Final Results for year ended 31 December 2019

Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc

("AEP", "Group" or "Company")

 

Final results for year ended 31 December 2019

 

The group comprising Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc and its subsidiaries (the "Group"), a major producer of palm oil and rubber with plantations across Indonesia and Malaysia amounting to some 128,200 hectares, has today released its results for the year ended 31 December 2019.

 

Financial Highlights

 

	2019 $m	2018 $m
Revenue	219.1	250.9
Profit before tax:
-  before biological asset ("BA") movement	15.6	33.2
-  after BA movement	18.9	30.9
Basic Earnings per ordinary share ("EPS"):
- before BA movement	35.37cts	32.50cts
- after BA movement	40.61cts	28.79cts
Dividend (cents)	0.5cts	3.0cts

 

 

 

Enquiries:

 

Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc
Dato' John Lim Ewe Chuan	+44 (0)20 7216 4621
Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited
Dominic Morley	+44 (0)20 7886 2954

 

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

We are indeed facing unprecedented uncertainty as countries around the world are trying to stop the spread of Coronavirus. My Board and I would like to take this opportunity to show our appreciation in saying a big thank you to the health workers in the three countries we are in, i.e. the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Indonesia for their selfless endeavours to continue to care and to save lives during this pandemic. Our thoughts are also with those who are infected and those who have lost loved ones from the Coronavirus.

 

Although Malaysia and parts of Indonesia are in lockdown, our plantations and mills are operating close to normal, albeit our administration staff are working from home to comply with the Stay At Home measures. As most of our plantation staff are continuing working legitimately on sites, I would convey the Board's sentiment to stay safe and observe social distancing at all times. We also have precautionary measures in place to protect our staff and our business in the event of serious Coronavirus infections in any of our plantations.

 

The Group's fresh fruit bunches ("FFB") production in 2019 fell 1% to 1.03 million mt, from last year of 1.04 million mt due to generally dry weather. Rainfalls were particularly poor across all our plantations in Indonesia for a greater part of the year. A sharp 10% decline in production in Riau on the back of a record harvest last year also indicated that the palms were suffering from biological stress. While in Bengkulu production was lower by 11%. The lower crop appeared to be weather induced as a similar trend was experienced by other plantations in the region. FFB bought-in from surrounding smallholders was 0.91 million mt, 10% lower than 2018 of 1.01 million mt due to stiff competition from newly commissioned mills on the purchase of external crops. Smallholders which contributed the bulk of the Group's external crops also had to endure lower yield, the direct effect of reduced fertiliser application in the last two years due to low crude palm oil ("CPO") prices. The mills, as a result, processed 7% less FFB with the CPO production down by 6% to 394,700 mt (2018: 418,800mt).

 

The CPO prices for the first half of the year were weak tumbling to a year low of $481/mt in July 2019. A turnaround in sentiment from the second half of the year saw the prices rallied to a high of $858/mt before the year end. The surge was in response to the slowing palm oil production as well as to optimism over pick-up in demand for palm in biodiesel and the increase in imports by China. A successful implementation of B20 and B30 biodiesel blending mandated in Malaysia and Indonesia respectively could drive demand which reportedly could consume up to 4 million mt of palm oil annually. Palm biodiesel after all is a renewable, biodegradable and environmentally friendly fuel when compared to fossil fuel. The average CPO price ex-Rotterdam in 2019 was nevertheless 5% lower at $565/mt, compared to $595/mt in 2018.

 

With lower production and CPO prices the Group's revenue was lower by 13% at $219.1 million, compared to $250.9 million achieved in 2018. The operating profit for the Group in 2019, before biological asset ("BA") movement was $12.2 million, 61% lower compared to $30.9 million achieved in 2018. However, earnings per share, before BA movement, increased by 9% to 35.37cts, from 32.50cts in 2018 due mainly to the impact of the write off of significant intercompany loans within operating subsidiaries which have non-controlling interest bearing part of this cost. The Group's operating profit after BA movement for 2019 was at $15.4 million after an upward BA movement of $3.3 million as compared to 2018 operating profit of $28.6 million after a downward BA movement of $2.3 million.

 

The Group's new planting including plasma for 2019 totalled 1,757ha compared to 1,563ha last year. The low rate of planting was due to protracted land compensation negotiations. New planting in Central Kalimantan was also delayed until the fourth quarter as the Group awaits results of a peer review of the high carbon stock sustainability study which will determine areas which cannot be planted with oil palm due to high conservation and high carbon stock values.

 

The three biogas plants with a combined capacity of four megawatts generated over 17,200MWh of electricity in 2019 compared to 13,800MWh last year. The revenue from the sale of surplus electricity to the national grid was $0.91 million, 6% higher than last year of $0.86 million, notwithstanding the long delay in signing the renewal of contract for the sale of electricity to the national grid by a plant in North Sumatera. The loss of revenue during the seven months delay was estimated at $200,000. The frequent breakdown and tripping in the state transmission lines also affected the uptake of electricity production from the Bengkulu plant. We expect there to be less disruption next year due to a major upgrade being underway as old transmission lines are being replaced. The Group's fourth biogas plant in North Sumatera costing $2.8 million is expected to be commissioned by the second quarter of 2020. The use of clean energy will further reduce the mills' reliance on fossil fuels and improve the Group's carbon footprint.

 

As the El Nino weather phenomena returns, lower rainfall and soaring temperature were seen across Indonesia and Malaysia. It brought wide spread forest fires and resulting haze not seen in these regions since 2015. Several outbreaks of fire were reported in the Group's plantations which were quickly put out by our in-house fire team. It is not uncommon for economic-motivated fires to rage out of control in this dry condition. The Group does not practise open burning and it is inconceivable for a responsible planter to risk doing so with the Indonesian government imposing heavy fines, imprisonment and revocation of planting licenses. But despite these stiff penalties, some smallholders and farmers of cash crops continue to practise slash and burn given it is the fastest way to clear their land resulting in the dreadful haze. The pressure for palm oil companies to produce sustainably is only going to grow.

 

In early 2019 the European Union ("EU") adopted the Renewable Energy Directive II which classified palm oil as an unsustainable source of biofuel. If this initiative is agreed by the EU Parliament and the EU countries, the economic bloc will start to reduce the use of palm oil for biofuel in 2024 and will completely phase it out by the year 2030. The French government has started the initiative by removing the tax breaks for palm oil in biofuel from 2020. In addition, the EU also reintroduced tariffs on palm oil imports from the second half of this year. The adverse perception of palm oil as an environmentally unfriendly and non-renewable source, particularly in EU, continues to feature in recent years, touching on issues including deforestation, emission of greenhouse gases, planting on peatland and land rights.

 

As I mentioned earlier, we are in a period of unprecedented uncertainty caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. The prolonged lockdown of most countries will no doubt have an economic and social impact, possibly leading to a worldwide recession. It can take anything from a year or more for economies to adjust and to recover. The indications are, the Coronavirus pandemic is dragging the major economies of the world into high unemployment and low Gross Domestic Product ("GDP"), possibly trending towards a worldwide recession which could have an adverse impact on the consumption and usage of palm oil even when economic activities are on their way to normality or near normality.

 

In determining the amount of dividends to be paid to our shareholders, the Board in previous years had  been consistent with a balanced approach to the requirement of funds in the Company to expand to enhance shareholders' value and at the same time cognisant of shareholders' wish to have dividends as a form of income. This year the Board has the added considerations of a period of unprecedented uncertainty ahead and an obligation to ensure that the Group has adequate funds to maintain it as a going concern for the foreseeable future in a near worse case scenario, not to mention the sentiments from some quarters that dividends should be withheld in the current climate. With all these in mind, the Board has declared a final dividend of 0.5cts per share, in line with our reporting currency, in respect of the year to 31 December 2019 (2018: 3.0cts). In the absence of any specific instructions up to the date of closing of the register on 12 June 2020, shareholders with addresses in the UK will be deemed to have elected to receive their dividends in Pounds Sterling and those with addresses outside of UK will be deemed to have elected to receive their dividends in US Dollars. Subject to the approval by shareholders at the AGM, the final dividend will be paid on 17 July 2020 to those shareholders on the register on 12 June 2020.

