Meat processor Alliance Group lifts profit, despite market

Exchange rates have offset the recent improvement in prices, says Alliance. Photo / Warren Buckland

Invercargill-based Alliance Group said its pre-tax profit rose by 26.7 per cent to $10.1 million in the year to September, despite difficult market conditions.

Chairman Murray Taggart said the year had been challenging, but the co-operative had strengthened its balance sheet considerably.

"Global market prices have been at their most difficult in the last five years and any recovery in prices since May has been more than offset by the foreign exchange levels, in particular, sterling and US dollar," Taggart said.

"However, the weather conditions across the country also became more favourable as the year progressed, which has provided a significant boost for our farmers."

The co-operative's business transformation strategy was resulting in tangible benefits that had exceeded expectations, delivering gains of $56m compared to the budgeted $34m, Taggart said.

Alliance, New Zealand's biggest sheepmeat processor, said its debt fell from $129m to $41m and it carried no seasonal debt.

"Although we're still in the early stages of a transformation, our strengthened balance sheet and a fitter business means we're on track to take advantage of global opportunities as we continue to build a stronger, more resilient co-operative, for the benefit of our farmer shareholders," Taggart said.

Chief executive David Surveyor said the weakening of market prices and global volatility over the year reduced group revenue, but the co-op was able to absorb some of the impact on its farmer shareholders.