15 June 2022

 

 

Zambeef Products plc

("Zambeef" or the "Group")

 

Interim results for the Half Year Ended 31 March 2022

 

Zambeef (AIM: ZAM), the fully integrated cold chain foods and retail business with operations in Zambia, Nigeria and Ghana, today announces its results for the half-year ended 31 March 2022.

 

Financial Highlights

Figures in 000's		2022	2021	%			2022	2021	%
		ZMW	ZMW				USD	USD
Revenue		2,568,680	2,150,473	19.4%		148,136		102,501		44.5%
Cost of sales		(1,715,287)	(1,411,049)	21.6%		(98,921)		(67,257)		47.1%
Gross profit		853,393	739,424	15.4%		49,215		35,244		39.6%
Administrative expenses		(622,986)	(584,654)	6.5%		(35,928)		(27,867)		28.9%
Operating profit		230,407	154,770	48.9%		13,287		7,377		80.1%
Profit from asset held for sale		10,330		-		596		-		-
Share of profit equity accounted investment		(1,287)	(915)	40.7%		(74)		(44)		68.2%
Exchange losses		113	(42,558)	100.3%		7		(2,029)		100.3%
Finance costs		(58,413)	(56,360)	3.7%		(3,369)		(2,686)		25.4%
Profit before taxation		181,150	54,937	229.7%		10,447		2,618		299.0%
Taxation charge		(33,587)	(21,846)	53.7%		(1,937)		(1,041)		86.1%
Profit for the period from continued operations		147,563	33,091	345.9%		8,510		1,577		439.6%
Profit from discontinued operations		-	20,843	-			-	993	-
Total profit for the period		147,563	53,934	173.6			8,510	2,570	231.1%
EBITDA		310,422	193,398	60.51%			17,902	9,217	94.2%
Gross Profit Margin		33.2%	34.4%				33.2%	34.4%
EBITDA Margin		12.1%	9.0%				12.1%	9.0%
Debt/Equity (Gearing)		14.9%	25.4%				14.92%	25.43%
Debt-To-EBITDA		1.91	5.19%				1.83	4.93

 

 

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

 

The period saw relative macroeconomic stability with the kwacha appreciating relative to the US Dollar and inflation on a steady downward trajectory. However, input costs to our livestock division increased as a result of increasing commodity prices and fuel costs. Together with a tight monetary policy, this resulted in constrained consumer spending which affected the demand for our products.

 

However, the Group posted results that were ahead of market expectations (with this improved performance being notified in the Company's Trading Update announcement of 27 April 2022), driven by good performance in our cropping and stockfeed division and continued focus on cost control. Market share gains and increased Layer feed prices in our stock feed business resulted in increased profitability and sustained margins.

 

Zambeef's chain of 237 retail outlets, both own-brand and within Shoprite supermarkets, remain at the heart of the business, with demand from consumers driving supply.

 

KEY FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Revenue measured in at ZMW2.6 billion (USD148.1 million) with a gross profit of ZMW853.4 million (USD49.2 million), a growth of 19% and 15% when compared to the previous corresponding period in kwacha terms as well as 45% and 40% in USD terms respectively.

                                                                                                                         

The Group's topline performance was due to performance in Cropping and Stockfeed. Higher grain prices, stockfeed market share gains and good farming interventions enabled the business to post profitability. Cost pressures stemming from covid related global supply chain desruptions, fuel costs and subdued demand on our protein products resulted in margin erosion.

 

Management continued the cost optimisation agenda through streamlining administrative costs while the continued direct cost control measures helped deliver strong operating profit leverage.

 

The Group combined strength as a diversified and vertically integrated business with strong brands, supportive partners and an experienced management team continues to be a major factor on the sustained profitability of the Group.

 

Commenting on these results, Mr Michael Mundashi said:

 

"The Group faced margin pressure arising from a rise in input costs such as Soya and energy across our value chains. However, our diversified portfolio of brands and vertically integrated businesses ensured the impact is balanced across the divisions, thereby enabling the overall growth in Group profitability.

