In its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended 31 January 2015, Sanderson Farms, Inc. has reported net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 at $667.4 million compared with $584.9 million for the same period a year ago.

The Company reported net income of $66.5 million, or $2.87 per share, for the quarter compared with net income of $28.9 million, or $1.25 per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms, Inc., commented: "Our results for the first quarter marked a solid start to the fiscal year. Poultry market prices were higher compared to the same period a year ago, and our grain costs were lower. Retail grocery store demand for chicken has remained strong, and it appears food service demand may be benefitting from lower priced gasoline."

He said that overall market prices for poultry products were higher during the first quarter compared with the same period last year. Compared with the first fiscal quarter of 2014, the average Georgia dock price for whole chickens was approximately 9.2 per cent higher, boneless breast meat prices were approximately 6.6 per cent higher, the average market price for bulk leg quarters increased approximately 2.1 per cent, and jumbo wing prices were higher by 52.2 per cent.

The Company's average feed cost per pound of poultry products processed decreased 3.27 cents per pound, or 10.1 per cent, compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2014, and prices paid for corn and soybean meal, the Company's primary feed ingredients, decreased 9.3 per cent and 5.5 per cent, respectively, compared with the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Mr Sanderson continued: "The record corn and soybean crops harvested in the United States last fall sufficiently restocked United States soybean and corn balance tables headed into the 2015 planting season, but market prices for both corn and soybean meal have moved higher since the harvest. Despite this increase in grain prices, had we priced all of our fiscal 2015 grain needs at yesterday's prices, our grain costs would be lower by $121.0 million during fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, which would translate into a savings of 3.6 cents per pound processed.

"Broiler egg sets have been higher than the previous year's levels every week since last summer, and the industry has also increased breeder stock supplies. Financially healthy, fully employed and confident American consumers could absorb the additional chicken production indicated by higher broiler egg sets if we see continued improvement in macroeconomic conditions and relatively low gasoline prices.

"Construction of our new Palestine, Texas, complex is complete and production at the new complex began February 9, 2015. We look forward to the opportunities the new facility will create as we move to full production over the next year. We continue our due diligence on sites in North Carolina for our next poultry complex, and hope to complete that process soon. Construction of the new complex will, of course, be subject to various contingencies including final approval by the Company's Board of Directors."