Overall sales growth across ConAgra brands fortify Q4 results

OMAHA, Neb. — Overall sales growth in ConAgra Foods’ consumer foods segment nourished the company’s results for the fiscal 2013 fourth quarter ended May 26.

The company’s consumer foods segment, which includes specialty potato, seasonings, blends, flavors, and milled grain products, posted sales of $2.3 billion for the quarter, an increase of 7% from $2.1 billion for the quarter last year. Its operating profit was $291 million for the quarter, an increase of 8% from $270 million for the quarter last year, while sales increased 7%.

Brands posting sales growth for the quarter include Banquet, Hebrew National, Hunt’s, Marie Callender’s, Orville Redenbacher’s, Pam, Peter Pan, Ro*Tel, Rosarita and Wolf.

The segment’s strong profit growth in the quarter was largely the result of good performance for the flour milling operations, which increased volumes, drove favorable price/mix and posted strong results for grain and byproduct merchandising.

Ralcorp businesses contributed a total of $962 million in sales and $108 million of operating profit in the quarter. ConAgra completed its acquisition of Ralcorp in January of this year.