The company reported a 6 percent increase in revenue of R7.854 billion and operating profit growth of 7 percent to R1.381bn for the half-year to September. It said that in the six-month period, the company had seen a record performance from the land conversion and its starch operations. "Land conversion and developments generated sales from 174 developable hectares and the starch operation benefitted from competitive maize costs and favourable co-product realisations," said Staude. The company had more than doubled profit generated by land conversions through its Tongaat Hulett Developments division for the period, from R246m in 2012 to R512m this year. Of the 174 developable hectares sold, 151ha were purchased by Dube Tradeport, near King Shaka International Airport for R350m. Staude said while the land was not yet "shovel ready", Tongaat Hulett and Dube Tradeport were working together to "capture the synergy of each other's unique capabilities" to develop the land around the airport.