Cheese maker doubles half year profit

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter, recently taken over by a Canadian dairy company, has more than doubled its half year profit.

File photo of cheese

Warrnambool Cheese and Butter has more than doubled its half year profit. (AAP)

Canadian owned Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory says international demand for dairy commodities remains strong.

The company says its outlook for the remainder of the 2013/14 financial year remains positive, as that demand is supporting improved commodity prices.

Also, the Australian dollar has depreciated from its highs in the 2013 financial year.

"As indicated in our December guidance, the improved market conditions experienced in the last quarter of the 2013 financial year have continued into the 2014 financial year," chief executive David Lord said in a statement.

"The outlook for the full 2014 financial year remains positive."

Warrnambool made a net profit of $31.3 million in the first six months of the 2013/14 financial year, more than double its $15.3 million profit in the prior corresponding period.

The company said profit had been boosted by improved export commodity prices.

The result included $2.1 million in costs associated with the long takeover battle for the company, which recently ended with Canadian dairy giant Saputo taking a controlling stake, which currently stands at 87.92 per cent.

Saputo won out over rival bids from Bega Cheese and Murray Goulburn Co-operative.

Warrnambool did not declare an interim dividend, with its directors saying cash would be retained for reinvestment into the business.

The company's shares were down three cents at $8.62 at 1453 AEDT.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world