 

The Board believes the key to sustainable growth lies in remaining committed to its strategic priorities, while mitigating the effects of dynamic economic and climate cycles. As such, the focus remains to invest in growth and optimisation opportunities and invest in our core businesses and the divestiture of non-core businesses. The vertical and horizontal integrated business structure remains essential to sustained profitability growth and balancing economic and climatic cyclicity.

 

"We anticipate macro-economic stability for Zambia to continue over the medium term supported by improved investor sentiment, elevated copper prices and the possibility of an International Monetary Fund supported debt management program. The kwacha is expected to remain relatively stable supported by increased mining output.

 

The copper price, which is a major foreign exchange earner for the country, is expected to continue holding as the global economy continues to recover from the Covid-19 related shocks. The inflation rate is expected to continue on the downward trajectory, although the outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian tensions will lead to further rises in global food and energy prices which still pose a risk of higher inflation locally. The world at large and Zambia in particular, have acclimatised to living with the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we expect Covid-19 related shocks to the business and the economy to remain minimal."

 

For further information, please visit www.zambeefplc.com or contact:

 

Zambeef Products plc	Tel:  +260 (0) 211 369003
Walter Roodt, Chief Executive Office
Faith Mukutu, Chief Financial Officer
finnCap (Nominated Adviser and Broker)	Tel: +44 (0) 20 7220 0500
Ed Frisby/Tim Harper (Corporate Finance)
Tim Redfern/Barney Hayward (ECM)
Autus Securities Limited	Tel: +260 (0) 761 002 002
Mataka Nkhoma

About Zambeef Products Plc

Zambeef Products Plc is the largest integrated cold chain food products and agribusiness company in Zambia and one of the largest in the region, involved in the primary production, processing, distribution and retailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, eggs, dairy products, fish, flour and stockfeed, throughout Zambia and the surrounding region, as well as Nigeria and Ghana.

 

It has 236 retail outlets throughout Zambia and West Africa.

The Company is one of the largest suppliers of beef in Zambia. Five beef abattoirs and three feedlots are located throughout Zambia, with a capacity to slaughter 230,000 cattle a year. It is also one of the largest chicken and egg producers in Zambia, with a capacity of 8.8m broilers and 22.4 million day-old chicks a year. It is one of the largest piggeries, pig abattoirs and pork processing plants in Zambia, with a capacity to slaughter 75,000 pigs a year, while its dairy has a capacity of 120,000 litres per day.

 

The Group is also one of the largest cereal row cropping operations in Zambia, with approximately 7,787 hectares of row crops under irrigation, which are planted twice a year, and a further 8,694 hectares of rainfed/dry-land crops available for planting each year.

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

It is my great pleasure to present to you the Chairman's Report with respect to the half year ended 31 March, 2022.

 

The period saw relative macroeconomic stability with the kwacha appreciating relative to the US Dollar and inflation on a steady downward trajectory. However, input costs to our livestock division increased as a result of increasing commodity prices and fuel costs. Together with a tight monetary policy, this resulted in constrained consumer spending which affected the demand for our products. Despite these headwinds, the Group posted results that were ahead of market expectations (with this improved performance being notified in the Company's Trading Update announcement of 27 April 2022), driven by good performance in our cropping and stockfeed division and continued focus on cost control.

 

The Group faced margin pressure arising from a rise in input costs such as Soya and energy across our value chains. However, our diversified portfolio of brands and vertically integrated businesses ensured the impact is balanced across the divisions, thereby enabling the overall group to profitability growth.

 

The Group generated an operating profit, including profit from asset held for sale, of ZMW240.7 million (USD13.8 million) compared to ZMW175.6million (USD8.4 million) in the prior financial year. The operating profit, excluding profit from asset held for sale, was ZMW230.4 million (USD13.3 million) compared to ZMW154.8 million (USD7.4 million) achieved in the previous financial year. Profit before tax was ZMW181.1 million (USD10.4 million) compared to ZMW54.9 million (USD2.6 million) achieved in the prior financial year. The Group's performance in the face of headwinds illustrates the strengths of our vertically integrated business model, the strength of our brands and a good management team.

