In February,US food giant ConAgra eliminated 92 positions globally, primarily in China, South Korea and Singapore, and the UK. The company, whose fiscal year ends this month, has announced an additional 212 jobs will be cut over the next year.

"The [company] is truly focused on improving the effectiveness of our operations," ConAgra spokeswoman Stephanie Childs said. ConAgra also plans to change some of its internal processes, such as purchasing, to improve efficiency, commented spokeswoman Teresa Paulsen. The changes are designed to help improve its operating margins and reduce costs. The company plans to focus its international efforts in North and South America, China and India.

ConAgra said the expected cost savings from the latest changes is already incorporated in its fiscal 2009 earnings prediction of at least US$1.55 per share; but Paulsen said the US$40 million in expenses related to the changes are not included in the outlook because the company considers them one-time expenses.

Company officials said the performance of the company’s trading and merchandising segment had been stronger than expected but that input costs had weighed on its consumer food division. ConAgra spokespersons also stated that the latest changes were related to the company's ongoing efforts to integrate its different divisions into a single operating company.