Camellia Regulatory News (CAM)

Camellia Plc

Interim Results

Camellia Plc (AIM:CAM) announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2018.

Malcolm Perkins, Chairman of Camellia, stated:

"Profits for our continuing operations for the first half of the year were better than anticipated reflecting the generally benign weather conditions and favourable markets experienced across our agricultural operations. We have also made significant progress with our strategic initiatives to refine our portfolio. We remain financially strong, with the resources to advance our development plans."

Financial highlights

Highlights

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014

The interim report will be available to download from the investor relations section on the Company's website www.camellia.plc.uk

Enquiries

Tom Franks, CEO

Susan Walker, CFO

Nominated Advisor and Broker

Adam James

Erik Anderson

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Our results for the first half show a profit before tax from continuing operations of £6.1 million which compares with a profit of £1.9 million for the first half of 2017. Further details are set out in the Operating review.

Dividend

The Board has declared an interim dividend of 40p (2017: 37p) payable on 5 October 2018 to shareholders registered at the close of business on 7 September 2018.

Strategic objectives

We continue to pursue our strategic objectives in line with the statements made in the 2017 Annual report. We have made a small number of acquisitions and disposals, some of which were anticipated in the Annual report, in order to refine our portfolio of operations. In addition, we are making a number of medium and long term investments in Agriculture in order to leverage our expertise and diversify our supply base in certain crops and countries. Additional information is included in the Operating review.

Outlook

Given that the majority of trading takes place in the second half of the year, it is not easy to give guidance for the full year but we are optimistic following the encouraging first half result.

Malcolm Perkins

Chairman

23 August 2018

OPERATING REVIEW

The profit before tax from continuing operations in the first half was £6.1 million (H1 2017: £1.9 million) on revenues of £127.6 million (H1 2017: £123.6 million). This better than anticipated result reflects the generally benign weather conditions and favourable markets experienced across most of our agricultural operations. However, this was offset in part by:

The loss from the discontinued operation of £0.3 million reflects provisions for additional claims at Duncan Lawrie, the private bank which we closed in 2017.

Our cash and cash equivalents balance at the end of the period stood at £90.8 million (31 December 2017: £106.8 million).

Agriculture

Tea

Overall our tea production in the first half has been better than in H1 2017 at 39.2m Kg (H1 2017: 36.7m Kg), although this has varied geographically. Our average prices in H1 have held up better than we might have expected given the volumes in the market.

India: Production in the first half of the year was 9% ahead of last year, helped by the opening of the expanded Jogopur Bought Leaf factory. Average prices were generally better than last year. Labour rates have continued to increase leading to margin pressure, which we have been able to counter through efficiencies. We are monitoring closely the situation in Assam where there have been significant changes in tea estate ownership over the last 12 months and will invest only where we believe the opportunities are right for the Group. Following last year's strike in Darjeeling, it is good to see our estates back in full production and achieving improved prices.

Bangladesh: Production was down by 18% in the first half as very dry weather was replaced by flooding following the start of the monsoon; however average prices were 61% ahead of last year.

Kenya: Production (including smallholder and managed client volumes) was ahead of last year by 16% as a result of the weather and growing conditions across the country. Whilst this has resulted in a fall in Mombasa auction prices, our average price in the first half remained a little above that of the same period in 2017. Prices have come under significant downward pressure since the end of June.

Malawi: Production (including smallholder volumes) was ahead of last year by 7% and average prices in the first half were 5% higher than the same period last year.

Macadamia

Following two years of drought, I am pleased to report that the macadamia harvest has been much improved this year with volumes anticipated to be around 45% higher than in 2017 from our combined estates. The prices seen last year also appear to be holding at this stage. As stated in the annual report, we continue to negotiate for an extension to our lease on the Wales estate in South Africa.

Avocado

Volumes and prices from the early avocado crop in Kenya have been above last year in the first half. However as we move into our main cropping season in the second half, we have seen large shipments out of Peru into our core European markets which have significantly depressed prices.

Speciality Crops

Overall, our Speciality Crops have had a mixed start to the year with some good production being offset by issues largely outside our control. It is worth noting the following:

Prices for natural rubber, which we grow on those areas of the tea estates unsuited to tea, have declined slightly in the first half, and the business remains lossmaking albeit cash generative.

Wine grape volumes from our estate in South Africa were down by 28% due to the drought in the Western Cape region, sales however were much improved in the first half.

The soya crop in Brazil has done well, but getting the produce to market was held up temporarily by the national truck drivers' strike which impacted the entire sector.

In California, an above expectation season for Navel oranges has offset a disappointing season for Murcotts. This is an 'on' year for pistachios but the trade tariffs imposed by China (the largest market for pistachios) are likely to impact prices in the second half.

Other strategic developments

As part of our strategy for Agriculture to utilise our estates to the full, expand our production capability in core crops and exploit our expertise, we are undertaking the following initiatives:

Engineering

Engineering North: The business at AJT Engineering continues to improve with the oil industry and the development of the Site Services division; revenue in the first half of the year was up 30% on the first half of last year. In addition, at the beginning of June we acquired a small company, Black Gold Oil Tools, in line with our strategy of diversifying the customer base for this business.

Engineering South: As anticipated in the annual report, the sale of GU Cutting and Grinding to its management team has now completed and the BMT (Great Yarmouth) disposal process is continuing. Abbey Metal Finishing and its subsidiary Atfin traded ahead of the equivalent period last year.

XiMo: We stated in April that we were seeking partners to finance further development of this research business. This search continues, however it is unlikely that any value will be realised from this process.

Food Service

ACS&T continues to trade well and slightly above last year, although with margins reduced due to the business mix. Our new acquisition, Jing Tea, is trading in line with expectations.

