Quarterly Report • Jan 11, 2018
Quarterly Report
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To AGRANA, it is a continuing positive outlook for the rest of the financial year.
1 Debt-equity ratio (ratio of net debt to total equity).
2 Average number of full-time equivalents in the reporting period.
In the first nine months of the financial year, the AGRANA Group achieved an operating profit (EBIT) of € 171.6 million, marking a significant increase of 24.6% from the same period one year earlier. Revenue in the first three quarters of 2017|18 rose slightly from € 1,967.5 million to € 2,010.6 million.
For the Sugar segment, the financial third quarter of 2017|18 was the first reporting period in a new, 'quota-less' era. Greater competition since 1 October 2017 within Europe amid a sufficiently supplied EU market and higher world sugar stocks led to downward price pressure in contracts with customers for the 2017|18 sugar marketing year. On the production side, the beet campaign is progressing as planned, both in terms of volume and quality. Our nine sugar factories will process more than six million tonnes of beet by the end of January 2018 in a campaign lasting up to an estimated 140 days.
The Starch segment continues to show a very good earnings trend with a doubledigit EBIT margin. Here, the ethanol business is currently the one exposed to the highest volatility, which is reflected in sharply fluctuating Platts quotations. Raw material prices in the Starch segment are stable overall, the wet corn campaigns were successful and, on the sales side, growth was ensured by the steadily rising demand in the paper and corrugated board sector among other factors.
In the Fruit segment, the third quarter saw the groundbreaking for our new, second fruit preparations plant in China. At our site in India, in addition to the existing production of mango puree, the manufacturing of fruit preparations will begin shortly. A challenging next few months are ahead for our fruit juice concentrate business. In the 2017 apple campaign, considerably smaller harvest volumes in the key production regions Poland and Hungary led to rising raw material prices and had negative impacts for the utilisation of the fruit juice concentrate facilities.
This year, across the Group, we will go on investing at a rate significantly higher than that of depreciation. Nine months in, we continue to be able to confirm the financial outlook for the full year 2017|18. Despite a very difficult market environment in the fourth quarter in the Sugar segment, AGRANA expects Group EBIT to be at least 10% higher than last year.
On behalf of the whole Management Board, I would like to extend a sincere thank-you to our employees for their commitment as well as to our partners and shareholders for their support and trust in the past calendar year.
Sincerely
Johann Marihart Chief Executive Officer
| AGRANA Group €m, except % and per-share data |
Q1-Q3 2017 18 |
Q1-Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,010.6 | 1,967.5 |
| EBITDA1 | 213.8 | 183.9 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
149.4 | 121.6 |
| Share of results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
25.8 | 23.7 |
| Exceptional items | (3.6) | (7.6) |
| Operating profit [EBIT]2 | 171.6 | 137.7 |
| EBIT margin | 8.5% | 7.0% |
| Net financial items | (11.0) | (13.3) |
| Income tax expense | (33.0) | (29.2) |
| Profit for the period | 127.6 | 95.2 |
| Earnings per share | € 7.98 | € 6.293 |
In the first three quarters of 2017|18 (the nine months ended 30 November 2017), revenue of the AGRANA Group was € 2,010.6 million, up 2.2% from the same period one year earlier, with the slight growth coming from the Sugar and Starch segments.
Operating profit (EBIT) was € 171.6 million in the first three quarters of 2017|18, a significant rise of 24.6% from the year-earlier period. In the Starch segment, EBIT grew substantially to € 70.4 million, an increase of 21.4% driven above all by a positive trend in the ethanol business. EBIT in the Sugar segment also improved, to € 42.1 million
| AGRANA Group €m, except % and per-share data |
Q3 2017 18 |
Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 648.5 | 647.2 |
| EBITDA1 | 64.2 | 69.7 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
36.0 | 43.3 |
| Share of results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
5.8 | 8.7 |
| Exceptional items | (0.8) | (4.7) |
| Operating profit [EBIT]2 | 41.0 | 47.3 |
| EBIT margin | 6.3% | 7.3% |
| Net financial items | (2.1) | (3.0) |
| Income tax expense | (8.6) | (11.7) |
| Profit for the period | 30.3 | 32.6 |
| Earnings per share | € 1.96 | € 2.083 |
(Q1-Q3 prior year: € 23.1 million), thanks mainly to higher selling prices in the first six months compared with one year earlier. In the Fruit segment, EBIT increased slightly (by 4.4%) to € 59.1 million. The net financial items expense improved from the comparative period's € 13.3 million to € 11.0 million. After an income tax expense of € 33.0 million, corresponding to a tax rate of approximately 20.5% (Q1-Q3 prior year: 23.5%), profit for the period was € 127.6 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 95.2 million). Earnings per share attributable to AGRANA shareholders increased to € 7.98 (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 6.29).
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3 In the prior year, earnings per share were still calculated on the basis of the 14,202,040 shares outstanding at that time (number of shares at 30 November 2017: 15,622,244).
In the first three quarters, AGRANA invested € 95.5 million, or € 25.9 million more than in the year-earlier comparative period. Capital expenditure by segment was as follows:
| Investment1 €m |
Q1-Q3 2017 18 | Q1-Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | 25.4 | 17.8 |
| Starch | 41.2 | 36.2 |
| Fruit | 28.9 | 15.6 |
| Group | 95.5 | 69.6 |
The most significant investment projects included the following:
Various projects across all 42 production sites (including construction of the new, second fruit preparations plant in China and a new carrot concentrate production line in Hungary)
Additionally in the first three quarters of 2017|18, € 19.0 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 8.9 million) was invested in the equity-accounted joint ventures (the HUNGRANA and STUDEN groups; investment in these entities is stated at 100% of the total).
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital rose to € 243.2 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 186.8 million) in the first nine months of 2017|18, primarily as a result of the higher profit for the period. After an increase of € 6.7 million in working capital (very close in size to the year-ago increase of € 7.9 million) and after higher outflows for taxes, net cash from operating activities in the first three quarters of 2017|18 reached € 197.6 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 153.1 million). Net cash used in investing activities was € 96.1 million as a result of higher payments for purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangibles (Q1-Q3 prior year: net cash use of € 72.4 million). The increased dividend payment as a result of the February 2017 capital increase, together with higher repayments of borrowings during the first three quarters of 2017|18, were reflected in a higher net cash use of € 168.3 million for financing activities (Q1-Q3 prior year: net cash use of € 101.8 million).
Total assets eased slightly from the 2016|17 year-end balance sheet date to € 2.45 billion at 30 November 2017 (28 February 2017: € 2.48 billion) and the equity ratio was up by 2 percentage points to 58.9% (28 February 2017: 56.9%).
