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Tue 16 Sep 2008, 12:00 AFR - Afgri - Reviewed preliminary consolidated financial results for the
AFR
AFR                                                                             
AFR - Afgri - Reviewed preliminary consolidated financial results for the       
         sixteen months ended 30 June 2008 and special dividend declaration     
AFGRI LIMITED                                                                   
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number: 1995/004030/06)                                           
ISIN number: ZAE000040549                                                       
Share code: AFR                                                                 
Reviewed preliminary consolidated financial results for the sixteen months ended
30 June 2008 and special dividend declaration                                   
- Results not comparable to prior year due to extended reporting period arising 
from year-end change                                                            
- Loss from discontinued operations R58 million (prior year R78 million)        
- Headline earnings per share, including a R20 million tax benefit,             
up 18,7% for the 16 months                                                      
- Exit from non-core businesses                                                 
Consolidated balance sheet (R`millions)                                         
                                         Note    30 June    28 February         
                                               2008       2007                  
ASSETS                                                                          
Non-current assets                                1 804      1 478              
Property, plant and equipment             2       1 175      1 018              
Goodwill                                  2       45         26                 
Other intangible assets                   2       220        145                
Investments in associates                         3          7                  
Available for sale financial assets               37         -                  
Financial receivables                             165        152                
Deferred income tax assets                        159        130                
Current assets                                    7 363      5 642              
Inventories                                       1 102      1 010              
Biological assets                                 61         39                 
Trade and other receivables                       904        896                
Trade receivables financed by Land Bank   6       2 698      2 724              
Trade receivables financed by other banks 6       965        -                  
Derivative financial instruments                  274        176                
Current income tax assets                         65         95                 
Cash and cash equivalents and cash                1 294      702                
collateral deposits                                                             
Cash collateral deposits                          554        397                
Cash and cash equivalents                         740        305                
Non-current assets classified as held-for-        7          -                  
sale                                                                            
Total assets                                      9 174      7 120              
EQUITY                                                                          
Capital and reserves attributable to              1 379      1 231              
equity holders                                                                  
Share capital                                     -          -                  
Treasury shares                                   (155)      (155)              
Incentive trust shares                            (124)      (151)              
Share premium                                     -          -                  
Fair value and other reserves                     80         10                 
Retained earnings                                 1 578      1 527              
Minority interest                                 612        589                
Total equity                                      1 991      1 820              
LIABILITIES                                                                     
Non-current liabilities                           322        299                
Borrowings                                        129        109                
Deferred income tax liabilities                   193        178                
Provisions for other liabilities and              -          12                 
charges                                                                         
Current liabilities                               6 861      5 001              
Trade and other payables                          2 015      1 680              
Derivative financial instruments                  75         146                
Current income tax liabilities                    10         20                 
Short-term borrowings                             15         16                 
Call loans and bank overdrafts                    1 083      446                
Land Bank borrowings to finance trade     6       2 698      2 693              
receivables                                                                     
Other bank borrowings to finance trade    6       965        -                  
receivables                                                                     
Total liabilities                                 7 183      5 300              
Total equity and liabilities                      9 174      7 120              
Net asset value per share attributable to         404        361                
equity holders (cents)                                                          
Consolidated income statement (R`millions)                                      
                                         Note    16-months  Year ended          
ended      28 February           
                                               30 June    2007                  
                                               2008                             
Continuing operations                                                           
Sales of goods and services                       9 858      6 062              
Interest on trade receivables financed by         587        246                
banks                                                                           
Interest earned on other trade                    132        66                 
receivables                                                                     
Total sales                                       10 577     6 374              
Cost of sales                                     (8 109)    (4 697)            
Gross profit                                      2 468      1 677              
Other operating income                            132        92                 
Other operating expenses                          (1 577)    (1 088)            
Operating profit                                  1 023      681                
Negative goodwill from business                   1          47                 
combinations                                                                    
Share of losses of associates                     -           1                 
Finance costs                             3       (645)      (302)              
Profit before income tax                          379        427                
Income tax expense                                (22)       (73)               
Profit for the period from continuing             357        354                
operations                                                                      
Discontinued operations                                                         
Loss for the period from discontinued             (58)       (78)               
operations                                                                      
Profit for the period                             299        276                
Profit for the period attributable to:                                          
Equity holders of the Company                     221        190                
Minority interest - BEE partners                  74         79                 
- Other minorities                                4          7                  
