Marfrig Alimentos S.A. has reported a R$25.2 million (US$15.5 million) net profit for the first quarter of 2011, a significant increase from 2010’s loss of R$52 million (US$31.9 million).
“Marfrig enjoyed its best-ever first-quarter revenue performance during what is seasonally the slowest quarter of the year,” said CEO and founder Marcos Molina.
Poultry production was up in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same time in 2010, reaching 262.3 million heads. Brazil and Europe played particular roles in this increase, growing from 159.3 million and 41.7 million heads, respectively, to 167 million and 50.2 million heads. The U.S., which had no numbers for the first quarter of 2010, contributed 45.1 million heads in the first quarter of 2011. Turkey production decreased slightly, to 1.1 million heads in the first quarter of 2011 from 1.5 million heads in during the same time in 2010.
“In 2011, Marfrig is focused on delivering operational results through organic growth and by capturing synergies from our recently acquired business units,” said Marfrig’s report. “Our diversified global footprint and opportunities in new distribution markets should help us counter the pressure from potential commodity price increases, a stronger real and macroeconomic and geopolitical instability.”