 

This year's AGM scheduled on 29 June 2020 will be held in Kuala Lumpur instead of it being in London because of practical reasons linked to this pandemic. The Board is conscious that shareholders would want to interact with Board members, normally at the AGM, and therefore a meeting will be organised in London when it is appropriate to do so, with less formality, for shareholders to meet with some of the Board members.

 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to convey our sincere thanks to our management and employees of the Group for their dedication, loyalty, resourcefulness, commitment and contribution to the preservation of the Group's operation as a going concern during this difficult and trying period. No doubt they would continue to do so if local and global adversity worsen.

 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank shareholders, business associates, government authorities and all other stakeholders for their continued confidence, understanding and support for the Group.

 

 

Madam Lim Siew Kim

Chairman

19 May 2020

 

 

 

Strategic Report

 

Introduction

The Strategic Report has been prepared to provide shareholders with information to complement the financial statements. This report may contain forward-looking statements, which have been included by the Board in good faith based on information available up to the time of approval of this report. Such statements should be treated with caution going forward given the uncertainties inherent with economic and business risks of the Group.

 

Business Model 

The Group will continue to focus on its strength and expertise, which is planting more oil palms and production of CPO. This includes replanting old palms with low yield, replacing old rubber trees with palm trees and building more mills to process the FFB. The Group has, over the years, created value to shareholders through expansion in a responsible way. The Group remains committed to use its available resources to develop the land bank in Indonesia as regulatory constraints permit. The Indonesian government has, in recent years, passed laws to prioritise domestic investments and to limit foreign direct investments over national interest, including a limit of 20,000ha per province and a national total of 100,000ha on the licensed development of oil palms for companies that are not listed in Indonesia or with less than a majority local ownership.

                                                                                                                            

The Group's objectives are to provide appropriate returns to investors in the long-term from its operations as well as through the expansion of the Group's business, to foster economic progress in localities of the Group's activities and to develop the Group's operations in accordance with the best corporate social responsibility and sustainability standards.

 

We believe that sustainable success for the Group is best achieved by acting in the long-term interests of our shareholders, our partners and society.

 

Our Strategy

One of the Group's objectives is to provide an appropriate level of return to the investors and to enhance shareholder value. Profitability, however, is very much dependent on the CPO price, which is volatile and is determined by supply and demand. The Group believes in the long-term viability of palm oil as it can be produced more economically than other competing oils and remains the most productive source of vegetable oil in a growing population. Soybean crops would require up to eight times as much land to produce an equivalent weight of palm oil. It was reported that amongst the major oilseeds, oil palm occupies about 10% of the total agricultural land but contributes more than 40% of the world's supply of oils and fats.

 

The Group's strategies, therefore, focus on maximising yield per hectare above 22mt/ha, mill production efficiency of 110%, minimising production costs below $300/mt and streamlining estate management. For the year under review, the Group achieved a yield of 18.1mt/ha, 132% mill efficiency and production cost of $285/mt on the Indonesian operations. This compared to 2018 where the Group achieved a yield of 19.3mt/ha, 143% mill efficiency and production cost of $284/mt. Despite stiff competition for external crops from surrounding millers, the Group is committed to purchasing more external crops from third parties at competitive, yet fair prices, to maximise the production efficiency of the mills. With higher throughput, the mills would achieve economies of scale in production. A mill achieves 100% mill efficiency when it operates 16 hours a day for 300 days per annum.

 

In line with the commitment to reduce its carbon footprint, the Group plans to construct, in stages, biogas plants at all of its mills to trap the methane gas emitted from the treatment of palm mill effluents to generate electrical power and at the same time reduce the consumption of fossil fuel. It plans to sell the surplus electricity and progressively reduce the greenhouse gas emissions per metric ton of CPO produced in the next few years.

 

The Group will continue to follow-up and offer competitive and fair compensation to villagers so that land can be cleared and be planted.

 

Financial Review

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and its interpretations (IFRS and IFRIC interpretations) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") as adopted by the EU and with those parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies preparing their accounts under IFRS. 

 

For the year ended 31 December 2019, revenue for the Group was $219.1 million, 13% lower than $250.9 million reported in 2018 due primarily to the lower CPO prices and lower production. 

 

The Group's operating profit for 2019, before biological asset movement, was $12.2 million, 61% less than $30.9 million in 2018. 

 

FFB production for 2019 was 1.03 million mt, 1% lower than the 1.04 million mt produced in 2018. The overall yield for the Indonesian plantations was lower at 18.1mt/ha due to the dry weather which delayed the ripening of FFB bunches. In Riau palms suffered from biological stress after a bumper harvest last year. Bengkulu region appeared to suffer the most from the effect of dry weather as production was down 11%. FFB bought-in from local smallholders in 2019 was 0.91 million mt (2018: 1.01 million mt), 10% lower compared to 2018. The supply of external crops was affected by greater competition from new mills and also lower productivity amongst smaller plantations as they reduced the fertilizer application during the period of low CPO prices. During the year, the Group's mills processed 1.87 million mt of FFB, 7% lower than last year of 2.02 million mt. CPO production, as a result, was 6% lower at 394,700mt, compared to 418,800mt in 2018.

 

Profit before tax and after BA movement for the Group was $18.9 million, 39% lower compared to a profit of $30.9 million in 2018. The BA movement was a credit of $3.3 million, compared to a debit of $2.3 million in 2018. The BA movement was mainly due to a change in FFB price which was higher in 2019. The profit before tax was affected by reversal of impairment charge on the development cost of the plantation amounting to $7.6 million and impairment on land amounting to $1.0 million compared to an impairment charge amounting to $4.3 million in 2018. The profit before tax was also impacted by the expected credit loss from Plasma receivables amounting to $6.1 million in 2019 (2018: $0.1 million) attributed to the additional amounts allocated for plasma development during the year. There was a gain of exchange in translation of foreign operations totalling $18.7m for 2019 against an exchange loss of $29.5m in the previous year due to the strengthening of Indonesian rupiah at year end. The retirement benefits due to the employees for 2019 calculated by the actuary increased to $11.3m from $8.2m last year due to an increase in the number of full-time workers. The cash movement including loan of the Group for 2019 is covered under Going Concern in the Strategic Report.

 

The average CPO price ex-Rotterdam for 2019 was $565/mt, 5% lower than 2018 of $595/mt.

 

Earnings per share before BA movement increased by 9% to 35.37cts compared to 32.50cts in 2018. Earnings per share after BA movement increased from 28.79cts to 40.61cts. Earnings per share have increased notwithstanding the decrease in profit after tax as compared to 2018 due mainly to the impact of the write off of significant intercompany loans within operating subsidiaries which have non-controlling interest bearing part of this cost.

 

Going Concern

The Group's balance sheet remains strong. As at 31 December 2019, the Group had cash and cash equivalents of $84.8 million (2018: $112.2 million) and borrowings of $8.2 million (2018: $19.3 million), giving it a net cash position of $76.6 million, compared to $92.9 million in 2018. The net cash inflow from operating activities during the year was lower at $14.6 million by 26% compared to $19.8 million in 2018 due mainly to the lower CPO price and higher operating expenses. The cash position was also lower in 2019 due to capex, development costs and loan repayment exceeding profits during the year. The outstanding loan of $8.2 million is scheduled for full repayment in 2020 in line with the terms and conditions of the loan. As the result of the pandemic and the uncertainty it causes on demand for palm oil and CPO price, we do not expect a significant improved cash flow in 2020. The tax recoverable for 2020 amounted to $49.5 million, a 12% increase over the previous year of $44.3 million. The substantial increase is due to the value added tax ("VAT") paid which is refundable by tax authority after tax audit. A detailed description is provided in note 8.