Profit for the period                             299        276                
Weighted average number of shares in              317,4      317,2              
issue (millions)                                                                
Diluted weighted average number of shares         341,2      341,2              
in issue (millions)                                                             
Earnings per share from continuing                82,9       78,5               
operations (cents)                                                              
Earnings per share from discontinued              (13,4)     (18,6)             
operations (cents)                                                              
Earnings per share from all operations            69,5       59,9               
(cents)                                                                         
Diluted earnings per share from                   77,1       73,0               
continuing operations (cents)                                                   
Diluted earnings per share from                   (12,5)     (17,3)             
discontinued operations (cents)                                                 
Diluted earnings per share from all               64,6       55,7               
operations (cents)                                                              
Headline earnings per share from all      4       73,7       62,1               
operations (cents)                                                              
Diluted headline earnings per share from          68,5       57,7               
all operations (cents)                                                          
Consolidated cash flow statement (R`millions)                                   
                                                16-months  Year ended           
                                               ended      28 February           
                                               30 June    2007                  
2008                             
Operating activities                                                            
Net profit before tax                            340        338                 
Changes in working capital                       (477)      333                 
Other non-cash flow items                        1          (41)                
Tax paid                                         (7)        (25)                
Net cash (utilised in)/generated from operating  (143)      605                 
activities                                                                      
Net cash utilised in investing activities        (425)      (212)               
Net cash generated from/(utilised in) financing  366        (236)               
activities                                                                      
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash         (202)      157                 
equivalents                                                                     
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of    (141)      (298)               
year                                                                            
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the      (343)      (141)               
period                                                                          
Cash collateral deposits                         554        397                 
Cash and cash equivalents and cash collateral    211        256                 
deposits                                                                        
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (R`millions)                        
                           Share    Share    Fair      Retained  Treasury       
                          capital  premium  value     earnings  shares          
                                          and                                   
other                                 
                                          reserves                              
Balance 28 February 2006    -        73       8         1 370     (155)         
Net profit                  -        -        -         190       -             
Currency translation        -        -        (5)       -         -             
differences                                                                     
Disposal of incentive       -        -        -         -         -             
shares                                                                          
Shares purchased by share   -        -        -         -         -             
incentive trust                                                                 
Capital distribution        -        (73)     -         -         -             
Dividends paid              -        -        -         (33)      -             
Payment to minorities       -        -        -         -         -             
Minorities with business    -        -        -         -         -             
combinations                                                                    
Share-based payments        -        -        7         -         -             
Balance 28 February 2007    -        -        10        1 527     (155)         
Net profit                  -        -        -         221       -             
Payment to minorities       -        -        -         -         -             
Currency translation        -        -        61        -         -             
differences                                                                     
Share-based payments        -        -        9         -         -             
Dividends paid              -        -        -         (170)     -             
Disposal of incentive       -        -        -         -         -             
shares                                                                          
Balance 30 June 2008        -        -        80        1 578     (155)         
Consolidated statement of changes in equity (R`millions) continued              
                              Incentive  BEE        Other       Total           
trust      partners   minorities                   
                             share                                              
Balance 28 February 2006       (122)      531        -           1 705          
Net profit                     -          79         7           276            
Currency translation           -          -          -           (5)            
differences                                                                     
Disposal of incentive shares   35         -          -           35             
Shares purchased by            (64)       -          -           (64)           
share incentive trust                                                           
Capital distribution           -          -          -           (73)           
Dividends paid                 -          -          -           (33)           
Payment to minorities          -          (46)       -           (46)           
Minorities with business       -          -          18          18             
combinations                                                                    
Share-based payments           -          -          -           7              
Balance 28 February 2007       (151)      564        25          1 820          
Net profit                     -          74         4           299            
Payment to minorities          -          (44)       (11)        (55)           
Currency translation           -          -          -           61             
differences                                                                     
Share-based payments           -          -          -           9              
Dividends paid                 -          -          -           (170)          
Disposal of incentive shares   27         -          -           27             
Balance 30 June 2008           (124)      594        18          1 991          
Business segment results (R`millions)                                           
Sixteen months ended 30 June   Sales         Headline       Net                 
2008                                        operating      interest             
                                          profit before  and                    
interest       dividends              
                                          and                                   
                                          dividends                             
AFGRI Services                 7 292         226            (28)                