 

The Board believes the key to sustainable growth lies in remaining committed to its strategic priorities, while mitigating the effects of dynamic economic and climate cycles. As such, the focus remains to invest in growth and optimisation opportunities and invest in our core businesses and the divestiture of non-core businesses. The vertical and horizontal integrated business structure remains essential to sustained profitability growth and balancing economic and climatic cyclicity.

           

The Economic Environment

The Zambian economy saw signs of macroeconomic recovery, following the successful general elections which resulted in positive market sentiments and a positive economic outlook. The Zambian kwacha remained relatively stable, with elements of volatility being seen at the end of both the first and second quarters. The strength of the currency was supported by foreign participation in the bond market and a higher copper price on the international commodity market.

 

Despite recovery in the global economy, the Zambian economic recovery remains gradual, given the high debt burden and reduced consumer spending.      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Inflationary pressures, particularly food inflation, had resulted in a significant drop in our customers' disposable income and has continued to put pressure on the consumers' share of wallet going towards food spend. However, inflation continued on the downward trend for the period under review closing at 13.1% compared to 22.8% for the previous financial year, supported mainly by a reduction in food inflation rates as it came off a high base from the previous year. This however did not offset steep cold chain foods sales volume losses for the half-year period.

 

Retail and Cold Chain Food Products

Revenue in the Retail and Cold Chain Food business grew by 11% to ZMW2.6 billion with operating profit growth of 26% to ZMW96 million, supported by sustained revenue management and cost control in light of margin pressure due to a reduction in demand in the face of rising input costs.

 

Rising global food prices, particularly grain, precipitated in high animal feed costs. As a result, the division saw margin pressures across most protein categories as feed is a significant cost in primary protein production.

 

The Poultry business saw demand reduction owing to sustained chicken price escalations, which resulted in consumers downgrading to cheaper protein sources. Management has responded and implemented measures that are expected to see a recovery in the second half-year period.

 

Cropping and Milling (Cropping, Stockfeed and Wheat Milling)

Zambia experienced a late onset to the summer rainfall season, and as a result, yields for the summer crop declined. However, favourable grain prices deliver strong growth.

 

The first quarter resulted in below expected stockfeed sales volumes with the second quarter showing strong gains in market share due to Stockfeed strong raw material position.

 

Debt reduction

During the half year period, the Group continued to deleverage by making repayments on debt obligations as they became due and utilising the internally generated cash to reduce our short-term debt. Net debt for the half year period closed at ZMW592 million (USD33million) from ZMW715 million (USD46million) as at 30 September 2021. The resultant balance sheet positions the Group with capacity to finance efficiency upgrades and production capacity expansion.

 

The steps that management took in 2021, to restructure the Company's debt profile by replacing the majority USD debt with kwacha debt to match the primary revenue base currency to the Company's debt service profile is beginning to yield results. We now have greater certainty of committed debt repayment amounts which has resulted in significantly reduced exchange rate risks.

 

Outlook

We anticipate macro-economic stability for Zambia to continue over the medium term supported by improved investor sentiment, elevated copper prices and the possibility of an International Monetary Fund supported debt management program. The kwacha is expected to remain relatively stable supported by increased mining output.

 

The copper price, which is a major foreign exchange earner for the country, is expected to continue holding as the global economy continues to recover from the Covid-19 related shocks. The inflation rate is expected to continue on the downward trajectory, although the outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian tensions will lead to further rises in global food and energy prices which still pose a risk of higher inflation locally. The world at large and Zambia in particular, have acclimatised to living with the Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, we expect Covid-19 related shocks to the business and the economy to remain minimal.

 

The Group remains committed to delivering value to shareholders and is well positioned to navigate the turmoil while capitalising on opportunities.

