In the first half of the 2012/13 financial year, the group generated revenue of DKK 28.5 billion, an increase of DKK 1 billion on the prior-year period.

The net profit of DKK 714 million is on a par with last year’s interim profit of DKK 737 million.

The stable results are due to slightly better prices for fresh meat, and to the fact that the group’s processing companies have successfully managed to pass on the increasing raw materials prices to the prices in the retail market.

“I am delighted that we have been able to maintain our position in a challenging market,” said Danish Crown’s CEO, Kjeld Johannesen.

Danish Crown is the world’s biggest exporter of pork, and the market prices for pork in H1 2012/2013 were therefore impacted by the fact that both the dollar and yen have been weaker relative to the euro.

“In the first half we have seen bigger than expected supplies of pork on the world market, which has obviously had an impact on prices – and on Danish Crown and the company’s owners,” said Mr Johannesen.

There are clear seasonal fluctuations in the meat industry, and the delayed start to the barbecue season is affecting price developments at the beginning of the second half of the financial year.

The contribution made by the Swedish part of DC Pork and the Polish company Sokolow has been particularly positive.

“Overall, the outlook for the second half is for a profit on a par with the first half given the slightly weaker earnings on fresh meat and improved earnings at DC Foods,” added Mr Johannesen.