Westfleisch makes profit in euros and slaughters

The Westfleisch cooperative slaughterhouse can look back on an excellent year. On balance, the company booked 2,2% more turnover, to € 2,47 billion. Of this, €13 million remains in net profit. The first results of this year are also positive.

In 2016, Westfleisch, Germany's third largest slaughterhouse, slaughtered more than 8 million pigs for the first time. As a result, the number of slaughters has increased by 2,2%. Nationally, the number of slaughters in Germany rose by 0,1%. Pork sales rose by 8,1% to 639.000 tons. Beef sales rose by 2,8% to 106.000 tons. However, the number of cattle slaughters decreased by 3,3% to 433.000 head.

Dependent on export   
The export of pork is important for the slaughterhouse. On balance, Westfleisch sold 43% of its pork in other countries, both in Europe and beyond. Incidentally, a slaughter location of Westfleisch in Paderborn was closed in March last year destroyed by a fire. As a result, 20% of the slaughter capacity was lost. Despite this, Westfleisch was still able to achieve a production increase over 2016.

Good line keep going
The members of the cooperative share in the profit Westfleisch made last year. In total, the company pays out €1,5 million in dividends. The preliminary results for 2017 are also positive. In the first 4 months of 2017, gross profit increased by 40% to €15,4 million, compared to the same period last year. 

To invest
The Westfleisch management has announced that they will invest in additional slaughter capacity. In the current fiscal year, the company plans to expand its locations in Coesfeld and Oer-Erkenschwick. These slaughter locations are both located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, on the border of the Netherlands. 

Wouter Job

Wouter Baan is editor-in-chief of Boerenbusiness. He also focuses on dairy, pig and meat markets. He also follows (business) developments within agribusiness and interviews CEOs and policymakers.

w.baan@boerenbusiness. Nl

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