Adjusted Operating Earnings rose by seven per cent to C$33.9 million compared to $C31.6 million last year, due to better performance in the protein operations.

Net earnings increased to C$8.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 compared to net earnings of $2.9 million last year.

"Our first quarter results reflect a modest growth in earnings," said Michael H. McCain, President and CEO.

"Our protein business continues to show substantial year over year improvement in performance, although the unexpected early rise in meat raw material costs has temporarily slowed the improvement curve.

"The bakery business experienced a weaker quarter due to performance in the UK and the North American frozen bakery business. However, we are seeing signs of improvement in both these areas as volumes recover and our cost reduction initiatives take hold.

"This, along with price adjustments being implemented mostly in the second quarter, gives us confidence in expecting stronger margin growth and continued improvement through the remainder of 2010."

The Meat Products Group, including value-added prepared meats, chilled meal entrees and lunch kits; and fresh pork, poultry and turkey products sold to retail, foodservice, industrial and convenience channels and leading Canadian brands such as Maple Leaf(R), Schneiders(R) and many leading sub-brands saw sales for the first quarter fall to $768.2 million from $822.2 million last year, as the stronger Canadian dollar reduced the sales values of fresh pork.

Sales volumes were lower in prepared meats due to the exit of a non-core business and normalized levels of promotional activity compared to the first quarter last year.

Adjusted Operating Earnings in the Meat Products Group increased to $14.2 million compared to $11.4 million last year, largely due to improved markets and efficiencies in the fresh poultry operations.

Performance in the prepared meats business improved over last year as a result of better pricing and mix and cost reduction initiatives, partly offset by lower volumes.

However, first quarter margins were impacted by a sharp increase in raw material prices that occurred late in the fourth quarter of 2009. Management is implementing staged price adjustments over the next two quarters across its prepared meats portfolio to offset higher input costs.

Earnings from primary pork processing operations declined due to a stronger Canadian dollar and weaker export markets that more than offset the benefit of improved North American industry market conditions.

The Agribusiness Group, which includes Canadian hog production and animal by-product recycling operations saw sales decline from $44.6 million last year to $41.8 million mostly due to lower sales of recycled by-products.

Adjusted Operating Earnings increased to $6.5 million compared to $2.1 million in the prior year. Losses in hog production operations were reduced due to lower feed costs and stronger hog market prices.

However this improvement was impacted by the strengthening of the Canadian dollar and short-term hedging programs. Included in first quarter earnings is $3.0 million (2009: $0.1 million) in government support to compensate hog producers for losses in prior years. Earnings from by-product recycling declined slightly compared to last year due to increased raw material costs.