 

The Directors have a reasonable expectation, having made the appropriate enquiries, that the Group has control of the monthly cashflows and that the Group has sufficient cash resources to cover the fixed cashflows for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements, including having to make full repayment of the bank loan. For these reasons, the Directors adopted a going concern basis in preparation of the financial statements. The Directors have made this assessment after consideration of the Group's budgeted cash flows and related assumptions including appropriate stress testing of identified uncertainties, specifically on the potential shut down of the entire operations if all the plantations are infected with Coronavirus as well as the impact on the demand for palm oil due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Stress testing of other identified uncertainties was undertaken on primarily commodity prices and currency exchange rates.

                                                                                                                                

Business Review

Indonesia

The performance of the Indonesian operations is divided into five geographical regions.

 

North Sumatera

FFB production in North Sumatera, which aggregates the estates of Tasik, Anak Tasik, Labuhan Bilik ("HPP"), Blankahan, Rambung, Sg Musam and Cahaya Pelita ("CPA") produced 314,600mt in 2019 about 9% above last year (2018: 289,700mt). The increase in matured areas to 15,025ha from 13,469ha contributed to a higher production. The prolonged dry weather had affected the annual yield which dropped to 20.9mt/ha from previous high of 21.1mt/ha. Rainfall in CPA, one of the wettest parts in North Sumatera averaged 4,487mm, 11% lower than the previous year of 5,019mm. Despite the lower rainfall, occasional flash floods recurred due to a combination of seasonal monsoon rain and high tide. 

 

Rainfall in Tasik has steadily declined from an average of 3,100mm per annum in 2013 to 2,263mm in the last six years. Male flowers were prevalent, an indication of moisture stress which is likely to affect yield in the short term.

 

Rhinoceros beetle or Oryctes damage was observed in Tasik Raja and Anak Tasik which is expected given the largescale replanting undertaken in the last two years. It was also observed that the average bunch weight for 2014 planting dropped due to relatively high number of parthenocarpic bunches in newly matured fields caused by poor pollination and fruit set. A variety of planting materials would be considered in future to provide variability and pollens. In the meantime, hand pollination was carried out to reduce abnormal bunches.

 

Higher production can be expected in coming years as new planting and replanted areas of 3,800 ha matured and bear fruits. The entire Anak Tasik estate was replanted with more resistant anti-Ganoderma material which hopefully would reduce the threat of the stem rot disease prevalent in this area. In HPP, oil palms are recovering from the desiccation of fronds as the affected area has reduced to 185ha from about 1,500ha as water gates and canals provide better water management. About 230ha of aged palms in CPA will be replanted next year with raised platforms in flood prone areas to improve growth and help in the evacuation of fruits.     

 

The Blankahan biogas plant had a disappointing year. It sold about 2,200MWh (2018: 5,700MWh) of surplus electricity and generated $0.14 million in revenue, 67% lower than previous year of $0.42 million. It took seven months to conclude the renewal of contract for the sale of electricity due to the change in procedure which require approvals from various government departments from Jakarta and very often government officers were not available. The Indonesian Presidential election during the year further exacerbated the delay. In the coming months biogas production is likely to be affected as lower amount of FFB are processed in the mill due to intense competition for external crops from the two new surrounding mills. Outside crops currently made up about 73% of the total crops processed by the mill. The sales from the biomass plant were also lower in 2019 at $0.73 million compared to $0.91 million last year, as the plant exported 4% less dried long fibres at 6,689mt compared to 6,959mt last year due to the lower FFB processed and prices were also not favourable.

 

Bengkulu and South Sumatera

FFB production in Bengkulu and South Sumatera, which aggregates the estates of Puding Mas ("MPM"), Alno, Karya Kencana ("KKST"), Empat Lawang ("ELAP") and Riau Agrindo ("RAA") produced 326,700mt (2018: 358,400mt), 9% lower than 2018. Production was badly affected by lower rainfall. In Bengkulu rainfall was down 37% to 2,861mm from 4,550mm recorded last year.  South Sumatera did not fare any better as rainfall was below the minimum 150mm per month for five months. The yield in Bengkulu as a result was lower at 16.9mt/ha from 19.1mt/ha last year while in South Sumatera the yield was 7.4mt/ha compared to the previous year of 6.7mt/ha.

 

During the year about 25,000 new palms were spot planted in South Sumatera which raised the stems count to 98 stems per hectare. The objective is to improve the density to 105 stems, highest possible under the steep terrain condition. The high gradient cannot support a higher number of trees as terraces need to be carved in the slopes. 

 

Fire is common in the dry weather and fires from unknown sources in third quarter of the year destroyed 107 palms and damaged 715 palms in ELAP and KKST. Our in-house fire-fighting team put out the fires promptly and made police reports to facilitate investigations. It is not uncommon for smallholders and farmers to slash and burn and at times the fire may go out of control and spread cross the estate boundary. The Group continues to encourage and engage the smallholders to drive a change to sustainable practices and prevent wildfire.  

 

Lower rainfall provided opportunities to repair and realign the roads to improve transport of crops. Good condition of main and collection roads allowed single handling and minimised overnight crops.

 

In the previous year the mills at MPM and Sumindo reported high free fatty acids ("FFA') in their CPO production due to transport and workforce problems resulting from late deliveries of FFB to the mills. With the implementation of a new system, the management is happy to report that the FFA at the two mills was kept below the 5% level for the whole year. With external crops making up about 47% of the crops processed by the two mills, they faced heated competition from new mill as external crops dropped by 13.2% to 283,200mt from 326,100mt in 2018.

 

About 550ha of palms will be replanted from next year as the palms in Alno and MPM reach the average age of 17 and 20 years respectively. The replanting is also fast track as the dura palms constituted a significant portion of the planted areas. Fruits from dura palms have thin mesocarp which ultimately produce less oil.

 

The MPM biogas plant sold over 9,300MWh (2018: 8,100MWh) of surplus electricity and generated $0.44million in revenue in 2019 similar to last year due to the lower electricity rate. The biogas plant performed below its optimum two megawatt capacity as frequent breakdowns in the old transmission lines disrupted the electricity uptake.

 

MPM and Alno received their International Sustainability and Carbon Certification ("ISCC") for its mill and three estates. There was however no price advantage as the mill was unable to sell its CPO at a premium due to the absence of buyers.

 

Riau

FFB production in the Riau region, comprising Bina Pitri estates, produced 129,400mt in 2019 (2018: 143,200mt), 10% lower than 2018. Although annual rainfall remained about the same as last year at 2,649mm, rainfalls for four months in particular were below the minimum level considered critical for fruits production. The yield for the year dropped to 26.6mt/ha as the palms also show sign of recovery following a record harvest last year at 29.4mt/ha. Replanting is planned for the coming years as 78% of the palms are between the age of 22 to 25 years.

 

External crop purchase at the mill was 7% lower at 208,600mt compared to 225,400mt last year. Overall CPO production was lower by 7% to 66,800mt compared to 72,100mt in 2018. Despite the high yield, the region is contaminated by dura palms which made up 62% of the crops processed by the mill. The mill therefore had a low Oil Extraction Rate ("OER") of 19.8% slightly above last year of 19.6%.   

 

Bangka

FFB production in the Bangka region, comprising Bangka Malindo Lestari estates, produced 6,000mt in 2019 (2018: 3,300mt), 82% higher than 2018. Higher crop was due to larger area in harvesting and more palms reached peak maturity. Yield improved from 7.3mt/ha to 11.2mt/ha in 2019. Planting in Bangka including plasma expanded to 1,994ha from 1,227ha in 2018.

 

Kalimantan

FFB production in Kalimantan which comprises of the Sawit Graha Manunggal ("SGM") and Kahayan Agro Plantation ("KAP") estates was 231,400mt in 2019 (2018: 222,700mt) 4% higher than 2018 as more palms matured and reached the peak production age. The average age of palms in SGM and KAP were eight and four years respectively. During the year 860ha of palms matured in KAP leading to its first harvest. The yield in Kalimantan reached 18.0mt/ha compared to 19.2mt/ha in 2018. Rainfall was 16% lower than last year of 3,151mm and was below 90mm per month for three consecutive months in the third quarter of the year.

 

During the dry weather wildfire damaged 4ha of the plantation. Majority of the palms are however expected to recover.

