Mar 31, 2026
Your directors take pleasure in presenting the fifty-first Annual Report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended
March 31,2026.
|
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
||
|
March 31,2026 |
|March 31,2025 |
March 31,2026 |
|March 31,2025 |
|
|
Revenue from Operations |
3,120.26 |
3,168.12 |
38,534.08 |
31,608.61 |
|
Gross Revenue |
3,568.47 |
3,457.00 |
38,883.44 |
31,967.79 |
|
Profit Before Interest and Depreciation (EBITDA) |
398.92 |
251.81 |
3,798.89 |
2,992.64 |
|
Depreciation |
181.16 |
175.34 |
763.07 |
512.39 |
|
Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)* |
217.76 |
76.47 |
3,035.82 |
2,480.25 |
|
Finance Charges |
73.71 |
68.91 |
454.11 |
372.43 |
|
Exceptional Gains/(Losses) |
(829.76) |
(427.15) |
(478.38) |
346.77 |
|
Net Profit/(loss) Before Tax |
(685.71) |
(419.59) |
2103.33 |
2,454.59 |
|
Tax Expenses |
22.57 |
8.71 |
722.88 |
682.05 |
|
Net Profit/(loss) After Tax |
(708.28) |
(428.30) |
1380.45 |
1,772.54 |
|
Non - Controlling Interests |
NA |
NA |
810.91 |
894.19 |
|
Net Profit/(loss) After Tax (attributable to owners) |
(708.28) |
(428.30) |
569.54 |
878.35 |
Your Company has not transferred any amount to the reserves for
the year ended March 31,2026.
The paid-up Equity Share Capital of your Company as on March
31, 2026, was H 17,78,72,717 consisting of 17,78,72,717 equity
shares of Re. 1 each.
During the year, your Company allotted 94,423 ESOPs under the
Employee Stock Option Scheme-2016.
The Board has not proposed any dividend for the Financial Year
ended March 31, 2026.
Consolidated revenue from operations for the year stood at
H 38,534.08 Crore, as compared to H 31,608.61 Crore in the previous
year. Total expenses for the year were H36,301.59 Crore, as against
H 29,806.24 Crore in the previous year. Operating profit (EBITDA),
excluding exceptional items, was H 3,798.89 Crore, as compared to
H2,992.64 Crore in the previous year. The profit after tax (attributable
to owners) for the year was H569.54 Crore, as against H878.35 Crore
in the previous year.
The standalone revenue from operations for the year under review
was H3,120.26 Crore, as compared to H3,168.12 Crore in the previous
year. Operating profit (EBITDA), excluding exceptional items, stood at
H398.92 Crore, as against H251.81 Crore in the previous year. The loss
after tax for the year stood at H708.28 Crore, as compared to a loss
of H428.30 Crore in the previous year. While the Company delivered
improved operating performance and maintained cost discipline
during the year, overall financial performance was adversely
impacted by impairment charges recognised in certain business
segments, which significantly contributed to the reported loss.
The financial year under review was characterised by a challenging
operating environment for both the Company and the sugar
industry at large. This was driven by a global sugar surplus, policy
constraints on domestic sugar releases and ethanol pricing,
and continued cost pressures arising from increases in the Fair
and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane. In response, the
Company focused on improving operational efficiency, optimising
costs, consolidating segments, and undertaking strategic course
corrections to navigate these headwinds. Although the Company
reported a net loss on a standalone basis, its underlying operating
performance across core segments remained resilient. Higher cane
crushing volumes, improved recovery rates, and stable distillery
output contributed to stronger operating performance compared
to FY 2024-25. The Company also made tangible progress on key
strategic initiatives, positioning it for future growth.
The sugar segment recorded improved operational performance,
albeit within a structurally constrained environment. Cane crushing
volumes increased marginally over the previous year, supported
by strong performance in Karnataka arising from higher yields, an
early start to the crushing season, and favourable fourth-quarter
conditions following healthy planting and an early monsoon.
Structural constraints in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, particularly
lower cane availability and recovery levels, continue to persist,
largely due to adverse climatic conditions and a shift by farmers
towards alternative crops offering superior economic returns.
Recovery rates improved across most units, including Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu, supported by better cane quality and enhanced
process efficiencies. Sugar realisations improved by approximately
5.23% year-on-year, reflecting the Company's focus on premium
channels, institutional relationships, and value-added products.
Despite these positives, the continued mismatch between rising
sugarcane procurement costs and the unchanged Minimum
Support Price (MSP) for sugar remains a key constraint on segment
profitability. The Company, along with industry bodies, continues
to engage with policymakers to address this structural imbalance.
The distillery segment delivered stable performance, supported
by full-year operations of the expanded 582 KLPD capacity
commissioned in FY 2024-25 and the easing of restrictions on
sugar diversion for ethanol production from Ethanol Supply Year
(ESY) 2025 onwards. The Company's multi-feed capabilities across
Sankili, together with molasses and syrup-based operations
at Haliyal, Nellikuppam, Sivagangai, and Bagalkot enabled
optimisation of feedstock utilisation in line with evolving market
and policy conditions. The Company continues to engage with
the Government, along with industry bodies such as ISMA, on the
need for an upward revision in ethanol procurement prices, which
remains critical for enhancing distillery profitability.
The Consumer Products Group (CPG) segment underwent strategic
recalibration and consolidation during the year. Sweetener volumes
were impacted by Government release quotas, with the Company
focusing on premium channels and value-added products such
as Amrit brown sugar, Parry's "Gold", jaggery, and low-GI sugar. The
staples business (rice, pulses, and millets) underwent a channel
rationalisation exercise during the second half of the year, resulting
in short-term revenue pressures and transitional costs. During the
year, the Company commissioned its own dal processing facility,
strengthening backward integration and enhancing quality control.
The distribution footprint was expanded across modern trade,
e-commerce platforms, and rural and semi-urban markets. While
these corrective measures affected near-term performance, they
are expected to support a more capital-efficient and profitable CPG
business model from FY 2026-27 onwards. The Company is also
evaluating opportunities to expand its consumer portfolio through
strengthened R&D capabilities and a mix of organic and inorganic
growth initiatives.
The nutraceuticals segment recorded steady progress, supported
by improved export realisations and operational efficiencies.
While consolidated revenues declined by approximately 12%,
performance improved, with profit before tax (excluding
adjustments) turning around from a loss of H61 lakhs in the previous
year to a profit of H26 lakhs in the current year. This improvement
was driven by the commencement of exports to European
markets following regulatory approvals and a recovery in demand
in the United States. The segment continues to progress towards
profitability and is being positioned as a high-margin, science-
driven wellness ingredients business.
The cessation of operations of Parry Sugars Refinery India Private
Limited (PSRIPL) with effect from the close of working hours on
March 31, 2026 represents a significant strategic milestone. This
decision was driven by the structural unviability of the standalone
refinery business model in a global environment marked by surplus
supply and compressed refining margins. Pursuant to this decision,
the Company recognised an impairment charge of H40,060 lakhs
and a provision towards financial guarantee obligations of H59,132
lakhs for the year ended March 31, 2026. While these actions
impacted standalone net worth and leverage during FY 2025-26,
the closure eliminates significant contingent liabilities and is
expected to improve the Company's financial risk profile over
the medium term.
Looking ahead, the Board remains focused on strengthening EID
Parry's integrated sugarcane value chain, scaling the Consumer
Products Group into a meaningful consumer platform, and
enhancing the cane supply base through continued investments in
precision agriculture and farmer engagement.
The global economic environment remains uncertain, influenced by
geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and divergent growth and
inflation outcomes across major economies. While global activity has
demonstrated resilience in the near term, structural vulnerabilities
remain, including elevated fiscal pressures, fragmented supply
chains, and increased reliance on economic policy instruments for
strategic purposes. In this volatile environment, we remain focused
on adapting, renewing, and positioning with emerging trends to
create sustained value for stakeholders.
The global economy in FY 2025-26 navigated a complex landscape,
shaped by persistent geopolitical uncertainties, inflationary
pressures, and fluctuating energy prices.
The global economy faces renewed headwinds following the
outbreak of conflict in the Middle East in late February 2026. While
the past year saw reasonable resilience, supported by technology-
driven investment, a weaker US dollar, and accommodative policy,
the conflict now poses a significant counterforce through its
pressure on commodity markets, inflation, and financial conditions.
The IMF's reference forecast projects global growth at 3.1% in 2026
and 3.2% in 2027, a step down from the 3.4% pace seen in 2024-25,
and below the long-run historical average of 3.7%. Global headline
inflation is expected to rise to 4.4% in 2026 before easing to 3.7% in
2027. Notably, absent the conflict, 2026 growth would have been
revised slightly upward.
The impact is uneven across economies. Emerging markets
and developing economies bear a disproportionate burden,
with growth revised down by 0.3 percentage points for 2026,
while advanced economies see broadly unchanged forecasts.
Commodity-importing nations with existing fiscal vulnerabilities
face the sharpest pressures.
Downside risks remain dominant. An escalation in energy
disruptions could drag global growth as low as 2.0% in 2026, with
inflation breaching 6% by 2027. Key risk factors include worsening
geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, risks around AI investment
valuations, and rising public debt levels. On the upside, accelerated
AI adoption and structural reforms could provide meaningful offsets.
Source: World Economic Outlook, April 2026
India's external sector remained well-anchored. Services exports
continued to grow at a healthy clip, supported by IT, financial
services and professional services. The INR showed resilience relative
to most emerging market peers, aided by a comfortable foreign
exchange reserve position. India's equity markets performed well,
with domestic institutional flows providing a stable foundation
even as foreign portfolio investor behaviour was episodic. The
INR showed resilience through much of the year, supported by a
comfortable forex reserve position that peaked at $728.5 billion
in February 2026. However, the onset of the Middle East conflict
triggered a sharp reversal and FPIs pulled out over $19.7 billion,
causing forex reserves to decline by over $30 billion and the rupee
to weaken significantly.
For the agriculture sector and the sugar industry specifically, FY
2025-26 was marked by an above-normal south-west monsoon as
forecast by IMD earlier in the year that replenished groundwater
tables, improved soil moisture across major cane-growing
geographies and supported a healthy rabi season.
The Middle East conflict is, paradoxically, a structural opportunity
for India's sugar-biofuel complex. With crude oil prices spiking
nearly 30% at their peak and India importing nearly 85% of its
crude oil requirement, the strategic case for domestic ethanol
has strengthened considerably. India completed its nationwide
E20 rollout on April 1, 2026, ahead of the original 2030 deadline
and ISMA has already approached the PMO to fast-track blending
beyond E20, citing the current energy environment as both an
economic and strategic imperative.
The near-term outlook is one of resilience tempered by external
headwinds. The IMF's April 2026 World Economic Outlook has revised
India's FY27 GDP growth forecast upward to 6.5%, citing robust
carryover momentum from FY26, strong domestic demand, and a
significant reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods. India remains the
fastest-growing major economy, one of the few to receive an upward
revision in a report otherwise dominated by global downgrades.
The Government's own Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled in
Parliament in January 2026, projected FY27 real GDP growth in
the range of 6.8-7.2%, underpinned by healthier household and
corporate balance sheets, sustained public investment, and resilient
private consumption. On inflation, both the RBI and IMF project a
gradual uptick in headline inflation in FY27, though within the RBI's
4% (±2%) tolerance band, with risks arising from imported inflation,
currency depreciation, and higher energy prices.
For the sector in which your Company operates, the critical variables
will be the trajectory of crude oil prices, the pace of ethanol policy
progression, domestic sugar balance management, and the
durability of rural demand which feeds directly into consumer
products volumes.
Sources: Economic Survey 2025-26; IMF Press Releases;
Finance Outlook India
According to S&P Platts, global demand supply balance in 2025¬
26 swung to a surplus of 3.5 MMT, from a deficit of 4.43 MMT in
2024- 25. This was mainly due to higher production in Brazil
(due to increased sugar mix) and Thailand, which were partially
compensated by reduction in EU. Global consumption growth in
2025- 26 was estimated to be flat to 0.5%.
2026- 27 projections of surplus are being revised drastically due
to elevated crude oil prices arising from geopolitical tensions and
development of El Nino weather pattern. Current estimates are
pointing to a balanced to slight deficit scenario. Sugar consumption
growth is expected to recover to 1.0% over 2025-26.
Indian sugar market
India is the world's second-largest sugar producer and one of its
largest consumers, with sugarcane cultivation concentrated across
nine major states namely, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh,
together accounting for the bulk of national output. The sugar
industry is an important agro-based industry that impacts the
rural livelihood of many people. The Indian cane sugar market was
valued at USD 55.40 billion in 2025 and is estimated to grow to USD
57.62 billion in 2026, reaching USD 70.13 billion by 2031 at a CAGR
of around 4%, underpinned by food and beverage applications
which accounted for over 60% of end-use demand.
Consumer preferences are evolving in parallel with the volume market.
Rising health awareness is driving demand for organic cane sugar,
brown sugar, and chemical-free variants, particularly in urban markets
and within the food service and Ayurvedic segments. Regulatory
headwinds from health concerns are reshaping product portfolios
toward low-sugar and organic variants, while liquid sugar is the
fastest-growing product segment at a projected 5.31% CAGR through
2031, driven by pharmaceutical and beverage sector demand.
Source: Mordor Intelligence
The government initially permitted exports of 1.5 million tonnes
for SS 2025-26, subsequently offering an additional 0.5 million
tonnes in February 2026 to willing mills on a non-swappable basis.
Of this additional tranche, mills applied for only 87,587 tonnes, the
remainder lapsed, reflecting subdued mill appetite for exports amid
unfavourable global price conditions. The Ministry of Food and
Public Distribution had set June 30, 2026, as the export deadline,
with mills required to ship at least 70% of their quota by that date to
retain the balance until September 30, 2026. However, as of May 14,
2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced a
ban of sugar exports, and will remain in effect until September 30,
2026, or until further orders.
Notwithstanding the above, as of January 31, 2026, actual
shipments stood at approximately 197,000 tonnes against the
1.5 million tonne initial quota, well below the pace needed to
utilise the full allocation with a further 272,000 tonnes contracted.
The muted uptake reflects unfavourable export economics and
subdued global prices, as assessed by multiple Asia-based traders
In aggregate, total approved export quota for SS 2025-26 stands at
approximately 1.59 million tonnes.
Sources: Economic Times; Press Information Bureau; Business Standard
Sugar production
Sugar production in India has reached 272 LMT as of March 31,
2026, for the ongoing 2025-26 sugar season (SS). According to the
Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), as on
March 31,2026, 56 mills were operational across the country, with
production continuing in key sugar-producing states.
The gross sugar production stood at 324 LMT during the 2025-26
marketing year with a diversion of 31 LMT of sweetener for ethanol
making, including 7 LMT for exports. Taking into account an
opening stock of approximately 50 LMT and a forecasted domestic
consumption of 283 LMT for the season, ISMA has projected a lower
closing stock of 53 LMT by September 30, 2026.
Sources: Chinimandi
India is the world's largest consumer of sugar, with domestic
consumption for SS 2025-26 estimated at approximately 285 lakh
tonnes, up around 4 lakh tonnes over the prior year. Institutional
consumption, led by beverages, bakery, confectionery, and dairy,
now accounts for approximately 60-65% of total demand and
continues to expand, while household sugar consumption has
moderated. Per-capita sugar consumption has stabilised at around
20 kg per annum, and domestic demand is projected to grow at a
steady 1.5-2.0% CAGR over the next five years.
Rising health awareness around diabetes and obesity is influencing
behaviour among higher-income urban consumers, nudging a
gradual shift toward low-calorie and sugar-substitute products,
though the impact on aggregate demand remains modest, with
middle- and lower-income populations continuing to drive sugar-
rich food consumption.
The sugar sector is an important agro-based sector that impacts the
livelihood of about 5 Crore sugarcane farmers and their dependents
and around 5 lakh workers directly employed in sugar mills, apart
from those employed in various ancillary activities including farm
labour and transportation.
Sources: Chinimandi; Press Information Bureau
I. Â Â Â Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (as amended) -
Marking & Labelling on Plastic Packaging [28 April 2025 |
CPCB, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change]
CPCB notified revised requirements for marking and labelling
on plastic packaging, requiring all plastic packaging (rigid and
flexible) to display the producer/importer/brand owner name
and EPR registration number. The key compliance milestones
are as follows:
⢠   From 1 July 2024: All sugar sold in plastic packaging must
display the Brand Owner Name and EPR Registration
Number (with thickness details additionally required for
flexible single-layer plastics).
⢠   From January 2025: Additional labelling requirements
apply to compostable and biodegradable plastics.
⢠   From 1 July 2025: PIBOs (Producers, Importers, Brand
Owners) including sugar mills may provide packaging
information digitally through barcodes, QR codes or
brochures, on notification to CPCB. Where printing is
technically infeasible (per BIS guidelines), CPCB approval
must be sought and details must appear on the outer
packaging instead.
II. Â Â Â Sugar (Control) Order, 2025 - Comprehensive Overhaul
of Regulatory Framework [01 May 2025 | G.S.R. 280(E) |
Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution]
The Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, which superseded the
Sugar (Control) Order, 1966 and the Sugar Price (Control)
Order, 2018, notified on May 1, 2025, consolidating all sugar
sector regulation into a single modern legal framework. Key
reforms include:
â¢Â    Digital Integration: Mandatory API-based integration
between sugar mills' ERP/SAP systems and the DFPD
portal for real-time data sharing and improved
transparency. Over 450 mills are already integrated.
GSTN data on sugar sales is linked to this system.
â¢Â    Unified Price Control: Sugar price regulation
provisions from the Sugar Price (Control) Order, 2018, are
incorporated into this Order, eliminating the need for a
separate price control instrument.
â¢Â    Inclusion of Raw and Khandsari Sugar: Raw sugar
(including 'organic' varieties) is formally recognised
in national stock calculations. Khandsari units above
500 TCD capacity are brought within the regulatory
purview to ensure FRP compliance and accurate
production estimates.
â¢Â    By-product Monitoring: Ethanol, molasses, bagasse
and press mud are brought under regulatory oversight
to track diversion from sugar production and safeguard
domestic availability.
â¢Â    Standardised Definitions: Product and stakeholder
definitions are harmonised with FSSAI norms, providing
clarity on sugar types (plantation white, refined, raw,
khandsari, bura, cube, icing) and on terms such as bulk
consumer, dealer and producer.
All reporting of production, stock, movement, sales and by¬
products must be digital; manual or legacy reporting methods
are no longer permitted. Labels must be updated to align with
the revised standard definitions.
III. Â Â Â Fixation of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for
Sugar Season 2026-27 [05 May 2026 | CCEA Decision |
Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution]
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in its meeting
dated 05 May 2026, approved the Fair and Remunerative Price
(FRP) of sugarcane payable by sugar mills for the 2026-27
sugar season at H 365 per quintal, linked to a basic recovery
rate of 10.25%, representing a 2.82% increase over the 2025¬
26 FRP of H 355 per quintal. Key points:
â¢Â    Premium Mechanism: A premium of H 3.56 per quintal
applies for every 0.1% increase in recovery above 10.25%.
â¢Â    Reduction Mechanism: FRP is proportionately
reduced for every 0.1% decrease in recovery below
10.25% but above 9.5%.
â¢Â    Protection for Low Recovery Units: Mills with a
recovery rate of 9.5% or less will pay H 338.30 per quintal;
no further deduction is applied below 9.5%.
IV. Â Â Â Amendment in Export Policy - Pharma Grade Sugar
[17 & 18 June 2025 | Notification No. 17/2025-26; Trade
Notice No. 06/2025-26 | Directorate General of Foreign
Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry]
Pharma grade sugar (ITC(HS) Codes 17011490 and 17019990)
may now be exported under the 'Restricted' category with a
total annual limit of 25,000 MT. Only bona fide pharmaceutical
exporters are eligible, with one application per IEC per
financial year, submitted via the DGFT portal on a pro-rata
quota basis. Export authorisations are valid for one year from
the date of issue. Exports are conditional upon:
⢠   Submission of a licence issued by the concerned State
Licensing Authority; and
⢠   Submission of test reports and certification from
NABL-accredited laboratories confirming compliance
with pharma grade sugar specifications at the time
of actual export.
V. Â Â Â Discontinuation of '100%' Claims on Food Product
Labels and Promotional Materials [28 May 2025 | RCD-
02001 /133/2024-Regulatory-FSSAI [E-12084] | Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)]
FSSAI has advised Food Business Operators not to use
'100%' as a suffix or prefix to any declaration on labels (e.g.,
'100% Veg', '100% Pure'). Such claims convey a false sense of
absolute purity or superiority and may mislead consumers
into believing competing products are non-compliant with
prescribed standards. No specific implementation deadline
has been set; however, all product labels and promotional
materials carrying '100%' claims must be reviewed and revised
in coordination with packaging suppliers.
VI. Â Â Â Display of Food Safety Connect Mobile App QR Code at
Food Premises [25 July 2025 | F. No. RCD-18001/1/2021-
Regulatory-FSSAI (E-2682) | Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI)]
FSSAI has made the QR code of the Food Safety Connect
App available on the front page of FSSAI Licences and
Registrations. All FBOs are advised to prominently display
their Licence/Registration copy (containing the QR code) at
customer-visible areas within their premises. The app enables
consumers to lodge food safety complaints, report misleading
claims on food products, and access information on licensed
FBOs and food safety alerts.
VII. Â Â Â Sugar Export Quota Reassignment for 2025-26 - Tariff
Rate Quota Mechanism [01 August 2025 | DGFT Public
Notice No. 18/2025-26 | Directorate General of Foreign
Trade (DGFT)]
The DGFT has determined the annual export quantity for
sugar mills for 2025-26 based on domestic supply conditions
and prevailing global prices. Export is permitted exclusively
through the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) mechanism. The
notification covers an allocation of 5,841 MT to the EU and
requires direct shipment from the participating mill's own
facilities. Strict compliance and documentation requirements
apply, and export allocations are linked to mill performance.
VIII. Â Â Â Removal of All Quantitative Restrictions on Ethanol
Production - 2025-26 Ethanol Supply Year [Notified:
01 September 2025 | Effective: 01 November 2025
| Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas; Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution]
All quantitative restrictions on ethanol production from
sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, B-heavy molasses and C-heavy
molasses have been removed for the 2025-26 ethanol supply
year, superseding the earlier annual cap of 4 million tonnes
on sugar diversion. This follows improved monsoon rainfall
over the past two seasons which has enhanced sugarcane
availability; sugar production for 2025-26 is projected at
30.95-34.9 million tonnes. The Government has reserved the
right to periodically review sugar diversion to ensure adequate
domestic availability. No revision to ethanol procurement
prices for sugarcane-based feedstocks has been announced.
Mills should conduct monthly feedstock economics analysis
to optimise the sugar-ethanol production mix, noting that
sugarcane ethanol has declined to approximately 28% market
share as grain-based ethanol gains ground.
IX. Â Â Â Environmental Charter for Sugar Mills - Periodic
Compliance Reporting [Ongoing / 2025 | MoEF&CC
Environmental Compliance Orders | Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change / CPCB / SPCB]
Sugar mills are required to periodically submit compliance
reports with strict enforcement of prescribed thresholds for:
maximum effluent per tonne of cane crushed; BOD, TSS and
pH standards; and stack emissions. Continued operations are
conditional upon regular reporting and fulfilment of these
thresholds, and compliance is mandatory for licence renewal.
Non-compliance may result in suspension of operations. Mills
must upgrade air and water pollution controls as required to
meet the prescribed environmental standards.
X. Â Â Â Jute Packaging Compulsory Order - 20% Jute Mandate
for Sugar Mills Upheld [Enforced: 02 September 2025
| S.O. 1830(E) dated 22 April 2025; S.O. 5459(E); S.O.
4319(E) | Ministry of Textiles / Karnataka High Court]
The Karnataka High Court upheld the 20% jute packaging
mandate under the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory
Use in Packing Commodities) Act, rejecting challenges from
sugar mills on grounds of health, supply and market viability.
The Court held that the mandate reflects a legitimate policy
need to protect the economic security and livelihoods of
those in the jute sector, consistent with socio-economic
justice and Directive Principles. The mandate is reviewed
annually by an expert Standing Advisory Committee. Sugar
mills must accordingly use jute bags for a minimum of 20%
of their sugar packaging in the 2025-26 season; compliance
is enforced by the Directorate of Sugar and non-compliance
attracts penalties under the Essential Commodities Act.
XI. Â Â Â Sugarcane (Control) Amendment Order, 2025 -
Clause 6F: Reinstatement of Derecognised Industrial
Entrepreneur Memoranda [16 October 2025 | S.O.
4688(E) | Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution]
Clause 6F has been inserted into the Sugarcane (Control)
Order, 1966, establishing a one-time, case-by-case review
mechanism for reinstatement of derecognised Industrial
Entrepreneur Memoranda (IEMs). The key conditions
governing reinstatement are:
⢠Reinstatement is subject to submission of fresh or
additional performance bank guarantees where
originals have been forfeited or expired.
⢠   For regularisation of expired periods beyond seven
years: an additional bank guarantee of H 50 lakh
per year is required; the COVID-19 relaxation for the
period 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2022 continues to
apply. Extensions for completion of effective steps are
capped at a maximum of two years, not exceeding one
year at a time.
⢠   A further maximum two-year extension (one year at a
time) is available for commencement of commercial
production, beyond which no further extension
is permissible.
⢠   Applications may be rejected where evidence is
insufficient or circumstances do not justify reinstatement.
Reinstated entities must continue to meet all provisions of the
Order, including minimum distance requirements. Strict bank
guarantee forfeiture provisions apply for non-compliance
with prescribed timelines.
XII. Â Â Â Used Oil Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) -
Extension of FY 2024-25 Return Filing Deadline [22
October 2025 | F. No. 23/75/2021-HSM | Ministry
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change - HSM
Division]
MoEF&CC extended the FY 2024-25 return filing deadline
under the Used Oil EPR framework to 31 December 2025,
from the earlier deadline of 30 September 2025, pursuant to
Rule 30(5) of the Hazardous & Other Wastes (Management and
Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2025. ("HOWM
Rules"). Sugar mills with integrated cogeneration plants that
generate used lubricating oil (classified as hazardous waste
under the HOWM Rules) must register on the CPCB EPR
portal as 'producers' and meet applicable recycling targets.
FY 2024-25 returns must be filed by 31 December 2025 to
avoid penalties.
XIII. Â Â Â FSSAI Advisory - Disposal of Seized, Rejected & Expired
Food Items [03 November 2025 | RCD-02005/10/2024-
Regulatory-FSSAI-Part(1) | Food Safety and Standards
Authority of India (FSSAI)]
FSSAI reiterated its directions on the disposal of seized,
rejected and expired food items following reports of such
items being dumped in rivers and natural water bodies.
Disposal of food or packaging in any open land or water
body is strictly prohibited. Permitted disposal methods
are: incineration; sanitary landfills with leachate control;
composting; or anaerobic digestion in coordination with
municipal bodies. Disposal must be supervised, video-
documented and witnessed by designated officers, who
are required to maintain lists of authorised disposal facilities.
States/UTs must submit monthly compliance reports to FSSAI,
and food businesses must establish and document formal
disposal protocols.
XIV. Â Â Â Sugar Export Quota for 2025-26 Marketing Year -
1.5 Million Tonnes Approved [07 November 2025 |
Ministerial Announcement by Union Food Minister
Pralhad Joshi | Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution]
The Government of India approved a sugar export quota of 1.5
million tonnes (15 lakh tonnes) for the 2025-26 marketing year
(commencing October 2025), representing a 50% increase
over the 1.0 MT quota for 2024-25. Additional quantities may
be permitted in March 2026 subject to domestic availability
and price conditions. Industry bodies (ISMA, NFCSF) have
requested an increase to 2.5 MT citing a projected surplus
of 3-4 MT; the Government will monitor domestic price
impact before considering an MSP revision (unchanged at
H 31/kg since February 2019). Current domestic sugar prices
(H 38-39/quintal ex-mill) exceed international parity, making
raw sugar exports economically unviable at prevailing price
levels (viability requires 18.5-19 cents/lb). Only white sugar
to regional markets (Somalia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Djibouti)
currently shows positive export margins. Mills should
obtain export allocations early, monitor international price
movements and plan stock liquidation strategies for later in
the season when export economics may improve.
XV. Â Â Â Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 -
Decriminalisation of Certain Offences [April-May 2026
| Bill introduced in Parliament | Ministry of Commerce
and Industry]
The Union Government has introduced the Jan Vishwas
(Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, proposing amendments
to multiple Central legislations with the objective of
decriminalising and rationalising certain offences to promote
ease of doing business. In respect of statutes relevant to
the food and sugar industry, including the Food Safety and
Standards Act, 2006 and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the
Bill proposes to:
⢠   Replace certain criminal penalties with civil penalties
and introduce graded monetary penalties.
⢠   Expand the scope for compounding of offences.
⢠   Provide for issuance of improvement notices prior to
initiation of punitive action.
⢠   Align procedural references with the revised
criminal law framework.
The proposed amendments do not dilute substantive
compliance obligations under the respective statutes. The
Bill will become effective only upon enactment by Parliament
and notification by the Central Government.
XVI. Â Â Â Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment
Rules, 2026 - Country of Origin Disclosure for
E-Commerce Platforms [Notified: April-May 2026 |
Effective: 1 July 2026 | Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution - Legal Metrology Division]
The Amendment Rules mandate that e-commerce platforms
selling imported products must display or make searchable
the country of origin of such products. The primary
compliance obligation lies with the e-commerce entity, not
the manufacturer or importer. The amendment comes into
effect from 1 July 2026. Where the company sells products
through e-commerce platforms, country of origin display
requirements must be implemented by the effective date.
Distributors and retailers on e-commerce platforms must be
notified and provided with accurate country of origin data.
Given that the company's primary products (sugar, jaggery,
pulses) are domestically manufactured, the direct impact of
this amendment is limited to any imported product lines.
XVII. Â Â Â GST Rate Rationalisation for Sugar, Agri-Inputs and
Confectionery [22 Sep 2025 | Notification No. XX/2025 |
Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue]
The Central Government, exercising powers under the Goods
and Services Tax framework, notified a reduction in the GST rate
from 12% to 5% with effect from 22 September 2025, covering all
forms of sugar, syrups, confectionery products, farm implements,
and pesticides. Key aspects of this rationalisation include:
⢠   Sugar and Downstream Products: The reduced rate
applies uniformly across all sugar varieties - plantation
white, refined, raw, khandsari, bura, cube and icing
sugar as well as syrups and confectionery products
derived therefrom, aligning tax treatment with the
consolidated regulatory framework under the Sugar
(Control) Order, 2025.
⢠   Agri-Input Relief: Farm implements and pesticides are
brought within the 5% slab, reducing input cost burdens
on the agricultural sector and incentivising formal
procurement channels.
⢠   Cascading Benefit to Consumers: The rate reduction
is expected to translate into lower retail prices across the
sugar value chain, from raw commodity to processed
confectionery, subject to anti-profiteering compliance.
⢠   ITC Implications: Registered suppliers dealing in these
goods must reassess their Input Tax Credit positions and
revise pricing structures accordingly, ensuring pass¬
through of the benefit to the end consumer.
⢠   Revised Invoicing and Compliance: All taxpayers
supplying the affected goods are required to update
their billing systems, HSN-wise rate masters, and GSTR
filings to reflect the revised rate with effect from the
notification date.
XVII. Four Labour Codes - Consolidation and Streamlining
of Labour Laws [November 2025 | Ministry of Labour &
Employment, Government of India]
The Government of India, in a landmark exercise of legislative
consolidation, enacted four Labour Codes in November
2025, subsuming and rationalising 29 central labour laws
into a unified, modern framework. Key features of this
overhaul include:
⢠   Code on Wages: Consolidates the Payment of Wages
Act, 1936, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment
of Bonus Act, 1965, and the Equal Remuneration Act,
1976, establishing a universal wage definition and
ensuring floor-level wage protection across all workers,
including unorganised sector employees.
⢠   Code on Industrial Relations: Subsumes the Trade
Unions Act, 1926, the Industrial Employment (Standing
Orders) Act, 1946, and the Industrial Disputes Act,
1947, streamlining dispute resolution mechanisms,
rationalising strike and layoff provisions, and expanding
the threshold for retrenchment and closure approvals.
⢠   Code on Social Security: Amalgamates nine
legislations including the Employees' Provident Funds
Act, 1952, the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948,
and the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, extending social
security coverage to gig workers, platform workers and
unorganised sector labour for the first time.
⢠   Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working
Conditions: Consolidates thirteen Acts including the
Factories Act, 1948 and the Contract Labour (Regulation
and Abolition) Act, 1970, prescribing uniform safety
standards, working hour norms and welfare obligations
across establishments.
Ethanol production is becoming increasingly intertwined with
the sugar industry, particularly in countries like India, due to the
Ethanol Blending with Petrol (EBP) Programme and the use of
sugarcane and molasses as feedstock. This creates an "adjacency"
where sugar mills are not only producing sugar but also ethanol,
enhancing the overall value chain and potentially benefiting both
the sugar and ethanol industries. Ethanol, produced from various
sources including sugarcane and molasses, is a biofuel that can be
blended with petrol to reduce emissions and reduce dependency
on regular fuel.
India crossed the 20% ethanol blending milestone with petrol in
November 2025, roughly two months ahead of the national target.
Since April 1,2026, E20 fuel became mandatory across all states and
Union Territories.
For the industry, FY 2025-26 marked a structural inflection. Ethanol
producers collectively offered 17,760 million litres for ESY 2025-26
significantly exceeding OMCs' annual requirement of approximately
10,500 million litres with sugarcane-based producers contributing
4,710 million litres and grain-based units accounting for the
balance. ISMA's Director General noted that with over H 40,000
Crores invested and annual production capacity exceeding 900
Crore litres from sugarcane alone, the industry is fully equipped
to support blending well beyond E20. The policy conversation has
now decisively shifted to E22 as the next formal target, though
any meaningful step up will require careful coordination across
petroleum, food, and agriculture policy, particularly around sugar
export allocation and ethanol procurement pricing.
FY 2025-26 was a year of consolidation and strategic deepening
for EID Parry's Alcohol business. We strengthened our relationships
with oil marketing companies and continued to optimise our
integrated distillery operations across feedstocks. Zero Liquid
Discharge remains a non-negotiable standard across all our
facilities, a reflection of our conviction that operational excellence
and environmental responsibility are inseparable. As India's ethanol
programme enters its next phase, we are well-positioned to
contribute meaningfully with the capacity, the partnerships, and
the commitment to do so.
Co-generation remains an integral pillar of EID Parry's integrated
manufacturing model. By converting bagasse, the fibrous residue
from sugarcane crushing into steam and power, our mills achieve
near-complete utilisation of the cane, generate captive energy for
operations, and export surplus power to the grid, creating a circular,
zero-waste energy loop. During FY 2025-26, we maintained stable
power generation across our facilities, with continued focus on
optimising steam-to-power ratios and investing in energy-efficient
automation. Co-generation not only reduces our dependence on
grid power and fossil fuels but also contributes directly to India's
renewable energy capacity making it both an operational and
sustainability asset for the business.
Sugar Cane
The profitability of the sugar business continues to be fundamentally
driven by two key factors: availability of sugarcane and sucrose
recovery levels. During the year under review, sugarcane availability
across the Company's operating regions presented a mixed trend,
with Karnataka demonstrating strong recovery, while Tamil Nadu
and Andhra Pradesh continued to face structural challenges.
Tamil Nadu continued to experience a challenging operating
environment during the year, with cane crushing volumes declining
to 10.51 LMT from 12.35 LMT in the previous year. The contraction in
volumes is largely attributable to a sustained reduction in sugarcane
cultivation area, driven by erratic rainfall patterns and a shift by
farmers towards less water-intensive and more remunerative crops.
Farmers in the region also faced increasing cost pressures, primarily
due to acute shortages of agricultural labour required for key field
operations such as planting, harvesting, and field maintenance.
Despite these constraints, the average recovery rate improved to
8.48%, as compared to 8.14% in the previous year. This improvement
was supported by better plant uptime, enhanced discipline in
harvesting schedules, improved crushing efficiency, and favourable
climatic conditions during the core crushing season.
In contrast, Karnataka operations demonstrated a strong rebound
in both volume and efficiency during FY 2025-26. Cane crushing
volumes increased significantly to 25.64 LMT, up from 21.57 LMT in
the previous year, supported by favourable weather conditions and
improved agricultural practices.
The average recovery rate improved to 12.07% from 11.74% in
FY 2024-25. This performance was underpinned by disciplined
harvesting practices, optimised labour deployment, higher plant
uptime, and effective operational execution. Karnataka continues
to remain a key strength in the Company's operational portfolio.
The Andhra Pradesh unit experienced a sharp decline in operations
during the year, with cane crushing volumes falling to 2.25 LMT, as
compared to 3.50 LMT in the previous year. The average recovery rate
declined to 8.99% from 9.69%, primarily due to delays in harvesting
arising from labour shortages and sub-optimal cane quality.
The region continues to face structural challenges in cane
availability, driven by a reduction in the local supply base. Farmers
are increasingly shifting towards alternative crops such as paddy, oil
palm, and maize, which offer better economic returns. Additionally,
government policy incentives favouring these crops have further
accelerated this transition, making it increasingly difficult to sustain
cane acreage and secure consistent supply.
At the core of the Company's operations lies a sustained
commitment to the farming communities that support its business.
The Company continues to adopt a farmer-centric approach,
recognising that its long-term sustainability is closely linked to
the economic resilience and ecological well-being of the farmers
engaged in its supply chain. This includes both existing sugarcane
farmers and non-cane farmers, who are actively encouraged and
supported to transition to sugarcane cultivation.
The agricultural sector is currently confronted with multiple
structural challenges, including climate variability, diminishing
landholdings, water scarcity, and generational shifts in farming
practices. In response, the Company has progressively transitioned
from being a purchaser of produce to an enabler of farm-level
resilience. Through structured crop development programmes,
integrated pest and nutrient management, and improved irrigation
practices, the Company is promoting sustainable and regenerative
agricultural practices across its cane-growing areas.
Water stewardship remains a critical priority, given the water¬
intensive nature of sugarcane cultivation. During the year, the
Company advanced its water management efforts through
targeted technology interventions. Its collaboration with Cultyvate
has enabled the use of soil sensor-based, autonomous irrigation
systems aimed at optimising water usage and improving crop
outcomes. In addition, the partnership with Jiva supports on-farm
water management through smart water devices. Collectively,
these initiatives are designed to address water scarcity through
measurable, technology-enabled solutions at the farm level.
At a broader ecosystem level, Project NANNEER, implemented in
partnership with the AMM Foundation, focuses on the restoration
of water bodies and groundwater recharge in key operational
geographies. The project is being expanded to additional regions,
including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and is evolving as a
scalable model for strengthening community-level water security.
In the area of sustainability and carbon initiatives, the Company
continues its engagement with Bonsucro, a globally recognised
standard for sustainable sugarcane production. It has also partnered
with Boomitra to enable carbon-related incentives linked to
sustainable farming practices. These efforts are supported by field-
level training programmes aimed at enhancing farmer capabilities
in sustainable agriculture.
The Company believes that sustainable agriculture must be
inclusive, technology-enabled, and economically viable for farmers
Accordingly, investments in this area are integral to strengthening
supply chain resilience and supporting the long-term sustainability
of the business.
"Building on its established farmer engagement framework, the
Company has further expanded the adoption of digital and agri-tech
solutions across its cane development operations".
During FY 2025-26, the Company strengthened its digital
ecosystem with a strategic focus on improving operational
efficiency, enhancing farmer engagement, and enabling data-
driven decision-making.
A centralised "Cane Insights" control tower was implemented to
provide near real-time visibility into key operational parameters,
including cane crushing, yard operations, production metrics, and
plant-level supply trends. This has enhanced monitoring capabilities
and improved operational responsiveness.
The Company also introduced vehicle transit tracking systems to
monitor entry, turnaround times, and waiting periods at factory
locations. In addition, the rollout of the E-Trip Sheet system has
enabled end-to-end digital tracking from field to factory, including
lorry movement, field allocation, load status, and field officer
mapping. This initiative has significantly reduced manual processes
through streamlined digital workflows.
A dedicated dashboard for Agri Service Providers (ASPs) was
developed to monitor key parameters such as service coverage,
farmer outreach, registered area, supply area, and related
expenditure. The dashboard also provides insights into service
utilisation patterns, supporting more effective resource deployment.
During the year, soil health and nutrient data were integrated into
the i-Cane Management System to facilitate plot-level agronomic
insights, improve fertiliser recommendations, and support data-
driven yield optimisation initiatives.
The Company has also initiated the development of a unified
digital platform through the integration of the Farmer Connect
mobile application, the i-Cane field operations platform, and the
i-Cane Management System. This initiative is planned for phased
implementation during FY 2026-27 and is expected to further
strengthen farmer engagement, enhance field productivity, and
enable faster decision-making.
Additionally, a comprehensive Farmer 360-degree dashboard was
developed to provide insights into yield trends, productivity, and
farmer retention metrics. Further enhancements are planned to
strengthen analytics-led planning and operational reviews.
While these digital initiatives have enhanced efficiency and
transparency, the Company continues to focus on improving user
adoption across teams to fully realise their benefits.
The Company has also implemented a Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID)-based vehicle entry system at its Haliyal plant to improve
cane yard efficiency, strengthen transparency, and enable real-time
monitoring. The system is proposed to be extended to other units
to further enhance traceability and operational effectiveness.
The Company's sugar and distillery operations continue to be
anchored in robust manufacturing practices, strong process
discipline, and an unwavering focus on safety, quality, sustainability,
and cost leadership. EID Parry operates four integrated sugar
complexes, two standalone sugar and cogeneration units, and
one standalone distillery across South India, with manufacturing
facilities located at Nellikuppam, Pugalur, and Sivaganga (Tamil
Nadu); Sankili (Andhra Pradesh); and Bagalkot, Haliyal, and
Ramdurg (Karnataka).
As at the end of FY 2025-26, the Company has an aggregate
sugarcane crushing capacity of approximately 40,800 TCD,
cogeneration capacity of about 140 MW, and distillery capacity of
about 582 KLPD across its operating locations. These facilities are
supported by modern process automation systems, advanced
analytical laboratories, and digital monitoring platforms to
ensure consistent product quality, regulatory compliance, and
operational reliability.
The Company supplies a diversified portfolio of products, including
plantation white sugar, refined sugar, specialty sugars, and jaggery
powder, to reputed multinational beverage, confectionery,
pharmaceutical, and institutional customers, where adherence to
stringent quality and food safety standards is critical. In addition,
the Company supplies Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) and ethanol to
manufacturers in the Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) segment
and to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
During the year, the Company continued its Manufacturing
Excellence journey, with focused initiatives on asset reliability,
throughput enhancement, cost optimisation (both fixed and
variable), automation, and customer-centric product portfolio
management. A structured approach was undertaken to
standardise best practices from high-performing units, notably
Haliyal and Bagalkot, and replicate them across the manufacturing
network. Concurrently, operational systems were strengthened
to ensure optimal balance between cost efficiency, safety,
sustainability, and profitability, particularly in a volatile raw material
and market environment.
All manufacturing facilities remain environmentally compliant and
adhere to applicable emission and discharge norms. Continuous
improvement initiatives in energy efficiency, water conservation,
waste minimisation, and circularity were implemented across units.
Periodic internal and external audits ensure sustained compliance.
All operating units maintain ISO 14001 (Environmental Management
Systems) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety)
certifications. Advanced pollution control systems, including
spent wash incineration boilers, are operated in accordance with
statutory requirements.
During FY 2025-26, sugar operations were impacted by lower
cane availability, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh,
and variability in cane quality across regions, which affected overall
crushing volumes and recovery levels.
⢠   Tamil Nadu: Cane supply constraints were mitigated through
improved harvesting logistics, increased deployment of
mechanised harvesting, and optimised crushing start-up
schedules to safeguard recovery and throughput.
⢠   Karnataka: Initial operational challenges were addressed
through closer coordination with regulatory authorities
and process stabilisation measures, resulting in stable and
improved plant performance in the latter part of the season.
⢠   Andhra Pradesh: The Company has been working
to mitigate the decline in cane registration through
additional area allocation approvals and proactive farmer
engagement initiatives.
Despite these challenges, the Company was able to protect cash
flows and contribution through inventory optimisation, improved
sales offtake, and disciplined cost management.
Distillery operations were subject to constraints arising from
feedstock availability volatility and variations in route-wise pricing.
⢠   The Company effectively leveraged its multi-feedstock and
multi-route capabilities (B-heavy molasses, C-heavy molasses,
syrup and grain -based ethanol routes) across distilleries to
optimise capacity utilisation.
⢠   Strategic feedstock planning and operational initiatives
enabled the Company to achieve ENA and ethanol sales of
approximately 1,635 lakh litres during FY 2025-26, despite
constrained upstream sugarcane availability.
Cogeneration performance remained closely aligned with sugar
operations and the availability of bagasse.
⢠   Focused initiatives on steam economy, process heat recovery,
boiler optimisation, and reduction in auxiliary power
consumption supported improved power export levels.
⢠   Automated scheduling of power exports and enhanced
operational discipline contributed to better realisation
from power sales.
⢠   Improved asset utilisation across sugar, distillery, and
cogeneration units through a strong focus on minimising
downtime and adopting predictive maintenance practices.
⢠   Strengthening of the Operational Excellence (OE) programme
at key units such as Haliyal and Bagalkot, with structured
rollout across other units underway.
⢠   Expansion of value-added product portfolio, including
stabilisation of jaggery and specialty sugar production to
enhance revenue diversification.
⢠   Enhanced safety performance through strengthened
governance, targeted training, and digital monitoring systems
across manufacturing locations.
⢠   Increased adoption of digital technologies and automation
across manufacturing processes to improve operational
reliability, efficiency, and decision-making capability.
As a market leader in the packaged sugar segment in South India,
the Company markets its products under the iconic 'Parrys' brand
and is well positioned to further scale both retail and institutional
segments through its extensive distribution network. During the
last year (2024-25), the Company strengthened its growth agenda
by entering the staples category under the 'Parrys' brand, as part
of a strategic initiative to enhance its share of the consumer
grocery basket, consolidate brand equity, and build long-term
sustainable growth.
The introduction of new product categories has expanded the
brand's consumer franchise and enabled wider distribution across
southern India. 'Parrys' has established a strong presence on
e-commerce platforms while further consolidating its footprint
in modern trade channels. With a diversified presence across
multiple customer segments, the premium brand continues to
command strong consumer trust and preference, translating into
consistent volume growth.
In response to evolving consumer preferences, particularly the
increasing shift towards healthier food choices that gained further
momentum during the pandemic; the Company has expanded
its offerings through product innovation. The 'Parrys' portfolio
now includes value-added products such as Low Glycaemic
Index (GI) sugar and millets. Low GI sugar caters to pre-diabetic
and health-conscious consumers by enabling reduced blood
sugar spikes without compromising on taste. These differentiated
offerings have received encouraging market acceptance.
The Company's strategic emphasis on strengthening the branded
retail sugar portfolio is aimed at reducing the inherent cyclicality
associated with the sugar business. Increased focus on branded
and value-added products is expected to contribute to relatively
better pricing stability, improved realizations, and more resilient
long-term growth prospects. This approach is aligned with the
Company's vision of achieving sustainable growth while reinforcing
its leadership position in the sugar industry.
The Company continues to foster a culture of innovation and
continuous improvement, supported by active collaboration and
feedback from consumers as well as internal stakeholders. This
philosophy underpins the development of new product categories
and enhances the scalability of future offerings. A robust sales
and marketing framework anchored in deep market insights,
targeted initiatives, effective go-to-market strategies, technology
enablement, and performance monitoring supports the Company's
pursuit of operational and brand excellence.
To strengthen its staples platform and improve control over product
quality, consistency, and cost efficiency, the Company is pursuing
a backward integration strategy across key categories. As part of
this approach, it has set up a dedicated state-of-the-art dhal mill to
unlock value across the entire chain from sourcing and processing
to branding and distribution. This integrated capability is expected
to enhance supply reliability, improve margins through better
value capture, support product traceability and quality assurance,
and provide greater flexibility in meeting evolving consumer and
institutional demand.
Looking ahead, the Company remains focused on unlocking
growth opportunities by prioritising key focus areas, enhancing
product availability, and strengthening brand presence across
categories and consumer segments. These initiatives, combined
with investments in technology and a continued emphasis
on consumer-centric innovation, are intended to position the
Company to sustain leadership in an increasingly dynamic and
competitive marketplace.
During the fiscal year 2025-26, the Quality function continued to
strengthen systems and capabilities in line with the company's
strategic focus on Sweeteners, Non-Sweeteners, Alcohol,
Staples, and Value-added products. Key developments across
our manufacturing units and Consumer Product Group (CPG)
operations are summarized below:
(FSSC 22000 v6.0):
⢠   Haliyal, Nellikuppam, Pugalur and Bagalkot successfully
completed FSSC 22000 v6.0 re-certification audits by DNV.
⢠   Sankili successfully completed the FSSC 22000 v6.0
unannounced surveillance audit.
⢠   Ramdurg successfully underwent the FSSC surveillance
audit, ensuring full compliance with FSSC v6 standards.
System (QMS/IMS) Audits:
⢠   Nellikuppam successfully completed QMS Periodic
Audit 02 by DNV.
⢠   Sankili successfully completed the IMS surveillance
audit by Intertex.
⢠   Haliyal successfully completed four customer audits
(Nestle, The Coca-Cola Company, Indian Foods
and Parle Agro).
⢠   Nellikuppam successfully completed 13 customer
audits, including audits by two new customers (M/s
Evertogen and M/s Meyer Organics).
⢠   Bagalkot successfully completed customer audits by The
Coca-Cola Company, Pepsi, Hatsun Agro and Parle Agro.
⢠   For the first time, Ramdurg successfully completed
multiple customer audits, including The Coca-Cola
Company (M/s TCCC), United Breweries, Hatsun Agro
Product Ltd and Perfetti Van Melle.
⢠   Haliyal successfully completed the regulatory audit on
process validation and complied with monthly audit
visits by the Department of Agriculture.
⢠   Nellikuppam successfully completed two regulatory audits,
including a surprise audit by drug control authorities.
⢠   Across CPG operations, compliance with applicable legal
and regulatory requirements was ensured, including
obtaining statutory licenses for new facilities.
⢠   Haliyal successfully completed the SMETA audit and
submitted closure details in the portal.
⢠   Ramdurg, Sankili and Bagalkot successfully underwent
SMETA 7.0 and achieved compliance.
⢠   Haliyal, Nellikuppam, Bagalkot and Pugalur successfully
renewed Kosher certification.
Controls:
⢠   Dedicated dal plant operations commenced at
Maraimalai Nagar in June 2025 and statutory licenses
(FSSAI and Factory License) were obtained.
⢠   At Kalai Associate Sweeteners Packing Unit, quality
system procedures were strengthened through a three-
layer entry system, demarcation for white sugar and
jaggery operations, and installation of grill magnets and
metal detectors on each line.
⢠   The Quality function continued to support establishment
of required food safety facilities for manufacturing and
sourcing CPG products from Third-Party Units (TPUs).
⢠   Haliyal conducted refresher training on FSSC 22000 for
21 core team members (21-22 August 2025).
⢠   FoSTaC training was conducted for 32 members at
Nellikuppam and 39 members at Pugalur.
⢠   Nellikuppam conducted monthly Food Safety Steering
Committee and Laboratory Safety Committee meetings,
with minutes shared to concerned teams.
⢠   Pugalur developed 13 trained sensory paneliststosupport
product evaluation and continuous improvement.
⢠   At Haliyal, key food safety and quality infrastructure
upgrades were implemented, including laboratory
equipment (spectrometer), enhanced warehouse
canopy, and strip curtains at plant entry points and the
centrifugal area (Plant 2).
⢠   Haliyal also strengthened workplace organization
through extensive implementation of 1S and 2S as part
of the 5S journey.
⢠   To imbibe newer technologies, Haliyal conducted trials
for Al-based batch code printing, with deployment
planned in the current year.
Celebrations:
⢠   The Annual Quality Meet was conducted on 10 October
2025, enabling structured discussions to enhance
processes, products and facilities.
