<p></p><p>Improving yields and a strengthening in almond prices has helped Australian almond company Select Harvests report a half-year profit of $18.4 million. The result for the six months to December 31, 2013, is up 118 per cent on the underlying net profit after tax of $8.4m for the same period in 2012. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) also lifted 87pc to $27m.</p> <p>In a statement to the ASX, Select Harvests’ managing direction Paul Thompson said the result was driven by a combination of focus on improving yields, further strengthening in almond prices and continuing performance improvement across the business. “The result demonstrates that the strategy the company has taken to increase exposure to the excellent fundamentals of the global almond industry, through investment in growing our almond orchard portfolio, has been a successful one,” he said. </p><p>The company reports its 2013 crop yield has been finalised at 12,669 tonnes, which compares to the estimate of 12,000 MT included in the result at June 30, 2013. Selling prices for the 2013 have averaged $6.60/kg, compared to an assumed $6.38/kg at June 30, 2013.In November last year, the company announced the acquisition of almond orchards near Loxton, SA, for $16.3m. It included 275 hectares of mature planted almond orchards, plus vacant land suitable for new almond plantings, equipment and the rights to the proceeds of the 2014 crop. </p><p>Processing almonds for third parties has also increased, recently extending its largest contract and securing additional volumes through a new five-year contract with an independent grower, boosting volumes to over 3000 MT per annum.The 2014 harvest started on February 18, with the company reporting favourable conditions.<br></p><p></p>