August 30, 2019

 

Sanderson Farms reports results for third quarter of fiscal 2019

 

 

Major US poultry producer Sanderson Farms has reported results for the third fiscal quarter and nine months ended July 31, 2019.

 

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were US$945.2 million compared with US$852.4 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter, Sanderson Farms reported a net income of US$53.4 million, or US$2.41 per share, compared with net income of US$11.5 million, or US$0.50 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

According to the company, net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 were US$2,533.8 million compared with US$2,437.9 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The company's net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 totaled US$76.2 million, or US$3.44 per share, compared with a net income of US$104.6 million, or US$4.58 per share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2018.

 

Sanderson Farms' net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2018 reflects a one-time non-cash benefit of US$37.5 million, or US$1.64 per share, as a result of an adjustment to the company's deferred income tax liability to reflect a lower tax rate resulting from the federal tax reform legislation passed during the first fiscal quarter of 2018.

 

The company's net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 reflects an accrual for probable liability for a contribution to its Employee Stock Ownership Plan of US$2.7 million before income tax, or US$0.10 per share net of income tax, compared to US$2.4 million before income tax, or US$0.08 per share net of income tax, for the same period a year ago.

 

"Similar to last year's third fiscal quarter, Sanderson Farms' financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 reflect significant counter-seasonal weakness in market prices for boneless breast meat produced at our plants that process a larger bird for food service customers," said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc.

 

"Fortunately, market prices for other products produced at those plants were higher than last year, and reflected good demand during the quarter. The average market prices for dark meat, jumbo wings and chicken tenders were all higher than the same period a year ago. Average realised prices for poultry products produced for retail grocery store customers were slightly higher than last year's third fiscal quarter and continue to reflect a more balanced supply and demand environment."

 

According to Sanderson, compared with the third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2018, jumbo boneless breast meat market prices were lower by approximately 3.2%, the average market price for bulk leg quarters increased approximately 17.1%, and market prices for jumbo wings were higher by 37.6%. The company's average feed cost per pound of poultry products processed decreased 1.1 cents per pound, or 4.1%, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

Prices paid for corn and soybean meal, the company's primary feed ingredients, decreased 1.4% and 18%, respectively, compared with the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

 

In its report published August 12, 2019, the USDA increased its supply estimate for corn for the 2019/20 crop year. While the USDA lowered its estimate for harvested acres as a result of the late planting season, it increased its yield estimate. The published USDA report estimates for corn acres and yields were higher than the market expected. While the USDA lowered its estimate of soybean harvested acres, it held its yield estimate steady and lowered its demand estimate.

 

Market prices for both corn and soybean meal fell following the release of the report. If realised, the USDA's current yield and harvest estimates for the United States' 2019 corn and soybean crops would leave both grains adequately supplied going into fiscal 2020.

 

"The USDA expects chicken production growth of 1.7% during calendar year 2019 compared to 2018, which alone shouldn't be a burdensome supply number. However, market prices for boneless breast meat produced at our plants that process a larger chicken for food service customers remain under pressure. As always, we will manage our business consistently regardless of market cycles," Sanderson added.

 

"We continue to make progress at our new Tyler, Texas, facilities," said Sanderson. "The start-up has gone well, and the plant is now processing at 50% capacity. We expect to reach full capacity during the second fiscal quarter of 2020."

 

- Sanderson Farms