Smithfield Foods, Inc. reported income from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 of $1.8 million, or $.01 per diluted share, versus income from continuing operations last year of $51.8 million, or $.46 per diluted share.

Net income in the fourth quarter of $2.4 million, or $.02 per diluted share, includes after-tax income from discontinued operations of $0.6 million, or $.01 per diluted share. In the fourth quarter of last year, net income of $37.1 million, or $.33 per diluted share, includes an after-tax loss from discontinued operations of $14.7 million, or $.13 per diluted share. Sales were $2.9 billion versus $2.4 billion a year ago.

As previously disclosed, the company has signed a definitive agreement to sell Smithfield Beef Group, Inc., its beef processing and cattle feeding operation, to JBS S.A. Consequently, the company has classified the results of the beef processing and cattle feeding operations as discontinued operations beginning this quarter. Results for prior years have been restated to reflect the discontinued operations. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and the company expects the transaction to close in its fiscal second quarter.

"Exceptional results in our pork operations were more than offset by extremely poor conditions in hog production," said C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer. "Domestic and export volumes were at record levels, and I am extremely pleased with the packaged meats side of our business, where we continue to drive out costs and improve margins."

"On the other hand, there were major challenges in the hog markets as live hog prices were low and grain prices were high," said Mr. Pope. "These were enormously difficult conditions."

Substantially improved margins in both packaged meats and fresh pork produced considerable earnings gains in the pork segment. Packaged meats margins rose 32 percent and volume of high-margin categories grew: pre-cooked bacon (20 percent), pre-cooked entrees (52 percent) and pre-cooked ribs (15 percent). Fresh pork volume rose substantially, the result of high export demand, record slaughter rates and the volume of Premium Standard Farms operations, acquired in May 2007. Raw material costs were well below last year. The quarter also includes an $8 million pre-tax impairment charge for a shuttered plant.

International results rose on higher packaged meats volumes and improved margins. Packaged meats volume in Poland increased 11 percent. Groupe Smithfield reported increased earnings on improved volume and margins in the dry ham and sausage categories. Results include a net gain of approximately $9.4 million related to asset sales and other restructuring activities at Groupe Smithfield.

Results in the company's Other segment were below those of last year due to higher raising costs in its turkey operations.

Hog production experienced a substantial loss, the result of lower live hog prices and considerably higher raising costs. Live hog market prices averaged $42 per hundredweight in the quarter versus $47 per hundredweight last year, while cash raising costs increased to $54 per hundredweight compared to $46 per hundredweight a year ago on higher grain prices. In February, Smithfield Foods announced plans to reduce its U.S. sow herd by four to five percent and the company is making progress in these reductions. Fourth quarter results also reflected a significant international hog production loss, as all operations experienced record high grain prices. The company experienced considerably lower volume in Romania due to the lingering effects of an outbreak of classical swine fever last summer.

In the fourth quarter, the company attributed $10.0 million, or $.07 per diluted share, to income from continuing operations as the result of lowering its estimated effective income tax rate for the full fiscal year and favorable resolution of certain tax positions.

"Our number one goal this year was to raise packaged meats margins and we accomplished that objective," said Mr. Pope. "We have been successful in our strategic focus on converting raw materials to more value-added convenience products and driving margin expansion."

Mr. Pope also expressed concern about the increasing cost of grains and speculated that they are a result of current federal policies that subsidize corn-based ethanol.

"This policy, in my opinion, is a flawed policy and needs to be changed, or food inflation, which has clearly been felt in milk and bread products, has only begun," said Mr. Pope. "I strongly urge those in Washington to critically reexamine our ethanol policy to help lessen the burden on the American family already suffering from the effects of higher fuel prices."

The company also reported its year-end results. Income from continuing operations for fiscal 2008 was $139.2 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, versus income from continuing operations last year of $211.9 million, or $1.89 per diluted share.

Net income for the full year of $128.9 million, or $.96 per diluted share, includes an after-tax loss from discontinued operations of $10.3 million, or $.08 per diluted share. For fiscal 2007, net income of $166.8 million, or $1.49 per diluted share, includes an after-tax loss of $45.1 million from discontinued operations, or a loss of $.40 per diluted share. Sales were $11.4 billion versus $9.4 billion.

Pork segment earnings were more than double the prior year reflecting margin expansion of 73 percent in packaged meats and considerably higher margins and volume in fresh pork. Packaged meats volume increased 10 percent, with branded products volume rising 11 percent. Volumes of pre-cooked bacon and entrees, as well as smoked sausage and dry sausage, rose more than 25 percent. Fresh pork volume increased 29 percent due to a full year of production from newly-acquired Premium Standard Farms and record exports. Raw material costs were well below a year ago.

In the international segment, the company's Polish operations increased packaged meats production by 21 percent and improved margins. Operations in Romania progressed and fresh meat production rose 63 percent. Groupe Smithfield had a much-improved year in spite of considerably higher raw material prices and competitive market conditions. Profits at the Norson vertically integrated joint venture in Mexico grew substantially.

Results in the Other segment, which includes the company's wholly-owned growout operations and a 49 percent ownership in the joint venture Butterball LLC, were well below those of a year ago, as raising costs continued to rise throughout the year due to higher grain costs.

Hog production reported a loss for the year versus a profit in fiscal 2007 as live hog market prices averaged $44 per hundredweight compared with $48 per hundredweight a year ago. Cash raising costs increased to $50 per hundredweight versus $43 per hundredweight last year. After experiencing high mortality rates in fiscal 2007 due to circovirus, the company has made substantial progress in improving liveability and productivity. International hog production recorded a substantial loss due to significantly higher grain prices. Results include $13 million in pre-tax charges in the second quarter related to costs associated with an outbreak of classical swine fever at three of the company's farms in Romania.

With sales of $11 billion, Smithfield Foods is the leading processor and marketer of fresh pork and packaged meats in the United States, as well as the largest producer of hogs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

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