GREELEY, COLO. – Pilgrim's Pride Corp. reported net sales of $3.64 billion for the second quarter of 2021, a 29% increase from the $2.82 billion reported during the same 13-week period in fiscal year 2020. 

Fabio Sandri, chief executive officer, said the company is optimistic that dining out, gathering of friends and family for meals and eating lunch at work or at school will once again become routine.

“Our second quarter results reflect a shift to more normal patterns in the US as we saw a slight increase in retail store trips and more foodservice locations reopened,” he said. “Our US business turned in a solid operational performance despite higher and more volatile input costs and product mix issues resulting from continued, albeit improving, labor challenges. Our big bird business performed very well on commodity pricing that has remained consistently near or above historical ranges. Our foodservice business was stronger than anticipated as restrictions continued to ease, boosting demand back above 2019 levels.” 

For the second quarter 2021, Pilgrim’s reported net income loss of $166.7 million up from $6.4 million in 2020. 

Operating income loss was at $123.1 million, compared to $27.3 million in operating income in 2020. The company, which is majority owned by JBS SA, reported operating income margins of 7.8% in the United States, 2.3% in Europe and 17.5% in Mexico.

During this quarter, Pilgrim’s Pride said it emphasized and expanded its retail channels and brands. The poultry producer said its consumer packaged foods business grew by 215% in the second quarter through its Just Bare and Pilgrim’s products in retail and e-commerce.

In Mexico, sales increased by around 69% in Q2, to $453.4 million compared to $268.1 million during the same time period in 2020. 

“Meanwhile, our Mexico business had another strong quarter, driven by a balanced supply/demand equation and continuous improvements in operational performance, while effectively managing higher grain pricing and supplying our customers with Fresh and Prepared Foods under the Pilgrim’s, Del Dia and Alamesa brands,” Sandri said.

In Europe, sales in Q2 of this year increased by about 4%, at $935.9 million compared to $757.2 million in the second quarter of 2020. 

“Our combined European business continues to achieve operational improvements and benefited in the quarter with year-over-year and sequential improvements in foodservice volumes in the UK, offset by continued increases in feed costs, which are not yet fully reflected in prices, and lower pig pricing in the region,” the company said in the report.