Producer Services              5 710         72             (40)                
Primary inputs                 1 694         27             (19)                
Retail                         4 016         45             (21)                
Financial Services             1 309         80              14                 
Logistics Services             273           74             (2)                 
AFGRI Products                 3 284         186            (16)                
Foods                          543           28             (2)                 
Protein                        2 741         158            (14)                
Other                          1             -              1                   
Continuing operations          10 577        412            (43)                
Discontinued operations        113           (38)           -                   
Consolidated                   10 690        374            (43)                
Business segment results (R`millions) continued                                 
Sixteen months ended 30 June   Headline      Assets         Liabilities         
2008                           operating                                        
                             profit                                             
after                                              
                             interest                                           
                             and                                                
                             dividends                                          
AFGRI Services                 198           7 058          (5 771)             
Producer Services              32            1 481          (889)               
Primary inputs                 8             364            (226)               
Retail                         24            1 117          (663)               
Financial Services             94            5 232          (4 831)             
Logistics Services             72            345            (51)                
AFGRI Products                 170           1 612          (798)               
Foods                          26            434            (168)               
Protein                        144           1 178          (630)               
Other                          1             544            (589)               
Continuing operations          369           9 214          (7 158)             
Discontinued operations        (38)          (40)           (25)                
Consolidated                   331           9 174          (7 183)             
                              Capital       Depreciation   Amortisation         
                             expenditure                                        
AFGRI Services                 119           35             13                  
Producer Services              73            21             11                  
Primary inputs                 16            4              6                   
Retail                         57            17             5                   
Financial Services             3              3             2                   
Logistics Services             43            11             -                   
AFGRI Products                 174           50             12                  
Foods                          11            7              -                   
Protein                        163           43             12                  
Other                          1             2              4                   
Continuing operations          294           87             29                  
Discontinued operations        2             2              -                   
Consolidated                   296           89             29                  
Year ended 28 February 2007    Sales         Headline       Net                 
                                          operating      interest               
                                          profit         and                    
                                          before         dividends              
interest                              
                                          and                                   
                                          dividends                             
AFGRI Services                 4 669         241            (20)                
Producer Services              3 779         55             (19)                
Primary inputs                 1 133         30             (8)                 
Retail                         2 646         25             (11)                
Financial Services             657           73             (1)                 
Logistics Services             233           113            -                   
AFGRI Products                 1 704         146            (9)                 
Foods                          311           17             (2)                 
Protein                        1 393         129            (7)                 
Other                          1             -              -                   
Continuing operations          6 374         387            (29)                
Discontinued operations        156           (17)           3                   
Consolidated                   6 530         370            (26)                
Year ended 28 February 2007    Headline      Assets         Liabilities         
                             operating                                          
                             profit                                             
                             after                                              
interest                                           
                             and                                                
                             dividends                                          
AFGRI Services                 221           5 483          (4 243)             
Producer Services              36            1 196          (676)               
Primary inputs                 22            266            (150)               
Retail                         14            930            (526)               
Financial Services             72            3 975          (3 529)             
Logistics Services             113           312            (38)                
AFGRI Products                 137           1 018          (487)               
Foods                          15            179            (36)                
Protein                        122           839            (451)               
Other                          -             521            (511)               
Continuing operations          358           7 022          (5 241)             
Discontinued operations        (14)          98             (59)                
Consolidated                   344           7 120          (5 300)             
Capital       Depreciation   Amortisation         
                             expenditure                                        
AFGRI Services                 95            24             5                   
Producer Services              88            10             4                   
Primary inputs                 10            4              2                   
Retail                         78            6              2                   
Financial Services             6             4              1                   
Logistics Services             1             10             -                   
AFGRI Products                 41            33             6                   
Foods                          9             5              -                   
Protein                        32            28             6                   
Other                          1             3              3                   
Continuing operations          137           60             14                  
Discontinued operations        -             -              -                   
Consolidated                   137           60             14                  
Note A:                                                                         
The pre-tax business segment results are presented after taking into            
account the pre-tax headline earnings adjustments before allocation             
of the minority (including BEE) share in profits. Operating profits             
after net interest and dividends are shown after the allocation of              
cost of capital based on each division`s net assets.                            
