Horticulture giant Costa has reported a satisfactory Tasmanian berry season as it prepares for change at the top.
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"A satisfactory Tasmanian berry season has just been completed and our focus now turns to the blueberry harvest in North Queensland and Western Australia," chief executive and managing director Harry Debney said in a speech prepared for Friday's annual meeting.
Mr Debney said Costa - which operates in more than 50 locations around Australia and overseas - was getting positive demand and pricing from the retail sector for most of its core produce categories.
"Farming operations are meeting yield and quality expectations and have not been adversely affected by COVID, although mitigation costs are considerable," he said.
" ... the company's fundamentals remain strong and will deliver meaningful benefits over the medium to long term.
"They include our portfolio of market leading premium fresh produce, the utilisation of protected cropping across several of our categories, the geographical diversity of our production footprint and our growth program covering both domestic and international operations."
Chairman Neil Chatfield said the board was in discussions with Mr Debney about an "orderly retirement transition plan".
"The board acknowledges the outstanding leadership which Harry has provided to the company over the last 10 years and is particularly pleased with the extremely capable and stable leadership team which Harry has put in place," Mr Chatfield said.
"Harry has indicated that it is his current intention to retire as CEO of the company within the next nine months and that he would also make himself available beyond that point in a reduced capacity subject to the company's requirements."
Mr Chatfield said the company would update shareholders as the recruitment process progressed, with internal and outside candidates to be considered.
Meanwhile, changes to Costa's mushroom operations which led to the closure of facilities at Spreyton and in Queensland and expansion at Monarto, South Australia, appeared to be working.
"Our mushroom category is experiencing an improved year, with strong consumer demand and pleasing yield and quality from our streamlined three site operations following the closure last last year of aged facilities in Queensland and Tasmania," Mr Debney said.