Trading Statement

RNS Number : 2764X

Hilton Food Group PLC

10 January 2014

 



                                                                                                            10th January 2014

HILTON FOOD GROUP PLC

            TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED 29^th DECEMBER 2013

Hilton Food Group plc ("Hilton" or the "Group"), Europe's leading specialist international  meat packing business, is today providing an update on trading for the 52 weeks ended 29^th December  2013. The Group intends to publish its full year results on Thursday 27th March 2014.

We are pleased to report that the Group has performed in line with the Board's expectations. In Western Europe, new products in Holland,a new production line in Denmark and the performance of our UK business were the primary drivers of  turnover growth in that region. Growth in these countries was partly offset by weak demand in Ireland, which has not yet resumed growth and a steady performance in Sweden, reflecting economic conditions in the country. In Central Europe, the Group's trading has been in line with our expectations despite challenging market conditions.

Hilton's joint venture in Australia continues to make good progress. New packaging formats have been launched for pork, lamb and beef in Western Australia and a large part of the Bunbury plant reconfiguration has now been completed. In Victoria, preparation for the construction of the new facility in Melbourne is underway. We are also now providing support to Woolworths with the operation of its Brismeats facility near Brisbane.

As reported in our recent update regarding Western Europe made on 2^nd  December 2013, we expect the impact of consumer weakness in Western Europe to be wholly offset over 2014 by the positive effect of our new agreement with Tesco in the UK, for which the full benefit is expected in subsequent years. The Group's balance sheet remains strong, leaving us well positioned for future expansion and we remain well placed to deliver continued growth over the medium term and will continue to explore further opportunities to develop our business in both domestic and overseas markets.

Enquiries:

Hilton Food Group plc                                             Tel: [phone]

Robert Watson OBE, Chief Executive

Nigel Majewski, Finance Director

Citigate Dewe Rogerson                                         Tel: [phone]

Tom Baldock

Clare Murray

 

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