Non-current assets were up somewhat in their overall amount, with the largest change occurring in the item 'equity-accounted joint ventures'. Current assets decreased by 5.0%, with the most significant part of this reduction seen in cash and cash equivalents. On the opposite side of the balance sheet, non-current liabilities rose moderately, due primarily to an increase in long-term borrowings. Current liabilities fell by more than 10% as a result of the repayment of borrowings and lower other provisions.
Net debt as of 30 November 2017, at € 226.0 million, was down by € 13.9 million from the 2016|17 year-end level. The gearing ratio thus eased to 15.6% at the quarterly balance sheet date (28 February 2017: 17.0%).
1 Investment represents purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, excluding goodwill.
| Share data | Q1-Q3 2017 18 |
|---|---|
| High (11 July 2017) | € 115.80 |
| Low (21 April 2017) | € 92.32 |
| Closing price (30 November 2017) | € 100.95 |
| Closing book value per share | € 88.78 |
| Closing market capitalisation | € 1,577.1m |
AGRANA started the 2017|18 financial year with a share price of € 106.00 and closed at € 100.95 on the last trading day of November 2017, which represents a small decrease of 4.76%. Austria's ATX equity index rose by 21.79% over the same period.
A very positive change in the liquidity of the shares was seen as a result of the capital increase conducted in February 2017. The average daily trading volume1 in the period from March to November grew powerfully to about 22,200 shares (Q1-Q3 prior year: slightly less than 2,000 shares). On 18 September 2017, after eleven years, AGRANA once more became a component of the ATX. AGRANA is thus now again part of the price index that forms the blue-chip segment of the Austrian stock market; the index consists of the approximately 20 most liquid shares on the Vienna Stock Exchange.
AGRANA's share price performance can be followed in the investor relations section of the Group's website at http://www.agrana.com/en. The market capitalisation at the end of November 2017 was € 1,577.1 million, with 15,622,244 shares outstanding.
In the third financial quarter of 2017|18, AGRANA remained in regular active contact with investors, financial journalists and analysts and met institutional investors at events such as road shows in Antwerp, Brussels, London, Munich, Prague and Warsaw.
At its meeting on 10 November 2017 the Supervisory Board of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG, acting ahead of schedule, extended the term of Management Board member Fritz Gattermayer to 31 August 2022.
| Sugar segment €m, except % |
Q1-Q3 2017 18 |
Q1-Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 550.6 | 532.5 |
| EBITDA3 | 63.7 | 44.4 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
46.0 | 27.3 |
| Share of results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
(0.3) | 3.4 |
| Exceptional items | (3.6) | (7.6) |
| Operating profit [EBIT]2 | 42.1 | 23.1 |
| EBIT margin | 7.6% | 4.3% |
| Sugar segment €m, except % |
Q3 2017 18 |
Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 173.9 | 180.5 |
| EBITDA3 | 17.4 | 18.3 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
7.1 | 8.5 |
| Share of results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
(0.8) | 1.0 |
| Exceptional items | (0.8) | (4.7) |
| Operating profit [EBIT]2 | 5.5 | 4.8 |
| EBIT margin | 3.2% | 2.7% |
The Sugar segment's revenue in the first three quarters of 2017|18, at € 550.6 million, was up 3.4% from one year earlier. This was made possible by an increase in sugar
Trading volume based on double counting, as published by the Vienna Stock Exchange.
2 Operating profit (EBIT) is after exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures.
3 EBITDA represents operating profit before exceptional items, results of equity-accounted joint ventures, and operating depreciation and amortisation.
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1
sales prices relative to the first nine months of the prior year, and by slightly higher sales quantities.
EBIT in the first three quarters of 2017|18 rose from € 23.1 million to € 42.1 million, still benefiting in the first six months from an improved sales price environment compared to the year-earlier period. In the financial third quarter – the first to fall into the new 2017|18 sugar marketing year (which runs from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018) – the earnings measure 'operating profit before exceptional items and results of equityaccounted joint ventures' declined by 16.5%. Exceptional items in the first three quarters of 2017|18 amounted to a net expense of € 3.6 million and resulted largely from costs of restructuring measures (Q1-Q3 prior year: net expense of € 7.6 million, on negative one-time effects in Romania).
For the end of the 2017|18 sugar marketing year (SMY, October 2017 to September 2018) the analytics firm F.O. Licht in its 20 December 2017 estimate of the world sugar balance is forecasting a production surplus, coming after two years of deficits. The forecast calls for a production increase to 189.2 million tonnes (SMY 2016|17: 179.6 million tonnes) which, despite predicted further growth in consumption to 184.2 million tonnes (SMY 2016|17: 180.5 million tonnes), is to lead to an expansion in global sugar stocks to 71.3 million tonnes (SMY 2016|17: 67.4 million tonnes).
While the very volatile world market prices for sugar in the 2016|17 financial year still saw a four-year high in September 2016 for white sugar at US\$ 612.0 per tonne, and in October 2016 for raw sugar at US\$ 524.9 per tonne, the following months brought continuing highly volatile quotations, with a declining trend that accelerated further in the course of the current 2017|18 financial year. One of the main reasons for this is the latest set of estimates for the global sugar surplus in SMY 2017|18, which is driven partly by the good to very good harvests in major beet and cane production regions such as the EU, India and other Asian countries.
At the end of the reporting period (30 November 2017), white sugar was quoting at US\$ 390.4 per tonne and raw sugar at US\$ 332.5.
For 2018, although Brazil is expected to use more sugar cane for ethanol production than before, analysts are predicting significant growth in global sugar output in
light of very good crop expectations in India and Thailand and continuing high beet sugar production in Europe.
A 16% increase in planting area in Europe had already been estimated in the first predictions in May 2017 for the 2017|18 sugar beet harvest.1 A yield of 76.7 tonnes of beet per hectare is now expected, which would be 6.7% better than the five-year average.2 The European Commission is forecasting sugar production in the EU for SMY 2017|18 at about 21 million tonnes.3 In Austria, AGRANA's main beet production region, the cultivation area of about 41,400 hectares is projected to yield 72 tonnes of beet per hectare.
Since 1 October 2017, the European sugar industry is operating in a new environment. The biggest changes are the end of the production quotas for sugar and isoglucose and the abolition of the minimum beet prices.
However, the use of contracts between the sugar industry and sugar beet growers remains a requirement. The European Commission also retains the option to apply exceptional measures in the event of crises. One of these instruments is government-funded private storage, through which the Commission can temporarily remove sugar from the market.
A key element of the liberalisation of the EU sugar market from 1 October 2017 is that the European sugar manufacturers have unrestricted freedom to export their product.
