Business · Companies · 14 hrs ago
Unilever raises prices as commodity costs climb amid Iran war
Unilever raised prices on home and personal care products in the third quarter, including items from brands such as Dove and Lynx.
The company said it acted to offset higher commodity costs amid the Iran war.
Unilever’s underlying sales grew by 5.2% in the three months to 30 September, with higher prices accounting for 2.3% of that growth.
It now expects sales volumes to rise by at least 3% over 2026 and underlying sales to grow by about 5% in the second half of the year.
The price increases come as other household goods firms also respond to rising costs, including Reckitt Benckiser, which raised prices across Europe.
Unilever is also preparing to combine its food business with McCormick in a joint venture, with the £33.8 billion deal expected to close by mid-2027.
Unilever raised prices on home and personal care products in the third quarter to offset higher commodity costs amid the Iran conflict.
Underlying sales grew by 5.2% in the three months to 30 September, with higher prices accounting for 2.3%.
The company expects sales volumes to rise by at least 3% over 2026 and underlying sales growth of about 5% in the second half of the year.
Unilever is preparing to combine its food business with US company McCormick in a £33.8 billion joint venture.
- Who
- Unilever, the consumer goods company behind brands including Dove and Lynx.
- What
- It raised prices, particularly on home and personal care products, to offset higher commodity costs.
- When
- Prices stepped up in the third quarter, the three months to 30 September 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Unilever said the increases were to offset soaring commodity costs amid the Iran conflict.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Unilever announced a £33.8 billion deal to combine its food business with McCormick in a joint venture.
Unilever’s underlying sales grew by 5.2%, and higher prices accounted for 2.3% of that growth.
Unilever reported that prices had stepped up in the third quarter and raised its sales growth outlook.
The joint venture with McCormick is expected to close.
- Underlying sales growth
- 5.2% in the three months to 30 September
- Contribution from higher prices
- 2.3% of underlying sales growth
- 2026 sales volume outlook
- At least 3% growth
- Second-half underlying sales outlook
- About 5% growth
- Food business joint venture
- £33.8 billion deal with McCormick, expected to close by mid-2027
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What people are saying
We have delivered another quarter of competitive growth, led by continued strong volume delivery and a step-up in price to offset the impact of higher commodity costs.
Separation and integration work is progressing well, led by dedicated project teams comprising more than 200 employees across 20 cross-functional teams.
There has been strong progress on regulatory approvals, with filings submitted on schedule and clear momentum across jurisdictions, reinforcing our confidence in a timely closing.