South Africa's largest poultry producer reported revenue climbing 10.4 percent to 22.6 billion rand after recovering from bird flu losses that devastated operations two years earlier, with Astral Foods eliminating all debt and accumulating cash reserves exceeding one billion rand. The company increased broiler processing to 5.8 million birds weekly while lifting sales volumes by 7.9 percent, generating operating profits of 1.247 billion rand and enabling dividend payments to more than double following a suspension during the previous crisis.
Feed operations contributed 713.8 million rand in operating profit, as lower soya meal costs offset maize price increases, supporting expanded chicken production for retail customers and restaurant chains. Management outlined plans to invest capital in facility upgrades and energy infrastructure while navigating ongoing economic constraints and competition from imports that averaged 27,344 tons monthly.
Feed operations contributed 713.8 million rand in operating profit, as lower soya meal costs offset maize price increases, supporting expanded chicken production for retail customers and restaurant chains. Management outlined plans to invest capital in facility upgrades and energy infrastructure while navigating ongoing economic constraints and competition from imports that averaged 27,344 tons monthly.