 

SGM continued with its mechanization of infield collection of harvested crops by the purchase of light all-terrain vehicles called Quick which were cheaper and easier to maintain. Additional units will be added to the current fleet to help with the crops evacuation. 

 

The purchase of external crops in SGM reached 49,000mt in 2019 which was lower by 11% compared to 55,000mt last year. The OER for the mill averaged 24.1% for the year compared to 23.6% last year and continue to outperform the rest of the mills in the Group.

 

The SGM biogas plant started commercial operation in February 2019 and generated over 5,700MWh of electricity worth $0.33 million.

 

Most of the Group's new planting will take place in SGM and KAP next year. The long-term prospect for Kalimantan remains bright.

 

During the year a Malaysian based agronomist made monthly field visits to underperforming estates in Indonesia to provide advice on optimizing field disciplines and improving crop yields. The Board believes that the monitoring of field performance more closely has resulted in improvements in the underperforming estates which should further improve the crop yield in the coming years. 

 

Overall bought-in crops for Indonesian operations were 10% lower at 0.91 million mt for the year 2019 (2018: 1.01 million mt). The average OER for our mills improved marginally to 21.1% in 2019 (2018: 20.7%).

 

Malaysia

FFB production in 2019 was 8% lower at 17,000mt, compared to 18,500mt in 2018. Aside from some improvement lately, the Malaysian operations continued to face a severe shortage of workers due to difficulty in recruiting foreign workers which hampered harvesting and estate maintenance work such as fertilising, pruning, weeding and replanting. The shortage of labour is the biggest challenge the industry is facing in Malaysia. The palms with an average age of 22 years faced declining yield as fertiliser program was not followed. The Malaysian plantation in 2019 generated a loss before tax after BA movement of $0.9 million which included an impairment loss of $0.3 million compared to loss before tax after BA movement of $0.5 million in 2018. The plantation has begun the process of obtaining Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil ("MSPO") certification. In order to ensure compliance to national sustainability standard, the Malaysian government from next year will impose fines and penalise estates of more than 100 acres including cancellation of license to operate if they are not MSPO certified.

 

The financial performances of the various regions are reported in note 6 on segmental information.

 

Commodity Prices

The CPO ex-Rotterdam price started the year at $517/mt (2018: $678/mt) and trended downwards for the first half of the year due to high inventory and subdued demand. The price was lowest in July 2019 at $481/mt before a sharp turnaround due to positive sentiments. The Chairman had explained in her statement the reasons for the price rally in the second half of the year. The price peaked towards the end of the year at $858/mt before ending the year at $856/mt (2018: $506/mt), averaging $565/mt for the year, 5% lower than last year (2018: $595/mt). CPO prices continued to push higher at the start of year 2020 after India cut import duties on CPO and refined CPO. The Indian tax revision has made palm oil slightly more competitive against alternative soft oils like soybean and sunflower oil. Prices have since retracted because of the lockdown of major economies around the world due to the spread of Coronavirus. Palm oil meteoric price rally from the second half of the year will almost certainly come with a cost. Palm's discount to top rival soybean oil has contracted to the smallest margin in almost a decade reducing its traditional appeal as a cheaper vegetable oil especially in price sensitive markets like India.

 

Over a period of ten years, CPO price has touched a monthly average high of $1,284/mt and a monthly average low of $472/mt. The monthly average price over the ten years is about $790/mt. The price remains volatile due to discriminatory actions in EU to reduce and phase out the use of palm oil in biodiesel by 2030. EU's move and the potential weaker demand due to the global pandemic of Coronavirus would likely put downward pressure on prices.

 

Rubber prices averaged $1,272/mt for 2019 (2018: $1,243/mt). Our small area of 262ha of mature rubber contributed a revenue of $0.7 million in 2019 (2018: $0.8 million). Rubber continues to struggle with low prices. Our rubber trees are also affected by fungus disease called Pestalotiopasis sp fungus which causes abnormal defoliation that severely lowers latex production.

 

Corporate Development

In 2019, the Group opened up new land and planted 1,757ha of oil palm mainly in Kalimantan, boosting planted area including the smallholder cooperative scheme, known as Plasma, by 2% to 71,481ha (2018: 69,792ha). The Group continues to face difficulties in concluding fair prices with some villagers over land compensation. Nevertheless the pace of compensation settlement had picked up in Bangka following positive feedback from the former land owners over the progress of plasma development. In 2020, the Group plans to plant 3,100ha of oil palm which includes replanting of 800ha in Alno and CPA.

 

The construction of the fourth biogas plant in Rantau Prapat costing $3.8 million was beset by delays following the collapse of the embankment of the anaerobic reactor lagoon on two occasions. The lagoon was finally relocated after a geotechnical study suggested a safer and more economical option. The biogas engine of 1.2MW capacity had since been installed with all buildings, electrical and piping works completed. Testing is expected to commerce early next year. The inspection and certification by local authorities may however take up to six months before the plant can upload the electricity onto the national grid.

 

The earthworks for the seventh mill in North Sumatera costing $19 million was completed after some setbacks due to inclement weather and numerous soil investigations. Due to the nature of the peat soil, concrete piles of up to 52-metre-long are now required to support and house building, storage tanks and critical machineries. It is currently evaluating the bids for civil and structural works including the design of effluents treatment plant for liquid and solid wastes to fully comply with environmental impact assessment.  The project is earmarked for completion by 2021.

 

FFB production in KAP in Kalimantan where 4,887ha had so far been planted is projected to reach 33,000mt by next year and 190,000mt by the year 2030 as planting increases and more palms come of age. FFB are now sent to SGM mill which is about 600km away but during wet season, the FFB are instead sold to local millers. This is because transport time more than doubles as lorries are frequently stuck in mud as untarred public roads are easily damaged by incessant rain and floods. The Group is conducting a feasibility study to build a 45mt/hr mill in KAP to support its operation and to reduce the current high logistic cost.    

 

In 2019 the three mills in MPM, Sumindo and SGM completed their expansion of storage facilities for palm kernels by constructing additional bulking silos at a cost of $800,000 to meet storage needs during peak harvest. A new boiler with a steaming capacity of 40 tph was added to the Sumindo mill at a cost of $800,000.

       

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility ("CSR") is an integral part of corporate self-regulation incorporated into our business model. Our Group embraces responsibility for the impact of its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. In engaging the social dimension of CSR, the Group's business has taken cognizance of the contribution and further enrichment of its employees while continuing to make contributions to improve the well-being of the surrounding community. The Group was awarded one of the best CSR providers in 2019 by the Regent of North Bengkulu in recognition of our significant contribution to road and bridge repairs and street light maintenance.

 

The majority of employees and their dependents in the plantations and mills are housed in self-contained communities built by the Group. The employees and their dependents are provided with free housing, clean water and electricity. The Group also builds, provides and repairs places of worship for workers of different religious faiths as well as schools and sports facilities in these communities. Over the years, the Group has built a total of seventy-five mosques and nineteen churches across its estates. During the fasting month, the management team frequently broke fast with the employees from the estates and mills as well as with surrounding villagers. It also sponsored and donated cows for sacrifice to celebrate religious festivals. The Group spent $254,600 in 2019 to maintain these amenities and to support the communal activities.

 

The Group provides free education for all employees' children in the local plantations and communities where they work. The access to education and the spread of knowledge to hundreds of children across remote locations provide a chance to overcome poverty, whom otherwise may be deprived and without prospect for the future. In addition, the Group provides computers and funding to construct educational facilities including laboratories and libraries. The salaries of teachers in the estates and the cost of buying and running the school buses to transport employees' children are provided by the Group. Over the years a total of thirty-eight schools which comprised of twenty-one pre-schools, eleven primary schools, five secondary schools and one high school were built with a combined enrolment of over 4,300 students. It currently employs one hundred and fifty-six teachers in the estates. The Group operated forty vehicles and spent some $906,000 on running the schools and operating the buses in 2019. 

