Excala-Compañia de Empaques 1Q 2025 Profits Improve Year-on-Year
Medellin-based international packaging specialist Grupo Excala-Compañia de Empaques announced May 14 a first quarter (1Q) consolidated profit of COP$7.9 billion (US$1.88 million ) — a sharp turnaround from the COP$2.2 billion (US$525,000) net loss in 1Q 2024.
“Overall, Compañía de Empaques S.A. had a good quarter,” according to Excala. “Sales for 2025 reached $109.9 billion [US$26 million], reflecting a 10% growth compared to the previous year.”
The 1Q 2025 increase in sales and profits — compared to 1Q 2024 – resulted mainly from a reduction of fique crop production during 1Q 2024, the company added. Fique is one of the traditional fibers Excala employs in packaging production.
Commenting on market factors affecting Excala over the past 15 months, the company explained that “interest rates began to decline in the last quarter [of 2024], affecting financial expenses, especially in our marketing business (Texcomercial), an activity that is highly sensitive to these changes.
“On the other hand, the peso-dollar exchange rate showed high volatility, driven primarily by the devaluation of emerging currencies against the U.S. dollar and the additional premium of the Colombian peso resulting from political risk.
“This situation impacted the exchange rate differential and the cost of raw materials in the second half of 2024.
“In the domestic market, the increase in raw material prices during the first quarter [2025] was mitigated thanks to the company’s scheduled supply strategy, which helped address the slow growth in consumption at the beginning of this year.
“However, commercial activity is facing a period of uncertainty due to the imposition of tariffs by the United States, affecting global markets.
“As part of our internationalization strategy, we continue to explore business opportunities outside of Colombia and strengthen our presence in Mexico. However, the relocation [of production plants there] and the devaluation of the Mexican peso against the dollar negatively impacted this unit’s financial results,” the company added.