Protective features remaining in place unchanged for imports to the EU from countries not party to preferential treaties are the duties of € 419 per tonne for white sugar and € 339 per tonne for raw sugar. The preferential agreements (for duty-free access) with the Least Developed Countries and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States remain intact, as do the duty-free or lower-duty preferential imports that are subject to volume limits.
The European Commission is currently negotiating the terms of a free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay). The European beet farmers and sugar companies seek to prevent concessions by the EU to the Mercosur countries on sugar and products with a high sugar content, as Brazil already has extensive preferential access to the EU sugar market and the Brazilian government continues to intervene in the sugar policy of the world's largest sugar producer through a multitude of direct and indirect state subsidies.
1 F.O. Licht Vol. 149, No. 14 / 18 May 2017
2 F.O. Licht Vol. 149, No. 34 / 27 November 2017
3 EU Sugar Balance / 30 November 2017
As a result of these subsidies, sugar from Austria and Europe suffers unfair competition from Brazilian sugar.
The high sugar selling prices in the first seven months of the financial year were still due largely to the low European sugar inventories prevailing until the start of the new 2017 harvest and to the initially still high world market prices in the first half of 2017|18.
The past few months in sugar sales were defined by price negotiations with customers in industry and resellers. The ending of the sugar quota and the low world market prices, combined with forecast high sugar production, confronted the entire European sugar industry – as well as its customers – with new challenges.
The sugar prices contracted for SMY 2017|18 are now significantly lower than for the previous year.
In the 2017 crop year, the sugar beet production acreage contracted by AGRANA with the beet growers and actually planted was approximately 96,300 hectares, or about 2,000 hectares more than in the prior year. Group-wide, around 1,600 hectares were dedicated to the production of organic sugar beet.
The relatively low precipitation and very hot temperatures during the entire growing period prevented the beet stocks in many production regions from developing well. Not until autumn 2017 did the situation improve, thanks to cool weather and ample rain. The beet stocks recovered in many regions and exhibited superior growth until up to the harvest. Only in the eastern part of the Austrian production areas and in the whole Slovak cultivation region and those Hungarian areas bordering on Austria did the beet stocks remain sub-average. The sugar content of the beet is above average overall. With a beet crop of approximately 6.2 million tonnes, a sugar production volume of about 925,000 tonnes is currently expected.
For beet purchasing, AGRANA follows a beet price arrangement with a variable price schedule tied to the sugar sales price. As a result of the declining market prices for sugar, beet prices for the 2017 crop are likely to be below the formerly applicable minimum price.
| Starch segment | Q1-Q3 | Q1-Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| €m, except % | 2017 18 | 2016 17 |
| Revenue | 576.0 | 551.9 |
| EBITDA2 | 63.0 | 53.9 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of |
44.3 | 37.7 |
| equity-accounted joint ventures | ||
| Share of results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
26.1 | 20.3 |
| Operating profit [EBIT]1 | 70.4 | 58.0 |
| EBIT margin | 12.2% | 10.5% |
| Starch segment €m, except % |
Q3 2017 18 |
Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 190.5 | 188.8 |
| EBITDA2 | 20.4 | 23.7 |
| Operating profit before | ||
| exceptional items and results of | 13.3 | 18.3 |
| equity-accounted joint ventures | ||
| Share of results of | ||
| equity-accounted joint ventures | 6.6 | 7.7 |
| Operating profit [EBIT]1 | 19.9 | 26.0 |
| EBIT margin | 10.4% | 13.8% |
Revenue in the first three quarters of 2017|18 was € 576.0 million, representing growth of 4.4% from one year earlier. Key positive drivers were higher sales volumes of starches and saccharification products and higher bioethanol prices than in the prior-year nine-month comparative period, while revenue from reselling of feedstuffs decreased.
1 Operating profit (EBIT) is after exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures.
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With EBIT of € 70.4 million, the year-earlier result was surpassed by 21.4%; the EBIT profit margin for the segment rose correspondingly to 12.2% in the first three quarters of 2017|18, from 10.5% in the same period one year earlier. Besides the higher bioethanol quotations, other drivers of the earnings growth were productivity gains, favourable raw material prices and lower energy prices. As well, there was an increase in the profit contribution from the equity-accounted HUNGRANA. The significant EBIT reduction in the third quarter was the result of higher raw material costs (from the 2017 campaign). A further factor was that in October 2017 the new capacity added in Aschach, Austria, was commissioned.
The food starch segment was steady in terms of sales quantities and the prices for native and modified starch products moved higher, thanks not least to impetus from the non-food sector.
The principal upside driver in non-food starches was the demand from the paper and corrugated board industry. This positive trend is fuelled by the steady growth of the online mail order market, which stimulates consumption of corrugated board and container board. Numerous capacity expansion projects by the paper industry are contributing to the firm demand.
Concerning starch saccharification products in general and isoglucose in particular, there is high competitive pressure due to the liberalisation of the sugar market since October 2017. With the removal of the EU sugar quotas, the market for isoglucose was also liberalised.
The bioethanol business remains volatile. In the first half of 2017|18, a closer correspondence between supply and demand in the EU was accompanied by a stabilisation in prices. Since the last quarter of the 2017 calendar year, quotations are visibly trending lower again and there is mounting downside market pressure in the European ethanol market. With the current high sugar beet crop volumes, facilities that manufacture ethanol from sugar beet thick juice and molasses are adding to the supply.
In by-products, prices of high-protein products exhibited a continuing firm trend. Vital wheat gluten in particular showed an upward movement in prices. Aside from the bakery industry, it is fish feed and pet food that are the main market segments generating impetus for this demand. Medium-protein feeds (Actiprot® and corn gluten feed) on the other hand are closely coupled to the soy, grain and corn markets and are thus subject to greater pressure on prices.
World grain production in the 2017|18 grain marketing year (July to June) is estimated by the International Grains Council in its forecast of 23 November 2017 at 2.08 billion tonnes, which is about 54 million tonnes less than in the record prior year and falls short of the expected consumption by around 28 million tonnes. Wheat production is forecast at 749 million tonnes (prior year: 754 million tonnes; estimated 2017|18 consumption: 742 million tonnes) and the predicted output of corn is 1,040 million tonnes (prior year: 1,079 million tonnes; estimated 2017|18 consumption: 1,069 million tonnes). Total grain stocks are to decline by about 27 million tonnes to a new balance of 496 million tonnes.
Grain production in the European Union is estimated by Strategié Grains in its forecast of 16 November 2017 at about 300 million tonnes (prior year: 296 million tonnes). Of this total, the soft wheat harvest accounts for about 143 million tonnes, which is up from the 2016 crop of 136 million tonnes. The 2017 corn harvest in the EU is expected to reach about 59 million tonnes (prior year: 60 million tonnes).