 

As part of the Group's contribution to education, it provides scholarships to qualified students from the communities as well as our employees' children to pursue tertiary education. It started a partnership with a university in North Bengkulu in 2013 to sponsor and to provide students with the chance to pursue higher education. Up to 2019, over three hundred and seventy-eight scholarships had been awarded at a cost of $138,000. Similarly, one hundred and ten children of our employees were sponsored, which cost over $119,300 since its introduction in 1999, to study in various universities in Indonesia. The popular courses ranged from Engineering, Education, Economics to Agriculture. Fifty-three of them had successfully graduated from the universities with some of them now working for the Group.

 

The Group continues to provide free comprehensive health care for all its workers as we believe that every employee and their dependents should have easy access to health services. We have established twenty-three clinics operated by qualified doctors, nurses and hospital assistants in the estates. The Group upgraded two of its clinics in North Sumatera and Bengkulu to meet the minimum standard required by the government under the country's Health and Social Security Agency. The upgraded clinics also provided health care services to the surrounding community without the need to travel to faraway cities for medical treatment. The Group also operates 15 ambulances to support emergency transportation needs within the estates, mills and surrounding villages. In addition, the Group organised fogging to prevent the spread of dengue mosquitoes.

 

In remote and isolated locations where piped water is not available, the Group drilled tube wells to provide clean water. Related healthcare expenses for full and part-time field workers including monthly contributions to Health and Social Security Agency in 2019 were $884,000.

 

A strong commitment to CSR has a positive impact on employees' attitudes and boosts employee recruitment. The Group realises that employees are valuable assets in order to run an efficient, effective, profitable and sustainable business and operations. Selected employees are given the opportunity to attend seminars and external training to enhance their working skills and capability. The Group constantly recruits potential field employees who are now sent to the Group's central training facilities in Blankahan, set up in 2014, to undergo a rigorous twelve-month training programme which includes theory and practical fieldwork. A total of four hundred and ninety employees have participated in the programme since its inception in 1993 with 33% of participants still working for the Group. Over the years, one employee has successfully been promoted to General Manager level with another twenty-one being employed in various senior positions in the head office, plantations and mills.

 

The Group also recognises its obligations to the wider farming communities in which it operates. The Indonesian authorities have established that not less than 20% of the newly planted areas acquired from 2007 onwards are to be reserved for the benefit of the smallholder cooperative scheme, known as Plasma, and the Group is integrating such smallholder developments alongside its estates. The Plasma development has commenced in stages for its estates in Sumatera and Kalimantan. Out of the 7,479ha plasma commitment, the Group has planted oil palm in 3,561ha. In 2019 the Group received 31,000mt of FFB from Plasma schemes compared to 25,800mt the previous year. Total revenue generated by Plasma cooperatives was $3.1 million in 2019 against $2.4 million in 2018.

 

In order to aid the development of Plasma schemes, the Group provided corporate guarantees of over $17 million through its subsidiaries to local banks to cover loans raised by the cooperatives. The Group also assisted the cooperatives to obtain the proper land rights certification from the local land office, in which 1,097ha were approved and certified in 2019.

 

The Group supported the Kas Desa smallholder village development programme to supplement the livelihood of the villages. The Group has to-date financed, developed and managed twenty-three smallholder village schemes of oil palm across four companies.

 

In addition, the Group also develops infrastructure such as the construction and repair of bridges and maintained over 167km of external roads in 2019. The Group also provides initial aid and seed capital to villagers such as fruit seedlings, fish fry, cattle and ducks to start community sustainable programs.

 

The Group started a vegetable farm in a one-hectare site in North Sumatera in 2018 where it planted various organic vegetables. The produce was sold to employees at subsidized prices to reduce their cost of living as well as to promote heathy living. It also donated some vegetables to local charitable homes.

 

Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil ("ISPO")

The ISPO certification is legally mandatory for all plantations in Indonesia. In March 2012, ISPO, which is fundamentally aligned to Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil ("RSPO") principles, has become the mandatory standard for Indonesian planters. In comparison, RSPO has the most comprehensive social impact assessment requirements and the strongest measures for biodiversity protection. While ISPO may be less stringent, protection for biodiversity was enhanced through the Presidential Decree 8/2018 that imposed a three-year moratorium on the clearance of primary forest for plantations. It was reported that the Indonesia forest-clearing ban was made permanent in 2019.

 

A Steering Committee was established to work out a roadmap to support the ISPO implementation at mills and estates. Workshops and training sessions on occupational safety and healthcare were carried out to inculcate a safety culture in workplaces at all the estates and mills. The Group compiles and reviews statistics on work related accidents in its operations. Any incident resulting in fatality or serious injury will be rigorously investigated to identify the cause so that corrective action can be implemented to prevent future incident. In 2019 the Ministry of Labour awarded four operating companies the Zero Accident Awards in North Sumatera in recognition of the companies' effort to reduce accidents at workplaces. The Group continued to upgrade its agricultural chemical stores and diesel fuel storage tanks in various plantations and mills to meet safety and environmental standards.

 

Every estate under ISPO is required to have a fire team with each personnel fully trained and equipped with certificate of competence issued by the fire departments. Our Group conducts a fire drill at least once a year. Watch towers are constructed in every estate to monitor fire outbreaks. The watch towers are manned constantly particularly during the dry weather. Standard operating procedures were refined and documented based on sustainable oil palm best practices. It also conducts internal audits using an audit checklist adopted from the above practices to determine the level of compliance.

 

The Group worked closely with appointed certification consultants in the implementation of ISPO standard. SGM was awarded the ISPO certification in 2019. To-date eleven companies have been ISPO certified. The certification audits for the remaining five companies have started. The second stage of certification process however cannot proceed until the companies obtain their land titles or Hak Guna Usaha ("HGU"). ISPO certification provides third party verification and confirmation that the companies are operating according to national and international standards. The Group targets full ISPO compliance by 2020.

 

At the same time the Malaysian plantation has also begun the process to obtain the MSPO certification which is expected to be completed by 2020.

 

Environment Social and Governance Practices

Environmentally friendly plantation practices are a must to maintain the industry's long-term prospects. The Group has been consistently practising good agricultural practices such as zero burning, integrated pest management, soil and water conservation and recycling of biomass. When it comes to replanting, the old palms felled are chipped and shredded and left to decompose at the site. This mitigates the greenhouse gas emissions commonly associated with open burning when land is cleared through the traditional method of slash-and-burn. It also enriches the organic matter in the soil and recycled nutrients back onto the soil. Where the land is undulating, we build terraces for planting which helps to prevent landslides, conserve the water and nutrients effectively and provide better accessibility for operations. Legume cover crops are planted to minimise soil erosion, preserve the soil moisture and improve soil chemical and physical properties. In mature areas, fronds and EFB are placed inter-rows to allow the slow release of organic nutrients while minimising soil erosion especially sandy soil and degradation. Estates with sandy areas use soft grass, Nephrolepis biserrata ferns and cut fronds to cover bare ground which increase soil moisture and improve organic matter contents. Conservation pits and sumps are constructed to harvest and contain rainwater.

 

The effluents discharged from the mills are fully treated in anaerobic lagoons and in some mills, there are extended aeration tanks for further treatment of the effluent to reduce its biological oxygen demand ("BOD"). The final discharge is applied to the estate's land where it is used as fertilisers. The BOD is tested regularly to ensure that it is below the legal limit for land application in Indonesia. The Group is working towards a zero-effluent policy whereby no by-products from the production of CPO is discharged into rivers.

 

The Group's three biogas plants will enhance the effluent treatment in the mills and at the same time mitigate greenhouse biogas emissions. The trapped biogas will be used to generate and supply power to its biomass plant and national grid without dependency on fossil fuels. A fourth biogas plant is in the final stage of construction. Similar undertakings for the Group's mills are planned and shall be implemented in stages. The Group intends to sell the surplus power generated from future biogas plants.

 

The Group is committed to implementing good agricultural practices as spelt out in its standard operating procedures for the planting of oil palm. Integrated Pest Management has been adopted to control the population of damaging pests and to improve biological balance while reducing dependence on chemical pesticides. Barn owls which are natural predators, were introduced to control the rat population. We do not use rat baits to control the rat population. Beneficial plants of Turnera subulata, Cassia cobanensis and Antigonon leptopus were planted to attract natural predators for biological control of bagworms and leaf-eating caterpillars.

