Editorial: United strategy for wool
OPINION: Wool farmers believe the future of strong wool still holds promise.
PGG Wrightson has raised its full year forecast despite challenging conditions in some sectors.
PGG Wrightson chief executive Mark Dewdney says PGG Wrightson (PGW) expects its full year earnings before tax in the $65 to $68 million range, up from the previous guidance of $61 to $67 million indicated in April.
Dewdney says its New Zealand earnings continue to exceed expectations. A strong autumn sales season in New Zealand underpins this earnings performance, and shows the resilience of PGW in spite of the challenging conditions being experienced in some agri-sectors.
The company now expects its retail business will improve on last year's record Operating EBITDA. "This will be a fantastic achievement given the cautious spending from our dairy clients over the year. This will be a result of the positive momentum we have sustained with customers and staff, and in part our exposure to sectors that have had a strong year, such as horticulture and beef."
He says the operating EBITDA for the year to June 30 will reflect two opposing forces.
"On the one hand tougher market conditions, particularly in the New Zealand dairy sector and in South America; on the other, the hard work we are putting into improving and growing PGW continues to pay off and we are benefiting from our market position in the agri-sectors that have been performing strongly."
PGW expects to announce its full year results on August 9 with details of the announcement to be confirmed closer to the time.
Farmer confidence has taken a slight dip according to the final Rabobank rural confidence survey for the year.
Former Agriculture Minister and Otaki farmer Nathan Guy has been appointed New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy (SATE).
Alliance Group has commissioned a new heat pump system at its Mataura processing plant in Southland.
Fonterra has slashed another 50c off its milk price forecast as global milk flows shows no sign of easing.
Meat processors are hopeful that the additional 15% tariff on lamb exports to the US will also come off.
Fears of a serious early drought in Hawke’s Bay have been allayed – for the moment at least.

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