The quotations on the NYSE Euronext Liffe commodity derivatives exchange in Paris moved sideways or slightly declined since the beginning of March 2017 and, on 30 November, were at around € 154 per tonne for corn and € 160 per tonne for wheat (year earlier: € 165 and € 162 per tonne, respectively).
On 24 August the potato starch factory in Gmünd, Austria, began the processing of starch potatoes from the 2017 harvest. As a result of the past summer's heat and exceptional dryness, growers' fulfilment of the contracted amount of starch potatoes is expected to reach only about 82%. The average starch content will, for weather reasons, be about 18.1%, a reduction from the prior year's 19.7%.
The receiving of freshly harvested wet corn at the corn starch plant in Aschach, Austria, began at the end of August 2017 and was completed in early December 2017 with a processing volume of about 114,000 tonnes (prior year: 120,000 tonnes). For the full 2017|18 financial year, total corn processing volume at the plant is expected to reach about 443,000 tonnes (prior year: 394,000 tonnes).
For the Pischelsdorf facility, which produces wheat starch and ethanol, the total volume of grain processing in 2017|18 (wheat, organic wheat, triticale and corn) is predicted at approximately 833,000 tonnes (prior year: 817,000 tonnes). From early September to the beginning of December 2017, about 99,000 tonnes of wet corn were processed (prior year: 113,000 tonnes).
The raw material supply for the Austrian starch plants and the bioethanol facility for the 2017|18 financial year is almost fully secured. Raw material prices in the first three quarters of the financial year were in line with expectations.
At the equity-accounted plant in Hungary (HUNGRANA), the wet corn campaign was already launched in mid-August 2017 due to the dry weather and was completed at the beginning of December. Wet corn processing at this facility (stated at 100% of the total) was about 260,000 tonnes this year, a decrease of just under 4% from the year before. Total corn processing at HUNGRANA in the 2017|18 financial year is expected to be 1.1 million tonnes, in line with the prior year.
At the plant in Romania, total corn processing will reach about 70,500 tonnes (prior year: 67,400 tonnes).
| Fruit segment €m, except % |
Q1-Q3 2017 18 |
Q1-Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 884.0 | 883.1 |
| EBITDA2 | 87.1 | 85.6 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
59.1 | 56.6 |
| Operating profit [EBIT]1 | 59.1 | 56.6 |
| EBIT margin | 6.7% | 6.4% |
| Fruit segment €m, except % |
Q3 2017 18 |
Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 284.1 | 277.9 |
| EBITDA2 | 26.4 | 27.7 |
| Operating profit before exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures |
15.6 | 16.5 |
| Operating profit [EBIT]1 | 15.6 | 16.5 |
| EBIT margin | 5.5% | 5.9% |
Fruit segment revenue in the first three quarters of 2017|18 was € 884.0 million, or almost at the year-earlier level. In the fruit preparations business, a small increase in sales volumes and somewhat higher selling prices added up to slight revenue growth. In the fruit juice concentrate operations, revenue decreased as a result of lower raw material prices and the associated reduction in concentrate prices for product from the 2016 crop compared to 2015.
EBIT of € 59.1 million in the first nine months was up 4.4% from one year earlier. While the fruit preparations activities generated significant earnings growth, EBIT in the fruit juice concentrate business was down significantly in the third quarter as a result of an underutilisation (owing to idle-capacity costs amid lower availability of apples – also see the section 'Raw materials and production' below).
The world market for fruit preparations for spoonable fruit yoghurts, according to data from Euromonitor, is expected to have grown by about 1% in the 2017 calendar
1 Operating profit (EBIT) is after exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures.
year. This reflects saturated markets in Europe and North America, but expanding markets in the Middle East & Africa (with growth of 5.1%) and Asia (growth of 4.7%). Percapita consumption remains highest in North America, Western Europe and Australia. There is growing demand especially for plant-based alternative yoghurts, for protein-rich products, yoghurts with cereals or seeds, and products offering high naturalness (such as clean label).
Drinkable yoghurts continue to show a worldwide growth trend (2017: 5.3%). Especially the Middle East and Africa regions are marked by growth rates above the world average. The trend towards protein-rich products is also apparent in the drinkable yoghurt segment.
The global market for ice-cream is expanding slightly, with estimated growth of 1.7% in 2017, which forecasts say is to accelerate to more than 2% by 2020. Ice-cream consumption per capita is highest in North America and Australia. Growth regions are the Middle East, Africa and India.
Global growth is also occurring in the bakery sector. Especially the segment of fruit snacks, granola bars and cookies is growing by almost 2% a year.
Prices in Europe for apple juice concentrate had stabilised at a solid level in the first half of 2017|18 as a result of a rise in demand coinciding with limited quantities of supply in the main growing regions. The low crop volumes in the major apple production regions Poland, Hungary, Germany and Italy caused the prices of concentrate from the (now-completed) 2017 apple campaign to rise significantly from the prior year.
Apple juice concentrate from China showed only a mildly rising price trend year-on-year, leading to an increase in demand for Chinese product in Europe.
The marketing of berry juice concentrates from the 2017 crop is largely complete; there are currently no significant price or marketing risks.
For the fruit preparations business, the annual procurement cycle ends at the conclusion of the third calendar quarter. The fruit purchasing experience in the 2017|18 financial year has been largely favourable to date; critical exceptions were sour cherry in Poland and Serbia and blueberry in Eastern Europe, for which prices as much as doubled due to crop losses in the wake of late frost.
AGRANA was able to purchase strawberry, the principal fruit for the fruit preparations business, at stable prices in Europe compared to the prior year, despite increased demand in Spain (demand from the fresh market) and Morocco (demand from processors). In the USA, prices decreased considerably for strawberries procured from Mexico and Egypt. In China, Korea and Australia, which are supplied with strawberries mainly from China, prices increased by up to 25%. The AGRANA plants in Turkey, South Africa and Egypt are supplied mostly locally, as these markets are the most competitive and are also strongly protected.
The European apple harvest, relevant to the fruit juice concentrate activities, was one of the smallest in the last ten years as a result of the crop losses in some key production regions (Poland, Germany and Italy). This led to a significant rise in raw material prices and hence to appreciably higher apple juice concentrate prices compared with the previous year.
AGRANA uses an integrated system for the early identification and monitoring of risks that are relevant to the Group.
There are currently no known risks to the AGRANA Group's ability to continue in operational existence and no future risks of this nature are discernible at present.
