Press Release (AIM) – Half Year Results 2018
June 6th, 2018
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
THE ENVIRONMENT
The volatile economic conditions in Zambia over the previous two years, including sharp depreciation of the Kwacha against the US Dollar and relatively high inflation, presented challenges for the business. I am pleased to say that this period of uncertainty appears to be behind us and we are entering a period of relative stability in the economy, supported by tight fiscal and monetary control by Zambia’s Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Zambia…
TRADING RESULTS
The Group achieved a Profit After Tax (excluding discontinued operations) of ZMW23 million (USD2.3 million) versus ZMW5.2 million (USD0.5 million) in the prior period. Volumes and gross margins have also increased in our core divisions of Retail and Cold Chain Food Products (CCFP) and Stockfeed…
INVESTMENT
Zambeef spent USD7.5 million on capital investment for continuing operations in the first half of the year.
USD2.9 million was spent on the continued roll-out of new modern Macro retail outlets across Zambia, with four stores opened in the six months. The Company plans to open a further four Macro retail outlets in the second half of the year. Heroes Macro is the first of these and it opened in May 2018.
BOARD CHANGES
Finally, as we enter into a renewed period of growth for Zambeef, I would like to thank Co-founder and former Joint Chief Executive Officer Dr Carl Irwin, who retired from the Group on 31 March 2018 after 23 years of service, during which time he and Francis Grogan grew the Company to the impressive heights it has reached today.
On 24 May 2018, subsequent to the period end, Tim Pollock, Joint Chief Executive Officer announced his resignation from the Board for personal reasons. We wish to thank Tim for his contribution to the Company.
OUTLOOK
Zambia’s GDP is expected to grow by 5.5% in 2018. The clearance of government arrears and continued close attention to monetary policy conditions are likely to strengthen the position of the financial sector and spur confidence in consumption and investment lending. Equally, firm international copper prices and improved domestic production from newer and recently refurbished mines are expected to support exports.
We expect this economic strengthening to continue to boost consumer demand across all sectors, with a firm trickle-down to our core target consumers in lower-income markets.
Dr Jacob Mwanza
Chairman
5 June 2018
Related downloads
ZAMBEEF | 2018 March HY Consolidated Financial Results.pdf
ZAMBEEF | 2018 March HY Financial Results (AIM).pdf
ZAMBEEF | 2018 March HY Results Presentation.pdf