 

Weeds are controlled selectively by using more environmentally friendly and broad spectrum weed control herbicides. 

 

We are committed to minimize the usage of toxic pesticide and herbicide and will not hesitate to phase them out once a suitable substitute is available. The sprayers are also trained in safety and spraying techniques by using judicious dosages. The chemicals are kept in designated storage and examined at regular intervals. Employees who handle the use of chemicals are provided with convenient on-site washing facilities, and undergo medical examination routinely. The Group reinforced the standard occupational safety measures like the use of protective suits and equipment when mixing, loading and applying the pesticides which is mandatory by the Manpower and Transmigration Ministerial Decree No. 08/2010. Managers and employees risked being penalized and disciplined as safety standards compliance are audited from time to time. ISPO certified companies are also prohibited from using 36 banned active ingredients used in pesticides which can cause various health issues in humans and the environment. Highly toxic pesticides such as Paraquat have been completely eliminated in our practice. Pesticides that fall under the WHO Class 1A and 1B classification, as well as those that fall under the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions are used only under exceptional circumstances and under strict supervision. In the meantime, different cocktails of safer pesticides are being evaluated as alternatives. The Group has in place standard operating procedure that required the management to be informed for instances of pesticides poisoning among its pesticide applicators.

 

In order to minimize accidents at workplaces, regular training and refresher courses are held to instill the importance of safe working practices. Warnings and reminders are displayed at the mills and estates to remind the workers on their safety. Warning signs are placed at strategic locations such as speed limits in housing estates and warning against crossing Irish bridges when river water is at danger level.

 

The Group continues to comply and preserve the High Conservative Value ("HCV") areas recognised by the Department of Forestry. All HCV areas were mapped with boundaries clearly indicated by independent surveyors to ensure that the Group does not plant in these sensitive areas. The Group patrols these protected areas to ensure no encroachment and committed to zero deforestation and to preserve the flora and fauna species in these areas. The Group has identified about 7,831ha as riparian reserves and another 4,955ha as areas of HCV within its land. Natural vegetation on uncultivable lands such as deep peat, very steep areas and riparian zones along watercourses are maintained to preserve biodiversity and wildlife corridors as well as to check erosion.

 

In Indonesia where drought occurs regularly, an emergency response team is set up in every estate armed with proper equipment and gear to put out fire and prevent them from spreading during the dry months. Regular training on fire-fighting techniques and safety is provided by the fire departments. The plantation had invested in modern technology like drones. They help to pinpoint areas of fire outbreak after security stationed at watchtowers detect smoke. The drones are particularly useful in remote areas where accessibility is restricted. In September 2019, HPP was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the local government for assistance to put out a fire outbreak in an adjacent estate. According to Indonesian Law No. 41/1999 on forestry, a deliberate act of forest burning could lead to 15 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp5 billion or about $350,000, while negligence act that leads to a forest fire is punishable by a 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rp1.5 billion or $105,000 for environmental crime. The government is stepping up its enforcement.

 

All sacred and customary lands are set aside and also preserved by the Group out of respect for the local tribes and customs to pray and conduct their ritual ceremonies. Some of these locations are posted on the company's websites. 

 

The six mills in the Group are operating in compliance with criteria set by Program for Pollution Control Evaluation and Rating ("PROPER") overseen by the Indonesian Department of Environment. Many of the criteria set by PROPER are also part of the ISPO requirement. Five of the mills are officially graded Blue and rated to adhere to the criteria set for the management of waste and compliance to environmental conservation over water resources, land development, air and sea pollution, dangerous and toxic waste treatment which impact the environment. Although no official grading is required for the remaining one mill, it is in full compliance to the PROPER criteria.

 

The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification ("ISCC") is issued by ISCC System GmbH, a global certification body based in Cologne, Germany. The criteria used in the certification process are:

•     Implement social and ecological sustainability criteria

•     Monitor deforestation-free supply chains

•     Avoid conversion of biodiverse grassland

•     Calculate and reduce greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions

•     Establish traceability in global supply chains

 

The mill in Alno together with its three estates were ISCC certified in 2019.

 

A certification identifies a company as a responsible player in the industry that has taken efforts to produce sustainable CPO.

 

During the year the Group has formalised a policy which incorporates the requirement of sustainability standards and regulations to which the Group is already practicing and committed. More details may be obtained from the Company's website under our Sustainability dashboard which covers the Environment, CSR, Workers' rights and safety, Corporate Governance and Sustainability certification.

 

Principal and emerging risks and uncertainties

The Group's business involves risks and uncertainties of which the Directors currently consider the following to be material. There are or may be other risks and uncertainties faced by the Group that the Directors currently deem immaterial, or of which they are unaware, that may have a material adverse impact on the Group. The Board carries out a robust assessment of the principal and emerging risks facing the Group on an annual basis.

 