⢠   World Quality Week was celebrated in November
2025 across units and TPUs with the theme "Quality:
Think Differently.".
and Feedback:
⢠   Customer complaints were tracked down and closed
through RCA-CAPA/CAPA across units: Haliyal (Sugar:
1; CPG: 17), Nellikuppam (Sugar: 5; CPG: 15), Pugalur
(Sugar: 1; CPG: 5), and CPG overall (Sweetener and Non¬
sweetener: 72). Sankili reported nil customer complaints.
⢠   In Bagalkot, a Customer Satisfaction survey was
conducted and achieved a score of 4.6/5.0, supporting
continual improvement in service quality.
⢠   Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs) conducted market
visits to gather retail customer feedback and identify
improvement opportunities; teams also visited supplier
units to learn best practices.
⢠   Pugalur supported expansion of bulk jaggery business
by developing new customers, including large national
and multi-national FMCG players
These initiatives reflect our continued commitment to food
safety, compliance, ethical practices, capability building, and
customer satisfaction, while strengthening a culture of continuous
improvement across all units and CPG operations.
EID Parry continues to remain at the forefront of agricultural
innovation, leveraging a robust research and development
framework to drive sustainable growth. With DSIR-recognised R&D
centres at Pugalur and Nellikuppam (Tamil Nadu) and a premier
breeding station at Haliyal (Karnataka), the Company's integrated
"Field-to-Factory" approach ensures continuous improvement in
sugarcane yields and sugar recovery.
EID Parry is the only sugar company in India with an in-house
sugarcane breeding station at Haliyal, Karnataka, maintaining
a rich germplasm repository of 1,590 accessions. This enables
the development of high-yielding and high-sucrose varieties.
Through intergeneric and interspecific hybridisation programmes,
valuable traits from wild sugarcane relatives have been successfully
introgressed to enhance adaptability and tolerance to water stress
conditions. As a Volunteer Centre under the All India Coordinated
Research Projects (AICRP), the Company undertakes rigorous varietal
evaluation trials at Pugalur (Peninsular Zone) and Nellikuppam (East
Coast Zone) to identify location-specific varieties.
The state-of-the-art tissue culture facility at Pugalur produces virus-
free planting material for both commercial and newly released
varieties. A systematic three-tier nursery programme is implemented
to ensure the supply of disease-free, high-quality seed material,
supported by the Company's captive farm infrastructure.
The soil testing laboratory at Pugalur analyses up to 10,000 samples
annually and issues soil health cards with customised nutrient
recommendations. Irrigation water samples are also analysed for
suitability. Comprehensive soil fertility mapping is undertaken every
five years to refine location-specific fertiliser advisories, which are
disseminated to farmers in local languages to enhance adoption.
The Company actively promotes improved land preparation
techniques and mechanised operations to reduce labour
dependency. Field validation studies on inputs such as AbdA,
humic acid, and seaweed extracts have demonstrated yield
enhancements, and recommended practices have been
communicated for large-scale adoption. Additionally, drones are
being deployed for efficient application of agricultural inputs as
part of yield improvement initiatives.
Regular pest and disease surveillance enables early identification
and management of potential threats. The Company has
pioneered large-scale production of biocontrol agents, including
Trichogramma chilonis (egg parasitoid) and Tetrastichus howardi
(pupal parasitoid), for effective internode borer management.
Further, in collaboration with the Sugarcane Breeding Institute,
Coimbatore, studies are underway for the introduction of
Cotesia (larval parasitoid). The Company has also developed and
disseminated pheromone traps for integrated pest management
across the pest lifecycle.
Major diseases such as red rot are effectively managed through
large-scale application of biocontrol agents, including Trichoderma
viride and Bacillus subtilis, particularly in hotspot areas. Continuous
disease monitoring has enabled timely responses to emerging
challenges such as Pokkah Boeng and crown mealy bug, including
varietal replacement with tolerant strains.
The Company has partnered with the International Finance
Corporation (IFC) to promote climate-smart and sustainable
sugarcane cultivation practices. This includes initiatives such as the
production of pro-tray seedlings and biocontrol agents through
rural entrepreneurship models, as well as capacity-building
programmes for farmers As part of this collaboration, AI-based
technologies have been developed and deployed, in partnership
with Mahindra e-Krishi, for crop harvesting and yield estimation.
Sensor-based autonomous irrigation systems are being
progressively deployed to improve water-use efficiency and
enhance sugarcane productivity, and are gaining increasing
acceptance among farmers.
EID Parry maintains strong engagement with the farming
community through regular interactions, village-level meetings,
training programmes, and mass awareness initiatives. Knowledge
dissemination is further strengthened through in-house publications
and video-based learning modules aimed at improving adoption of
best agronomic practices.
The Company's R&D and extension teams play a pivotal role
in enhancing cane productivity by promoting high-yielding
varieties, ensuring the availability of disease-free planting material,
optimising soil health, and implementing advanced cultivation
practices, including integrated pest and disease management.
Â
|
Particulars |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
|
Cane Crushed (LMT) |
38.40 |
37.42 |
|
Cane Cost (Landed) (in H) |
4025 |
3718 |
|
Gross Recovery % |
10.91 |
10.36 |
|
Net Recovery % (Net of Sugar diverted for BHM) |
9.21 |
8.45 |
|
Sugar Produced (LMT) |
3.54 |
3.16 |
|
Sugar sold (LMT) |
3.8 |
4.07 |
Â
Distillery:
|
Particulars |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
|
Alcohol Produced (Lakh Litres) |
1637 |
1644 |
|
Alcohol Produced from BHM (Lakh Litres) |
666 |
494 |
|
Alcohol from Syrup (Lakh Litres) |
202 |
244 |
|
Alcohol Produced from CHM (Lakh Litres) and Others |
437 |
643 |
|
Alcohol Produced from grain (Lakh Litres) |
332 |
263 |
|
Total Sales Volume |
1635 |
1617 |
|
% Ethanol to total sales volume |
58% |
63% |
|
% Ethanol sales produced from B-heavy Molasses |
21% |
25% |
|
% Ethanol sales produced from grain |
21% |
16% |
|
Average Realization Price of Alcohol H/litre |
66.80 |
65.41 |
Â
Co-generation:
|
Particulars |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2024-25 |
|
Power Generated (Lakh Units) |
3135 |
3221 |
|
Power Exported (Lakh Units) |
1699 |
1629 |
Â
|
Particulars |
Sugar |
Cogen |
Distillery |
Nutra |
CPG |
Total |
||||||
|
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
|
|
Revenue |
1252.41 |
1069.67 |
76.74 |
75.86 |
1151.37 |
1,101.81 |
32.59 |
36.89 |
607.15 |
883.89 |
3120.26 |
3168.12 |
|
EBITDA** |
74.74 |
(2.61) |
(18.93) |
(27.63) |
41.59 |
87.64 |
5.64 |
5.58 |
(105.43) |
(57.18) |
-2.39 |
5.80 |
The Sugar segment constituted the largest share of the Company's
revenues, contributing 40% of the Company's turnover during FY
2025-26, as against 34% during FY 2024-25.
The Company has six sugar plants with a combined capacity of
40,800 TCD. During the year, the total cane crushed in Tamil Nadu
plants was lower at 10.51 LMT as against 12.35 LMT in the previous
year. The average gross recovery was at 8.48% as against 8.14% in
2024-25, an increase of over 4% over the previous year.
Crushing in the Company's Sankili plant at AP was lower at 2.25 LMT
as compared to 3.51 LMT in the previous year. The average gross
recovery was at 8.99 % as against 9.69 % in the previous year, a
decrease of about 7% over the previous year.
The total cane crushed by the units in KN was higher at 25.64 LMT as
against 21.57 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery
was at 12.07% as against 11.74% in the previous year. In KN, the
units reported a higher recovery compared to the previous year
with Haliyal at 12.19% and Ramdurg at 12.13%.
Operational performance across regions reflected a mixed trend
driven by climatic conditions, crop dynamics, and execution
efficiency. Tamil Nadu witnessed a decline in crushing volumes
due to reduced acreage and erratic rainfall, although recovery
rates improved on the back of better operational discipline
and favourable conditions during the peak season. Karnataka
delivered a strong rebound, recording higher crushing volumes
and improved recovery, supported by favourable weather, efficient
labour management, and high plant uptime. In contrast, Andhra
Pradesh faced a significant contraction in volumes and recovery
rates, impacted by labour shortages, delayed harvesting, and a
structural shift in farmer preference towards more remunerative
crops, intensifying competition for cane availability.
The overall cane crushed by the Company was 38.40 LMT in 2025¬
26 as against 37.42 LMT in the previous year, an increase of 3%.
During 2025-26, your Company produced 3.54 LMT and sold 3.8
LMT of sugar as against 3.16 LMT and 4.07 LMT respectively in
the previous year.
Your Company possesses an aggregate co-generation capacity of
140 megawatts. Your Company exports nearly 54% of the power
generated. The co-generation segment accounted for 2% of your
Company's revenues. Power generated during the year stood at
3,135 Lakh units as compared to 3,221 Lakh units in previous year.
The units in Tamil Nadu generated 1,044 Lakh units and exported
499 Lakh units of power during the year as against 1,312 lakh units
and 633 Lakh units respectively in the previous year.
The power generated and exported by the Karnataka plants stood
at 1,939 Lakh units and 1,155 Lakh units as against 1,720 Lakh units
and 956 Lakh units respectively in the previous year.
The unit in Sankili generated 153 Lakh units and exported 45 Lakh
units as against 188 Lakh units and 40 Lakh units respectively
during the last year.
Distillery
During the FY 2025-26, the Company operated five distilleries
located at Sankili, Haliyal, Nellikuppam, Bagalkot and Sivaganga,
engaged in the production of industrial alcohol and ethanol with
a cumulative capacity of 582 KLPD. The entire distillery capacity of
the Company is dedicated towards production of ethanol & ENA
(Extra Neutral Alcohol).
The distillery segment contributed 37% of the Company's revenues
as against 35% in FY 2024-25. The Company's distillery segment
delivered stable performance during the year. The Company
produced 1637 LL of alcohol during the year as compared to 1,644
LL during the previous year. Revenues from the distillery segment
during FY 2025-26 stood at H 1,151.37 Crore as against H 1,101.81
Crore in FY 2024-25.
Ethanol sales during the year produced from B-heavy molasses
stood at 339.74 LL at an average realisation of H 60.80 as compared
to 412.30 LL at an average realisation of H 60.80 in previous year.
Ethanol sales from molasses produced from C-heavy route stood at
144.90 LL at an average realisation of H 60.97 as compared to 112.62
LL at an average realisation of H 60.36 in previous year.
Ethanol sales from syrup route were 117.14 LL at an average
realisation of H 65.61 as compared to 233.78 LL at an average
realisation of H 65.61 in previous year.
Similarly, Ethanol sales from grain route were 341.35 LL at an
average realisation of H 70.60 as compared to 258.13 LL at an
average realisation of H 71.39 in previous year.
The portfolio now comprises a diversified product range including
varieties of rice, pulses and millets.
During the year, the segment witnessed a moderation in revenues,
primarily on account of lower Government-mandated release
quotas affecting sweetener volumes, as well as a deliberate
channel rationalisation exercise undertaken in the staples
business to improve working capital efficiency and strengthen the
distribution model.
Revenue from the Consumer Products Group (CPG) segment stood
at H 607.15 Crore in FY 2025-26, as against H 883.89 Crore in FY 2024¬
25, registering a decline of approximately 31% and contributing
19% to the Company's revenues in FY 2025-26 as compared to
28% in FY 2024-25.
The Company continued to strengthen its presence in value-added
sweetener products, including brown sugar, jaggery and other
premium variants, while simultaneously rationalising the staples
portfolio with a focus on higher-margin offerings. As part of its
efforts to improve supply chain efficiencies and quality control,
the Company also commissioned its own dal processing facility
during the year.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS, OPPORTUNITIES &
THREATS
India continues to be the world's second-largest sugar producer
and the largest consumer of sugar, with estimated gross production
of approximately 324 LMT for Sugar Year (SY) 2025-26. As of mid-
April 2026, all-India sugar production had reached 274.8 LMT,
representing an increase of around 8% over 254.96 LMT produced
during the corresponding period of the previous year, as per
industry estimates. Maharashtra led the recovery in production,
with output increasing to 99.3 LMT from 80.88 LMT in the previous
year, while Karnataka produced 48.10 LMT as against 40.40 LMT in
the previous year.
While export quotas were initially permitted during the year,
exports were subsequently restricted from May 2026 in view of
evolving domestic and global conditions. Further, the Government
lifted restrictions on ethanol production from sugarcane juice,
sugar syrup, and all categories of molasses with effect from Ethanol
Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26, thereby permitting unrestricted ethanol
production. India's ethanol blending with petrol also crossed the
20% milestone in early April 2026, significantly ahead of the original
target timeline.
However, the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane
was revised upward to H355 per quintal (equivalent to H3,550 per
metric tonne) for SY 2025-26, from H3,400 per metric tonne in
SY 2024-25, while the Minimum Selling Price (MSP) for sugar has
remained unchanged at H31 per kilogram since February 2019. This
structural divergence between rising input costs and static output
prices continues to remain the industry's most persistent challenge.
ISMA has renewed its demand for an early revision in MSP, citing
rising production costs, weak ex-mill realisations, and mounting
cane payment arrears The Government has also signalled its intent
to address these concerns and has notified the new Sugar Control
Order, 2025, replacing the 1966 framework with a more technology-
driven and real-time regulatory regime. On the global front, SY
2025-26 is expected to remain in mild surplus, with elevated stock
levels and white premium values in the range of USD 90-105 per
metric tonne, constraining refinery economics globally.
During the year under review, the industry was shaped by a complex
interplay of regulatory interventions, operational constraints, and
evolving market dynamics.
FY 2025-26 was a year of reckoning and recalibration for EID Parry.
The Company operated in a challenging environment marked by
the continued freeze in the MSP for sugar, an upward revision in
FRP, subdued ethanol procurement prices and, most significantly,
the difficult but necessary decision to close the refinery unit of its
wholly owned sugar refinery subsidiary, Parry Sugars Refinery India
Private Limited (PSRIPL), with effect from March 31, 2026. Against
this backdrop, the Company's core operations demonstrated a
measured recovery over the previous year, supported by improved
recovery rates, continued focus on operational efficiency, cost
optimisation and digitalisation initiatives, relatively better distillery
realisations during the early part of the year, and a strategic reset of
the Consumer Products Group (CPG) business.
The strategic clarity that emerged from the decisions taken during
the year, though carrying near-term cost implications, positions the
Company to enter FY 2026-27 as a leaner and more focused operator.
The closure of PSRIPL eliminates a recurring source of balance sheet
stress, financial guarantee exposure and management bandwidth
constraints. Going forward, the Company's operating focus will
continue to be centred on its core businesses of sugar, distillery,
co-generation, nutraceuticals and consumer products, supported by
its strategic shareholding in Coromandel International Limited (CIL).
The Company remains a part of the Murugappa Group and
continues to derive financial flexibility and strategic strength from
its 55.58% equity stake in Coromandel International Limited.
Sugar and Co-generation
The sugar segment demonstrated a measured operational recovery
in FY 2025-26 following the disruptions experienced in FY 2024¬
25. During the year, total cane crushing across the Company's
operations increased marginally to 38.40 LMT, as compared to
37.42 LMT in the previous year. More importantly, gross recovery
improved to 10.91% from 10.36% in FY 2024-25. This improvement
was driven primarily by better cane quality and maturity, particularly
in Karnataka, together with sustained agronomic interventions and
improved operational efficiencies.
The average landed cost of cane increased to approximately
H4,025 per metric tonne during FY 2025-26, reflecting the higher
cane procurement cost for the sugar season. While the Company
benefited from recovery improvements, the increase in cane cost
continued to exert pressure on segment margins.
Regional performance remained uneven. In Tamil Nadu, cane
availability continued to be constrained, resulting in lower crushing
volumes compared to historical levels. This was attributable to
adverse weather conditions, water stress and the continued shift
by farmers towards alternative crops offering better economic
returns. The relatively lower scale of operations in the State also
limits in-house molasses availability for distillery operations, thereby
requiring external procurement at higher cost in some instances.
In contrast, Karnataka operations delivered a stronger performance
during the year, supported by improved cane availability, better
climatic conditions and disciplined harvesting practices. Certain
units in Tamil Nadu are also expected to continue operations
during the special crushing season (JuneâJuly 2026), supported by
favourable late-season cane availability.
Sugar sales volume during FY 2025-26 stood at 3.8 LMT, as
compared to 4.07 LMT in FY 2024-25. Despite relatively stable
volumes, the Company continued its strategic emphasis on
premiumisation through a higher share of institutional sales and
value-added product offerings, leveraging the strength of the
'Parry's' brand across Southern India.
The co-generation segment remained closely aligned with sugar
operations, with performance linked to cane crushing volumes
and bagasse availability. Continued emphasis on steam efficiency,
optimisation of plant operations and enhancement of power
exports contributed to stable performance during the year. The
co-generation business continues to provide both economic and
sustainability benefits through efficient utilisation of by-products.
Notwithstanding the operational improvement, the sugar segment
continued to face structural profitability constraints. The persistent
mismatch between rising cane prices and the unchanged MSP
for sugar has resulted in continued margin compression across
the industry. This structural issue, which has persisted for several
years, continues to affect profitability despite the Company's cost
optimisation efforts.
Management remains of the view that any meaningful and
sustainable improvement in profitability will require policy
intervention, particularly through a revision in the MSP for sugar
and rationalisation of ethanol procurement prices. Until such
structural corrections are implemented, the segment is likely to
continue operating under margin pressure.
FY 2025-26 represented the second full year of operations with the
Company's expanded distillery capacity of 582 KLPD. This includes
the 120 KLPD facility at Haliyal, the 45 KLPD expansion at Nellikuppam
commissioned in FY 2024-25, and the 120 KLPD multi-feed grain-
based facility at Sankili, Andhra Pradesh. The segment commenced
the year on a relatively strong note and, during the early part of
the year, recorded one of the few periods in recent times when the
distillery business generated meaningful profitability.
However, performance moderated over the course of the year, with
overall production remaining broadly stable at 1,637 LL as compared
to 1,644 LL in FY 2024-25. This plateau reflected a combination of
factors, including elevated molasses procurement costs in Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, stagnant ethanol procurement prices,
and the gradual stabilisation of the grain-based Sankili facility,
which operated below optimal utilisation levels during the year.
Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) pricing in Karnataka came under
pressure due to lower allocation of ethanol to sugar-based
distilleries, resulting in higher competition and softer realisations.
While Tamil Nadu has historically enjoyed relatively stronger ENA
pricing, easing inter-State movement restrictions and increased
inflows from neighbouring States have also moderated prices in
that market. The Company expects ENA realisations in Karnataka to
improve after the crushing season.
Over the course of the year, the Company's ability to operate a
flexible multi-feed model, optimising between molasses, syrup and
grain-based feedstocks, enabled it to navigate volatile input costs
and pricing dynamics more effectively. This flexibility remains an
important differentiator in maximising value under varying market
and regulatory conditions.
From a policy standpoint, the Government's decision to permit
unrestricted ethanol production from ESY 2025-26 is a structurally
positive development for the sector. However, the absence of a
commensurate upward revision in ethanol procurement prices
continues to constrain margin expansion. Rationalisation of ethanol
pricing, as consistently represented by the Company and industry
bodies such as ISMA, will be critical to unlocking the full profitability
potential of the distillery segment.
The Consumer Products Group (CPG), comprising Sweeteners
(including branded retail sugar, brown sugar, jaggery, low GI sugar
and other premium variants) and Staples (rice, pulses and millets),
had a challenging but strategically important year of transition and
consolidation during FY 2025-26. Standalone CPG revenues for the
year ended March 31, 2026 stood at H607.15 Crore, as compared to
H883.89 Crore in the previous year, representing a decline of 31%.
The decline was attributable primarily to two factors: First, lower
Government-mandated release quotas impacted volumes in the
sweeteners portfolio. Second, the Company undertook a deliberate
channel rationalisation exercise in the staples business with a view
to improving working capital efficiency, tightening credit discipline
and strengthening the overall distribution model.
The segment's performance during the year was also impacted
by elevated levels of aged receivables and recovery challenges,
particularly in the non-sweetener portfolio. In response, the
Company implemented enhanced credit control measures,
strengthened collection mechanisms and instituted more robust
governance frameworks for distributors and stockists.
On the sweeteners side, the reduction in volumes was largely
driven by a calibrated withdrawal from low-margin bulk sales to
the general trade segment, coupled with stricter credit filters and
channel discipline. Importantly, the decline in volumes does not
reflect any material weakening in market position. The Company
continues to maintain an estimated market share of approximately
55% in the branded sweeteners segment across Southern India,
supported by the strong equity of the 'Parry's' brand.
The Company further strengthened its focus on value-added and
premium products, including brown sugar, low glycaemic index
(GI) sugar, jaggery and other differentiated offerings that are
aligned to evolving consumer preferences. The portfolio is now
being progressively positioned across multiple price points with an
emphasis on premiumisation and improved realisation.
In the staples segment, the Company continued to rationalise
its portfolio by focusing on higher-margin SKUs and optimising
its distribution footprint. During the year, it also commissioned
its own dal processing facility, which is expected to improve
control over quality, supply chain efficiency and margins through
backward integration.
The channel correction exercise undertaken during the second and
third quarters of FY 2025-26 also involved one-time provisioning
of HI 5.73 Crore towards receivables. These corrective actions
substantially stabilised the business, and the restructured operating
model became effective by the end of Q4 FY 2025-26.
Accordingly, the CPG segment is expected to enter FY 2026-27
on a stronger and more sustainable footing, supported by tighter
working capital management, a more disciplined route-to-market
approach and improved focus on profitability.
At the consolidated level, the nutraceuticals business, comprising
the Company's domestic operations and its wholly owned
subsidiary, US Nutraceuticals Inc., registered revenues of $2.05 Crore
for the year ended March 31,2026, representing a de-growth of 5%
over $2.15 Crore in the previous year.
This improvement was driven primarily by the commencement
of exports to European markets following receipt of the requisite
regulatory certifications, together with a recovery in demand in
the United States market. The segment continues to focus on a
differentiated portfolio of high-value products, including organic
spirulina, chlorella, carotenoids, astaxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin,
catering to global demand for plant-based and wellness-oriented
nutraceutical ingredients.
The business derives a significant portion of its revenues from
exports, with key markets including North America, Europe and
select Asian geographies. The Company continues to strengthen
its position in certified organic and science-backed products,
enabling premium realisations and differentiation in a highly
competitive market.
The long-term strategy for the nutraceuticals segment remains
focused on building a science-driven, high-margin wellness
ingredients platform through sustained investments in product
development, clinical validation, regulatory compliance and
market expansion.
The Company has demonstrated disciplined capital allocation, with
capital expenditure during FY 2025-26 remaining largely moderate
and directed towards routine modernisation and operational
efficiency improvements. This prudent approach has enabled the
Company to balance growth with financial stability.
Leading credit rating agencies have maintained the Company's
short-term rating at A1+ for its commercial paper programme,
underscoring the strength of its liquidity position and financial
discipline. During the year, CRISIL revised the long-term rating to
CRISIL AA- (Stable Outlook) in August 2025. This reflects expectations
of only modest near-term improvement in cash generation
against relatively elevated working capital borrowings, while also
recognising the Company's strong financial flexibility arising from
its strategic investment in Coromandel International Limited.
The Company's equity stake in CIL continues to provide substantial
financial flexibility and strategic optionality, enabling it to mobilise
resources for growth initiatives and manage financial commitments
effectively. This was demonstrated during the year through the
Company's ability to fund the closure of PSRIPL without undue
financial strain.
EID Parry's financial risk profile is expected to remain moderate over
the near to medium term. Despite controlled capital expenditure,
incremental working capital requirements are likely to keep debt
levels relatively elevated. The Total Outside Liabilities to Tangible
Net Worth (TOL/TNW) ratio remained in the range of 1.36 times,
while interest coverage remained at approximately 2.95 times over
in the near term, as compared to around 3.65 times in FY 2024-25.
Improvement in leverage metrics over the medium term will depend
on sustained cash generation and prudent capital deployment.
The Company's liquidity position remained adequate, supported by
net cash accruals of approximately H694 Crore, largely anchored by
dividend inflows from CIL.
From an operating perspective, the business risk profile showed
moderate stabilisation during FY 2025-26, supported by disciplined
cane crushing of 38.40 LMT during the year. However, overall
performance remained impacted by adverse climatic conditions,
including erratic rainfall in Tamil Nadu and declining acreage in Tamil
Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, which constrained cane availability and
affected sugar segment performance.
The full-year contribution from the expanded distillery capacity
of 582 KLPD provided meaningful support to overall operations,
partially offsetting the headwinds in the sugar segment. In
parallel, the Consumer Products Group underwent a strategic
channel correction exercise, resulting in transitional costs during
the year, the impact of which is expected to normalise from FY
2026-27 onwards.
With these structural improvements now embedded in the
operating model, the Company expects revenues to grow in a stable
and sustained manner from FY 2026-27 onwards, supported by
steady distillery volumes, improving realisations and a recalibrated
and more efficient CPG platform.
Revenue from operations stood at H3,120.26 Crore in FY 2025¬
26, as compared to H3,168.12 Crore in FY 2024-25. Loss after tax
for the year was H708 Crore, as against a loss of H428 Crore in
the previous year. While revenues from the distillery and other
segments improved, overall profitability remained impacted by
the absence of a meaningful revision in ethanol procurement
prices, limited availability of molasses, elevated input costs and
impairment provisions.
Total expenses during the year were H 3,424.42 Crore, as compared
to H3,449.44 Crore in FY 2024-25. Raw material costs constituted
71% of revenue from operations and increased during the year,
primarily due to higher cane procurement costs following the
upward revision in FRP Employee expenses accounted for 6% of
revenue and declined by 2% from H200.83 Crore in FY 2024-25 to
H197.11 Crore in FY 2025-26. Repairs and maintenance expenditure
accounted for 3.11% of revenue.
At the industry level, gross sugar production in India for the 2025¬
26 marketing year is estimated at approximately 324 LMT, with
around 31 LMT diverted for ethanol production and exports. Based
on an opening stock of about 50 LMT and estimated domestic
consumption of approximately 283 LMT, industry bodies such
as ISMA have projected closing stock levels of around 53 LMT by
September 30, 2026.
With its distillery capacity of 582 KLPD fully operational, and with
the Government of India having lifted restrictions on ethanol
production from ESY 2025-26, EID Parry is well-positioned to benefit
from the long-term growth potential of the Ethanol Blending
Programme. India has already achieved over 20% ethanol blending
in petrol ahead of the original timeline, and policy direction
continues to support expansion beyond E20. The Company's multi¬
feed capability at Sankili, together with molasses- and syrup-based
operations across Haliyal, Nellikuppam and Bagalkot, provides
significant operational flexibility to optimise feedstock usage in line
with prevailing price dynamics and regulatory developments. A
rational upward revision in ethanol procurement prices remains a
key potential catalyst for improving distillery margins.
Recent geopolitical developments, including instability in global
energy markets, have renewed India's strategic focus on reducing
dependence on fossil fuels. This is expected to accelerate policy
support for biofuels and enhance the long-term viability of
the ethanol sector, which augurs well for integrated players
such as EID Parry.
On the sugar front, all-India production for SY 2025-26 is marginally
higher than in the previous season, with the Company's Karnataka
operations demonstrating a strong recovery. The introduction of
the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025 and the proposed reforms under
the sugarcane regulatory framework, together with the possibility
of an MSP revision, represent important policy tailwinds. These
measures are expected to improve transparency, strengthen
regulatory oversight and potentially enhance realisations, thereby
contributing to greater stability in the sugar sector.
The Company also has significant opportunities in value-added
segments within the sugar business. Increasing consumer preference
for natural and less-refined sweeteners presents growth potential in
products such as jaggery, brown sugar and specialty sweeteners
The Company's ongoing expansion in jaggery manufacturing and
its focus on innovative utilisation of by-products further strengthen
its ability to capture value across the sugar value chain.
The Consumer Products Group continues to offer attractive long¬
term potential, supported by rising consumer preference for
branded, differentiated and value-added food products. Increasing
demand for premium and less-refined sweeteners, including
jaggery, brown sugar and other specialty products, presents a
meaningful opportunity for the Company to expand its consumer
franchise in higher-margin categories.
The Company's strong brand recall in Southern India, established
market position in branded sweeteners and growing focus on
premiumisation provide a solid platform for future growth. In
addition, the restructuring undertaken in the staples business,
together with backward integration through in-house dal
processing, is expected to improve capital efficiency and strengthen
the quality of earnings over time.
The Company is also actively evaluating opportunities to expand
its consumer-facing portfolio through innovation-led product
development and selective entry into adjacent food categories.
Over the medium term, a more focused portfolio, sharper
distribution and improved unit economics have the potential to
position CPG as a more scalable and profitable consumer business.
Complementing these initiatives, the Company's investments in
agritech, encompassing precision agriculture, digital agronomy
and digitised cane procurement, are beginning to yield measurable
benefits. These interventions are expected to progressively
enhance cane availability, improve recovery rates and strengthen
farmer engagement, particularly in regions where competition
from alternative crops remains a key challenge.
The most significant structural risk facing EID Parry and the Indian
sugar industry continues to be the widening gap between the FRP
for sugarcane and the MSP for sugar. The FRP for the upcoming
Sugar Year (SY) 2026-27 has been fixed at H365 per quintal, reflecting
a steady upward trend over the years, while the MSP for sugar has
remained unchanged at H31 per kilogram since February 2019.
In addition to the rising FRP, there have been instances of State-
level interventions, particularly in Karnataka, where higher cane
prices have been mandated through Government Orders following
farmer agitations. Such interventions further increase input
costs and adversely affect industry profitability, including that
of the Company. Industry bodies such as ISMA have consistently
highlighted that this structural mismatch between cane prices and
sugar realisations is leading to increased cane payment arrears and
poses a significant challenge to the financial viability of sugar mills.
For EID Parry, whose operations are predominantly concentrated in
Southern India, the impact is more pronounced due to structurally
lower cane yields and recovery rates, particularly in Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh, as compared to northern regions. While Karnataka
provides relative stability, the overall cost-price imbalance
compresses margins on every tonne of sugar produced, making a
timely revision in MSP critical for restoring sectoral profitability.
Labour availability, particularly for cane harvesting, remains another
area of concern. Continued dependence on migrant labour,
coupled with increasing shortages, could affect timely harvesting
and operational efficiency. Accelerated adoption of mechanised
harvesting and development of local labour ecosystems will be
essential to mitigate this risk.
Compounding these challenges, ethanol procurement prices by
Oil Marketing Companies have largely remained unchanged in
recent years, even as grain-based ethanol has come to dominate
the national ethanol supply mix. This has resulted in increased
competitive pressure on sugar-based distilleries and constrained
the profitability of ethanol operations.
Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh continue to face lower cane
availability due to water scarcity, adverse climatic conditions
and a shift by farmers towards alternative crops offering better
remuneration. This has significantly impacted operations in
these regions and constrained molasses availability for distillery
operations, in some cases necessitating procurement from external
sources at higher logistics costs.
While Karnataka operations have performed relatively better in
terms of cane availability and recovery, challenges such as diversion
or "poaching" of cane by competing mills persist. This intensifies
competition for quality cane, increases procurement costs and may
lead to sub-optimal capacity utilisation at certain units.
The structural challenges associated with the Company's
geographic footprint, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Andhra
Pradesh, necessitate sustained investments in agronomic practices,
farmer engagement and yield enhancement. In addition, supportive
policy interventions and incentives for cane cultivation will be
critical to arrest the decline in acreage and ensure the long-term
sustainability of operations in these regions, failing which certain
units could face risks to their economic viability.
Export policies, ethanol pricing, diversion norms and Government
decisions relating to MSP and FRP will continue to be key
determinants of financial performance. On the global front, although
the closure of PSRIPL has eliminated the Company's direct exposure
to refinery spread volatility, global sugar market dynamics, including
price volatility and supply-demand imbalances, will continue to
influence domestic realisations and export opportunities.
The Consumer Products Group faces increasing competitive
intensity from both organised and unorganised players across
the sweeteners and staples categories. Key risks include pricing
pressures, rapid shifts in consumer preferences, expanding product
portfolios by competitors and rising expectations in relation to
quality, packaging and brand differentiation.
The segment is also exposed to execution risks relating to channel
management, particularly in respect of distributor performance,
receivables control and working capital discipline. In categories
where route-to-market efficiency and shelf presence are critical, any
weakening in channel governance or collection mechanisms could
affect both growth and profitability.
Further, the need for sustained brand-building, advertising and
promotional expenditure is increasing across consumer categories.
If such expenditure is not calibrated effectively, it could exert
pressure on margins, particularly during periods of portfolio
transition or channel restructuring.
COMPANY'S PERFORMANCE AND OUTLOOK
EID Parry exits FY 2025-26 as a more focused and resilient
organisation. The Company's five core operating businesses sugar,
distillery, co-generation, nutraceuticals and consumer products
form the foundation for its next phase of growth.
During the year, the Company recorded a marginal increase in cane
crushing to 38.40 LMT, as compared to 37.42 LMT in FY 2024-25.
Karnataka operations witnessed a strong recovery, supported by
improved cane availability and favourable climatic conditions.
Recovery rates across the Company's units improved over the
previous year, reflecting the benefits of sustained agronomic
interventions and better-quality cane procurement. However,
cane availability in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh continues
to remain a structural challenge due to water scarcity, adverse
weather patterns, higher cost of cultivation and farmers shifting to
alternative crops offering better economic returns. These factors are
likely to continue exerting pressure on operations in these regions,
notwithstanding the various cost optimisation and efficiency
improvement initiatives undertaken by the Company.
Going forward, the Company's Karnataka operations are expected
to provide greater stability to the overall sugar business. In addition,
the Company is strengthening its presence in value-added
segments. Its foray into jaggery manufacturing is being further
expanded with the setting up of a second unit with a capacity of
475 TCD at Bagalkot, Karnataka, in addition to the existing unit at
Pugalur, Tamil Nadu. This is expected to enable the Company to
capitalise on increasing consumer preference for brown and natural
sweeteners as alternatives to refined sugar.
The Company is also exploring opportunities to enhance value
realisation from by-products, particularly bagasse, through
initiatives in sustainable packaging, soilless media and other
value-added applications. These initiatives are aligned with the
Company's broader strategy of improving margins and diversifying
revenue streams.
The cost optimisation programme initiated in the previous year
continued during FY 2025-26 and has resulted in significant
rationalisation across the manufacturing value chain. These
measures are expected to yield sustained benefits in terms of
improved cost efficiency and operational stability going forward.
On the policy front, a revision in the MSP for sugar and an upward
adjustment in ethanol procurement prices remain critical for
improving industry profitability. Industry bodies, including ISMA,
have made representations in this regard, and policy discussions
are ongoing. Any favourable revision in these parameters would
significantly enhance the earnings potential of both the sugar and
distillery segments.
Following the channel correction and receivables clean-up
undertaken during FY 2025-26, the Consumer Products Group is
expected to enter FY 2026-27 on a stronger operational footing.
The measures implemented during the year, including tighter
credit discipline, strengthened collection systems and enhanced
governance over distributors and stockists, are expected to
improve working capital efficiency and support a more resilient
operating model.
Going forward, the Company is recalibrating the CPG business with
a clear emphasis on revenue quality, profitability and disciplined
capital allocation. Both the sweeteners and staples businesses are
being repositioned on a more capital-efficient and profitability-led
distribution model, with sharper focus on operating discipline and
contribution margins.
Within this broader strategy, the Company is prioritising the
focused development of its sweeteners portfolio through better
pricing discipline, sharper distribution and improved product mix.
In parallel, it is expanding its premium "browns" portfolio, including
jaggery and other differentiated sweetening products, with the
objective of increasing the overall profit pool.
The staples segment will continue to be managed selectively, with
emphasis on cash efficiency, portfolio rationalisation and disciplined
deployment of capital, rather than broad-based expansion. At
the same time, the CPG R&D function continues to work on new
product development aligned to changing consumer preferences,
supported by market insights and research-led innovation.
The Company also remains open to portfolio expansion through
selective inorganic opportunities in adjacent food categories
such as culinary products, spices, ethnic snacks and dessert
mixes, where such opportunities are strategically relevant and
commercially attractive.
Overall, the Company expects the corrective and strategic
measures undertaken during FY 2025-26 to translate into improved
operational and financial performance for the CPG business from FY
2026-27 onwards.
EID Parry's financial flexibility, supported by its strategic stake in
Coromandel International Limited and the institutional strength of
the Murugappa Group, provides a strong platform for its continued
transition into a diversified food, nutrition and biofuel enterprise
without compromising its credit profile. The reaffirmation of the
Company's short-term ratings and the stable long-term outlook
by credit rating agencies reflect the underlying strength of its
financial position.
The Board remains committed to transforming the Company's
integrated sugarcane value chain into a consistently profitable
operating model, strengthening the Consumer Products Group into
a scalable consumer brand platform, and building a resilient and
future-ready business aligned to long-term growth opportunities.
Industry Overview
The global dietary supplements market continues to witness steady
growth and is projected to expand at a CAGR of approximately
7% between 2025 and 2030, reaching an estimated market size
of around USD 64 billion. Key markets include the United States,
China, and Western Europe, while emerging growth opportunities
are visible in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and Africa.
This growth is driven by increasing consumer interest in plant-
based nutrition, rising demand for dietary supplements, and
heightened awareness of environmental sustainability. Key
industry trends include a growing focus on gut health, longevity
and healthy ageing, vitality, mental well-being, sleep quality,
weight management including the impact of GLP-1 therapies and
women's health.
Within the dietary supplements segment, Spirulina continues to
be a prominent product due to its energy-enhancing properties,
rich phycocyanin content, role in weight management, and
immune-support benefits. Chlorella is also gaining traction owing
to its benefits for liver health, natural detoxification, and as a source
of Vitamin B12.
In the functional food segment, microalgae are increasingly being
utilised in plant-based green blends. The green blends category is
expected to grow further in the coming years, making it strategically
important for the Company to scale its presence in this segment to
expand its customer base and enhance value realisation.
However, the industry continues to face certain challenges,
including intense price competition from imports particularly
with over 75% of Asian Spirulina products sourced from China at
lower prices limited consumer awareness on product quality, and
geopolitical uncertainties such as tariffs in the United States and
ongoing global conflicts.
To strengthen the Company's unique selling proposition (USP),
a focused marketing and public relations strategy is being
implemented. The Company aims to deepen direct engagement
with customers, particularly in Europe, and to offer a differentiated
portfolio comprising both premium and cost-effective product
ranges. Emphasis continues to be placed on sustainability, product
quality, and scientific validation through clinical studies, thereby
establishing clear differentiation from lower-cost alternatives.
While the Company accounts for approximately 4% of the global
Spirulina market by volume, it holds a significantly stronger position
in the certified organic segment, with an estimated share of 17¬
20%, enabling a premium market positioning.
During the year, the Company achieved 89% of its Spirulina
production target and 53% of its Chlorella production target.
The reduction in Spirulina production was a conscious decision
driven by inventory optimisation, while Chlorella production was
impacted by operational challenges during the first half of the
year. Production stabilised in the second half following resolution
of these issues.
On the quality front, the Company remained fully compliant with all
applicable standards relating to quality, safety, and environmental
systems, and successfully completed renewals under ISO, USP,
and BRCGS certifications. The Company also continued to meet
stringent organic certification requirements, including USDA NOP,
EU Organic, and Naturland standards.
From a commercial perspective, the Company faced challenges
arising from low-priced Chinese imports in key markets such
as the United States and Europe, as well as the impact of tariffs
on exports to the United States. Despite these headwinds, the
Company maintained strong engagement with its customer base
and achieved approximately 60% of its projected sales volumes.
The Company supported its commercial efforts with scientific
initiatives, including publication of a white paper titled "Are
We Sourcing the Right Spirulina?" onNutraingredients.comin
November 2025, which was also disseminated through digital
platforms to enhance market awareness.
On the research front, a human clinical study on Vitamin B12
content in Chlorella was completed, confirming that the product
contains between 350-400 mcg of Vitamin B12 per 100 grams.
Considering the recommended daily allowance of 2.5 mcg and
typical absorption levels, approximately 1 gram of the Company's
Chlorella is sufficient to meet daily Vitamin B12 requirements. These
findings are being leveraged to strengthen product positioning.
During the year, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, US
Nutraceuticals Inc., recorded sales of $2.05 Crore. While the core
Saw Palmetto portfolio declined by 40%, this was partially offset
by strong growth in Astaxanthin (20%) and joint health products
(38%). The Greens segment continued to face headwinds,
declining by 38%.
The Company's branded Saw Palmetto ingredients, Serevelle
(for hair health and growth) and USPlus® PRO (for men's urinary
health) continued to gain traction, supported by favourable clinical
outcomes and increased customer acceptance.
The Company's key strategic objective is to strengthen its leadership
position in the dietary supplements and functional food markets in
the United States and Europe, which are currently characterised by
heightened competition from low-cost alternatives.
To achieve this, the Company will focus on:
⢠   Strengthening its value proposition through scientifically
validated products aligned with emerging health trends
⢠   Expanding private label offerings for leading global brands
⢠   Enhancing presence in the functional food segment,
particularly in plant-based green blends
⢠   Exploring new markets, including Canada, the Middle East, Sri
Lanka, Nepal, and Africa
⢠   Developing innovative product formulations and delivery
formats to enhance differentiation
Additionally, the Company expects continued growth in the
joint health and Astaxanthin segments, which are projected to
outperform other categories in the coming years.
COMPANY FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (STANDALONE)
|
BUSINESS SEGMENTS |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
|
Sugar |
1252.41 |
1069.67 |
|
Cogen |
76.74 |
75.86 |
|
Distillery |
1151.37 |
1,101.81 |
|
Total |
2480.52 |
2247.34 |
|
Nutraceuticals |
32.59 |
36.89 |
|
Consumer Products Group |
607.15 |
883.89 |
|
Total |
3120.26 |
3168.12 |
The Net worth as on March 31,2026, was H 1,872.84 Crore as against
H 2539.76 Crore as on March 31,2025. Capital Redemption Reserve
remained unchanged during the year.
Borrowings
The total borrowings of the Company increased to H 1,335.94 Crore
in 2025-26 from H 1,210.74 Crore in 2024-25. The total debt to equity
ratio stood at 0.71 as compared to 0.48 in the previous year. Working
capital borrowings (including supplier finance borrowings) utilized
were H 1,119.07 Crore as on March 31, 2026, as against H 1,004.16
Crore in the previous year.
During the year, the company incurred H 78.53 Crore as additions
to Fixed Assets as against H 416.47 Crore during the previous year.
Investments
The total investment of the Company as of March 31,2026, was H 626
Crore as against H 662 Crore in FY 2024-25. The decrease was majorly
on account of impairment of investment in PSRIPL, sale of shares in
CIL and Algavista which is offset by revaluation of other investments.
The Company's long-term rating was downgraded to CRISIL AA-
(stable outlook) in 2025-26 and short term rating was maintained
at A1+ (CRISIL and CARE).
The Book Value per share of the Company stood at H 105.29 as on
March 31, 2026, as against H 142.84 as on March 31, 2025. Earnings
per share for the year ended March 31, 2026 stood at H (39.83), as
against H (24.12) for the year ended March 31,2025.
The Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization
(excluding exceptional items) for the year was H 398.92 Crore
representing 13% of total revenue as against H 251.81 Crore
representing 8% of the total revenue in the previous year.
EBIT for the year was H 217.76 Crore (excluding exceptional items)
as against H 76.47 Crore (excluding exceptional items) in the
previous year 2024-25.
Finance Charges
Finance charges for the year stood at H 73.71 Crore, as against
H 68.91 Crore in the previous year 2024-25.
Depreciation
Depreciation for the year was at H 181.16 Crore as against H 175.34
Crore during the previous year 2024-25.
Profit Before Tax for the year was at H (685.71) Crore (including net
exceptional loss of H 829.76) as against H (419.59) Crore (including
net exceptional loss of H 427.15 Crore) in the previous year 2024-25.
Profit After Tax for the year was at H (708.28) Crore as against
H (428.30) Crore in the previous year 2024-25.
Revenue
|
Particulars |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
|
Key Financial Ratios |
 |  |
|
EBIDTA / Sales % (Operating Profit Margin) |
12.78 |
7.95 |
|
PAT / Sales % |
(22.7) |
(13.52) |
|
PAT / Average Equity % (ROE) |
(32.10) |
(15.69) |
|
Net Debt / Equity Ratio |
0.71 |
0.48 |
|
Outside Liabilities / Net worth |
1.36 |
0.73 |
|
Net Fixed Assets / Net worth |
0.74 |
0.65 |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratio |
4.57 |
2.35 |
|
Particulars |
2025-26 |
2024-25 |
|
Interest Service Coverage Ratio |
2.95 |
3.65 |
|
Current Ratio |
1.33 |
1.31 |
|
Inventory Turnover Ratio (times) |
1.93 |
2.03 |
|
Trade Receivables Turnover Ratio (times) |
13.19 |
11.96 |
|
Dividend % |
NA |
NA |
|
Earnings Per share (H) |
(39.83) |
(24.12) |
|
Book Value Per share (H) |
105.29 |
142.84 |
|
P / E Multiple (including exceptional items) |
(19.47) |
(32.57) |
In accordance with the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing Regulations), the
Company is required to give details of significant changes (change
of 25% and more as compared to the immediately previous financial
year) in key financial ratios.
Ratios where there has been significant change from the financial
year 2024-25 to 2025-26:
⢠   Increase in Debt Equity Ratio is due to increase in short term
borrowings and reduction in total equity on account of
exceptional items
⢠   Increase in debt service coverage ratio due to increase in
earnings for the year.
⢠   Increase in operating profit margin, ROE on account of
increase in dividend income for the current year.
⢠   Increase in return on equity ratio on account of increase in
dividend income for the current year.
⢠   Increase in net profit ratio on account of increase in dividend
income for the current year
⢠   Increase in return on capital employed on account of increase
in dividend income for the current year
⢠   Increase in return on investment is due to changes in the fair
value of other investments as at the end of the year.
The company has a robust Risk Management Framework, across
various levels of the organization :
⢠   to anticipate, measure and evaluate business risks
& opportunities,
⢠   identify & adopt mitigating strategies thereby achieve
business objectives with minimum adverse impact.
The Risk Management Committee periodically reviews the risks
and opportunities around the business objectives and suggests
mitigating measures to be carried out.
During FY 2025-26, the company continued to strengthen its Risk Management Framework through structured review, assessment and
monitoring ofmaterial risks across the company. The following are the identified risk categories in the industry in which your company operates :
|
Risk Category |
Risk |
Mitigation Plan |
||
|
Raw Material |
⢠|
Adverse weather conditions, water |
⢠|
The Company engages continuously with farmers by educating |
|
Availability |
 |
scarcity, pest and disease outbreaks, and |
 |
them on scientific and sustainable sugarcane cultivation |
| Â | Â |
the increasing tendency of farmers to |
 |
practices. Various yield improvement initiatives, such as the |
| Â | Â |
shift to alternative crops offering higher |
 |
Clean Seed Programme and application of seaweed-based |
| Â | Â |
remuneration may adversely impact the |
 |
solutions, are being undertaken. |
| Â | Â |
availability of sugarcane, thereby affecting |
⢠|
The Company promotes mechanised harvesting to ensure |
| Â | Â |
where a sustained decline in sugarcane |
⢠|
The Cane Development team is focused on reducing the |
| Â | Â |
cultivation has adversely impacted the |
 |
cost of cultivation and improving yield per acre, thereby |
| Â | Â |
Company's operations. |
 |
enhancing farmers' income and encouraging continued |
| Â |
⢠|
In response to this structural challenge, the |
 |
cultivation of sugarcane. |
| Â | Â |
Company has, in earlier years, discontinued |
⢠|
The Company leverages the 'Farmers Connect' mobile |
| Â | Â |
operations at certain units, including |
 |
application to facilitate effective communication and provide |
| Â | Â |
those at Pettavathalai, Pudukkottai, |
 |
timely support to farmers. It has established strong relationships |
| Â | Â |
and Puducherry. |
 |
with the farming community through timely payments, regular |
| Â |
⢠|
The Company's existing units at |
 |
village-level engagement, and farmer-centric initiatives, |
| Â | Â |
impacted by the decline in cane/molasses |
⢠|
Ongoing R&D initiatives provide solutions to mitigate and |
| Â | Â |
availability. If this trend persists, it may |
 |
manage pest and disease risks. |
| Â | Â |
affect the long-term financial viability |
⢠|
Notwithstanding the above measures, these initiatives may not |
|
Water availability |
⢠|
Challenges relating to water availability, |
⢠|
The Company has adopted advanced water treatment |
|
and Management |
 |
including safe water resource management |
 |
technologies, such as MWTS and the JIVA Water Device, to |
| Â | Â |
and groundwater recharge efficiency |
 |
enhance water vitality, improve soil health, and support |
| Â |
⢠|
Non-availability of water due to failure or |
 |
higher crop yields. |
| Â | Â |
inadequacy of monsoons |
⢠|
The Company has commenced the implementation of sensor- |
| Â |
⢠|
Depletion of groundwater levels |
 |
based autonomous irrigation systems to optimise water usage |
| Â |
⢠|
Deterioration in the quality of groundwater |
⢠|
These systems significantly reduce water consumption and are |
|
Raw Material |
Sugarcane prices are determined by the |
The Company actively engages with industry bodies such as the |
||
|
Pricing |
Central and State Governments and are not |
Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) and the South Indian Sugar Mills |
||
| Â |
directly aligned with prevailing sugar prices. |
Association (SISMA) to represent industry concerns and advocate for |
||
| Â |
Any mismatch resulting in unviable sugarcane |
appropriate policy interventions with the Government. |
||
| Â |
pricing may adversely impact the profitability |
 |  | |
|
Risk Category |
| |Risk |
Mitigation Plan |
|
|
Sugar Price |
Any increase in the Fair and Remunerative Price |
⢠|
The Company has been increasing its sales in the institutional |
| Â |
(FRP) for sugarcane without a corresponding |
 |
and retail segments, where sugar commands a premium over |
| Â |
increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) |
 |
the trade channel. |
| Â |
for sugar may adversely impact the profitability |
⢠|
I n addition, the Company is focusing on value-added products |
| Â | Â |
⢠|
These measures have helped mitigate the impact of the |
|
Shortage of |
Non-availability of migrant labour for sugarcane |
⢠|
The Company mitigates labour shortages by deploying local |
|
Harvesting |
harvesting may impact timely harvesting |
 |
labour and encouraging self-harvesting practices among farmers |
|
Labour |
operations and could adversely affect overall |
⢠|
In addition, farmers are encouraged to adopt mechanised |
|
Employee Health |
Unsafe practices and an inadequate work |
⢠|
The Company undertakes structured capability-building |
|
& Safety |
environment may lead to safety risks that could |
 |
initiatives focusing on behavioural safety across all levels of |
| Â |
adversely impact employee well-being. |
 |
the organisation. A defined roadmap has been established to |
| Â | Â |
⢠|
A comprehensive Safety Drive, supported by a benchmarking |
|
Cyber Security |
The Company may face risks of system |
⢠|
The Company has established robust Information Systems, |
| Â |
unavailability or failure of critical IT systems, |
 |
along with comprehensive backup and disaster recovery |
| Â |
which could disrupt business operations. Such |
 |
policies, which are periodically reviewed to ensure effectiveness |
| Â |
risks may arise from inadequate processes, |
 |
and resilience. |
| Â |
cyber security vulnerabilities, or insufficient |
⢠|
Advanced security infrastructure, including firewalls and Security |
| Â | Â |
⢠|
The Company also conducts periodic training and awareness |
|
Regulatory |
The Company is required to comply with a |
⢠|
The Company has implemented a comprehensive e-compliance |
| Â |
wide range of applicable laws and regulations, |
 |
management tool covering labour laws, the Factories Act, |
| Â |
including the Companies Act, 2013, various |
 |
environmental, health and safety, fiscal, corporate, and industry- |
| Â |
SEBI Regulations, and laws relating to contract |
 |
specific regulatory requirements. |
| Â |
labour, taxation, foreign exchange, import |
⢠|
The system is supported by automated task-trigger alerts |
The Company has aligned its Internal Financial Controls (IFC)
framework with the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the
Act"). A robust IFC framework has been established, comprising
entity-level policies, defined processes, and detailed standard
operating procedures. Clear roles and responsibilities have been
assigned to personnel across various levels to ensure effective
implementation and monitoring of controls.
