Westfleisch Sales and Production Rise

GERMANY - German meat processor, Westfleish, has seen annual sales grow by more than 12 per cent year-on-year to €2.475 billion.
calendar icon 20 June 2013
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However, despite the rise in sales, the company saw a drop in net profits for the group to €2.7 million from €7.9 million the year before.

The company that is the third largest meat processor in Germany and in the top five in Europe saw production rise to 888,000 tonnes of meat products last year, a rise of 0.6 per cent from the 883,000 tonnes produced in 2011.

“It is not without some satisfaction that we note that Westfleisch could compete in 2012,” CEO Dr Helfried Giesen told the company’s annual meeting.

The company said that in contrast to the rest of the market in Germany, which saw meat production fall by 1.9 per cent to 8.04 million tonnes, Westfleisch saw growth in production of 6.1 per cent in the pig meat sector to 544,400 tonnes and 9.3 per cent growth in the beef sector to 126,000 tonnes.

The cooperative, which has 3,500 farmer owners, also saw exports rising, contrary to the industry trend in Germany.

Exports rose by 3.4 per cent to 385,800 tonnes last year, 280,000 tonnes going to other EU countries – a rise of 6.9 per cent - and 105,800 tonnes going to third countries – a rise of 2.1 per cent.

“The export turnover remains one of the drivers,” Dr Giesen said.

“Exports remain an important sales outlet for the German meat industry.

“Anyone who wants to remain successful in the market is absolutely dependent on exports.”

Westfleisch was also Germany’s largest trader in fattening piglets, with a 8.3 per cent increase in the market to 2.1 million animals.

Over the year, the company has invested more than €30 million in expansion and development at the company.

Dr Giesen stressed the sustainability of the farming operations within the cooperative.

“Westphalian family farms tend to be larger. They are powerful but are the opposite of the caricature of the industrial factory farm.”

Thanks to the sustainable business strategy of the company, the company was awarded the 2013 Meat Vision Award.

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