Note B:                                                                         
Although the interest paid to Land Bank and other banks for the                 
financing of debtors is disclosed as finance cost in the income                 
statement, it is disclosed as cost of sales in the business segment             
results and is deducted from headline operating profit before                   
interest. The increase/decrease in Land Bank and other banks`                   
interest paid relates directly to the interest received on the                  
related debtors book and the net margin provides a better comparison            
of operating profit. The reconciliation of net interest and dividends           
per the business segment results and the finance cost per the income            
statement is as follows:                                                        
(R`millions)                              16-months ended  Year ended           
                                        30 June          28 February            
                                        2008             2007                   
Finance cost per income statement - refer (645)            (302)                
note 3                                                                          
Land Bank interest disclosed as cost of   402              199                  
sales in business segment results                                               
Other banks` interest disclosed as cost   81               -                    
of sales in business segment results                                            
Finance cost excluding Land Bank and      (162)            (103)                
other banks` interest                                                           
Discontinued interest per the income      (13)             (9)                  
statement                                                                       
                                                                                
Dividend income and interest received -   132              86                   
included in other operating income and                                          
other operating expenses                                                        
Net interest and dividends per business   (43)             (26)                 
segment results                                                                 
Note C:                                                                         
The reconciliation of operating profit                                          
per the income statement with business                                          
segment headline operating profit before                                        
interest and dividends is as follows:                                           
Operating profit per income statement     1 023            681                  
Negative goodwill from business           1                47                   
combinations                                                                    
Share of losses of associates             -                1                    
Discontinued loss before interest         (58)             (77)                 
Interest income and dividends disclosed   (132)            (86)                 
as net interest - refer note B                                                  
Land Bank interest paid disclosed as cost (402)            (199)                
of sales - refer note B                                                         
Other banks` interest paid disclosed as   (81)             -                    
cost of sales - refer note B                                                    
Headline earnings adjustments before tax  23               3                    
Headline operating profit before interest 374              370                  
and dividends per business segment                                              
results                                                                         
Notes to the preliminary consolidated financial results                         
1.  Basis of preparation and accounting policies                                
   The preliminary consolidated financial results for the 16 months             
  ended 30 June 2008 have been prepared in accordance with                      
  International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") IAS 34, the              
Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited and the South African                
  Companies Act, on a basis consistent with that of prior periods               
  except for the adoption of IFRS 7 which has no impact on the                  
  results but will result in additional disclosure in the annual                
financial statements.                                                         
2.  Property, plant and equipment                                               
  and intangible assets                                                         
  (R`millions)                                                                  
Property, plant    Intangible assets         
                                 and equipment     and goodwill                 
   Carrying value beginning of     1 018              171                       
  year                                                                          
Additions                       296                103                       
   Disposals at book value         (61)               2                         
   Foreign currency differences    15                 4                         
   Depreciation/amortisation       (89)               (29)                      
Purchase of subsidiaries        12                 14                        
   Net sale of subsidiary          (6)                -                         
  (including assets held for                                                    
  sale)                                                                         
Impairment                      (10)               -                         
   Carrying value end of period    1 175              265                       
3.  Finance costs (R`millions)                                                  
                                   16-months ended    Year ended                
30 June           28 February                  
                                 2008              2007                         
   Interest paid on Land Bank      (402)              (199)                     
  borrowings used to finance                                                    
debtors                                                                       
   Interest paid on other banks`   (81)               -                         
  borrowings used to finance                                                    
  debtors                                                                       
Other interest paid to          (162)              (103)                     
  financial institutions                                                        
   Finance cost - Continued        (645)              (302)                     
  operations (per income                                                        
statement)                                                                    
   Finance cost - Discontinued     (13)               (9)                       
  operations                                                                    
   Finance cost - Total            (658)              (311)                     
4.  Reconciliation of headline                                                  
   earnings per share (cents)                                                   
   Earnings                        69,5               59,9                      
   Loss from discontinued          3,2                15,9                      
operations                                                                    
   Impairment of assets            2,2                1,3                       
   Negative goodwill               (0,1)              (10,9)                    
   Profit on disposal of assets    (1,1)              (1,1)                     
Headline earnings previously    73,7               65,1                      
  reported                                                                      
   Impact of SAICA Circular        -                  (3,0)                     
  8/2007 - operating losses from                                                
discontinued operations                                                       
                                   73,7               62,1                      
5.  Agency agreements                                                           
   The Group manages agri debtors on behalf of third party financial            
institutions to the amount of R938 million (2007: R633 million).              
