastructure, operational efficiency, and own brands,” said Cătălin Vasile, CEO of AQUILA.
In the first nine months of 2026, distribution revenues increased by 2%, logistics revenues by 7%, and the transport segment recorded a 16% increase. The growth in distribution revenues was mainly supported by the positive performance of the traditional retail +13%, HoReCa +2%, and gas station +1% channels, which offset the 18% decline recorded in the organized retail channel.
Own brands continue to be one of AQUILA’s commercial development directions, reaching a portfolio of over 140 items, addressed to various consumer needs. In the first nine months of 2026, they generated sales of over RON 123 million, an increase of 17% compared to the same period of the previous year. Growth was supported by both product categories in the portfolio. Own non-food brands registered an increase of 48%, while the food category increased by 12%.
This year, the company invested roughly RON 9 million in relocating its operations in Bacău and Constanța to two new logistics centers.
From a financial perspective, the results for the first nine months of 2026 reflected pressure on commercial margins in a difficult market environment. EBITDA stood at RON 101 million, down 22% compared to the same period in 2025, mainly as a result of the decline in gross margin.
The net result was affected by both this development and an increase of approximately RON 13.6 million in depreciation and amortization expenses, associated with investments in transport vehicles and logistics infrastructure.
AQUILA is one of the largest distributors of fast-moving consumer goods in Romania and the region. The company markets and develops brands across modern retail, traditional trade, HoReCa, and other specialized channels through an integrated platform of sales, trade marketing, in-market execution, and logistics. The company has operations in Romania, the Republic of Moldova, and Hungary.
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