Astral's interim earnings hit by headwinds

The continuing unfavourable trading environment is expected to push the earnings of JSE-listed Astral Foods down by up to 75% for the six months to March 31. Emerging from a muted first quarter, the negative impacts of weakened consumer spending, high levels of imported poultry, high maize and soya meal prices, lower kilograms sold and planned production cutbacks had spilled over into the second quarter.