Afgri to unbundle broiler business

Wright
cautioned, however, that the company’s broilers were fed mainly on maize, and
higher prices for grain and fuel prices increased the input costs of producing a
chicken.

These inflationary costs would have to
be recovered in the marketplace and eventually feed through to higher retail
prices.

Wright said the acquisition of the Daybreak broiler business justified Afgri’s
decision to re-enter this market.

During strong
domestic economic growth, where demand for broilers was growing at an average of
5% a year, the company contributed R347 million (€36.8m) to group turnover and
R41.1 million (€4.35m) to profit before interest and tax.

A R410 million (€43.46m) expansion project to double production had
already been approved and more staff would be hired, he
said.