在新南威尔士州纳罗米内给向日葵浇水。图片来源：Flickr 用户 R Walker
Australia’s Nufarm Limited on Friday said its results in the first half will meet the lower end of its previous forecast, as hot, dry weather persisted in Australia in key growing regions during December and January.
It expects to earn near the lower end of between $50 million and $60 million of EBIT, as results were hit by “unusually low sales activity” and lower margins.
First-half results for Australia, which is experiencing its hottest year on record, are expected to be flat with the same period a year ago, and management “continues to assess options” for improving the Australian business.
In contrast to Australia, business in Brazil has been “very positive” in addition to the rest of its South American operations. Its European, North American and Asian businesses are tracking in line with expectations, with the major Northern Hemisphere seasons typically not getting underway until March.
Nufarm noted its net working capital and debt will be higher at Jan. 31 compared with the same period a year ago. It cited “higher sales and resulting receivables in Brazil; the normal first-half inventory build to support what is expected to be higher second-half sales in Northern Hemisphere markets; and a negative translation impact due to the lower Australian dollar.”
澳大利亚干燥的夏季也抑制了高粱和向日葵产品的销售，但其种子业务有望在今年继续产生盈利增长。