40,000 meals donated as NZFN marks fifth anniversary
The New Zealand Food Network's (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.
Meat processor and exporter ANZCO Foods has joined other NZ agri-sector businesses and reported a record net profit of $75m for the 2021 year.
The company says it successfully navigated the challenges of the year - including ongoing impacts of labour shortages and supply chain disruptions - to post more than twice the profit of 2020 ($35.7m) on turnover of $1.64b.
"The successful 2021 result builds on the previous two years' results with a focus on core business activities and increased investment in business systems and data analysis to ensure good decision making," says chief executive Peter Conley.
"It is important to recognise the efforts of our people who have worked incredibly hard in challenging times to deliver a strong performance across the ANZCO Foods business."
Conley says the result also reflects the company's continued focus on consumer needs and customer relationships in key markets and being able to navigate supply chain pressures occurring as a result of Covid-19.
"In addition, ANZCO Foods' focus on revenue, yields, and value-add performance, has enabled the payment of consistently high farm-gate returns during the last three years," he adds.
Conley says the company has a clear strategy to derive more value from the livestock it processes.
"This priority continues to differentiate ANZCO Foods, with our manufacturing and healthcare operations contributing strongly to the increased revenue and net profit reported for 2021."
He says the recent acquisition of the global biotechnological business Moregate Biotech, complements ANZCO's existing business Bovogen Biologicals and builds the company's capacity in the healthcare industry.
"This capability will continue to deliver value-add opportunities for ANZCO Foods."
Conley adds that with the 2022 year well underway, demand remains strong for its products, but challenges remain.
"ANZCO Foods remains committed to doing all we can to help New Zealand's recovery from Covid-19 by continuing to deliver strong returns and ensure the red meat sector remains in good heart."
2021 At A Glance
OPINION: After two long years of hardship, things are looking up for New Zealand red meat farmers.
A casualty of the storm that hit the Bay of Plenty recently was the cancelation of a field day at a leading Māori kiwifruit orchard at Te Puke.
Michael Wentworth has joined the team at Mission Estate Winery, filling the "big shoes" of former Chief Executive Peter Holley, who resigned in September last year, after almost 30 years running the storied Napier venue.
Some arable farmers are getting out of arable and converting to dairy in the faced of soaring fuel and fertiliser prices on top of a very poor growing season.
The New Zealand seed industry has reached a significant milestone with the completion and approval of the new seed certification system.
New Zealand's persimmon season will kick off early this year, with fruit set to hit shelves soon.

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