The world's largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, Tyson Foods, Inc., has reported a drop in sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 ended October 1, 2005. Fourth quarter 2005 sales were $6.5 billion compared to $7.1 billion for the same period last year. Operating income was $190 million compared with $178 million and net income was $98 million compared with $66 million for the same period last year. Additionally, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 included $8 million of pre-tax losses related to Hurricane Katrina.

Sales for fiscal year 2005 were $26 billion compared with $26.4 billion for the same period last year. Operating income for fiscal year 2005 was $765 million compared with $925 million and net income was $353 million compared with $403 million for the same period last year.

John Tyson, chairman and CEO, said: "I am proud of the way our people executed our business strategy during the challenging circumstances we faced in fiscal 2005. Our chicken business performed well, and our pork business improved in the fourth quarter. However, with export markets closed throughout the year and Canadian import issues, our beef business was difficult.”

Tyson has approximately 114,000 staff employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world.