 

Strategy

Following the strategy reset process of 2021, I am happy to report that the board remains committed to and is on track in implementing the strategic imperatives. The following are the pillars on which the five year strategy was underpinned:

 

§ Focus and strengthen our core business by investing in capacity and grow market share

§ Divestiture of non-core assets to free up resources

§ Develop a human capital strategy that aligns with business objectives

§ Strengthen our strategic partnerships

§ Enhancement of shareholders value

 

Acknowledgement

 

On behalf of the Company and the Board of Directors, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Yollard Kachinda and Frank Braeken who resigned from the board on 14 April 2022 and 27 May, 2022, respectively. Their dedication and contributions to the business during the period they served as directors will be greatly missed.

 

I also thank my fellow board members for steering the Group through the first half of the year and positioning it for the next phase of growth. To our management and staff, I express my gratitude to them for another solid performance, dedicated efforts and resilience in the face of challenges. I am proud of our achievements to date and I am excited by the potential opportunities upon which we will build our future progress.

 

 

 

 

Michael Mundashi

Chairman

 

15 June 2022

 

 

 

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW

 

Overview 

Despite the 2022 half-year period being characterised by difficult trading conditions, the Group results exceeded market expectations, as previously announced, due to the performance in the Cropping and Milling division. Higher grain prices and Stockfeed market share gains enabled the business to post strong profits. However, in light of the macroeconomic fundamentals stabilising, the reduced consumer spend on the back of a rise in input costs put pressure on volumes and margins in the Retail and Cold Chain Food Products (CCFP) segment. The increase in raw material input costs, such as soya and wheat, negatively impacted primary protein and milling production costs with the consequent increase in food prices to our customers resulting in reduced demand for our products as customers traded down, particularly in the first quarter of the financial year. The second quarter saw a slight volume recovery in the Retail and CCFP segments as management responded to the changing commercial environment.

 

The Group posted revenue, including from assets held for sale, of ZMW2.6 billion (USD150 million) and we achieved a gross profit of ZMW884 million (USD51 million), being 16% and 13% above the prior year in kwacha terms, and 40% and 37% growth in USD terms, respectively.

 

The Group's strong performance was driven by the Cropping and Milling division. Management continued optimising top line growth through revenue management initiatives while the continued cost control measures helped deliver a robust operating profit performance.

 

Our diversified and vertically integrated business with strong brands, supportive partners and an experienced management team helped deliver encouraging results during the first half-year of the 2022 reporting period.

 

Strategic focus

Our strategic focus remains to optimise our asset utilisation and maximise returns. We remain committed to focusing on our existing core businesses, in which we strive to be the best in class, continued divesture of non-core assets and a fit for purpose people strategy. As part of delivering on our strategic imperatives, the business will progressively turn towards capacity expansion opportunities across our business, which will see increased profitability in the medium to long term.

 

Outlook

The macroeconomic environment is expected to remain stable. The successful holding of general elections on 12 August 2021 and the resultant change in government during a peaceful transition of power has brought investor confidence and optimism. The consequent appreciation of the kwacha continued during the half year as foreign direct investment prospects improved. This coupled with high copper prices, a potential International Monetary Fund (IMF) Country program and reliable electricity supply has improved the country's economic outlook. We expect a continued slowdown in inflation and reduced interest rates. As a result, we look forward to increased economic activity translating into sustained macroeconomic stability.

 

Our strong brands will help us maintain customer loyalty while the vertically integrated business model positions us well to secure both supply and a market for our products. The future recovery in the economy and a strong management team have positioned us well for improved stakeholder value creation in the coming years.

 

The Russo-Ukraine conflict poses risks but at the same time presents opportunities for our business. The consequent rise in input costs such as fertiliser and energy could negatively impact our profitability while the rise in commodity prices, such as wheat and soya, will benefit our Cropping and Milling division.

ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS PLC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Divisional Performance

 

Table 1 (ZMW) and Table 2 (USD) below provide a summary of the consolidated performance of the key business divisions reported at an operating profit level.

