Unaudited Group Interim Results For The Period Ended 31 March 2021
Oceana Group Limited
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa
(Registration number 1939/001730/06)
JSE Share Code: OCE
NSX Share Code: OCG
ISIN Number: ZAE 000025284
("Oceana" or “the company” or "the Group")
https://oceana.co.za/pdf/Interim_Results_2021.pdf
UNAUDITED GROUP INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
SALIENT FEATURES
- Revenue down 2% to R3 568 million
- Operating profit down 4% to R583 million
- Profit before tax up 5% to R489 million
- Earnings per share up 13% to 284.0 cents
- Headline earnings per share up 4% to 260.5 cents
- Cash generated from operations R674 million
- Dividends 110.0 cents per share
COMMENTS
GROUP OVERVIEW
The business environment for the first half of the 2021 financial year continued to be shaped by the
on-going uncertainties brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic on economies across the globe,
impacting both the pace of economic recoveries as well as consumer spending patterns. As a
designated essential service provider, all Oceana locations across countries in which we are present,
continue to operate with rigorous monitoring and evaluation of Covid-19 protocols to safeguard our
employees, customers and suppliers and to ensure food security through continuity of production and
supply.
While demand for our core products remained strong, the Group’s supply chain and operations were
hampered by temporary disruptions brought on by lockdown regulations and restrictions in key supply
territories.
In the context of the strong performance delivered in the midst of a market downturn in 2020, Oceana
delivered a satisfactory performance for the six months ended 31 March 2021. Positive trading
conditions for fishmeal, fish oil and horse mackerel were muted by supply chain and operations
disruptions in canned fish.
As expected, Group revenue for the period was weighed down by the performance of the fishmeal
and fish oil segment in the United States of America (USA) on the back of the significantly lower prior
season catch. Revenue from African operations grew 1% and overall revenues declined 2% to R3 568
million (March 2020: R3 627 million).
Group operating profit declined 4% to R583 million (March 2020: R605 million) with operating profits
from African operations declining 1% and Daybrook’s operating profit declining 16%. Included in these
results is the net effect of R31 million profit on disposal of the Bayhead cold storage facility as well as
R10 million transaction costs for the launch of the new employee and strategic partner trusts.
Net interest expense decreased by 32% to R94 million (March 2020: R139 million) primarily due to
continued debt repayments, higher cash balances and lower interest rates in South Africa. The average
interest rate for all debt as at the end of March is 5.3% (March 2020: 7.2%).
The taxation expense of R140 million (March 2020: R153 million) includes capital gains tax of R3.3
million (2020: R nil), a prior year tax benefit in the US of R4.9 million as well as lower dividends
withholding tax from lower foreign dividends declared.
Strong cost management discipline coupled with the lower net interest expense contributed to Group
profit after tax increasing by 11% to R348 million (March 2020: R313 million).
Earnings per share and headline earnings per share increased by 13% and 4% respectively.
COVID-19 IMPACT
The uncertainties and disruptions brought on by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions across main raw fish
supply geographies together with the gradual resumption of trade activities under pandemic
restricted protocols, resulted in port, logistics and supply impediments which hampered the Group’s
ability to secure adequate levels of fish supply to maintain production levels and to fully service
canned fish demand. These factors also had the effect of delaying shipment of export sales as well as
reducing both Group and third-party occupancy levels in the cold storage business. Shipping and port
delays resulted in a c60% supply shortfall compared to the comparative period with a resulting
reduction in production and consequently lower inventory levels.
We estimate revenue lost as a consequence of these disruptions at R73 million and a corresponding
operating profit reduction amounting to R34 million.
CASH FLOW AND FINANCIAL POSITION
Management continues to maintain a conservative cash management posture in view of the pandemic
induced uncertainties, while retaining measures to strengthen the balance sheet and optimise
cashflow, including on-going re-assessments of planned capital expenditure.
Overall cash on hand improved by R715 million to R1 040 million (March 2020: R325 million). Strong
cash generation, frozen fish procurement delays, lower inventory levels and improved supplier terms
contributed to improved cash balances. Included in the closing cash balance is R378.8 million due to
beneficiaries of the Oceana Empowerment Trust being the net proceeds from the sale of shares on
behalf of those beneficiaries.
DIVIDENDS
After due consideration and evaluation of our prospects and liquidity for the immediate future, the
Board declared an interim dividend of 110.0 cents (March 2020: 100.0 cents) per share.
