April 10, 2013

Cargill sees 42% drop in net earnings during Q3 fiscal 2013

International food producer, Cargill, has reported net earnings at US$445 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 ending February 28, a drop of 42% from US$766 million in the same period of 2012.

Nine-month earnings totalled US$1.83 billion, up 66% from US$1.1 billion in the prior year. Third-quarter revenues edged up 1% to US$32.2 billion, which brought nine-month revenues to US$101.2 billion.

"Cargill's earnings were below last year's record of third quarter," said Greg Page, Cargill's chairman and chief executive officer. "The current quarter demonstrated the balance that comes from Cargill's diversified portfolio. In North America, our meat processing businesses were pressured by the drought-related high cost of feed ingredients. Even though many of our global food ingredients businesses experienced higher input costs, they nearly matched their strong performance in last year's third quarter."

Among Cargill's five business segments, earnings in agriculture services were down largely due to the prolonged impact of last year's drought-reduced crops in North America. Animal nutrition results were affected by Venezuela's currency devaluation in February and by difficult economic conditions in meat and dairy production in several regions.

Third-quarter earnings in origination and processing were below the prior year, with mixed results across regions. Export demand for US soybeans and meal was strong all quarter due to limited pre-harvest supplies in South America. Brazil's harvest began in February, but weather delays and logistical challenges significantly reduced soybean and soy product exports below expectations.

Earnings in the food ingredients and applications segment were below the year-earlier period. Performance in food ingredients reflected value-creating customer solutions, good risk management and attention to costs, although the Venezuelan currency devaluation was a factor in holding results below the year-ago level.

The animal protein businesses were negatively affected in North America by high feeding costs, tight cattle supplies and an oversupplied turkey market.

Cargill's beef processing plant in Plainview, Texas, US, was idled in February due to tight cattle supply brought about by years of drought in Texas and Southern Plains states. A related, one-time charge to earnings was taken. Nine-month results in global animal protein were ahead of last year.