Tan Passakornnatee, Chief Executive Officer of Ichitan Group Public Company Limited (SET: ICHI), revealed that in 2026, the company targets a 12% increase in total revenue from 2025, which recorded a total revenue of THB 8,239.86 million.
The outlook aligns with the growth of the ready-to-drink tea business and non-tea business in both the Thai and international markets. ICHI also strives to maintain a gross profit margin of no less than 24% and a net profit margin of no less than 15%.
For the domestic market, the company aims for a 12% growth in sales revenue as all brands in the portfolio, both Ichitan and Yen Yen, are recovering and expanding. This includes seeking cooperation through strong brand collaborations and focusing on raising the share of non-tea business sales to 17.5%, up from 14% the previous year. The main driving force comes from alkaline water products, which are expected to generate THB 1 billion in sales this year, compared to THB 600 million the previous year.
In 2026, the company will emphasize intensive marketing communications and campaigns, aiming to make Ichitan and Yen Yen the top-of-mind products for Thai consumers. Growth will be driven by the “3Ns”: New product, New market, and New business.
Regarding original equipment manufacturing (OEM), the company targets a 20% increase in sales revenue from THB 400 million the previous year, driven mainly by orders from new customers. Clearer growth is expected toward the end of 2Q26. Orders from existing customers, such as IF coconut water, remain stable from the previous year.
As for exports, the company aims for sales revenue of THB 180 million, focusing on growth in the Laos market after achieving all-time high sales every month. The strategy includes entering new markets such as Malaysia, Canada, and China to diversify product portfolios and offset losses from traditional export markets like Cambodia, which fell to zero due to border tensions. In Indonesia, sales are expected to grow 8%, with profit sharing of THB 20 million to be recorded in Thailand, up from THB 16 million the previous year.
For 1Q26, in the first two months (January-February), both sales revenue and profit margin proceeded as planned, due to growth in both the ready-to-drink tea and non-tea businesses—especially alkaline water, which continued achieving all-time highs. The average machine operation rate was 64% and is expected to reach 68% in 2Q26 during the summer season. If performing optimally, this could rise to 75%, achieving perfect economies of scale.
Regarding business management amid economic volatility and the war in the Middle East, ICHI anticipates minimal impact from energy prices and raw material costs in the first half of 2026, as raw materials have already been secured and prices locked for six months in advance. The situation will be reassessed and closely monitored in the second half of 2026.
