pilgrims pride corp reported betterthanexpected sales but fell short on profit in the fourth quarter net income attributable to the company was 368 million in the three months ended dec 26 2021 up from 79000 in the yearago period analysts polled by factset had expected 1112 million the greeley colobased chicken giant posted pershare earnings of 15 cents adjusted pershare earnings were 56 cents analysts polled by factset had expected an adjusted pershare earnings of 55 cents net sales totaled 404 billion up from 312 billion in the prioryear period analysts polled by factset were expecting 381 billion the company cited a confluence of factors that affected its performance chief executive fabio sandri said its business in mexico dealt with elevated feed grain pricing for much of the year while its european business faced rising input costs and overall inflation as well as labor disruptions due to brexit mr sandri said strong consumer demand in the us supported fresh meat pricing throughout 2021 the company said labor shortages were a significant challenge in the us and europe throughout 2021 but it is starting to see signs of improvement in staffing levels