18 Aug 2010

Seeka forecasts improved result for current year

6:54 am on 18 August 2010

The country's largest post-harvest kiwifruit operator, Seeka, is forecasting an improved result for the current year.

Last year, the cooperative made a $7.5 million operating profit, but one-off costs including buying another packing company and write-downs reduced its overall net profit.

Chief executive Michael Franks says it is expecting a 35% increase in the operating profit this year, up to $10.5 million.

He says Seeka has handled 25.5 million trays this season, up 3.5 million on last year.

Seeka is paying a dividend of 20 cents a share this year, compared to 12 cents the previous year.