Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) today reported its performance for the fiscal 2008 third quarter.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Diluted EPS of $.38, down 7 percent from $.41 per share in 2007
• Dollar sales of $1.68 billion increased 10 percent from 2007
• Volume up 7 percent compared to last year
• Operating profit down 2 percent from 2007
• Grocery Products operating profit up 11 percent; volume up 10 percent; dollar sales up 10 percent
• Refrigerated Foods operating profit down 1 percent; volume up 4 percent (flat excluding acquisitions); dollar sales up 8 percent (up 4 percent excluding acquisitions)
• Jennie-O Turkey Store operating profit down 61 percent; volume up 7 percent; dollar sales up 11 percent
• Specialty Foods operating profit up 20 percent; volume up 10 percent; dollar sales up 14 percent
• All Other operating profit up 19 percent; volume up 24 percent; dollar sales up 33 percent.

The company reported fiscal 2008 third quarter net earnings of $51.9 million, down 9 percent from earnings of $57.4 million a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $.38 this year compared to $.41 per share last year. Sales totaled $1.68 billion, up from $1.52 billion in fiscal 2007. For the nine months ended July 27, 2008, net earnings were $217.7 million, or $1.58 per diluted share (up 10 percent), compared to $200.7 million a year ago or $1.44 per diluted share. Sales totaled $4.9 billion, up 8 percent, from $4.5 billion in the same period last year.

COMMENTARY

“We continue to generate strong top-line growth in both dollar sales and volume across all five of our operating segments,” said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. “As we previously announced, the higher feed input and fuel costs at our Jennie-O Turkey Store segment pressured profitability and contributed to the year over year decline in the company’s third quarter results. Relatively flat results in our Refrigerated Foods segment and a decline in investment income also presented unanticipated challenges during the quarter. In our Refrigerated Foods segment, strong fresh pork margins and pricing taken by our Meat Products and Foodservice Divisions were insufficient to overcome increased costs experienced by those divisions.”

“We were encouraged by the strong top-line and bottom-line growth by our Grocery Products, Specialty Foods and All Other segments. Our Grocery Products and All Other segments maintained the strong momentum they had during the first half of the year, and our Specialty Foods segment rebounded nicely under difficult operating circumstances,” Ettinger said.

SEGMENT OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS – THIRD QUARTER

Grocery Products (13% of Net Sales, 31% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

The Grocery Products segment reported an 11 percent increase in operating profit for the quarter compared to last year. The HORMEL and STAGG chili products performed particularly well for the quarter due to improved retail promotional programs and gains over competitive brands. DINTY MOORE stews and HORMEL COMPLEATS microwave meals also achieved increases in sales this quarter.

Refrigerated Foods (53% of Net Sales, 38% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

The Refrigerated Foods segment reported an operating profit 1 percent lower than last year for the quarter. Higher input and other costs were not fully recovered through pricing actions. Sales were up 8 percent due to continued strong demand for value-added products, particularly in the retail segment. Retail product lines experiencing strong net sales growth include DiLUSSO DELI products and HORMEL pepperoni. Net sales were down slightly in the Foodservice division.

Jennie-O Turkey Store (19% of Net Sales, 8% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

Operating profit declined 61 percent in the Jennie-O Turkey Store segment in the quarter despite an 11 percent increase in sales. While the Jennie-O Turkey Store team continued to implement price increases, these increases were not adequate to offset the approximately $53 million increase in feed and fuel input costs incurred during the quarter. An oversupply of turkey breast meat in the market also kept pricing of commodity breast meat at a low level, exacerbating the cost-price differential. Demand for retail value-added products such as JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE turkey burgers and tray pack products continues to be strong.

Specialty Foods (11% of Net Sales, 17% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

The Specialty Foods segment had strong results for the quarter with operating profit increasing 20 percent. Each of the three business units in this segment reported higher net sales and operating profits for the quarter. Gains in the Specialty Products business unit were driven by higher contract manufacturing volumes. Century Foods International experienced significantly higher sales and volumes of ready-to-drink products. Diamond Crystal Brands completed an acquisition of a small liquid packet manufacturer in Georgia during the quarter.

All Other (4% of Net Sales, 6% of Total Segment Operating Profit)

The All Other segment, which includes the International business unit, had another strong quarter with operating profit up 19 percent compared to last year. Export sales of the SPAM family of products and fresh pork are the main contributors with increases being shown in most markets. Equity in earnings of affiliates declined for the quarter due to the impact of the weakening Philippine peso on results of our Purefoods-Hormel joint venture.

General Corporate Expense

General corporate expense decreased for the quarter due to lower than expected expenses associated with long-term compensation plans and other benefits.

Net Interest and Investment Income

Net interest and investment income declined significantly compared to last year due primarily to lower investment results on our rabbi trust investments, which fund the company’s non-qualified benefit plan obligations.

OUTLOOK

“As stated in our preannouncement on August 8, we expect to see continued earnings pressure at Jennie-O Turkey Store from higher input costs, as the birds fed with higher grain prices make their way through the system. As stated previously, we are adjusting our full year guidance to $2.22-$2.28 per share, which is above our prior year results of $2.17 per share last year ($2.14 excluding the sale of assets in the fourth quarter). We continue to focus on our long-term objectives to grow the business through product innovation, increasing brand strength and adding value to our products,” Ettinger said.

DIVIDENDS

Effective Aug. 15, 2008, the Company paid its 320^th consecutive quarterly dividend. The annual rate is $.74.

CONFERENCE CALL

A conference call will be Webcast at 9:00 a.m. CT on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008. Access is available at www.hormelfoods.com. If you do not have Internet access and want to listen to the call over the phone, the dial in number is 800-240-2430. An audio replay is available by calling 800-405-2236 and entering access code 11118122#. The audio replay will be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, through 11:59 p.m. CT on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008. The Webcast replay will be available at 11:00 a.m. CT, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, and archived for one year.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer-branded food and meat products, many of which are among the best known and trusted in the food industry. The company leverages its extensive expertise, innovation and high competencies in pork and turkey processing and marketing to bring quality, value-added brands to the global marketplace. For each of the past nine years, Hormel Foods has been named one of “The Best Big Companies in America” by Forbes magazine. The company enjoys a strong reputation among consumers, retail grocers and foodservice customers for products highly regarded for quality, taste, nutrition, convenience and value. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking information based on management’s current views and assumptions. Actual events may differ materially. Please refer to the cautionary statement regarding Forward-Looking Statements and risk factors that appear on pages 25-30 in the Company’s 10Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 27, 2008, which can be accessed at www.hormelfoods.com under “Investors-SEC Filings.”

Hormel Foods Corporation
Investor Contact:
Kevin Jones, 507-437-5248
kcjones@hormel.com
or
Media Contact:
Julie Craven, 507-437-5345
media@hormel.com