 

Table 1: Divisional financial summary in ZMW'000

 

ZMW	Revenue		Gross Profit				Overheads			Operating Profit
Division	2022 ZMW'000	2021 ZMW'000	2022 ZMW'000		2021 ZMW'000		2022 ZMW'000	2021 ZMW'000		2022 ZMW'000	2021 ZMW'000
Retail & CCFP	2,631,327
		2,367,486	399,734		387,745		(303,646)	(311,636)		96,088	76,109
Cropping & Milling	1,382,510	1,032,887	453,659		351,679		(200,580)	(182,289)		253,079	169,390
Total	4,013,837	3,400,373	853,393		739,424		(504,226)	(493,925)		349,167	245,499
Less: Intra/ Inter Group	(1,445,157)	(1,249,900)
				-		-	-		-	-
Sales
Central
Overhead							(118,760)	(90,729)		(118,760)	(90,729)
Group Total	2,568,680	2,150,473	853,393		739,424		(622,986)	(584,654)		230,407	154,770

 

 

Table 2: Divisional financial summary in USD'000

 

USD	Revenue		Gross Profit		Overheads		Operating Profit
Division	2022 USD'000	2021 USD'000	2022 USD'000	2021 USD'000	2022 USD'000	2021 USD'000	2022 USD'000	2021 USD'000
Retail &	151,748	112,845	23,053	18,481	(17,512)	(14,853)	5,541	3,628
CCFP
Cropping & Milling	79,730	49,232	26,162	16,763	(11,567)	(8,689)	14,595	8,074
Total	231,478	162,077	49,215	35,244	(29,079)	(23,542)	20,136	11,702
Less: Intra/
Inter Group	(83,342)	(59,576)
Sales
Central
Overhead					(6,849)	(4,325)	(6,849)	(4,325)
Group Total	148,136	102,501	49,215	35,244	(35,928)	(27,867)	13,287	7,377

 

 

ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS PLC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REVIEW (CONTINUED)

 

Taking the performance of each of our key business areas in turn:

 

Retail and Cold Chain Food Products

Sales volumes came under pressure on the back of input price increases that reduced consumer spending on proteins and oils and resulting in the trading down to cheaper nutritional alternatives. The resulting strong supply situation across all protein categories necessitated price reductions in the second quarter which started to contribute to a volume recovery. March 2022 saw the outbreak of African Swine Fever in Lusaka Province which resulted in our pork processing operation being shut down and therefore started to impact on volumes. Chicken sales volumes struggled as the price of chicken products remained relatively high compared with other proteins due to sustained high feed prices.

Despite the challenges, the Retail and CCFP business registered a revenue growth of 11% above the prior year. However, higher input prices, particularly feed and fuel, resulted in margin erosion, thereby posting gross profit growth of only 3%.

The Retail and CCFP division generated an EBIT margin of 3.7% which increased by 43.9 basis points from the previous financial year to ZMW96 million (2021: ZMW76 million) in kwacha terms and grew impressively by 53% to USD5.5 million (2021: USD3.6 million) in dollar terms. Overhead spend discipline ensured strong operating profit leverage. Reduced load shedding helped lower fuel costs of running our electricity generators, which further contributed to the increased profitability.

 

Cropping and Milling (Cropping, Stockfeed and Wheat Milling)

The summer farming season started off poorly due to the delay in the onset of summer rains which impacted on summer crop yields. However, high world grain prices enabled the business to post better than expected results.

The Stockfeed milling business was a major contributor to profitability in the division due to market share gains owing to good sales and operations planning.

Revenue in the Cropping and Milling division grew by 34% in kwacha terms and 62% in USD terms, while the operating profit grew by 49% to ZMW 253 million (2021: ZMW169 million) or 81% to USD14.6 million (2021: USD8.1 million) in dollar terms. Production costs were impacted by rising costs of inputs, particularly fertiliser and other inputs.

