Astral Foods posts revenue of about US$1.32B as profit climbs in FY2025
SOUTH AFRICA – Astral Foods Limited reported group revenue of roughly US$1.32 billion for the year ending 30 September 2025, representing a 10.4 percent increase driven largely by stronger broiler output and better price movements in the latter half of the year.
The company recorded an operating profit of about US$72.8 million, up 10.9 percent from the previous year’s figure, which had been supported by a significant insurance payout unrelated to core operations.
Once the prior year’s once-off claim is excluded, the business delivered a 42.8 percent rise in underlying operating profit as production efficiency improved and cost management efforts began to show results.
Astral closed the period with cash reserves exceeding US$58.5 million, helped by a cash operating profit of approximately US$89.5 million and a working-capital inflow of around US$16.1 million that was mainly attributed to the Poultry Division.
Capital expenditure rose to nearly US$19.7 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.9 percent as the company continued to invest in operational upgrades that support long-term capacity.
Dividend payments were reinstated during the year, resulting in a total distribution of about US$16.7 million to shareholders following a final payout of 880 cents per share, equal to roughly US$0.52.
The full-year dividend amounted to 1 100 cents per share, or close to US$0.64, which is more than double the level declared in the previous financial year.
Poultry Division Performance
The Poultry Division generated revenue of around US$1.10 billion, rising 10.3 percent as demand and supply remained better aligned and average selling prices improved moderately after an extended deflationary period.
Average weekly slaughter reached 5.8 million birds compared to 5.4 million a year earlier, and sales volumes increased by 7.9 percent, equivalent to about 38 749 tonnes over the reporting period.
The broiler margin for the full year settled at a thin 1.5 percent, showing a clear turnaround from a negative margin in the first half, although the division remained vulnerable to shifts in production costs and market conditions.
Operating profit for the division came in at roughly US$31.2 million, lower than the prior year only because the comparative period had included insurance proceeds that inflated the earlier result.
Chief executive Gary Arnold said the business experienced a difficult start to the year but delivered a stronger second-half performance that left Astral in a more stable financial position heading into the next cycle.
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