Source RFG

The company, which owns brands including Rhodes, Bull Brand, Magpie, Squish, Hinds and Today, increased group

operating profit by $43\mathrm{.}2\%$ to R$346$m as the operating profit margin improved by $220$ basis points to $9\mathrm{.}2\%$

CEO Pieter Hanekom said revenue growth of $10\mathrm{.}2\%$ to R$3\mathrm{.}8$bn was driven mainly by price inflation of $14\mathrm{.}8\%$ as well as

strong trading performances by the regional and international businesses in March. Slower consumer spending and a

highly competitive operating environment resulted in volume pressure in certain product categories, he said.

Regional revenue, covering South Africa and the rest of Africa, increased by $9\mathrm{.}5\%,$ with fresh foods revenue up $11\mathrm{.}8\%$

and long life foods up $8\mathrm{.}2\%.$

RFG is South Africa's leading manufacturer of canned fruit, jams and canned meat. The Rhodes brand is the country's

market leader in canned pineapple and canned tomato and the number two brand in canned fruit, fruit juice, infant food

and canned vegetables. Bull Brand is the market leader in corned meat and Bisto in dry gravy.

The pie category delivered a strong recovery, supported by the successful integration and turnaround in the Today

business, RFG said. Fruit juice, which is the largest long life product category, was the main driver of revenue growth.