Astral Foods, the South Africa-based poultry processor, has released an update on the profit warning it issued last month, blaming rising input costs for the likely hit on its earnings.

However, the outlook is marginally improved from last month’s warning.

In a trading statement issued yesterday (28 April) on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, on which its listed, Astral said it expects half-year profits to fall by more than a third.

It blamed the rising price of soybeans and maize as well as a fall in disposable income amongst consumers.

The update comes just over a month after Astral Foods issued a first-half profit warning, saying it was continuing to struggle with the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Then, Astral said it expected that earnings per share and headline earnings per share were both likely to be down by a maximum of 45% in the six months to 31 March from the corresponding period a year earlier.

In its newly-issued update, the company said a “degree of certainty” now exists and earnings per share and headline earnings per share are expected to decrease between 35% and 40% compared to the previous comparable period.

Astral’s half-year results are due to be published on 17 May.

In the six months to 31 March 2020, the group recorded profits before interest and tax of ZAR545.8m (US$38.3m).