  Management fees are paid by these third parties. The Group is                 
  liable for bad debts to a maximum of between 5% and 10% of the                
  value of debtors administered.                                                
The Group receives a fee for the handling, grading, storing and               
  administration of commodities on behalf of third parties. The                 
  value of these commodities at 30 June 2008 is R4 440 million                  
  (2007: R1 622 million).                                                       
6.  Financed trade receivables                                                  
6.1 Trade receivables financed by Land Bank (R`millions)                        
   The only security for the liability is the trade receivables and             
  the intention and practice are to settle the liability                        
simultaneously with the ealization of the asset. The Group bears              
  the risk of losses on these debtors.                                          
                                               30 June    28 February           
                                             2008       2007                    
Assets - Trade receivables                  2 698      2 724                 
   Liability - Land Bank                       2 698      2 693                 
6.2 Trade receivables financed by other banks                                   
  (R`millions)                                                                  
The opportunity to grow the debtor                                            
  financing business combined with the                                          
  strategy to diversify funding lines and                                       
  generate capacity for further growth                                          
resulted in the need for alternative                                          
  financing structures. As a result, R423                                       
  million of debtor specific and R542                                           
  million of general working capital                                            
facilities were negotiated with other                                         
  banks. The Group bears 10% risk on the                                        
  debtor specific facility. The Group is in                                     
  the process of restructuring the                                              
facilities to reduce the cost of funding,                                     
  the risk and the reliance on individual                                       
  lenders.                                                                      
   Assets - Trade receivables                  965        -                     
Liability - other banks                     965        -                     
?7. Corporate governance and JSE Limited (JSE) compliance                       
   The principles of good corporate governance are adhered to. The              
  Group complies with the JSE Listings Requirements regarding the               
contents of the preliminary condensed consolidated financial                  
  results.                                                                      
8.  Change in year-end                                                          
   The Board of Directors resolved to change the year-end of the                
Group from 28 February to 30 June. This has aligned the Group`s               
  year-end with the major (summer) grain season. The necessary                  
  approvals were obtained to move the current year-end from 29                  
  February to 30 June 2008. This final report is for the sixteen                
months ended 30 June 2008, being the new financial year-end. As               
  such the prior period figures, being for the year ended 28                    
  February 2007 are not comparable.                                             
9.  Going concern                                                               
The Board of Directors is satisfied that, after taking into                  
  account the current bank facilities, its tilization thereof and               
  the budgeted profit for the year ending 30 June 2009, the working             
  capital available to AFGRI will be sufficient to meet its                     
requirements for the next 12 months.                                          
10. Business combinations                                                       
   On 1 April 2007 the Group acquired the remaining 50% that it did             
  not own of two companies in the Daybreak group. Daybreak Superior             
Marketing (Pty) Ltd and Superior Foods (Pty) Ltd, for a purchase              
  consideration of R5 million. The assessment of the impact of IFRS             
  3 resulted in an increase in the fair value of the debtor                     
  relations list of R3 million and a fair value of a favorable                  
marketing contract of R4 million.                                             
  AFGRI acquired the remaining 50% of the issued share capital of               
  AFGRI ECAC (Pty) Ltd for R8 million on 1 September 2007. The                  
  assessment of the impact of IFRS 3 resulted in no further                     
intangible assets with no impact on goodwill.                                 
  The insurance broking business of Mallac Hearle was acquired by               
  the Group on 1 June 2008 for a consideration of R14 million. The              
  entire purchase price has been recorded as goodwill at the year-              
end. The Group will revisit the assumptions and the impact of                 
  IFRS 3 in the forthcoming year.                                               
11. Audit opinion                                                               
   The preliminary condensed consolidated financial results for the             
16 months ended 30 June 2008 have been reviewed by the Group`s                
  external auditors PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., in accordance with             
  the guidelines laid down by the International Standards for                   
  Review Engagements 2410 and their review opinion is available for             
inspection at the Company`s registered office.                                
  The audited annual financial statements are expected to be                    
  distributed to shareholders on 30 September 2008.                             