A detailed description of the Group's business risks is provided on pages 84 to 88 of the annual report 2016|17.
For disclosures on related party relationships, refer to the interim consolidated financial statements.
No significant events occurred after the interim balance sheet date of 30 November 2017 that had a material effect on AGRANA's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
| AGRANA Group €m |
2016 17 Actual |
2017 18 Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,561.3 | ä |
| EBIT | 172.4 | |
| Investment1 | 114.7 | 140 |
ä Slight increase2
Significant increase2
For the full 2017|18 financial year, AGRANA expects Group revenue to rise slightly and operating profit (EBIT) to increase significantly.
| Sugar segment €m |
2016 17 Actual |
2017 18 Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 671.9 | |
| EBIT | 24.4 | |
| Investment1 | 23.3 | 30 |
Slight reduction2
Significant increase2
In the Sugar segment, in anticipation of stable sales volumes, AGRANA is projecting revenue slightly below that of the prior year. Improved margins achieved in the first half of 2017|18, in conjunction with cost savings, are expected to generate significant EBIT growth in the 2017|18 financial year despite a continued challenging market environment in the fourth quarter of the year.
| Starch segment €m |
2016 17 Actual |
2017 18 Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 733.9 | ä |
| EBIT | 76.2 | |
| Investment1 | 57.6 | 55 |
ä Slight increase2
Moderate increase2
In the Starch segment, AGRANA's projection for the 2017|18 financial year calls for slightly rising sales volumes and slight growth in revenue. For ethanol, the average sales prices for the year are expected to surpass last year's levels. A resulting earnings improvement, combined with a constant margin forecast for the rest of the product portfolio, points to a moderate increase in EBIT from the record-high level of the 2016|17 financial year.
| Fruit segment €m |
2016 17 Actual |
2017 18 Forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,155.5 | ä |
| EBIT | 71.8 | |
| Investment1 | 33.8 | 55 |
ä Slight increase2
Moderate increase2
In the Fruit segment, AGRANA expects the 2017|18 financial year to bring slight growth in revenue and a moderate improvement in EBIT. For the fruit preparations business a positive revenue trend is predicted, driven by rising sales volumes. Helped by the expected earnings contribution of the fruit preparations company in Argentina acquired in the fourth quarter of 2016|17, EBIT in the fruit preparations activities is forecast to increase significantly in 2017|18 compared to the prior financial year. In the fruit juice concentrate business, revenue is expected to increase slightly from the prior financial year; as the current financial year's income statement will include the costs of idle apple juice concentrate capacity resulting from the markedly smaller apple harvest in Europe, EBIT in fruit juice concentrates is projected to be significantly lower than one year earlier.
Total investment across the three business segments in the financial year, at approximately € 140 million, will significantly exceed the budgeted depreciation of about € 90 million.
1 Investment represents purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, excluding goodwill.
2 For definitions of these quantitative terms as used here in the 'Outlook' section, see page 23.
For the first nine months ended 30 November 2017 (unaudited)
| Consolidated income statement | First nine months (1 March – 30 November) |
Third Quarter (1 September – 30 November) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000, except per-share data | Q1-Q3 2017 18 | Q1-Q3 2016 17 | Q3 2017 18 | Q3 2016 17 | ||
| Revenue | 2,010,583 | 1,967,534 | 648,435 | 647,277 | ||
| Changes in inventories of finished and unfinished goods | (55,914) | 687 | 149,265 | 160,012 | ||
| Own work capitalised | 1,440 | 1,147 | 171 | 31 | ||
| Other operating income | 23,147 | 22,220 | 7,034 | 7,989 | ||
| Cost of materials | (1,321,991) | (1,378,359) | (587,678) | (586,242) | ||
| Staff costs | (225,972) | (213,193) | (79,355) | (76,983) | ||
| Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses | (64,359) | (62,343) | (28,175) | (26,426) | ||
| Other operating expenses | (221,106) | (223,735) | (74,453) | (87,126) | ||
| Share of results of equity-accounted joint ventures | 25,786 | 23,699 | 5,774 | 8,676 | ||
| Operating profit [EBIT] | 171,614 | 137,657 | 41,018 | 47,208 | ||
| Finance income | 34,052 | 25,612 | 8,996 | 11,603 | ||
| Finance expense | (45,035) | (38,914) | (11,080) | (14,573) | ||
| Net financial items | (10,983) | (13,302) | (2,084 | (2,970) | ||
| Profit before tax | 160,631 | 124,355 | 38,934 | 44,238 | ||
| Income tax expense | (33,041) | (29,211) | (8,622) | (11,742) | ||
| Profit for the period | 127,590 | 95,144 | 30,312 | 32,496 | ||
| ƒ Attributable to shareholders of the parent |
124,619 | 89,285 | 30,600 | 29,543 | ||
| ƒ Attributable to non-controlling interests |
2,971 | 5,859 | (288) | 2,953 | ||
| Earnings per share under IFRS (basic and diluted) | € 7.98 | € 5.721 | € 1.96 | € 1.891 | ||
| Earnings per share based on the number of shares at the balance sheet date | € 7.98 | € 6.29 | € 1.96 | € 2.08 |
