SunOpta Surges on Raised 2025 Outlook, Signals Strong Rebound

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – January 12, 2026 – SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq: STKL) saw its stock soar on Monday after the food and beverage supplier significantly raised its financial outlook for fiscal 2025, signaling a dramatic fourth-quarter recovery and bolstering investor confidence ahead of a key industry presentation.

The Minneapolis-based company, a critical supply chain partner for brands in the plant-based and healthy snack sectors, announced the upgraded forecast just before its scheduled appearance at the 2026 ICR Conference. The news sent shares climbing over 18%, providing a much-needed boost for a stock that had been under pressure for much of the past year.

From Caution to Confidence

The updated guidance paints a picture of a company that successfully navigated significant operational headwinds in the final months of its fiscal year. SunOpta now expects fiscal 2025 revenue to land between $816 million and $818 million, an increase from its prior forecast of $812 million to $816 million.

More strikingly, the company lifted its projection for Adjusted EBITDA to a range of $94 million to $95 million. This represents a substantial improvement from the $90 million to $92 million guidance issued following its third-quarter earnings report in early November. At that time, management had actually lowered its EBITDA forecast, citing a "challenging October" and incremental costs associated with managing a surge in demand.

The swift reversal from caution to confidence underscores a powerful year-end performance. “While we had a challenging October, we delivered results above expectations in November and December, driving fourth-quarter profitability that is significantly better than what we anticipated two months ago,” said Brian Kocher, Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta, in a statement.

This late-year rally not only salvaged the quarter but also strengthened the company's position moving forward. The updated outlook now implies revenue growth of approximately 13% and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 6% to 7% compared to fiscal 2024, demonstrating resilience in a volatile market. Kocher noted that the progress reinforces the company’s confidence in its previously stated outlook for 2026, with more details promised during its full results release in early March.

Fortifying the Supply Chain for Growth

The challenges SunOpta faced in October were not born from a lack of demand, but rather from its abundance. During its third-quarter report, executives noted that "exceptional volume growth" had "stressed our supply chain," necessitating immediate action and investment. The company's ability to quickly implement "near-term initiatives to strengthen our supply chain" appears to be the core driver of its strong finish to the year.

These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure the company's infrastructure can keep pace with the booming market for its products. SunOpta is a key, often behind-the-scenes, player in the production of plant-based beverages like oat and soy milk, as well as broths and fruit-based snacks. Its business model relies on providing customized manufacturing and supply chain solutions for major retail and foodservice brands.

To support this sustained growth, SunOpta is making significant long-term capital investments. The company is proceeding with a new aseptic manufacturing line at its facility in Midlothian, Texas, which is already more than 50% subscribed by customers and is slated to become operational in late 2026. This project, along with a new fruit snack line in Omak, Washington, is designed to expand capacity to meet projected demand through 2028, transforming short-term operational pressures into a foundation for future expansion.

Riding the Wave of Shifting Consumer Tastes

SunOpta's operational narrative is unfolding against the backdrop of a fundamental shift in consumer behavior. The demand for plant-based, sustainable, and "better-for-you" food and beverage options continues to accelerate, moving from a niche market to a mainstream consumer expectation. This trend is driven by a confluence of factors, including heightened health consciousness, environmental concerns about traditional agriculture, and ethical considerations.

As an innovation and supply chain partner with over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta is strategically positioned at the heart of this movement. The company's strong volume growth in beverages, broths, and fruit snacks, as reported in its third quarter, directly reflects its alignment with these powerful market currents. It enables top brands and retailers to rapidly expand their offerings in high-growth categories without having to build the complex sourcing and production infrastructure themselves.

The company’s focus on high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients further enhances its appeal to both corporate clients and end consumers. By managing the intricate journey from farm to carton, SunOpta provides the operational backbone that allows the plant-based revolution to scale, solidifying its role as an indispensable partner in the evolving food landscape.

Wall Street Reacts with Renewed Optimism

The market's reaction to Monday's announcement was swift and decisive. The 18% surge in SunOpta's stock price represents a significant vote of confidence from investors. While the stock remains down considerably from its 52-week high of $7.95, the rally suggests that Wall Street is rewarding the company's demonstrated operational agility and improved profitability outlook.

The updated forecast surpasses analyst consensus, which had projected 2025 revenue closer to $813.7 million. The positive revision, especially on the Adjusted EBITDA line, indicates that the company is successfully managing costs and improving margins even as it handles higher volumes. This combination of top-line growth and bottom-line efficiency is a compelling narrative for investors.

The timing of the announcement is also strategically significant. By releasing the positive update just ahead of its fireside chat at the ICR Conference—a major event for consumer-focused companies and institutional investors—SunOpta has set a positive stage. The company's leadership will now be able to present its recovery story and forward-looking strategy from a position of strength, aiming to build on this renewed momentum and articulate a clear vision for shareholder value creation in 2026.