Baltic agrifood company Akola Group is allocating €13m ($15.2m) to upgrade its poultry operations in Lithuania and Latvia. Akola’s poultry business comprises Vilniaus Paukštynas and Kaišiadorių Paukštynas in Lithuania and Kekava Foods in Latvia. The Lithuania-headquartered group is investing €43m ($50.4m) across the wider business in the 2025-2026 financial year. In a statement, Akola said the investment will focus on “production modernisation, expansion of incubation capacity, strengthening biosecurity ...

Canada’s Premium Brands Holdings has wrapped up the year with another acquisition, snapping up US-based Stampede Culinary Partners. Premium Brands is paying just shy of US$664m for the Bridgeview, Illinois-headquartered business, which specialises in the sous-vide cooking technique for meat and plant-based proteins. Starting in 1995 with beef and pork, Stampede has since expanded into poultry, prepared meals and vegetables produced at six US facilities and one in Canada, located in Cambridge, Ontario, ac ...

Seaboard (SEB) exhibits exceptional technical momentum, gaining 80% over the past year and recently hitting new all-time highs. SEB maintains a 100% “Buy” technical opinion from Barchart. Despite limited Wall Street coverage, SEB is rated “Above Average” by Value Line and a “Buy” by CFRA. SEB’s appeals to risk-tolerant investors as it lacks earnings projections. Today’s Featured Stock Valued at $4.5 billion, Seaboard (SEB) is a diversified international agribusiness and transportation company. I ...

Core Insights - AB Akola Group reported consolidated revenues of EUR 394 million for the first quarter of FY2025/2026, a 3% increase compared to the same period last year [1][3] - The Group's gross profit rose by 27% to EUR 56 million, while operating profit increased by 43% to EUR 27 million [2][3] - Net profit surged by 53% to nearly EUR 20 million, reflecting strong performance across various business segments [2][3] Financial Performance - Total trading volume increased by 7% year-on-year, reaching 791 thousand tons [2][3] - EBITDA for the quarter was EUR 36 million, a 34% increase from the previous year [2][3] - The revenue breakdown for the Partners for Farmers segment was EUR 275 million, with a gross profit of nearly EUR 30 million [4][7] Segment Analysis Partners for Farmers - Revenue decreased by 3% to EUR 274.7 million, but gross profit increased by 31.8% to EUR 29.6 million [7] - Operating profit rose by 51.2% to EUR 13.3 million, supported by a large Baltic harvest and the acquisition of SIA Elagro Trade [4][7] Food Production - Revenue increased by 15% to EUR 123 million, with gross profit of EUR 24 million [8][11] - Poultry operations remained stable, contributing to profitability despite market shifts [10][11] Farming - Revenue for the Farming segment was EUR 12 million, with a gross profit of EUR 1.5 million [12][15] - Crop production increased by 8.5%, with significant improvements in malting barley yields [13][14] Other Products and Services - Revenue grew by 15% to EUR 5.7 million, with a gross profit increase of 24.3% [18] - The veterinary pharmaceuticals business saw a 26% sales increase, while pest control revenues surged by 43% [16][18] Overall Group Performance - AB Akola Group is the largest agribusiness and food production group in the Baltics, with FY2024/2025 revenues of EUR 1.58 billion [18] - The Group sold 3.1 million tons of products, achieving a gross profit of EUR 194 million and a net profit of EUR 61 million [18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net revenue increased by 2.9% year over year to $307 million, up from $298.4 million in the prior year quarter [11] - Gross profit rose by 0.5% to $50.4 million, compared to $50.2 million in the prior year quarter [11] - Adjusted EBITDA surged by 41.5% year over year to $11.7 million, compared to $8.3 million in the prior year quarter [12] - Net loss improved to $0.9 million from a loss of $3.8 million in the third quarter of 2024 [12] - Adjusted net income increased to $4.3 million, compared to $2.2 million in the prior year period [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The increase in net revenue was primarily driven by volume increases and improved pricing in the meat, poultry, and seafood categories [11] - Gross profit margin remained relatively consistent at 16.4%, compared to 16.8% in the same period in 2024, due to a higher proportion of sales from lower-margin products, particularly seafood [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced lower foot traffic consistent with broader industry trends, but this was offset by strong volume in select markets and pricing actions taken [5] - Specific markets, such as Salt Lake City, showed effective product rationalization leading to better business performance [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying its supplier base and exploring alternative sourcing strategies to ensure continuity and cost-effectiveness in its supply chain [5] - Strategic facility enhancements are underway, including the renovation of the Charlotte Distribution Center and the expansion of cold storage capacity in Atlanta, which is expected to double capacity in the region [8] - M&A remains a core pillar of the company's growth strategy, with a focus on expanding geographic footprint and capturing operational synergies [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth strategy despite ongoing macro challenges, including tariff pressures and shifts in consumer spending behaviors [4] - The company anticipates Q4 results to be similar to Q3, with a strong foundation built for future growth [5] - The digital transformation initiative is expected to enhance operational efficiency and customer service through a unified ERP platform [6] Other Important Information - The company announced the acquisition of a Chicago warehouse, which is expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce facility costs [8] - The strategic acquisition is part of the ongoing transformation plan to strengthen organic growth through cross-selling opportunities [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Capacity increases for 2026 - Management indicated that the cold storage capacity in Atlanta will effectively double, moving from a 100,000 sq ft warehouse to approximately 190,000 sq ft [18] Question: Cost savings from restructuring the Salesforce - Management emphasized that the restructuring aims for efficiency while maintaining customer understanding and service quality, with normalization expected by mid-Q1 2026 [19][20] Question: Monthly cadence and government shutdown impact - Management noted that Q3 followed the trend of Q2, with some impact from tariffs and government shutdowns affecting specific markets like Virginia [21] Question: Maintenance CapEx and organic growth outlook - Management stated that typical maintenance CapEx fluctuates between $10-$15 million annually, with potential increases due to strategic acquisitions [27] - Organic growth is expected to ramp up in 2026, particularly in the frozen seafood segment in the Southeast market [29]