1 This prior-year value has been restated under IAS 33.64. Further information is provided on page 18.
| comprehensive income | First nine months (1 March – 30 November) |
Third Quarter (1 September – 30 November) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €000 | Q1-Q3 2017 18 | Q1-Q3 2016 17 | Q3 2017 18 | Q3 2016 17 |
| Profit for the period | 127,590 | 95,144 | 30,312 | 32,496 |
| Other comprehensive (expense)/income | ||||
| ƒ Currency translation differences |
(25,016) | 2,288 | (4,008) | (440) |
| ƒ Available-for-sale financial assets under IAS 39, after deferred taxes |
(49) | (93) | (108) | (372) |
| ƒ Cash flow hedges under IAS 39, after deferred taxes |
1,125 | 1,236 | (3,070) | 139 |
| ƒ Effects from equity-accounted joint ventures |
(1,181) | (61) | (1,616) | (329) |
| (Expense)/income to be recognised in the income statement in the future | (25,121) | 3,370 | (8,802) | (1,002) |
| Changes in actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension obligations and similar liabilities (IAS 19), after deferred taxes |
(606) | (1,846) | (245) | 2,817 |
| (Expense)/income recognised directly in equity | (25,727) | 1,524 | (9,047) | 1,815 |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | 101,863 | 96,668 | 21,265 | 34,311 |
| ƒ Attributable to shareholders of the parent |
99,834 | 93,311 | 21,723 | 33,690 |
| ƒ Attributable to non-controlling interests |
2,029 | 3,356 | (458) | 620 |
| For the first nine months (1 March – 30 November) | Q1-Q3 2017 18 | Q1-Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| €000 | ||
| Operating cash flow before changes in working capital | 243,191 | 186,799 |
| Changes in working capital | (6,670) | (7,881) |
| Interest received and paid and income tax paid, net | (38,884) | (25,855) |
| Net cash from operating activities | 197,637 | 153,063 |
| Net cash (used in) investing activities | (96,096) | (72,436) |
| Net cash (used in) financing activities | (168,266) | (101,755) |
| Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (66,725) | (21,128) |
| Effect of movements in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (4,434) | (769) |
| Other, valuation-related changes in cash and cash equivalents | 0 | (4,661) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 198,429 | 109,375 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 127,270 | 82,817 |
| €000 | 30 November 2017 | 28 February 2017 | 30 November 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | |||
| A. Non-current assets | |||
| Intangible assets, including goodwill | 278,547 | 282,319 | 238,676 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 754,133 | 738,907 | 693,011 |
| Equity-accounted joint ventures | 99,350 | 72,745 | 89,545 |
| Securities | 18,615 | 18,826 | 18,887 |
| Investments in non-consolidated subsidiaries and outside companies | 894 | 1,051 | 1,091 |
| Receivables and other assets | 9,955 | 7,115 | 8,828 |
| Deferred tax assets | 12,383 | 14,334 | 13,691 |
| 1,173,877 | 1,135,297 | 1,063,289 | |
| B. Current assets | |||
| Inventories | 686,453 | 696,032 | 712,900 |
| Trade receivables and other assets | 460,761 | 442,611 | 492,752 |
| Current tax assets | 4,843 | 9,024 | 10,643 |
| Securities | 43 | 43 | 45 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 127,270 | 198,429 | 82,817 |
| 1,279,370 | 1,346,139 | 1,299,157 | |
| C. Non-current assets held for sale | 0 | 0 | 1,631 |
| Total assets | 2,453,247 | 2,481,436 | 2,364,077 |
| A. Equity | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Share capital | 113,531 | 113,531 | 103,210 |
| Share premium and other capital reserves | 540,760 | 540,760 | 411,362 |
| Retained earnings | 732,719 | 695,375 | 665,880 |
| Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent | 1,387,010 | 1,349,666 | 1,180,452 |
| Non-controlling interests | 57,428 | 62,222 | 60,324 |
| 1,444,438 | 1,411,888 | 1,240,776 | |
| B. Non-current liabilities | |||
| Retirement and termination benefit obligations | 68,533 | 68,929 | 67,669 |
| Other provisions | 19,900 | 19,898 | 20,351 |
| Borrowings | 210,719 | 180,495 | 167,905 |
| Other payables | 13,741 | 14,211 | 884 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 11,592 | 13,102 | 3,986 |
| 324,485 | 296,635 | 260,795 | |
| C. Current liabilities | |||
| Other provisions | 24,634 | 43,454 | 35,103 |
| Borrowings | 161,235 | 276,681 | 315,380 |
| Trade and other payables | 482,272 | 430,009 | 489,574 |
| Current tax liabilities | 16,183 | 22,769 | 22,449 |
| 684,324 | 772,913 | 862,506 | |
| Total equity and liabilities | 2,453,247 | 2,481,436 | 2,364,077 |
| For the first nine months (1 March – 30 November) | Equity attributable | Non | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| €000 | to shareholders of | controlling | |
| the parent | interests | ||
| 2017 18 | |||
| At 1 March 2017 | 1,349,666 | 62,222 | 1,411,888 |
| Fair value movements under IAS 39 | 1,076 | 0 | 1,076 |
| Changes in actuarial gains and losses on | (606) | 0 | (606) |
| defined benefit pension obligations and similar liabilities | |||
| Currency translation (loss) | (25,255) | (942) | (26,197) |
| Other comprehensive (expense) for the period | (24,785) | (942) | (25,727) |
| Profit for the period | 124,619 | 2,971 | 127,590 |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | 99,834 | 2,029 | 101,863 |
| Dividends paid | (62,489) | (7,319) | (69,808) |
| Additional contributions by other shareholders | 0 | 500 | 500 |
| Other changes | (1) | (4) | (5) |
| At 30 November 2017 | 1,387,010 | 57,428 | 1,444,438 |
| At 1 March 2016 | 1,144,281 | 55,843 | 1,200,124 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair value movements under IAS 39 | 1,143 | 0 | 1,143 |
| Changes in actuarial gains and losses on defined benefit pension obligations and similar liabilities |
(1,846) | 0 | (1,846) |
| Currency translation gain/(loss) | 4,730 | (2,503) | 2,227 |
| Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the period | 4,027 | (2,503) | 1,524 |
| Profit for the period | 89,285 | 5,859 | 95,144 |
| Total comprehensive income for the period | 93,312 | 3,356 | 96,668 |
| Dividends paid | (56,808) | (469) | (57,277) |
| Additional contributions by other shareholders | 0 | 1,250 | 1,250 |
| Changes in equity interests and in scope of consolidation | (327) | 327 | 0 |
| Other changes | (6) | 17 | 11 |
| At 30 November 2016 | 1,180,452 | 60,324 | 1,240,776 |
For the first nine months ended 30 November 2017 (unaudited)
| For the first nine months (1 March – 30 November) €000 |
Q1-Q3 2017 18 |
Q1-Q3 2016 17 |
|---|---|---|
| -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------ |
| Group | 2,076,055 | 2,033,716 |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 884,333 | 883,582 |
| Starch | 583,619 | 559,880 |
| Sugar | 608,103 | 590,254 |
| For the first nine months | Q1-Q3 | Q1-Q3 |
|---|---|---|
| (1 March – 30 November) €000 |
2017 18 | 2016 17 |
| Sugar | (299) | 3,394 |
|---|---|---|
| Starch | 26,085 | 20,305 |
| Fruit | 0 | 0 |
| Group | 25,786 | 23,699 |
| Group | (65,472) | (66,182) |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | (369) | (443) |
| Starch | (7,584) | (7,993) |
| Sugar | (57,519) | (57,746) |
| Group | 171,614 | 137,657 |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 59,140 | 56,569 |
| Starch | 70,347 | 58,017 |
| Sugar | 42,127 | 23,071 |
| Group | 2,010,583 | 1,967,534 |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 883,964 | 883,139 |
| Starch | 576,035 | 551,887 |
| Sugar | 550,584 | 532,508 |
| Sugar | 46,059 | 27,335 |
|---|---|---|
| Starch | 44,262 | 37,712 |
| Fruit | 59,140 | 56,569 |
| Group | 149,461 | 121,616 |
| Group | (3,633) | (7,658) |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 0 | 0 |
| Starch | 0 | 0 |
| Sugar | (3,633) | (7,658) |
| Group | 95,478 | 69,559 |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 28,899 | 15,612 |
| Starch | 41,201 | 36,170 |
| Sugar | 25,378 | 17,777 |
| Group | 8,833 | 8,692 |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 5,792 | 5,720 |
