25 Feb 2013

Seeka result better than expected

12:55 pm on 25 February 2013

Seeka had a better than expected financial result for the past year, despite a significant drop in production because of the PSA vine disease.

The kiwifruit grower and packing company has declared a profit of almost nine million dollars profit before tax, revaluations and restructuring costs, well above the guidance range of $5.7 - $6.4 million.

That amounts to earnings of 41 cents per share and the company has declared a dividend of six cents per share.

Seek's gold kiwifruit production almost halved last season, and its supply of green kiwifruit was also lower than expected. However, the value of the fruit was higher than expected.

Chief executive Michael Franks said Seeka is not making any financial forecasts for the coming season yet, but the outlook is for a further significant reduction in gold kiwifruit production.

Dry conditions were adding to the uncertainty.