October 28, 2009
Brazil's Marfrig sees capacity at 75 percent in 2010
Brazilian meat company Marfrig Alimentos plans to increase the utilisation of its installed capacity in beef production to 70-75 percent, up from the indicator of 55 percent in the third quarter of 2009.
Marfrig has recently leased 12,000 units from meatpackers Margen and Mercosul, raising its daily slaughter capacity to 8,800 head of cattle.
The low cattle supply is the main obstacle in increasing capacity but the offer as of 2010 tends to be higher and production volume will increase gradually, said Marfrig senior executive James Cruden.
For 2010, Marfrig forecasts net revenue of BRL16.5 billion to BRL18 billion from BRL10 billion this year. The 2010 Ebitda is expected to range BRL1.4 billion and BRL1.8 billion.
In the poultry segment, Marfrig plans to increase its role as a supplier for the European food industry.
Marfrig on Monday reported third-quarter net profits of BRL200.4 million, reversing year-earlier losses of BRL52.7 million.
US$1 = BRL1.739 (Oct 28)
