Brazil's Perdigao's closes second quarter with sales of US$2.1 billion 

Brazilian chicken producer Perdigao closed the second quarter of 2008 with gross sales of 3.3 billion real, (US$2.1 billion), 81.2 percent more than the same period in 2007.

This growth reflects the increase in sales in both volume and revenues in the domestic and export markets, the result of the acquisition of Eleva/Cotoches, among others, as well as out-sourced production agreements signed with other dairy product processors.

Exports reported an increase of 45.4 percent in meat volume and 64 percent in total revenues, reaching BRR1.3 billion (US$829 million), as growth in international markets sustained the company's strong performance.

This is despite the continuing appreciation of the Brazilian real against the US dollar and the increase in principal commodity prices well above levels recorded in the comparative period for 2007.

Domestic market revenues for the quarter was strong as well, increasing on-year by 93.9 percent, reporting a total of BRR1.99 billion (US$1.3 billion ).

Sales volumes of dairy products increased 338.9 percent. Performance in this market was driven by acquisitions, new partnerships - instrumental in enhancing milk output, and the expansion of the Company's business in the margarine and other processed product segments.

The improvement in the Company's operations in meat and dairy products has been conducive in achieving good operating results. EBITDA reached BRR233.2 million (US$148.5 million ), 40.3 percent more than for the same period last year.

Gross profit increased from BRR411.2 million (US$262 million) to BRR624.6 million (US$398 million ), an on-year increase of 52 percent.