Commentary                                                                      
The directors of AFGRI Limited ("AFGRI") present the reviewed preliminary       
condensed consolidated financial results of the AFGRI group of companies ("the  
Group") for the sixteen months ended 30 June 2008. Due to the change in the     
Group`s financial year-end these results are for a 16-month reporting period and
are therefore not directly comparable to the reported prior year results. Unless
otherwise stated, comparative figures and percentage changes have been          
determined based on the published results of the Group for the year ended 28    
February 2007. Shareholders are referred to the reviewed second interim results 
published on 7 May 2008 which show results directly comparable to the reported  
prior year figures.                                                             
The consolidated headline earnings for the 16-month period reflect a 18,7%      
increase compared to the year ended 28 February 2007. The impact of the drought 
conditions during the 2007 growing season, resulting in a small maize crop for  
the second year in a row, is reflected in the results for the 16 months. Low    
carry-in silo stock levels, a smaller 2007 summer grain crop and tighter        
interest margins impacted negatively on trading conditions for the Financial and
Logistics Services businesses. This situation has begun to reverse: good        
seasonal rains and an anticipated record maize crop of approximately 12 million 
tons for the 2008 summer season have seen key indicators in the Group`s core    
businesses begin to turn around.                                                
During the final four months of AFGRI`s extended financial reporting period,    
demand for inputs, credit and storage capacity have all shown significant       
increases resulting in performances better than anticipated in headline         
operating profits from both Financial and Logistics Services.                   
The performance of the Group`s continuing operations during the four-month      
period ended 30 June 2008 has been most satisfactory.                           
To compensate shareholders for the change in year-end, the Board approved a     
special dividend of 8,0 cents per share.                                        
Operational review                                                              
Revenue                                                                         
Sales from continuing operations increased by 65,9% compared to the year ended  
28 February 2007. The main contributors to this increase were Products (92,7%)  
as a result of increased raw material prices and volumes, Financial Services    
(99,2%) due to increased interest rates and a larger debtors` book and Producer 
Services (51,1%) due to higher equipment and primary input sales.               
Headline earnings                                                               
Headline earnings per share for the period under review were 73,7 cents, 18,7%  
higher than that achieved for the year ended 28 February 2007. Diluted headline 
earnings per share were 68,5 cents, also 18,7% higher than for the year ended 28
February 2007. As indicated in the interim results for 31 August 2007 and 29    
February 2008, headline earnings include the recognition of a R20 million       
foreign deferred tax asset.                                                     
Segmental headline operating profit after dividends received and interest       
Continuing operations                                                           
The Producer Services business was negatively impacted by stock write-offs in   
the Seed business. In total, this business unit reported a reduction in headline
operating profits for the sixteen months of 11,1% when compared to the year     
ended 28 February 2007. However, within Producer Services, the retail business  
reported improved headline operating profits of 71,4%. This improvement was     
bolstered by improved results from Australia due to farmers anticipating an end 
of two years of drought. In South Africa a positive agricultural outlook and    
operational efficiencies contributed to this improvement.                       
In the Animal Feeds business increased selling prices and volumes, combined with
effective procurement and operational efficiencies saw the Protein division     
improve headline operating profits over the prior year by 18,0%, despite        
significant margin pressure being experienced at the Group`s poultry operation  
from increasing feed prices and market surpluses.                               
In a period of rising interest rates and tightening international credit markets
the Financial Services business was positively impacted by increased demand for 
credit, high commodity prices and a turn around in the Africa business. This    
business grew its headline operating profits by 129,3%, excluding the effects of
a prior year once-off foreign exchange gain of R31 million.                     
The Logistics Services business was adversely affected by the drought, which    
resulted in a second year of low maize production. As a result headline         
operating profit reduced by 36,3% compared to the prior year.                   
Discontinued operations                                                         
The Group either sold or discontinued several under-performing or non-core      
businesses during the reporting period. Also discontinued was the Group`s       
farming activities. This programme to develop previously disadvantaged black    
farmers, through farming with local communities, was difficult to manage and    
over?extended. Whilst the Group remains committed to the development of black   
farmers, the structure of this programme will be revisited in the coming year in
order to limit the Group`s exposure to losses. In total, discontinued operations
reported a loss of R58 million.                                                 
Net decrease in cash collateral deposits and cash and cash equivalents - R45    
million (2007: R171 million increase)                                           
In the period under review the Group`s debtor financing business grew by 26,2%. 
AFGRI arranged new funding lines in excess of R1,7 billion to fund this growth. 
