Press Release

NEW YORK, May 10, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF), a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances for consumer products, today reported first quarter 2011 revenue of $714 million, nine percent higher than the prior year period. Revenue in local currency also increased nine percent as foreign currency had a limited impact on results in the quarter. Reported earnings per share (EPS) increased 29 percent to $1.03 compared to $0.80 for the first quarter 2010. Excluding an expense of $0.05 per share in the first quarter 2010 related to restructuring efforts in Europe, adjusted EPS for the quarter increased 21 percent to $1.03 versus $0.85 in the prior year quarter.

"We are pleased with our excellent start to 2011, especially given that we are comparing to a very strong year-ago performance of double-digit growth," said Doug Tough, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our top-line performance was once again driven by double-digit growth in the emerging markets. In the developed markets, strong demand for our innovative products, such as healthier and more natural offerings, drove high single-digit growth. This strong top-line performance provided operational leverage that when combined with our continued focus on cost discipline drove a double-digit increase in operating profit."

Mr. Tough continued, "While our first quarter performance was strong, our initial local currency sales levels have shown some pressure as we enter the second quarter, in light of challenging year-over-year comparisons. Nonetheless, we are optimistic that our performance in the first quarter, coupled with the opportunities we see throughout the remainder of the year, give us the confidence to achieve our long-term targets of four to six percent local currency sales growth, seven to nine percent operating profit growth and 10 percent plus EPS growth for the full year 2011."

FIRST QUARTER 2011

Flavor Business Unit

Local currency sales in the first quarter increased 12 percent over the prior year period as double-digit growth in the Beverage, Savory and Confectionery categories drove strong results. Overall performance was once again driven by net new business wins and increased volumes with existing customers. In North America and Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EAME), double-digit growth in Beverage and Savory were the primary contributors to mid-teen growth. Results in Greater Asia remained strong, as double-digit trends in Beverage and Dairy continued into the first quarter. In Latin America, solid growth was achieved as Confectionery and Dairy each grew double-digits.

Operating profit was very strong, increasing 28 percent, or $17 million, to $79 million in the first quarter. This increase can mainly be attributed to accelerated sales growth and continued cost discipline that more than offset the developing input cost environment. As a result, operating profit margin improved 280 bps to 23.3 percent versus 20.5 percent in the prior year period.

Fragrance Business Unit

Local currency sales in the first quarter increased seven percent against a very strong comparable in the prior year period. Emerging market performance continued to grow double-digits as new business wins across all categories drove results. Double-digit growth in Fine Fragrance and Beauty Care were realized for the fifth consecutive quarter as new business wins continued to drive results. Functional Fragrance results were solid as new business wins and a strong performance in Home Care more than offset volume erosion on existing business. Fragrance Ingredients growth was solid as price initiatives drove results.

Operating profit increased by $13 million to $69 million in the first quarter, including a $5 million expense related to restructuring efforts in Europe in the first quarter 2010. Excluding this item, adjusted operating profit grew 13 percent, or $8 million. As a result, adjusted operating profit margin for the quarter increased 110 bps to 18.3 percent, as volume growth, higher pricing, the benefits from the previously announced European facilities rationalization, continued internal cost initiatives, and favorable mix more than offset the developing input cost environment.

Sales performance by region and product category follows:

First Quarter 2011 Highlights

• Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 41.6 percent compared with 41.3 percent in the prior year period. This increase was attributable to strong sales growth and margin improvement initiatives that more than offset higher input costs.
• Research, Selling and Administrative (RSA) expenses, as a percentage of sales, decreased 160 bps year-over-year to 23.0 percent reflecting strong operating leverage and lower incentive compensation accruals that were offset by business reinvestments to support future growth.
• Operating profit increased $29 million to $133 million, including a $5 million expense related to restructuring efforts in Europe in the prior year period. Excluding this item, adjusted operating profit grew $24 million, as accelerated sales growth and continued cost discipline drove results. Adjusted operating profit margin increased 190 bps to 18.7 percent versus 16.8 percent in the year-ago period.
• Interest expense in the first quarter declined $1 million year-over-year reflecting higher capitalized interest and lower levels of outstanding debt.
• The effective tax rate in the quarter was 27.3 percent compared to 28.4 percent in the comparable period last year. The year-over-year decrease reflects lower repatriation costs.

About IFF

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) is a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances used in a wide variety of consumer products and packaged goods. Consumers experience these unique scents and tastes in fine fragrances and beauty care, detergents and household goods, as well as beverages, confectionery and food products. The Company leverages its competitive advantages of brand understanding and consumer insight, combined with its focus on R&D and innovation, to provide customers with differentiated product offerings. A member of the S&P 500 Index, IFF has sales, manufacturing and creative facilities in 33 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at www.iff.com.

Audio Webcast

An audio webcast to discuss the Company's first quarter 2011 financial results, and second quarter and full year 2011 outlook will be held today, May 10, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. Interested parties can access the webcast and accompanying slide presentation on the Company's website at www.iff.com under the Investor Relations section. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available on the Company's website approximately one hour after the event and will remain available on the IFF website for one year.

Cautionary Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Statements in this quarterly release, which are not historical facts or information, are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions, estimates and expectations. Certain of such forward-looking information may be identified by such terms as "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "outlook", "guidance", "may" and similar terms or variations thereof. All information concerning future revenues, tax rates or benefits, interest and other savings, earnings and other future financial results or financial position such as our ability to satisfy our cash requirements, constitutes forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and other factors. Actual results of the Company may differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others the following: general economic and business conditions in the Company's markets, including economic and recessionary pressures; energy and commodity prices; decline in consumer confidence and spending; the impact of currency fluctuation or devaluation in the Company's principal foreign markets and the impact on the availability, effectiveness and cost of the Company's hedging and risk management strategies; political uncertainties; fluctuating interest rates; volatility of the capital and credit markets and any adverse impact on our cost of and access to capital and credit; fluctuations in the price, quality and availability of raw materials; the Company's ability to implement its business strategy, including the achievement of anticipated pricing initiatives, cost savings, profitability, growth and financial targets; the outcome of uncertainties related to litigation; the impact of possible pension funding obligations and increased pension expense on the Company's cash flow and results of operations; and the effect of legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on the Company, its operations or its representatives by U.S. and foreign governments. The Company intends its forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of such statements and does not undertake or plan to update or revise them as more information becomes available or to reflect changes in expectations, assumptions or results.

Any public statements or disclosures by IFF following this release that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained in or accompanying this release will be deemed to modify or supersede such outlook or other forward-looking statements in or accompanying this release.

Certain other factors which may impact our financial results or which may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are also discussed in the Company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the IFF website at www.iff.com under "Investor Relations". You are urged to carefully consider all such factors.

^(a) Entirely related to the Fragrance European facilities rationalization

^(a) Entirely related to the Fragrance European facilities rationalization

SOURCE: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
Investor Relations:
Michael DeVeau, 212-708-7164