The internal control systems are commensurate with the size,
scale, and complexity of the Company's operations. These controls
are designed to provide reasonable assurance with respect to the
accuracy and reliability of financial and operational information,
compliance with applicable laws and regulations, safeguarding of
assets, prevention and detection of frauds and errors, and proper
authorisation of transactions. The Company has also established
processes for the formulation and periodic review of annual and
long-term business plans.
The Company leverages a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
system, SAP, as a key enabler for recording transactions, financial
consolidation, and generation of management information.
The internal audit function is carried out by an independent
external audit firm, complemented by a lean in-house team that
undertakes specific management assignments. The internal audit
is conducted in accordance with an annual audit plan, which is
reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. Internal audit
reports are presented to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis
for its review and deliberation.
The Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's
internal financial controls over financial reporting as at March 31,
2026, and is of the opinion that such controls are adequate and
operating effectively. The Company adopts a blended approach
to internal audit, combining in-house domain expertise with the
specialised capabilities of external auditors, thereby enhancing the
overall effectiveness of its internal control framework.
There has been no change in the business of the subsidiaries during
the year under review.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 129(3) of the
Companies Act, 2013, the Company has prepared consolidated
financial statements comprising the financial statements of the
Company and its subsidiary companies, which form part of this
Annual Report. A statement containing the salient features of the
financial statements of the subsidiary companies, joint ventures,
and associates is provided in Annexure A to this Report.
Pursuant to Section 136(1) of the Act, the Annual Report of the
Company, including the standalone and consolidated financial
statements, has been placed on the Company's website at:https://
www.eidparry.com/
Further, the audited financial statements of the subsidiary
companies, along with related detailed information, are also
available on the Company's website at:https://www.eidparry.
com/financials/
The annual accounts of the subsidiary companies will be available
for inspection by Members at the Registered Office of the Company
during business hours on all working days up to the date of the
ensuing Annual General Meeting. A copy of the financial statements
of the subsidiary companies will also be made available to any
Member upon request.
During FY 2025-26, global sugar markets experienced heightened
volatility. Declining raw sugar prices, driven by increased production
in Brazil and Thailand, coupled with relatively strong demand for
refined sugar, supported higher white premiums during the first half
of the year. However, in the second half, increased supply from key
producing countries and the announcement of sugar exports from
India exerted downward pressure on white premiums. Additionally,
falling international prices and lower-than-expected domestic
production constrained export opportunities for Indian mills.
Despite these challenging conditions, Parry Sugars Refinery India
Private Limited (PSRIPL) continued to be globally recognised as an
efficient re-export refiner, catering to international trade as well as
global food and beverage and institutional customers. Supported
by favourable market conditions in the early part of the year and
opportunistic hedging strategies, PSRIPL recorded its highest-
ever sales volume of 8.44 LMT during FY 2025-26. However, due
to intensified competition from surplus exports from Thailand and
Brazil, the share of containerised sales declined to 18% during the
year, as compared to 40% in the previous year.
The decline in global sugar prices led to a reduction in turnover to
H 3,814.33 Crore for FY 2025-26, as against H4,285.17 Crore in FY
2024-25. Notwithstanding this, improved operating efficiencies
particularly in utilities and material handling along with softer raw
sugar prices, enabled PSRIPL to optimise its refining costs. Finance
costs also reduced from H49.00 Crore in FY 2024-25 to H37.64 Crore
in FY 2025-26, primarily due to equity infusion by EID Parry (India)
Limited and better working capital management.
PSRIPL had originally established a 2,000 TPD sugar refinery at
Vakalapudi Village, Kakinada, in 2006 as a Special Economic Zone
(SEZ)-based export-oriented unit. The business model was premised
on importing raw sugar, refining it into white sugar, and exporting
the refined sugar to global markets, benefitting from favourable
white sugar premiums. The project viability was further supported
by the availability of natural gas and the ability to generate and
export surplus power.
Over the years, however, several structural changes adversely
impacted this business model. The non-availability of natural gas
necessitated a shift to coal-based operations, resulting in higher
operating costs. Further, the sustained decline in white premiums
led to compression in refining margins, while revenue from power
exports reduced significantly from initial projections. In addition,
operational disruptions including plant shutdowns, demurrage
costs, inventory write-offs, hedge losses, and high finance
costs resulted in significant accumulated losses. As at March 31,
2025, Â Â Â accumulated losses stood at approximately H1,406 Crore.
In view of these persistent structural challenges and the continued
adverse global outlook, the Board of Directors of PSRIPL and of the
Company, at their respective meetings held on March 31, 2026,
approved the closure of operations of the refinery unit with effect
from the close of working hours on that date.
Pursuant to the above decision, EID-Parry (India) Limited has
assessed the financial implications arising from the closure of
operations of PSRIPL and has recognised an impairment charge of
H40,060 lakhs in its financial statements for the year ended March 31,
2026, Â Â Â in accordance with applicable Indian Accounting Standards.
EID Parry had previously provided financial guarantees and issued
letters of comfort to the lenders of PSRIPL. In light of the closure
and the assessment that PSRIPL may not have adequate financial
resources to meet its obligations, the Company has reassessed and
remeasured its financial guarantee obligations after considering the
estimated realisable value of PSRIPL's assets. Accordingly, a provision
of H59,132 lakhs has been recognised towards such financial
guarantee obligations for the year ended March 31, 2026.
During the year under review, the Company infused H350 crore into
PSRIPL by subscribing to 35,00,00,000 equity shares of H10 each
under a rights issue.
Subsequent to the year end, the Company further infused H610
crore into PSRIPL by subscribing to 61,00,00,000 equity shares of
H10 each under a rights issue, to enable PSRIPL to meet its closure-
related obligations.
Pursuant to the cessation of operations, the financial statements
of PSRIPL for the FY 2025-26, have been prepared on a non-going
concern basis. Accordingly, assets have been carried at the lower of
their carrying value and net realisable value, and liabilities have been
recognised based on the estimated amounts expected to be settled.
PSRIPL incurred a loss of H265.51 Crore during FY 2025-26, primarily
on account of closure-related costs and impairment of fixed assets.
During the year, Parry International FZCO (PFZCO), a wholly owned
subsidiary of PSRIPL, reported revenue income (including write¬
back on loan and trade payables to PSRIPL) of AED 30.69 million
and a profit before tax of AED 27.72 million.
PFZCO has ceased operations and is currently under a voluntary
liquidation process, which is under consideration by the Dubai
Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
During the year, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, US
Nutraceuticals Inc., achieved sales of $2.05 Crore. While the core
Saw Palmetto portfolio witnessed a decline of 40%, this was partially
offset by strong growth in Astaxanthin (20%) and joint health
products (38%). The Greens segment continued to face headwinds,
with sales declining by 38%.
At US Nutraceuticals, the Company's branded Saw Palmetto
ingredients, Serevelle, developed for hair health, growth, and
reduction in hair shedding, and USPlus® PRO, positioned for men's
urinary health are gaining traction, supported by favourable clinical
studies and demonstrated results.
As intimated to the Stock Exchanges pursuant to the Company's
communication dated August 9, 2023, the Board approved the sale
of assets and dissolution of Alimtec S.A., the Chilean subsidiary and
a wholly owned subsidiary of US Nutraceuticals Inc., on account of
the non-viability of its operations.
The operations of Alimtec S.A. were discontinued during FY 2023¬
24, and its assets, including land, were subsequently disposed of.
The dissolution process has been completed in accordance with
the applicable laws of Chile. The certificate of dissolution dated
September 22, 2025, was received by the Company on September
23, 2025, and the same was duly intimated to the Stock Exchanges
on the same date.
Coromandel International Limited ("CIL") delivered a strong and
resilient performance in FY 2025-26, operating in a dynamic
and challenging business environment. The year was marked by
moderation in demand in certain segments and an escalation in
raw material prices, particularly during the second half, leading to
increased cost pressures across the value chain. Notwithstanding
these challenges, the Company demonstrated operational agility
and disciplined execution, enabling it to sustain performance
and further strengthen its position as a leading agri-solutions
provider in India.
CIL continued to make progress on its strategic priorities during
the year, supported by a capital expenditure programme of over
H1,500 Crore, largely directed towards backward integration and
capacity expansion. During the year, CIL completed the acquisition
of a majority stake (53.69%) in NACL Industries Limited, significantly
strengthening its presence in the crop protection segment. This
acquisition is expected to enhance the Company's product portfolio,
manufacturing capabilities, and distribution reach across both
domestic and international markets, and is aligned with its strategy
of building a diversified and integrated agri-solutions platform.
Innovation and digital transformation remained key drivers
of growth and competitiveness. CIL advanced its product
development pipeline while increasing adoption of AI-driven
analytics and digital tools to improve decision-making, enhance
operational efficiency, and deepen engagement with the farming
community. These initiatives have reinforced the Company's ability
to respond effectively to evolving market dynamics and to deliver
value-added solutions across the agricultural value chain.
During the year, CIL also strengthened its sustainability initiatives,
with focused efforts towards improving energy efficiency, water
management, waste reduction, and emissions performance, while
maintaining a strong emphasis on safety across operations.
In terms of financial performance, CIL reported consolidated total
income of H31,827 Crore for FY 2025-26, representing a growth of
approximately 30% over H24,444 Crore in FY 2024-25. The Company
reported a consolidated profit after tax (PAT) of H1,898 Crore. The
net debt-to-equity ratio remained at zero as at March 31, 2026,
reflecting a robust balance sheet position.
As at December 2025, the Company held 16,54,55,580 equity shares
in CIL, representing 56.08% of CIL's paid-up equity share capital.
Pursuant to the approval of the Board of Directors at its meeting
held on February 12, 2026, the Company divested 15,00,000
equity shares of CIL (approximately 0.51% of its paid-up equity
share capital) on March 10, 2026. Consequently, the Company's
shareholding in CIL stands reduced to 16,39,55,580 equity shares
representing 55.58%.
During the year, the Company entered into a Share Purchase
Agreement (SPA) with its Joint Venture (JV) partner, Synthite
Industries Private Limited, on October 23, 2025, for the divestment
of its entire equity shareholding (50%) in AGPL. The transaction was
completed on October 31, 2025.
Subsequently, the Company filed an application with the Stock
Exchanges for the de-classification of AGPL from the 'Promoter and
Promoter Group' category, and the requisite approval was received
on April 27, 2026.
In line with the organisation's imprint of driving a high-performing
and vibrant company that works collaboratively with focus,
transparency, and humility to consistently deliver business results
on a sound foundation of ESG, leveraging human capital remains a
key business imperative, and the principle of always putting people
first continues to guide the Company's policies. Our employees
bring strength, dynamism, energy, and innovative ideas to work
every day. To achieve our goals, we prioritise the well-being and
development of our employees by providing them with a strong
sense of purpose and investing in their professional growth.
Parry's People Vision of "Enriching organisational capability through
a collaborative culture and by infusing digital solutions into people
processes to achieve superior business performance" is realised
through a series of structured policy deployment initiatives and
contemporary HR practices, focusing on three key HR imperatives:
The Company reinforced its Performance Management System
(PMS 2.0), enabling transparent, fair, and data-driven Performance
Review Discussions (PRDs), supported by clearly defined KPIs,
multi-rater feedback, and structured appraisal processes. Focused
efforts on talent development were undertaken through structured
leadership journeys such as THRIVE, RISE, and MentorMinds, along
with leadership connect platforms like "Dosa with CEO," fostering
open communication, coaching-led development, and leadership
pipeline creation.
Structured platforms such as INVICTUS '25 and Parry's Pulse
Survey 2.0 enabled deeper engagement with employees and
leaders, providing valuable insights to strengthen organisational
effectiveness and drive targeted action across collaboration,
communication, talent management, and performance excellence.
In line with its commitment to nurturing future talent, the Company
onboarded Graduate Engineer Trainees (GETs) from premier
institutes and enabled their development through structured
induction, training, and cross-functional exposure. Additionally,
progressive people policies such as the Parenthood Advantage
Policy and focused Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives,
including the Inclusion Blueprint Survey, have further strengthened
the Company's commitment toward building an inclusive and
supportive workplace. These interventions, along with continuous
employee engagement initiatives, have positively impacted a
significant proportion of the workforce.
The Company remains committed to creating a positive and
empowering ecosystem that nurtures talent, promotes continuous
learning, and builds organisational capability. It firmly believes
that a motivated workforce, supported by a culture of innovation,
inclusiveness, and growth, will continue to drive sustained
performance and enable the organisation to thrive in a dynamic
business environment.
As on March 31, 2026 the total number of permanent employees
on the rolls of the Company stood at 2165.
Throughout the year, the Industrial Relations climate remained cordial,
and the Company continued to proactively address union-related
matters. During the year, the Company successfully concluded Long¬
Term Wage Settlements at the Bagalkot and Ramdurg units.
The Company has in place a comprehensive policy in compliance
with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. An
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) has been constituted to
address and redress any complaints received under the said policy,
and the policy is applicable to all employees of the Company.
During the year under review, one complaint was received and duly
addressed and disposed of. No complaints remained pending as
at the end of the financial year, and no complaint was pending for
more than 90 days.
The Company is in compliance with the provisions of the Maternity
Benefit Act, 1961.
During the year, Nutraceuticals Division was awarded the Tamil Nadu
Government Safety Award for the year 2022-23, securing the second
prize in the category of 'Longest Accident-Free Days. The award was
presented on January 6, 2026, by the Hon'ble Minister of Labour,
Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Company was awarded 'Best Environmental Initiative' for its
360-degree circular water stewardship model, conferred by Bonsucro
at the Bonsucro Inspire Awards 2026.
During the year, the Company received the 'Gold' Award in the State
PRSI Awards 2025, for its 50th Annual Report "Enduring Challenges.
Embracing Change."
During the year, the Company received Golden Peacock Eco¬
Innovation award 2025, for sustainability-driven innovation and
environmental excellence.
There has been no change in the nature of the Company's business
during the financial year 2025-26.
DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 152 of the Companies Act,
2013, read with the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. M.
M. Venkatachalam (DIN: 0152619), Director, retires by rotation at the
ensuing Annual General Meeting and, being eligible, offers himself
for reappointment. The requisite details in this regard are provided
in the Notice convening the Annual General Meeting and in the
Corporate Governance Report.
The Company has received declarations from all Independent
Directors confirming that they meet the criteria of independence as
prescribed under Section 149(6) of the Act and that they comply with
Regulations 16 and 25 of the Listing Regulations.
Mr. Muthiah Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Y. Venkateshwarlu, Chief Financial Officer, and Mr. Biswa
Mohan Rath, Company Secretary, are the Key Managerial Personnel of
the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 203 of the
Act. During the financial year 2025-26, there were no appointments
or resignations of Directors or Key Managerial Personnel.
Number of Meetings of the Board
Seven meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the year,
the details of which are provided in the Corporate Governance Report.
Board evaluation
The performance of the Board Committees and individual Directors
was evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Companies
Act, 2013 and the Listing Regulations. The manner in which the
evaluation was carried out, along with the process adopted, is
detailed in the Corporate Governance Report.
Expertise of Independent Directors
In terms of the requirements of the Listing Regulations, and Rule
8(5)(iiia) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the Board has
identified the core skills, expertise, and competencies required of
Directors in the context of the Company's business for its effective
functioning. The manner in which the current Board fulfills these
requirements is detailed in the Corporate Governance Report.
Policy on Directors' Appointment and Remuneration and
Other Details
The Board, on the recommendation of the Nomination and
Remuneration Committee (NRC), has formulated a policy for the
selection and appointment of Directors and Senior Management
personnel, and for determining their qualifications, positive
attributes, independence, and remuneration.
The Remuneration Policy and the criteria for Board nominations are
available on the Company's website athttps://eidparry.com/wp-
content/assets/2025/04/Remuneration-PolicyR1.pdf
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 134(3) and 134(5) of the Act, your Directors, to
the best of their knowledge, belief and according to information
and explanations obtained from the management, confirm that:
⢠   In the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial
year ended March 31, 2026, the applicable accounting
standards have been followed and there are no material
departures therefrom;
⢠   they have selected such accounting policies and applied
them consistently and made judgments and estimates that
are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view
of the state of affairs of the Company as of March 31,2026, and
of the loss of the Company for the year ended on that date;
⢠   they have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance
of adequate accounting records in accordance with the
provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the
assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting
fraud and other irregularities;
⢠   they have prepared the annual accounts on a going
concern basis;
⢠   they have laid down proper internal financial controls to be
followed by the Company and such controls are adequate
and operating effectively and;
⢠   they have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with
the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are
adequate and operating effectively.
AUDITORS AND AUDITORS' REPORT
Statutory Auditors
M/s. Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP (Firm Registration
No. 012754N/N500016), Chennai, were appointed as the Statutory
Auditors of the Company by the Members at the 47th Annual
General Meeting held on August 9, 2022, to hold office until the
conclusion of the 52nd Annual General Meeting.
The Statutory Auditors have issued an unmodified audit opinion
on the financial statements of the Company for the financial year
2025-26. There are no qualifications, reservations, adverse remarks,
or disclaimers in their report.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 148 of the Companies Act,
2013, read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 and
the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014, as amended
from time to time, cost audit is applicable to the Company's
businesses relating to sugar, distillery, and cogeneration of power.
The Company has duly maintained the requisite cost records
and accounts for these businesses, as prescribed by the Central
Government under Section 148(1) of the Act.
On the recommendation of the Audit Committee, the Board
of Directors has appointed M/s. Narasimha Murthy & Co., Cost
Accountants, as the Cost Auditors of the Company for the financial
year 2025-26 at a remuneration of H10,00,000 (Rupees Ten Lakhs only),
plus applicable taxes and reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.
A resolution seeking Members' ratification of the remuneration
payable to the Cost Auditors forms part of the Notice convening
the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
The Cost Audit Report for the financial year 2024-25 has been filed
with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The Cost Audit Report for the
financial year 2025-26 shall be filed within the prescribed timelines.
The Board of Directors has appointed M/s. Sridharan & Sridharan
Associates, Practising Company Secretaries, Chennai, as the
Secretarial Auditors of the Company to conduct the Secretarial
Audit for the financial year 2025-26.
The Secretarial Audit Report for the financial year 2025-26 is
annexed as Annexure B to this Report.
The Secretarial Auditors have not reported any qualifications,
reservations, adverse remarks, or disclaimers in their report.
For the Financial Year 2025-26, M/s. Parry Sugars Refinery India
Private Limited (PSRIPL) is a material subsidiary of the Company. As
per regulation 24A of the Listing Regulations, every listed company
and its material subsidiaries shall undertake secretarial audit by a
Secretarial Auditor and shall annex the Secretarial Audit Report, with
the Annual Report of the Listed entity. Accordingly, the Secretarial
Audit Report of PSRIPL for the financial year 2025-26 is annexed as
Annexure B1 to this Report.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
EID Parry's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives are
anchored in the belief that sustainable business success is
intrinsically linked to the well-being of the communities in which the
Company operates. During FY 2025-26, the Company continued
to strengthen its interventions across healthcare, education, rural
development, and sports, with a focus on underserved communities
surrounding its manufacturing locations.
Healthcare Access and Outreach
With the objective of improving healthcare accessibility in rural areas,
the Company continued its flagship initiatives Wellness on Wheels
and Rural Health Centres. These mobile and static healthcare units,
staffed by qualified doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, and social
workers, provide timely diagnosis, treatment, and free medicines to
village communities.
In addition, specialised eye care camps were conducted to raise
awareness, offer eye screenings, facilitate cataract surgeries, and
distribute corrective eyewear, thereby extending preventive and
curative healthcare services to remote populations.
Education remains a key pillar of the Company's CSR efforts.
Evening study centres were operated across select villages,
providing academic support to students from Grades 1 to 10. These
centres focus on core subjects such as Science, Mathematics, and
English, while also encouraging creative development through
arts and crafts.
To strengthen rural educational infrastructure, the Company has
supported schools through the provision of computers, laboratory
equipment, smart boards, classroom renovations, and sanitation
facilities. Scholarships were also awarded to meritorious students
from economically disadvantaged backgrounds to enable their
continued education.
The Company's rural development initiatives focus on enhancing
essential infrastructure and improving quality of life. Drinking water
access was expanded through the installation of reverse osmosis
(RO) systems, restoration of water sources, and construction of
storage facilities. Additionally, food and essential supplies were
distributed to vulnerable households as part of the Company's
efforts towards hunger alleviation.
Sports for Development
Sports for Development is a flagship CSR initiative aimed at
identifying, nurturing, and supporting talented youth to compete
at state and national levels. Beyond sports training, the programme
incorporates life skills development, contributing to overall
personality development and social transformation.
Project NANNEER, a flagship water stewardship initiative of the
AMM Foundation and EID Parry, continues to deliver transformative
impact across rural Tamil Nadu and other regions. Implemented
in partnership with Siruthuli, a not-for-profit organisation based in
Coimbatore, the project focuses on rejuvenating traditional water
bodies and their feeder systems.
As of FY 2025-26 (Phase IV), over 18 water bodies have been
restored, creating a cumulative water storage potential of
approximately 1.83 billion litres. Key restoration activities include
desilting, bund strengthening, installation of percolation shafts,
sluice repairs, and clearing of feeder channels thereby enhancing
groundwater recharge and reducing water loss.
⢠Muthaandi Kanmai (8 acres, Pudukkottai): Capacity
increased from 27 to 45 million litres, supporting over 50
acres of farmland.
⢠   Kuttapalayam Pond (15 acres, Tiruppur): Capacity enhanced
from 75 to 112 million litres, supporting irrigation for
approximately 1,200 acres.
⢠   Ammapatti Kanmai (9 acres, Sivagangai): Expanded from 22.6
to 45.7 million litres, benefiting over 75 acres.
⢠   Raja Oorani (2 acres, Sivagangai): Improved from 3.3 to 7.4
million litres, benefiting around 500 families.
⢠   Hanumantha Pond and Kuma Kere Lake (Haliyal, Karnataka):
Restoration nearing completion with a combined capacity of
approximately 1 billion litres, supporting over 1,200 acres and
benefiting around 650 farmers.
⢠   37 water bodies taken up for rejuvenation
⢠   Over 5 billion litres of water under management
⢠   More than 25,000 farmers benefited
⢠   Improved year-round availability of water for irrigation,
livestock, and drinking purposes
⢠   Enhanced groundwater recharge and ecological restoration
With a clear roadmap for FY 2026-27, the project aims to
scale up interventions, deepen community participation, and
strengthen its position as a replicable model for integrated water
resource management.
The Company has constituted a Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) Committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 135
of the Companies Act, 2013. The CSR Committee has formulated a
CSR Policy, which has been approved by the Board and is available
on the Company's website at:https://www.eidparry.com/wp-
content/assets/2023/03/CSR-Policy.pdf.
As per the applicable provisions of the Act, the Company was not
required to spend towards CSR for FY 2025-26. Nevertheless, the
Company continued its CSR initiatives and incurred an expenditure
of H 1,02,61,857 during the year.
The Annual Report on CSR activities forms part of this Report
as Annexure C.
All contracts, arrangements, and transactions entered into by the
Company with related parties during the financial year were on an
arm's length basis and in the ordinary course of business. There were no
materially significant related party transactions with promoters, directors,
key managerial personnel, or other designated persons that could have
a potential conflict with the interests of the Company at large.
During the year under review, the Company did not enter into any
contracts or arrangements with related parties falling within the
purview of Section 188(1) of the Companies Act, 2013. Accordingly,
the disclosure of related party transactions as required under
Section 134(3)(h) of the Act in Form AOC-2 is not applicable for FY
2025-26 and does not form part of this Report.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee
for its approval. Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is
obtained on an annual basis for transactions that are repetitive
in nature and undertaken in the ordinary course of business. The
transactions executed pursuant to such omnibus approval are placed
before the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis for its review.
The Policy on Related Party Transactions, as approved by the Board,
is available on the Company's website at:https://eidparry.com/wp-
content/assets/2026/02/RPT Policy Final.pdf
The Company had, in the past, implemented the Employee Stock
Option Scheme, 2007 ("ESOP Scheme 2007"), under which stock
options were granted to eligible employees. Grants under the said
Scheme were made during the period from 2007 to 2011. As at the
end of the financial year, there were no vested options outstanding,
and no further grants will be made under the ESOP Scheme 2007.
The Company introduced the Employee Stock Option Plan, 2016
("ESOP 2016") during the financial year 2016-17. The ESOP 2016 was
approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting held on November
7, 2016, and subsequently by the shareholders by way of a Special
Resolution passed through Postal Ballot on January 21, 2017. The
shareholders authorised the Board of Directors / Nomination and
Remuneration Committee (NRC) to grant such number of options
as may be exercisable into not more than 35,17,000 fully paid-up
equity shares of Re. 1/- each.
The NRC is empowered to formulate the detailed terms and
conditions of the ESOP 2016 and to administer and supervise
the implementation of the Scheme. The NRC also determines
the eligibility of employees, identifies the employees to whom
options are to be granted, and specifies the terms of such grants.
Further, the NRC is authorised to determine the eligible subsidiary
companies, whether existing or future, whose employees are
entitled to participate in the Scheme.
Options granted under ESOP 2016 vest on or after a minimum
period of one year from the date of grant and not later than four
years from the date of grant, or such other period as may be
determined by the NRC.
During the year under review, no options were granted. As at
March 31,2026, the total number of options (vested, unvested, and
outstanding) stood at 2,90,336.
The details of options granted up to March 31, 2026,
and the disclosures required under Regulation 14 of the
SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity)
Regulations, 2021 are available on the Company's website at:
https://www.eidparry.com/financials/.
The Company has received a certificate from the Secretarial Auditors
confirming that the aforesaid Scheme has been implemented
in accordance with the SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits and
Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 and the resolutions passed by the
Members in this regard.
The Report on Corporate Governance, together with a certificate
from a Practising Company Secretary confirming compliance with
the conditions of Corporate Governance as stipulated under the
Listing Regulations, forms part of this Report.
The Corporate Governance Report also includes the disclosures
relating to, inter alia, the Board evaluation, remuneration policy,
implementation of the risk management policy, and the whistle¬
blower policy / vigil mechanism.
Further, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer
have submitted a certificate to the Board in respect of the financial
statements and other matters, as required under Regulation 17(8)
read with Part B of Schedule II to the Listing Regulations.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND
PROTECTION FUND (IEPF)
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013,
read with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority
(Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 ("IEPF Rules"),
all dividends that remain unpaid or unclaimed for a period of
seven years are required to be transferred by the Company to the
Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) established by the
Central Government. Further, in accordance with the IEPF Rules,
shares in respect of which dividends have not been encashed
by shareholders for seven consecutive years or more are also
required to be transferred to the demat account established by the
IEPF Authority.
Accordingly, the Company has transferred the unclaimed and
unpaid dividends, along with the corresponding shares, to the IEPF
in compliance with the provisions of the IEPF Rules. The details of
such transfers are available on the Company's website at:https://
www.eidparry.com/unpaid-unclaimed-dividend/.
During the year, the Company transferred the following to the IEPF.
⢠   An amount of H 38,75,094 on October 3, 2025, being the
unclaimed final dividend for the financial year 2017-18 and
has transferred 141132 equity shares.
⢠   An amount of H 37,75,356 on April 8, 2026, being the
unclaimed first interim dividend for the financial year 2018-19
and has transferred 22973 equity shares.
The Audit Committee comprises Mr. S. Durgashankar, Independent
Director, as Chairman; Dr. (Ms.) Rca Godbole, Independent Director;
Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director; and Mr. M. M.Venkatachalam,
Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director, as members.
The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee comprises Mr.
M. M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director,
as Chairman; Mr. T. Krishnakumar, Independent Director; and
Mr. Muthiah Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive
Officer, as members.
The Stakeholders' Relationship Committee (SRC) comprises Mr. M.
M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director, as
Chairman; Mr. T. Krishnakumar, Independent Director; Mr. Muthiah
Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer;
and Mr. Ramesh K. B. Menon, Non-Executive, Non-Independent
Director, as members.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) comprises
Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director, as Chairman; Dr. (Ms.) Rca
Godbole, Independent Director; and Mr. Ramesh K. B. Menon, Non¬
Executive, Non-Independent Director, as members.
The Risk Management Committee comprises Mr. S. Durgashankar,
Independent Director, as Chairman; Mr. Muthiah Murugappan,
Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Ajay B. Baliga,
Independent Director; and Mr. M. M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive,
Non-Independent Director, as members.
The Company has established a Vigil Mechanism for Directors
and employees to report genuine concerns and grievances. The
mechanism provides adequate safeguards against victimisation of
individuals availing of the same.
The Audit Committee reviews the functioning of the Whistle Blower
and Vigil Mechanism on a quarterly basis. The Vigil Mechanism and
Whistle Blower Policy are available on the Company's website athttps://
eidparrv.com/wp-content/assets/2026/06/WBP.pdf Details in this
regard are also provided in the Corporate Governance Report.
During the year under review, the Company received one Whistle
Blower Complaint ("WBC"), which was duly investigated and closed
after taking appropriate actions. There were no WBCs pending as
at March 31, 2026. The complaint pertained to certain irregularities,
including misreporting of raw material consumption and revenue in
the Company's Sugar & Biofuel Division, involving certain employees.
Pursuant to this, the Company carried out a detailed assessment and
review of the matter and, based on the findings, took appropriate
remedial and disciplinary actions, including necessary accounting
adjustments/provisions in the books of account, commensurate
with the nature and extent of the misstatement, the overall impact of
which was not material to the financial statements. No material fraud
by the Company or on the Company was noticed or reported during
the year, except for the aforesaid instance of misreporting.
A report under Section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 has
been filed by the statutory auditors in Form ADT-4, as prescribed
under Rule 13 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014,
with the Central Government.
Pursuant to Regulation 34(2)(f) of the Listing Regulations, read with
SEBI Circular No. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2021/2 dated May 5, 2021, SEBI
Circular No. SEBI/HO/CFD/CFD-SEC-2/P/CIR/2023/122 dated July
12, 2023, and other applicable SEBI circulars issued in this regard
("SEBI Circulars"), your Company has provided the prescribed
disclosures on Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG")
parameters through the Business Responsibility and Sustainability
Report ("BRSR").
The BRSR includes disclosures on the Company's performance
against the nine principles of the National Guidelines on
Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC), with reporting under each
principle categorised into essential and leadership indicators.
Further, pursuant to the aforesaid SEBI Circulars relating to BRSR
reporting, your Company has obtained independent assurance
on the BRSR Core indicators from M/s. Price Waterhouse Chartered
Accountants LLP, ESG Assurance.
Pursuant to Regulation 43A of the Listing Regulations, the top
1,000 listed companies are required to formulate a Dividend
Distribution Policy. The Company's Dividend Distribution Policy,
as approved by the Board, is available on the Company's website
and can be accessed at:https://www.eidparry.com/wp-content/
assets/2023/02/Dividend-Distribution-Policy.pdf.
Conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign
exchange earnings and outgo
The particulars relating to conservation of energy, technology
absorption, research and development, and foreign exchange
earnings and outgo, as required under Section 134(3)(m) of
the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies
(Accounts) Rules, 2014, are provided in Annexure D to this Report.
The details of loans and guarantees repaid / provided during the
year are set out in Annexure E to this Report.
The information relating to employees and other particulars, as
required under Section 197 of the Act, read with Rule 5(2) of the
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial
Personnel) Rules, 2014, will be provided upon request.
In terms of Section 136 of the Act, the Report and Accounts are being
circulated to the Members excluding the aforesaid information. The
relevant particulars are available for inspection by the Members
at the Registered Office of the Company during business hours
on all working days up to the date of the ensuing Annual General
Meeting. Any Member interested in obtaining a copy of the same
may write to the Company Secretary in this regard.
The disclosures pertaining to remuneration, as required under Section
197 of the Act read with Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment
and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, form part
of this Report and are annexed herewith as Annexure F.
During FY 2021-22, an application was filed under Section 9 of
the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 before the National
Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Chennai, against the Company. The
petitioner, M/s. Jain Irrigation Systems Limited, alleged non-receipt
of payments from farmers in respect of the supply and installation
of irrigation systems in the Company's command area during FY
2010-11, for which the Company was stated to be a guarantor.
The NCLT, Chennai, vide its order dated July 11,2023, dismissed the
said application. The petitioner has subsequently filed an appeal
before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT),
which is currently pending.
The Company further confirms that no application under the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 has been initiated by it as
on March 31, 2026.
There were no instances of one-time settlement with any bank or
financial institution during the year.
Annual Return
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 92 of the Companies Act,
2013, the Annual Return of the Company in Form MGT-7 is placed
on the Company's website and can be accessed at:https://www.
eidparry.com/shareholders-meeting/
The Company has complied with the Secretarial Standards issued by
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India and approved by the
Central Government as required under Section 118(10) of the Act.
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting is required in
respect of the following matters, as there were no transactions
relating to these items during the year under review:
1. Â Â Â Details relating to deposits covered under Chapter V of the
Companies Act, 2013.
2. Â Â Â Issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend,
voting, or otherwise.
3. Â Â Â Issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees
of the Company under any scheme, other than the ESOP
scheme referred to in this Report.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Company does not receive any
remuneration or commission from any of the Company's subsidiaries.
No significant or material orders were passed by any Regulators,
Courts, or Tribunals that could impact the going concern status of
the Company or its future operations.
Further, there have been no material changes or commitments
affecting the financial position of the Company that have occurred
between March 31, 2026, and the date of this Report, except as
disclosed elsewhere in this Report.
The Board places on record its sincere appreciation for the valuable
support and cooperation extended by bankers, lenders, financial
institutions, business associates, shareholders, various departments
of the Government of India and State Governments, the farming
community, and all other stakeholders.
The Board also acknowledges with gratitude the continued
dedication and commitment of the Company's employees, who
have operating a challenging business environment with discipline
and resilience.
Looking ahead, the Company expects a gradual improvement in
market conditions, supported by stabilising input costs, favourable
government policies impacting the sugar sector, and growing
consumer demand. With a continued focus on disciplined
execution and long-term value creation, the Company is well-
positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities in the FMCG
and agri-based sectors.
On behalf of the Board
Date: May 26, 2026 Â Â Â Chairman
Place: Chennai    DIN: 00152619
Mar 31, 2025
Your directors take pleasure in presenting the fiftieth Annual Report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31,2025.
| Â | Â | Â | Â |
(Rs. in Crore) |
|
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
||
|
2024-25 |
2023-24 |
2024-25 |
2023-24 |
|
|
Revenue from Operations |
3,168.12 |
2808.60 |
31,608.61 |
29,413.11 |
|
Gross Revenue |
3,45 7.00 |
2987.74 |
31,967.79 |
29,716.92 |
|
Profit Before Interest and 1 Depreciation (IBIII DA) |
251.81 |
306.72 |
2,992.64 |
2,891.4 3 |
|
Depreciation |
175.34 |
14 7.49 |
5 12.39 |
420.78 |
|
Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) |
76.47 |
159.2 3 |
2,827.02 |
2,4 70.65 |
|
Finance Charges |
68.91 |
44.05 |
372.43 |
295.43 |
|
Exceptional Gains/(Losses) |
(427.15) |
NA |
346.77 |
NA |
|
Net Profit Before fix |
(419.59) |
115.18 |
2,454 59 |
2175.22 |
|
fix Expenses |
8.71 |
8.09 |
682.05 |
557.65 |
|
Net Profit After iax Before Minority Interest |
(428.30) |
107.09 |
1,7/2.54 |
1617.57 |
|
Non - Controlling Interests |
NA |
NA |
894.19 |
717.90 |
|
Net Profit After Tax and Minority Interest |
(428.30) |
107.09 |
878.35 |
899.67 |
|
No material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company have occurred between the end of the financial year to which these financial statements relate and the date of this report. |
||||
Your Company has not transferred any amount to the reserves for the year ended March 31,2025.
The paid-up Equity Share Capital of your Company as on March 31, 2025, was Rs. 17,77,78,294 consisting of 17,77,78,294 equity shares of Re. 1 each.
During the year, your Company allotted 2,60,703 ESOPs under the Employee Stock Option Scheme-2016.
The Board has not proposed any dividend for the Financial Year ended March 31,2025.
Consolidated Revenue from operations for the year was Rs. 31,608.61 Crore, as against Rs.29,413.11 Crore in the previous year. Overall expenses for the year were Rs.29,806.24 Crore as against Rs.27,513.77 in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) excluding exceptional items was Rs.2,992.64 Crore as against Rs.2,891.43 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax and minority interest for the year was Rs.878.35 Crore, as against Rs. 899.67 Crore in the previous year.
Standalone Revenue from your Company's operations for the year under review was Rs.3168.12 Crore as against Rs. 2,808.60 Crore in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was Rs.251.81 Crore, (excluding exceptional items) as against Rs.306.72 Crore in the
previous year. Profit/(Loss) after Tax for the year was at Rs.(428.30) Crore as against Rs. 107.09 Crore in the previous year.
During the financial year under review, the Company faced a complex and evolving market environment that influenced the performance of its standalone operations. While the year concluded with a net loss, the Company continued to demonstrate resilience across its core product segments while laying groundwork for future growth and operational efficiency.
Revenue from operations was marginally higher compared to the previous financial year, caused by higher distillery sales and increased revenue from Consumer Product Group Business, which unfolded a 65% jump. Despite an increase in revenue, the Company experienced a significant decline in profitability. This was primarily due to rise in sugarcane procurement costs and a substantial reduction in sugarcane availability in the state of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh owing to adverse climatic conditions and farmers switching to other remunerative crops. The situation was further exacerbated by lower recovery rates in Tamilnadu. Additionally, inflationary pressures, increased logistics costs, and subdued demand trends have also adversely impacted overall performance. Despite these challenges, the Company retained its market presence and customer trust across key product categories, supported by focused brand and distribution strategies.
The sugar segment experienced price volatility during the year, influenced by rising cane procurement costs, poor weather conditions, and regulatory developments. Nonetheless, the Company ensured consistent supply, focusing on improving yields, stable recovery rates, and operational continuity across its manufacturing units.
In the consumer product group category, despite intense competition and price sensitivity, the Company registered modest volume movement, though the Company's emphasis on quality and reliable sourcing coupled with premium offerings and aligning with evolving consumer preferences, helped to maintain a loyal customer base.
The alcohol segment witnessed steady demand, particularly in select geographies, but margins remained under pressure due to higher grain and fuel prices. The ethanol segment during FY 2024-25 was impacted by policy restrictions imposed earlier by the Government of India, particularly the cap on the use of sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses for ethanol production. These curbs, aimed at safeguarding sugar availability, disrupted operational planning and constrained capacity utilization. Although the Government has since relaxed these restrictions, the segment's performance remained impacted due to the prolonged uncertainty, input cost inflation, and climatic vagaries. Despite these headwinds, the Company continued to streamline its distillery business, leveraging its integrated operations to adapt to shifting policy dynamics and sustained performance.
Distribution expansion was a key focus during the year. The Company deepened its presence in rural and semi-urban markets while leveraging modern trade and e-commerce platforms to
broaden reach, especially for packaged staples. These efforts have enhanced accessibility and brand visibility across channels.
The Company has also invested in strengthening its brand positioning and launched select promotional campaigns aimed at reinforcing consumer trust and driving trial. New packaging formats and pricing strategies were introduced to appeal to evolving consumption patterns without compromising on product quality. While the financial performance for the year reflects external pressures and transitional dynamics, the Company remains structurally strong with a diversified product portfolio, integrated supply chain, and a clear strategic roadmap. The management is actively working to strengthen profitability through portfolio optimization, process improvements, and new product development aligned with consumer trends.
While the year under review presented several macroeconomic and sector-specific challenges, your company has remained steadfast in its commitment to resilience, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. In an industry marked by volatility, we continue to adapt, innovate, and align with emerging trends to unlock value for all stakeholders.
The global economy in FY 2024-25 navigated a complex landscape, shaped by persistent geopolitical uncertainties, inflationary pressures, and fluctuating energy prices.
As per the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook (WEO), the risks to global growth are characterized by divergence and uncertainty. A soft landing remains a possibility, with global growth projected at 3.3% in both 2025 and 2026, broadly unaffected from the October 2024 forecast, and below the historical (2000-19) average of 3.7%. The subdued forecast reflects elevated central bank policy rates to fight inflation, a withdrawal of fiscal support amid high debt, and low underlying productivity growth.
World trade volume is projected to grow at 3.2% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026, below its historical average of 4.9%, due in part to increased trade policy uncertainty. Growth in emerging market and developing economies is expected to remain at 4.2% in 2025, slightly improving to 4.3% in 2026.
India, as part of this group, is projected to maintain growth at 6.3% for the fiscal starting April 1,2025, down 0.4 percentage points from the October 2024 forecast, due to uncertainty in the policy and global economic weakness.
Advanced economies grappled with tightening monetary policies, while emerging markets, particularly in Asia, demonstrated relative resilience. Global trade remained sluggish due to supply chain bottlenecks and shifts in geopolitical alliances. However, agricultural commodities, including sugar and ethanol, continued to play a crucial role in global economic dynamics, with sustainability and green energy driving policy discussions.
Sources: World Economic Outlook, January 2025; Reuters
The Indian economy exhibited steady but moderated growth in FY 2024-25, with GDP projected to expand at 6.4% as per the first advance estimates by the National Statistical Office, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI). While inflationary concerns persisted, proactive monetary interventions helped maintain macroeconomic stability. According to a report from the World Bank "India: Becoming a High-Income Economy in a Generation", India has developed at a scale and pace that is uncommon. From 2000 to present, in real terms, the economy has grown nearly four-fold, and GDP per capita has almost tripled. This is because India grew faster than the rest of the world, its share in the global economy has doubled from 1.6% in 2000 to 3.4% in 2023 and India has become the world's fifth largest economy.
The rural economy, a key demand driver for the sugar sector, faced headwinds due to erratic weather conditions and rising input costs. However, the government's continued push for agricultural reforms, ethanol blending policies, and green energy initiatives offered some tailwinds for industry stakeholders.
Despite recent moderation, India's economic growth has remained robust, with GDP growth of 6% year-on-year in the first half of 2024-25. Inflation has broadly declined within the tolerance band, though food price fluctuations have created some volatility. The financial sector has remained resilient, with non-performing loans at multi-year lows. Fiscal consolidation has continued, and the current account deficit has remained well contained, supported by strong growth in service exports.
Real GDP is expected to grow at 6.5% in 2024-25 and 2025-26, supported by robust growth in private consumption on the back of sustained macroeconomic and financial stability. Headline inflation is expected to converge to target as food price shocks wane. The current account is expected to widen somewhat but remain moderate at -1.3% of GDP in 2025-26. Looking ahead, India's financial sector health, strengthened corporate balance sheets, and strong foundation in digital public infrastructure underscore India's potential for sustained medium-term growth and continued social welfare gains.
Sources: Economic Survey 2024-25; IMF Press Releases; World Bank Reports
According to S&P Platts, global demand supply balance in 2024-25 swung to a deficit of 2.37 MMT, from a surplus of 5.58 MMT in 2023-24. This was mainly due to lower production in Brazil (by 2.5 MMT) and India (by 3.5 MMT), which was partially compensated by increases in EU (by 1 MMT), Thailand (by 2 MMT) and China (by 0.7 MMT). Global consumption growth in 24-25 was estimated as 1.1% lower than first year. Raw sugar prices were quite volatile during the year, climbing upto 24 c/lb (highest in 12 years) in October '24 and later fell to 18 c/lb in February '24.
S&P Platts projects a lower demand supply deficit for 2025-26 of 1.0 MMT. Brazilian mills are expected to maximise their sugar production to 41 MMT, as sugar realisations are higher compared to ethanol. Better monsoon prospects will help India to increase production levels to 32 MMT, net of ethanol diversion. Thailand is poised for a
11.6 M MT output compared to 10.8 MMT in 2024-25. S & P projects sugar consumption in 2025-26 to increase by 1.1% over 2024-25.
Raw sugar trade flows are balanced for most of 2025-26, except for a significant surplus in Jul-Sep period. Raw sugar prices are expected to trade in the range of 17-21 c/lb. Refined sugar trade flows are balanced to a small surplus in 2025-26. Due to balanced supply situation in refined sugar, white premiums are recovering from May '25 and expected to hold between 90-120 USD/MT.
Sugarcane in India is majorly produced in nine states of India, namely, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The sugar industry is an important agro-based industry that impacts the rural livelihood of many people. Demand for cane and organic sugar is increasing in India because of their extensive use in different application sectors like food and beverages, bakery, confectionery, and many more.
Consumers in India use sugar on a daily basis in their tea, coffee, fruit juice, and medicines as well. Ayurvedic medicines and herbs are very famous in a country like India, and brown sugar or organic cane sugar has seen an upward trend in the market. Additionally, the demand for natural and chemical-free ingredients is also growing in the country. Therefore, the demand for organic sugar is increasing. However, sugar adulteration and the use of chemicals for production can pose a restraint for the market.
Indian sugar mills have signed contracts to export 600,000 metric tons of sugar in the 2024-25 marketing year, which ends in September. After suspending exports last year to stabilize local prices, India permitted the export of 1 MMT of sugar in January. The move aimed to help mills sell surplus stock. Government has released first reallocation of export quota for export during Sugar Season 2024-25 and consequent adjustment of monthly release quantity on account of exchange of export quantity with domestic monthly release quantity.
Sources: Reuters, Chinimandi
Sugar production in India has reached 247.61 LMT as of March 31, 2025, for the ongoing 2024-25 sugar season (SS). According to the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), as on March 31, 2025, 95 mills were operational across the country, with production continuing in key sugar-producing states.
The gross sugar production stood at 310 LMT during the 2024-25 marketing year with a diversion of 37.5 LMT of sweetener for ethanol making, including 10 LMT for exports. Taking into account an opening stock of approximately 80 LMT and a forecasted domestic
consumption of 280 LMT for the season, ISMA has projected a lower closing stock of 62.5 LMT by September 30, 2025.
Meanwhile, the International Sugar Organization (ISO) on March 6 raised its 2024-25 global sugar deficit forecast to -4.88 MMT from a November forecast of -2.51 MMT, showing a tightening market from the 2023/24 global sugar surplus of 1.31 MMT. The ISO also cut its 2024-25 global sugar production forecast to 175.5 MMT from a November forecast of 179.1 MMT. Drought and excessive heat last year caused fires in Brazil that damaged sugar crops in Brazil's top sugar-producing state of Sao Paulo.
Sources: Chinimandi, Nasdaq
India continues to be one of the largest consumers of sugar globally, with consumption driven by a combination of population size, cultural dietary habits, and the country's growing food processing industry. Sugar is a key ingredient in household consumption, traditional sweets, beverages, and packaged foods.
However, a growing awareness around health and lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes and obesity are gradually influencing consumption behaviour, especially among urban consumers. This has led to a marginal shift toward low-calorie and sugar-substitute products, though the impact on overall sugar demand remains modest so far.
Overall, the Indian sugar market is expected to remain robust, with domestic consumption forming a substantial portion of total sugar demand, even as exports and ethanol diversion initiatives continue to play an increasingly strategic role in the industry.
For the 2024-25 sugar season, the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) is set at Rs. 340 per quintal for a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25%. The price increases or decreases by Rs. 3.32 for every 0.1% change in recovery above or below 10.25%, upto a minimum of 9.5%. With a view to protect interest of farmers, the Government has decided that there shall not be any deduction in case where recovery is below 9.5%; such farmers will get Rs. 315.10 per quintal for sugarcane.
Source: Department of Food and Public Distribution
On May 1, 2025, the Government of India notified the Sugar (Control) Order, 2025, replacing the decades-old 1966 Order to modernise and simplify sugar sector regulation. The revised Order consolidates pricing, production, and data reporting provisions under a single legal framework, aligning with technological advancements and sectoral realities.
Key reforms include:
¦ Digital Integration: Mandated API-based integration between sugar mills'ERP/SAP systems and the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) portal for real-time
data sharing and improved transparency. Over 450 mills are already integrated.
¦    Unified Price Control: Sugar price regulation provisions from the Sugar Price (Control) Order, 2018, have now been incorporated, eliminating the need for a separate price control order.
¦    Inclusion of Raw and Khandsari Sugar: Raw sugar is now formally recognised in national stock calculations. Khandsari units above 500 TCD capacity are brought under regulation to ensure FRP compliance and accurate production estimates.
¦    By-product Monitoring: Ethanol, molasses, bagasse, and press mud have been brought under the regulatory purview to track diversion from sugar production and safeguard domestic availability.
¦    Standardised Definitions: Product definitions harmonised with FSSAI standards, promoting consistency and consumer clarity. The order provides comprehensive definitions for various types of sugar, including plantation white, refined, raw, khandsari, bura, cube, and icing sugar. It also defines "bulk consumer," "dealer," "producer," and different grades of "cane molasses," ensuring clarity across the supply chain.
On October 23, 2024, a landmark judgment was delivered by a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in State of Uttar Pradesh vs. M/s. Lalta Prasad Vaish & Sons [Civil Appeal No. 151 of 2007], clarifying the extent of State governments' powers to regulate industrial alcohol under the Indian Constitution.
The primary issue before the Court was whether "industrial alcohol" - also known as rectified spirit or denatured spirit falls within the meaning of "intoxicating liquor" under Entry 8 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. States contended that, owing to the potential for misuse of industrial alcohol for producing illegal consumable alcohol, they should have regulatory authority over it.
This ruling revisits and overrules significant parts of the earlier seven-judge bench judgment in Synthetics & Chemicals Ltd. v. State of U.P. (1990), where it was held that the term "intoxicating liquors" referred exclusively to potable alcohol, thereby limiting the States' jurisdiction to regulate only drinkable liquor. That judgment had further restricted States' powers by holding that once Parliament declared control over an industry under Entry 52 of the Union List (or Entry 33 of the Concurrent List), State legislation in respect of that industry would be excluded.
In the present case, the Court held, by an 8:1 majority, that Entry 8 of the State List - which gives States the power to legislate on "intoxicating liquors, that is to say, the production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating liquors"
is broad and encompasses all forms of liquor, including nonpotable industrial alcohol. The majority ruled that any reading of Entry 8 must give States the power to regulate any form of alcohol that has the potential to intoxicate, including industrial alcohol that could be misused for human consumption.
The Court emphasised that States' power to regulate intoxicating liquor is deeply linked to public health concerns. Given the rampant illicit conversion of industrial alcohol into drinking alcohol which has led to numerous fatalities, the judgment reaffirms the role of State governments in protecting citizens from such risks.
Additionally, the Court reconciled the potential overlap between Entry 8 of the State List and Entry 52 of the Union List (industries under Union control), noting that a harmonious interpretation is required. While Parliament may regulate the industry broadly, the States' specific authority over intoxicating liquor must not be rendered nugatory. Therefore, States will retain their powers under Entry 8 even when the industry falls under Union control via Entry 52.
This judgment has far-reaching implications for companies engaged in the manufacture or use of industrial alcohol. State governments now have the constitutional backing to impose regulatory controls and taxes on industrial alcohol, which may lead to a fragmented and state-specific compliance environment. Stakeholders should review their regulatory strategies and ensure alignment with the new regime.
On April 30, 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Hon'ble Prime Minister, approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for the 2025-26 sugar season at Rs. 355 per quintal for a basic recovery rate of 10.25%. This marks a 4.41% increase over the previous season and represents a 105.2% margin over the cost of production (A2+FL), which is estimated at Rs. 173/qtl.
Key points:
¦    Premium/Reduction Mechanism: A premium of Rs. 3.46/ qtl will apply for every 0.1% increase in recovery over 10.25%, and an equivalent reduction for each 0.1% drop.
¦    Protection for Low Recovery Units: No deduction will be made for mills with recovery below 9.5%; such farmers will receive Rs. 329.05/qtl.
