Lifeway Foods® Reports Record High Quarterly Net Sales, Extends Kefir Category Leadership in Third Quarter 2026
Key Highlights
- ➤Q3 net sales $67.8 million, up 18.6% year-over-year, reach record high
- ➤Q3 net income $0.3 million, down from $3.5 million year-over-year
- ➤Q3 gross margin 18.0%, down from 28.7% amid elevated input costs
- ➤Year-to-date net sales $197.7 million, up 25.8% year-over-year
- ➤2027 outlook unchanged; price increases and capacity investments expected to improve profitability
Expert Statements
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“Lifeway delivered another record breaking quarter with net sales of $67.8 million, extending our streak of topline growth to 28 consecutive quarters”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“The consistent, volume-led growth we are seeing for our authentic Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese is extraordinary, reflecting the deep trust we have established with our growing consumer base and the ongoing commitment of our retailer partners.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“Our performance also reflects the rising demand for fermented dairy, as consumers increasingly seek functional, high quality-protein offerings and retailers identify ways to dedicate more shelf space to products like ours.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“With 7 years of uninterrupted growth and decades spent building this category, Lifeway is uniquely positioned to meet the moment and capitalize on this demand.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“Profitability this quarter continued to reflect an elevated input cost environment, and while we expect the cost pressure to persist in the fourth quarter, our outlook for 2027 has not changed.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“We expect the planned price increases across our portfolio to take effect with distributors and retailers on a rolling basis through the end of the year and into the first quarter of 2027.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“With our pricing actions and the productivity gains we anticipate from our capacity investments, we expect gross margin expansion and improved profitability in 2027.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“The scale-up of our Waukesha facility, scheduled for completion in early 2027, will eliminate capacity challenges we have encountered and allow us to serve the massive level of demand in front of us.”
Julie Smolyansky, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifeway Foods
“We are well on pace to shatter our annual net sales record in 2026, and look forward to extending our category leadership and building on this momentum as we look ahead to 2027.”
Lifeway Foods® Reports Record High Quarterly Net Sales, Extends Kefir Category Leadership in Third Quarter 2026 PR Newswire
28th consecutive quarter of year-over-year net sales growth; year-to-date 2026 net sales up 25.8%
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