April 5, 2010
ForFarmers reports record profit
Dutch feed manufacturer ForFarmers Group BV achieved a record profit of EUR50.5 million (US$68 million) after tax over the year 2009.
Turnover increased from EUR741 million (US$998 million) in 2008 to EUR1.9 billion (US$2.6 billion) in 2009. The record profit is a result of a very good year for its participations, cost reductions and an excellent ingredient purchase position.
The cooperative also saw some financial benefits, such as the sale of poultry processor, Plukon.
The cooperative FromFarmers UA owns 94% of all shares of ForFarmers Group BV (the ''holding''). The members will receive EUR9.6 million (US$12.9 million) in cash for their participation shares. The rest will be added to the cooperative''s capital reserves.
ForFarmershas production units in the Netherlands and Germany (Bela Thesing) and manufactures 2.4 million tonnes of animal feed on an annual basis.
ForFarmers (57.7%) participates with two other Dutch cooperatives AgriFirm (32.3%) and Rijvallei (10%) in raw material purchasing organization, Cefetra.
Net profit of Cefetra last year increased to EUR22.3 million (US$30 million), the highest level ever.
The money will be used for expansion of purchase and distribution in Central Europe and the Baltic States. Also 30% of the profit is returned as dividend to the share holding cooperatives.
Turnover in volume last year decreased from 16.6 million to 15.2 million tonnes as a result of the credit crunch.
This year an increase in volume of 5% is expected. Cefetra has an equity value of EUR82 million (US$110 million) and solvability is around 33%, so there is enough space for growth and takeovers.