¦    Stakeholder Consultation: FRP determination was based on recommendations by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and consultations with State Governments and industry stakeholders.
IV.    Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 - Draft Rules Released for Consultation
On January 3, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released the draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (DPDP Rules) for public feedback,
marking a significant step towards operationalising the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. These draft Rules lay down compliance requirements for data fiduciaries and significant data fiduciaries (SDFs), with a phased implementation roadmap. Key areas addressed include consent management, breach notification, data retention, and cross-border data transfers.
The Rules mandate itemised notices and "specified purposes" for data collection, enforce minimum security safeguards (e.g., encryption, monitoring), and require breach disclosures within 72 hours to both the Data Protection Board and affected individuals. They also provide a structured data erasure timeline for large digital platforms, set out a framework for consent managers, and impose enhanced obligations on SDFs such as impact assessments and algorithmic due diligence.
V.    Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) - "Classification of Sectors into Red, Orange, Green, White and Blue Categories (A tool for progressive environmental management)"
As of January 28, 2025, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has revised its methodology for classifying industrial sectors based on their pollution potential.
In 2016, CPCB introduced a Pollution Index (Pl)-based system, categorizing 257 sectors into Red, Orange, Green, and White categories. The 2024 revision refines the methodology by incorporating factors such as cleaner fuels, wastewater treatment improvements, and a more precise scoring system for air, water, and waste pollution.
A new "Blue" category has been added for Essential Environmental Services (EES). The revised classification now includes 419 sectors categorized as Red (125), Orange (137), Green (94), White (54), and Blue (9). The system also introduces an incentive mechanism for industries adopting sustainable practices.
The CPCB report also outlines guidelines for implementing the classification system. The classification may be used for consent management, inspection frequency, siting criteria, cluster development, pollution control plans, levying environmental compensation, promoting progressive environmental management, etc.
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India, has issued a series of important directives easing restrictions and clarifying norms related to ethanol production for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25.
Vide letters dated August 29, 2024 and September 13, 2024, sugar mills and distilleries have been permitted to continue the supply and manufacturing of ethanol from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup, B-Heavy molasses, and C-Heavy molasses, as per their agreements/allocation with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). In addition, they are now allowed to manufacture Rectified Spirit (RS) and Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) from sugarcane juice and B-Heavy molasses, marking a relaxation of earlier restrictions imposed through the directive dated December 15, 2023.
This regulatory change is expected to provide greater operational flexibility, facilitate higher ethanol blending under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) programme, and enable better utilisation of sugarcane-based feedstocks.
Further, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, vide its clarification dated February 25, 2025 (Letter No. 11/7/2022-(BP&E)), has specified that distilleries, including standalone distilleries, are allowed to produce ethanol from sugarcane juice/syrup procured only from sugar mills operating under the vacuum pan process. Importantly, procurement of sugarcane juice/syrup from jaggery units for ethanol production for supply under the EBP programme is not permitted, since jaggery units are not governed under the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966.
This clarification reinforces traceability and compliance within the regulated sugar sector, while ensuring that only authorised and monitored entities participate in ethanol production for blending with petrol.
Ethanol production is becoming increasingly intertwined with the sugar industry, particularly in countries like India, due to the Ethanol Blending with Petrol (EBP) Programme and the use of sugarcane and molasses as feedstock. This creates an "adjacency" where sugar mills are not only producing sugar but also ethanol, enhancing the overall value chain and potentially benefiting both the sugar and ethanol industries. Ethanol, produced from various sources including sugarcane and molasses, is a biofuel that can be blended with petrol to reduce emissions and reduces dependency on regular fuel.
The Indian ethanol industry demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth during FY 2024-25, supported by progressive government policies, a focus on energy diversification, and the strong momentum of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program. With the national target of achieving 20% ethanol blending by 2025, the sector witnessed accelerated investments in capacity expansion and technological innovation. Sugarcane-derived ethanol continued to dominate production, while the industry also made significant strides in diversifying into grain-based and second-generation ethanol. Improvements in logistics infrastructure, streamlined pricing mechanisms, and sustained policy support have collectively strengthened India's position as one of the fastest-growing ethanol markets globally. The sector remains a cornerstone in India's broader renewable energy and sustainability agenda.
In FY 2024-25, EID Parry reaffirmed its leadership by building on the foundations of integrated strength, agility, and innovation. Recognising the evolving needs of the market, we deepened our engagement with oil marketing companies and expanded our footprint in grain-based ethanol production, enhancing both resilience and future-readiness. Sustainability remained at the heart of our agenda, as we continued to pioneer best practices such as Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) across facilities and intensified our resource conservation efforts. As we move forward, EID Parry's Alcohol business remains unwavering in its commitment to delivering value for our partners, for the environment, and for India's dynamic energy future.
Co-generation
Co-generation continues to play a critical role in EID Parry's integrated manufacturing approach, contributing both to operational energy needs and to revenue generation through surplus power exports. By utilizing bagasse, a by-product of sugar manufacturing, the company ensures the efficient generation of renewable energy, promoting a circular economy model. During FY 2024-25, EID Parry maintained stable power generation, while further optimizing steam-to-power ratios to enhance overall efficiency. Investments in energy-efficient technologies and automation supported these efforts, reinforcing the company's commitment to operational excellence and environmental stewardship. The co-generation business remains instrumental in advancing EID Parry's sustainability objectives while delivering tangible economic benefits.
The success of the sugar business depends on the sugarcane availability and sugarcane quality. During the year, the sugarcane availability in Tamil Nadu (TN) units was lower compared to the previous year. In TN, there was a decline in cane crushed at 12.35 LMT as against 22.82 LMT in the previous year due to decreased cane availability. The average recovery recorded was 8.14% as against 8.50% in the previous year. The state has been witnessing a sharp decline in the area under sugarcane cultivation, leading to reduced cane crushing and lower sugar production. Further, the unseasonal rains and significant temperature and humidity fluctuations have impacted the recovery of all the mills in the state.
During the year, the units in Karnataka reported a lower crushing at 21.57 LMT compared to 22.93 LMT in the previous year due to drought followed by heavy rainfall which significantly reduced the per-acre yield. The average recovery was at 11.74% as against 11.55% in the previous year. The average recovery in the state has improved due to the better utilization of harvesting and labour, and lower downtime of plants.
With respect to the Andhra Pradesh (AP) unit, the cane crushed was 3.51 LMT as compared to 4.34 LMT in the previous year. The average recovery was at 9.69% as compared to 9.02% in the previous year. The lower volume was on account of the heavy rainfall and waterlogging, which affected the fields. Severe rainfall during the crushing season further disrupted the usage of mechanical harvesting. In addition to the above, the price offered by the competitive crops like maize has contributed to the reduction in areas under sugarcane.
At our core, we are more than a sugar company - we are a farmer-first enterprise. Every harvest, every field, every drop of water carries with it the story of a farmer's perseverance. Our success is inseparable from theirs, and that belief shapes everything we do.
We are acutely aware of the environmental challenges facing agriculture today. To address these, we are promoting sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices that conserve natural resources while enhancing productivity. Through structured crop development programs, integrated pest and nutrient management, and advanced irrigation practices, we are working to ensure that farming remains both economically viable and ecologically responsible.
In addition, we have partnered with Boomitra, an Earthshot Prize Winner, for carbon credit rewards to farmers, coupled with our sustained partnership with Bonsucro. We are also collaborating with our farmers in providing training on sustainable farming practices.
Today's agriculture is at a crossroads. Climate pressures, shrinking landholdings, and generational shifts are rewriting the rules of rural life. In this new landscape, our role is evolving from buyers of produce to enablers of progress.
Through water stewardship programs, regenerative farming pilots, and hyper-local soil rejuvenation efforts, we're helping farmers adapt to climate uncertainty while preserving the ecosystem that sustains them. Project NANNEER, launched in partnership with the AMM Foundation, is just one example. By restoring water bodies and recharging aquifers, we're not just quenching thirst, but securing the future of farming itself. As this expands to Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it becomes a blueprint for scalable, grassroots impact.
Our farmer-first philosophy will continue to guide us as we embrace new challenges and opportunities. We believe that sustainable agriculture must be inclusive, technology-enabled, and economically rewarding. By investing in our farmers today, we are laying the foundation for a more resilient and responsible future -not only for our business, but for the communities we serve.
We have partnered with Cultyvate, a company providing autonomous irrigation using soil monitoring systems to promote sustainable water usage. Through this initiative, EID Parry is promoting autonomous irrigation, leveraging technology to address water scarcity challenges and reduce water requirements at the field level. This not only enhances crop yield and quality but also supports EID Parry's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable farming practices that benefit the agricultural community and natural resources alike.
Our Company's sugar units strictly adhere to best-in-class manufacturing processes and quality benchmarks. Amongst the leading sugar manufacturers in India, EID Parry's 6 sugar plants and one standalone distillery are spread across South India. Our state-of-the-art plants with a total sugarcane crushing capacity of 40,800
TCD, co-generation capacity of 140 MW and distillery capacity of 582 KLPD across units are located at Nellikuppam, Pugalur and Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, Sankili in Andhra Pradesh and Bagalkot, Haliyal and Ramdurg in Karnataka. The units are equipped with the latest technological equipment and analytical labs to ensure the highest levels of product quality in a safe, healthy, and clean environment as the Company supplies sugar to major multinational soft drink companies, leading confectionery manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies. The Company continues its journey towards achieving manufacturing excellence by a focused thrust on creating a customer-centric sugar factory complex that blends low-cost production with premium quality products, while prioritizing safety, sustainability, profitability, and exceptional customer services. An accelerated drive across the value chain to improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs and eliminate wastage has been adopted across functions and processes to raise execution excellence metrics.
Our Company's manufacturing facilities are eco-friendly and meet emission and discharge norms. Water and energy conservation efforts have been taken to continually improve performance. The plants have safety and environment management systems and periodic performance assessments take place to ensure sustenance. All factories have ISO 14001 Environment system certification and are equipped with state-of-the-art pollution control measures such as an incineration facility to manage spent wash from Distilleries as stipulated by regulatory authorities. All 7 sites have ISO 45001:2018 Environment Health & Safety which provides an internationally recognized framework for managing occupational health and safety risks.
The Company continued to pursue its strategies to optimize efficiencies, reduce costs, eliminate wastage, and achieve stretch targets for growth. Even though our Company continues to focus on capacity and efficiency enhancement, it always aims to ramp up the diversification of the sugar portfolio.
During the year, the manufacturing operations faced several challenges, which were mitigated by suitable measures.
In TN, there were cane supply challenges which were mitigated by sourcing harvesting teams from different parts of state which supported the timely harvesting. We encouraged more entrepreneurs to carry out mechanical harvesting in both the plants. For better recovery, the main season crushing startup was postponed to mid-January (after Pongal), instead of a normal startup in December.
In KN, the initial startup challenges due to Government regulations were addressed and ensured all the units were running at their full capacity.
In AP, the reduction in cane registration was mitigated by taking additional area allotments from the government and the supply volume was made good.
¦    We have commissioned 120 KLPD distillery unit in Haliyal and 45 KLPD distillery unit in Nellikuppam. Initial troubleshooting was carried out proactively and the operations were stabilized.
¦    Despite several challenges, strategic plans and initiatives were made in Maize procurement operations from Andhra Pradesh and Molasses Feed arrangements from Maharashtra thereby achieving the combined production of16.44 crore liters against the previous year of 12.62 crore liters in all the 3 states.
¦    The Cogen plant was operated together with our sugar operations and accordingly, there was both generation and export of power. Various measures have been taken up in reducing steam consumption across all factories. Flash heat recoveries and vapour bleeding system modifications carried out at various plants for steam economy.
¦    Rectified Spirit (RS) redistillation process carried out to utilize the capacities
¦    Amrit plant commissioned at Pugalur
¦    Jaggery production stabilized, and capacity expanded to 200TPD at Pugalur
¦    Project Operational Excellence initiated at Haliyal and Bagalkot Units and the same will be rolled out in other factories in the upcoming years
As a market leader in the packaged sugar segment in South India, your Company markets its products under the iconic brand 'Parrys' and is well-positioned to significantly scale its retail and institutional segments through an extensive distribution network. This year, your company entered the staples category under the 'Parrys' brand name as part of its strategic expansion plan aimed at increasing share of consumer grocery basket and consolidating its leadership and fostering long-term growth.
This new product launch has strengthened the brand with an increased consumer franchise and growing distribution across South of India. The brand has established a robust presence in the Ecom channel while consolidating its stronghold in the modern format retail stores. With a strong foothold in multiple customer segments, the premium brand 'Parrys' continues to inspire trust and confidence among consumers, driving significant volumes. Acknowledging the growing trend toward healthy eating, accentuated during the pandemic, your Company has introduced innovative products to meet these evolving consumer needs. The brand Parry now boasts of an enhanced product portfolio comprising Low GI sugar and Millets. The low GI sugar is aimed at the pre diabetic and health conscious segments who now have an option to enjoy the sweetness without the spike in blood sugar levels. This product has gained excellent acceptance in the market as well.
The focus on strengthening the retail market through branded sugar products aims to mitigate the cyclicality of the sugar business.
By enhancing its presence in this segment, your Company expects to benefit from higher and more stable pricing, healthier longterm prospects, and improved realization. This strategy aligns with the Company's vision of sustainable growth and leadership in the sugar industry.
Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, your Company emphasizes collaboration and feedback from both consumers and internal stakeholders. This approach supports the development of new product categories and the scalability of future offerings. An enhanced sales and marketing framework, combining in-depth market understanding, targeted campaigns, effective strategies, technological integration, and performance measurement, underpins the Company's commitment to excellence.
Moving forward, your Company is focused on maximizing growth opportunities by prioritizing key focus areas, ramping up product availability, and strengthening brand presence across diverse categories and demographics. These efforts, combined with the adoption of cutting-edge technology and consumer-centric innovation, position the Company to remain a leader in the dynamic and competitive marketplace.
During the fiscal year 2024-25, the Quality function made considerable advancements to align with the company's strategic focus on Sweeteners, Non-Sweeteners, Alcohol, Staples, and Value-added products. Below are some key developments:
¦    The Sugar plant at Ramdurg achieved certification for food safety management systems.
¦    The certifications included ISO 22000:2018, ISO/TS 220021:2009, and additional FSSC 22000 for the first time.
¦    Units in Nellikuppam, Haliyal, Bagalkot, and Sankili successfully completed announced and unannounced audits, receiving re-accreditation with FSSC 22000 version 5.1 from the DNV Certification Body.
¦    The Nellikuppam and Haliyal units underwent external audits and were re-certified for ISO 9001:2018 Quality Management System.
¦    The Jaggery plant in Pugalur and the Jaggery production section at the Nellikuppam plant achieved certification in food safety management systems
¦    Nellikuppam, Haliyal, Bagalkot, and Pugalur maintained their SEDEX membership and achieved re-certification for MUI Halal and Kosher.
¦    Nellikuppam, Haliyal, Bagalkot units also obtained SMETA 6.0 (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) certification.
¦    The Nellikuppam Refinery Unit renewed its Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) license to comply with government guidelines for drug manufacturing customers and continues to produce pharma-grade sugar.
¦    The Sankili Unit underwent audits for Integrated Management System Certifications, including ISO 9001:2015, and successfully achieved recertification.
(CPG):
¦    The company launched a new range of Consumer Products, including rice, pulses, and millets. The Quality function was instrumental in setting up the required Food safety facilities for manufacturing and sourcing CPG products from Third-Party Units (TPUs).
¦    This process involved the development of specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and conducting Food Safety training for the TPUs to ensure high-quality standards and adherence to cGMP
¦    An Annual Quality Meet was held for the second time, facilitating discussions focused on enhancing the quality of our processes, products, and facilities.
¦    In November 2024, our units participated in World Quality Week, themed "Quality: from Compliance to Performance". This initiative, introduced by the United Nations in 1990, aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of quality in an organization's and a nation's growth and prosperity.
¦    The company prioritizes Customer Care, actively involving customers in improvement processes to meet their expectations and enhance our value proposition.
¦    As part of this commitment, a Customer Satisfaction survey was conducted to identify best practices and continually improve service quality.
¦    Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs) from our manufacturing units conducted several market visits to gain insights
into product performance and identify improvement opportunities based on Retail Customer feedback.
¦ Additionally, these teams visited Customer Units to learn about best practices employed by our clients.
These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and prioritizing customer satisfaction.
R&D in EID Parry is focused on developing high yielding and high sugar varieties to increase the cane yield and improve recovery. The new varieties are being selected in a systematic varietal evaluation program and rigorous field-testing including pest and disease tolerance. These superior Parry varieties are cultivated in all Parry mills located in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In addition to this, promising Government varieties are evaluated under AICRP (All India Coordinated Research Project) scheme for identification of location specific varieties for all three states.
We have a state of the art tissue culture facility to produce virus free, clean seed source and faster multiplication of commercial varieties. The tissue culture seedlings are raised in captive nurseries at R&D farms and quality seed cane is supplied to the farmers by following three tier nursery programs. Healthy seed program is an important activity for improving cane yields for eradication of many diseases including YLD (Yellow Leaf Disease).
Utilizing the soil testing laboratory, soil samples collected from farmers' fields are analyzed for macro and micronutrient status and soil health cards are distributed. Based on soil fertility mapping, revised fertilizer packages and improved agricultural practices are promoted to the farmers. To enhance the sugarcane yields, various new products viz., application of AbdA, Humic acid and seaweed extract were distributed. Drone technology is effectively popularized for spraying micronutrients across the fields as part of yield improvement and well appreciated by the farmers.
To manage the borer infestation in farmer fields, we have implemented an integrated pest management through biocontrol agents viz., Trichogramma produced by entrepreneurs and Tetrastichus - in-house production followed by pheromone traps for environmental sustainability. The distribution was effectively carried out by ASPs (Agri Service Providers) to cover more acreage. By taking up prophylactic measures, newly emerged disease, Pokkah boeng and pest, crown mealy bug was managed well in Tamil Nadu mills. We have initiated mass production of bioproducts viz., Trichoderma and Bacillus, and applied in hot spot areas to combat the red rot disease.
EID Parry has partnered with IFC (International Finance Corporation) on sustainable sugarcane initiatives viz., production of pro-tray seedlings and biocontrol agents through empowering rural entrepreneurs with more focus on women entrepreneurs. Thus, this program supports improving the livelihood and standard of living of rural entrepreneurs. In collaboration with e-Krishi, we have developed and adopted an AI-based technology for cane harvest and yield estimation, a way forward for the ensuing seasons.
To reduce the labour cost, mechanized farm operations were demonstrated starting from improved land preparation to harvesting and gaining momentum with the support of rural agri service providers. During the year, we introduced new technology on improving the irrigation water quality through 'JIVA' water device to the farmers across the states. We have started installation of sensor based autonomous irrigation system to improve the water
use efficiency and enhancing cane yields. In addition to substantial reduction of water usage, it is operated without manpower requirements for irrigation purpose.
The R&D and extension team are working closely with the farmers for achieving better yields by employing various advanced technologies in Sugarcane cultivation in the past three decades.
The Company has six sugar plants with a combined capacity of 40,800 TCD. During the year, the total cane crushed in Tamil Nadu plants was lower at 12.35 LMT as against 22.82 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery was at 8.14 % as against 8.50 % in 2023-24, a decrease of over 4% over the previous year. The unseasonal rains, coupled with a declining trend of area under sugar cultivation in the state and temperature fluctuations have severely impacted the recovery of all the mills in the state.
Crushing in the Company's Sankili plant at AP was lower at 3.51 LMT as compared to 4.34 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery was at 9.69 % as against 9.02 % in the previous year, an increase of over 7 % over the previous year.
The Cane availability in Tamilnadu and in Andhra Pradesh (Sankili Unit) was a challenge as the farmers shifted to other competitive crops like paddy and maize, which gave them higher returns than sugarcane. Cane availability in these two states is expected to remain a significant challenge unless the current crop pattern is reversed and farmers are encouraged for sugarcane cultivation. Several factors influence farmers' decisions, encompassing both economic and non-economic considerations, such as demographic trends, climatic conditions, regulatory frameworks, agricultural policies, and the availability of alternative non-farming opportunities in urban areas.
The total cane crushed by the units in KN was marginally lower at 21.57 LMT as against 22.93 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery was at 11.74 % as against 11.55% in the previous year. In KN, the units reported a higher recovery compared to the previous year with Haliyal at 11.55% and Bagalkot at 11.87% respectively. Ramdurg reported a recovery of 11.94%, marginally lower than the previous year. The higher recovery was on account of a decline in plant down time, better utilisation of labour and harvesting. The cane availability was lower due to lower rain fall and drought like condition prevalent in Karnataka, followed by heavy rainfall, compounded by competition among mills to poach sugarcane. However, unlike Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka is likely to witness better cane availability due to favourable climatic conditions, improved irrigation infrastructure, and farmers' general inclination for sugarcane cultivation. However, this advantage may be offset by the increasing number of sugar mills being established in the state, leading to heightened competition for sugarcane procurement, including unauthorised poaching by higher capacity mills with lower availability of cane in their command area.
The overall cane crushed by the Company was 37.42 LMT in 2024-25 as against 50.09 LMT in the previous year, a decline of almost 25%.
During 2024-25, your Company produced 3.16 LMT and sold 4.07 LMT of sugar as against 4.55 LMT and 4.64 LMT respectively in the previous year.
Your Company possesses an aggregate co-generation capacity of 140 megawatts. Your Company exports nearly 51% of the power generated. The co-generation segment accounted for 2.4% of your Company's revenues. Power generated during the year stood at 3,221 Lakh units as compared to 4,360 Lakh units in previous year, a decrease of 26%, which was due to decline in the overall cane production. While there was a decline in the overall cane production, your company continued to maintain its exports, with the in house consumption staying at a similar level as that of the previous year.
The units in Tamil Nadu generated 1,312 Lakh units and exported 633 Lakh units of power during the year as against 2,109 lakh units and 1,070 Lakh units respectively in the previous year.
The power generated and exported by the Karnataka plants stood at 1,720 Lakh units and 956 Lakh units as against 1,929 Lakh units and 1,040 Lakh units respectively in the previous year.
The unit in Sankili generated 188 Lakh units and exported 40 Lakh units as against 322 Lakh units and 78 Lakh units respectively during the last year.
Distillery
During the FY 2024-25, the Company operated five distilleries located at Sankili, Haliyal, Nellikuppam, Bagalkot and Sivaganga, engaged in the production of industrial alcohol and ethanol with a cumulative capacity of 582 KLPD.
The entire distillery capacity of the Company is dedicated towards production of ethanol & ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol). During the year, the Company commissioned a 120 KLPD distillery at Haliyal, and a 45 KLPD distillery at Nellikuppam. The plant was commissioned and became fully operational during the first and second quarter of the FY 2024-25, respectively. With this, the total distillery capacity of the Company increased to 582 KLPD.
The distillery segment contributed 35% of the Company's revenues as against 28% in FY 2023-24. The Company's distillery segment delivered stable performance during the year. The Company produced 1,644 LL of alcohol during the year as compared to 1262 LL during the previous year. Higher production was attributable to commissioning of the new plants. Revenues from the distillery segment during FY 2024-25 stood at Rs. 1,101.81 Crore as against Rs. 799 Crore in FY 2023-24.
Ethanol sales during the year produced from B-heavy molasses stood at 412.30 LL at an average realisation of Rs. 60.80 as compared to 337 LL at an average realisation of 60.71 in previous year.
Ethanol sales from molasses produced from C-heavy route stood at 112.62 LL at an average realisation of Rs. 60.36 as compared to 82 LLÂ at an average realisation of Rs.57.34 in previous year.
Ethanol sales from syrup route were 233.78 LL at an average realisation of Rs. 65.61.
Similarly, Ethanol sales from grain route were 258.13 LL at an average realisation of Rs. 71.39.
Expansion of the existing distillery capacities and setting up of new capacities are part of the Company's strategy for enhancing the ethanol stream as a revenue earner, subject to favourable government policies, sustained availability of molasses/other feed stocks and remunerative ethanol pricing.
At the beginning of FY 2024-25, your Company had launched a range of non-sweeteners (staples) including rice, pulses, and millets across the southern states of the country. Your company now has a slew of products in this segment, including 15+ varieties of rice, 4 varieties of pulses, and 5 varieties of millets.
The revenue from this segment grew to Rs. 883.89 crores in FY 24-25, as against Rs. 535.26 in FY 23-24, registering a jump of 65% and contributing 28% of the Company's revenues in FY 24-25 as against 19% in FY 23-24.
From a macro environment, till September 2024, the country saw rainfall 7% higher than normal, however, by December 2024, the country's average rainfall fell to 10% lesser than normal. The heavy rainfall in the peninsular region affected the Rabi sowing of Urad crop. The sowing gained momentum in January 2025, with area under Rabi pulses up by 1.75% from almost flattish levels from the end of December 2024.
During the year, the CPG segment saw a steep surge in the number of operating outlets, with about 50+ Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) present across 4 categories (sweeteners, rice, dals and millets), and 200,000+ outlets of brand presence in the South of India. Your company's expansion in this segment is through Third Party Units (TPUs) and a standalone processing unit, is poised to grow at a steady pace.
India is the second largest producer and largest consumer of sugar in the world. Indian Sugar Industry is highly fragmented with private sector, Government undertakings, cooperatives, and unorganized players. The sugarcane crushing period varies from region to region beginning in October/ November and goes on till April/ May in all states except in southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh where it continues till July/ August.
The fixed minimum support price (MSP) for sugar, which has remained unchanged since February 2019, is moistening the market sentiment. The sugar industry in India has been facing a myriad of challenges and opportunities, influenced by both internal and external factors. In this section, we delve into the performance, opportunities, and threats encountered by the Company, focusing on key factors such as policy changes, operational issues, and market dynamics that was faced during the year under review.
EID Parry's FY 2024-25 performance must be viewed not merely through the lens of quarterly numbers but as a manifestation of the company's long-term strategic pivot - towards de-risking its traditional sugar-centric business model and constructing a more resilient, multi-pronged enterprise architecture. While the sugar division remains the bedrock of its operations, contributing a significant portion to overall revenue, it is the deliberate rebalancing of the portfolio and forward investments in adjacent value chains that signal the emergence of a more future-ready EID Parry.
The Company is a large integrated sugar producer and possesses one of the largest sugar manufacturing capacities in South India with aggregate crushing capacity of 40,800 TCD, Co-generation plant of 140 MW and distillery at 582 KLPD at the close of the year under review. The sugar business was the largest within the Company, generating value for downstream segments like ethanol and co-generation. The Company operates seven manufacturing plants in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, proximate enough to generate economies of cane procurement and byproduct utilization. Further, large scale, integrated operations with the power and distillery business along with nutraceuticals provide moderate cushion from cyclicality in the sugar business.
Apart from plantation white sugar, the Company also manufactures refined sugar, which currently constitutes approximately 14.1% of the total sugar production and realises a premium over normal crystal sugar realisation. The Company also produces different grades of pharmaceutical (pharma) sugar that can be customised as per the user requirements. Such refined and pharma sugar are supplied to high grade end-users, thereby creating a niche customer profile for the Company. The Company also produces different value added sweeteners like jaggery powder, low GI Sugar and Brown Sugar and supplies high quality crystal sugar to large institutions, which fetches a premium. The company has also launched 'Amrit Gold, a premium brown sugar category in its sweetener portfolio. The Company is the largest branded sugar player in the Indian Sweetener Market offering a range of products. All the sugar units of the Company are FSSC 22000 certified and strictly adhere to best-in-class manufacturing processes and quality benchmarks. The Company supplies sugar to major multinational soft drink companies, leading confectionery manufacturers, breweries, pharmaceutical companies, dairies, etc.
The Company has established market position in the sugar business, derived from integrated nature of operations with diversified revenue profile, average and adequate financial risk profile, and superior financial flexibility. These strengths are partially offset by the susceptibility of its business performance to downturn in the sugar business and regulatory changes in the sugar and distillery sector.
The shift in revenue composition, with a visible tilt towards nonsugar businesses, is emblematic of a broader strategic narrative - one that aligns with global best practices of commodity-plus companies. The Consumer Products Group, which began as a modest brand-led extension, has begun to morph into a credible
FMCG play. This segment's year-on-year growth is not accidental - it is rooted in carefully designed brand architecture, supply chain recalibration, and channel-specific strategies that speak to differentiated consumer needs, especially in southern India. By focusing on naturally nutritious, indigenous staples like millets and pulses, the company is not only responding to consumer trends but also reinforcing its ESG credentials and farmer engagement narratives. In the long run, this plays into an integrated rural development and sustainability story.
Another critical area of transformation has been the company's ability to derive higher economic value from the same input - sugarcane, through integrated operations spanning sugar, ethanol, power, and agri-waste value creation. The operationalization of additional distillery capacity is not just a capacity enhancement initiative but a calibrated response to the evolving regulatory environment and the Government of India's biofuel blending targets. Your company's recent commissioning of two plants - 120 KLPD at Haliyal and 45 KLPD at Nellikuppam has bolstered the alcohol production, achieving an all-time high. Further, the incineration boiler set up in Nellikuppam has now made the plant 100% ZLD, complying with our environmental laws and targets. The ethanol economy, though intermittently constrained by policy caps and commodity inflation, continues to offer a medium-to-long-term growth trajectory, particularly for companies with backward integration and scale like EID Parry. In this context, the company's strategy to prioritize B-heavy molasses and sugarcane juice-based ethanol, while optimizing C-heavy production based on market signals, reflects an astute command over policy-linked demand dynamics.
Your company has demonstrated prudent capital allocation, with strong internal accruals and a conservative leverage profile. Credit Rating Agencies' reaffirmation of the company's credit profile underscores the robustness of its financial discipline, aided in part by the latent value embedded in its strategic holding in Coromandel International Limited. This gives EID Parry a unique position of strategic optionality, enabling it to mobilize resources for growth and monetize assets should the strategic rationale align. Such financial optionality is a critical differentiator in a sector as capital-intensive and volatile as sugar.
EID Parry's financial risk profile is expected to remain stable with debt protection metrics such as interest coverage ratio, gearing and TOL/TNW (total outside liabilities/total tangible net worth) ratios remaining adequate. Interest coverage is expected to remain at 0.73, Gearing and TOL/TNW ratios are likely to continue at 0.8-0.9 time and 2.1-2.3 times, respectively, in the near-to-medium term with debt levels likely to remain elevated with higher reliance on working capital borrowings due to expected moderation in cash generation. EID Parry has steadily enhanced its distillery capacity at the Haliyal and Nellikuppam units in the current fiscal, and these units are expected to contribute to revenues and profits in the near to medium term. EID Parry's liquidity is adequate in the near-to-medium term against modest repayment obligations.
EID Parry's business risk profile expected to remain stable in the near-to-medium term despite ongoing changes in the regulatory environment for sugar and allied products. The performance of the refinery division has moderated in the current fiscal with white sugar prices gradually reducing following oversupply in the global markets with increase in supplies from Europe, Thailand and Pakistan. Revenue on a consolidated basis is expected to grow by 2-3% in fiscal 2025. This growth to be largely driven by sugar segment aided by growth in consumer product and lifting of restrictions on sugar exports upto 1 MMT, as well distillery business due to increase in distillery capacity and removal of restrictions regarding sugar diversion for ethanol production effective from Ethanol Supply Year 2025. Revenue from other business segments is expected to improve. Revenues are expected to grow 4-5% from fiscal 2026 onwards with stable distillery volumes and improving realizations.
During the year, the revenue from operations stood at Rs. 3,168 crores in FY 2024-25 as compared to Rs. 2,808 crores in FY 2023-24. The Profit after tax stood at Rs. (428) crore in FY 2024-25 as compared to Rs. 107 crores in FY 2023-24. The revenue from distillery and other segments improved over the previous year, wherein profitability declined due to a number of factors ranging from policy change on ethanol production, non-availability of molasses and increase in distillery input cost.
Total expenses were Rs. 3,449 crores in 2024-25 compared to Rs. 2,872 crores in 2023-24. Raw material costs accounted for a 58% share of the Company's revenue from operations, which was increased by due to a higher FRP announced by the Government of India. Employee expenses accounted for a 6% share of the Company's revenues from operations and increased by 8% from Rs. 185.97 crores in 2023-24 to Rs. 200.83 crores in 2024-25. The increase in employee cost was due to project expansion and the expansion of consumer product group (CPG) with foray into the staples business. The repair & maintenance expenses accounted for a 3.7% share of the Company's revenues from operations.
During the year, the performance of the company was characterized by various challenges and opportunities. Despite encountering hurdles, the company has maintained stability in key areas such as power generation and exports, while grappling with issues affecting its core operations.
The gross sugar production in India stood at 310 LMT during the 2024-25 marketing year with a diversion of 37.5 LMT of sweetener for ethanol-making, including 10 LMT for exports. Taking into account an opening stock of approximately 80 LMT and a forecasted domestic consumption of 280 LMT for the season, ISMA has projected a lower closing stock of 62.5 LMT by September 30, 2025.
While the ethanol policy has been marked by abrupt recalibrations, the long-term structural story remains intact driven by India's decarbonisation targets and the government's ethanol blending roadmap. Importantly, with an eye on risk-adjusted return, we are
balancing molasses-based and grain-based feedstock usage to navigate regulatory pivots.
Our calibrated entry into the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) domain through staples - rice, millets, pulses signal a strategic shift towards consumer-facing adjacencies. This move is not merely an extension of our sugar business but a forward-looking growth vector. The consumer market, especially in health-focused and regionally attuned products, offers both volume scale and margin play. The traction we are seeing in the early stages will be supported by sharper go-to-market execution, digital brand-building, and deeper retail penetration.
In a suit to achieve operational efficiencies and cost optimization, we are also leveraging precision agriculture and digital agronomy to deepen farmer engagement and secure consistent cane throughput. These interventions, ranging from weather-resilient cane varietals to soil health mapping and digitised cane procurement are beginning to yield improvements in recovery rates and cost efficiencies.
Threats
One of the most pressing challenges that remain is climatic vagaries in this industry, and at times changes in government policies. The drop in cane availability in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh is due to erratic climate and farmers opting for other competitive crops, increase in FRP, continued absence of non-increase in Minimum Selling Price (MSP) adjustments, and ethanol blending targets for the upcoming Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) pose direct threats to forward planning, capacity utilisation, and return on invested capital.
The global sugar market exhibited significant volatility in February 2025, primarily due to divergent price trends between major producers like India and Brazil. In India, sugar prices experienced a modest uptick, driven by a 10-12% decline in production compared to the previous year. This downturn is attributed to reduced cane availability caused by adverse weather conditions and disease outbreaks in key regions such as Uttar Pradesh. Additionally, a higher diversion of sugarcane towards ethanol production exacerbated supply shortages. Consequently, about one-third of India's sugar mills ceased operations in February 2025, marking the shortest crushing season on record.
Conversely, Brazil witnessed a decline in sugar prices due to favourable weather conditions that revitalized sugarcane production. Improved precipitation alleviated previous drought conditions, leading to robust production levels sufficient to meet both domestic and export demands. This imbalance between constrained production and heightened consumption is likely to exert upward pressure on prices, influencing market dynamics across various regions. On the domestic front, the unchanged MSP since 2019, despite rising input costs, continues to squeeze margin buffers.
Cane poaching by nearby mills, has emerged as a disruptive force, leading to sub-optimal capacity utilisation in Karnataka. The FRP
Â
has been increasing by 4.41% and competition for quality cane are pushing up raw material costs. Our long-standing farmer relationships are now fatigued, and we are further deepening engagement through better yield support, timely payments, and cane development incentives to retain sourcing volumes.
In addition, FY 2024-25 saw losses due to erratic climatic conditions as well as lower recoveries at our Tamil Nadu units. Though the company has significantly expanded its distillery capacities, the raw material availability remains a concern resulting in lower capacity utilisation. Further, these risks persisted especially given the learning curve of newly commissioned distilleries and the complex logistics involved in multi-feed grain sourcing for Sankili. We are addressing this through preventive maintenance, supply chain redundancy, and shift-level monitoring, but systemic risk remains.
EID Parry is demonstrating a continued commitment to optimizing agricultural sourcing and mill efficiency across its operational regions in spite of cane availability in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In tandem with this, the Company is also expected to produce a competitive volume of ethanol during the upcoming financial year. This anticipated growth in ethanol production comes with the regulatory restrictions being lifted on the diversion of sugar for ethanol production during Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025.
Given the highly regulated nature of the sugar industry, changes in government policies particularly those related to sugar diversion, ethanol blending targets, and sugarcane/ sugar pricing mechanisms will remain critical factors influencing future performance. Continued support from the Government, including incentives for ethanol production and clarity on pricing and raw material procurement policies, will be key monitorables for sustaining momentum in both the sugar and ethanol verticals.
Other business segments (co-generation, nutraceuticals, consumer products group etc.,) are expected to generate stable revenue.
With the formal launch of our range of staples in the retail market, and expansion of our Consumer Products Group division we are optimistic about the company's revenue prospects and provide us respite from the ongoing tower block in the form of the stringent government policies and export restrictions.
FY 2024-25 exhibited a duality of emerging tailwinds and embedded structural risks for EID Parry. The opportunities lie in your company's ability to convert adversity into innovation via forward-looking investments in Consumer products digital transformation, circular economy, and next gen agri practices. The threats, while heady, are not unfamiliar but require dynamic capital allocation, scenario-based planning, and continued emphasis on execution agility.
From the board's vantage point, our focus remains on ensuring earnings resilience across cycles, unlocking latent potential from adjacencies, and embedding ESG and technology deeper into our operating model. In a sector defined by its volatility, our ability to
stay future-ready, adaptable, and value-creating will remain the cornerstone of our strategic posture in FY 2024-25 and beyond.
The US dietary supplement market is about $55 billion in size and occupies about 35 % to 40% of the Global supplement market and continue to hold the largest share. China and western Europe are the other major markets for dietary supplement.
Brain health, immunity, digestive health and gut health are the major markets. Plant /Natural based products, organic, clean label and sustainable sourcing are the order of the day.
Spirulina and chlorella supplements are part of the plant-based superfoods and plant-based protein market. The global plant-based protein market is about $ 1 Billion and dominated by ingredients such as pea, soy, wheat, rice and green superfoods like Spirulina.
Microalgae are used as a single ingredient in supplement market or in the form of green blend on the functional food market. The plant based green blend market is expected to grow further in the coming years, and it is critical to qualify our microalgae products in this bulk volume segment wherein there is a potential to increase the sales value.
During the year, with our persistent efforts, EU organic and Naturland Scope certificates are revived and export to EU commenced from Q3 of 2024-25. With constant communications with the existing customers, the company was able to bring most of the customers into its fold and obtained significant orders which showed the customers' trust in our product quality and safety and the brand value. The real test now will be to revive the entire EU market and achieve the targets for this market in the coming years and various efforts are being taken to address this.
During the year, the business complied with all the standard requirements of quality, safety and environmental systems with successful completion of ISO, USP, BRCGS scope renewals. All the Organic standards are complied with including EU and Naturland Organic for which we have tied up with a Greece Certification Body, A CERT, which is working effectively in delivering the shipments to EU on time.
On the marketing side various posts including LinkedIn, leaflets and marketing collaterals were prepared to extend the reach of our products to a larger population. On the science part, the human clinical study carried out on our Chlorella showed significant results with respect to bioavailability of Vitamin B12 and this can be a significant boost to build the Chlorella sales when we have the full production mode.
All our efforts to reclaim the leadership position in the Europe dietary supplements market, which by now is crowded with cheap Chinese alternatives, is the key objective of the business in coming years where the main drivers would be, achieving price stability by showcasing tangible differences between Parry's and the Chinese ones supported by science studies. Evaluating alternate delivery mechanisms like granules and flakes along with the existing powders and tablets can also help.
The traction for the greens business in USA during the second half of FY25 is more than assuring and the business is confident to improve sales. Barred substances by WADA ( World Anti-Doping Agency) to be tested and proven negative before supplying to sports market.
|
Revenue |
 |
(Rs. in Crore) |
|
BUSINESS SEGMENTS |
2024-25 |
2023-24 |
|
Sugar |
1069.67 |
1329.80 |
|
Cogen |
75.86 |
113.13 |
|
Distillery |
1,101.81 |
799.10 |
|
Total |
2247.34 |
2242.03 |
|
Nutraceuticals |
36.89 |
31.31 |
|
Consumer Products Group |
883.89 |
535.26 |
|
Total |
3168.12 |
2808.60 |
The Net worth as on March 31,2025, was Rs 2539.76 Crore as against Rs. 2919.40 Crore as on March 31,2024. Capital Redemption Reserve remained unchanged during the year.
The total borrowings of the Company increased from Rs. 1,038.71 Crore in 2023-24 to Rs. 1,210.74 Crore in 2024-25. The Long-Term Debt is 0.06 times of equity as against 0.07 times of equity in the previous year. Working capital borrowing utilized was Rs.809.82 Crore as on March 31,2025, as against Rs. 741.73 Crore in previous year.
During the year, the company incurred Rs 416.47 Crore as additions to Fixed Assets as against Rs. 257.98 Crore during the previous year.
The total investment of the Company as of March 31, 2025, was Rs 662 Crore as against Rs. 1,073.78 Crore in FY 2023-24. The decline
was majorly on account of impairment of investment in the wholly owned subsidiary, Parry Sugars Refinery India Private Limited.
The Company's long-term rating was maintained at CRISIL AA (stable outlook) in 2024-25 and short term rating was maintained at A1+ (CRISIL and CARE).
Book Value of shares of the Company was Rs. 142.84 per share as on March 31, 2025, as against Rs. 164.47 per share as on March 31, 2024. Earnings per share was Rs (24.12) per share for the year ended March 31, 2025, as against Rs. 6.03 per share for the year ended March 31, 2024.
The Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization (excluding exceptional items) for the year was Rs. 252 Crore representing 8% of total revenue as against Rs. 307 Crore representing 11% of the total revenue in the previous year.
EBIT for the year was Rs.76.46 Crore (excluding exceptional items) as against Rs. 159.23 Crore in the previous year 2023-24.
Finance Charges for the year was at Rs. 68.91 Crore as against Rs. 44.05 Crore in the previous year 2023-24.
Depreciation for the year was at Rs. 175.34 Crore as against Rs. 147.49 Crore during the previous year 2023-24.
Profit Before Tax for the year was at Rs. (419.59) Crore (including net exceptional loss of Rs.427.15) as against Rs. 115.18 Crore (including net exceptional loss of Rs. Nil) in the previous year 2023-24.
Profit After Tax for the year was at Rs. (428.30) Crore as against Rs. 107.09 Crore in the previous year 2023-24.
|
Revenue Particulars |
2024-25 |
2023-24 |
|
Key Financial Ratios |
 |  |
|
EBIDTA / Sales % (Operating Profit Margin) |
7.95 |
10.94 |
|
PAT / Sales % |
(13.52) |
3.82 |
|
PAT / Average Equity % (ROE) |
(15.69) |
3.69 |
|
Key Capital Structure Ratios |
 |  |
|
Net Debt / Equity Ratio |
0.48 |
0.36 |
|
Outside Liabilities / Net worth |
0.73 |
0.60 |
|
Net Fixed Assets / Net worth |
0.65 |
0.57 |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratio |
2.35 |
3.89 |
|
Interest Service Coverage Ratio |
3.65 |
6.96 |
|
Liquidity Ratios |
 |  |
|
Current Ratio |
1.31 |
1.40 |
|
Inventory Turnover Ratio (times) |
2.03 |
1.80 |
|
Trade Receivables Turnover Ratio (times) |
11.96 |
12.55 |
|
Earnings and Dividend Ratios |
 |  |
|
Dividend % |
NA |
400 |
|
Earnings Per share (Rs.) |
(24.12) |
6.03 |
|
Book Value Per share (Rs.) |
142.84 |
164.47 |
|
P / E Multiple (including exceptional items) |
(32.57) |
90.50 |
In accordance with the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing Regulations), the Company is required to give details of significant changes (change of 25% and more as compared to the immediately previous financial year) in key financial ratios.
Ratios where there has been significant change from the financial year 2023-24 to 2024-25:
¦    Decrease in operating profit margin (EBITDA/ Sales), PAT/ Sales, PAT/ Average Equity is mainly on account of exceptional item.
¦    Increase in Net debt to equity, Net fixed assets to Net worth is on account of erosion of equity reserves.
¦    Significant decrease in EPS and P/E Multiple is on account of exceptional item.
¦    Decrease in debt service coverage ratio, Interest service coverage ratio, is on account of exceptional item.
Indian sugar production for 2024-25 season is estimated to be slightly lower than previous season with significant portion of sugar diverted for Ethanol production. Notwithstanding the same, Indian government has allowed sugar exports in the current season. While the Government has increased the FRP [Fair Remunerative Price] for sugarcane, the minimal increase in prices of Ethanol from C Heavy Molasses, no increase in prices of Ethanol from sugar syrup / B Heavy Molasses, and no increase in MSP [Minimum Support Price] for sugar poses challenge to the industry. The company continues to stay resilient, strives to reinvent itself and seeks opportunities to grow.
The company has a robust Risk Management Framework, across various levels of the organization :
¦ to anticipate, measure and evaluate business risks & opportunities,
Company uses a state-of- the-art Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system SAP, as a business enabler to record data for accounting, consolidation, and management information purposes.
The Internal Audit of the company is carried out by an external Audit firm. In addition, a skeletal in-house team is engaged to carry out specific management assignments. The internal audit is conducted based on the annual audit plan which is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. The Internal Audit reports are presented to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis for review and deliberation.
The Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2025, and found the same to be adequate and effective. The Company carried out its internal audit with both in-house and outsourced Internal Audit teams thus leveraging the business knowledge and process inherent within the organization while combining it with the expertise of the outsourced auditors in specialized areas.
Â
The Company has aligned its current system of Internal Financial Control (IFC) with the requirement under the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act). The Company has established a robust framework of IFC which includes entity level policies, processes, and operating level standard operating procedures. The Company has a well-established process and clearly defined roles and responsibilities for people at various levels.
The Company's internal controls are adequate with its size and the nature of its operations. These have been designed to provide reasonable assurance with regard to recording and providing consistent financial and operational information, complying with the applicable statutes, safeguarding assets from unauthorized use, executing transactions with proper authorization, and ensuring compliance with policies. Processes for formulating and reviewing annual and long-term business plans have been laid down. The
There has been no change in the business of the subsidiaries during the year under review. In accordance with Section 129(3) of the Act, the Company has prepared consolidated financial statements of the Company and all its Subsidiary Companies, which forms part of the Annual Report. A statement containing the salient features of the financial statements of the subsidiary companies, joint ventures and associates are given in Annexure-A to this Report.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 136(1) of the Act, the Annual Report of the Company containing the standalone and consolidated financial statements has been placed on the website of the Company, https://www.eidparry.com/ Further, the audited accounts of the Subsidiary Companies and the related detailed information have also been placed on the website of the Company https://www.eidparry.com/financials/ The annual accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will also be available for inspection by any shareholder at the registered office of the Company during working hours up to the date of the Annual General Meeting. A copy of the annual accounts of the subsidiaries will be made available to shareholders seeking such information at any point of time.
Balanced global refined sugar demand and moderate raw sugar prices ensured higher white premium levels in first half of 2024-25. However, higher sugar production in EU & Ukraine lead to higher exports in H2 24-25. In addition, raw sugar prices firmed up in Q3 24-25 (due to lower-than-expected Brazilian production) resulting in a sudden fall in white premiums since September 2024 to 5-year lows. Export campaign announced by Pakistan and India kept the white premium at lower levels, impacting run rate of toll refiners in H2 24-25.
PSRIPL continues to be globally renowned as an efficient re-export refiner of sugar, offering a range of quality products for international trade, global food & beverage majors and institutions. Despite challenging white premiums in H2, PSRIPL maintained its sales of 8.3 LMT in 24-25, same as that of last year. With entry into global food and beverage majors, increased institutional customer base and better availability of containers, 40% of the total sale volumes was shipped through containers, an all-time high. Moderating sugar prices on the base of similar sales volume lowered FY 24-25 turnover to Rs 4,285.17 Crores as against Rs 4,415.32 Crores of FY 23-24. Improved operating efficiencies and softening of energy and material costs helped PSRIPL to lower its refining cost in 24-25. Finance cost came down from Rs 72.30 Cr in 23-24 to Rs. 49 Crores in FY 24-25, due to better working capital management. However, all these operational gains could not compensate for the sudden and drastic fall in white premium resulting in lower performance especially in H2 24-25.
For the year, PSRIPL incurred a loss of Rs. 117.97 Crores due to lower spreads and impairment charge on its investments in overseas subsidiary. Parry International DMCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PSRIPL based out of Dubai recorded a trading revenue of AED 209.67 million and a profit of AED 1.59 million.
The Board of Directors of the Company at their meeting held on May 27, 2025, has approved the investment of Rs. 350 Crores in PSRIPL, by way of subscribing to the rights issue of equity shares of Rs. 10/- each.
During the year, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary US Nutraceuticals Inc. achieved sales of Rs. 179.4 Crore. In the core Saw Palmetto Business, sales dropped by 33% and there was a 24% drop in Astaxanthin, Joint Health and Greens sales.
In FY 2024-25, CIL achieved strong performance across its Nutrients and Crop Protection segments, supported by favourable factors such as a good monsoon, high reservoir levels, and increased crop sowing in target markets. The company saw record sales volumes in fertilizers, expanding its reach in North and Central India, and added over 100 retail stores. The crop protection business benefited from new product launches and strong demand for key molecules, while its nano products, specialty nutrients, organic and bio products drove integrated farm management practices.
CIL continued to invest in strengthening its plant infrastructure capabilities and is setting up granulation, phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid capacities at its fertiliser plant at Kakinada, besides investment in new product capacities in Crop protection.
The company introduced 18 new products, including the innovative Urea SSP fertilizer and launched the patented product 'Prachand' in partnership with ISK Japan.
CIL expanded its drone spraying operations through its 'Gromor Drive' initiative and retail channel, covering 2.2 lakh acres in seven states. This initiative is supported by RPTO-trained pilots and is further expanded through value chain partnerships. The company also made strategic acquisitions, including the acquisition of a majority stake in NACL Industries, subject to statutory approvals and an increased shareholding in Dhaksha Unmanned Systems and BMCC.
In terms of financial performance, CIL's consolidated total income was Rs. 24,444 Crores with an increase of 9.66% compared to previous FY 2023-24 total income of Rs. 22,290 Crores. The consolidated Profit after Tax (PAT) for the year was Rs. 2,055 Crores, registering a growth of 25.22% as against the previous year's PAT of Rs. 1641 Crores. Net debt-equity ratio stands at zero as of 31st March 2025.
AGPL, a joint venture of the Company, developed various grades of natural blue colour (Phycocyanin) and promoted it as a nutraceutical ingredient; however, due to a significant drop in market prices caused by oversupply mainly from Chinese players expanding into downstream processing the business became unviable. Originally benchmarked at a higher price of around $250 to $300 per kg in
2017-18, Phycocyanin prices declined sharply in recent years as supply far exceeded global demand. Despite efforts to improve productivity and reduce costs, AGPL incurred accumulated losses of Rs. 48.90 crore as of March 31,2025. Consequently, operations were shut down by March 31,2024, and AGPL initiated the sale of assets, with eventual plans to dissolve or sell the entity.
Aligned with the organisation's ethos of building a high-performing and vibrant company grounded in focus, transparency, collaboration, and humility, EID Parry places people at the heart of its success. Our commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles is underpinned by a core belief in leveraging human capital as a key business driver. Guided by the principle of "people first," we continue to invest in our employees' well-being, development, and sense of purpose.
Our employees bring strength, dynamism, and innovation to the workplace every day. To support their aspirations and fuel business growth, our HR strategy is anchored in Parry's People Vision:
'Enriching organizational capability through a collaborative culture and by infusing digital solutions on the people process to reach superior business performance.
This vision is executed through robust policy deployment and modern HR practices built around four strategic imperatives: Capability Development, Employee Experience, Digital First, and Business HR.