| Starch | 953 | 890 |
| Sugar | 2,088 | 2,082 |
1 Operating profit (EBIT) is after exceptional items and results of equity-accounted joint ventures.
2 Investment represents purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, excluding goodwill.
3 Average number of full-time equivalents in the reporting period.
The interim report of the AGRANA Group for the period ended 30 November 2017 was prepared in accordance with the rules for interim financial reporting under IAS 34, in compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and their interpretation by the IFRS Interpretations Committee. Consistent with IAS 34, the consolidated financial statements of AGRANA Beteiligungs-Aktiengesellschaft ('AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG') at and for the period ended 30 November 2017 are presented in condensed form. These interim consolidated financial statements, which were not audited or reviewed, were prepared by the Management Board of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG on 29 December 2017.
The annual report 2016|17 of the AGRANA Group is available on the Internet at www.agrana.com/en/investor for viewing or downloading.
In the preparation of these interim financial statements, certain new or changed standards and interpretations became effective for the first time, as described on pages 102 to 105 of the annual report 2016|17 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, section 2, 'Basis of preparation'.
Except for these newly effective IFRS and interpretations, the same accounting methods were applied as in the preparation of the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2017 (the latest full financial year).
The notes to those 2016|17 annual consolidated financial statements therefore apply mutatis mutandis to these interim accounts. Corporate income taxes were determined on the basis of country-specific income tax rates, taking into account the tax planning for the full financial year.
As a result of the share capital increase in the financial fourth quarter of 2016|17, the prior-year value for earnings per share under IFRS was adjusted. Details on the capital increase are given on page 131 of the annual report 2016|17.
The newly founded AGRANA Fruit (Jiangsu) Company Limited, Changzhou, China, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGRANA Fruit S.A.S., Mitry-Mory, France, was included in the consolidated financial statements for the first time in the financial second quarter of 2017|18, by full consolidation. Also in the second quarter of 2017/18, AGRANA Fruit Management Australia Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia, which previously was consolidated within the Group subsidiary AGRANA Fruit Australia Pty Ltd., Sydney, was for the first time included separately in the Group financial statements as a fully consolidated company; this had no impact on the consolidated financial statements. As well, in the second quarter of 2017|18 the newly created AGRANA-STUDEN Kosovo L.L.C., Pristina, Republic of Kosovo, was included in the consolidated financial statements for the first time, using the equity method. In total in the consolidated financial statements, 62 companies besides the parent company were fully consolidated (28 February 2017 year-end: 60 companies) and 13 companies were accounted for using the equity method (28 February 2017: twelve companies).
Most of the Group's sugar production falls into the period from September to January. Depreciation and impairment of plant and equipment used in the campaign are therefore incurred largely in the financial third quarter. The material costs, staff costs and other operating expenses incurred before the sugar campaign in preparation for production are recognised intra-year under the respective type of expense and capitalised within inventories as unfinished goods (through the item 'changes in inventories of finished and unfinished goods').
Operating profit (EBIT) in the first three quarters of 2017|18 was € 171.6 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 137.7 million). This increase resulted mainly from significantly improved earnings in the Sugar and Starch segments. Reflected in operating profit was a net exceptional items expense of € 3.6 million in the Sugar segment for restructuring measures.
The improvement in net financial items expense to € 11.0 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 13.3 million) was attributable largely to valuation-related changes in cash and cash equivalents.
The Group's profit for the period was € 127.6 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: € 95.1 million).
In the nine months to the end of November 2017, cash and cash equivalents decreased by € 71.1 million to € 127.3 million.
The operating cash flow of € 197.6 million was up by € 44.5 million compared with the year-earlier period, thanks largely to the higher profit for the period and despite an increase in income tax paid.
Net cash used in investing activities, at € 96.1 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: net cash use of € 72.4 million), was above the year-ago level. The increase was explained primarily by various projects in the Fruit segment (especially the construction of the new fruit preparations plant in Jiangsu, China) and by asset replacement and maintenance investment in the Sugar and Starch segments.
Net cash used in financing activities was € 168.3 million (Q1-Q3 prior year: net cash use of € 101.8 million), up significantly from a year ago. This substantially higher cash outflow in the reporting period was attributable predominantly to the early repayment of a Schuldscheindarlehen (bonded loan) of € 83.5 million and the repayment of a syndicated credit line of € 25.5 million, while a € 41.5 million development loan was raised to finance the expansion of the Starch activities.
Total assets eased by € 28.2 million compared with 28 February 2017, to € 2,453.2 million. The main reason was the repayment of borrowings and resulting significant reduction in cash and equivalents.
With shareholders' equity of € 1,444.4 million (28 February 2017: € 1,411.9 million), the equity ratio at the end of November was 58.9% (28 February 2017: 56.9%).
To hedge risks from operating and financing activities (risks related to changes in interest rates, exchange rates and commodity prices), the AGRANA Group to a limited
extent uses common derivative financial instruments. Derivatives are recognised at cost at the inception of the derivative contract and are subsequently measured at fair value at every balance sheet date. Changes in value are as a rule recognised in profit or loss. Where the conditions for cash flow hedge accounting under IAS 39 are met, the unrealised changes in value are recognised directly in equity.
In the table below, the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are analysed by their level of the fair value hierarchy. The levels are defined as follows under IFRS 7:
In the reporting period no reclassifications were made between levels of the hierarchy.
| 30 November 2017 €000 |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities (non-current) | 13,326 | 0 | 4,398 | 17,724 |
| Derivative financial assets at fair value through equity (hedge accounting) | 61 | 554 | 0 | 615 |
| Derivative financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (held for trading) |
57 | 2,065 | 0 | 2,122 |
| Securities (current) | 43 | 0 | 0 | 43 |
| Financial assets | 13,487 | 2,619 | 4,398 | 20,504 |
| Liabilities from derivatives at fair value through equity (hedge accounting) |
2,050 | 0 | 0 | 2,050 |
| Liabilities from derivatives at fair value through profit or loss (held for trading) |
0 | 4,398 | 0 | 4,398 |
| Financial liabilities | 2,050 | 4,398 | 0 | 6,448 |
| 30 November 2016 €000 |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Securities (non-current) | 13,152 | 0 | 4,404 | 17,556 |
| Derivative financial assets at fair value through equity (hedge accounting) | 504 | 1 | 0 | 505 |
| Derivative financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (held for trading) |
615 | 797 | 0 | 1,412 |
| Securities (current) | 45 | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Financial assets | 14,316 | 798 | 4,404 | 19,518 |
| Liabilities from derivatives at fair value through equity (hedge accounting) |
1,171 | 1,051 | 0 | 2,222 |
| Liabilities from derivatives at fair value through profit or loss (held for trading) |
0 | 9,124 | 0 | 9,124 |
| Financial liabilities | 1,171 | 10,175 | 0 | 11,346 |
For cash and cash equivalents, securities, trade receivables and other assets, and trade and other payables, the carrying amount can be assumed to be a realistic estimate of fair value.
