Lahore, September 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Globally, the poultry feed production stood at 1.2bln MT in 2020, up by 1% from 2019. Pakistan’s annual poultry feed production is around ~3.5mln MT, with ~150 registered feed mills and ~200 unregistered feed mills catering to it. The industry generates an annual turnover of ~PKR 396bln (Jun-20). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of restaurants/marriage halls and export avenues led to a supply glut of poultry products in the local market. However, as business avenues became operational, demand for poultry products improved. Lately, a visible surge was also observed in feed and poultry product prices. This, along with SBP’s interest rate cut along with deferment and/or restructuring option provided sufficient respite to the industry players. An uptick in prices and demand dynamics are expected if the hospitality segment remains operational.
The ratings reflect Hi-Tech Feeds (Pvt.) Limited’s (‘the Company’) association with an established poultry group, Hi-Tech Group. The Company is part of Group’s integrated poultry chain – oil/meal, feed and poultry – and enjoys a moderate market share with good Feed Conversion Ratio. The Company remained exposed to inherent risks in the feed industry emanated from raw material price changes and low demand amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Lately, the increasing demand and prices of poultry products has eased some pressure off the Company, however, the optimum production and sales levels are anticipated if demand avenues (banquet halls, dine-in restaurants) remain operational and demand uncertainties subside.
Although the Company enjoyed stable margins and profitability, sales remained slightly lower leading to lower capacity utilization and off take. Moreover, the Company’s ability to pass on the increased raw material cost to poultry farms led to improved margins. Further, the rate cut by SBP improved the Company’s profitability and in turn cashflows. The Company has piled up raw material inventory, procured on cash, in anticipation of higher prices. This led to stretched working capital requirements, with receivable days also high, met through short-term borrowings. The Company had a moderately leveraged capital structure, while coverages remain adequate.
The ratings are dependent on the management’s ability to sustain its operations and improve capacity utilization. Maintaining strict working capital discipline through prudent inventory management and rationalizing significantly high receivable days and ensuing borrowings remain critical. Any significant deterioration in margins and/or prolonged low sales cycle will have a negative impact on the ratings. Support from sponsors and other group entities is important.
For more information, contact:
Analyst,
The Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (PACRA)
Awami Complex, FB1, Usman Block New Garden Town,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5869504-6
Fax: +92-42-5830425
Email: hammad.rashid@pacra.com
Website: www.pacra.com