Alliance Group will post an increased trading profit when it announces its full-year financial results later this year, said chief executive David Surveyor.
Last year, the company had an underlying profit of over $27m for the year ended September 30, which, when adjusted for one-off events, brought it down to $7.5m before tax.
Surveyor said the issue had not been the ability to sell but shipping.
Supply chains had been significantly disrupted due to the pandemic, and global supply chain issues were the new norm.
Like many businesses, Alliance had been affected by the major supply chain congestion and disruption around the world and New Zealand ports were no exception.
The issue came with significant costs and freight increases, and Alliance was trying to mitigate the impact as best it could, as Surveyor didn't see the situation improving in the near future.
Another impact had been refrigeration space of which the company had nearly run out of during peak season.
Surveyor said New Zealand farming had helped ensure New Zealand's success during the pandemic.
Farmers had received strong prices this season, and the company expected to continue to see strong demand and prices.
Surveyor was particularly pleased with the upward trend of venison prices.
Consumers are becoming increasingly considerate of food's role in lifestyle and wellbeing and are seeking traceability and confidence in supply chains.
The company is continuing to develop products and programmes to meet those needs. Its participation in premium channels is also growing.
An ongoing labour and skills shortage is still an issue for New Zealand's meat processing sector, and the government need to allow in foreign workers, Surveyor commented.
Simultaneously, Alliance is implementing initiatives to develop its own people and attract new staff.
Danny Hailes, Alliance Group general manager livestock and shareholder services, said the pricing outlook was promising for the first two-quarters of the new seasons, which included a range of up to $9.70kg in quarter one for lamb.
Demand in North America remains strong for lamb and mutton and is still strong in China.
Foodservice in Europe, the UK and North America are slowly reopening but remain under pressure.
Earlier this week, Alliance announced a deal with global retail giant Marks & Spencer on a range of branded beef and lamb products in Singapore.
The M&S branded range, all processed in New Zealand, is now available in 11 stores in Singapore.