We have embraced a digital-first approach, rolled out the Contract Labour Management System (CLMS) across all units. Our HR policies are being continually reviewed to remain future-ready and employee-centric. To foster a collaborative culture, we institutionalized the Self-Discovery Workshop, encouraging introspection and team synergy.
The Graduate Engineer Trainee (GET) program remains a key focus, preparing young engineers to step confidently into frontline supervisory roles. A culture of performance is further strengthened through transparent and periodic Performance Review Discussions (PRDs). As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are actively working to improve gender diversity across the organization.
In total, nearly the entire employee base was positively impacted by one or more of these interventions.
We strive to create a work environment that is happy, nurturing, empowering, and future-ready: one that equips our people to thrive in an ever-changing world. Motivated employees with access to continuous learning and innovation thrive, enabling collective success.
As on March 31, 2025, the total number of permanent employees on the rolls of the Company stand at 2384.
Industrial relations remained peaceful throughout the year, with proactive engagement and grievance resolution. During the year, a Long-Term Wage Settlement was successfully concluded at our Oonaiyur unit.
The Company has a robust policy in compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. An Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) is in place to address any reported grievances. All employees are covered under this policy. No complaints were received during the year.
During the year, the Company received the following Awards.
1.    Bagalkot unit was awarded "ENERGY EFFICIENT UNIT" at 25th National Award for Excellence in Energy Management in 2024 and contest held at Hyderabad.
2.    Bagalkot unit received SISSTA Gold Award for Best Technical efficiency in sugar Plant in Karnataka region in 2024.
3.    Bagalkot unit received bronze award on Safety - Excellence Category from CII.
4.    Bagalkot unit received as the Best Cogeneration Power Plant (Rank-II) in FY 2024 by National Cogeneration Awards, India.
5.    Parry Nutraceuticals - Gold Award for EHS Excellence -Conferred during the 16th Edition of the CII-SR EHS Excellence Awards 2023, held on May 15, 2024.
6.    Parry Nutraceuticals - Second Place under Environment Restoration Category - Awarded for the Resource conservation within the boundary and Project NANNEER initiative beyond the boundary at the 16th CII-SR EHS Excellence Awards 2023, held on May 15, 2024.
7.    Parry Nutraceuticals - Award for Rainwater Harvesting and Groundwater Recharge Initiative within the boundary - Received at the 4th Edition of the CII Water and Waste Management Competition, held on January 6, 2025.
8.    The Company received the CSR Project of the Year award on March 27, 2025, at the 13th Edition of CSR Summit and Awards held at the Hotel Grand Hyatt, Santacruz, Mumbai.
9.    Nellikuppam - Won the CII Award for water conservation and efficiency category for PCTP & Incineration Boiler in January 2025.
10.    Nellikuppam - Received the SKIN Award under 'Best Service in the Society' for sustainability and rural development.
11.    Sankili unit won Platinum Award for "Best Distillery plant" from South India Sugar Cane and Sugar Technologies Association (SISSTA) on August 19, 2024.
As per the provisions of Section 152 of the Act read with the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. Ramesh K B Menon (DIN: 05275821) Director retires by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and being eligible offers himself for reappointment. The requisite details in this connection are provided in the Notice convening the meeting and in the Corporate Governance Report.
The Company has received declarations from all the Independent Directors confirming that they meet the criteria of independence as prescribed under section 149(6) of the Act and comply with Regulations 16 & 25 of the Listing Regulations.
Mr. Muthiah Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer*, Mr. Y. Venkateshwarlu, Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Biswa Mohan Rath, Company Secretary, are the Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) of the Company as per Section 203 of the Act. There were no resignations of Directors or KMP during the year under review. Mr. S Suresh took early retirement from his position as the Managing Director of the Company with effect from the closing hours of August 31,2024, which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company on August 17, 2024.
*w.e.f. August 17, 2024
Seven Meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the year, the details of which are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
The performance of Committees of the Board and also the directors individually was evaluated in accordance with the Act and Listing Regulations. The manner in which the evaluation was carried out and the process adopted has been given in the Corporate Governance Report.
In terms of the requirement of Listing Regulations, and Rule 8(5) (iiia) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the Board has identified core skills, expertise and competencies of the Directors in the context of the Company's business for effective functioning and how the current Board of Directors is fulfilling the required skills and competences. This is detailed at length in the Corporate Governance Report.
The Board has on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC), framed a policy for the selection and appointment of directors, senior management and the criteria for determining the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors, including fixing their remuneration.
The Remuneration Policy and criteria for Board nominations are available on the Company's website at https://eidparry.com/wp-content/assets/2025/04/Remuneration-PolicvR1.pdf.
Pursuant to Section 134(3) and 134(5) of the Act, your Directors, to the best of their knowledge, belief and according to information and explanations obtained from the management, confirm that:
¦    In the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 2025, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and there are no material departures therefrom;
¦    they have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as of March 31,2025, and of the profit of the Company for the year ended on that date;
¦    they have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
¦    they have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
¦    they have laid down proper internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and such controls are adequate and operating effectively and;
¦    they have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively.
M/s. Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP, (FRNo.012754N/ N500016) Chennai, were appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company by the shareholders at the 47th Annual General Meeting held on August 9, 2022, to hold office up to the conclusion of the 52nd Annual General Meeting.
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by the Statutory Auditors on the financial statements in their report for the year 2024-25.
In terms of Section 148 of the Act, read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 and the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, cost audit is applicable to company's businesses of sugar, distillery, and co-generation of power. The accounts and records for the above applicable businesses
are prepared and maintained by the Company as specified by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 148 of the Act.
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, have appointed M/s Narasimha Murthy & Co., Cost Accountants, as the Cost Auditors to audit the cost accounting records maintained by the Company for the financial year 2025-26 on a remuneration of Rs. 10,00,000 (plus out of pocket expenses and applicable taxes).
A resolution seeking members' ratification for the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditor forms part of the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.
The cost audit report for the financial year 2023-24 has been filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The cost audit report for the financial year 2024-25 would be filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as per the provisions of the Act.
The Board has appointed M/s. R Sridharan & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, Chennai as the Secretarial Auditors to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company for the year 2024-25. The Report of the Secretarial Auditors is provided in Annexure-B to this Report.
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by the Secretarial Auditors in their report for the year 2024-25.
EID Parry's Corporate Social Responsibility efforts are deeply rooted in the belief that sustainable business success goes hand-in-hand with community well-being. In FY 2024-25, the company continued to strengthen its outreach in healthcare, education, rural development, and sports, focusing on underprivileged communities around its manufacturing units.
With a mission to improve healthcare in rural pockets, the company's flagship health initiatives -
Wellness on Wheels and the Rural Health Centres continued delivering consistent medical care directly to village communities. These mobile and static units, staffed by a dedicated team comprising doctors, paramedics, pharmacists, and social workers, ensured timely diagnosis, treatment, and free medication.
Additionally, specialized eye care camps were organized to raise awareness, provide eye check-ups, cataract surgeries, and distribute spectacles, ensuring preventive care reached even the most remote populations.
Education remained a cornerstone of CSR engagement. The company ran evening study centres across select villages, offering academic support to students from grades 1 to 10. With special emphasis on Science, Math, and English, along with creative
learning through arts and crafts, these centres fostered holistic development. To enhance rural school infrastructure, the company provided computers, lab equipment, smart boards, classroom renovations and restrooms for students. Scholarships were also awarded to deserving students from economically disadvantaged families, supporting their continued education.
The company's rural development projects focused on improving essential infrastructure. Drinking water access was expanded through installation of RO plants, repair of water sources, and construction of storage tanks. Simultaneously, food and essential supplies were distributed to vulnerable households as part of the hunger alleviation effort.
Sports for Development is the flagship CSR initiative of EID Parry. This initiative identifies, trains, and supports sporting talents, to compete in state and national tournaments. Beyond sports, this project has succeeded in social change among young adults since life skill training is embedded into the training module.
For the past one-year, young adults at the Nellikuppam location have been given specialized training in Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art that has recently acquired popularity and is one of the recognized sports by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Around 60 youth from underprivileged backgrounds are identified and trained in this martial art, enabling them to compete in state and national tournaments to demonstrate and hone their martial art skills.
Four athletes from Nellikuppam represented India at the 8th Senior Asian Pencak Silat Championship 2024, which took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from October 10 to October 16, 2024. It is incredible to share that all the four athletes clinched bronze medals for the nation in the Senior Asian Championship. Including these four medals, Indian contingent bagged 16 medals (2 gold, 2 silver and 12 bronze medals).
Project NANNEER, the flagship water sustainability initiative of the AMM Foundation and EID Parry, continues to make a transformative impact across rural Tamil Nadu and beyond. Driven in partnership with Siruthuli, a not for profit organization based in Coimbatore, the project rejuvenates traditional water bodies and feeder systems, directly benefiting farming communities and local ecosystems.
As of FY 2024-25 (Phase III), over 18 water bodies have been revived, unlocking a cumulative water storage potential of 1.83 billion litres. This year's efforts focused on key water bodies in Pugalur (Erode & Thiruppur), Oonaiyur (Sivagangai), and the 81-acre Udaikulam Lake. Restoration activities included desilting, bund strengthening, installation of percolation shafts, sluice repair, and clearing of feeder channels - enhancing groundwater recharge and reducing seepage.
Notable achievements include:
¦    Annamalai Kottai Pond: Capacity increased from 4,267 KL to 6,550 KL.
¦    Kallukadaimedu Reservoir: Upgraded with a surplus weir, increasing capacity by 22 million litres.
¦    Pallathur Sivan Kovil Pond: The Pond now holds 28 million litres after structural rehabilitation.
¦    Udaikulam Lake: Major restoration completed, enhancing resilience across 1,000 acres of farmland.
Geographic expansion marked a key milestone this year, with restoration commencing at Kumbar Kere Lake (Karnataka) and new projects initiated in Andhra Pradesh.
Project NANNEER also achieved biodiversity gains. A year-long birdwatching study in collaboration with the Salem Ornithological Foundation recorded 133 species (up from 85 in 2022), with Vadakudippatti Kanmai emerging as a potential Biodiversity Heritage Site.
Community participation through Project NANNEER KALAPPANI saw local volunteers and MGNREGS workers actively engaged in restoration and tree planting.
With nearly 3 billion litres of water now managed and over 21,000 farmers benefiting, Project NANNEER is on track to achieve its 10 billion-litre goal by 2026, ensuring lasting water security and sustainable livelihoods.
The Company constituted a CSR Committee in accordance with Section 135 of the Act. The CSR Committee has formulated and recommended to the Board a CSR Policy indicating the activities to be undertaken by the Company, which has been approved by the Board. The CSR Policy can be accessed on the Company's website at https://www.eidparry.com/wp-content/assets/2023/03/CSR-Policy. pdf.
As per the provisions of the Act, the Company was required to spend Rs. 1,80,12,667/- towards CSR for the year 2024-25. The Company has been actively involved in various CSR initiatives and an amount of Rs. 4,47,01,310/- (includes Rs.14,10,152 pertaining to ongoing project of FY 2023-24 ) which was spent towards CSR activities during the year 2024-25.
The Annual Report on CSR activities is given in Annexure-C to this Report.
All contracts / arrangements / transactions entered into by the Company during the financial year with the related parties were on arm's length basis and were in the ordinary course of business. There were no materially significant related party transactions with promoters, directors, key managerial personnel or other designated persons, which may have a potential conflict with the interest of the Company at large.
During the year, the Company has not entered into any contracts or arrangements with related parties as referred to in sub-section (1) of Section 188 of the Act.
Accordingly, the disclosure of related party transactions as required under Section 134(3)(h) of the Act in Form AOC-2 is not applicable to the Company for FY 2024-25 and hence does not form part of this report.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for approval. Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is obtained on a yearly / quarterly basis for the transactions which are of a foreseen and repetitive nature. The transactions entered into pursuant to the omnibus approval so granted are placed on a quarterly basis before the Audit Committee for their review.
The policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is available at the web link:Â https://eidparry.com/wp-content/Â uploads/2025/04/RPT-PolicyR1.pdf
The Company had in the past approved an Employee Stock Option Scheme 2007 (ESOP Scheme 2007), under which employees were granted Options. The Company made grants under the said Scheme from 2007 to 2011. There were no vested options outstanding at the end of the financial year, and there will be no grants issued under the ESOP Scheme 2007.
The Company has introduced Employee Stock Options Plan, 2016 (ESOP 2016) during the year 2016-17. The ESOP 2016 was approved by the Board at its meeting held on November 7, 2016, and by the shareholders of the Company by way of a special resolution through a Postal Ballot on January 21,2017. The Shareholders had authorised the Board/ Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) to issue to the employees, such number of Options under the ESOP 2016, as would be exercisable into not exceeding 35,17,000 fully paid-up equity shares of Re. 1/ - each in the Company. NRC is empowered to formulate the detailed terms and conditions of the ESOP 2016, administer and supervise the same. The specific employees to whom the Options are granted, and their eligibility criteria is determined by the NRC. Further, the NRC is empowered to determine the eligible subsidiary companies, whether existing or future, whose employees will be entitled to stock options under this Scheme. Options granted under this ESOP 2016 would vest on or after 1 (one) year from the date of grant but not later than 4 (four) years from the date of grant of such Options or any other terms as decided by the NRC.
During the year 82,930 options were granted and the total number of options unvested, vested and outstanding as of March 31, 2025, was 4,43,577. The details of Options granted upto March 31, 2025, and other disclosures as required under Regulation 14 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 is available on the Company's website at https://www.eidparry.com/financials/
The Company has received a certificate from the Secretarial Auditors of the Company that the above referred Scheme had
Krishnakumar, Independent Director and Mr. Muthiah Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer* as members.
*w.e.f. August 17, 2024
Stakeholders Relationship Committee
The Stakeholders Relationship Committee (SRC) comprises of Mr. M.M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director as the Chairman, Mr.T.Krishnakumar, Independent Director, Mr. Muthiah Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer* and Mr. Ramesh K B Menon, Non-Executive NonIndependent Director as members.
*w.e.f. August 17, 2024
Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) comprises of Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director, as the Chairman, Dr. (Ms) Rca Godbole, Independent Director and Mr. Ramesh K B Menon, NonExecutive, Non-Independent Director as members.
Risk Management Committee
The Risk Management Committee comprises Mr. S. Durgashankar, Independent Director, as the Chairman, Mr. Muthiah Murugappan, Whole-Time Director and Chief Executive Officer*, Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director and Mr. M. M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director as members.
*w.e.f. August 17, 2024
Vigil Mechanism & Whistle Blower Policy
The Company has a Vigil Mechanism for directors and employees to report genuine concerns and grievances which provides necessary safeguards against victimisation of employees and directors.
The Audit Committee reviews on a quarterly basis the functioning of the Whistle Blower and vigil mechanism. The Vigil Mechanism and Whistle Blower Policy have been posted on the Company's website at https://www.eidparry.com/wp-content/assets/2023/02/ Whistleblower-Policy-and-Vigil-Mechanism.pdf and the details of the same are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR)
Pursuant to Regulation 34(2)(f) of the Listing Regulations and SEBI circular no. SEBI/LADNRO/GN/2021/2 dated May 5, 2021, and SEBI/ HO/CFD/CFD-SEC-2/P/CIR/2023/122 dated July 12, 2023, your Company provides the prescribed disclosures on Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") parameters called the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report ("BRSR") which includes performance against the nine principles of the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct and the report under each principle which is divided into essential and leadership indicators.
Dividend Distribution Policy
Pursuant to Regulation 43A of Listing Regulations, the top 1000 listed Companies are required to formulate a Dividend Distribution Policy. The Company's Dividend Distribution Policy as approved by the Board is available on the Company's website at https://
Â
been implemented in accordance with the Securities and Exchange board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 and the resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
The report on corporate governance along with certificate from a practicing Company Secretary regarding compliance of conditions of Corporate Governance as stipulated under the Listing Regulations is annexed to this Report. The report also contains details required to be provided on the board evaluation, remuneration policy, implementation of risk management policy, whistle-blower policy / vigil mechanism, etc.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have submitted a certificate to the Board regarding the financial statements and other matters as required under Regulation 17(8) read with Schedule II of Part B of the Listing Regulations.
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 (IEPF Rules) all dividends, which remains unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven years are required to be transferred by the Company to the IEPF established by the Central Government. Further, according to the IEPF Rules, the shares in respect of which dividend has not been encashed by the shareholders for seven consecutive years or more are also required to be transferred to the Central Government (Demat account created by the IEPF Authority).
Accordingly, the Company has transferred the unclaimed and unpaid dividends as well as the corresponding shares as per the requirements of the IEPF Rules, details of which are provided on our website, at https://www.eidparry.com/unpaid-unclaimed-dividend/
The Company has transferred an amount of Rs.96,28,152 on April 22, 2024 being the unclaimed dividend (interim) for the year 2016-17 to the IEPF. The Company has also transferred 274,021 Equity Shares in respect of which dividend has not been paid or claimed for seven consecutive years or more as enunciated under Section 124 (6) of the Companies Act, 2013.
The Audit Committee comprises of Mr. S. Durgashankar, Independent Director as the Chairman, Dr. (Ms) Rca Godbole, Independent Director, Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director and Mr.M.M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director as members.
The CSR Committee comprises of Mr. M. M. Venkatachalam, NonExecutive, Non-Independent Director, as the Chairman, Mr. T.
https://www.eidparry.com/wp-content/assets/2023/02/Dividend-
The particulars relating to conservation of energy, technology absorption, research and development, foreign exchange earnings and outgo as required to be disclosed under Section 134 (3)(m) of the Act, read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is given in Annexure - D to this Report.
During the Financial Year, the Company has given loans, guarantees to subsidiaries within the limits as prescribed under Section 186 of the Act. Details of Loans and Guarantees are given in Annexure - E to this Report.
The information relating to employees and other particulars as required under Section 197 of the Act, read with Rule 5(2) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 will be provided upon request. In terms of Section 136 of the Act, the Report and Accounts are being sent to the Members, excluding the information on employees, particulars of which are available for inspection by the Members at the Registered Office of the Company during the business hours on all working days of the Company upto the date of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. If any member is interested in obtaining a copy thereof, such Member may write to the Company Secretary in the said regard.
The disclosure with regard to remuneration as required under Section 197 of the Act read with Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is attached and forms part of this Report as Annexure - F.
During the year 2021-22, an application was filed under section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) (IBC) against the Company before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Chennai. The Petitioner had claimed that it had not received payment from the farmers for the alleged supply and installation of irrigation systems to the farmers in the Company's Command area during the year 2010-11, for which the Company stood as a guarantor. The NCLT, Chennai, vide its order dated July 11, 2023, has dismissed the said application. The petitioner has now filed an appeal before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. No application under IBC was initiated by the Company as on March 31, 2025.
There was no instance of one-time settlement with any Bank or financial institutions.
In terms of Section 92 of the Act, the Annual Return of the Company in Form MGT-7 is placed on the website of the Company and can be accessed at https://www.eidparry.com/shareholders-meeting/
The Company has complied with the Secretarial Standards issued by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India and approved by the Central Government as required under Section 118(10) of the Act.
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting is required in respect of the following items as there were no transactions on these items during the year under review:
1. Â Â Â Details relating to deposits covered under Chapter V of the Act.
2.    Issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise.
3.    Issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees of the Company under any scheme save and except ESOP referred to in this Report.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Company does not receive any remuneration or commission from any of Company's subsidiaries.
No significant or material orders were passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals, which impact the going concern status of the Company and its operations in future. There are no material changes and commitments, affecting the financial position of the Company which have occurred between March 31,2025, and the date of this report, except as disclosed.
The Board places on record, its appreciation for the for the valuable support and cooperation received from bankers, business associates, lenders, financial institutions, shareholders, various departments of the Government of India, as well as the State Governments, the farming community and all our other stakeholders. The Board would also like to acknowledge the continued dedication of its employees in navigating an uncertain business climate with discipline and determination. Looking ahead, the Company anticipates a gradual improvement in market conditions, aided by stabilizing input costs and growing consumer demand. With focused execution and a commitment to long-term value creation, the Company is well-positioned to capture future opportunities in the FMCG and agribased segments.
Mar 31, 2024
The directors take pleasure in presenting the forty-ninth Annual Report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31,2024.
|
(Rs. in Crore) |
||||
|
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
||
| Â |
2023-24 | |
2022-23 |
2023-24 | |
2022-23 |
|
Revenue from Operations |
2,808.60 |
2,894.92 |
29,413.11 |
35,243.80 |
|
Gross Revenue |
2,987.74 |
3,152.95 |
29,716.92 |
35,283.02 |
|
Profit Before Interest and Depreciation (EBITDA) |
306.72 |
526.50 |
2,891.43 |
3,194.72 |
|
Depreciation |
147.49 |
135.05 |
420.78 |
376.47 |
|
Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) |
159.23 |
391.45 |
2,470.65 |
2,818.25 |
|
Finance Charges |
44.05 |
36.03 |
295.43 |
298.20 |
|
Exceptional Gains/(Losses) |
NA |
(110.91) |
NA |
44.20 |
|
Net Profit Before Tax |
115.18 |
244.51 |
2,175.22 |
2,564.25 |
|
Tax Expenses |
8.09 |
47.69 |
557.65 |
736.51 |
|
Net Profit After Tax Before Minority Interest |
107.09 |
196.82 |
1,617.57 |
1,827.74 |
|
Non - Controlling Interests |
NA |
NA |
717.90 |
880.26 |
|
Net Profit After Tax and Minority Interest |
107.09 |
196.82 |
899.67 |
947.48 |
|
No material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company have occurred between the end of the financial year to which these financial statements relate and the date of this report. |
||||
Your Company has not transferred any amount to the reserves for the year ended March 31,2024.
The paid-up Equity Share Capital of your Company as on March 31, 2024, was H17,75,17,591 consisting of 17,75,17,591 equity shares of Re. 1 each.
During the year, your Company did not allot any ESOPs under any of the existing Employee Stock Option Scheme.
The Board of Directors of the Company had declared an interim dividend of H4 per equity share on a face value of Re. 1 per equity
share for the year ended March 31, 2024. Total outgo on the interim dividend was H71.01 Crore. The Board has not proposed any final dividend for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2024 and accordingly, the interim dividend paid during the year shall be treated as final dividend.
Consolidated Revenue from operations for the year was H 29,413 Crore, as against H35,244 Crore in the previous year. Overall expenses for the year was H27,514 Crore as against H32,725 Crore (excluding exceptional items) in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA excluding exceptional items) was H2,891 Crore as against H3,195 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax and minority interest for the year was H900 Crore, as against H947 Crore in the previous year.
Standalone Revenue from your Company's operations for the year under review was H2,809 Crore as against H2,895 Crore in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was H307 Crore, as against H527 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax for the year was at H107 Crore as against H197 Crore in the previous year.
As a leading player in the Indian sugar industry, your company has navigated through challenges, demonstrating resilience and commitment to its stakeholders. In the face of complex encounters and evolving market dynamics, your company has exhibited pliability, and unwavering commitment to sustainable growth.
The year 2023-24 witnessed significant shifts in the Indian sugar industry, including the ban on exports of sugar, prohibition of syrup usage and restriction on usage of B-Heavy molasses for production of ethanol. This development introduced necessitated strategic recalibration of our operational and marketing strategies.
Further, the agricultural landscape was profoundly influenced by erratic climate conditions. The effect of EI Nino and the prevalence of poor rainfall in key sugarcane growing regions adversely affected crop yields, recovery and necessitated meticulous resource management practices to mitigate the impact of cane availability. In addition to the climatic vagaries, regulatory reforms and policy interventions continued to disrupt the operating environment of the sugar industry. Despite these challenges, your company remained steadfast in its commitment to sustainable agricultural practices, leveraging advanced irrigation technologies and precision farming techniques to optimize resource utilization and minimize environmental impact.
In a thought-out move to diversify our portfolio and expand our horizons and recognizing the imperative to fortify our market position amidst intensified competition, we undertook enterprising measures to enhance product differentiation, optimize distribution networks, and strengthen customer engagement initiatives. Through proactive engagement with regulatory authorities and industry stakeholders, we endeavoured to navigate the regulatory landscape adeptly, ensuring adherence to statutory requirements while capitalizing on emerging opportunities for value creation which was marked notably by our entry to the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) segment. Leveraging our existing distribution network, brand reputation, and market insights, we have launched an array of consumercentric products which includes pulses, rice and millets. With our targeted marketing campaigns and innovative product offerings, we endeavoured to reinforce brand loyalty and expand our consumer base, thereby moderating the impact of new market entrants.
Looking ahead to the year 2024-25, we maintain a guarded yet optimistic outlook, underpinned by strategic investments in technology, innovation, and operational excellence using the power of data analytics and automation to enhance operational efficiencies, optimize supply chain management, and drive continuous improvement across our business processes. We remain committed
to fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability, exploring opportunities to diversify our product portfolio, starting with our range of pulses, rice and millets, optimize resource utilization, and reduce environmental footprint throughout our value chain.
Furthermore, the year 2024-25 presents compelling opportunities for growth and expansion, fuelled by favourable macroeconomic trends, evolving consumer preferences, and increasing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced products.
As we navigate the complexities of an ever-evolving industry landscape, we remain firm in our commitment to delivering sustainable value and driving long-term growth and remain focused on innovation, quality, and responsible business practices. Our commitment to creating value for all stakeholders continues to drive our endeavours.
As per the International Monetary Fund's World Economic Outlook (WEO), the risks to global growth are broadly balanced and a soft landing is a possibility with the global growth projected at 3.1% in 2024 and 3.2% in 2025, with the 2024 forecast 0.2% higher than the previous WEO released in October 2023, on account of greater-than-expected resilience in the United States and several large emerging market and developing economies, as well as fiscal support in China. The forecast for 2024-25 is, however, below the historical (2000-19) average of 3.8%, with elevated central bank policy rates to fight inflation, a withdrawal of fiscal support amid high debt weighing on economic activity, and low underlying productivity growth.
World trade growth is projected at 3.3% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2025, below its historical average growth rate of 4.9%. In emerging market and developing economies, growth is expected to remain at 4.1% in 2024 and to rise to 4.2% in 2025.
An upward revision of 0.1% for 2024 since October 2023 reflects upgrades for several regions.
India, being an emerging market and developing economy itself, is projected to remain strong at 6.5% in both 2024 and 2025, with an upgrade of 0.2% points for both years, reflecting resilience in domestic demand.
Source: World Economic Outlook, January 2024
Amongst the G20 grouping of large nations, India is steering to be the fastest growing economy. After rapid economic growth of 7.2% in the 2022-23 fiscal year, India's GDP growth rate in the fiscal year 2023-24 was forecasted to be 6.9%.
S&P Global Ratings during their Asia-Pacific sector roundup "Slowing Dragons, Roaring Tigers" reported that economic growth prospects are shifting from the East to the South. According to the
report, economic growth of Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Philippines, India, Thailand and Malaysia could speed up. The prospects for industries also differ, with export-centric manufacturing faring worse. Amongst the Asian- Pacific countries, the growth momentum remains especially robust in relatively domestic demand-led emerging market economies where India continues to lead the pack.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) in its second advance estimates has raised India's GDP growth estimate to 7.6%, up from 7.3% in its first advance forecast. Whereas the Reserve Bank of India's GDP growth estimate for FY24 is 7%, the International Monetary Fund's forecasts 6.7%. According to RBI, the total cost of private corporate projects sanctioned by major banks and financial institutions stood at H2.4 lakh crore which was up 23% annually during the April- December period as compared with the same period a year earlier, suggesting that the private capital expenditure cycle is gaining steam. The RBI further in its report, circled back to agriculture, where the projections for the year 202425 look favourable.
The Ministry of Finance vide their press release has stated that the Indian economy demonstrated resilience and maintained healthy macroeconomic fundamentals, despite uncertainty from adverse geopolitical developments.
The Indian economy has continued to perform well exceeding expectations which has caused various rating agencies, institutions raise the growth estimate. In a significant step towards achieving India's ambitious Net Zero objectives by the year 2070, Interim Budget 2024-25 has introduced a comprehensive strategy towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. This forward-thinking approach underscores a deep commitment to fostering a cleaner, greener future.
Sources: S&P Global Asia Pacific sector roundup, Livemint, RBI Bulleting, February 2024 and Government Press Releases
According to S&P Platts, global demand supply surplus for 2023-24 increased to 5.58 MMT, the second highest since 2017-18. Significant increase in production in Brazil (highest ever at around 43 MMT), EU and Turkey more than offset lower production in Thailand, Mexico and Russia. Raw sugar prices were quite volatile during the year, climbing upto 28 c/lb (highest in 12 years) in November 2023 and later fell to 20 c/lb in December 2023.
S&P Platts projects a Demand Supply deficit for 2024-25 of 0.28 MMT. This is mainly due to lower production estimates for Brazil and Mexico. Though cane production is estimated to fall by 6-8% year on year due to dry weather, Brazilian mills are expected to maximise their sugar production to around 41 MMT, as sugar realisations are higher compared to ethanol. Better monsoon prospects will help India to maintain production levels a bit lower than of last year. Higher realisation of cane over cassava has incentivised higher
cane planting in Thailand which is poised for a significant recovery in production from 8 MMT in 23-24 to 11 MMT. S&P projects sugar consumption in 24-25 to increase by 1.4% over 23-24.
Due to tight supply situation in refined sugar, white premiums are holding at elevated levels of 110-140 USD/MT. This scenario is expected to prevail in the first half of 2024-25. The evolution of white premium in the second half will be determined by the production levels in EU and Thailand, which are the low-cost producers of refined sugar.
Next to Brazil, India is the largest global producer of sugar. In India, sugarcane is produced majorly in nine states, viz., Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu. It is one of those important agro-based industries that impacts the rural livelihood of many. Demand for cane and sugar is increasing in India because of their extensive use in applications like food and beverages, bakery, confectionery, and others.
According to a Reuters report, India's forecast of sugarcane produce was 31.6 million tonnes for the current 2023-24 (October-September) sugar season and is expected to move down to 29Â million tonnes in the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Sucden analyst Olivier Crassard informed that the projected sugar production for India in the 2024-25 season is anticipated to decline to 28 million tonnes. Notably, there is no indication of any diversion to ethanol in this outlook. The decrease in reservoir levels has adversely impacted cane plantings, particularly in Southern India.
Sources: Reuters, Chinimandi Sugar exports and imports
The Central Government continued to prohibit sugar exports this season (October 2023 to September 2024) after a drop in production due to lack of rain.
The Government in January 2024 notified exports of 8,606 MT of raw cane sugar under tariff-rate quota (TRQ) to the US for 2024. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a public notice said that this quantity has been notified under the TRQ scheme from October 1,2023-September 30, 2024, which will be operated by Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Shipments under the TRQ enjoy lower customs duty. Post the completion of the quota, a higher duty is imposed on additional imports. In July 2023, the Office of the US Trade Representative had announced the country-specific (including from India) and first-come, first-served in-quota allocations of the TRQs on imported raw cane sugar, refined and specialty sugar, and sugar-containing products for the sugar season 2023-24.
Sources: Government Press Releases
Sugar production has reached 302.20 LMT till March of the current season against 300.77 LMT of the previous season. The industry body Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) is expecting a normal to above normal southwest monsoon for the year 2024 based on the reports from weather forecasting agencies. Consequently, a moderate crushing season is expected in the 202425 season. It has also revised the sugar production estimate for 2023-24 upwards to 340 LMT; up by 2.9% from its earlier estimate of 330 LMT issued in January 2024.
The ISMA has urged the government to allow an additional 1.8 LMT of sugar to be diverted to ethanol production in the current ethanol supply year (ESY).
The sugar output for the 2023-24 season was at 340 LMT, which includes 20 LMT diverted towards ethanol production. Considering an opening stock of 55 LMT on October 1, 2023, and domestic consumption projected at 285 LMT, ISMA has projected a 'comfortable' opening stock of around 90 LMT in the beginning of next season on October 1, 2024.
The industry body stated that closing stock will be sufficient enough to cater around three months into next season (2024-25). In its report/statement, it stated that the recent weather conditions have been favourable for the standing cane crop, and cane commissioners of major states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka have done an upward revision of around 5-10% in their sugar production estimates for the 2023-24 season.
Sources: ISMA, Chinimandi Sugar consumption
India's annual per capita sugar consumption, according to some industry players, of around 21kg, is modest compared to other major economies. The United States' consumption is around 33 kg, Brazil's 40 kg, Russia's 34.18 kg and Mexico's 34.15 kg. Most sugar in the developed and western world is consumed in the form of beverages, energy drinks, fruit juices and confectionery.
The projections, made in a report by a working group of the NITI Aayog, said that sugar supply overtook demand by 3 million tonnes in 2011-12 and will continue at that level till 2035-36. By 2047-48, sugar and related products' supplies will outstrip demand by nearly 6 million tonnes. The NITI Aayog's assumptions are based on a 'Business as Usual' scenario where overall food demand grows at an annual rate of 2.44 per cent by 2047-48. Demand is projected to expand to 3.07 per cent if economic growth accelerates. Meanwhile the Department of Food and Public Distribution (food ministry) has projected domestic sugar consumption at around 27.5 MT for the current season.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for Sugar Season 202425 at H340/quintal at sugar recovery rate of 10.25%. This price of
sugarcane is about 8% higher than FRP of sugarcane for current sugar season 2023-24. The revised FRP will be applicable w.e.f. October 2024. Following the Central Government's decision to raise the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane 2024-25 season, associations and other sugar millers have come together and represented the Government to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP).
Sources: Business Standard, Press Information Bureau
I.    Fixation of Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) payable by sugar factories for Sugar Season 2024-25:
Pursuant to Clause 3 of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, the Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India has vide Notification No. 3(1)/2023-SP-I dated February 27, 2024 determined the FRP of sugarcane payable by sugar factories for Sugar Season 2024-25 as under:
i.    FRP of sugarcane for sugar season 2024-25 has been fixed at H340 per quintal for a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25%;
ii.    A premium of H3.32 per quintal is to be given for every 0.1 percentage point increase above 10.25% in the sugar recovery;
iii.    Reduction in FRP is to be made proportionately by H3.32 per quintal for every 0.1 percentage point decrease in recovery, in respect of those factories whose recovery is below 10.25% but above 9.5%.
iv.    However, for sugar factories having recovery of 9.5% or less, FRP is fixed at H315.10 per quintal.
II.    Fixation of Ex-factory price of Potash Derived from Molasses (PDM):
The Department of Food & Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Government of India has vide its letter no. F.No. 12/11/2023-(BP&E) dated March 11, 2024, addressed to ISMA and National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited stated that sugar mills can also claim the subsidy for PDM over and above the model price of H4263/ Ton (as fixed by the Government) under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme of the Department of Fertilizers notified rates. The sugar mills shall adhere to the Guidelines issued by Department of Fertilizers vide OM dated 12.07.2022 for claiming subsidy relating to PDM under NBS Scheme and a letter dated April 17, 2023, regarding the technical inspection and annual audit of PDM units. The DFPD has accordingly requested ISMA and National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited that all the member sugar mills may be encouraged to install integrated PDM granulation units to
claim the NBS subsidy and get the technical inspection done as per the guidelines.
III.    Compulsory use of jute bags for packing sugar under the Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987 Act
The Jute Packaging Materials (Compulsory Use in Packing Commodities) Act, 1987 (JPM Act) mandates that sugar be packed only in jute bags and specifies the percentage of commodities to be packed mandatorily in the jute packaging material.
Vide Notification No. INSP.F-1(3)/2007/VOL. I dated January 16, 2024, the DFPD, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution prescribed that 20% of the total production of sugar to be mandatorily packed in the Jute packaging material. Keeping in view the sugar mills' reluctance and practical difficulties to comply with the directions of the Government for various reasons already expressed by the mills to the Government, the notification goes on further to state that the quota for the sale of sugar in domestic market for the month of January 2025 onwards shall only be issued to sugar mills who have placed the indent/purchase orders for procurement of jute bags for packaging of 20% of sugar produced during the sugar season 2024-25.
IV. Â Â Â Amendments to Energy Conservation Act, 2001Â designating Sugar as an Energy Intensive Industry
Pursuant to Ministry of Power Circular No. S.O. 2523(E) dated June 6, 2023, the Central Government in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency upon reviewing the list of energy intensive industries and other establishments specified in the schedule to the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 has specified certain other users of energy as 'designated consumer' in the said Order. Accordingly, Sugar, Chemicals, Ceramic, Zinc, Copper, Glass, Port Trust, Dairy, Automobile Assembly Unit, Tyre Manufacturer, Forging, Foundry, Refractories units having specified energy consumption have been included as designated consumers for the purposes of said Act. With respect to Sugar industry, units of sugar plants or establishment producing sugar and its variants such as white sugar, brown sugar and liquid sugar, having energy consumption of 10,000 metric tonne of oil equivalent per year or above are covered.
As per clause 14A (2) of the Energy Conservation Act 2001, the designated consumer whose energy consumption is more than the prescribed norms and standards shall be entitled to purchase the energy savings certificates to comply with the prescribed norms and standards. The Central Government, in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, has made further amendments under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The amendments specify additional energy intensive industries and establishments as designated consumers, thereby subjecting them to energy efficiency regulations.
V. Â Â Â Environmental Clearance - Splitting and Transfer
Pursuant to a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) dated April 21, 2023, a clarification on explicit provision for splitting an Environmental Clearance (EC) and transferring it to more than one legal person has been provided, in furtherance to the erstwhile notification dated September 14, 2022, mentioning on transfer of prior Environmental Clearance (EC) from one legal person to another legal person during the validity period.
Accordingly, the following provision has been added:
A prior Environmental clearance granted for a specific project, except mining projects may be split amongst two or more legal persons, entitled to undertake the project and transferred during the validity to another legal person on application made by the transferor in the format specified on PARIVESH portal to the concerned Regulatory authority along with requisite documents. The concerned Regulatory authority shall split and transfer the prior-Environmental clearance, on recommendation of the concerned Expert Appraisal Committee to the other legal persons for the respective projects.
VI.    Central Procurement of sugar by Army Purchase Organization (APO) for consumption of troops (2024-25)
On April 4, 2024, the Directorate of Sugar, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, F&PD, vide Notification No. F. No. 5-5(A.P.O.)/2018-Sugar Control, directed that central procurement of sugar by A.PO. for consumption of troops for the Consumption Year 2024-25 is to be carried out on Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
i.    Procurement of sugar by Army Purchase Organization (APO) for FY 2024-25 will be carried out through Government e-Marketplace and under self-certification wherein quality check will be carried out by NABL Labs.
ii.    Successful bidding sugar mills supplying sugar to APO will be exempted from monthly stock holding limit for the quantity of sugar finalized by the APO for the consumption year 2024-25 over and above the monthly release quota in the subsequent months.
iii.    In the view of the above, all sugar mills ought to register themselves on GeM and participate in bidding process for supply of sugar to APO.
VII.    CPCB Notice - under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had notified guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility for plastic packaging vide Fourth Amendment to Plastic Waste Management Rules on February 16, 2022. Accordingly, Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBOs) and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) are required to register on centralised EPR portal developed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
to fulfil their EPR liability as per the notified EPR Guidelines. The PIBOs are required to obtain registration from CPCB if operating in more than two States/UTs and from concerned SPCB/ Pollution Control Committee if operating in one or two States/ UTs only. Also, PWPs are required to obtain registration from the concerned SPCBs/PCCs.
CPCB has issued a notice (F. No. CP-20/8/2024 - UPC-II-HO-CPCB-HO) on March 14, 2024 requesting all Producers, Importers and Brand Owners (PIBO's) handling plastic packaging to obtain the registration on the CPCB Portal as per the Rules and those who have not applied have been directed to submit the application by the March 31,2024, failing which closure and compensation proceedings may be initiated.
VIII. E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022
The E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016 have been superseded by the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2022, notified through G.S.R. 801(E) dated November 2, 2022, and are applicable from April 1,2023.
These Rules apply to various entities involved in the manufacture, sale, transfer, purchase, refurbishing, dismantling, recycling, and processing of e-waste or electrical or electronic equipment listed in Schedule 1 of these rules, including their components, consumables, parts, and spares that make the product operational. While the Sugar Industry may not fall under the categories of producers, manufacturers, or recyclers of electrical or electronic items, there are certain considerations to be aware of:
i.    It is imperative that e-waste is handed over to approved vendors by users of electronic and electrical equipment.
ii.    Registration with the CPCB is required to be obtained if members are involved in dismantling Electrical or Electronic equipment.
iii.    For entities involved in importing used electronic and electrical equipment, it is mandatory to be registered on the CPCB portal and to ensure that imports do not contain the notified hazardous chemicals. Additionally, compliance with EPR Certificates is required by the importers.
IX Ethanol Notifications
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), in exercise of powers conferred under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and clauses 4 and 5 of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 issued a notification no. F.No. 3(2)/2023-SP dated December 7, 2023, directing all sugar mills and distilleries not to use Sugarcane Juice/Sugar Syrup for Ethanol manufacturing for the ESY 2023-24 with immediate effect.
Supply of ethanol from B-Heavy Molasses for the existing offers received by OMCs was permitted. In continuation to the Order dated December 7, 2023, a subsequent notification no. F. No. 3(2)/2023-SP dated 15.12.2023 was issued by the DFPD;
(i)    instructing OMCs to issue a revised allocation of Sugarcane Juice and B-Heavy Molasses based ethanol for ESY 202324 to each distillery and to place revised contracts;
(ii)    sugar factories and distilleries were directed to supply ethanol strictly as per the revised quantity of ethanol from SCJ & BHM so allocated by OMCs;
(iii)    prohibiting diversion of sugarcane juice and B-Heavy molasses for production of Rectified Spirit/Extra Neutral Alcohol and;
(iv)    directing all molasses based distilleries to produce ethanol from C Molasses..
Ethanol
Molasses is a viscous by-product obtained from raw sugar during the manufacturing process. Cane-based ethanol can be produced in three different ways - directly from cane juice, and from B-heavy and C-heavy molasses. The end products (cane sugar and the molasses) could be used to produce ethanol. The difference lies in the quantity of ethanol produced. One tonne of cane can produce 10.8 litres of ethanol if it is produced from molasses. On the other hand, the same cane can produce 84 litres of ethanol, if used directly as an input.
The Central Government has been focusing on reducing the country's dependence on imported crude oil while minimising the environmental impact resulting from pollution and emissions. The Government has been actively promoting the production and blending of ethanol with petrol and has targeted 20% blending through Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme or EBP20 by 2025-26. EBP20, which was earlier targeted by 2030, was advanced in December 2020, reaffirming the Government's focus and commitment towards biofuels. EBP20 will lead to numerous benefits, such as saving of H30,000 crore of foreign exchange per year, lower carbon emissions, self-reliance, use of damaged food grains, increased farmers' incomes, and better investment opportunities.
Indian Ethanol Industry Overview
India has achieved an average ethanol blending rate of' 11.60% in the first four months of 2023-24 Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) that started from November, against the 15% target set by the government for the whole year. The government decided to advance the targets of 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to ESY 2025-26. The Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India 2020-25, prepared by an inter-ministerial Committee, estimated ethanol requirement of 1016 crore litres to achieve 20% blending targets in ESY 2025-26.
The government had in December last year banned the use of sugar syrup and B Heavy molasses for making ethanol in the ESY 2023-24. However, the government believes that this ban would not cast a shadow on the blending target.
The Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has multiple objectives including reducing import dependence, savings
in foreign exchange, providing boost to domestic agriculture sector and for associated environmental benefits. Under the EBP Programme, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have saved approximately 509 crore litres of petrol on account of ethanol blending during the ESY 2022-23 resulting in savings of more than H24,300 crore of foreign exchange and expeditious payment of about H19,300 crore to farmers, bolstering the agriculture sector.
The current ethanol production capacity of 1364 crore litres are spread across most of the states of the country including in the ethanol surplus states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra & Karnataka. In line with the roadmap for EBP, Oil Marketing Companies have achieved 10% ethanol blending during ESY 2021-22 and 12% during ESY 2022-23.
The Government has taken several measures to meet the ethanol blending targets which includes expansion of feedstock for production of ethanol; administered price mechanism for procurement of ethanol under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme; lowered GST rate to 5% on ethanol for EBP Programme; amendment in Industries (Development & Regulation) Act for free movement of ethanol across states for blending; interest subvention scheme for enhancement and augmentation of ethanol production capacity in the country; regular floating of Expression of Interest (EoI) by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for procurement of ethanol.
According to a report published by the Indian-Asian News Service, the Indian Ethanol Market is expected to witness high growth due to the increasing demand for biofuels. Ethanol is a renewable source of energy and is primarily used as a feedstock for biodiesel production. The growing concern for energy security and environmental sustainability is driving the demand for biofuels in India. Additionally, the government initiatives and policies promoting the use of biofuels, such as the National Policy on Biofuels, are further powering the growth of the ethanol market in India.
India's Ethanol Market is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period 2023-2030, owing to the growing demand for ethanol in industrial applications. On the basis of the end-use segment, the fuel segment is expected to hold a dominant position, driven by the need for cleaner and less toxic fuels in various industries.
Co-generation
Bagasse is the fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice and is a by-product generated in the process of manufacture of sugar. It can either be sold or be captively consumed for generation of steam. It is currently used as a biofuel and in the manufacturing of pulp and paper products and building materials. The bagasse produced in a sugar factory is however used for generation of steam which in turn is used as a fuel source and the surplus generation is exported to the power grids. For every 10 tonnes of sugarcane crushed, a sugar factory produces nearly 3 tonnes of wet bagasse. Since bagasse is a by-product of sugarcane, the quantity of bagasse production in the country is in proportion to the quantity of sugarcane produced. The power produced through co-generation substitutes the conventional
thermal alternative and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In India, interest in high-efficiency bagasse-based co-generation started in the 1980s when electricity supply started falling short of demand. High-efficiency bagasse co-generation was perceived as an attractive technology both in terms of its potential to produce carbon-neutral electricity as well as its economic benefits to the sugar sector. In the present scenario, where fossil fuel prices are skyrocketing and there is a shortage, co-generation appears to be propitious. The thrust on distributed generation and increasing awareness for cutting greenhouse gas emissions increases the need for co-generation. The electricity production through co-generation in sugar mills in India is an important avenue for supplying low-cost, non-conventional power. However, several financial, regulatory and technical challenges are required to be overcome for realizing this potential.
The Indian Government has been actively promoting co-generation as a means to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Policies such as the National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture aim to boost the adoption of biomass-based co-generation technologies. The sector has seen advancements in co-generation technologies, including improvements in efficiency and reliability. Integration of advanced control systems and automation has enhanced the performance of co-generation plants, making them more competitive in the market.
Recognising the significant potential and role of biomass energy within the Indian context, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched numerous initiatives to promote efficient technologies across various sectors, aiming to maximise benefits derived from biomass utilisation.
Among these initiatives, particular emphasis has been placed on bagasse-based co-generation in sugar mills and biomass power generation under the Biomass Power and Co-generation Programme. This initiative primarily aims to foster the adoption of technologies that optimise the utilisation of the country's biomass resources for grid power generation.
As of January 31, 2024, the total installed capacity in the biomass power and co-generation sector stands at 10,789.66 MW, comprising 584.05 MW of waste-to-power and 10,205.61 MW of biomass cogeneration capacity, encompassing both bagasse and non-bagasse sources.
India is also creating a viable market for bioproducts like biomass pellets and briquettes. The country hosts approximately 230 biomass pellet manufacturers and around 1,030 briquette manufacturers across various states. These products are supplied to power plants and industries. Additionally, the government has established a national mission on the use of biomass in Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) under the Ministry of Power. This initiative aims to address air pollution caused by farm stubble burning and reduce the carbon footprint of thermal power generation.
According to the latest data of the MNRE, India has added a record renewable energy capacity of 18.48 GW in 2023-24, which is over 21% higher than 15.27 GW a year ago. However, industry experts said there is a need to add at least 50 GW of renewable energy
capacity annually for the next six years to meet the ambitious target of 500 GW of renewables by 2030. With the government's policies together with the relevant regional and international agencies and initiatives in the bio-energy space, India is transitioning towards a tomorrow where all the curves run in green energy.
Source(s): Powerline, Economic Times
The success of the sugar business depends on the sugarcane availability and sugarcane quality. During the year, the sugarcane availability in Tamil Nadu (TN) units was better compared to the previous year. The thrust on cane development activities initiated by your Company, including encouraging the farmers in various ways in all command areas, helped to increase the sugarcane availability. In TN, there was an improvement in cane crushed at 22.82 LMT as against 22.60 LMT in the previous year due to increased cane availability. The average recovery recorded was at 8.50% as against 9.33% in the previous year. The lower recovery was due to the climate change, which led to lesser rain fall. In addition to the above, high temperature was witnessed both during day and night, which was prevalent across the state.
During the year, the units in Karnataka reported lower crushing at 22.94 LMT compared to 24.57 LMT in the previous year due to drought and early closure of the crushing season. The average recovery was at 11.55% as against 11.89% in the previous year. Priority on harvesting good quality cane followed by average cane helped to control diversion across all three units. The centralized Harvesting and Transportation (H&T) planning and execution for all the three units of KN facilitated smooth inter-unit movement of gangs and cane, reduced yard balance, vehicle waiting hours and ensured continuous cane supply. This also helped to increase the number of crushing days of Bagalkot and Ramdurg unit. The lower recovery was on account of plant down time, sub-optimal crushing and dryness of cane.
With respect to the Andhra Pradesh (AP) unit, the cane crushed was 4.34 LMT as compared to 4.63 LMT in the previous year. The average recovery was at 9.02% as compared to 10.19% in the previous year. The lower recovery was on account of the climate change, plant down time and early commencement of the factory due to labour unavailability.
Your company's mission revolves around more than just profit margins; it is deeply rooted in the well-being of the farmers who form the backbone of our operations. For decades, we have worked tirelessly to uplift and empower them, recognizing their invaluable contributions to our success. Our commitment to their prosperity is unwavering, and every decision we make as a company is guided by this principle.
One of the keyways we support our farmers is through prompt payment. We understand the challenges they face in cultivation. We strive to offer competitive prices for their produce, ensuring that
their hard work is adequately rewarded. By maintaining transparent pricing structures and engaging in fair trade practices, we foster trust and cooperation within the farming community.
In addition to fair pricing, we believe in investing in the long-term sustainability of agricultural practices. Our farmers are stewards of the land, and we recognize the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations. Through initiatives such as sustainable farming techniques, soil conservation programs, crop protection from various pests and diseases by adopting scientific methods, and water management strategies, we aim to minimize environmental impact while maximizing yield and profitability for our farmers.
The Company through structured sugarcane development initiatives, timely sugarcane payments, and close relationship with the farmer community will strive to improve in key operational metrics, such as area under sugarcane, sugarcane crush, yields, recovery etc.
Education and training are also central to our approach. We provide comprehensive training programs covering a range of topics, from crop management to financial literacy. By equipping our farmers with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, we empower them to make informed decisions and adapt to changing circumstances. Furthermore, we leverage technology to enhance efficiency and productivity on the farm, whether through the adoption of precision agriculture techniques or the use of our i-Cane Management System (iCMS) mobile application for real-time data monitoring.
Financial support is another crucial aspect of our farmer-centric approach. We understand that access to credit and capital is essential for agricultural development, especially in rural areas where traditional banking services may be limited. We offer financial assistance programs tailored to the specific needs of our farmers, whether through low-interest loans, grants for infrastructure improvements, or crop insurance schemes to mitigate risk.
But our commitment to farmers goes beyond the confines of the farm gate. We recognize that thriving rural communities are essential for sustainable agricultural development. We invest in community development projects through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework, aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education in the areas where our farmers live and work. By fostering economic growth and social cohesion, we create an environment where farmers can flourish both professionally and personally.
The Company with the support from AMM Foundation, Murugappa Group's charitable arm, has initiated an ambitious water conservation initiative under Project NANNEER. In Tamil Nadu units to increase the holding capacity of the water bodies and recharge aquifers. This project increases the ground water availability to the rural folks and to sustain the agriculture. In the coming years, company has planned to extend this project in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh units' area to support the farmers and community.
Looking ahead, we are constantly seeking ways to innovate and improve our support for farmers. This includes harnessing the power of data analytics and artificial intelligence to optimize agricultural
practices. Smart agriculture leverages advanced technology to the advantage of agricultural practices. The cloud-based and Internet of Things (IoT)-based solutions can used for monitoring, automating, analysing farming operations. We are also committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity within the agricultural sector, ensuring that all farmers, regardless of background or circumstance, have equal access to resources and opportunities.
