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Silver Fern Farms has reported a significant loss for the past year.
Meat processor and exporter Silver Fern Farms Ltd has joined fellow South Island-based meat company Alliance Group in reporting a big loss for the past year.
SFF released its full-year results to Dec 31, 2023, last week, reporting a $24.4 million loss – with revenue down nearly $500m to $2.78 billion.
It compares to 2022’s net profit of $189.3m with revenue of $3.27b. Meanwhile, Silver Fern Farms Co-operative, which jointly owns Silver Fern Farms Ltd with Chineseowned Shanghai Maling Aquarius, also posted a loss of $10.7m over the 12-month period.
Neither the main company nor the co-op will pay a dividend for the year. Silver Fern Farms is NZ’s largest meat processor, killing sheep, beef and venison at 14 plants nationwide.
It blames the loss mainly on red meat prices, particularly lamb – which has been under significant pressure – due to a weak market in China and Australian product flooding markets.
SFF chair Rob Hewett said “depressed” consumer confidence across its key markets had pressured its customers, the operating company, and “ultimately, returns for our farmer suppliers.”
Hewett added that while it was disappointing not to be in a position to pay dividend this year, he is confident in the company’s ability to recover when market conditions become more favourable.
Alliance Group reported a loss of just over $70m in its financial year to Sept 30, 2023.
OPINION: The Hound hears that tension was in the air at the recent Silver Fern Farms AGM, with the board reportedly dazed and confused at why their CEO would continue to hammer farmers to lower their emissions in perpetuity, without being able to state a dollar value for any of the touted premiums.
Despite Silver Fern Farms (SFF) posting a $21 million loss last season, chief executive Dan Boulton believes that better days are coming.
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