US pork processor Smithfield Foods has posted a sharp rise in quarterly earnings, boosted by its recent acquisition of Farmland Foods.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The company posted net income of US$46.1m, or 41 cents per share, for the third quarter to 1 February, compared to $5.3m, or 5 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Third quarter sales were $2.7bn versus $1.8bn a year earlier.


Smithfield said results in the quarter were adversely affected by $11m in costs and inefficiencies in the beef segment related to the market impact of a reported case of BSE in Washington state. Additionally, results in the quarter include $7.5m in financing costs related to a short-term bridge loan obtained to finance the purchase of Farmland Foods, pending receipt of cash proceeds from the sale of Schneider Corporation.


The company said the sharply higher earnings in the third quarter were due primarily to substantially improved results at the company’s hog production operations related to a 19% increase in live hog market prices and inclusion of the results of Farmland Foods, which was acquired by the company in October.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now