 

 

 

 

Walter Roodt

Chief Executive Officer

 

15 June 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS PLC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

 

	Unaudited		Audited
	31 Mar 2022	31 Mar 2021	30 Sept 2021
Group	ZMW'000s	ZMW'000s	ZMW'000s
Revenue	2,568,680	2,150,473	4,974,351
Net profit arising from price changes in fair value of biological assets	5,273	17,242	6,651
Cost of sales	(1,720,560)	(1,428,291)	(3,510,286)
Gross profit	853,393	739,424	1,470,716
Administrative expenses	(597,097)	(554,461)	(1,150,658)
Distribution costs	(29,850)	(33,114)	(66,848)
Other income	3,961	2,921	14,120
Operating profit	230,407	154,770	267,330
Share of loss equity accounted investment	(1,287)	(915)	(3,358)
Profit from asset held for sale	10,330	-	31,949
Exchange gains/(losses) on translating foreign currency transactions and balances	113	(42,558)	23,332
Finance costs	(58,413)	(56,360)	(115,282)
Profit before taxation	181,150	54,937	203,971
Taxation charge	(33,587)	(21,846)	(35,148)
Profit/(loss) for the period from continued operations	147,563	33,091	168,823
Profit from discontinued operations	-	20,843	-
Total profit for the period	147,563	53,934	168,823
Profit/(loss) attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent	146,754	54,056	167,980
Non-controlling interest	809	(122)	843
	147,563	53,934	168,823
Other comprehensive income
Exchange gains/(losses) on translating presentational currency	(28,156)	117,226	(286,645)
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability	-	-	(2,813)
Revaluation of assets	-	-	192,403
Total other comprehensive income	119,407	117,226	(97,055)
Total comprehensive income for the period	119,407	171,160	71,768
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent	121,786	173,523	73,867
Non-controlling interest	(2,379)	(2,363)	(2,099)
	119,407	171,160	71,768
Earnings per share	Ngwee	Ngwee	Ngwee
Basic earnings per share from continued operations	45.39	11.05	55.89
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations	3.44	6.93	-
Total	48.83	17.98	55.89

 

 

ZAMBEEF PRODUCTS PLC AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

 

	Unaudited		Audited
	31 Mar 2022	31 Mar 2021	30 Sept 2021
Group	USD'000s	USD'000s	USD'000s
Revenue	148,136	102,501	235,528
Net proft arising from price changes in fair value of biological assets	304	822	315
Cost of sales	(99,225)	(68,079)	(166,207)
Gross profit	49,215	35,244	69,636
Administrative expenses	(34,435)	(26,428)	(54,482)
Distribution costs	(1,721)	(1,578)	(3,165)
Other income	228	139	669
Operating profit	13,287	7,377	12,658
Share of loss equity accounted investment	(74)	(44)	(160)
Profit from asset held for sale	596	-	1,513
Exchange gains/(losses) on translating foreign currency transactions and balances	7	(2,029)	1,105
Finance costs	(3,369)	(2,686)	(5,458)
Profit before taxation	10,447	2,618	9,658
Taxation charge	(1,937)	(1,041)	(1,663)
Profit/(loss) for the period from continued operations	8,510	1,577	7,995
Profit from asset held for sale	-	993	-
Total profit for the period	8,510	2,570	7,995
Profit/(loss) attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent	8,463	2,577	7,955
Non-controlling interest	47	(7)	40
	8,510	2,570	7,995
Other comprehensive income
Exchange (losses)/gains on translating presentational currency	(18,552)	(11,265)	25,338
Remeasurement of net defined benefit liability	-	-	(133)
Revaluation of assets	-	-	9,110
Total other comprehensive income	(18,552)	(11,265)	34,315
Total comprehensive income for the period	(10,042)	(8,695)	42,310
Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent	(9,921)	(8,581)	42,440
Non-controlling interest	(121)	(114)	(130)
	(10,042)	(8,695)	42,310
Earnings per share	Cents	Cents	Cents
Basic earnings per share from continued operations	2.62	0.53	2.65
Basic earnings per share from discontinued operations	0.20	0.33	-
Total	2.82	0.86	2.65