Nature of the risk and its origin	The likelihood and impact of the risk and the circumstances under which the risk might be most relevant to the Company		Mitigating or other relevant considerations
Country and regulatory
The Group's operations are located substantially in Indonesia and therefore significantly rely on economic and political stability in Indonesia.	Political upheaval and deterioration in the security situation may cause disruption on the operation and consequently financial loss.		The country has recently benefited from a period of relative political stability, steady economic growth and stable financial system. But during the Asian financial crisis in late 1990, there was civil unrest attributed to ethnic tensions in some parts of Indonesia. The Group's operations were not interrupted by the regional security problems including occasional racial conflicts.
Introduction of measures to rein in the country's fiscal deficits. This included the exchange controls and restriction on repatriation of profit through payment of dividends.	Transfer of profit from Indonesia to the United Kingdom ("UK") will be restricted affecting servicing of UK obligations and payment of dividends to shareholders.		The Board is not aware of any attempt by the government to impose exchange controls that would restrict the transfer of profits from Indonesia to the UK. The Board perceives that the Group will be able to continue to extract profits from its subsidiaries in Indonesia for the foreseeable future.
Changes in land legislation. Based on National Land Agency Law 2 / 1999, mandatory restriction to land ownership by non-state plantation companies and companies not listed in Indonesia to 20,000ha per province and a total of 100,000ha in Indonesia.	Mandatory reduction of foreign ownership in Indonesian plantations could force divestment of interests in Indonesia at below market values.		The Group realises that there is a possibility that foreign owners may be required over time to partially divest ownership of Indonesia oil palm operations but has no reason to believe that such divestment would be anything other than at market value.
Group failure to meet the standards expected in relation to bribery and corruption.	Reputational damage and criminal sanctions.		The Group continues to maintain strong controls in this area as Indonesia has been classified as relatively high risk by the International Transparency Corruption Perceptions index.
Imposition of import controls or taxes in consuming and exporting countries. Efforts by EU to ban the use of palm oil and palm biodiesel on sustainable issues.	Reduced revenue and reduction in cash flow and profit. The higher import levy will raise the price of CPO and make it less competitive in the global oil market, thus reducing demand. It will be more difficult to export palm oil to EU either for food or palm biodiesel and will hurt the demand of CPO in EU which is the third largest consumer of CPO.		The Indonesian government allows free export of CPO but applies a sliding scale of duties on exports which allows producers economic margins. Despite the imminent ban on use of palm biodiesel in EU, CPO remains amongst the cheapest source and most productive of vegetable oil in a growing population.
Exchange rates
CPO is a US Dollar denominated commodity and a significant proportion of operating costs in Indonesia (such as fertiliser and fuel) and development costs (such as heavy machinery and mill equipment) are imported and are US Dollar related.	Adverse movements of Rupiah against US Dollar can have a negative effect on the operating costs and raise funding costs.		The Board has taken the view that these risks are inherent in the business and feels that adopting hedging mechanisms to counter the negative effects of foreign exchange volatility are both difficult to achieve and would not be cost effective.
Produce prices
CPO is a primary commodity and is affected by the world economy, levels of inflation, and availability of alternative soft oils such as soybean oil. CPO price also historically moves in tandem with crude oil prices which determine the competitiveness of CPO as a source of biodiesel.	This may lead to significant price swings. The profitability and cash flow of the plantation operations depend upon world prices of CPO and upon the Group's ability to sell CPO at price levels comparable with world prices, unlike soybean which is sown annually and production can be increased or decreased to match demand and prevailing prices.			Directors believe that such swings should be moderated by continuous demand in economies like China, India and Indonesia. Larger exports would lead to a lower inventory of CPO which augurs well for future produce price. In the short term, the prices and demand will be volatile due to the pandemic.
Social, community and human rights issues
Any material breakdown in relations between the Group and the host population in the vicinity of the operations could disrupt the Group's operations. The plantations hire large numbers of people and have significant economic importance for local communities in the areas of the Group's operations. Disputes over compensation for land allocated to the Group which were previously used by the communities for their livelihood.	Communication breakdown would cause disruption on the operation and consequently financial loss. Access to areas of disputed compensation is restricted due to blockages by the communities.			The Group mitigates this risk by liaising regularly with village representatives to mediate on disputes. It develops a close relationship with villagers by improving local living standards through mutually beneficial economic and social interaction with the local villages. The Group, when possible, gives priority to applications for employment from the local population and supports specific initiatives to encourage local farmers and tradesmen to act as suppliers to the Group, its employees and their dependents. The Group spends considerable money constructing new roads and bridges and maintaining existing roads used by villagers. The Group also provides technical and management expertise to villagers to develop oil palm plots or villages and Plasma schemes surrounding the operating estates. The returns from these plots are used to improve villages' community welfare.
The COVID-19 pandemic as we are experiencing has affected national and world economies. COVID-19 and similar pandemics could disrupt the Group's operation.	Our plantations and mills could be seriously infected which may require a total shut down of the infected part of our operations to contain and eradicate the infection.                                                                   The local governments where the Group operates could enforced a total lockdown requiring a total shutdown of the Group's operations.			The Group imposed travel restriction and strict movement on workers housed in our mills and estates. Workers leaving the housing and workplace must seek prior approval from management and will be subjected to 14-day quarantine upon return. All outside casual workers hired are assigned to different parts of the estates isolated and with no or minimum contact with our regular workers. Wearing a face mask is mandatory. To maintain the workers hygiene, additional areas are provided for them to wash their hands with soaps and apply sanitizers. Temperatures of all workers are taken daily before they start work. Workers with high temperature will be required to self quarantine and necessary tests conducted by qualified doctors to determine their condition. Administration and finance staff in Medan are divided into two teams with each team working from home on an alternative basis to reduce exposure to the virus and mitigate disruption. The Group also stock up on essential goods and spare parts to minimise disruption to estate and mills operation should the government order a lockdown or impose further movement control.       The Group has budgeted cash requirement on a minimum spend basis that would sustained the continuity of the Group for at least twelve months.
Weather and natural disasters
Oil palms rely on regular sunshine and rainfall but these weather patterns can vary and extremes such as unusual dry periods or, conversely, heavy rainfall leading to flooding in some locations can occur. Indonesia, where most of its plantations are located, frequently experience natural disasters like earthquake, forest fire and tsunami.	Dry periods, in particular, will affect yields in the short and medium term. It may result in wildfire that may damage and destroy the palms. Drought induces moisture stress in palm trees.  High levels of rainfall can disrupt estate operations and result in harvesting delays with loss of FFB or deterioration in fruit quality. Delay in collection of harvested FFB could raise the level of free fatty acid ("FFA") in the CPO. CPO with high FFA would be sold at a discount to market prices. Low level of sunshine could result in delay in formation of FFB resulting in potential loss of revenue. Any natural disaster could result in a shortage of workers and incur temporary work stoppage due to damage to the plantation or mill.	Where appropriate, bunding is built around flood prone areas and canals/drainage/retention ponds constructed and adapted either to evacuate surplus water or to maintain water levels in areas quick to dry out. Where practical, natural disasters are covered by insurance policies.  Certain risks (including the risk of crop loss through fire, earthquake, flood and other perils potentially affecting the planted areas on the Group's estates) if they materialise could dent the potential revenues, for which insurance cover is either not available or would in the opinion of the Directors be disproportionately expensive, are not insured. These risks of floods, earthquake, fires or haze are mitigated by the geographical spread of the plantations but an occurrence of an adverse uninsured event could result in the Group sustaining material losses.
Hedging risk
The Group's subsidiaries have borrowings in US Dollar.	The Group could face significant exchange losses in the event of depreciation of their local currency (i.e. strengthening of US Dollar) and vice versa.				The risk is partially mitigated by US Dollar denominated cash balances and the higher average interest rate on Rupiah deposits which is 4.44% higher than on US Dollar deposits whereas the interest rate for Rupiah borrowings is about 2.72% higher compared to US Dollar borrowings.
Information Technology ("IT") security risk
The security threats faced by the Group include threats to its IT infrastructure, unlawful attempts to gain access to classified information and potential for business disruptions associated with IT failures.	Failure to combat cyberattack could cause disruption to our business operations. Potential loss of financial records leading to error or misstatement in financial statements.				The Group has measures in place including appropriate tools and techniques to monitor and mitigate this risk. The Group through its IT Consultant has in place antivirus, threat detection, log analysis, DDOS protection and Firewalls.

 

Gender diversity

The AEP Plc Board is composed of three men and one woman with extensive knowledge in their respective fields of experience.  The Board has taken note of the recent legislative initiatives with regard to the representation of women on the boards of Directors of listed companies and will make every effort to conform based on legislative requirement.

 

	2019 average employed during the year
Group Headcount	Women	Men	Total
Board (Company and subsidiaries)	3	12	15
Senior Management (GM and above)	-	5	5
Managers & Executives	34	426	460
Full Time	245	6,200	6,445
Part-time Field Workers	3,969	5,316	9,285
Total	4,251	11,959	16,210
%	26%	74%	100%
	2018 average employed during the year
Group Headcount	Women	Men	Total
Board (Company and subsidiaries)	3	13	16
Senior Management (GM and above)	-	6	6
Managers & Executives	33	380	413
Full Time	225	5,664	5,889
Part-time Field Workers	4,956	5,903	10,859
Total	5,217	11,966	17,183
%	30%	70%	100%

 

Although the Group provides equal opportunities for female workers in the plantations, the male workers make up a majority of the field workers due to the nature of work and the remote location of plantations from the towns and cities. The number of female part-time field workers decreased by 20% from 4,956 to 3,969 in 2019. Overall, the number of female workers within the Group decreased from 5,217 (30%) in 2018 to 4,251 (26%) in 2019. The reduction in female workers was mainly due to the termination of fertiliser program for plantations which are scheduled for replanting from 2020 to 2022.

 

Employees

Oil palm cultivation is a labour-intensive industry. In 2019, the number of full-time workers averaged 6,925 (2018: 6,324) while the part-time labour averaged 9,285 (2018: 10,859). The total headcount in 2019 was lower by 5.7% due to a reduction of part-time workers employed as explained above in the Gender diversity. The Group has introduced mechanisation in the field to boost productivity. Mechanisation though has its limits but where possible could help relieve the acute shortage of labour and reduce the cost pressure from rising minimum wages.

 

The Group has formal processes for recruitment, particularly for key managerial positions, where psychometric testing is conducted to support the selection and hiring decisions. Exit interviews are also conducted with departing employees to ensure that management can address any significant issues.

 

Existing employees are selected on a regular basis for training programmes organised by the Group's training centre that provide grounding and refresher courses in technical aspects of oil palm estate and mill management. The training centre also conducts regular programmes for all levels of employees to raise the competency and quality of employees in general. These programmes are often supplemented by external management development courses including attending industry conferences for technical updates. A wide variety of topics are covered including work ethics, motivation, self-improvement, company values and health and safety. The Group spent $106,700 on staff training and professional development in 2019 against $131,300 for the previous year.