This is in line with the Group`s strategy to diversify funding and reduce the   
cost of financing.                                                              
Cash utilised by the business during the period of R45 million is due to        
significant capital expenditure. The net cash position, after including cash    
collateral deposits, is a positive R211 million compared to R256 million at 28  
February 2007.                                                                  
Changes to the board of directors and executive management                      
Dr MI Mogari joined the AFGRI board of directors as an executive director with  
effect from 1 February 2008.                                                    
The Financial Director, Mr I de W Goosen retired from the Group on 31 May 2008, 
having reached AFGRI`s mandatory retirement age. He was succeeded by Mr JA van  
der Schyff as Group Chief Financial Officer from 1 June 2008 and who was        
appointed as Financial Director to the Board with effect from 15 September 2008.
Mr JD Wright resigned with effect from 30 June 2008 and was replaced by Mr JH   
Mooney as interim Chief Executive Officer from 1 July 2008.                     
Prospects                                                                       
Higher grain prices and the anticipated record maize crop will have a positive  
impact on the Logistics Services business. Continued good performances are      
expected from Financial and Producers Services and the Protein and Food         
businesses. The discontinuance or sale of certain smaller operations will allow 
an increased focus on the Group`s core businesses.                              
By order of the Board                                                           
DD de Beer (Non-Executive Chairman) JH Mooney (Chief Executive Officer)         
16 September 2008                                                               
Declaration of special dividend                                                 
Notice is hereby given that the directors of AFGRI have declared a              
special dividend of 8,0 cents per share for the period ended 30 June            
2008. In accordance with settlement procedures of STRATE, the                   
following dates will apply to the final dividend:                               
Last day to trade cum the dividend         Friday, 17 October 2008              
Trading ex dividend commences              Monday, 20 October 2008              
Record date                                Friday, 24 October 2008              
Dividend payment date                      Monday, 27 October 2008              
There will be no dematerialisation or rematerialisation of AFGRI                
shares between 20 October 2008 and 24 October 2008, both dates                  
inclusive.                                                                      
By order of the Board                                                           
SL Reynolds                                                                     
Group Company Secretary                                                         
Johannesburg                                                                    
16 September 2008                                                               
Directorate                                                                     
Non-executive: DD de Beer, CA(SA), Chairman; CA Apsey, BSc, MBA; JJ             
Claassen, Joint Vice-Chairman;  JJ Ferreira, BSc (Hons) (Civ Eng);              
JPR Mbau, Diploma in Banking and Business Management, Joint Vice-               
Chairman; MM Moloele, Diploma in Business Management; KL Thoka,                 
B&Admin, Hons (B&A), MBA; FJ van der Merwe, LLB, MA  Executive: MI              
Mogari (Dr), MBChB, BSc (Med)(Hons), CPFA, EDP; JA van der Schyff,              
BCom (Hons), CA(SA), Financial Director Executive management: JH                
Mooney, BCom, CA(SA), Chief Executive Officer                                   
Administration                                                                  
Business address and registered office: 33 Sloane Street,                       
Knightsbridge Manor, Block B2, Bryanston, Tel (+27 11) 549-0600, Fax            
(+27 11) 463-4139 Company Secretary: Ms SL Reynolds, BA, LLB, PO Box            
3559, Cramerview, 2060  Bankers: ABSA Bank Limited, FirstRand Bank              
Limited, Land and Agricultural Development Bank of SA Limited, Nedcor           
Limited, Standard Bank of SA Limited, The Hongkong and Shanghai                 
Banking Corporation, Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank            
B.A. trading as Rabo Bank  Auditors: PricewaterhouseCoopers                     
Incorporated  Transfer secretaries: Computershare Investor Services             
(Proprietary) Limited, 70 Marshall Street, Johannesburg, 2001, PO Box           
61051, Marshalltown, 2107, Tel (+27 11) 370-5000  Sponsor: Rand                 
Merchant Bank, (a division of FirstRand Bank Limited), 1 Merchant               
Place, Cnr Fredman Drive and Rivonia Road, Sandton, 2196, PO Box                
786273, Sandton, 2146                                                           
This announcement is available on SENS and Afgri`s website at www.afgri.co.za   
Date: 16/09/2008 12:00:02 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.                  
The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the    
JSE Limited (`JSE`). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or            
implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or   
completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers,     
employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,     
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature,     
howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,          
information disseminated through SENS.
Profile Group (Pty) Ltd. has taken care in preparing all information on this website, but does not accept any liability for errors or out-of-date information.
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