Pure Foods Tasmania has closed FY26 with customer receipts up 30 per cent and its quarterly operating cash outflow more than halved, as the diversified food manufacturer continues its shift from restructure to growth.
Customer receipts for the June quarter were $1.3 million, an increase of around $304,000 on the June 2025 quarter, a result the company said was particularly encouraging given the June quarter has historically been hit by softer seasonal demand. Full year receipts were $5.68 million.
Net cash used in operating activities was $239,000, down from $494,000 in the prior corresponding period (pcp), an improvement of roughly 52 per cent. Customer receipts exceeded product manufacturing and operating costs by around $407,000 before staff, administration and corporate costs, with the company incurring $901,000 in manufacturing and operating costs for the quarter.
PFT attributed the receipts growth to commercial initiatives across FY26, including an expanded retail footprint, targeted sales programs, the relaunch of Daly Potato and Gravy, and early contributions from its acquisitions of Elato and Brilliant Food Australia.
The company ended the quarter with 5.33 quarters of available funding, up from 2.01 quarters a year earlier, based on $1.493 million in unused financing facilities and total available funding of around $1.27 million. Cash and cash equivalents at quarter end were negative $220,000, meaning the funding runway rests on undrawn facilities rather than cash in the bank. Total financing facilities stood at $4.67 million, with $3.177 million drawn.
On the corporate front, PFT said it continues to engage with third parties on potential acquisitions and mergers, with the most promising discussions centred on contract packing opportunities for its ice cream stick machine. The company invested close to $2 million in the equipment, which it said positions it to benefit from growing consumer demand for single serve ice creams while retaining capacity for The Cashew Creamery and further growth of Elato.
PFT acquired premium ice cream brand Elato late last year, merging it with The Cashew Creamery to form a multi-brand ice cream division focused on contract packing, licensing and new product development.
Entering FY27, the company said its priorities were growing sales across existing and new retail channels, improving gross margins and production efficiency, increasing utilisation of its Mornington, Woodbridge and ice cream manufacturing operations, continuing the integration of Elato and Brilliant Food Australia, pursuing strategically aligned acquisitions, and disciplined management of costs, cash flow and working capital.
PFT’s brand portfolio includes Woodbridge Smokehouse, Tasmanian Pate, Daly Potato Co, Brilliant Food Australia and its ice cream division. A full review of FY26 will be released with its annual report.