Over the years, due to urbanization and better opportunities, the next generation of farmers are indifferent towards farming. The average landholding size in India has been on a decreasing trend and now has reached a level of almost 1.08 Hectares for a family, it seems that nuclear farming may not yield adequate income to the farmer. Since average landholding size in India has been on a decreasing trend, the government should encourage community cultivation (like has been proven to be successful in Jalgaon, Maharashtra) and also allow leased cultivation through land aggregation. In these models, a larger aggregated farm size enables lower costs and better farm interventions leading to higher earnings for the growers and the farmer gets his/her share based on the quantum of his landholding size. Land aggregation is expected to provide other multiple benefits like reduction in agricultural cost, lower water intake (60% reduction) and propagation of scientific way of agriculture.
Our farmers are more than just suppliers; they are partners in our journey towards a sustainable and prosperous future. By prioritizing their well-being and investing in their success, we believe we can build a stronger, more resilient business model that benefits everyone involved. Together, we are not just growing sugar; we are cultivating communities, fostering innovation, and shaping a better world for generations to come.
Your Company's sugar units strictly adhere to best-in-class manufacturing processes and quality benchmarks. Amongst the leading sugar manufacturers in India, EID Parry's 6 sugar plants and one standalone distillery are spread across South India. Our state-of-the-art plants with a total sugarcane crushing capacity of 40,800 TCD, co-generation capacity of 140 MW and distillery capacity of 417 KLPD across units are located at Nellikuppam, Pugalur and Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, Sankili in Andhra Pradesh and Bagalkot, Haliyal and Ramdurg in Karnataka. The units are equipped with latest technological equipment and analytical labs to ensure the highest levels of product quality in a safe, healthy, and clean environment as the Company supplies sugar to major multinational soft drink companies, leading confectionery manufacturers, and pharmaceutical companies. The Company continues its journey towards achieving manufacturing excellence by a focused thrust on creating a customer-centric sugar factory complex that blends low-cost production with premium quality products, while prioritizing safety, sustainability, profitability, and exceptional customer services. An accelerated drive across the value chain to improve operational efficiencies, reduce cost and eliminate wastage has been adopted across functions and processes to raise execution excellence metrics.
Your Company's manufacturing facilities are eco-friendly and meet emission and discharge norms. Water and energy conservation
efforts have been taken to continually improve performance. The plants have safety and environment management systems and periodic performance assessments take place to ensure sustenance. Proactively, all factories have obtained ISO 14001 Environment system certification and are equipped with state-of-the-art pollution control measures such as an incineration facility to manage spent wash from Distilleries as stipulated by regulatory authorities. All 7 sites have obtained ISO 45001:2018 Environment Health & Safety which provides an internationally recognized framework for managing occupational health and safety risks.
The Company continued to pursue its strategies to optimize efficiencies, reduce costs, eliminate wastage, and achieve stretch targets for growth. Even as our Company continues to focus on capacity and efficiency enhancement, it aims to ramp up the diversification of the sugar portfolio.
During the year, the manufacturing operations faced a number of challenges, which were mitigated by suitable measures.
In TN there were cane supply challenges which were mitigated by sourcing harvesting teams from different parts of state which supported the timely harvesting. We encouraged more entrepreneurs in to mechanical harvesting in both the plants.
In KN the initial start up challenges due to Government regulations were addressed and the initial teething troubles in Haliyal plant was corrected on a war footing.
¦    During the year, there were change in the government policies with regard to Syrup and utilisation of B Heavy Molasses which hampered the plan. In spite of this, we could do better volumes compared to previous years.
¦    Due to the change in Ethanol policy Sankili Unit had challenges and immediate measures were taken to convert in to Maize based Ethanol production. This restricted the Ethanol plant capacity to 100 KLPD. New proposals are in progress to augment the grain facility.
¦    The Cogen plant was operated together with our sugar operations and accordingly, there were both generation and export of power. Various measures have been taken up in reducing the steam consumption across all factories. Flash heat recoveries and vapour bleeding system modifications carried out at various plants for steam economy.
¦    All the plants got ISO 45001 certification
¦    Rectified Spirit (RS) redistillation process carried out to utilize the capacities
¦    Amrit plant erection completed at Pugalur
¦    Jaggery production stabilized at Pugalur
¦    120 KLPD distilleries stabilized at Sankili
¦    120 KLPD distillery erection completed at Haliyal
¦    45 KLPD Distillery erection in progress and nearing completion at Nellikuppam
¦    Maintwitz tool implemented across all plants for effective maintenance monitoring and control
In today's competitive business landscape, achieving and maintaining optimal sales and marketing performance is essential for organizational growth and success. With ever evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and market dynamics, businesses must adapt and innovate their strategies to stay ahead. Consumers are shopping through varied channels; smaller local brands as well as digital first brands are increasingly entering the market. In these times, your Company needs to continue remaining agile to enhanced brand propositions and marketing investments to increase adoption in underpenetrated categories. Your company is a market leader in packaged sugar segment in South India, marketing its products under its iconic brand 'Parrys'. Your Company is poised to significantly scale its retail business with a pervasive distribution network, increasing the volume proportion sold in the institutional and retail segments.
Your Company continued its strong performance in the Retail and Institution segment with stringent quality systems, global certifications, high standards of hygiene and process and robust ability to customize products for the customers. Your Company continues to hold the leadership share in many customer segments and today supplies to industries operating in various categories like beverages, foods, confectionery, dairy, bakery, and pharmaceuticals. Your Company's premium brand 'Parry' instils confidence and trust among consumers and continues to drive volumes. Going forward, the Company proposes to maximize growth by prioritizing the focus areas and ramping up availability of products and brand presence across categories and population.
The trend towards healthy eating was accentuated in the last few years as the pandemic enveloped the country. In response to this, your Company focused on providing healthy eating options through its Low GI sugar called 'SweetCare. With the power of seven herbal
extracts, Sweet Care is a clinically tested Low GI Sugar (Glycemic Index < 55) that supports a healthier diet.
Your Company signed a commercial partnership agreement with food technology company, Nutrition Innovation Singapore Pte Ltd ("Nutrition Innovation") to create innovative sugar solutions like Nucane⢠Low GI Sugar. This low GI brown sugar utilises natural occurring polyphenols in cane sugar that have been scientifically proven and independently tested to consistently lower the glycemic response of sucrose. The partnership with Nutrition Innovation provides the Company unique access to Nucane Low GI Sugar technology to produce a new specification of naturally low glycemic brown sugar which complements and extends the existing range of products and supports the growing global trend for less processed, less refined, brown sugars. The Company launched its new brand Amrit Gold Brown Sugar during the first quarter of 2024-25 using the Nucane Low GI Sugar technology for the health conscious consumers. Your Company has been conscientiously working on evolving several approaches to meet the changing aspirations of the consumers and customers, which will ultimately lead to increasing the volumes sold in institution/retail segments, de-risking from the cyclicality of the sugar business. The Company's focus in strengthening its presence in the retail market in branded sugar is going to pay dividend in terms of benefit from higher and more stable pricing with healthy long-term prospects and a more stable realization for its sugar.
Fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the sales and marketing teams while encouraging feedback from consumers and internal stakeholders to identify areas for enhancement, the organization has set its vision on new product categories that can be scaled up in the future. The new goals of the organization require us to stay agile and adaptable, ready to pivot strategies in response to changing market conditions.
The organization has enhanced its sales and marketing approach that encompasses market understanding, targeted campaigns, effective sales strategies, technological integration, performance measurement, and continuous improvement. By implementing these strategies, businesses can drive sustainable growth, build lasting customer relationships, and stay ahead in today's dynamic marketplace.
During the year, the Quality function underwent significant
development to align with the company's strategic focus on
Sweeteners, non-Sweeteners, Alcohol, Staples, and Value-added
products. Some of the key developments are highlighted below:
1. Â Â Â Jaggery Plant Accreditation:
¦    The Jaggery plant at Pugalur and the Jaggery production section of the Nellikuppam plant achieved certification for food safety management systems.
¦    The certifications included ISO 22000:2018, ISO/TS 220021:2009, and additional FSSC 22000 for the first time.
2. Â Â Â Re-accreditation and External Audits:
¦    The Units at Nellikuppam, Haliyal, Bagalkot, and Sankili faced either announced or unannounced audits and were re-accredited with FSSC 22000 version 5.1 by the DNV Certification Body.
¦    The Units at Nellikuppam and Haliyal also underwent external audits and were recertified for ISO 9001:2018 Quality Management System.
3. Â Â Â Ethical Trade and Halal/Kosher Certifications:
¦    Nellikuppam, Haliyal, Bagalkot, and Pugalur retained their membership in SEDEX and were re-certified for MUI Halal and Kosher.
¦    Additionally, SMETA 6.0 (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) certification was obtained by the Units.
4. Â Â Â Pharma Grade Sugar Manufacturing:
¦    The Nellikuppam Refinery Unit renewed its Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) license in compliance with government excipient guidelines for drug manufacturing customers and continues to manufacture pharma grade sugar.
5. Â Â Â Integrated Management System Certification:
¦    The Sankili Unit faced audits for Integrated Management System Certifications, including Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015, and was recertified for the same.
6. Â Â Â Establishing Facilities for production of Consumer Product
Group (CPG) Products:
¦    The Company has recently launched a range of Consumer Products which includes rice, pulses, and millets. The Quality function played a pivotal role in establishing facilities for the manufacture and procurement of CPG products from Third Party Units (TPUs).
¦    This involved developing specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and organizing Food Safety training for the TPUs. Our focus was on ensuring the highest quality standards for the products and adherence to cGMP in their facilities.
7. Â Â Â Annual Quality Meet:
¦    In a first, an Annual Quality Meet for the Company was organized during the year. This included engagement in discussions aimed at elevating the quality of our processes, products, and facilities.
8. Â Â Â World Quality Week:
¦    In November 2023, our Units participated in World Quality Week with the theme of 'Realizing Your Competitive Potential'. This concept, introduced by the United Nations in 1990, aims to raise global awareness about the significant role quality plays in a nation's and an organization's growth and prosperity.
9. Â Â Â Customer-Centric Approach:
¦    Your company places great emphasis on Customer Care. To meet our customer expectations and enhance our value proposition, we actively involve our customers in our improvement processes.
¦    As part of this commitment, we conducted a Customer Satisfaction survey during the year to identify our best practices and consistently improve the quality of service provided to the consumers.
10. Â Â Â Market Visits and Best Practices:
¦    Cross Functional Teams (CFTs) from our manufacturing units conducted several market visits. These visits allowed us to directly understand product performance and identify opportunities for improvement based on feedback from Retail Customers.
¦    Additionally, our CFTs visited Customer Units to learn about the best practices followed by our customers.
These initiatives reflect our dedication to quality, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction.
R&D at EID Parry is a pioneer in developing new sugarcane varieties to improve the productivity of the farmers and this journey has been continuing for the past three decades. Our varietal development program is well recognized, and it is one of the centre for evaluating national level sugarcane varieties from various research stations. Farmers are readily cultivating new "Parry" sugarcane varieties which are proven for pest & disease resistance and superior in cane yield. The new 'Parry' high sugar/high yielding varieties are being multiplied in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andra Pradesh units. Our R & D produces quality clean seed cane from the captive farm nurseries and distributing to the farmers for nursery planting. We also run a state of art tissue culture facility at Pugalur to produce disease free, clean seed of commercial varieties and supporting for faster multiplication of new varieties. It is one of the unique facilities in the sugar industry to increase the cane yields in the farmers' fields.
Over the last two and half decades, we are implementing integrated borer management in sugarcane cultivation using biocontrol agents like Trichogramma produced by rural entrepreneurs and inhouse production of Tetrastichus & pheromone as eco-friendly agriculture practices. Production of biocontrol agents and distribution are managed through Agri Service Providers (ASPs) to reach out more farmers. New pests viz., Crown mealy bug and Pokkah boeng disease caused severe damage to the crop in Tamil Nadu which effectively managed through appropriate control measures and thereby saving the crop and losses to our farmers.
Initiatives like augmenting the soil nutrients, revised nutrient packages and improved cultivation practises were popularised among the sugarcane farmers. Drones were effectively used for Micro Nutrition spray and weedicide application in sugarcane fields. This new intervention in sugarcane cultivation were well accepted by the farmers across the states.
We are also collaborating with international partners to empower the rural entrepreneurs particularly women on sugarcane cultivation and improve the standard of living of village level women entrepreneurs. Our sustainability project with IFC (International Finance Corporation) provides support to produce a large number of pro-tray seedlings and distribution to farmers for hassle free sugarcane planting.
Farm mechanisation in sugarcane cultivation involves various machineries and equipment's to ease out the workforce dependability. Your company's R&D evaluated various implements and introduced a new set oftractors drawn implements for sugarcane farming to increase the efficiency, reduce labour dependency and improve overall productivity. All the field operations for the sugarcane farmers are routed through ASPs to get the service at the right time with reasonable cost.
Innovative technology in autonomous irrigation system in sugarcane fields involves the use of advanced technologies, sensors, and control panels to automate the irrigation without human intervention. This autonomous irrigation regulated through soil moisture sensors, could reduce the substantial amount of irrigation water quantity in sugarcane cultivation and improve the water use efficiency.
|
Financial Performance H in Crore |
||||||||
|
Particulars |
Sugar |
Cogen |
Distillery |
Total |
||||
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
|
Revenue |
1,865 |
2,025 |
190 |
253 |
799 |
644 |
2,854 |
2,922 |
|
EBITDA** |
106 |
219 |
-43 |
12 |
99 |
60 |
162 |
291 |
|
** Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization |
||||||||
Â
The sugar segment constituted the largest share of the Company's revenues. The segment contributed 66% of the Company's turnover during FY 2023-24, as against 70% during FY 2022-23. Revenues from the sugar segment during FY 2023-24 were H1,865 Crore as against H2,025 Crore in FY 2022-23.
Â
|
Sugar division performance Operational performance Sugar |
||
|
Particulars |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
Cane Crushed (LMT) |
50.09 |
51.81 |
|
Cane Cost (Landed) |
3,439 |
3,268 |
|
Gross Recovery % |
9.94 |
10.62 |
|
Net Recovery % (Net of Sugar diverted for BHM* and Syrup) |
9.06 |
9.53 |
|
Sugar Produced (LMT) |
4.55 |
4.93 |
|
Sugar sold (LMT) |
4.64 |
5.19 |
|
Distillery: |
||
|
Particulars |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
Alcohol Produced |
1,261 |
1,073 |
|
Alcohol Produced from BHM* (Lakh Litres) |
331 |
256 |
|
Alcohol from Syrup ( Lakh Litres) |
136 |
178 |
|
Alcohol Produced from CHM** (Lakh Litres) |
630 |
693 |
|
Alcohol Produced from grain (Lakh Litres) |
161 |
0 |
|
Total Production Volume |
2,519 |
2,200 |
|
Total Sales Volume |
1,242 |
1,044 |
|
% Ethanol to total sales volume |
58% |
62% |
|
% Ethanol sales produced from B-heavy Molasses |
27% |
33% |
|
% Ethanol sales produced from grain |
13% |
0 |
|
Average Realization Price of Alcohol H/litre |
62.22 |
60.39 |
|
*BHM - B-Heavy Molasses **CHM - C-Heavy Molasses |
 |  |
|
Co-generation: |
 |  |
|
Particulars |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
Power Generated (Lakh Units) |
4,343 |
5,026 |
|
Power Exported (Lakh Units) |
2,182 |
2,700 |
The Company has six sugar plants spread across Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka (KN) and Andhra Pradesh (AP). During the year, the total cane crushed in Tamil Nadu plants was marginaly higher at 22.82 LMT as against 22.60 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery was at 8.50 % as against 9.33% in 2022-23, a decrease of 9% over the previous year. The lower recovery was on account of climatic changes characterised by lower rain fall and unusual high temperature both during day and night, which was prevalent throughout Tamilnadu. The cane availability was lower due to lower yield affected by rain fall as well as yellow wool pest disease.
Crushing in the Company's Sankili plant at AP was marginally lower at 4.34 LMT as compared to 4.63 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery was at 9.02 % as against 10.19% in the previous year, a decrease of 11% over the previous year. The lower recovery was on account of the climatic changes, plant down time and early commencement of the factory due to labour unavailability. The Cane availability in Sankil was a challenge as the farmers shifted to other competitive crops like paddy and maize, which gave them higher returns than sugarcane.
The total cane crushed by the units in KN was lower at 22.93 LMT as against 24.57 LMT in the previous year. The average gross recovery was at 11.56 % as against 11.89% in the previous year. In KN, the Ramdurg and Bagalkot unit reported a higher recovery of 11.98 % and 11.84% respectively, whereas the recovery in Haliyal was lower at 11.10%. The lower recovery was on account of plant down time, sub-optimal crushing and dryness of cane. The cane availability was lower due to lower rain fall as well as drought like condition prevalent across Karnataka which was also compounded by competition among mills to poach sugarcane.
The overall cane crushed by the Company was 50.09 LMT in 202324 as against 51.81 LMT in the previous year.
The Sugar recovery net of sugar sacrifice under syrup and B-heavy/ syrup route for the year stood at 9.06 % as against 9.53% in the previous year.
During 2023-24, your Company produced 4.55 LMT and sold 4.64 LMT of sugar as against 4.93 LMT and 5.19 LMT respectively in the previous year.
Power co-generation
Your Company possesses an aggregate co-generation capacity of 140 megawatts. Your Company exports nearly 54% of the power generated. The co-generation segment accounted for 7% of your Company's revenues. Power generated during the year stood at 4,343 Lakh units as compared to 5,026 Lakh units in previous year, a decrease of 14%, which was due to lesser operating days at KN units and direct sale of Bagasse (instead of generating power).
Tamil Nadu
The units in Tamil Nadu generated 2,108 Lakh units and exported 1,064 Lakh units of power during the year as against 2,099 units and 1,085 Lakh units respectively in the previous year.
Karnataka
The power generated and exported by the Karnataka plants stood at 1,913 Lakh units and 1,040 Lakh units as against 2,485 Lakh units and 1,473 Lakh units respectively in the previous year.
Andhra Pradesh
The unit in Sankili generated 322 Lakh units and exported 78 Lakh units as against 443 Lakh units and 198 Lakh units respectively during the last year.
Distillery
At the beginning of FY 2023-24, the Company had five distilleries located at Sankili, Haliyal, Nellikuppam, Bagalkot and Sivaganga, engaged in the production of industrial alcohol and ethanol with a cumulative capacity of 417 KLPD.
The entire distillery capacity of the Company is dedicated towards production of ethanol & ENA (Extra Neutral Alcohol). During the year, the Company commenced activities for setting up added capacity of 120 KLPD distillery at the existing location at Haliyal. The plant was commissioned and became fully operational during the first quarter of the FY 2024-25. The Company also proposed to add further capacity of 45 KLPD at Nellikuppam. With this, the total Distillery Capacity of the Company will be increased to 582 KLPD.
The distillery segment contributed 28 % of the Company's revenue as against 22% in FY 2022-23. The Company's distillery segment delivered stable performance during the year. The Company produced 1261 LL of alcohol during the year as compared to 1073 LL during the previous year. Higher production was attributable to better capacity utilisation. Revenues from the distillery segment during FY 2023-24 stood at H799 Crore as against H644 Crore in FY 2022-23.
Ethanol sales during the year produced from B-heavy molasses stood at 338 LL at an average realisation of 60.71 as compared to 357 LL at an average realisation of 59.46 in previous year.
Ethanol sales from molasses produced from C-heavy route stood at 82 LL at an average realisation of 57.34 as compared to 44 LL at an average realisation of H53.21 in previous year.
Ethanol sales from syrup route was 147 LL at an average realisation of 65.28.
Similarly, Ethanol sales from grain route was 156 LL at an average realisation of H64.65. Though the Company proposed to produce and sale Ethanol produced from Syrup and B-Heavy molasses route with an intent to sacrifice higher quantity of sugar, the Ethanol sales from Sugar Syrup and molasses produced from B-heavy route was
lower in the current year due to the restrictions imposed by the Government.
The Company's strategy includes expanding existing distillery capacities and establishing new ones to enhance the revenue from the ethanol stream, contingent upon the continued availability of molasses.
India is the second largest producer and largest consumer of sugar in the world. Indian Sugar Industry is highly fragmented with private sector, Government undertakings, co-operatives, and unorganized players. The sugarcane crushing period varies from region to region beginning in October/ November and goes on till April/ May in all states except in Tamil Nadu where it continues till July/ August. In domestic context, sugar is the second largest agro based industry supporting over 50 million farmers along with indirect employment to rural population. It is estimated that about 7.5% of the rural population in India is involved with the sugar industry.
Despite a stable domestic sugar production, the government's cautious approach has led to a virtual ban on sugar exports since October 2022. The fixed minimum support price (MSP) for sugar, which has remained unchanged since February 2019, is dampening market sentiment. Additionally, the restrictions in late 2023-24 on diversion of sugar syrup/ B- Heavy Molasses for ethanol production has affected the performance of mills. The sugar industry in India has been facing a myriad of challenges and opportunities, influenced by both internal and external factors. In this section, we delve into the performance, opportunities, and threats encountered by the Company, focusing on key factors such as policy changes, operational issues, and market dynamics that was faced during the year under review.
The Company is a large integrated sugar producer and possesses one of the largest sugar manufacturing capacities in South India with aggregate crushing capacity of 40,800 TCD, Co-generation plant of 140 MW and distillery at 417 KLPD at the close of the year under review. The sugar business was the largest within the Company, generating value for downstream segments like ethanol and co-generation. The Company operates seven manufacturing plants in Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, proximate enough to generate economies of cane procurement and byproduct utilization. Further, large scale, integrated operations with the power and distillery business along with nutraceuticals provide moderate cushion from cyclicality in the sugar business.
Apart from plantation white sugar, the Company also manufactures refined sugar, which currently constitutes approximately 26 % of the total sugar production and realises a premium over normal crystal sugar realisation. The Company also produces different grades of pharmaceutical (pharma) sugar that can be customised as per the user requirements. Such refined and pharma sugar are supplied to high grade end-users, thereby creating a niche customer profile for the Company. The Company also produces different value added sweeteners like jaggery powder, low GI Sugar and Brown Sugar
and supplies high quality crystal sugar to large institutions, which fetches it a premium. The Company is the largest branded sugar player in the Indian Sweetener Market offering a range of products. All the sugar units of the Company are FSSC 22000 certified and strictly adhere to best-in-class manufacturing processes and quality benchmarks. The Company supplies sugar to major multinational soft drink companies, leading confectionery manufacturers, breweries, pharmaceutical companies, dairies, top ice cream producers, etc.
The Company has established market position in the sugar business, derived from integrated nature of operations with diversified revenue profile, average and adequate financial risk profile., and superior financial flexibility which is derived from being the holding company of Coromandel International Limited. These strengths are partially offset by the susceptibility of its business performance to downturn in the sugar business and to regulatory changes in the sugar and distillery sector.
EID Parry's business risk profile remained stable despite changes in the regulatory environment for sugar and sugar allied products since November 2023. Amount of sugar cane crushed was 50.09 LMT in the current fiscal despite lower sugar cane production in Karnataka due to EID Parry's strong relationship with the sugar cane producers and better availability of sugar cane from Tamil Nadu. The impact of restrictions on diversion of sugar for ethanol production by the government felt from the fourth quarter of 2023-24 and will also fall in the next FY. Other business segments (co-generation, nutraceuticals etc) generated stable revenue.
The Company's financial risk profile remained steady, with debt protection metrics viz interest coverage, gearing and TOL/TNW (total outside liability/total tangible net worth) ratios remained adequate. Interest coverage was 6.96 times in FY 2023-24. Gearing and TOL/ TNW remained 0.36 times and 0.60 respectively despite addition of capex related debt. The Company incurred capex of H284 Crore in FY 2023-24, which involved spending of H86 crore towards the grain-based distillery. The other routine modernization capex were funded mainly from accruals. The Company's liquidity is adequate with sufficient cash accruals and modest repayment obligations.
During the year, the revenue from operations stood at H2,809 crore in FY 23-24 as compared to 2,895 crore in FY 22-23. The Profit after tax stood at 107 crore in FY23-24 as compared to 197 crore in FY 22-23, reflecting a decline of 46%. The revenue and profitability from distillery and other segment improved over the previous year except for the sugar business, wherein revenues and profitability declined due to a number of factors ranging from policy change on ethanol production, plant down time and lower recovery , which was partially offset by a stable Distillery performance.
Total expenses was H2,872.56 crore in 2023-24 as compared to H2,797.53 crore in 2022-23. Raw material costs accounted for a 69% share of the Company's revenue from operations, which was increased due to a higher FRP announced by the Government of India. Employee expenses accounted for a 7% share of the Company's revenues from operations and increased by 17.75% from H 157.93 crore in 2022-2023 to 185.97 crore in 2023-24. The
increase in employee cost was due to project expansion and the commencement of consumer product group (CPG) with foray into staple business. The repair & maintenance expenses accounted for a 5% share of the Company's revenues from operations.
During the year, the performance of the company was characterized by various challenges and opportunities. Despite encountering hurdles, the company has maintained stability in key areas such as power generation and export, while grappling with issues affecting its core operations. As discussed earlier, some of the major reasons for the modest performance include the change in Ethanol Policy of the Government with the ban on manufacturing ethanol from sugar syrup and B Heavy Molasses, which has significantly impacted the performance, particularly due to its substantial investments in distillery infrastructure for ethanol production. Further, the delay in commissioning the Haliyal 120 KLPD Distillery has hindered the company's ability to capitalize on ethanol production, impacting its revenue streams.
There were operational challenges leading to lower recovery in two of the company's plants in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka which contributed to reduced productivity and profitability. The stabilization and down time issues faced by the plants at Haliyal resulted in lower crushing rates, which compounded with cane poaching further exacerbated the company's operational woes. In addition, the cane poaching in Karnataka has led to early closure, while capacity utilization issues at the Sankili multi-feed distillery have been compounded by raw material availability and stabilization challenges.
The absence of export or release order quotas has led to significant issues in government policy, particularly concerning the halt in directing grains to sugar companies for distillation. This has resulted in production halts in areas like Sankili. Additionally, high temperatures have led to dry cane, further impacting production. The downtime in Haliyal has markedly decreased our profitability. However, the setting up of the new 120 KLPD at Haliyal, and 45 KLPD at Nellikuppam are poised to augment alcohol sales next year, potentially mitigating some of the losses incurred this year.
The Company's business risk profile remained stable in the near to medium term despite changes in the regulatory environment for sugar and sugar allied products starting from November 2023.
The Indian Sugar and Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has urged the government to allow 20 lakh tonnes of sugar exports in the current marketing year ending September as shipments of surplus sweetener would boost liquidity of millers enabling them to make cane payments to farmers on time. For the current 202324 marketing year (October- September), the government has not allowed sugar exports to boost domestic supply and control retail prices, as against an export around 60 lakh tonnes of sugar in the previous year. According to ISMA, production has reached about 314 lakh tonnes as of the end of April 2024.
The net sugar production stood at 340 LMT during the 202223 marketing year with a diversion of 20 LMT of sweetener for
ethanol-making from sugarcane juice and B-heavy molasses. Taking into account an opening stock of approximately 55 LMT and a forecasted domestic consumption of 285 LMT for the season, ISMA has projected a significantly higher closing stock of 90 LMT by September 30, 2024.
ISMA also expects a moderate crushing season in 2024-25 due to several factors, including the early announcement of an increased Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane, favourable premonsoon rainfall, and forecasts indicating an above-normal monsoon. These factors are further expected to lead to a higher stock in the coming year.
Sugar worldwide is trading at the highest prices since 2011, mainly due to lower global supplies after unusually dry weather damaging harvests in India and Thailand, the world's second- and third-largest exporters. This is another blow for developing nations already coping with shortages in staples like rice and embargos on food trade that have added to food inflation. This has contributed to food insecurity because of the combined effects of the naturally occurring climate phenomenon El Nino.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization predicted a 2% decline in global sugar production in the 2023-24 season, compared with the previous year, translating to a loss of about 3.5 million metric tons (3.8 million U.S. tons). Increasingly, sugar is being used for biofuels like ethanol, due to which global reserves of sugar are at their lowest since 2009. India endured its driest August in over a century, and crops in the western state of Maharashtra and the southern states, which accounts for more than a third of its sugarcane production, were stunted during the crucial growing phase. India being one of the biggest consumers of sugar and is now impeding sugar exports due to the restricted growth of cane amidst other challenges owing to the shortened monsoons.
Despite the challenges, several opportunities existed for the company during the year under review, to enhance its performance and competitiveness by exploring opportunities for diversification beyond traditional sugar production, such as value-added products or alternative revenue streams. The Company has recently set its footprint in the FMCG space with the introduction of a wide range of staples viz., rice, millets, and pulses.
The Company is actively engaged in leveraging technological advancements and use of information technology in various facets of its business such as smart manufacturing, digital agriculture to augment raw material availability and production, improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. The Company is exploring new markets for sugar and its byproducts, capitalizing on changing consumer preferences and global demand trends. Despite policy changes, ethanol production remains a viable opportunity, especially with the growing emphasis on renewable energy and sustainable practices.
The Company is continuously making the best use of the byproducts of sugar production, such as bagasse, for renewable
energy generation, contributing to our sustainability goals and thereby creating additional revenues. The Company has invented a process to manufacture a soilless growing medium called Green Grow Media (GGM) from sugarcane bagasse that can be used in CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) or Hitech agriculture. Soil, which is a mixture of minerals, organic matter, water, and air, is the most common 'growth medium' for crops. With urbanisation, the practice of growing crops in containers above ground using soilless growing media by ensuring optimal levels of nutrients, water and oxygen started gaining momentum. GGM once made at industrial scale catering to relevant quality parameters and standards would provide an immense opportunity for the Company in future. At EID Parry, we believe that the investment on Research and Development acts as a harness in the consumer's expectations and company's products. Our R&D is focused on innovative sugar-based products tailored to changing consumer preferences and dietary trends which would help us open up new markets and increase competitiveness. Our Cane R & D is focussed on sustainable agriculture practices to enhance the productivity of farmers and efficiency in cane cultivation ensuring a sustainable supply of Sugarcane. We believe that by adopting sustainable practices, harnessing technology and continuously monitoring market trends, consumer preferences, and regulatory changes to anticipate shifts in demand and adapt business strategies accordingly will help us stay competitive in a dynamic environment.
We differentiate our products which appeal to niche markets and command premium prices. Implementing advanced supply chain management practices, including logistics optimization and inventory management, help us in reducing costs and improve overall efficiency. Taking advantage of government incentives and subsidies for diversification, modernization, and sustainability initiatives would help us mitigate the impact of regulatory restrictions on the bottom line. Our investments in branding, and distribution channels has helped us build a strong brand presence domestically and internationally, fostering consumer loyalty and increasing market share.
We are investing in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment for efficient production, waste reduction, and environmental sustainability which can improve competitiveness and compliance with regulations.
The Sugarcane prices are driven by the government and last few years saw an increase in FRP year after year. There has been no changes in the MSP for sugar since 2019, sugar prices are volatile and based on open market prices (which are dependent on the production levels) leading to volatility in Sugar Mills profitability. The government also regulates domestic demand-supply through restrictions on imports and exports, and stock holdings. Regulatory mechanisms and dependence on monsoons have rendered the sugar industry cyclical, partially offsets by the ethanol blending programme.
During the year under review, the policy reversals particularly pertaining to ethanol and sugar exports adversely affected the company's performance posing unexpected challenges to the company's operations and profitability. The operational challenges such as downtimes, plant stabilisation issues, delay in commencement of distillery project at Haliyal and raw material availability for the grain based distillery at Sankili posed a threat to the company's production and distribution capabilities, which has affected its overall operations.
The influence of El Nino and other environmental factors on sugar production and cultivation posed additional challenges with the weather anomalies disrupting agricultural cycles, affecting cane cultivation, harvesting, and sugar production. Th volatility could cause vagueness in yield projections and operational planning for the company. The added obstacles in terms of water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change and environmental degradation could pose significant challenges in cane cultivation and irrigation practices, impacting the crop yields, increased production costs, affecting the company's bottom line. The availability of arable land for cane cultivation is another concern, particularly in regions facing urbanization, land-use changes, and competing agricultural activities. The continued changes and uncertainties in ethanol production policies created challenges for the company in longterm planning and investment decisions, impacting its operational strategies and revenue projections.
The interplay between government policies and environmental factors creates a complex operating environment for the company, necessitating a multifaceted approach to risk management and strategic planning. The Company's risk management framework is navigating through the evolving government policies while exploring alternative amidst India falling short of its ethanol blending target for the ESY 2023-24 due to the Government restrictions on using sugar feedstocks for production.
In conclusion, while the sugar industry in India faces various challenges, proactive measures such as diversification, technology integration, and market expansion can position the company for sustained growth and resilience in the face of evolving market dynamics and regulatory landscapes. By addressing operational issues, seizing opportunities, and mitigating threats, the company can navigate the complexities of the sugar industry and emerge stronger in the years ahead.
Incorporating insights from recent government policies on ethanol production and the effects of El Nino and environmental factors has enriched the ability of the company to analyse its performance, opportunities, and threats and has provided the Company a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic forces shaping the sugar industry landscape in India. By proactively addressing regulatory compliance, climate resilience, and stakeholder engagement, we believe that the company can enhance its adaptive capacity and competitiveness in the face of policy uncertainties and environmental risks, fostering sustainable growth and value creation for stakeholders.
Â
EID Parry is expected to crush above 50 Lakhs MT of sugar cane in FY 2024-25. The company is also expected to produce more than 1700 LL of ethanol next year despite restrictions on diversion of sugar for production of ethanol during Ethanol Year (ESY) 2024. The Company's distillery expansion by additional 120 KLPD, will be fully operational during 2024-25. However, utilization of the distillery facility may be lower in the near term due to restriction on diversion of sugar for ethanol production. Additionally, the Company proposed to augment its distillery capacity further at Nellikuppam (to be operational in 2024-25) and Sivagangai , which would provide a stable performance. The Government of India has showcased the intent to fasten the move to an ethanol-based economy, by advancing the 20% ethanol blending target (with petrol) to 2025 from 2030. Additionally, the government has made supplies profitable by raising ethanol prices every fiscal, in addition to differential pricing for B-Heavy and the direct cane juice route and providing interest sops on loans for setting up ethanol-based distilleries. The restrictions announced by government of India on diversion of sugar for ethanol production in ESY 2024 is expected to impact the profitability of the Company in near term. However, this is likely to be temporary and restriction expected to be lifted once sugar production normalizes in the domestic market. Since the sugar industry is highly regulated, any change in the regulatory stance and continuation of government support to sugar sector (including distilleries and ethanol pricing) are key monitorable.
Other business segments (co-generation, nutraceuticals etc.) expected to generate stable revenue. However, the larger impact of controlled production of ethanol for petrol blending and expected correction in international sugar prices will lead to some moderation in revenues in fiscal 2025. With increasing focus on distillery operations and with additional capacity becoming available in fiscal 2025, vulnerability of performance to volatile sugar production and prices is expected to gradually reduce over the medium-term considering normalization of ethanol policy and stable business environment.
During the year, the retail sales grew by 18% and stood at 1.3 MT as against 1.1 MT during the previous year. The retail sales would continue to maintain its momentum in the coming years. Your Company is planning to reach almost 200,000 retail outlets in South India by 2025. With the launch of our range of staples in the retail market, we are sanguine about the company's revenue prospects and provide us respite from the ongoing tower block in the form of the stringent government policies and export restrictions.
Operating profitability is expected to improve in FY 2024-25 and would remain rangebound, due to better profitability from sugar business, which would help partially offset impact, if any, of lower distillery volumes (higher margin) for ethanol blending.
The global supplement market is forecasted to be around $220 billion for FY 24, constituting functional foods (30%), functional beverages (40%), and dietary supplements (30%). Your Company operates in the Dietary supplement category under the segment of herbal and traditional medicines.
The US Nutraceutical market continues to hold the largest share, representing 35% of the global consumption while China, is the second largest supplement market accounting for nearly 15% of the global share. The Western EU market, which accounts for 12% of the global market had degrowth in demand due to war influenced inflationary trends.
The dietary supplement market faced recessionary trends in North America in FY 23 has started showing signs of revival in FY 24. European market driven by an ageing demographics and with trends preferring supplements for healthy aging is expected to have growth revival in the near future. Brain health, immunity, digestive health, plant- based, organic stewardship, renewable and sustainable sources are major trends. Consumers continue to prefer natural and botanical options over pharmaceutical as part of maintaining their healthy lifestyles.
The global nutraceutical ingredients sector in the Dietary supplements, where the Company is operating, is estimated to have a sale of $12 billion in 2023. While the micro algae segment accounts for 4% at $500 million, the plant botanical saw palmetto extract, where the Company has a strong presence, accounts for another 1% of the market at $120 million. Both segments are showing signs of revival in FY 24 and are expected to return to healthy growth rates.
The Company overcame recessionary trends in the Nutraceutical markets and retained its leadership position in the premium organic Spirulina market in the US. We continued enhancing the manufacturing infrastructure with technological innovations for improving productivity along with maintaining high quality standards. By achieving superior nutritional profile in Chlorella with better organoleptic features, we have successfully expanded our customer base for Chlorella in the US market.
We continued to make significant investments in science in the development and validation of benefit claims. The pioneering efforts in science validation of micro algae could enable us to consolidate and enhance our global leadership position as a premium organic Spirulina and Chlorella producer.
During the year, the business complied with all certifications and standard requirements for quality, safety and environmental systems. During the year, the annual USP Ingredient Verification Process and BRCGS Food safety programs were also completed. For
EU organic certification, the Company worked with new certifying bodies for their listing and this should enable the Company to resume the sales to the EU in FY 25.
The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, US Nutraceuticals Inc. (Valensa) maintained its market position in Saw Palmetto-based products by increasing sales with key customers and strengthening the supply chain operations.
Valensa has invested in science for claim validation in the emerging hair wellness segment which is expected to provide new platforms of growth for the Saw-palmetto based product portfolio.
As a result of increasing awareness on health, dietary supplements are increasingly seen as an integral part of human nutrition and this is expected to accelerate the market demand in the coming years. There is a substantial shift in the attitude of consumers towards natural products backed with scientific evidence in improving nutrition and wellness. There is significant growth in plant-based ingredients like super foods and protein blends catering to wide customer segments, including younger consumers. The products addressing specific consumer needs like protein, digestive health, microbiome support, immunity, energy etc. have found increasing traction.
Your Company, with its portfolio of plant-based ingredients and botanical extracts, is expected to do well in the future. To be a part of this exciting industry growth journey, investments in sustainable manufacturing and new product development with scientific claims are being made.
|
COMPANY FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE (STANDALONE) Revenue 3 in crore) |
||
|
BUSINESS SEGMENTS |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
Sugar |
1,865 |
2,025 |
|
Cogen* |
190 |
253 |
|
Distillery |
799 |
644 |
|
Sugar Total |
2,854 |
2,922 |
|
Nutraceuticals |
31 |
55 |
|
Total |
2,885 |
2,977 |
|
*This includes inter-segmental revenue. |
||
The Net worth as on March 31, 2024, was H2,919 Crore as against H2,882 Crore as on March 31, 2023. Capital Redemption Reserve remained unchanged during the year.
The total borrowings of the Company increased from H508 Crore in 2022-23 to H1039 Crore in 2023-24. The Long-Term Debt is 0.07 times of equity as against 0.05 times of equity in the previous year. Working capital borrowing utilized was H745 Crore as on March 31, 2024, as against H353 Crore in previous year.
During the year, the company incurred H258 Crore as additions to Fixed Assets as against H153 Crore during the previous year.
The total investment of the Company as at March 31, 2024, was H1074 Crore as against H992 Crore in FY 202-23. The Increase was majorly on account of increase in fair value of investments.
The Company's longterm rating was maintained at CRISIL AA (stable outlook) in 2023-24 and short term rating was maintained at A1 +Â (CRISIL and CARE).
Book Value of shares of the Company was H164 per share as on March 31, 2024 as against H162 per share as on March 31, 2023. Earnings per share was H6.03 per share for the year ended March 31, 2024, as against H11.09 per share for the year ended March 31,2023.
The Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization (excluding exceptional items) for the year was H307 Crore representing 11% of total revenue (excluding exceptional revenue) as against H527 Crore representing 18% of the total revenue in the previous year.
EBIT for the year was H159 Crore (excluding exceptional items) as against H391 Crore in the previous year 2022-23.
Finance Charges for the year 2023-24 was at H44 Crore as against H36 Crore in the previous year 2022-23.
Depreciation for the year 2023-24 was at H147 Crore as against H135 Crore during the previous year 2022-23.
Profit Before Tax for the year was at H115 Crore (including net exceptional loss of HNil) as against H245 Crore (including net exceptional loss of H111 Crore) in the previous year 2022-23.
Profit After Tax for the year was at H107 Crore as against H197 Crore in the previous year 2022-23.
|
RATIOS |
||
|
Particulars |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
Key Financial Ratios |
 | |
|
EBIDTA / Sales % (Operating Profit Margin) |
10.94 |
14.42 |
|
PAT / Sales % |
3.82 |
6.83 |
|
PAT / Average Equity % (ROE) |
3.69 |
6.98 |
|
Key Capital Structure Ratios |
 | |
|
Net Debt / Equity Ratio |
0.36 |
0.18 |
|
Outside Liabilities / Net worth |
0.60 |
0.38 |
|
Net Fixed Assets / Net worth |
0.57 |
0.47 |
|
Debt Service Coverage Ratio |
3.89 |
13.01 |
|
Interest Service Coverage Ratio |
6.96 |
11.53 |
|
Liquidity Ratios |
 | |
|
Current Ratio |
1.37 |
1.68 |
|
Inventory Turnover Ratio (times) |
1.80 |
1.96 |
|
Trade Receivables Turnover Ratio (times) |
12.55 |
16.43 |
|
Earnings and Dividend Ratios |
 | |
|
Dividend % |
400 |
950 |
|
Earnings Per share (H) |
6.03 |
11.09 |
|
Book Value Per share (H) |
164 |
162.36 |
|
P / E Multiple |
90.50 |
42.26 |
In accordance with the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 the Company is required to give details of significant changes (change of 25% and more as compared to the immediately previous financial year) in key financial ratios.
Ratios where there has been significant change from the financial year 2022-23 to 2023-24:
¦    Decrease in Operating Profit Margin, PAT / Sales %, Return on Equity and Earnings per Share is mainly on account of decrease in profitability due to of policy changes on Ethanol, sugar exports, lower recovery due to climatic changes and plant down time in the current year.
¦    Increase in Debt Equity Ratio, Outside Liabilities / Net Worth ratio is due to higher borrowings for expansions and increased working capital.
¦    The decrease in Debt Service Coverage Ratio is due to higher repayments of borrowings and lower EBITDA and decrease in Interest Service Coverage Ratio is on account of lower EBITDA.
¦    Increase in Trade Receivables Turnover Ratio is due to change in sales channel mix and reduction in exports due to Government Policy.
¦    Increase in PE multiple is on account of reduction in EPS due to reduced profitability.
The year commenced with the effect of El Nino looming over the Global monsoon. The overall sugar production volume coming down in the country, and changes to Government policy on diversion to Ethanol, meant that the Company had to be agile and adapt in the changing business landscape. The call for a resilient organization to withstand the onslaught, continue to reinvent itself and look out for opportunities to grow was never more needed.
A robust Risk Management Framework, across various levels of the organization, is in place and operating:
¦    to anticipate, measure and evaluate business risks & opportunities,
¦    identify & adopt mitigating strategies thereby achieving business objectives with minimum adverse impact. These are discussed with the Risk Management Committee on a periodic basis.
The Company has aligned its current system of Internal Financial Control (IFC) with the requirement under the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act). The Company has established a robust framework of IFC which includes entity level policies, processes, and operating level standard operating procedures. The Company has a well-established process and clearly- defined roles and responsibilities for people at various levels.
The Company's internal controls are adequate with the size and the nature of its operations. These have been designed to provide reasonable assurance with regard to recording and providing consistent financial and operational information, complying with the applicable statutes, safeguarding assets from unauthorized use, executing transactions with proper authorization, and ensuring compliance with policies. Processes for formulating and reviewing annual and long-term business plans have been laid down. The Company uses a state-of- the-art enterprise resource planning (ERP) system SAP, as a business enabler to record data for accounting, consolidation, and management information purposes.
The Internal Audit of the Company is carried out by an external audit firm. In addition, a skeletal in-house team is engaged to carry out specific management assignments. The internal audit is conducted based on the annual audit plan which is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. The Internal Audit reports are presented to the Audit Committee on a quarterly basis for review and deliberation.
The Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024 and found the same to be adequate and effective. The Company carried out its internal audit with both in-house and outsourced Internal Audit teams thus leveraging the business knowledge and process
inherent within the organization while combining it with the expertise of the outsourced auditors in specialized areas.
There has been no change in the business of the subsidiaries during the year under review. In accordance with Section 129(3) of the Act, the Company has prepared consolidated financial statements of the Company and all its Subsidiary Companies, which forms part of the Annual Report. A statement containing the salient features of the financial statements of the subsidiary companies, joint ventures and associates are given in Annexure-A to this Report.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 136(1) of the Act, the Annual Report of the Company containing the standalone and consolidated financial statements has been placed on the website of the Company, https://www.eidparry.com/ Further, the audited accounts of the Subsidiary Companies and the related detailed information have also been placed on the website of the Company https://www.eidparry.com/financials/. The annual accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will also be available for inspection by any shareholder at the registered office of the Company during working hours up to the date of the Annual General Meeting. A copy of the annual accounts of the subsidiaries will be made available to shareholders seeking such information at any point of time.
Increasing global refined sugar demand coupled with limited exports from India and Thailand, ensured that white premium remained at elevated levels during 2023-24. This enabled most toll sugar refiners to increase their operating rates in FY24. Refined sugar futures price remained inverted throughout the year indicating supply tightness.
PSRIPL continues to be globally renowned as an efficient re-export refiner of sugar, offering a range of quality products for international trade and institutions. PSRIPL recorded its highest ever sales of 8.3 LMT, which is 16% higher than sales of 7.18 L MT in FY 23. With increased customer base and better availability of containers, 23% of the total sale volumes was shipped through containers, which was also an all-time high. Higher sugar prices along with the sales volume growth increased FY 24 turnover to H4,384.10 Crores as against H2870.20 Crores of FY 23. Improved operating efficiencies and softening of energy and material costs helped PSRIPL to lower its refining cost in FY 24. Higher finance costs due to increase in interest rates and higher borrowings in first half of the year, impacted the bottom line. Stable white premium and consolidating on operational gains made during FY 24 will help PSRIPL to improve its financial performance in FY 25.
During the year, PSRIPL incurred a loss of H85 Crores due to higher finance cost and impairment charge on its investments in overseas subsidiary. Parry International DMCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PSRIPL based out of Dubai recorded a trading revenue of AED 11 Million and a loss of AED 13 Million.
During the year, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary US Nutraceuticals Inc. achieved sales of US$ 25 million and in the core Saw Palmetto Business, the company consolidated its market position by enhancing the product portfolio in the hair wellness segment. The approval of the joint health formulation in the Korean market with the backing of clinical research is expected to augment our joint health portfolio in the future. The investment in Science is expected to increase the Company's participation in the larger value pool of the US Dietary supplements market.
As informed to the Stock Exchanges vide communication dated August 9, 2023, since the operations of Alimtec SA were not viable, the Board approved the sale of assets and dissolution of Alimtec SA. The operations of Alimtec SA was discontinued in FY 24 and the assets including land were disposed off. Steps have been taken to dissolve Alimtec SA as per the applicable laws and regulations laid down in Chile.
FY 2023-24 was marked by sub normal monsoon and falling reservoir levels in CIL's key operating markets resulting in lowering crop sowings and agri inputs consumption. Further, the drastic revision in nutrient based subsidy rates in fertilisers during 2nd half of the year and high channel inventories in agrochemical markets impacted the overall business performance. Despite the tough scenario, CIL has shown a resilient performance and has taken progressive steps to strengthen its operations during the year. This includes higher Plant capacity utilization, sales volume growth in crop protection, investment in backward integration projects, safe operations and technology adoption through new products & services introductions.
In addition to strengthening its core operations, CIL has forayed into new & adjacent business areas like drones, robotics, specialty chemicals and CDMO, which can be growth drivers for the organization in coming years and can help in diversifying its presence into newer customer segments.
During the year, fourteen new products were launched by CIL to meet the agricultural needs of farmers.
During the year, CIL made investment in robotics-based startup XMachines and acquired majority stake in a drone-based company Dhaksha.
During the year, CIL was ranked within the top 5 percentile of global chemical companies in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Corporate Sustainability Assessment (2023), a testament of its progress and commitment towards driving sustainable operations.
In terms of financial performance, CIL's consolidated total income declined by 25% to H22,058 Crore, EBITDA de-grew by 15% to H2,604 Crore, EBITDA margin was at 12% and net profit declined by 18% to reach H1,641 Crore for the year. Net debt-equity ratio stands at zero as of March 31,2024.
The Board of Directors of the Company's Subsidiaries Parrys Investments Limited (PIL), Parrys Sugar Limited (PSL), Parry Agrochem Exports Limited (PAEL) and Parry Infrastructure Company Private Limited (PICPL) at their meetings held on September 5, 2022 had approved the Scheme of amalgamation of PIL, PSL and PAEL with Parry Infrastructure Company Private Limited (PICIPL). During the year, the Scheme of Amalgamation of PSL, PAEL and PIL (Transferor Companies) with PICPL (Transferee Company) was approved by the NCLT, Chennai Bench on July 28, 2023 and September 20, 2023. Consequent to filing of the certified order copies along with the Scheme with the respective Registrar of Companies on October 10, 2023, the Scheme became effective from October 10, 2023.
The Company's joint venture Algavista Greentech Private Limited (AGPL) developed various grades of Natural blue color (Phycocyanin) through specific manufacturing processes, enabling AGPL to cater to different product specification requirements of the market. With these efforts, AGPL enlarged its customer base and built business relations with major colour distributors and food manufacturing companies. In addition to the colors segment, Phycocyanin continued to be promoted as a nutraceutical ingredient based on its superior anti-inflammatory properties. To improve its manufacturing capability, AGPL has been constantly working to improve productivity with lower cost of production.
Over the years, AGPL has not been performing well due to the lower market price of phycocyanin. Originally, at the time of project initiation, AGPL had assumed a price of $250 per Kg for Phycocyanin after benchmarking the market rate of $250 to $300 per Kg (in 201718). In the last couple of years, the market dynamics has changed in
of Rewards & Recognition - Employee of the month and Spot Recognition. The Company believes that a motivated employee with a passion for innovation in a given environment of learning and growth would engage and succeed in all initiatives.
As on March 31, 2024, the total number of permanent employees on the rolls of the Company stands at 2319.
Throughout the year, the Industrial Relations scenario was peaceful, and we continuously addressed union grievances. We successfully arrived at the Long-Term Wage Settlement at the Nellikuppam unit with the staff union.
Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Policy
The Company has in place a policy on the prevention of sexual harassment in line with the requirements of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. An Internal Complaint Committee is in place to redress the complaints received regarding sexual harassment. All employees are covered under this policy. During the year, two complaints were received and acted upon.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
During the year, the Company received the following Awards.
1.    Best Sugar Plant in Private Sector at the Sugar and Ethanol International Awards (SEIA) 2024.
2.    FICCI Sustainable Agriculture Awards 2023 in the distinguished category of 'Large Corporates' at the 3rd FICCI Sustainable Agriculture Summit held at New Delhi.
3. Â Â Â Best Employer Brand in Tamil Nadu for 2023
4.    The Company won Silver Award in Arogya World Healthy Workplace Assessment held on July 19, 2023, Wednesday. Assessment conducted by Arogya's World. Arogya World is a NGO serving to build Healthy workplace around the world.
