Marfrig's Net Income in 2009 Surpasses R$ 679 Million

SAO PAULO, March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marfrig Alimentos S.A. reported record net income in fiscal year 2009 of R$ 679.1 million, reversing the net loss of R$ 35.5 million recorded in 2008.

Gross revenue in the year was R$ 10.28 billion, up 52% from 2008. The chart below shows the growth in Marfrig's Gross Revenue from 2005 to 2009.

In an economic scenario marked by changes in consumption habits, limited financial resources and foreign exchange volatility, Marfrig's risk-dispersion strategy, which was adopted at the company's founding, once again proved well chosen – this time due to strong efforts in the domestic markets of the 13 countries where the company operates industrial facilities. Sales volume in these local markets accounted for 71.3% of the Group's total sales volume and 63.9% of its total gross revenue.  

In 2009, Marfrig sold 2.2 million tons of food in more than 100 countries, for growth in sales volume of 47.6% on the prior year. A portion of this advance was due to the full consolidation of the results of companies acquired in the second half of 2008, the increase in installed capacity utilization, the leasing of plants and the startup in Brazil of lamb and turkey operations.

Capital Expenditure

Over the last three years, Marfrig has invested approximately R$ 5 billion to acquire 37 companies in Brazil and abroad. Today, the Group has operations in 13 countries, with a total of 92 industrial units and offices.

In 2009, Marfrig carried out and announced various investments, such as the implementation of lamb operations in Brazil, the acquisition of the turkey assets in Brazil of Doux Frangosul S.A., the capacity expansion at the Diamantino Agroindustrial Complex in Mato Gross state (accompanied by the installation of the country's largest and most modern hog waste treatment system), the leasing of the units from Margen S.A. and Mercosul S.A. and the acquisitions of Seara Alimentos Ltda. and Grupo Zenda.

Corporate Governance

Marfrig Alimentos S.A. is listed on the Novo Mercado special corporate governance segment of the Bovespa Stock exchange and is committed to the highest international standards of corporate governance. For more information on the company's performance, go to the investor relations area of Marfrig's website at www.marfrig.com.br/ir.

SOURCE Marfrig Alimentos S.A.