The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Limited (NAPCO) is up for sale. The Foster family is carrying out a strategic review, along with M.P. Evans Group plc (AIM:MPE), of its share in the NAPCO. Nigel Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of NAPCO confirmed the review is in its early stages and says there is no certainty a sale will go ahead. Nigel added that third parties have already been approached to gauge interest in taking a controlling interest in the company. Gresham Partners is acting as financial advisor for Foster family on exploration of options for sale. NAPCO and Gresham Partners' Colin Galbraith and Mark Stevens declined to comment.

The board of M.P. Evans Group plc is recommended a final dividend for the year of 5.75 pence per share, the same as for 2011. Together with the interim dividend of 2.25 pence per share paid in November 2012, the same as the interim dividend paid in November 2011, the total dividend for the year is unchanged at 8.00 pence. Shareholders will again have the option to elect to receive the dividend in shares rather than in cash. The calculation period will be April 24, 2013 to April 30, 2013. The dividend will be paid on or after June 20, 2013 to those shareholders on the register at the close of business on April 26, 2013.

M.P. Evans Group plc reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the year ended December 31, 2012. For the period, the company reported revenue of $83.213 million compared to $57.756 million a year ago. Operating profit was $19.122 million compared to $26.207 million a year ago. Group-controlled profit before tax was $16.700 million compared to $24.350 million a year ago. Group-controlled profit after tax was $10.670 million compared to $15.058 million a year ago. Profit attributable to owners of the company was $17.685 million or 32.44 cents per diluted share compared to $35.522 million or 65.64 cents per diluted share a year ago. The principal reason for the lower results was a fall in the group's share of profits from its associated companies of $13.76 million, flowing from both plantation and beef-cattle operations. Net cash generated by operating activities was $33.897 million compared to $48.339 million a year ago. Purchase of property, plant and equipment was $18.540 million compared to $31.789 million a year ago. Planting expenditure was $9.784 million compared to $15.619 million a year ago.