5.    Nellikuppam Unit received the award in silver category from CII for Commitment to Excellence on their EHS Practices for the FY 2023-24, award received on May 15, 2024.
6.    Bagalkot Unit received the SISSTA Best Technical efficiency Silver Award in the Karnataka region for the year 2022-23.
7.    Haliyal unit received Gold Award under the category of Best Cogeneration for FY 2022-23 by SISSTA, at Chennai. Award was given on 30th September 2023.
8. Parry NutraceuticalsâOonaiyur secured the Bronze Award at the esteemed 15th edition of the CII-SR EHS Excellence Award 2022, showcasing its commitment to excellence in EHS.
9.    Parry NutraceuticalsâOonaiyur received the 3rd position in the special category award in the category of Environment Restoration for sustainable water and raw material usage in manufacturing and Project NANNEER initiatives beyond the boundary at the 15th edition of the CII-SR EHS Excellence Awards 2022.
Â
terms of supply of Phycocyanin due to the entry of Chinese players who have extended their portfolio from Spirulina to Phycocyanin (downstream processing). As per the current market scenario, the supply of Phycocyanin is almost double i.e. 600 MT against a demand of 300 MT annually across the globe.
This huge gap in supply and demand created a surplus of Phycocyanin and therefore the market prices crashed from $250 per Kg to nearly about $100 per kg in the last couple of years. The current prices offered by majority of the companies from China to Color Houses is in the range of $70 per Kg. This has adversely affected the operations of AGPL. AGPL incurred an accumulated loss of H48.33 Crore as on March 31,2024.
Consequently, AGPL has re-assessed the extent of operations based on current market conditions, outlook and pricing patterns and it was decided to shut down the operations by closing hours of March 31, 2024, as its operations were no more viable. AGPL has also decided to sell its immovable properties as well as other assets like P&M, either on a consolidated or piecemeal basis and AGPL ultimately would be dissolved or sold to potential buyers.
In line with the organizational imprint of leading a Happy and Energetic Company which works collaboratively with Focus, Transparency and Humility to consistently deliver business results on a sound foundation of ESG, leveraging human capital is a key business imperative and the principle of always putting people first guides the Company's policies. Our employees bring strength, dynamism, energy and innovative ideas to work every day. To achieve our goals, we prioritize the well-being and development of our employees. We provide them with a sense of purpose and invest in their professional growth. Parry's People vision of 'Enriching organizational capability through a collaborative culture and by infusing digital solutions on the people process to reach superior business performance' is delivered by a high level of policy deployment initiatives and contemporary HR practices focusing on three key imperatives: Capability Development, Employee Experience and Business HR.
The Company scales up capabilities across various functions by creating specialist knowledge / subject matter experts in sugar, distillery, co-generation and value-added products to enhance efficiencies. We have initiated partnerships with renowned content providers and new learning platforms to offer more choices to learners and enhance their upskilling experience. Interventions were carried out to enhance the capabilities of executives, especially the team, through individual development plans, etc. With these efforts and many more, almost the entire employee base was impacted through one or more learning interventions.
The Company is committed to providing a happy, nurturing ecosystem for the employees, an ecosystem that is not only empowering, but also builds capabilities to help them to meet the challenges of a fast changing, dynamic, world environment. As part of SMILE@WORK, the company's relaunched its signature program
As per the provisions of Section 152 of the Act read with the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. Sridharan Rangarajan (DIN: 01814413) Director, retires by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and being eligible offers himself for reappointment. The requisite details in this connection are provided in the Notice convening the meeting.
The Board of Directors at their meeting held on February 6, 2024, on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the shareholders vide their resolution dated March 17, 2024, through postal ballot approved the reappointment of Mr. S. Suresh (DIN: 06999319) as a Managing Director, for the period from August 1,2024, till April 15, 2026.
The Company has received declarations from all the Independent Directors confirming that they meet the criteria of independence as prescribed under section 149(6) of the Act and comply with Regulations 16 & 25 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("Listing Regulations").
Mr. S. Suresh, Managing Director, Mr. Y Venkateshwarlu, Chief Financial Officer* and Mr. Biswa Mohan Rath, Company Secretary, are the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company as per Section 203 of the Act. During the year, Mr. Sridhar A stepped down as the Chief Financial Officer of the company from the closing hours of August 31, 2023. There were no resignations of Directors or KMP during the year under review.
*w.e.f, September 1, 2023
Six Meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the year, the details of which are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
The performance of Committees of the Board and also the directors individually was evaluated in accordance with the Act and Listing Regulations. The manner in which the evaluation was carried out and the process adopted has been given in the Corporate Governance Report.
In terms of the requirement of Listing Regulations, and Rule 8(5) (iiia) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the Board has identified core skills, expertise and competencies of the Directors in the context of the Company's business for effective functioning and how the current Board of Directors is fulfilling the required skills and competences. This is detailed at length in the Corporate Governance Report.
The Board has on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC), framed a policy for the selection and appointment of directors, senior management and the criteria for determining the qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors, including fixing their remuneration.
The Remuneration Policy and criteria for Board nominations are available on the Company's website at https://www.eidparry.com/ wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Remuneration-Policy.pdf
Pursuant to Section 134(3) and 134(5) of the Act, your Directors, to the best of their knowledge, belief and according to information and explanations obtained from the management, confirm that:
¦    In the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 2024, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and there are no material departures therefrom;
¦    they have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31,2024 and of the profit of the Company for the year ended on that date;
¦    they have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
¦    they have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
¦    they have laid down proper internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and such controls are adequate and operating effectively and;
¦    they have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively.
M/s. Price Waterhouse Chartered Accountants LLP, (FR No. 012754N/ N500016) Chennai, were appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company by the shareholders at the 47th Annual General Meeting held on August 9, 2022, to hold office up to the conclusion of the 52nd Annual General Meeting. There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by the Statutory Auditors on the financial statements in their report for the year 2023-24 except the following observations:
In terms of Section 148 of the Act, read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 and the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, cost audit is applicable to company's businesses of sugar, distillery, and co-generation of power. The accounts and records for the above applicable businesses are prepared and maintained by the Company as specified by the Central Government under sub-section (1) of Section 148 of the Act.
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, have appointed M/s. Narasimha Murthy & Co., Cost Accountants, as the Cost Auditors to audit the cost accounting records maintained by the Company for the financial year 2024-25 on a remuneration of H10,00,000 (plus out of pocket expenses and applicable taxes).
A resolution seeking members' ratification for the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditor forms part of the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.
The cost audit report for the financial year 2022-23 has been filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The cost audit report for the financial year 2023-24 would be filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs as per the provisions of the Act.
The Board has appointed M/s. R Sridharan & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, Chennai as the Secretarial Auditors to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company for the year 202324. The Report of the Secretarial Auditors is provided in Annexure-B to this Report.
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by the Secretarial Auditors in their report for the year 2023-24.
The Company's CSR Projects are focused on creating a positive impact on the lives of communities from less-privileged background living around the company's manufacturing facilities and cane command area, The following are key CSR initiatives undertaken during the last financial year.
Under healthcare initiatives, the company's major purpose was to enable the rural populace receive quality basic medical care service at their individual villages, consequently projects were planned and implemented across the production sites. Wellness on Wheels and Rural Health Centre are key projects implemented under health care providing medical care to villagers throughout the year. In both projects a medical team comprising of a doctor, paramedic, pharmacist, and a social worker visited the targeted villages on a regular basis and provided medical diagnosis and treatment along with prescribed medicines at free of cost.
In addition to these two projects, specialized eye camps were conducted to sensitize the community on the importance of eye
care, extended support for cataract surgery, and provided spectacles at no cost.
Education / Skill Development
Education remains an important CSR priority for the company, and it has developed CSR projects aimed at boosting education in the villages surrounding its production plants. The COVID 19 pandemic increased the grade level gap among kids attending government-run schools in rural areas, as most students did not receive proper education during the two-year pandemic. The Company through its CSR initiatives established evening study centres in select areas, providing after-school education help to kids in grades one through ten. Through this effort, rural kids received additional training to understand and learn about ordinary academics, as well as coaching in science, mathematics, and english through engaging specialist tutors. Furthermore, to stimulate and encourage rural pupils, special workshops on arts and crafts were held at these evening study centres.
With the aim of improving the quality of infrastructure at rural schools, the Company continued to support by providing educations aids like computers & accessories, lab equipment, smart boards, renovated classrooms, and constructed rest rooms for the students. To facilitate the rural students to continue their higher education, the Company provided scholarship for deserving students from less-privileged background.
Rural Development & Eradicating Hunger
The Company has always played an important role in aiding communities. During the year, food and groceries were distributed to the people affected by the sudden and incessant rains causing floods in Tamil Nadu, affecting livelihood. Community development projects were also carried out in the villages near and around the units. As part of its Rural Development program, the Company renovated village infrastructure in nearby villages, enabling people to have access to excellent drinking water year-round by creating RO facilities, repairing existing drinking water sources, and building water storage tanks.
Sports for Development
Through this project, we used sports as a medium to motivate and encourage rural youth and to bring social change among them. Sports are no longer considered as a leisure activity: rather, they are regarded as an important aspect in molding an individual's personality. Youth from villages around the units were on nationally recognized sports by engaging specialist coaches and further facilitated them to compete in state and national level tournaments. In addition, support was extended to the development of sports training facilities, kits, and training materials. Along with sports training, these young adults were taught life skills, to help them to lead successful lives in all aspects.
Project NANNEER
The Company embarked on an innovative community water resource management initiative called Project NANNEER. With support from the Murugappa group's charitable arm, AMM
Â
Foundation, and assistance from Siruthuli, a Coimbatore-based Non-Government Organization, the project aims to transform water conservation efforts.
In the first phase, seven lakes and ponds in the Oonaiyur area (Pudukkottai and Sivagangai districts) were desilted across 250 acres (with depths of 1-3 meters). The excavated soil was used to strengthen the bunds, and excess soil was utilized to create islands. The second phase extended to twelve lakes and ponds in the Erode and Tiruppur districts. Approximately 1100 million litres of water were conserved in Phase I and II, benefiting directly and indirectly more than 21000 farmers. Bio-fencing was established through local planting, watering, and maintenance. A feasibility study is underway to expand this initiative to states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Given the increasing anthropogenic pressures on habitats, wetlands are disappearing, making their conservation critical for biodiversity and humanity. Project NANNEER contributes to wetland restoration and enhances ecological functions. The company collaborated with the Salem Ornithological Foundation to facilitate year-round birdwatching around rejuvenated water bodies in Oonaiyur-Pudukkottai and Sivagangai districts. Species richness and abundance were calculated using the total count method, and bird observations were uploaded to eBirdâan international citizen science repository for ornithological data. Additionally, a new biodiversity collection project was proposed in the iNaturalist database to document non-avian species observations. Notably, a month of bird monitoring yielded valuable insights at Vadakudipatti Kanmai, Chettiyan Kanmai (Sivagangai), Kanapettai Kanmai, Panangudi Kanmai, and Oonaiyur Big Tank (Pudukkottai).
The Company constituted a CSR Committee in accordance with Section 135 of the Act. The CSR Committee has formulated and recommended to the Board a CSR Policy indicating the activities to be undertaken by the Company, which has been approved by the Board. The CSR Policy can be accessed on the Company's website at https://www.eidparry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CSR-Policy.pdf.
As per the provisions of the Act, the Company was required to spend H1,16,99,333/- towards CSR for the year 2023-24. The Company has been actively involved in various CSR initiatives and an amount of H3,60,89,848/- was spent towards CSR activities during the year 2023-24. The Annual Report on CSR activities is given in Annexure-C to this Report.
All contracts / arrangements / transactions entered into by the Company during the financial year with the related parties were on arm's length basis and were in the ordinary course of business. There were no materially significant related party transactions with promoters, directors, key managerial personnel or other designated persons, which may have a potential conflict with the interest of the Company at large.
During the year, the Company has not entered into any contracts or arrangements with related parties as referred to in sub-section (1) of Section 188 of the Act.
Accordingly, the disclosure of related party transactions as required under Section 134(3)(h) of the Act in Form AOC-2 is not applicable to the Company for FY 2023-24 and hence does not form part of this report.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for approval. Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is obtained on a yearly / quarterly basis for the transactions which are of a foreseen and repetitive nature. The transactions entered into pursuant to the omnibus approval so granted are placed on a quarterly basis before the Audit Committee for their review.
The policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is available at the web link:Â https://www.eidparry.com/wp-content/Â uploads/2024/02/RPT-Policy-website.pdf
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
The Company had in the past approved an Employee Stock Option Scheme 2007 (ESOP Scheme 2007), under which employees were granted Options. The Company made grants under the said Scheme from 2007 to 2011. There were no vested options outstanding at the end of the financial year, and there will be no grants issued under the ESOP Scheme 2007.
The Company has introduced Employee Stock Options Plan, 2016 (ESOP 2016) during the year 2016-17. The ESOP 2016 was approved by the Board at its meeting held on November 7, 2016, and by the shareholders of the Company by way of a special resolution through a Postal Ballot on January 21, 2017. The Shareholders had authorised the Board/ Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) to issue to the employees, such number of Options under the ESOP 2016, as would be exercisable into not exceeding 35,17,000 fully paid-up equity shares of Re. 1/ - each in the Company. NRC is empowered to formulate the detailed terms and conditions of the ESOP 2016, administer and supervise the same. The specific employees to whom the Options are granted and their eligibility criteria is determined by the NRC. Further, the NRC is empowered to determine the eligible subsidiary companies, whether existing or future, whose employees will be entitled to stock options under this Scheme. Options granted under this ESOP 2016 would vest on or after 1 (one) year from the date of grant but not later than 4 (four) years from the date of grant of such Options or any other terms as decided by the NRC.
During the year 1,34,818 options were granted and the total number of options unvested, vested and outstanding as at March 31, 2024, was 8,50,544. The details of Options granted upto March 31, 2024, and other disclosures as required under Regulation 14 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 is available on the Company's website at https://www.eidparry.com/financials/.
The Company has received a certificate from the Secretarial Auditors of the Company that the above referred Scheme had been implemented in accordance with the Securities and Exchange board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits and Sweat Equity) Regulations, 2021 and the resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
Â
The report on corporate governance along with certificate from a practicing Company Secretary regarding compliance of conditions of Corporate Governance as stipulated under the Listing Regulations is annexed to this Report. The report also contains details required to be provided on the board evaluation, remuneration policy, implementation of risk management policy, whistle-blower policy / vigil mechanism, etc.
The Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer have submitted a certificate to the Board regarding the financial statements and other matters as required under Regulation 17(8) read with Schedule II of Part B of the Listing Regulations.
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 (IEPF Rules) all dividends, which remains unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven years are required to be transferred by the Company to the IEPF established by the Central Government. Further, according to the IEPF Rules, the shares in respect of which dividend has not been encashed by the shareholders for seven consecutive years or more are also required to be transferred to the Central Government (Demat account created by the IEPF Authority).
Accordingly, the Company has transferred the unclaimed and unpaid dividends as well as the corresponding shares as per the requirements of the IEPF Rules, details of which are provided on our website, at https://www.eidparry.com/unpaid-unclaimed-dividend/
During the year, the Company has not transferred any amount to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) established by the Central Government. The Company has transferred an amount of H96,28,152 on April 22, 2024 being the unclaimed dividend (interim) for the year 2016-17 to the IEPF. The Company has also transferred 274,021 Equity Shares in respect of which dividend has not been paid or claimed for seven consecutive years or more as enunciated under Section 124 (6) of the Companies Act, 2013.
The Audit Committee comprises of Mr. S. Durgashankar, Independent Director as the Chairman, Dr. (Ms) Rca Godbole, Independent Director, Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director and Mr.M.M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director as members.
The CSR Committee comprises of Mr. M. M. Venkatachalam, Non- Executive, Non-Independent Director, as the Chairman,
Mr. T. Krishnakumar, Independent Director and Mr. S. Suresh, Managing Director as members.
The Stakeholders Relationship Committee (SRC) comprises of Mr. M.M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director as the Chairman, Mr.T.Krishnakumar, Independent Director, Mr. S. Suresh, Managing Director and Mr. Ramesh K B Menon, NonExecutive Non- Independent Director as members.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) comprises of Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director, as the Chairman, Dr. (Ms) Rca Godbole, Independent Director and Mr. Ramesh K B Menon, NonExecutive, Non-Independent Director as members.
The Risk Management Committee comprises Mr. S. Durgashankar, Independent Director, as the Chairman, Mr. S. Suresh, Managing Director, Mr. Ajay B. Baliga, Independent Director and Mr. M. M. Venkatachalam, Non-Executive, Non-Independent Director as members.
The Company has a Vigil Mechanism for directors and employees to report genuine concerns and grievances which provides necessary safeguards against victimisation of employees and directors.
The Audit Committee reviews on a quarterly basis the functioning of the Whistle Blower and vigil mechanism. The Vigil Mechanism and Whistle Blower Policy have been posted on the Company's website at www.eidparry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ Whistleblower-Policy-and-Vigil-Mechanism.pdf and the details of the same are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Pursuant to Regulation 34(2)(f) of the Listing Regulations and SEBI circular no. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2021/2 dated May 5, 2021, and SEBI/ HO/CFD/CFD-SEC-2/P/CIR/2023/122 dated July 12, 2023, your Company provides the prescribed disclosures in Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") parameters called the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report ("BRSR") which includes performance against the nine principles of the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct and the report under each principle which is divided into essential and leadership indicators.
Pursuant to Regulation 43A of Listing Regulations, the top 1000 listed Companies are required to formulate a Dividend Distribution Policy. The Company's Dividend Distribution Policy as approved by the Board is available on the Company's website at www.eidparry. com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Dividend-Distribution-Policy. pdf
The particulars relating to conservation of energy, technology absorption, research and development, foreign exchange earnings and outgo as required to be disclosed under Section 134 (3)(m) of the Act, read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is given in Annexure - D to this Report.
During the Financial Year, the Company has given loans, guarantees to subsidiaries within the limits as prescribed under Section 186 of the Act. Details of Loans and Guarantees are given in Annexure - E to this Report.
The information relating to employees and other particulars as required under Section 197 of the Act, read with Rule 5(2) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 will be provided upon request. In terms of Section 136 of the Act, the Report and Accounts are being sent to the Members, excluding the information on employees, particulars of which are available for inspection by the Members at the Registered Office of the Company during the business hours on all working days of the Company upto the date of the forthcoming Annual General Meeting. If any member is interested in obtaining a copy thereof, such Member may write to the Company Secretary in the said regard.
The disclosure with regard to remuneration as required under Section 197 of the Act read with Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is attached and forms part of this Report as Annexure - F.
During the year 2021-22, an application was filed under section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) (IBC) against the Company before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Chennai. The Petitioner had claimed that it had not received payment from the farmers for the alleged supply and installation of irrigation systems to the farmers in the Company's Command area during the year 2010-11, for which the Company stood as a guarantor. The NCLT, Chennai, vide its order dated July 11, 2023, has dismissed the said application. The petitioner has now filed an appeal before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. No application under IBC was initiated by the Company as on March 31, 2024.
There was no instance of one-time settlement with any Bank or financial institutions.
In terms of Section 92 of the Act, the Annual Return of the Company in Form MGT-7 is placed on the website of the Company and can be accessed at https://www.eidparry.com/shareholders-meeting/
The Company has complied with the Secretarial Standards issued by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India and approved by the Central Government as required under Section 118(10) of the Act.
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting is required in respect of the following items as there were no transactions on these items during the year under review:
1. Â Â Â Details relating to deposits covered under Chapter V of the Act.
2.    Issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise.
3.    Issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees of the Company under any scheme save and except ESOP referred to in this Report.
The Managing Director of the Company does not receive any remuneration or commission from any of Company's subsidiaries.
No significant or material orders were passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals, which impact the going concern status of the Company and its operations in future. There are no material changes and commitments, affecting the financial position of the Company which have occurred between March 31, 2024, and the date of this report.
The Board places on record, its appreciation for the valuable support and cooperation received from bankers, business associates, lenders, financial institutions, shareholders, various departments of the Government of India, as well as the State Governments, the farming community and all our other stakeholders. The Directors acknowledge and would like to place on record the commitment and dedication on the part of the employees of your Company for their continued efforts in achieving optimum results.
Mar 31, 2018
Dear Shareholders,
The Directors have pleasure in presenting the Forty Third Annual Report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2018.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Rs. in Crore
|
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
||
|
2017-18 |
2016-17 |
2017-18 |
2016-17 |
|
|
Revenue from operations |
2079.83 |
2476.75 |
15437.58 |
14667.11 |
|
Gross Revenue |
2281.69 |
2631.21 |
15610.99 |
14825.70 |
|
Profit Before Interest and Depreciation (EBITDA) |
305.21 |
508.67 |
1454.96 |
1584.96 |
|
Depreciation |
114.46 |
112.11 |
251.30 |
248.04 |
|
Profit Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) |
190.75 |
396.56 |
1203.66 |
1336.92 |
|
Finance Charges |
112.90 |
139.91 |
335.51 |
417.32 |
|
Net Profit Before Tax |
77.85 |
256.65 |
868.15 |
919.60 |
|
Tax Expenses |
(23.16) |
(26.96) |
350.72 |
211.35 |
|
Net Profit After tax before minority interest |
101.01 |
283.61 |
517.43 |
708.25 |
|
Minority Interest |
|
261.61 |
187.44 |
|
|
Net profit After Tax and minority interest |
101.01 |
283.61 |
255.82 |
520.81 |
|
Balance of Profit brought forward |
332.49 |
85.90 |
75.20 |
(381.26) |
|
Transfer from Debenture Redemption Reserve (Net) |
(8.33) |
33.33 |
(8.33) |
19.17 |
|
Balance Available for appropriation |
425.17 |
402.84 |
322.69 |
158.72 |
Note: The above standalone financial performance is inclusive of continuing and discontinuing operations.
Dividend and Reserves
Based on the Companyâs performance, the Directors recommend for approval of the members, a dividend of Rs.3/- per share for the year ended March 31, 2018. The final dividend on equity shares, if approved by the members, would involve a cash outflow of Rs.53.10 crore.
The Company has not transferred any amount to the reserves for the year ended March 31, 2018.
Share Capital
The Paid up Equity Share Capital of the Company as on March 31, 2018 was Rs.17.70 Crore. During the year under review, the Company allotted 49,222 equity shares on exercise of stock options under the ESOP Scheme, 2007. The Company also allotted 10,74,861 Equity Shares to the shareholders of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited (PSIL), consequent to merger of PSIL with the Company.
Consolidated Operations
Consolidated Revenue from operations of your Company for the year was Rs.15,438 Crore, as against Rs.14,667 Crore in the previous year. Overall expenses for the year was Rs.14,656 Crore as against Rs.13,906 Crore in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was Rs.1,455 Crore as against Rs.1,585 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax and minority interest for the year was Rs.256 Crore, as against Rs.521 Crore in the previous year.
Standalone Operations
Standalone Revenue from operations of your Company for the year was Rs.2,080 Crore as against Rs.2,477 Crore in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was Rs.305 Crore, as against Rs.509 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax for the year was at Rs.101 Crore as against Rs.284 Crore in the previous year. One of the prime focus areas of the Company has been to reduce debt, which is important to improve the Companyâs risk profile and increase sustained earnings. The Companyâs total long term borrowings, which was Rs.762 Crore as of March 31, 2017 reduced to Rs.586 Crore as of March 31, 2018. This coupled with overall debt management enabled the Company to reduce finance charges to Rs.113 Crore as compared to Rs.140 Crore in the previous year.
The subdued performance of the Company was largely on account of lower sugar selling prices, which have been on a downward spiral since April 2017 after a significant high in 2016-17. Further, during the year, the Company settled the cane price disputes pertaining to the sugar season 2013-14 to 2016-17 in Tamil Nadu by paying Rs.87 Crore over and above the statutory dues to the farmers. Though statutorily not liable, the Company made these payments as a gesture of goodwill to secure cane supply and maintain enduring relationship with them. This additional payout came at a time when the sugar price had already taken a toll caused by huge domestic and international surplus. Despite the various setbacks mentioned above, the Company could achieve an EBIDTA of Rs.305 Crore due to a slew of initiatives in its areas of operations including optimum efficiency in consuming steam, power and reducing the downtime. The Company ensured that it utilised its distilleries to the maximum capacity by procuring molasses from both domestic and overseas sources as Tamilnadu ran short of molasses due to very low cane availability. The Company also participated in the raw sugar import program as allowed by the Government of India which helped the Company to sweat its assets during the off season, which otherwise would have remained idle.
The Companyâs on-going programme of systematic disposal of surplus non-performing assets, continuous thrust on cost control, rigorous cost restructuring exercises and focus on efficiency improvements have favorably impacted the profits. Despite the extremely challenging operating environment, your Company delivered a reasonable performance against the backdrop of high cane cost, sluggish sugar price and lower cane availability. This demonstrates the resilience of your Companyâs strong portfolio of sales mix, superior execution of competitive strategies, relentless focus on value creation and deep consumer insights. The Company is well positioned to establish itself as the most trusted sugar producer in the Indian market with continued focus on strong farmer relationship, product quality, R&D and operational excellence across the value chain.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Sugar
Improved sugarcane availability is one of the important parameters for sustained growth and profitability of the sugar business. For the year 2017-18, the sugarcane availability in the State of Tamil Nadu (TN) was low, due to widespread drought affecting a majority section of the command area. The Cane area in TN has seen a massive decline during the last few years caused by deficit rain and farmers shifting to other competing crops. This has adversely affected the Companyâs TN operations, where most of its plant capacity remained idle for a larger part of the year. The lower sugarcane crush in TN was further compounded by lower recovery in Nellikuppam due to varied climatic conditions. During the year under review, the cane crushed by the plants in TN was 12.30 LMT as against 24.61 LMT in the previous year. The average daily crush rate at 8819 TCD was lower than the average actual crushing rate of 14291 TCD achieved in the previous year. The average recovery was at 8.27% in the current year as against 8.89% in the previous year.
With respect to Karnataka units, the cane crushed was higher at 19.80 LMT as compared to 15.07 LMT in the previous year, which was as per expectations. The average crushing days increased from 102 to 128 and the average recovery was at 11.25 % as against 10.75% in the previous year. The threat of illegal cane poaching which affected the companyâs performance in the previous year was mitigated to a larger extent this year due to various proactive measures initiated at the ground level. The availability of harvesting and transportation labour was also a major issue this year in Karnataka as well as in TN and Andhra Pradesh (AP) due to the excess cane production in Maharashtra. The Companyâs efforts in employing mechanical harvesters paid dividends as farmers adapted themselves to the mechanised harvesting in an effective manner. The deployment of mechanical harvesters is proposed to be increased progressively to cover a large part of the area as shortage of harvesting labour is going to be the order of the day.
With respect to the AP unit, the cane crushed was at 4.62 LMT as compared to 4.76 LMT in the previous year. The average recovery was at 9.55% as against 9.67% in the previous year.
The overall cane crushed by the Company as a whole, came down to 36.72 LMT as against 44.44 LMT in the previous year. The average sugar recovery went up from 9.61% in the previous year to 10.04% in the current year.
The sustained availability of cane being a major concern, a number of initiatives are being taken up by the Company including cooperative farming, providing resources for drip and micro irrigation and facilitating the clean seed programme directly and through agencies/ agri service providers etc. As a part of farmer centric and inclusive strategy, the Company operates soil testing labs which provide âsoil health cardsâ to farmer for improving soil health and fertility. These initiatives will help in increasing the yield per acre which in turn will increase the income per acre to the farmer. To have connection with the farmers throughout the life cycle of Cane crop, a Farmer Connect App has been launched in TN and the same will be rolled out in AP and Karnataka in the coming years. By this, the cane and extension team will be in regular touch with the farmers during the life cycle of the crop and assist the farmers immediately as and when the need arises.
The Company is also working closely with the Government on a number of subsidy schemes to promote drip irrigation, like Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI). The company has embarked on a program of ensuring clean seed for planting. In TN and AP, the 3-Tier Nursery programme has been strengthened and varietal purities are being improved through quality seed sourcing from Breeding Institutes and Companyâs own tissue culture seedling production centres. In TN, 168 shade nets have been installed through Govt SSI schemes through which the Company is promoting Pro Tray seedlings for quality cane, better yield and reduction in cost of cultivation. All these activities will pave the way for recovery improvement and ensure sustained sugarcane availability.
Sugarcane Price
For the Sugar Season 2017-18, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, fixed the Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane at Rs.255/quintal for a basic recovery of 9.5% and a premium of Rs.2.68 for every 0.1% increase in the recovery rate, as recommended by the Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The annual increase of FRP by the government is more than the increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of most other crops like wheat and paddy. The progressive increase of FRP during the last several years has severely affected the industry. Internationally, India is the most âexpensiveâ producer of cane. While the MSP of wheat/paddy went up by around 47% over eight years, the sugarcane price went up by almost 97% in the past nine years. Sugarcane farmers are thus beneficiaries of better return than the grain growers. The FRP is not effectively linked to the market prices of sugar and in most of the years, the sugar mills have suffered losses due to poor realisation from the market.
All India Sugar Production and Government Policies
The four prime stakeholders of the Indian sugar business are farmers, sugar mills, consumers and the Government. Despite the sugar industry being deregulated since 2013, the Government continues to be the most dominant force of intervention amongst the stakeholders. The only policy of sugar is to have âpolicy of changeâ triggered by market volatility and pressures exerted by other constituents. The Government of India has been very dynamic in pursuing policies consistent with the requirements of the sugar market to avoid shocks to the millers and farmers. The Industry is also expected to respond in equal measure by ensuring prompt payments to farmers.
The previous Sugar season 2016-17 started with an opening balance of 77 LMT and a lower season production of 203 LMT due to drought in the Southern and Western States. There was pressure on the Government to import large quantity of sugar, on the premise that the stocks would be critically low at the start of the 2017-18 sugar season and sugar prices would rise to unprecedented levels. Interactions by ISMA with the Government, helped to convince the Government that only a small quantity of imports was required to ensure sufficient sugar stocks till the start of the 2017-18 season.
The Government, on concerns of regional deficits, allowed 5 LMT of imports in April 2017 after confirmation of the actual sugar production in the season. Further, instead of allowing the 5 LMT of imports to come through any port, after assessing regional shortage, 3 LMT was allowed to be imported through the ports in South India, 1.5 LMT in the Western region and 0.50 LMT through the Eastern Region.
Government imposed a stock limit on mills such that no mill can keep more than 21% of its total sugar availability of 2016-17 at the end of September 2017 and not more than 8% at the end of October 2017. The Government also continued the stock holding limit on traders allowing a dealer or trader in East and North-East India to store up to 1,000 MT of sugar and 500 MT elsewhere in the country.
This conscious and well calculated decision of the Government was aimed at ensuring that the supply of sugar to the market was steady and domestic prices were stable for the consumers and the sugar mills were able to cover their costs and pay cane price to the farmers on time.
However, with the commencement of the sugar season 2017-18, prices started dropping due to anticipated huge supply of sugar. Hence, the Govt mandated stock holding limit for Sugar mills at 83% of January â18 closing stock and 86% of February â18 closing stocks. This imposition of the stock limit was to regulate the supply of sugar in order to hold the sugar price at a sustainable level.
The apex body, Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), revised its forecast for the countryâs production at 315-320 LMT for the 2017-18 season as against its original estimate of 255 LMT. With 40 LMT of carryover stock from the previous year, the overall surplus at the end of the sugar season 2017-18 was expected to jump to 95-100 LMT. The all India sugar production upto March, 31 2018 reached 281.82 LMT, as against 188.8 LMT in the previous year for the same period. Due to this unexpected surplus sugar availability, domestic ex-mill prices crashed (Refer Chart 1).
In order to move the surplus stocks out of the country and thereby improve prices, the Government in March 2018 announced an Minimum Indicative Export Quota of 20 LMT for exports. However, due to depressed world sugar market, the scheme did not achieve its intended objective. The lower realization from domestic sales as well as depressed global sugar market, made it extremely difficult for the mills to generate sufficient funds for payment of cane price to the farmers in time.
It will be next to impossible for the mills to handle the surplus without the necessary support of the government to industry in the form of some subsidies or incentives. It is high time the Government came out with a long term viable policy to manage this situation impacting the industry. The Government needs to holistically address the issue of unrealistic sugar cane pricing which is currently not linked to the market price of sugar.
Manufacturing Operations
The Company has always been on the forefront of achieving manufacturing excellence and driving cost optimisation across the value chain. The Company believes that this is the only way it can insulate itself from the volatility in the prices of sugar and sugarcane, which are beyond its control and are significantly affecting its operations. The TPM initiative at the Companyâs units, which was launched few years back has helped the Company to achieve manufacturing excellence, operational safety and higher level of ownership by employees. The better efficiencies on steam, energy and chemicals consumption besides reduction of total losses, have helped in ensuring that the costs remain under control. Safety has been on top of the agenda across all the factories. Some of the areas covered under the Safety program include launch of TPM Safety Pillar, safety patrol walk by the Plant management team, safety review, display of signage, PPE usage, etc for ensuring safety and accident prevention.
Nellikuppam sugar factory is the first sugar factory in Tamil Nadu to move in the direction of achieving Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) for the sugar units. The Company also enhanced the refining capacity of the Unit from 170 MT to 190 MT. The Company has been trying to gradually increase the capacity of Karnataka plants over the past few years. In line with this, the units at Haliyal and Bagalkot have increased their capacity from 7000 TCD to 7500 TCD and from 5400 to 5800 TCD respectively with minimal capital expenditure. The capacity of the Ramdurg, a leased unit has been increased from 4000 tCd to 5000 TCD by the Lessor, Shri Dhanalaxmi Sahakari Sakkare Karkhane Niyamit.
In AP the performance of the Sankili Unit was moderate due to lower availability of Cane. The Sankili Unitâs capacity was expanded from 4200 TCD to 4600 TCD.
Sales and Marketing
The Companyâs overall strategy is to de-risk the sugar business from the vagaries of the cyclicality of the industry by way of value addition and de-commoditization. The Company is working towards creating a differentiation in all aspects of its product and processes to sustain the competitive advantage and to counter the continuous risk of cyclicality in sugar prices and rising cane costs. The Company has been continuously working towards optimising its sales mix with increased sales to institutional segments and retail segments. The Company has to its credit a number of certifications and approvals from competent authorities regarding food safety, quality and sustainability, which are being leveraged strategically with the institutional segments. The Company has been successful in establishing a long term and fruitful relationship with its customers and has been selected as preferred supplier by several MNCâs including GSK, Pepsi, Abbott, etc, due to the consistency in quality and adoption of best practices.
The Company believes that its commitment to quality and the power of its strong and trusted brand âParryâ, which has been recognised and valued across segments of the market and customers over the years, will bear fruit. âAmritâ, the Companyâs retail brand of brown sugar, has been well accepted by the customers.
Research & Extension Services
The companyâs state of the art R&D for the Sugar business was established 25 years back with the core purpose of enriching and energising lives by creating value added products from agriculture. The Company is a leader and is one of the few select Sugar Companies in India to have an integrated R&D program for its farmers which is recognized by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. Since sugarcane as a raw material is grown across three states of the country, spanning diverse agro-climatic conditions, research emphasis and approaches vary and are largely location oriented. The Company has established a strong research infrastructure, with a pioneering vision to improve the yield and reduce costs to farmer and also to improve quality of sugarcane and thereby improving factory efficiencies. The R&D technologies are disseminated to the farmers through an exclusive extension function and novel technology transfer tools like mobile village theatres and method demonstrations.
Quality
The Companyâs processes and products are Customer Centric. Two of the Companyâs units are FSSC 22000 Certified and many other plants are qualified in ISOâs Quality Management System. The refinery unit of the Company at Nellikuppam has several Pharmacopoeia accreditations such as Indian, US, British and Japanese thereby enabling it to cater to the stringent needs of several leading Pharma company requirements for Drug Manufacturing. Also the Company supplies its Quality Sugar to many institutional Customers. The Company has won CIIâs Commendation Certification Award for Food Safety 2017 as âStrong Commitment to Food Safetyâ, a milestone in the Sugar Industry. Three of the Companyâs units are Bonsucro Certified so as to address the global requirements of Sustainable agriculture.
Bio Pesticides
During the year, the Bio Pesticides Division of the Company registered a revenue of Rs.138 Crore as against Rs.122 Crore in the previous year. PBIT for the year was at Rs.30.02 Crore as against Rs.14.70 Crore during the previous year. Parry America Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, registered sales of USD 10 Mn, achieving a growth of 18% over previous year. On a consolidated basis the Bio-Pesticides Business registered a revenue of Rs.152 Crore in 2017-18 as compared to Rs.123 Crore in the previous year.
During the year, the Company successfully procured the highest ever volume of raw neem seeds, from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh. Due to improved seed arrivals, the procurement prices were fairly maintained. The export as well as the domestic markets responded well for the marginal improvement in selling price. which coupled with effective cost control helped the business to achieve the planned operating profits. The business however continued with its de-risking measures over short term and long term horizon, in raw material procurement.
Parryâs Azadirachtin®, with the highest purity and best stability, continued to command a premium and maintain its leadership position both in the agriculture and indoor garden segments. As a critical part of the future ready strategy for growth, work is in progress to foray into the âMicrobial segmentâ. The Company has undertaken a detailed study across the globe, on major crop pest problems and identified the critical ones for which it would work to identify patentable microbial solutions. The bio pesticides business with its eco-friendly products that are safe to farmers and consumers envisages to offer assured and sustainable crop protection solution for the global clients.
The bio pesticides market is driven by factors such as pest resistance to chemicals, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), growth in demand for organic food, heavy crop loss due to pest attacks, lower cost of raw materials, and faster regulatory approval. North America is expected to dominate the bio pesticides market owing to its highly streamlined product registration process, which makes it easier for most private companies to launch their products. Bio pesticides are expected to be a potential substitute for synthetic pesticides in Europe due to the stringent regulations on chemical usage and maximum residue limit. The impending ban on neonicotinoids is expected to drive the growth of the European bio pesticides market.
Nutraceuticals
During the year the Nutraceuticals Division of the Company achieved a revenue from operations of Rs.68 crore as against Rs.71 crore during the previous year. PBIT for the year was at Rs.8 Crore as against Rs.11 Crore during the previous year. The overseas wholly owned subsidiary, US Nutraceuticals LLC achieved sales of US$ 22.7 MN against US$ 23.8 MN of previous year. On a consolidated basis, the division registered a revenue of Rs.216 Crore in 2017-18 as compared to Rs.228 Crore in the previous year.
During the year, overall sales volume of premium Organic Spirulina increased by 10% over previous year mainly due to improved sales volume in European market where premium quality continues to be valued. Further, the business launched Spirulina Granules under different flavours and other value added formulation products. Implementation of TPM and CGMP resulted in improved product quality and productivity. The business has made investments to improve the productivity of Organic Chlorella cultivation and downstream processes, which would enable the scaling up of Chlorella volumes in the coming years.
During the year, the Company established a state of art laboratory facility to ensure good laboratory practices as per regulatory requirements. As part of its clean label program, the Company has enrolled for Non GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) verification program from Food Chain ID. The Company has obtained Non GMO certificate for its Organic Spirulina and Chlorella products (both powder and tablets) and the Company could use the Non GMO logo in its product labels. As the global health markets are maturing up to micro-algal sources for nutrition, the company stands to gain a major place in the industry that exemplifies clean and sustainable methods of cultivation and eco-friendly discharges from its facilities.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
Joint Venture with Synthite Industries Ltd
During the year, in line with its vision to grow the Nutraceuticals business through value-added Algae products, the Company entered into a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) with Synthite Industries Ltd, Cochin, India, to produce Phycocyanin, a natural blue pigment extracted from Spirulina. Phycocyanin is a complex of light-harvesting proteins, extracted from Spirulina which has a characteristic deep blue colour. Phycocyanin offers excellent stability and flexibility for application in a variety of food and beverages and is approved by all major regulatory bodies in USA, EU, Japan and South Korea as food colour. The JV will leverage on Parry Nutraâs Spirulina cultivation strengths and Synthiteâs extraction capabilities making it a good strategic fit for both the partners.
Sale of Bio Pesticides Division
During the year, the shareholders, based on the recommendation of the Board of Directors, approved the sale and transfer of the Bio Pesticides Business together with all its employees as well as assets and liabilities including all concerned licences, permits, consents and approvals whatsoever comprising of manufacturing, marketing and trading in Bio Pesticides Products (âBio Pesticides Business), as a âgoing concernâ and by way of a slump sale to its subsidiary Company Coromandel International Ltd (CIL), with effect from April 1, 2018. The sale of the entire share holding in the wholly owned subsidiary, Parry Amercia Inc to CIL was also approved. This would complement CILs crop protection business. CILs extensive marketing network and experience would enable this business to grow faster. The sale proceeds realized by the Company would help the Company to reduce its debt, which would improve its debt equity ratio
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
During the year, the Company received the following awards:
- âCommitment to Engagementâ award from Aon Hewitt in May 2017.
- Nellikuppam Unit - second prize in Best Industrial Relations Category for the period 2008-2014 from Honâble. Labour Minister. TN govt. for sustaining cordial industrial relations climate in July 2017.
- âChennai Best Employer Award 2017â from Employer Branding Institute India in Dec 2017.
- ET Nowâs Best Corporate Social Responsibilities Practices Award during Feb 2018.
- Indiaâs Best Sugar Manufacturing Company of the year 2017 Award by International Brand Consulting Corporation, USA.
DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
Following were the changes in the composition of the Board:
- Mr. M.B.N. Rao Independent Director resigned from the Board on February 27, 2018.
The Board wishes to place on record its appreciation for the valuable contribution made by Mr.Anand Narain Bhatia, Mr.V.Ramesh, Mr.A.Vellayan and Mr.M.B.N. Rao during their tenure as Members of the Board and Board Committees.
Mr. S. Suresh was appointed as the Managing Director of the Company for a period of five years w.e.f August 1, 2017 which was approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on August 4, 2017.
Mr. Ramesh K B Menon and Mr.M.M.Venkatachalam joined the Board as non-executive non independent Directors on November 8, 2017 and February 7, 2018 respectively. Mr. C. K. Ranganathan and Mr. Ajay B Baliga joined the Board as Independent Directors on November 8, 2017 and May 9, 2018 respectively.
Consequent to the retirement of Mr.A.Vellayan, the Board elected Mr.V.Ravichandran as Chairman with effect from February 8, 2018.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 161 of the Companies Act, 2013, Mr. Ramesh K. B. Menon, Mr.M.M.Venkatachalam, Mr. C. K. Ranganathan and Mr. Ajay B Baliga hold office up to the date of the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The Company has received letters proposing their appointment as directors at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Company.
As per the provisions of Section 152 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. V. Ravichandran, Director retires by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and being eligible offers himself for reappointment and the requisite details in this connection is contained in the notice convening the meeting and the Corporate Governance Report.
The Company has received declarations from all the Independent Directors confirming that they meet the criteria of independence as prescribed under section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and also comply with Regulations 16 & 25 of the SEBI (lODR) Regulations, 2015.
Mr. S.Suresh, Managing Director, Mr.V.Suri, Chief Financial Officer and Ms. G.Jalaja, Company Secretary are the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company as per Section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Number of Meetings of the Board
Seven Meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the year, the details of which are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Board Evaluation
In accordance with the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (LODR) Regulations, the Board has carried out an evaluation of its own performance, the performance of Committees of the Board and also the directors individually. The manner in which the evaluation was carried out and the process adopted has been given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Policy on Directorsâ Appointment and Remuneration and Other Details
The Board has on the recommendation of the NRC framed a policy for selection and appointment of Directors, Senior Management and their remuneration and also framed the criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors. The Remuneration Policy and criteria for Board nominations are available on the Companyâs website at http://www.eidparry.com/investors/ Policies-Codes.
DIRECTORSâ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 134(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, your Directors to the best of their knowledge, belief and according to information and explanations obtained from the management, confirm that:
- In the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 2018, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and there are no material departures from the same;
- they have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31, 2018 and of the profit of the Company for the year ended on that date;
- they have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
- they have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
- they have laid down proper internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and such controls are adequate and operating effectively and Company by the shareholders at the 42nd Annual General Meeting held on August 4, 2017 to hold office up to the conclusion of the 47th Annual General Meeting.
Cost Auditors
As per the requirement of the Central Government and pursuant to Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, your Companyâs cost records are subject to Cost Audit.
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, have appointed M/s. Narasimha Murthy & Co, Cost Accountants, as the Cost Auditors to audit the cost accounting records maintained by the Company for the financial year 2018-19 on a remuneration of Rs.8,50,000/- plus applicable tax and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses. A resolution seeking membersâ ratification for the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditor forms part of the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.
The cost audit report of the earlier Cost Auditor M/s. Geeyes & Co for the financial year 2016-17 was filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on 8th September 2017. The cost audit report for the financial year 2017-18 would be filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on or before September 30, 2018 as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Secretarial Auditors
The Board appointed M/s. R Sridharan & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, Chennai as the Secretarial Auditors to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company for the year 2017-18. The Report of the Secretarial Auditors is provided in Annexure-B to this Report.
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by the Statutory / Secretarial Auditors in their respective reports.
The Statutory Auditors have not reported any incident of fraud during the year under review to the Audit Committee of the Company.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
EID Parryâs CSR initiatives primarily focus on improving the quality of life of the communities where it operates, through socio welfare initiatives.The various CSR initiatives undertaken by the Company during the last financial year include the following:
- Healthcare
The Company pursues a well managed Health Care programme across its units, providing medical amenities for people living in neighbouring villages. âHospital on Wheelsâ, a well equipped mobile unit with diagnostic and medical intervention amenities makes emergency care possible for people living in remote areas. In addition, mobile medical units cater to the needs of the elderly in the cane growing villages around the Plants.
In addition to the comprehensive health and medical care programmes for employees, across the different Plants free pulse polio camps for the children of labourers and medical camps offering health checkups and free medicines are conducted regularly for cane growers, harvesting and transport labourers.
- Education
As an important part of its CSR programmes, E.I.D Parry promotes education in the neighbouring villages near its units. Besides contributing to infrastructure building and facility upgradation at schools, the Company provides educational assistance to cane growers children and participates in their developmental needs. Baby care centres, mid-day meals for Balawadi school children of labourers, training programmes for employeesâ children are few of the ongoing initiatives.
- Community Welfare
E.I.D Parry has always played a key role in extending relief support to villagers during natural calamities and helping the Government in its disaster management initiatives. Drought relief measures were extended to farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, to mitigate crop loss. Community development works were also undertaken in the villages in and around the units. As part of its community welfare programmes the Company undertook the desilting of Ponds and Canals, to augment the water supply to villages and schools. Tree Planting across schools and neighbourhoods were conducted as part of the Green Environment initiatives.
The Company has constituted a CSR Committee in accordance with Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. The CSR Committee has formulated and recommended to the Board a CSR Policy indicating the activities to be undertaken by the Company, which has been approved by the Board. The CSR Policy can be accessed on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry. com.
As per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, the Company was required to spend Rs.13.20 Lakh towards CSR activities for the year 2017-18. However, the Company has been actively involved in various CSR activities and an amount of Rs.123.46 Lakh was spent during the year. The Annual Report on CSR activities is given in Annexure-C to this Report.
During the year, the Company has bagged the National CSR award under the category of âBest Overall Excellence in CSRâ in National CSR Leadership Congress & Awards 2016.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
All contracts / arrangements / transactions entered into by the Company during the financial year with the related parties were on armâs length basis and were in the ordinary course of business. As the sale of Bio Pesticides business to Coromandel International Ltd (CIL), a related party transaction was not in the ordinary course of business, the Company has obtained the approval of shareholders. There were no materially significant related party transactions with Promoters, Directors, Key Managerial Personnel or other designated persons, which may have a potential conflict with the interest of the Company at large.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for approval. Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is obtained on a quarterly basis for the transactions which are of a foreseen and repetitive nature. The transactions entered into pursuant to the omnibus approval so granted are placed before the Audit Committee for their review on a quarterly basis. The policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is available at the web link: http://www.eidparry.com/ investors/Policies-Codes.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
The Company has introduced Employee Stock Options Scheme, 2016 during the year 2016-17 as approved by the shareholders. The details of the Options granted upto March 31, 2018 and other disclosures as required under SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014 is available on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry.com.
The Company has received a certificate from the Statutory Auditors of the Company that the above referred Scheme had been implemented in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014 and the resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The report on corporate governance along with certificate from a practicing Company Secretary as required under the SEBI (LODR) Regulations is annexed to this Report. The report also contains the details required to be provided on the board evaluation, remuneration policy, implementation of risk management policy, whistle-blower policy / vigil mechanism etc.
The Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer have submitted a certificate to the Board regarding the financial statements and other matters as required under Regulation 17(8) read with Schedule II of Part B of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 (âthe Rulesâ) all unpaid or unclaimed dividends are required to be transferred by the Company to the IEPF established by the Central Government, after the completion of seven years. Further according to the Rules, the shares in respect of which dividend has not been encashed by the shareholders for seven consecutive years or more is also required to be transferred to the demat account created by the IEPF Authority. Accordingly, the Company has transferred the unclaimed and unpaid dividends as well as the corresponding shares as per the requirements of the IEPF rules, details of which are provided on our website, at http://www.eidparry.com/Unpaid-Unclaimed-Dividend.
During the year, the Company has transferred an amount of Rs.22,51,264/- being the unclaimed dividend for the year 2009-10 to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established by the Central Government. The Company has also transferred 689002 shares in respect of which dividend has not been paid or claimed for seven consecutive years or more as enunciated under Section 124 (6) of the Companies Act, 2013.
DISCLOSURES Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises of Mr. V. Manickam, Independent Director as the Chairman, Mr. C. K. Ranganathan, Independent Director, Dr. (Ms) Rca Godbole, Independent Director and Mr.M.M.Venkatachalam, Non- Executive Non- Independent Director as Members.
CSR Committee
The CSR Committee comprises of Mr. V. Manickam, Independent Director, as the Chairman and Mr. V .Ravichandran, Non-Executive Non Independent Director and Mr. S. Suresh, Managing Director as members.
Vigil Mechanism & Whistle Blower Policy
The Company has a Vigil Mechanism for directors and employees to report genuine concerns and grievances and provides necessary safeguards against victimisation of employees and directors.
The Audit Committee reviews on a quarterly basis the functioning of the Whistle Blower and vigil mechanism. The Vigil Mechanism and Whistle Blower Policy have been posted on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry. com and the details of the same are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Business Responsibility Report (BRR)
The SEBI (LODR) Regulations mandate the inclusion of the BRR as part of the Annual Report for top 500 listed entities based on market capitalisation. In compliance with the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, the BRR forms part of this Annual Report.
Dividend Distribution Policy
Pursuant to Regulation 43A of Listing Regulations, the top 500 listed Companies shall formulate a Dividend Distribution Policy. The Companyâs Dividend Distribution Policy as approved by the Board is available on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry.com/investors/Policies-Codes.
Conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo
The particulars relating to conservation of energy, technology absorption, research and development, foreign exchange earnings and outgo as required to be disclosed under Section 134 (3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is given in Annexure - D to this Report.
Loans, Guarantees and Investments
There were no loans and advances in the nature of loans to associate companies as well as to firms/ companies in which Directors are interested during the financial year 2017-18.
During the financial year, the Company had given guarantees and made investments in subsidiaries/Joint venture within the limits as prescribed under Sections 185 and 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. Details of Guarantees and investments are given in Annexure - E to this Report.
Particulars of Employees and Related Disclosures
The information required under Section 197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 and forming part of the Boardâs Report for the year ended March 31, 2018 are given in Annexure - F to this Report.
Extract of Annual Return
The extract of the Annual Return of the Company in Form MGT-9 is given in Annexure - G to this Report.
Compliance of Secretarial Standard
The Company has complied with the Secretarial Standards issued by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India and approved by the Central Government as required under Section 118(10) of the Companies Act, 2013.
GENERAL
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting is required in respect of the following items as there were no transactions on these items during the year under review:
1. Details relating to deposits covered under Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013.
2. Issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise.
3. Issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees of the Company under any scheme save and except ESOP referred to in this Report.
The Managing Director of the Company does not receive any remuneration or commission from any of its subsidiaries.