 

The Group operates a cadet program where graduates from local universities are selected to undergo theory and field training over a twelve-month period. On successful completion, they are assigned as assistants to various mills and estates. 

 

All the plantations are at various stages of introducing finger printing to record and mark attendance of daily workers and to pay all workers through bank transfer to improve the efficiency of estate operations.

 

A large workforce and their families are housed across the Group's plantations. The benefits provided to them were extensively covered under CSR in the Strategic Report. On top of competitive salaries and bonuses, these extensive benefits and privileges help the Group to retain and motivate its employees. The Group complied with the minimum wage policy issued by the Indonesian government. It respects the rights of employees and does not exploit workers, use child or forced labour and is not involved in human trafficking as described in the UK's Modern Slavery Act 2015.

 

The employees are covered by Governmental mandatory personal accident scheme with death benefits covering up to forty-eight months of workers' monthly salaries. The employees' spouses and children are also privately insured for death benefits by the Group.

 

The rights of employees and their extensive benefits covering every aspect of employment from salary review, allowance, bonus, housing, study and training for improvement, work safety and health and code of conduct are contained in the Company's handbook which is available and accessible to all employees.

 

The Group promotes a policy for the creation of equal and ethnically diverse employment opportunities including with respect to gender.

 

The Group has in place key performance-linked indicators to determine increment and bonus entitlements for its employees. The human resources engage members of the labour unions representing full-time workers at least once a year on their yearly performance bonuses and grievances.

 

A whistle-blower policy was introduced this year to allow workforce to raise concerns in confidence and if they wish anonymously to the Board of the holding company for independent investigations and follow-up actions. The full details of the policy can be downloaded from the Company's website.

 

The Group promotes and encourages employee involvement in every aspect wherever practical as it recognises employees as a valuable asset and is one of the key contributions to the Group's success. The employees contribute their ideas, feedback and voice out their concerns through formal and informal meetings, discussions and annual performance appraisals. In addition, various work related and personal training programmes are carried out annually for employees to promote employee engagement and interaction. The Group organises an annual dinner to recognise high achievers in the plantation and mill operations. It also has an annual family gathering to foster camaraderie among its employees.  

 

Although the Group does not have a specific policy on the employment of disabled persons, it, however, employs disabled persons as part of its workforce. The Group welcomes disabled persons joining the Group based on their suitability.

 

Outlook

FFB production for the three months to March 2020 was 3% higher against the same period in 2019 mainly due to the increase in production from Bengkulu region. It is too early to forecast whether the production will be better for the rest of the year.

 

The CPO price ex-Rotterdam opened the year at $878/mt and averaged about $725 for the first three months of 2020. CPO prices and export demand suffered temporary setback following the outbreak of Coronavirus in China which has since spread to many parts of the world. Depending on the length of economic lockdown amongst the major consumers of palm oil, the common consensus amongst the industrial experts is that CPO prices are expected to be fairly better for 2020 due to higher demand from palm biodiesel mandates in Indonesia and Malaysia, on top of a potential shortfall in FFB production due to the dry weather in 2019 and the lower application of fertiliser. New planting in palm oil industry has also slowed from 2015, partly due to a forest moratorium imposed by the Indonesian government that limits the conversion of forests and peat land for oil palm development which also help to cap supply.

 

The reported lower soybean output in United States in the coming year further reinforced the positive sentiment for palm oil price.

 

A rising CPO price may however discourage discretionary uptake as cost of blending palm biodiesel may be more expensive than the traditional fossil fuel. It is likely that at some point forward, some demand may shift back to soybean oil as China's relationship with United States improves and the demand of soybean meal picked up as it recovered from the culling of hog population due to the African swine flu.

 

The rising material costs and wages in Indonesia are expected to increase the overall production cost in 2020. The Indonesian government recently announced the 2020 national minimum wage increase averaging 8.5%. These wage hikes will raise overall estate costs and may erode profit margins.

 

Nevertheless, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Group is confident that CPO demand will be sustainable in the long-term and we can expect a satisfactory trading outturn and cash flow for 2020.  

 

Statement by directors in performance of their statutory duties in accordance with Sec 172 (1) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

The Board of Directors of Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc consider, both individually and collectively, that they have acted in good faith, in the way they consider would be most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole, having regard to the stakeholders and matters set out in Sec 172 (1) (a) to (f) of the Act in decisions taken during the year ended 31 December 2019.

 

·    Our business model and strategy as highlighted in the Strategic Report are designed to have a long-term beneficial impact on the Company and contribute to its success in delivering consistent and appropriate returns to the shareholders. We will continue to operate our business within tight budgetary controls and regulatory targets. To deliver these goals, the Company continues to work in close partnership with local communities to bring development and economic progress as well as generate goodwill in the localities in which it operates.

 

·    Our employees are fundamental to the delivery of our business goals. We aim to be a responsible employer in our approach to the pay and benefits our employees receive. The health, safety and well-being of our employees is one of our primary considerations in the way we do business. Many of these continuing efforts are covered under CSR and Employees sections of the Strategic Report.

 

·    We aim to act responsibly and fairly in how we engage with our suppliers, creditors and customers, all of whom are integral to the successful delivery of our business plan. The Company adopts a transparent approach in price negotiation, tenders and observe the credit terms. The Board provides a channel of communication and feedback from suppliers and customers to voice their concerns through the whistle-blowers policy which is displayed in the Company's website.

 

·    Our business plan takes into account the impact of the Company's operations on the community and environment and our wider social responsibilities, and in particular how we impact the regions we operate. CSR is part of the Company's culture which includes responsibility to safeguard the environment and is highlighted in the Strategic Report. Several of our measures to deliver environmental improvements are covered in detail in the Sustainable Palm Oil Certification and Environmental Social and Governance Practices sections of the same report.

 

·    As the Board of Directors, our intention is to behave responsibly and ensure that management operates the business in a responsible manner, operating within the high standards of business conduct and good governance expected for a business such as ours and in doing so, will contribute to the delivery of our business goals. See Corporate Governance and Audit Committee Report. The intention is to nurture our reputation that reflects our responsible behaviour.  

 

·    It is the intention of the Board of Directors, to behave responsibly toward our shareholders and treat them fairly and equally, so that they too may benefit from the successful delivery of our business plan.

 

Restructuring within the Group

During 2019 there was restructuring in the Group involving a few subsidiaries, principally relating to intercompany loans and interest charges so that more cash is retained in the Group. The exercise was diligently put together by the Group's senior management, having had consultations with a reputable firm of accountants in Jakarta, Indonesia. The proposal to restructure was then put forward to the Board to evaluate and approved. As the impact of the restructuring affected the non-controlling interests in those subsidiaries, a process of consultation with those non-controlling interests took place prior to restructuring.

 

On behalf of the Board

Dato' John Lim Ewe Chuan

Executive Director, Corporate Finance and Corporate Affairs

19 May 2020

 

 

Directors' Responsibilities

 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the Directors are required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as adopted by the EU. The Directors have elected to prepare the Company financial statements in accordance with FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework under the UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice ("UK GAAP"). Under company law, the Directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and Company and of the income statement for the Group for that period. 

 

In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:

·    select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

·    make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

·    state whether they have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

·    prepare a Strategic Report, a Director's Report and Director's Remuneration report which comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and

·    make an assessment of the Company and Group's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue operations for the foreseeable future.

 

Website publication

The Directors are responsible for ensuring the annual report and the financial statements are made available on a website. Financial statements are published on the Company's website in accordance with the legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, which may vary from legislation in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and integrity of the Company's website is the responsibility of the Directors.  The Directors' responsibility also extends to the ongoing integrity of the financial statements contained therein.

 

 

Directors' responsibilities pursuant to DTR4

All of the Directors confirm to the best of their knowledge:

·     The Group financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and Article 4 of the IAS Regulation and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and income statement of the Group.

·     The Strategic Report in the annual report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the financial position of the Group, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face.

·     The annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy.

 

On behalf of the Board

Dato' John Lim Ewe Chuan

Executive Director, Corporate Finance and Corporate Affairs                                   

19 May 2020