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS
Segmental results Revenue Operating profit
2021 2020 % 2021 2020 %
R'000
R’000 R’000 Change R’000 R’000 Change
Canned fish and fishmeal (Africa) 2 010 205 2 058 657 (2) 201 002 264 462 (24)
Fishmeal and fish oil (USA) 555 685 630 364 (12) 76 473 91 420 (16)
Horse mackerel, hake, lobster and squid 812 595 746 652 9 221 752 197 123 13
Commercial cold storage and logistics 189 489 190 841 (1) 84 164 52 115 62
Total 3 567 974 3 626 514 (2) 583 391 605 120 (4)
Canned fish and fishmeal (Africa)
Canned fish demand has remained positive with market share growth from the high base of the
previous period, in an environment where the disposable income of consumers has come under
pressure. Canned fish sales demonstrated resilience for most of the trading period but was negatively
impacted by low ‘stokvel’ volumes in December and exacerbated by lower supply service levels in
March due to lower frozen fish availability. The combined effect of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions,
global container shortages and port delays in Cape Town resulted in a 60% decline in frozen fish
imports, reducing production levels and canned fish inventory available for sale. Overall volume
decline of 5% has been positively offset by the effect of a 4% price increase effected in November.
Operating margins in the canned fish segment remain strong, supported by ongoing procurement and
production efficiencies.
Improved global demand for fish meal has been reflected in improved pricing for the African fishmeal
and fish oil business. Profitability came under pressure from early season by-catch limitations which
constrained catch levels for the industry to 37% of the prior period. This, together with the port and
freight logistics challenges which impacted export sales, has materially offset the benefit from
favourable fish meal pricing.
The 24% decline in operating profit for this division is primarily attributed to lost production days,
lower fixed cost absorption and lower fish meal volumes.
Fishmeal and fish oil (USA)
As previously reported, landings in the 2020 fishing season were severely hampered by a combination
of Covid-19 disruptions and an abnormally active hurricane season contributing to a 36% reduction in
inventory available for sale during the off-season period to March 2021.
Positively, fishmeal offtake volumes performed better than expected with continued demand from
the USA pet food manufacturers, while overall pricing for fishmeal and fish oil has increased by 1%
and 13% respectively over the prior period.
Operating profit for the period reduced to R76 million (March 2020: R91 million) with US Dollar
earnings having been converted at an average exchange rate of R15.11/US Dollar compared to
R16.61/US Dollar for the comparative period.
The 2021 fishing season commenced on 19 April 2021 and will run until the end of October 2021. Early
season indicators are positive with oil yield in excess of 10%, notwithstanding a slow start due to
inclement weather.
Horse mackerel, hake, lobster, and squid
This segment delivered 9% growth in revenue and 13% growth in operating profit driven by strong
performances from the horse mackerel, lobster, and squid businesses.
Horse mackerel operations remained resilient during the half with quota levels in both SA and Namibia
materially unchanged. Strong demand across traditional African markets coupled with supply
shortages drove favourable pricing and compensated for reduced Namibian catch rates. The effect of
higher fuel prices and a stronger Rand were mitigated by favourable fuel cover arrangements which
remain in place until September 2021. Notwithstanding a 9% reduction in landings largely as a result
of lost sea days due to vessel maintenance, this segment delivered significantly increased revenues
and improved operating profit for the period.
The 2021 Hake TAC decreased 5% relative to the prior year. This, together with lower industry-wide
catch rates and 2 statutory vessel dry-docks, saw sea days and landings reduce by 9% and 25%
respectively. A slow recovery in the European food services sector has placed hake prices under short
term pressure offsetting the benefit derived from a 10% improvement in the Euro exchange rate. As
a result, revenue and operating profit for the hake business declined against the comparative period.
Profitability in the lobster segment improved following the reopening of the Chinese market for live
lobster which drove up prices. Squid landings improved significantly by 82% due to good catch rates.
Commercial cold storage and logistics (CCS)
The CCS business delivered a 62% improvement in operating profit, benefitting from the profit on
disposal of the Bayhead cold storage facility concluded in February, as well as cost savings achieved
through optimisation of storage capacity. Overall occupancy levels declined as a direct result of
reduced imports brought on by the global container shortage. The port logistic challenges also
negatively impacted Lucky Star’s utilisation of space for frozen fish. Positively, revenue per pallet
improved 4% supported by Namibian occupancy levels.
DIRECTORATE CHANGES
Thoko Mokgosi-Mwantembe and Peter John Golesworthy were appointed as independent non-
executive directors on 7 April 2021. The Oceana Board welcomes Thoko and Peter and looks forward
to their contributions in assisting the Company in achieving its strategic objectives.
