Symrise Reports Q1 2026: Fine Fragrance Grows Despite Headwinds

The Holzminden-based fragrance and flavour manufacturer Symrise presented its figures for the first quarter at the beginning of May 2026. Group sales of around 1.249 billion euros were 5.2 per cent below the prior-year figure of 1.317 billion euros. Organically, there was a slight decline of 0.4 per cent. The reported decline is essentially attributable to a currency headwind of 4.6 per cent, triggered above all by the weakness of the US dollar.

In the Scent & Care segment, which is of particular relevance to the perfume industry, Symrise reported an organic decline of 3.4 per cent to around 500 million euros. The segment thus lags behind the prior-year figure of 538 million euros. Within Scent & Care, the divisions developed differently: the Fragrance Division grew organically in the low single-digit range and thereby exceeded the strong comparative figure from the previous year.

Fine fragrance and consumer fragrance sustain the trend

Within the Fragrance division, developments were twofold. Consumer Fragrance – that is, fragrance ingredients for personal care and household products – grew in the mid single-digit range. Fine Fragrance, the classic fine perfume business, increased in the low single-digit percentage range and thus remains on a growth path. The Aroma Molecules division, by contrast, recorded a mid single-digit organic decline against high prior-year figures, partly offset by a solid business with speciality fragrance ingredients.

Symrise confirmed its outlook for the full year 2026. The company expects a sequential improvement in organic growth over the course of the year, supported by operational progress, stable customer relationships and resilience in its core markets. For the perfume industry, the Symrise results are a signal that demand for fine fragrance components remains intact despite the economic slowdown.