The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of borrowings. The fair values of bank loans and overdrafts, other loans from non-Group entities, borrowings from affiliated companies in the Südzucker group and obligations under finance leases are measured at the present value of the payments related to the borrowings:
| 30 November 2017 €000 |
Carrying amount |
Fair value |
|---|---|---|
| Bank loans and overdrafts, and other loans from non-Group entities | 119,200 | 122,148 |
| Borrowings from affiliated companies in the Südzucker group | 250,000 | 251,337 |
| Finance lease obligations | 2,754 | 2,768 |
| Borrowings | 371,954 | 376,253 |
| 30 November 2016 | Carrying | Fair |
|---|---|---|
| €000 | amount | value |
| Bank loans and overdrafts, and other loans from non-Group entities | 315,595 | 317,945 |
| Borrowings from affiliated companies in the Südzucker group | 165,000 | 168,138 |
| Finance lease obligations | 2,690 | 2,834 |
| Borrowings | 483,285 | 488,917 |
Further details on the fair value measurement of the individual types of financial instruments and their assignment to levels of the fair value hierarchy are provided on pages 144 to 147 of the annual report 2016|17, in section 10.3, 'Additional disclosures on financial instruments'.
In the first three quarters of 2017|18 the AGRANA Group employed an average of 8,833 full-time equivalents (Q1- Q3 prior year: 8,692). The increase in personnel resulted mainly from the expansion of the starch production site in Aschach, Austria, and a greater requirement for seasonal workers in the Fruit segment.
Bank deposits at companies with significant influence decreased to € 15.8 million (28 February 2017: € 71.1 million). This change was the result of standard treasury management arrangements. There were no material changes in other related party rela-tionships since the year-end balance sheet date of 28 February 2017. Transactions with related parties as defined in IAS 24 are conducted on arm's length terms. Further information on individual related party relationships is provided in the AGRANA annual report 2016|17.
No significant events occurred after the interim balance sheet date of 30 November 2017 that had a material effect on AGRANA's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We confirm that, to the best of our knowledge:
the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the Group's financial position, results of operations and cash flows within the meaning of the Austrian Stock Exchange Act; and
the Group's management report for the first nine months gives a true and fair view of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Group, within the meaning of the Stock Exchange Act, in relation to (1) the important events in the first three quarters of the financial year and their effects on the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, (2) the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining three months of the financial year, and (3) the reportable significant transactions with related parties.
Vienna, 29 December 2017
Johann Marihart Chief Executive Officer Business Strategy, Production, Quality Management, Human Resources, Communication (incl. Investor Relations), Research & Development
Stephan Büttner Member of the Management Board Finance, Controlling, Treasury, Information Technology & Organisation, Mergers & Acquisitions, Legal, Compliance
Fritz Gattermayer Member of the Management Board Sales, Raw Materials, Purchasing & Logistics
Thomas Kölbl Member of the Management Board Internal Audit
| 8 May 2018 | Results for full year 2017 18 (annual results press conference) |
|---|---|
| 26 June 2018 | Record date for Annual General Meeting participation |
| 6 July 2018 | Annual General Meeting in respect of 2017 18 |
| 11 July 2018 | Ex-dividend date |
| 12 July 2018 | Results for first quarter of 2018 19 |
| 12 July 2018 | Record date for dividend |
| 13 July 2018 | Dividend payment date |
| 11 October 2018 | Results for first half of 2018 19 |
| 10 January 2019 | Results for first three quarters of 2018 19 |
AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG Friedrich-Wilhelm-Raiffeisen-Platz 1 1020 Vienna, Austria www.agrana.com/en Corporate Communications/Investor Relations Hannes HAIDER Phone: +43-1-211 37-12905 Fax: +43-1-211 37-12926 E-mail: [email protected] Corporate Communications/Public Relations
Markus SIMAK Phone: +43-1-211 37-12084 Fax: +43-1-211 37-12926 E-mail: [email protected]
AGRANA 2016|17 Online: http://reports.agrana.com/en
This English translation of the AGRANA report is solely for readers' convenience and is not definitive. In the event of discrepancy or dispute, only the German-language version shall govern.
This interim report contains forward-looking statements, which are based on assumptions and estimates made by the Management Board of AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG. Although these assumptions, plans and projections represent the Management Board's current intentions and best knowledge, a large number of internal and external factors may cause actual future developments and results to differ materially from these assumptions and estimates. Some examples of such factors are, without limitation: negotiations concerning world trade agreements; changes in the overall economic environment, especially in macroeconomic variables such as exchange rates, inflation and interest rates; EU sugar policy; consumer behaviour; and public policy related to food and energy. AGRANA Beteiligungs-AG does not guarantee in any way that the actual future developments and actual future results achieved will match the assumptions and estimates expressed or made in this interim report, and does not accept any liability in the event that assumptions and estimates prove to be incorrect.
| THE QUANTITATIVE STATEMENTS AND DIRECTION ARROWS IN THE 'OUTLOOK' SECTION OF THIS REPORT ARE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING DEFINITIONS: | |
|---|---|
| Modifier | Visualisation | Numerical rate of change |
|---|---|---|
| Steady | | 0% up to +1%, or 0% up to -1% |
| Slight(ly) | ä or | More than +1% and up to +5%, or more than -1% and up to -5% |
| Moderate(ly) | or | More than +5% and up to +10%, or more than -5% and up to -10% |
| Significant(ly) | or | More than +10% or more than -10% |
For financial performance indicators not defined in footnotes, please see the definitions on page 183 of the annual report 2016|167.
In the interest of readability, this document may occasionally use language that is not gender-neutral. Any gender-specific references should be under- stood to include masculine, feminine and neuter as the context permits.
As a result of the standard round-half-up convention used in rounding individual amounts and percentages, this report may contain minor, immaterial rounding errors.
No liability is assumed for misprints, typographical and similar errors.
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