Beijing imposed the ban on imports of all poultry and related products from Brazil in May after a bird flu outbreak https://t.co/6GtOmwbNOr ...

Core Viewpoint - Astral Foods anticipates a rebound in earnings per share (EPS) for the full year, driven by a strong recovery in the second half of the fiscal year 2025 [1][2]. Financial Performance - EPS is expected to increase by 7% to 17%, reaching between R20.96 ($1.23) and R22.91, compared to R19.59 from the previous year [1]. - Headline earnings per share (HEPS) are projected to rise by 5% to 15%, estimated between R20.16 and R22.08, compared to R19.20 in the previous financial year [2]. Factors Contributing to Recovery - The recovery in the second half is attributed to increased broiler slaughter numbers and higher poultry sales compared to the previous year [2]. - Improved per-unit production costs due to higher production volumes and a recovery in poultry sales after a period of price deflation [2][3]. - Higher internal feed sales linked to increased broiler production and a year-on-year rise in external feed volumes contributed to the recovery [3]. Operational Insights - Astral Foods focused on rebuilding its balance sheet and successfully restored a targeted surplus cash position throughout the year [3]. - The company plans to publish final results around 17 November [3]. Previous Performance Context - In May, Astral Foods reported a decline in first-half profits due to lower poultry prices and higher feed costs, with revenue rising 3.5% to R10.7 billion ($593.5 million) [4]. - The poultry division's revenue increased by 1.5% to R8.8 billion, but it experienced an operating loss of R26 million, compared to a profit of R284 million the previous year [5].

Core Viewpoint - Inghams Group has denied media speculation regarding a potential sale of the company, asserting that it is not pursuing any discussions related to a sale [1][2]. Financial Performance - Inghams reported a net profit decline of 11.5% to A$89.3 million ($58.1 million) for the year ending June 28, with revenue decreasing by 3.4% to A$3.15 billion [3]. - EBITDA fell by 15% to A$392.2 million, while EBIT decreased by 6.2% to A$209.3 million, and earnings per share dropped by 11.5% to 24.2 cents [3]. Market Conditions - The company's results were impacted by a transition to a new supply contract with Woolworths, Australia's largest retailer, and challenging local market conditions, particularly in the final quarter [4]. - Core poultry volumes in Australia decreased by 2.5%, attributed to the Woolworths contract switch, while New Zealand saw a 5.3% increase in volumes [4][5]. Strategic Developments - The acquisition of Bostock Brothers in New Zealand contributed approximately 40 basis points to the group's growth, despite an overall decline in total group poultry volumes by 0.4% [5]. - Ongoing cost-of-living pressures affected the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment, and bird flu incidents on non-Ingham farms led to reduced export volumes [6].

Core Insights - TasFoods has agreed to sell its Pyengana Dairy business to Research Corporation Pty Ltd and Associates as part of a strategy to enhance its poultry processing operations [1][3] - The transaction is valued at A$2 million (approximately $1.3 million), which includes A$1.7 million in cash and up to A$300,000 in shares, along with inventories [2] - The sale is expected to provide Pyengana Dairy with better opportunities for growth under new ownership, particularly in domestic and export markets [3][4] Financial Details - The proceeds from the sale will be utilized to pay down debt and strengthen the poultry supply chain [2] - Post-transaction, Research Corporation Pty Ltd and AgFood will collectively hold 12.94% of TasFoods shares [5] Strategic Context - The decision to divest Pyengana Dairy follows a strategic review initiated in August, indicating that the current structure was not suitable for scaling the cheese business [4] - TasFoods will continue to manage Pyengana Dairy under a paid monthly services agreement to ensure operational goals are met [5] Approval Process - The transaction is subject to shareholder approval, with an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) expected to be scheduled in November [5]

Group 1 - The company has appointed Devin Cole as the new Chief Operating Officer, indicating a structured succession plan in place [1] - Devin Cole expressed gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted his previous involvement with the Prepared Foods and Poultry business [1] - The promotion allows for increased visibility and oversight across the company, which is expected to enhance operational efficiency [1]