CHANGE TO TRANSFER SECRETARY
Shareholders are advised, that in terms of paragraph 11.39 of the JSE Listings Requirements, JSE
Investor Services (Pty) Limited will replace Computerhsare Investor Services (Pty) Limited as transfer
secretaries to Oceana, effective 1 June 2021.
Contact details for JSE Investor Services (Pty) Limited are as follows:
13th Floor, 19 Ameshoff Street
Braamfontein
Johannesburg
2000
P.O. Box 4844, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Telephone: 0861 546572
PROSPECTS
We remain cautious about the effects of Covid-19 for the remainder of the year. The stringent and
proactive protocols adopted in 2020 to address Covid-19 risks for the safety of our workforce to sound
management of financial risks remain a primary focus area for us.
The Group’s core product offerings remain in demand and our diversified global customer base offers
protection from the economic stress being experienced by SA consumers.
In South Africa we expect our canned fish segment to remain under volume pressure due to a
constrained consumer environment and potential supply chain disruptions. However, we will look to
deliver growth bolstered by the effect of a stronger Rand on the cost of imported frozen fish and on-
going production efficiencies. In the rest of Africa our fresh fish offerings continue to show strong
demand supported by consistent landings across our segments.
Our USA operations are well positioned for volume growth with the addition of a 12th vessel and the
introduction of a run-boat for the 2021 fishing season. Growth in pet food and global aquaculture
continues to drive positive pricing for fishmeal and fish oil in all geographies.
The 2021 FRAP process has commenced with the publishing of draft economic impact assessments
and appointment of service providers to bolster capacity. The DEFF Ministry remains committed to a
transparent and accountable process that concludes by December 2021.
Any forward-looking statements set out in this announcement have not been reviewed or reported
on by the auditors.
This short-form announcement is the responsibility of the company's board of directors and is only a
summary of the information in the full announcement and therefore does not contain full or
complete details. Any investment decisions by investors and/or shareholders should be based on
consideration of the full announcement published on the group's website www.oceana.co.za and on
the JSE website using: https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2021/jse/isse/oce/HY_21.pdf
Copies of the full announcement may be requested from the Company Secretary at
adela.fortune@oceana.co.za or from the company's Sponsor Natalie.Di-Sante@standardbank.co.za.
Given lock-down regulations, these will be sent electronically upon request.
On behalf of the board
MA Brey I Soomra
Chairman (non-executive) Chief executive officer
Cape Town
02 June 2021
CASH DIVIDEND DECLARATION
Notice is hereby given of dividend number 154. A gross interim dividend amounting to 110.0 cents per
share, in respect of the period ended 31 March 2021 was declared on Wednesday, 2 June 2021, out
of current earnings. Where applicable the deduction of dividends withholding tax at a rate of 20% will
result in a net dividend amounting to 88.0 cents per share.
The number of ordinary shares in issue at the date of this declaration is 130 431 804. The company’s
tax reference number is 9675/139/71/2. Relevant dates are as follows:
Last day to trade cum dividend Tuesday, 29 June 2021
Commence trading ex-dividend Wednesday, 30 June 2021
Record date Friday, 2 July 2021
Dividend payable Monday, 5 July 2021
Share certificates may not be dematerialised or rematerialised between Wednesday, 30 June 2021
and Friday, 2 July 2021, both dates inclusive.
By order of the Board
A Fortune
Company secretary
02 June 2021
END
Directorate and statutory information
Directors: MA Brey (chairman), I Soomra* (chief executive officer), H Karrim* (chief
financial officer), ZBM Bassa, PG de Beyer, PJ Golesworthy (appointed 7 April
2021), A Jakoet, TM Mokgosi-Mwantembe (appointed 7 April 2021), S Pather,
NA Pangarker, L Sennelo, NV Simamane. (*Executive)
Registered Office: 9th Floor, Oceana House, 25 Jan Smuts Street, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001
Transfer Secretaries: JSE Investor Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd (“JIS”)
13th Floor, 19 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein
(PO Box 4844, Johannesburg,2000)
Sponsor – South Africa: The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Sponsor – Namibia: Old Mutual Investment Services (Namibia) Proprietary Limited
Auditors: PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc
Company Secretary: A Fortune
JSE share code: OCE.
NSX share code: OCG
ISIN: ZAE000025284
Date: 02-06-2021 04:20:00
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