Frozen food supplier Patties Foods expects its underlying profit in the second half of the 2013/14 financial year to at least match that of the prior year.
Patties' brands include Four'N Twenty, Herbert Adams, Nanna's, Patties, Creative Gourmet and Chef's Pride.
The company made a net profit of $8.75 million in the six months to December 31, a fall of three per cent on the prior corresponding period.
That was despite a one per cent rise in revenue to $126.5 million.
Patties said the company generated higher sales despite the loss of a major private label frozen fruit contract.
Its gross margins fell slightly, partly as a result of changes in input costs.
Patties said its second half profit would be boosted by the launch of new products, price increases, cost controls, and the benefits from a recently completed robotic packing equipment project.
"Whilst conditions have been challenging we continue to see opportunities for improvement in many areas and remain focused to deliver improved earnings," acting joint chief executive Michael Knaap said in a statement.
"Productivity optimisation remains a core focus, with particular emphasis on manufacturing efficiencies driven by capital investment and our continuous improvement programs."
Patties Foods shares gained nine cents to $1.33.
