ConAgra will keep evaluating trading business

CHICAGO (Reuters) - ConAgra Foods Inc (CAG.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is considering whether its trading and merchandising unit should be part of the company in the future as its focus shifts to consumer packaged foods, the company's chief executive said on Monday.

Some analysts have questioned whether the energy and commodity trading business would be sold or remain a part of ConAgra, which has sold other business in recent years to focus on consumer brands like Healthy Choice meals and Hunt's ketchup.

"We will continue to evaluate that as we go forward," Chief Executive Gary Rodkin said during the Reuters Food Summit in Chicago, when asked if the business would continue to fit with the company.

Currently, the trading and merchandising business is one of the few bright spots for ConAgra, taking advantage of surging commodity prices that have hurt the company's consumer business.

"We like to make the money while it is there to be made," Rodkin said.

On Friday, Bear Stearns analyst Ken Goldman said ConAgra could sell the business at some point, citing conversations with contacts in the agricultural trading community.

(For summit blog: summitnotebook.reuters.com/)

(Reporting by Brad Dorfman)