Rating Rationale
May 12, 2020 | Mumbai
ADF Foods Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.42 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL A-/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A2+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL A-/Stable/CRISIL A2+' ratings on the bank facilities of ADF Foods Limited  (ADF; part of the ADF Group).
 
CRISIL has taken cognizance of the restrictions on economic activity, including closure of all non-critical establishments and inter-state transportation, along with severe restrictions on travel and visiting areas of mass gatherings to contain the spread of Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). While, ADF Group manufactures edible items such as pickles, chutneys, sauces, ready-to-eat food, frozen, canned food etc. which comes under essential commodities and thus it was subsequently allowed to operate its manufacturing units to ensure supply of essential products; the manufacturing activities are significantly scaled down. The company's units are currently operating sub-optimal capacities and there have also been disruptions in distribution network due closure of establishments of dealers, distributors and retailers. This is likely to impact the company's performance in fiscal 2021 as against CRISIL's earlier expectations. However, the overall credit risk profile will be supported by the company's strong financial risk profile and strong liquidity. Impact of Covid-19 related restrictions applicable post May 17, 2020 will remain a key monitor able.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the group's established brands and position as an exporter of ethnic Indian food, and its strong financial risk profile and liquidity. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and intense competition in the processed food segments, from domestic and international players.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of ADF; its subsidiaries-ADF Foods (India) Ltd, and ADF Foods (UK) Ltd; and stepdown subsidiaries -ADF Holdings (USA) Ltd and ADF Foods (USA) Ltd. This is because all these companies, collectively referred to as the ADF group, are in the same business and managed by common promoters, and have fungible cash flow among them. Management has indicated the companies will continue to support each other whenever required.

Please refer Annexure - List of entities consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths: 
* Established brands and position as an exporter of ethnic Indian food: The ADF group has been exporting pickles and chutneys for over five decades. Over the years, the group has diversified its product portfolio, and established its brand presence across over 50 countries. Key brands are Camel (Middle East); Soul; Aeroplane; Ashoka; PJ's and Nate's (USA); and Truly Indian (the UK). The group mainly caters to the US, Europe, Australia, the Gulf, and other parts of Asia.

* Strong financial risk profile: Financial risk profile of the group was marked by a healthy networth and low total outside liabilities to adjusted networth ratio (Rs 173 crore and 0.24 time, estimated as on March 31, 2020).  Debt protection metrics were robust, with interest coverage and net cash accrual to total debt ratios of over 41 times and 1.3 times, respectively, estimated for fiscal 2020.
 
Weaknesses:
* Exposure to intense competition: The ADF group is present in the processed and ethnic food segments. With bulk of revenue generated from exports, the group has to compete not only with packaged food manufactures in Pakistan and Malaysia, but also with established domestic players such as ITC, MTR and Pachranga. Sustenance of revenue, amidst intense competition, remains a key monitorable.
 
* Vulnerability to volatility in raw material prices: Key raw materials include agro-based products such as mangoes, chillies, edible oil, and sugar. As raw material prices largely depend on inflation, monsoon, and government policies, the group remains exposed to any sharp fluctuations. Further, any hike in input cost cannot be entirely passed on to customers, given the competitive environment.
Liquidity Strong

Group has strong liquidity indicated by expected net cash accruals of Rs 23-30 crore per annum over the medium term against no major term debt obligations. Group's fund based limit average utilization has remained low at 33% for last 12 months ended February 2020. Group had cash and cash equivalents of Rs 43.7 crore as on December 31, 2019 while current ratio is healthy at 3.6 times estimated as on 31st March 2020. Timely receipts from customer along with healthy cash balances is expected to support liquidity over medium term.  Group is expected to incur capex of around Rs 20-25 Crore over the medium term. CRISIL believes the group has sufficient accruals and cash and cash equivalents to finance its capex requirements and incremental working capital needs over medium term.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes the ADF group will continue to benefit over the medium term, from its established market position and comfortable financial risk profile.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors:
* Improvement in net cash accrual to over Rs 40 crore
* Sustained improvement in working capital cycle
 
Downward factors:
* Decline in net cash accruals to less than Rs 18 crore for fiscal 2021
* Increase in working capital requirement, any larger-than-expected, debt-funded capex or acquisition, or large dividend pay-out, weakening the financial risk profile, particularly liquidity
About the Company

The Mumbai-based ADF group exports ethnic Indian edible items such as pickles, chutneys, sauces, ready-to-eat food, frozen and canned food to Europe, the US, Australia, and the Gulf.

Key Financial Indicators (consolidated)
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 244.1 209.3
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore 25.33 18.07
PAT Margin % 10.3 8.6
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Net Worth Times NA 0.02
Interest coverage Times 60.5 32.1

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon
Rate (%)
Maturity Date Issue Size
(Rs. Cr)
Rating Assigned  with Outlook
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.56 CRISIL A2+
NA Export Packing Credit NA NA NA 28.35 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Foreign Bill Purchase NA NA NA 6.25 CRISIL A2+
NA Letter of Credit NA NA NA 1.64 CRISIL A2+
NA Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits NA NA NA 0.2 CRISIL A-/Stable
NA Standby Line of Credit NA NA NA 5 CRISIL A-/Stable
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
ADF Foods Ltd Full same business and managed by common promoters
ADF Foods (India) Ltd Full same business and managed by common promoters
ADF Foods (UK) Ltd Full same business and managed by common promoters
ADF Holdings (USA) Ltd Full same business and managed by common promoters
ADF Foods (USA) Ltd Full same business and managed by common promoters
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  39.80  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+      30-05-19  CRISIL A-/Stable/ CRISIL A2+  12-02-18  CRISIL BBB+/Positive/ CRISIL A2+  30-12-17  CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A2+ 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2.20  CRISIL A2+      30-05-19  CRISIL A2+  12-02-18  CRISIL A2+  30-12-17  CRISIL A2+  CRISIL A2+ 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee .56 CRISIL A2+ Bank Guarantee .83 CRISIL A2+
Export Packing Credit 28.35 CRISIL A-/Stable Export Packing Credit 6.25 CRISIL A2+
Foreign Bill Purchase 6.25 CRISIL A2+ Export Packing Credit & Export Bills Negotiation/Foreign Bill discounting 15 CRISIL A-/Stable
Letter of Credit 1.64 CRISIL A2+ Export Packing Credit & Export Bills Negotiation/Foreign Bill discounting 12.5 CRISIL A2+
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits .2 CRISIL A-/Stable Foreign Bill Purchase 6.25 CRISIL A2+
Standby Line of Credit 5 CRISIL A-/Stable Letter of Credit 1.17 CRISIL A2+
Total 42 -- Total 42 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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