DDL Group records $6.1B Profit After Tax in 2025

– gearing to start production at Moblissa Dairy Project by mid-2026

Despite facing increasing uncertainties in international markets, local beverage giant Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has recorded $6.1 billion in Profit After Tax (PAT) in 2025. This was revealed by Chairman of the DDL Group, Komal Samaroo in his annual report for the financial year 2025, which showed a Profit Before Taxation of $8.5 billion, compared to $8.0 billion the previous year-an increase of over six per cent. Similarly, Profit After Taxation for 2025 was $6.1 billion, an increase of over five per cent above the previous year ‘s earnings of $5.8 billion. Additionally, earnings per share in the year increased from $7.56 per share in the preceding year to $7.98 per share in 2025. The Group Turnover for the year was $33.4 billion compared to the previous year’s $30.8 billion, reflecting a comparative 2025 increase of $2.6 billion or eight per cent.
On the domestic market, Group Turnover for the year was $27.8 billion, compared to $24.6 billion in the preceding year, an increase of $3.2 billion or 13 per cent. Sales of non-alcoholic products accounted for 88 per cent of the increase, while alcoholic beverages accounted for 12 per cent of the year’s increase. However, when it comes to exports, revenue declined from $6.3 billion in the previous year to $5.6 billion in 2025. Sales of both bulk and branded alcoholic products declined by 16 per cent, while exports of non-alcoholic products increased by 50 per cent, resulting in an overall 11 per cent reduction in the Group Turnover from exports in the year. Moreover, an interim dividend of $0.40 per share was paid to shareholders in December 2025.

The company’s Directors have recommended a final dividend of $1.60 per share which, if approved by shareholders at the upcoming general meeting on April 17 at the National Stadium tarmac, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), will result in a total dividend of $2.00 per share, the same as the previous year.
The total dividend, if approved, will require an appropriation of $1.54 billion or 25.1 per cent of the Group’s Profit After Taxation.

New markets
According to the Group’s Chairman, consumer spending on alcoholic beverages, especially premium spirits in most international markets, declined last year due to a reduction in spending power as well as changes in consumption patterns. “As the domestic market grew, the international spirits market continued to decline. This unfavorable international trading environment was worsened by the announcement and subsequent implementation of a new tariff by the largest spirits market, the United States of America (USA),” he noted. Despite the dip in exports however, the Group continued to widen the reach of its brand in new markets and through different distribution channels. As a result, DDL expanded the presence of its brand in Asia through domestic and travel retail channels while keeping an eye on evolving trends to seize and maximise new opportunities.
Notwithstanding these challenges, Samaroo said a solid foundation was laid in 2025 for the growth of the company in the future. During the past year, the Group focused on fully restoring its power supply capacity at the Plantation Diamond, EBD operations, which had been affected by a fire in September 2024.
It was reported that nine transformers and seven generators along with a quantity of oil were destroyed in the fire at the company’s power plant facility.
Moreover, 2025 also saw the completion of significant capital projects that will expand the existing value chain of the Group. These include the $12.6 billion Beverage Plant Expansion, which was completed in December 2025 after a three-year implementation period. As part of this project, staff training has been ongoing, while a range of new products is scheduled to be launched in the first half of this year based on the capabilities of the plant. Additionally, DDL’s $3.5 billion World Trade Centre (WTC) was commissioned in June 2025 with a host of activities launched last October.

Moblissa Dairy Project
On the other hand, the company ended the year with three other projects in progress. These include the US$20 million Moblissa Dairy Project, which is expected to be completed and commence commercial production around the middle of 2026. The Cattle Farm is poised to commence operations in March.

This 200-acre facility at Moblissa along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is Guyana’s first modern, large-scale dairy farm, which will, once operational, significantly boost local milk production and support Guyana’s drive toward greater food security and reduced reliance on dairy imports.
Also in progress is the Demerara Shipping Company Ltd. Wharf upgrade, which is progressing well, and it is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year.
Just last week, DDL expanded its footprint to Lethem, Region Nine, where it has set up distribution operations with a Distribution Services Ltd (DSL) Cash and Carry outlet, along with additional business services.
Further, there are plans in place for three new projects to be fully implemented throughout this year. These include the upgrade of the Carbon Dioxide Plant to replace the aged equipment and expand capacity to meet growing demand; the establishment of DSL Vreed-en-Hoop in Region Three; and the TOPCO Fresh Milk Receiving & Processing Facilities, which will be a necessary component of the fresh milk value chain, facilitating the processing and packaging of fresh milk and other dairy products.

New products
In 2025, the Group also introduced several new products to the market, namely: 1 litre TOPCO Guava Carrot Juice Drink; 1 litre TOPCO Passion Fruit Juice Drink; Diamond Splash – Strawberry; Diamond Splash – Grapefruit; El Dorado High Ester Blend PM/DHE Demerara Rum; El Dorado Master Blenders Special Rum Edition 2025 Aged 13 Yrs; and El Dorado Mocha Rum Cream Liqueur for Christmas 2025.
Going forward, the Group is positioned to maximize available opportunities from the domestic economy as well as export opportunities, both regionally and beyond, to improve its growth trajectory.
According to Samaroo, “The strategy of backward vertical integration to support the TOPCO Operations with the investment in the Moblissa Dairy Project will place the Group in a strong position to take advantage of opportunities created by CARICOM’s Regional Food Security Strategy.”