No dividend despite record profit

The meat company’s joint owners, Silver Fern Farms Cooperative and China’s Shanghai Maling, have requested that a dividend be deferred until the economic situation becomes clearer.

Farmer-owned SFF Co-op, made up 6,200 ordinary shareholders and 15,800 rebate shareholders - reported a net profit of $35m for the financial year.

Co-op chairman Richard Young says it is taking a conservative approach to the current operating environment.  

Since SFF Ltd’s balance date of December 31, 2019, the market has fundamentally changed, Young says.

“Market dynamics are changing daily, making scenario modelling of short and medium-term financial impacts difficult to accurately determine. 

“Liquidity and cash flow management will continue to be critical in maintaining optionality in managing Silver Fern Farms Limited’s relationships with all stakeholders in uncertain times.  

 “We remain confident that SFF Ltd is in a strong financial position. With cash on hand in the business, they will be equipped to respond to the pending rise in consumer demand post COVID-19 disruption.” 

 Young says both shareholders requested SFF Ltd “to defer the dividend payment until the outlook for the global operating environment becomes clearer”.

“As we come through the current crisis and enter a ‘new normal’ SFF Limited’s board will gain more clarity around business impacts, thus determining dividend payment options.”

 Young says the SFF Co-op board will inform its farmer shareholders of any dividend decision when it is made.

SFF CO-OP

• Net profit: $35m

• No debt

• Total shareholder equity: $304m

SFF Ltd

• Net profit: $70.7m

• Total revenue: $2.6 billion

• Dividend payment deferred at request of two shareholders - SFF Co-op and Shanghai Maling