South African poultry to food group has predicted a jump in half yearly headline earning per share.

The group put out a statement saying based on the most recent trading conditions experienced up to the end of February 2015, which represents trading for five months, "a reasonable degree of certainty now exists" that the headline earnings per share for the six months ending 31 March 2015 will increase with at least 150% or ZAR579 cents per share compared to the same period in the previous year. 

For the six months, HEPS is exected to be "at least" ZAR965cents (US$47.5 cents) per share compared with ZAR386cents per share against the same period last year.

The increase, Astral said, was a result of the post-festive market for poultry products being stronger for a longer period than originally estimated.