(Reuters) - British food ingredients maker Tate & Lyle (L:TATE) on Monday said U.S. demand for its sugars and syrups used by restaurants, cinemas and other public facilities fell in April as thousands of businesses remained closed by coronavirus lockdowns.
The company said it expected to report results slightly ahead of its forecast for the year ended March 31, as it was not significantly hit by the pandemic in March.
But shares fell as much as 3% in early trading as it warned of more impact in April, with "bulk sweetener" volume down 26%, while demand for ingredients used in packaged food rose as consumers stocked up on essentials.
"All our manufacturing facilities have remained fully operational during the pandemic and customer orders have continued to be fulfilled," Chief Executive Officer Nick Hampton said.
Tate & Lyle has invested heavily in speciality food ingredients like artificial sweeteners and other products including starch, which carry higher margins than its traditional base in large-scale sugar production.
The company, which traces its roots back to a sugar business in 1859, said, however, that industrial starch volume was also 9% lower in April as the closure of offices and schools reduced demand for paper and packaging.
The financial impact of lower demand was partially mitigated by cost-cutting actions taken in March including freezing salary increases and recruitment, stopping non-essential discretionary spend and reprioritising capital commitments, the company said.
Shares in the company were down 2.4% at 678.8 pence by 0712 GMT.