Investments and Associates

Our investment portfolio, which consists principally of listed equities, is now valued at £50.8 million (31 December 2017: £47.0 million). We have recently appointed a new manager to run our portfolio.

Our share of profits from associates amounted to £2.2 million (H1 2017: £3.7 million) reflecting lower results at BF&M due to higher reinsurance costs following the hurricanes in 2017.

Summary

Whilst the majority of trading from Agriculture takes place in the second half of the year, I am pleased with how the year has started and that we have continued to push forward successfully with our strategic initiatives to refine the portfolio and to put into place development plans for the future. We remain financially strong, with the resources to see through our development plans over the coming years, and remain committed to growing the business in line with our strategy.

Tom Franks

Chief Executive

23 August 2018

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

The Chairman's statement and Operating review form part of this report and include important events that have occurred during the six months ended 30 June 2018 and their impact on the financial statements set out herein.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The Report of the Directors in the statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017 (the accounts are available on the Company's website: www.camellia.plc.uk) highlighted risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the Group's businesses. As these businesses are widely spread both in terms of activity and location, it is unlikely that any one single factor could have a material impact on the Group's performance. These risks and uncertainties continue to be relevant for the remainder of the year. In addition, the Operating review included in this report refers to certain specific risks and uncertainties that the Group is presently facing.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

The Directors confirm that these condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union, and that the interim management report herein includes a fair review of the information required by sections 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

The Directors of Camellia Plc are listed in the Camellia Plc statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017. There have been no subsequent changes of Directors and a list of current Directors is maintained on the Group's website at www.camellia.plc.uk.

By order of the Board

Malcolm Perkins

Chairman

23 August 2018

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the six months ended 30 June 2018

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the six months ended 30 June 2018

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

at 30 June 2018

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWSfor the six months ended 30 June 2018

For the purposes of the cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents are included net of overdrafts repayable on demand. These overdrafts are excluded from the definition of cash and cash equivalents disclosed on the balance sheet.

The above condensed consolidated statement of cash flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITYfor the six months ended 30 June 2018

NOTE TO THE ACCOUNTS

1 Basis of preparation

These financial statements are the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Camellia Plc, a company registered in England, and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the six month period ended 30 June 2018 (the "Interim report"). They should be read in conjunction with the Report and Accounts (the "Annual Report") for the year ended 31 December 2017.

The financial information contained in this interim report has not been audited and does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 435 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2017 has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' opinion on these accounts was unqualified and does not contain an emphasis of matter paragraph or a statement made under Section 498(2) and Section 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") including IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting". For these purposes, IFRS comprise the Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and Interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Standards Interpretations Committee ("IFRS IC") that have been adopted by the European Union.

(a) A number of new or amended standards became applicable for the current reporting period and the Group had to change its accounting policies but did not make any retrospective adjustments as a result of adopting the following standards:

The impact of the adoption of these standards are disclosed in note 2.

(b) Impact of standards issued but not yet applied

IFRS 16 will affect primarily the accounting by lessees and will result in the recognition of almost all leases on Balance Sheet. The standard removes the current distinction between operating and financing leases and requires recognition of an asset (the right to use the leased item) and a financial liability to pay rentals for virtually all lease contracts. An optional exemption exists for short-term and low-value leases.

The Income statement will also be affected because the total expense is typically higher in the earlier years of a lease and lower in later years. Additionally, operating expense will be replaced with interest and depreciation. Operating cash flows will be higher as cash payments for the principal portion of the lease liability are classified within financing activities. Only the part of the payments that reflects interest can continue to be presented as operating cash flows.

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 23 August 2018. At the time of approving these financial statements, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. They therefore continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

2 Accounting policies

These interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies consistent with those applied in the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2017. The adoption of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 has not had a material impact on the financial statements of the Group. The impact of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments on the Group's financial statements is set out below. There was no impact on the Group's financial statements following the adoption of IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts with customers.

IFRS 9 was adopted without restating comparative information and its adoption has reclassified the Group's financial assets. At the date of initial application of IFRS 9, the Group has elected to apply the fair value through other comprehensive income option for all of its non-controlling equity interests that were classified as Available for sale financial assets ("AFS") under IAS 39. This election results in all gains and losses being presented in Other comprehensive income except dividend income which is recognised in profit or loss. This differs from the treatment of AFS instruments under IAS 39 where gains and losses recognised in Other comprehensive income are reclassified to profit and loss on derecognition or impairment. The Group's money market funds have been reclassified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and the Group's infrastructure bonds and debentures have been reclassified as financial assets at amortised cost. The following table shows the adjustments recognised for each individual line item. Line items that were not affected by the changes have not been included.

Balance sheet (extract)

3 Cyclical and seasonal factors

Due to climatic conditions the Group's tea operations in India and Bangladesh produce most of their crop during the second half of the year. Tea production in Kenya remains at consistent levels throughout the year but in Malawi the majority of tea is produced in the first six months.

Soya in Brazil and citrus in California are generally harvested in the first half of the year. In California the pistachio crop occurs in the second half of the year and has 'on' and 'off' years. The majority of the macadamia sales arise in the second half of the year. Avocados in Kenya are mostly harvested in the second half of the year.

There are no other cyclical or seasonal factors which have a material impact on the trading results.

4 Segment reporting - continuing operations

The Group has assessed that the disaggregation of revenue by operating segments is appropriate in meeting disclosure requirements of IFRS 15 as this is the information regularly reviewed by the management in order to evaluate the financial performance of the entity. A disaggregation of revenue based on the timing of transfer of goods or services (i.e. at a point in time or over time) has not been presented as the amount of revenue accounted for on an over time basis is not material.

5 Share of associates' results

The Group's share of the results of associates is analysed below:

6 Finance income and costs