No significant or material orders were passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals, which impact the going concern status and Companyâs operations in future.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Board places on record, its appreciation for the cooperation and support received from investors, customers, farmers, suppliers, employees, government authorities, banks and other business associates.
On behalf of the Board
Place : Chennai V.Ravichandran
Date : May 9, 2018 Chairman
Mar 31, 2017
BOARDâS REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF E.I.D.-PARRY (INDIA) LIMITED
Dear Shareholders,
The Directors have pleasure in presenting the Forty Second Annual Report together with the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Rs, in Crore
|
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
||
|
2016-17 |
2015-16 |
2016-17 |
2015-16 |
|
|
Gross Revenue |
2631.21 |
2785.59 |
14825.70 |
15753.21 |
|
Profit Before Interest and Depreciation (EBITDA) |
508.67 |
157.51 |
1584.96 |
1019.70 |
|
Depreciation |
112.11 |
112.00 |
248.04 |
249.61 |
|
Profit Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) |
396.56 |
45.51 |
1336.92 |
770.09 |
|
Finance Charges |
139.91 |
167.10 |
417.32 |
451.20 |
|
Net Profit Before Tax |
256.65 |
(121.59) |
919.60 |
318.89 |
|
Tax - Expenses |
(26.96) |
(29.48) |
211.35 |
143.67 |
|
Net Profit After Tax before minority interest |
283.61 |
(92.11) |
708.25 |
175.22 |
|
Minority Interest |
- |
- |
187.44 |
140.71 |
|
Net Profit After Tax after minority interest |
283.61 |
(92.11) |
520.81 |
34.51 |
|
Balance of profit brought forward |
85.90 |
155.59 |
(381.26) |
(240.35) |
|
Transfer from Debenture Redemption Reserve (Net) |
33.33 |
40.00 |
19.17 |
40.00 |
|
Balance available for appropriation |
402.84 |
103.48 |
158.72 |
(165.84) |
Indian Accounting Standards (IND AS)
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) vide its notification in the Official Gazette dated February 16, 2015 notified the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) applicable to certain classes of Companies. Ind AS has replaced the existing Indian GAAP prescribed under Section 133 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 7 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. Ind AS is applicable for the Company from April 1, 2016, with a transition date of April 1, 2015 and IGAAP as the previous GAAP
The following are the areas which had an impact on account of transition to Ind AS :
- Business combination including recording of intangibles and deferred taxes and accounting for common control transactions
- Fair valuation of certain financial instruments
- Employee costs pertaining to defined benefit obligations
- Discounting of certain long-term liabilities
- Share based payments
The reconciliation and description of the effect of the transition from IGAAP to IND AS have been provided in Note 55 & 54 in the notes to accounts in the standalone and consolidated financial statements respectively.
Consolidated Operations
Consolidated Revenue of your Company for the year was Rs, 14,826 Crore 5.88% lower than Rs, 15,753 Crore in the previous year. Overall expenses for the year was Rs, 13,906 Crore as against Rs, 15,458 Crore in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was Rs, 1,585 Crore as against Rs, 1,020 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax and minority interest for the year at Rs, 521 Crore, was Rs, 486 Crore higher over Rs, 35 Crore in the previous year.
Standalone Operations
Standalone Revenue of your Company for the year was Rs, 2,631 Crore, 5.56% lower than Rs, 2,786 Crore in the previous year. Operating Profit (EBITDA) was Rs, 509 Crore, as against Rs, 158 Crore in the previous year. Profit after Tax (excluding exceptional item) for the year was at Rs, 284 Crore as against loss after tax of Rs, 92 Crore for the previous year. Reduction of total debt is important to improve the Companyâs risk profile and increase sustained earnings. Total debt was reduced from Rs, 1,319 Crore as of March 2016 to Rs, 943 Crore in March 2017. This enabled the Company to reduce interest/finance charges to Rs, 140 Crore as compared to Rs, 167 Crore in the previous year.
Sugar
The improved performance of the Company was largely on account of better sugar prices, which have been on an upswing since August 2016, after touching all time lows in the previous two years. More than 90% of the Companyâs revenue comes from the sugar business and hence the sugar prices play a predominant role in determining the profitability of the Company. Higher profitability has been achieved notwithstanding lower cane crushed, lower sugar produced and sold as compared to the previous year, due to better sugar prices and a host of other initiatives taken by the Company to improve profitability.
Product Differentiation
In terms of sales and marketing, the Company has focused on product differentiation and value addition to the customer to improve realizations. The Company is one of South Indiaâs leading suppliers of sugar to the Institutional segment. Currently the Company services varied sectors such as carbonated drinks, beverages, juices, confectionery, dairy, biscuits, ice creams, ketchups and Indian sweets across 15 States. The Company is also focussed on supplying sugar to the Pharma Industry which requires customized sugar to meet their specific product requirements. The Company has recently commenced sale of Bonsucro certified sugar, produced from sustainable sugarcane. Over 40% of Companyâs sugar volumes have been sold to the Institutional segment. The Companyâs retail product Amrit, a 100% original cane sugar product, with about ten times the nutrients as compared to normal sugar, is growing and is being extended to more towns in South India.
Manufacturing Excellence
The focus of the Company has been on driving cost optimization across the entire conversion cost chain. Improvements in daily crush rate, better efficiencies on steam, energy and chemicals consumption besides reduction of total losses have all helped in maintaining and improving profitability. The ongoing TPM initiative at the Companyâs two Units will enable the Company to achieve Manufacturing Excellence in all its operations over the next few years. Safety has been on top of the agenda across all the Factories. Some of the areas covered under the Safety program include Standard Operating Procedure and work instructions for critical jobs such as working at heights, hot work, confined space entry and electrical work; more safety visuals and safety patrols; improved 1S & 2S; rigour in implementation of safety permit system and development of accident matrix with corrective actions. Sustainability initiatives implemented during the year include Zero Water Drawal from ground, river or canal; online monitoring of emission and effluent parameters; production of Potash fertiliser as part of âWaste to Wealthâ initiative and conversion of Bio Methanated Distillery spent wash to Potash rich powder, to name a few. The technology of bagasse dryer system using flue gas for reducing the bagasse moisture has been perfected. Turbines at Nellikuppam and Haliyal were overhauled with specific focus on improving specific steam consumption. New concept such as Saturated Steam Turbine was commissioned at one plant. The Sankili Plant at Andhra Pradesh also commenced trial production of Ethanol from Sweet Sorghum grown by the farmers within the command area. The Nellikuppam refinery was upgraded to meet stringent pharma standards of production. The Companyâs Distillery at Nellikuppam is amongst the first in India to be given the permission to run for 350 days with a zero liquid discharge system in place. Continued improvements in quality and food safety of the products, across all the locations, have been another area of focus.
Sugarcane
Although the Company has benefited from improving sugar prices in the wake of lower sugar production, the sugarcane availability was a major concern for the year. Improved sugarcane availability is important for sustaining and growing the profitability of the sugar business. The lower sugarcane crush in Tamil Nadu was mainly on account of lower yield due to a very serious drought. Tamil Nadu, across many of its Districts, witnessed the lowest rainfall in 2016 in the last hundred years. The problems were further exacerbated due to non availability of water for irrigation from the Cauvery river. During the year under review, the cane crushed by the Tamil Nadu Plants was at 24.61 LMT as against 23.46 LMT in the previous year. The daily crush rate at 14291 TCD was better than the actual of 13340 TCD achieved in the previous year. The average recovery was at 8.89 % as against 9.14% in the previous year. The situation in AP was no different with much lower rainfall in
2016. In Karnataka too, the Company crushed less cane than the previous year due to lower yield because of a poor South West monsoon, combined with farmers diverting cane due to fear of perishables, if not harvested in time. In Karnataka / Andhra Pradesh, the overall cane crush came down from 32.43 LMT in the previous year to 19.83 LMT in the current year. While the average crush rates were maintained at about the previous yearâs levels, the number of crush days came down from 188 to 102, in Karnataka. The average recovery was at 10.75 % & 9.67 % in Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh as against 11.53 % & 9.37 % in the previous year respectively. During the year, the Sugar Units of the Company in Karnataka commenced operations earlier to ensure maximum crushing during the season but unauthorized cane poaching in the light of restricted cane availability, led to the Company losing cane to competition. This combined with lower yield resulted in early closure of the season.
The Company has launched a number of initiatives like cooperative farming, providing resources for drip and micro irrigation besides partnering the farmers through various activities such as trash shredding and mulching, foliar application of potash, supply of seed through a three tier nursery programme, intercropping, wider row spacing, gap filling, desalting of ponds, new varietal trials, release of bio control agents, mechanization of agronomy practices, training programmes, village meetings, improved farmer connect, etc. to improve yield, reduce cost of cultivation and thereby improve the economic wellbeing of the farmers.
For the Sugar Season 2016-17, the Department of Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, fixed the sugarcane Fair & Remunerative Price (FRP) at Rs,230/quintal for a basic recovery of 9.5% and a premium of Rs,2.42 for every 0.1% increase in the recovery rate, as recommended by the Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The Company has paid cane prices higher than FRP across all the three States. The Company is committed to provide a fair share of its revenue to the farmers. While the link between the revenue and the sugarcane price has been made possible in sugar season 2016-17, due to improved sugar prices, it is important and in the interest of both the farmers and mills that this umbilical link between the revenue and the sugarcane price is established and maintained going forward. The Central Government must continue the policy of a price stabilisation fund, which was in place with cess being collected on sale of sugar from February 1, 2016. This will ensure that the farmer gets a minimum price protection by way of FRP a bonus by way of Revenue Sharing Formula when sugar prices are higher and payment of FRP including contributions from the price stabilisation fund, when sugar prices are lower. Unarguably, this is the only way in which cane price arrears can be avoided in a cyclical industry like sugar during downtimes.
All India Sugar Production and Government Policies
The Sugar Industry has witnessed challenging times with volatile sugar prices over the two previous sugar seasons, ending sugar season 2015-16. This was mainly because sugar production on an all India basis continued to outstrip sugar consumption levels over previous five consecutive sugar seasons. With mounting stocks, the sugar prices started declining from May, 2015. However, the situation changed in sugar season 2016-17 with Indian sugar production estimated at 20.3 million tonnes and over all consumption at about 24 million tonnes. The decline in sugar production in 2016-17 can be primarily attributed to drought and consequently, lower sugarcane in the States of Maharashtra and Karnataka. The Government at the Centre has played a key role in turnaround of the fortunes of the Sugar Industry. It swiftly responded and introduced various actions and measures to alleviate the problems of mounting cane arrears and poor financial performance of the sugar mills. In the previous year, the Government introduced measures like soft loan schemes, production subsidy, mandatory export and Ethanol blending programmes to improve the profitability of the sugar mills and speed up cane payments to the farmers. Once the sugar prices improved to the desired levels, the Government reacted promptly with imposition of stock holding limits at the trader level and mill level, withdrew production subsidy, imposed export duty and withdrew the excise benefit on ethanol supply for blending. It also brought in changes in metrology rules and empowered itself to fix the retail prices of essential commodities. The Government of Karnataka also pitched in by waiving purchase tax on sugarcane in the financial year 2016-17, provided the Mills cleared their cane arrears of previous years by June
30, 2017 and also undertook to pay a part of the disputed cane price pertaining to SY 2013-14.
During the year, the Bio Pesticides division of the Company was severely impacted by significant increase in neem seeds price from previous year levels due to season failure across southern India combined with increased competition. This unprecedented price increase has adversely impacted the profitability resulting in 45% drop in operating profits in spite of 22% growth in revenue over previous year. To mitigate the risks relating to the seeds availability, the business has taken measures over short term and long term horizon. The Company expects that these measures would bring stability in the operations of the business. Parryâs Azadirachtin, with the highest purity and best stability, continued to command a premium and maintain its leadership position both in the agriculture and indoor garden segments. As a critical part of the future ready strategy for growth, work is in progress to foray into the âMicrobial segmentâ. The Company has undertaken a detailed study across the globe, on major crop pest problems and identified the critical ones for which it would work to identify patentable microbial solutions. Major factors such as toxicity, safety to users and consumers, eco friendliness, sustained and assured protection, low/no pre-harvest interval etc., are the objectives that Parryâs Bio Products division envisages to achieve through its vision of being a Global Bio Products Business offering Organic solutions for Sustainable Crop Protection and Growth.
Nutraceuticals
During the year, overall sales of premium Organic Spirulina increased by 22% over previous year mainly due to improved sales in European market where premium quality continues to be valued. Spirulina production from the new Greenfield unit established at Saveriarpuram, Tamilnadu had commenced during Q4 of previous year and stabilised well during the year. The Nutraceuticals Division had made investments during the year to stabilize the Chlorella production process by achieving 20 MT production. Further investments are committed for process improvements and scale up of Chlorella volumes in the next financial year. The division has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA) approval for its Oonaiyur facility for organic microalgae cultivation and processing. It is a testament to the Companyâs on-going commitment to maintaining superior quality systems. This approval will further enhance the Companyâs reputation as a leader in micro-algal technology. During the current year, Parryâs Spirulina received R.A.W and C.L.E.A.N certification from Integrated systems, USA.
Alimtec SA, Chile which was acquired by the company in 2014 is shaping well and recorded 64% growth in production volumes during the year. Further, the business has invested in a window dryer during the year to improve the production quality. We expect this investment to yield desired results in Alimtecâs performance during the next financial year.
US Nutraceuticals LLC, our USA based subsidiary has achieved a sales of USD 23.8 MN during the current year against USD 25.8 MN of previous year. Sales of formulation products has shown a degrowth of 24% over previous year. The company has been investing in clinical trials for developing new formulations. We expect these investments would improve the Companyâs performance in the next financial year.
Dividend And Reserves
During the year, the Company paid an interim dividend of Rs,4/- (400%) per equity share of Rs,1/- each in March, 2017.
The company has not transferred any amount to the reserves for the year ended March 31, 2017.
Amalgamation of Subsidiary
The Scheme of Amalgamation of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited, a subsidiary with the Company was approved by the NCLT, Chennai Bench on April 21, 2017. Similarly the Petition of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited was approved by the NCLT, Bengaluru Bench vide its Order dated April 21, 2017. Consequent to filing of the certified order copies along with the Scheme with the respective Registrar of Companies on April 25, 2017, the Scheme became effective from April 25, 2017 with appointed date of April 1, 2016.
Share Capital
The Paid up Equity Share Capital of the Company as on March 31, 2017 was Rs,17.59 Crore. During the year under review, the Company allotted 56,014 equity shares on exercise of stock options under ESOP Scheme, 2007.
Consequent to the Scheme of amalgamation of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited (PSIL) with the Company becoming effective, the share capital will increase to Rs,17.69 Crore after allotment of shares to the shareholders of PSIL in accordance with the said Scheme.
Subsidiary Companies
There has been no change in the nature of business of the subsidiaries during the year under review. In accordance with Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Company has prepared a consolidated financial statement of the Company and all its Subsidiary Companies, which is forming part of the Annual Report. A statement containing the salient features of the financial statements of the Subsidiary Companies, Joint ventures and Associates are given in Annexure-A to this Report.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 136(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Annual Report of the Company containing standalone and consolidated financial statements has been placed on the website of the Company, www.eidparry.com. Further, the audited accounts of the Subsidiary Companies and the related detailed information have also been placed on the website of the Company www.eidparry.com. The annual accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will also be available for inspection by any shareholder/debenture trustees at the Registered office of the Company and of the Subsidiary Companies concerned during working hours upto the date of the Annual General Meeting. A copy of annual accounts of subsidiaries will be made available to shareholders seeking such information at any point of time.
Performance of Business Segment Sugar
During the year, the sugarcane crush dropped from 55.90 LMT in the previous year to 44.44 LMT in 2016-17. The overall recovery also dropped from 10.30 % in 15-16 to 9.61 % in 2016-17, largely because of lower sugarcane crushed in Karnataka. Lower sugarcane crushed as stated, is largely on account of drought conditions leading to lower yield across all the three Southern States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and diversion of cane to competition in Karnataka. Consequently the sugar production was lower at 4.33 LMT this year. The Company sold 4.78 LMT during the year. The Company however maintained the sales to Institutions at about the same volumes as in the previous year, while improving on the retail volumes. The average realization of sugar was up from Rs,24.80 /Kg. in 2015-16 to Rs,34.30 /Kg. in 2016-17. The higher sugar prices along with focus on product differentiation and Manufacturing Excellence programmes resulted in improved profitability of this segment.
Power
The Cogen Units in TN generated 3,006 Lakh Units as against 3,284 Lakh Units of the previous year. With the overall power situation improving dramatically this year and with inter-connection of grids, power tariff rates dropped and the Company entered into a short term power supply arrangement with the Tamilnadu Government Electricity Utilities in December 2016.
The Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh Units generated 2,533 Lakh Units as against 3,237 Lakh Units in the previous year. Along with the other Mills of the Karnataka Sugar Industry, a five year Power Purchase Agreement was entered into by the Bagalkot and Haliyal units with the Karnataka Government Electricity Utilities in January 2017.
Distillery
With own and bought-out molasses, the two Distilleries in Tamilnadu ran for over 330 days on an average and recorded highest production to-date of distillery products. The Company produced 708 LL of Alcohol during the year as against 657 LL of Alcohol during the previous year, an increase of over 8%. The Company completed the process of expansion of its Ethyl Neutral Alcohol production facility from 30 KLPD to 75 KLPD at Nellikuppam. The Company supplied over 5% of Ethanol used by the Oil Marketing Companies in South India for blending with petrol in 2016-17. Consequent to higher production / sales volumes and improved realizations of the distillery products, the division registered an increase in both revenue and operating profits during the year 2016-17.
The Bio-Pesticides Division registered a revenue of Rs,122 Crore as compared to Rs,100 Crore in the previous year, accounting for 5% of the Companyâs revenue. The sale of Aza Products registered a growth of 15% over 2015-16. Export sale of Neemazal Technical registered a growth of 17% over 2015-16. USA accounted for 63% of Export sales, while Europe and Asia accounted for 33% and 4% respectively. Domestic sales registered a growth of 22% over
2015-16 enabled by growth of Aza & Non Aza products by 10% & 31% respectively. PBIT for the year was at Rs,14.7 Crore against Rs,26.73 Crore in 2015-16. Parry America Inc, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, registered sales of Rs,57 Crore with 12% growth over previous year. On a consolidated basis the Bio-Pesticides Business registered a revenue of Rs,123 Crore in 2016-17 as compared to Rs,107 Crore in the previous year, registering 22% growth over previous year.
Nutraceuticals
The Nutraceuticals Divisionâs standalone revenue was at Rs,71 Crore in 2016-17 as compared to Rs,77 Crore of previous year representing 3% of the Companyâs revenue. About 84% of this represents exports. US Nutraceuticals LLC registered sales of Rs,163 Crore which represents a degrowth of 6% over the previous year. Alimtec SA registered sales of Rs,11 Crore as compared to Rs,4 Crore in the previous year. On a consolidated basis the Nutraceutical Business registered revenue of Rs,228 Crore as compared to Rs,240 Crore in the previous year.
A detailed analysis on the business segments is included in the âManagement Discussion and Analysisâ Report, which forms part of this Report.
Awards & Recognitions
During the year, the Company was selected in 2016 as the best performing Company and winner in the sugar sector by Dun & Bradstreet, for the second year in running. Dun & Bradstreet has endeavoured to provide the top Indian Companies a global platform through its publication of Indiaâs top 500 Companies to recognise exemplary performance in the Corporate World. Further, the Company received a special recognition at the National level in May 2017 for its âCommitment to Engagementâ as part of the Aon Best Employers India 2017.
At the National level Energy Conservation Contest organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Companyâs Nellikuppam factory was certified as an âExcellent Energy Efficient Unitâ and Pudukottai factory was certified as an âEnergy Efficient Unitâ. Both Nellikuppam and Pudukottai Units received this award for the second and third time respectively in the last four years. The Pudukottai Unit also received first prize for Jishu Hozen activities at the National Level TPM Circle Competition.
The Nellikuppam factory received an Award for âBest Overall Performance of the Sugar Millâ from a Sugar Manual Magazine and
Haliyal Cogen Plant was awarded as the âBest Safe Power Boilerâ in Karnataka State by the Government of Karnataka. Further, the Plants at Nellikuppam, Sivaganga, Sankili, Haliyal and Bagalkot won 10 Awards from South India Sugarcane and Sugar Technologies Association (SISSTA) under the heads of âBest Distilleryâ, âBest Technical Efficiencyâ âBest Sugarcane Developmentâ, âBest Cogenerationâ and âBest By-productsâ .
Directorsâ Responsibility Statement
Pursuant to the provisions contained in Section 134(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, your Directors to the best of their knowledge and belief and according to information and explanations obtained from the management, confirm that:
- In the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year ended March 31, 2017, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and there are no material departures from the same;
- The Directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31, 2017 and of the profit of the Company for the year ended on that-date;
- The Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
- The Directors have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
- The Directors have laid down proper internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and such controls are adequate and operating effectively and
- The Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively.
Directors And Key Managerial Personnel
Mr. S.Suresh was appointed as Deputy Managing Director of the Company for a period of three years as approved by the members on August 5, 2016.
Mr. V.Ramesh was re-appointed as Managing Director of the Company for a period of one year with effect from January 30, 2017 as approved by the members by way of postal ballot on January 23,
2017.
Mr. Anand Narain Bhatia, independent Director, who was appointed on July 30, 2014 for a period of three years would be retiring on July 29, 2017.
The Board of Directors accepted the request of Mr. V.Ramesh, Managing Director seeking early retirement and accordingly Mr. V.Ramesh would be retiring from the position of Managing Director as well as Director of the Company on the close of the business hours of July 31, 2017.
Consequent to the early retirement of Mr. V. Ramesh as the Managing Director w.e.f July 31, 2017, the Board at their meeting held on May 18, 2017, on the recommendation of the Nomination & Remuneration committee (NRC) appointed Mr. S.Suresh, the Deputy Managing Director as the Managing Director of the Company for a Period of five years w.e.f August 1, 2017. His appointment will be subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
The Board wishes to place on record its appreciation for the valuable contribution made by Mr Anand Narain Bhatia and Mr V Ramesh during their tenure as Independent Director and Managing Director respectively.
As per the provisions of section 152 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. V.Ravichandran, Director retires by rotation at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting and being eligible offers himself for reappointment and the requisite details in this connection is contained in the notice convening the meeting and the Corporate Governance Report.
The Company has received declarations from all the Independent Directors confirming that they meet the criteria of independence as prescribed under section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and also comply with Regulations 16 & 25 of the Securities Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing Regulations).
Mr. V.Ramesh, Managing Director, Mr. S.Suresh, Deputy Managing Director, Mr. VSuri, Chief Financial Officer and Ms. G.Jalaja, Company Secretary are the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company as per section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Number of Meetings of the Board
Nine Meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the year, the details of which are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Board Evaluation
In accordance with the Companies Act, 2013 and Listing Regulations, the Board has carried out evaluation of its own performance, the performance of Committees of the Board and also the directors individually. The manner in which the evaluation was carried out and the process adopted has been given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Policy on Directorsâ Appointment and Remuneration and Other Details
The Board has on the recommendation of the NRC framed a policy for selection and appointment of Directors, Senior Management and their remuneration and also framed the criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and independence of directors. The Remuneration Policy and criteria for Board nominations are available on the Companyâs website at http://www.eidparry.com/investors/ Policies-Codes.
Auditors And Auditorsâ Report Statutory Auditors
M/s. Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, (FR No.008072S) Chennai were appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company by the shareholders at the 39th Annual General Meeting held on July 30, 2014 to hold office upto the conclusion of the ensuing 42nd Annual General Meeting.
The Board of Directors have recommended the appointment of M/s Price Waterhouse, Chartered Accountants, LLP (Firm Registration No. 012754N/N500016) as Statutory Auditors of the Company in place of M/s. Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, for a term of five years from the conclusion of 42nd Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of 47th Annual General Meeting for the approval of the shareholders of the Company based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee. Written consent of the proposed auditors together with a certificate that the appointment, if made, shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 139(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 4 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 has been received
Cost Auditors
As per the requirement of the Central Government and pursuant to section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, your Companyâs cost records are subject to Cost Audit.
The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, have appointed M/s. Narasimha Murthy & Co, Cost Accountants, as the Cost Auditors to audit the cost accounting records maintained by the Company for the financial year 2017-18 on a remuneration of '' 10,10,000/- plus applicable tax and reimbursement of out of pocket expenses. A resolution seeking membersâ ratification for the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditor forms part of the notice convening the Annual General Meeting.
The cost audit report of the earlier Cost Auditor M/s. Geeyes & Co for the financial year 2015-16 was filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on September 1, 2016. The cost audit report of M/s. Geeyes & Co for the financial year 2016-17 would be filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on or before September 30, 2017 as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Secretarial Auditors
The Board appointed M/s. R Sridharan & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, Chennai as the Secretarial Auditors to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company for the year 2016-17. The Report of the Secretarial Auditors is provided in Annexure-B to this Report.
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by the Statutory / Secretarial Auditors in their respective reports. The Statutory Auditors have not reported any incident of fraud during the year under review to the Audit Committee of the Company.
Internal Financial Control
The Company has adequate Internal Controls with proper checks and balances to ensure that transactions are properly authorized, recorded and reported apart from safeguarding its assets. These systems are reviewed and improved on a regular basis. It has a comprehensive budgetary control system to monitor revenue and expenditure against approved budgets on an ongoing basis.
The Companyâs Internal Audit division reviews the controls across the key processes and submits reports periodically to the Management and significant observations are also presented to the Audit Committee for review. There is also a follow up mechanism to monitor implementation of the various recommendations.
Risks, Concerns and Threats
The Company has a Risk Management Committee. As per Regulation 21 of the Listing Regulations, constitution of Risk Management Committee is not mandatory for the Company.
The details of Committee and its terms of reference are set out in the Corporate Governance Report forming part of the Boardâs Report.
The Company has a robust Risk Management framework to identify, evaluate business risks and opportunities. This framework seeks to create transparency, minimize adverse impact on the business objectives and enhance the Companyâs competitive advantage. The business risk framework defines the risk management approach across the enterprise at various levels, including documentation and reporting. The Company has formulated a Risk Management Policy.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
The Company is known for its tradition of philanthropy and community service. As part of its initiative under âCorporate Social Responsibilityâ drive, the Company has undertaken activities in the field of Education and Healthcare besides other CSR activities for the benefit of community in and around its local areas of operations. The Company is committed to identifying and supporting programmes aimed at:
- Empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of the society through education, access to and awareness about financial services and the like;
- Provision of access to basic necessities like healthcare, drinking water & sanitation and the like to underprivileged;
- Work towards eradicating hunger and poverty, through livelihood generation and skill development;
- Supporting environmental and ecological balance through a forestation, soil conservation, rain water harvesting, conservation of flora & fauna, and similar programmes;
- Promotion of sports through training of sports persons;
- Undertake rural development projects;
The Company has constituted a CSR Committee in accordance with Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. The CSR Committee has formulated and recommended to the Board, a CSR Policy indicating the activities to be undertaken by the Company, which has been approved by the Board. The CSR Policy may be accessed on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry. com.
As per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, the Company was not required to spend any amount towards CSR activities for the year 2016-17. However, the Company has been actively involved in various CSR activities and an amount of '' 88.04 Lakh was spent during the year. The Annual Report on CSR activities is given in Annexure-C to this Report.
During the year, the Company has bagged the National CSR award under the category of âBest Overall Excellence in CSRâ in National CSR Leadership Congress & Awards 2016.
Related Party Transactions
All contracts / arrangements / transactions entered into during the financial year with the related parties were on armâs length basis and were in the ordinary course of business. There were no materially significant related party transactions with Promoters, Directors, Key Managerial Personnel or other designated persons, which may have a potential conflict with the interest of the Company at large.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for approval. Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is obtained on a quarterly basis for the transactions which are of a foreseen and repetitive nature. The transactions entered into pursuant to the omnibus approval so granted are placed before the Audit Committee for their review on a quarterly basis. The policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is available at the web link: http://www.eidparry.com/investors/Policies-Codes.
Employee Stock Option Scheme
The Company has introduced Employee Stock Options scheme,2016 during the year 2016-17 as approved by the shareholders. The details of the Options granted up to March 31, 2017 and other disclosures as required under SEBI (Share Based Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014 is available on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry.com.
The Company has received a certificate from the Statutory Auditors of the Company that the Scheme had been implemented in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Share Based
Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014 and the resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
Corporate Governance
The report on corporate governance along with a certificate from the Statutory Auditors as required under the Listing Regulations is annexed to this Report. The report also contains the details required to be provided on the board evaluation, remuneration policy, implementation of a risk management policy, whistleblower policy / vigil mechanism etc.
The Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer have submitted a certificate to the Board regarding the financial statements and other matters as required under Regulation 17(8) read with Schedule II of Part B of the Listing Regulations.
In terms of the provisions of Regulation 34(2) of the Listing Regulations, the Management Discussion and Analysis forms part of this Report.
Transfer to the Investor Education and Protection Fund
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the IEPF Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 (âthe Rulesâ) all unpaid or unclaimed dividends are required to be transferred by the Company to the IEPF established by the Central Government, after the completion of seven years. Further according to the Rules, the shares in respect of which dividend has not been encased by the shareholders for seven consecutive years or more shall also be transferred to the demat account created by the IEPF Authority. Accordingly, the Company has transferred the unclaimed and unpaid dividends. Further, the corresponding shares will be transferred as per the requirements of the IEPF rules, details of which are provided on our website, at http:// www.eidparry.com/ investor/Unpaid-Unclaimed-Dividend.
During the year, the Company has transferred an amount of '' 1,07,39,159/- being the unclaimed dividend for the year 2008-09 (Interim and final) and 2009-10 (Interim) to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established by the Central Government.
Adoption of new Articles of Association
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) notified most of the sections of the Companies Act, 2013 (âthe Actâ) which replace the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956. The MCA also notified the rules pertaining to the further notified sections. In order to bring the Articles of Association (AOA) of the Company in line with the provisions of the Act, the Company recommended that the members adopt a comprehensive new set of the Articles of Association of the Company (ânew articlesâ) in substitution of the existing AOA. The resolution to adopt the new articles was passed by the requisite majority by the members of the Company through a Postal Ballot and the result was announced on January 23, 2017. The new articles are available on the website of the Company. (http://www.eidparry.com/investors/AOA-MOA)
Disclosures Audit Committee
The Audit Committee comprises of Independent Directors namely Mr. M.B.N.Rao as the Chairman and Mr. Anand Narain Bhatia, Mr. V.Manickam and Dr. (Ms) Rca Godbole as Members.
CSR Committee
The CSR Committee comprises of Mr. V.Manickam, Independent Director as the Chairman and Mr. V.Ravichandran, Non-Executive Non Independent Director and Mr. V.Ramesh, Managing Director as members.
Vigil Mechanism & Whistle Blower Policy
The Company has a Vigil Mechanism for directors and employees to report genuine concerns and grievances and provides necessary safeguards against victimisation of employees and directors.
The Audit Committee reviews on a quarterly basis the functioning of the Whistle Blower and vigil mechanism. The Vigil Mechanism and Whistle Blower Policy have been posted on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry. com and the details of the same are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Business Responsibility Report (BRR)
The Listing Regulations mandate the inclusion of the BRR as part of the Annual Report for top 500 listed entities based on market capitalization. In compliance with the Listing Regulations, the BRR forms part of this Annual Report.
Dividend Distribution Policy
Pursuant to Regulation 43A of the Listing Regulations, the top 500 listed Companies shall formulate a Dividend Distribution Policy. Accordingly the policy was adopted by the board at its meeting held on February 07, 2017 to determine the distribution of dividend to its shareholders and / or retaining the profits earned by the company. The policy is available on the Companyâs website at www.eidparry.com/investors/Policies-Codes.
Conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo
The particulars relating to conservation of energy, technology absorption, research and development, foreign exchange earnings and outgo as required to be disclosed under Section 134 (3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 are given in Annexure- D to this Report.
Loans, Guarantees And Investments
There were no loans and advances in the nature of loans to associate companies as well as to firms/ companies in which Directors are interested during the financial year 2016-17.
During the financial year, the Company had given guarantees and made investments in subsidiaries within the limits as prescribed under Sections 185 and 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. Details of loans, guarantees and investments are given in Annexure- E to this Report.
Credit Rating
During the year, rating agency CRISIL has reaffirmed its credit rating to the Companyâs Long term Bank facilities and Debt Programmes to âCRISIL A / Stableâ and the âCRISIL A1 â rating for its short term borrowing.
Particulars of Employees and Related Disclosures
The information required under Section 197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 and forming part of the Boardâs Report for the year ended March 31, 2017 are given in Annexure - F to this Report.
Extract of Annual Return
The extract of the Annual Return of the Company in Form MGT-9 is given in Annexure - G to this Report.
General
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting is required in respect of the following items as there were no transactions on these items during the year under review:
1. Details relating to deposits covered under Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013.
2. Issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise.
3. Issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees of the Company under any scheme save and except ESOP referred to in this Report.
The Managing Director and the Deputy Managing Director of the Company do not receive any remuneration or commission from any of its subsidiaries. No significant or material orders were passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals, which impact the going concern status and Companyâs operations in future.
Acknowledgement
The Board places on record, its appreciation for the cooperation and support received from investors, customers, farmers, suppliers, employees, government authorities, banks and other business associates.
On behalf of the Board
Place : Chennai A. Vellayan
Date : May 18, 2017 Chairman
Mar 31, 2014
The Directors have pleasure in presenting their report together with
the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2014.
The performance highlights of the company for the year are summarised
below:
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Rs. in lakh
Particulars 2013-14 2012-13
Total Income 1,94,319 2,09,978
Profit Before Interest,
Depreciation and Tax 26,237 60,562
Less : Interest 19,616 13,668
Depreciation 9,731 10,787
Profit Before Tax (3,110) 36,107
Less: Provision for Tax :
- Current - 839
- MAT Credit entitlement - (839)
- Deferred (5,763) 2,936
Profit After Tax 2,653 33,171
Add : Surplus brought forward 24,456 37,966
Amount available for Appropriation 27,019 71,137
APPROPRIATIONS
Transfer to General Reserve - 35,000
Transfer to Debenture
Redemption Reserve 2,653 1,250
Dividend on Equity Capital :
Interim dividend paid - 10,431
Dividend Distribution Tax (Net) - -
Surplus carried to Balance Sheet 24,456 24,456
PERFORMANCE
During the year, the Company recorded a revenue of Rs. 1,94,319 lakh as
compared to Rs. 2,09,978 Lakh in the previous year 2012-13 The Earnings
before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization for the year was Rs.
26,237 Lakh representing 14% of total sales as against previous year''s
Rs. 60,562 Lakh. Performance of sugar by-product division namely
distillery and power have contributed towards EBIDTA during the year.
During the year, the performance of the Company was adversely affected
primarily due to the prevailing low market price of sugar and the
higher cane price that the Company had to pay for procuring cane from
the farmers. Further, the units in Tami Nadu was impacted by a third
consecutive year of drought severely affecting the cane availability.
In Karnataka there was a delay in commencement of the normal crushing
operations due to the impasse caused by the hike in cane prices
announced by the Karnataka Government and the millers'' dissent on this
issue. All this had a combined effect resulting in reduction of the
total cane crushing for the year as compared to that of the previous
year
Over the last three seasons from 2010-11 to 2012-13, the average
sugarcane prices paid by mills has increased at around 14% CAGR whereas
the increase in sugar prices has been a mere 2.6%. The increase in
sugar prices has not kept pace with the increase in cane prices over
the last few years. The steep rise in sugar cane procurement costs
which accounts for about 70% of total operation costs is expected to
significantly impact the profitability of sugar mills. For the SS
2013-14, the Central Government has announced a 23.5% hike in the
minimum price payable for sugarcane through the Fair and Remunerative
Price (F&RP) mechanism. However the increase in market prices of sugar
has been minimal. Although the decontrol of sugar distribution and the
impetus given to blending ethanol with petrol have given some relief to
the sugar mills, the issue of sugarcane pricing still remains largely
unresolved. Linking sugar cane prices to the prices of end-products is
critical for safe guarding long-term financial health and sustenance of
the industry. This will also help to reduce the extent of volatility in
sugar production.
The major areas of focus for the Company are consolidation of
operations, reducing costs and conserving cash. Due to high stress on
profitability, several cost reduction measures have been put in place
by the Company to improve the bottom line. The other measures are to
work towards improving the yield, increasing the cane cultivation in
the command area and further improving the operating efficiency. The
Company proposes to take a slew of measures in this direction, so as to
face the challenge of low sugar price and threat of continuous increase
in cane price.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
SUGAR
During the year, the Company crushed 47.52 Lakh MT of sugar cane as
against 65.18 Lakh MT crushed in the previous year. The units in
Tamilnadu & Puducherry have crushed a total quantity of 30.72 Lakh MT
vs. 53.24 Lakh MT in the previous year. This drop was mainly on account
of poor weather conditions in our key crushing areas. The recovery of
sugar from sugar cane was at 9.84% as against 9.23% in the previous
year.
The company sold 4,16,947 MT of Sugar as against 4,95,218 MT during the
previous year.
POWER
The power generation during the year was lower primarily due to lower
cane availability. While most of the power generated was continued to
be used captively to run the plants, the surplus power was sold to
Tamilnadu Electricity Board and other merchant power purchasers.
Power generation was at 4,259 Lakh Units as compared to 6,534 Lakh
Units in the previous year. The company exported 2,497 Lakh Units of
power during the year as against 4,100 Lakh Units in the previous year.
DISTILLERY
During the year, Industrial Alcohol/ENA production was lower at 593
Lakh Litres as compared to 654 Lakh Litres during the previous year.
The Industrial Alcohol/ENA sales was at 598 Lakh Litres as compared to
642 Lakh Litres during the previous year.
BIO PRODUCTS
Bio Pesticides
The Bio-Pesticides Division registered revenue of Rs. 9,716 lakh in
2013-14 as compared to Rs. 7,321 lakh of previous year and accounting for
5% of the Company''s Revenue. The sale of Neemazal registered a growth
of 43% over 2012-13. Export sale of Neemazal technical registered a
growth of 22% over 2012-13 with US accounting for 64% of the sale
followed by Europe at 34% and Asian markets at 2%. Domestic sale of
Neemazal and Abda range of products along with micronutrients and
adjuvants registered a growth of 44% over 2012-13. PBIT for the year
was higher at Rs. 2,276 lakh against Rs. 1,557 lakh in 2012-13.
Production of Technical Aza was 15,221 Kgs, the highest ever in a year.
Nutraceuticals
The Nutraceuticals Division''s turnover was Rs. 6,930 lakh for the year
ended 31st March, 2014 representing 4% of the Company''s Revenue. About
80% of this represents exports.
Premium Organic Spirulina continues to outperform competition in its
segment and sales during the year had grown at 32% over the previous
year. With the stabilized Astaxanthin production process, the sales of
Astaxanthin in the form of Oleoresin grew by 159% over 2012-13. The
Company has exited from OTC / OTX product range during the year to
focus on its core ingredients business.
Detailed analysis of the business segments is provided in the
Management and Discussion analysis.
ACQUISITION OF ALIMTEC S.A
In April 2014, the Company has acquired 100% stake in Alimtec S.A.,
Chile, part of the Bayer Group. The acquisition is by way of purchase
of the stake from Bayer Finance and Portfolio Management S.A., and
Nunhems Chile S.A., subsidiaries of Bayer AG. With this acquisition,
the Company would ensure reliable sourcing of Astaxanthin for its
subsidiary, US Nutraceuticals LLC (Valensa). With Valensa''s strength in
developing Astaxanthin based formulations, this acquisition will
culminate in Value Creation for the Nutraceuticals business. The entire
production of Alimtec will be used by Valensa for its Astaxanthin
products catering to USA & Europe Markets.
DIVIDEND
Due to adverse performance of the Company, the Board has not
recommended any dividend for the year ended March 31, 2014.
SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT - MERGER OF SADASHIVA SUGARS LIMITED WITH
E.I.D.-PARRY (INDIA) LIMITED
Pursuant to the order of the High Court of Karnataka, the merger of
Sadashiva Sugars Limited, a wholly owned subsdiary, with E.I.D.- Parry
(India) Ltd. with appointed date of 1st April, 2013 has been completed
on 8th May, 2014. Sadashiva Sugars Limited is having a Sugar Plant
along with cogeneration in the Bagalkot District of Karnataka
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
Under the ''Employee Stock Option Scheme'' (''the Scheme'') of the Company
and based on the approval of the shareholders at the Annual General
Meeting held on 26th July, 2007 and subsequent amendments thereof, no
options were granted during the year ended 31st March, 2014. The
details of the Options granted up to 31st March, 2014 and other
disclosures as required under Clause 12 of the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (Employee Stock Option Scheme and Employee Stock
Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 are set out in the Annexure to this
Report.
The Company''s Statutory Auditors, M/s.Deloitte Haskins & Sells, have
certified that the Scheme had been implemented in accordance with the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Employee Stock Option Scheme
and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 and the
resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
CREDIT RATING
During the year, rating agency CRISIL has assigned Long term Debt
rating of "CRISIL AA-" (Stable) and reaffirmed "CRISIL A1 " rating for
its short term borrowing.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Company undertook a wide range of initiatives for the livelihood
enhancement and for health and hygiene awareness in the rural community
in which it operates. The Company also worked towards the preservation
of environment through various water and social conservation programs.
Towards utilising the scarce water resource, the Company promoted micro
irrigation systems like Drip, Sprinklers and Group Lift Irrigation
programs.
SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Coromandel International Limited
The Company achieved a revenue of Rs. 10,11,397 Lakh for the year ended
31st March, 2014 and the profit after tax was Rs. 36,494 Lakh. The
Company''s Board had recommended a dividend of Rs. 4.5/- per share (450%)
for the year ended 31st March, 2014.
Parrys Sugar Industries Limited
The Company recorded revenues of Rs. 17,253 Lakh for the 12 months period
ended 31st March, 2014. After providing for Depreciation, Interest and
Tax, the loss after tax was Rs. 3,604 Lakh.
Silkroad Sugar Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs. 1,715 Lakh. During the year ended 31st
March, 2014 the company made a loss before tax of Rs. 6,011 Lakh.
Parry Infrastructure Company Private Limited
During the year under review, the company earned an income of Rs. 2,209
Lakh with Profit before Tax of Rs. 320 Lakh. After providing for tax
provision, the Profit after Tax was Rs. 217 Lakh.
Parry America Inc.
Parry America Inc, a 100% subsidiary based in US, reported an income of
US$ 7,671 thousand for the year ended 31st March, 2014. The Profit
after Tax was US$ 342 thousand.
Parry Phytoremedies Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs. 1,272 Lakh. During the year ended 31st
March, 2014 the company made a loss before tax of Rs. 574 Lakh.
Parrys Sugar Limited
During the year ended 31st March 2014, the Company earned an income of
Rs. 14 lakh with profit after tax of Rs. 14 lakh.
Parrys Investments Limited
During the year ended 31st March, 2014, the Company earned an income of
Rs. 5 Lakh and the Profit after Tax was Rs. 4 Lakh.
US Nutraceuticals LLC
This overseas Subsidiary, during the year ended 31st March, 2014 earned
an income of US$ 20,770 thousand and the Profit after Tax was Rs. 820
thousand.
SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNTS
In terms of the direction under Section 212(8) of the Companies Act,
1956 vide General Circular No.2/2011, bearing No.51/12/2007- CL-III
dated 8-2-2011 issued by Government of India, Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, the Board of Directors have passed a Resolution according
consent to the Company for not attaching the financial statements in
respect of all the Subsidiary Companies for the year ended 31st March,
2014.
The annual accounts of the subsidiary companies and the related
detailed information will be made available to shareholders seeking
such information at any point of time. The annual accounts of the
subsidiary companies will also be available for inspection by any
shareholder in the Head Office of the Holding company and of the
subsidiary companies concerned during working hours upto the date of
the Annual General Meeting. A hard copy of details of accounts of
subsidiaries will be furnished to any shareholder on demand.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company
in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards (AS-21 and AS-
27) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and the
same together with Auditors'' Report thereon form part of the Annual
Report.
DIRECTORS
Mr.Anand Narain Bhatia Mr.M.B.N. Rao, Directors are liable to retire by
rotation and the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors
at their meeting held on 30th January, 2014 had appointed Mrs.Shyamala
Gopinath as an Additional Director of the Company. She will hold office
up to the ensuing Annual General Meeting, pursuant to Section 161 of
the Companies Act, 2013
During the year, the Board of Directors at their meeting held on 30th
January, 2014 have appointed Mr.V.Ramesh as an additional Director and
also the Managing Director of the Company for a period of 3 Years w.e.f
30th January, 2014. The Shareholders vide their resolution dated 24th
March 2014 passed through postal ballot have approved the appointment
of Mr.V.Ramesh as the Managing Director of the Company.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 149 of the Companies Act,
2013, the Company proposes to appoint Mr.Anand Narain Bhatia,
Mr.M.B.N.Rao, Mrs.Shyamala Gopinath and Mr.V.Manickam as Independent
Directors at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. As required under
clause 49 of the Listing Agreement a brief resume, expertise and
details of other directorships of Mr.Anand Narain Bhatia,
Mr.V.Manickam, Mr.M.B.N.Rao and Mrs.Shyamala Gopinath are provided in
the Corporate Governance Report.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreements with the Stock
Exchanges, a Management Discussion and Analysis Report, Corporate
Governance Report and Auditors'' Certificate regarding compliance of
conditions of Corporate Governance are made a part of the Annual
Report.
CEO/CFO CERTIFICATION
The Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer have given a
certificate to the Board as required under Clause 49 of the Listing
Agreement.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND
In terms of Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956 an amount of Rs.
48.94 lakh being unclaimed dividend of 2005-06 and Rs. 27.00 Lakh being
unclaimed dividend of 2006-07 (Interim) were transferred during the
year to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established by the
Central Government.
DEPOSITS
Other than the deposits that were transferred to the Investor Education
and Protection Fund, there were no other deposits due for repayment on
31st March, 2014. The Company had discontinued acceptance of deposits
since July 2003.
DIRECTORS'' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956 the Directors
confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief :
In the preparation of the Profit & Loss Account for the financial year
ended 31st March, 2014 and the Balance Sheet as at that date
("financial statements"), applicable Accounting Standards have been
followed;
Appropriate accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and such judgements and estimates that are reasonable and
prudent have been made so as to give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial year and of
the profit of the Company for that period;
Proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for
preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. To ensure
this, the Company has established internal control systems, consistent
with its size and nature of operations. In weighing the assurance
provided by any such system of internal controls its inherent
limitations should be recognised. These systems are reviewed and
updated on an ongoing basis. Periodic internal audits are conducted to
provide reasonable assurance of compliance with these systems. The
Audit Committee meets at regular intervals to review the internal audit
function;
Proper systems are in place to ensure compliance of all laws applicable
to the Company;
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
AUDITORS
M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai, the
Company''s Auditors, retire at the conclusion of the forthcoming Annual
General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has proposed
that M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai be
appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company for a period of
three years at the Annual General Meeting of the Company. The Auditors
have confirmed their willingness for reappointment as Auditors of the
Company and has provided the necessary certificates in compliance of
Section 139 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Audit
and Auditors) Rules, 2014.
COST AUDITOR
M/s Geeyes & Co, Cost Accountants, who were appointed as Cost Auditors
for the year ended 31st March, 2013 have filed the cost audit reports
pertaining to Sugar, Co-generation, Industrial Alcohol and neem based
pesticide with the Central Government. The Company has also filed the
necessary Compliance Report with Ministry of Corporate Affairs in Form
A as per The Companies (Cost Accounting Records Rules), 2011. The
Company received the approval of the Central Government for the
appointment of M/s. Geeyes & Co., Cost Accountants as Cost Auditors for
the Financial Year 2013-14.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
As required under the provisions of Section 217 (2A) of the Companies
Act, 1956 read with Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975 as
amended, the names and other particulars of employees are set out in
the Annexure to the Directors'' Report.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Directors thank the customers, suppliers, farmers, financial
institutions, banks and shareholders for their continued support and
also recognize the contribution made by the employees to the Company''s
progress during the year under review.
On behalf of the Board
Chennai A. VELLAYAN
May 15, 2014 Chairman
Mar 31, 2013
The Directors have pleasure in presenting their report together with
the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2013.
The performance highlights of the company for the year are summarized
below:
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Rs. in lakh
Particulars 2012-13 2011-12
Total Income 209,978 1,71,217
Profit Before Interest, 60,562 27,447
Depreciation and Tax
Less: Interest 13,668 6,443
Depreciation 10,787 7,397
Profit Before Tax 36,107 13,607
Less: Provision for Tax :
- Current 839 750
- MAT Credit entitlement (839) (750)
- Deferred 2,936 (125)
Profit After Tax 33,171 13,732
Add : Surplus brought forward 37,966 34,164
Amount available for 71,137 47,896
Appropriation
APPROPRIATIONS
Transfer to General Reserve 35,000 1,400
Transfer to Debenture 1,250 1,583
Redemption Reserve
Dividend on Equity Capital:
Interim dividend paid 10,431 6,947
Dividend Distribution Tax (Net) - -
Surplus carried to Balance 24,456 37,966
Sheet
TOTAL 71,137 47,896
PERFORMANCE
The Company posted an all-round improved performance with an impressive
top line growth and earnings reflecting the robustness of its corporate
strategy of creating multiple drivers of growth. This performance is
particularly noteworthy when viewed against the backdrop of the
extremely challenging business context resulting out of a regulated
regime.
This year''s performance includes Units of Haliyal and Sankili of Parrys
Sugar Industries Limited (PSIL), which were merged with the company as
a result of the Scheme of Demerger approved by the Courts.
The Company recorded revenue of Rs. 2,09,978 lakh (including other
income of Rs. 10,729 lakh) for the year ended 31st March, 2013 as
compared to Rs. 1,71,217 lakh in the previous year 2011-12.
Other income for the year was Rs. 10,729 lakh (excluding bonus
debenture of Rs. 26,573 lakh) as against Rs. 17,038 lakh in 2011-12.
The dividend income for the year was Rs. 32,182 lakh (including the
bonus debenture of Rs. 26,573 lakh) against Rs. 12,561 lakh in 2011-12.
Interest income earned during the year was Rs. 3,347 lakh as against
Rs. 2,247 lakh in 2011-12.
The Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization for
the year was Rs. 60,562 lakh representing 30% of total sales as against
previous year''s Rs. 27,447 lakh. Performance of sugar by-product
division namely distillery and dividend income received have
contributed towards EBIDTA during the year.
Sugar division''s sales increased from Rs. 1,43,782 lakh in 2011-12 to
Rs. 1,87,888 Lakh in 2012-13 driven by increased Sugar and Alcohol
sales.
Bio Pesticides division''s sales has marginally reduced to Rs. 7,321
Lakh as against Rs. 7,628 Lakh in 2011-12.
Nutraceuticals division''s sale has increased to Rs. 5,731 Lakh as
against Rs. 4,359 Lakh in 2011-12.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
SUGAR
The Company, along with its subsidiaries, has nine sugar plants spread
across South India of which four are in Tamil Nadu, one in Puducherry,
three in Karnataka and one in Andhra Pradesh. The company has a
sugarcane crushing capacity of 34,750 TCD and cogeneration capacity of
146 MW across its sugar mills. The integrated sugar units have been
designed to optimize process efficiencies, increase sugarcane recovery
ratio, and increase energy efficiency through reduced steam and power
consumption. The company during the year focused on removal of
bottlenecks and improving process efficiencies.
The Company crushed 65 lakh MT of sugar cane during the financial year
2012-13. The recovery of sugar from sugar cane was at 9.23% as against
9.04% in the previous year owing to better quality of sugarcane crop
and the integration of Haliyal & Sankili units following the demerger
from PSIL. The Company produced 6,01,381 MT of sugar and 3,21,891 MT of
molasses during the financial year 2012-13. This was possible due to
increased usage of mechanical harvesters thereby reducing the
dependence on manual labour, encouraging farmers to plant High Yielding
Varieties of sugar cane, increased area under drip irrigation, soil
fertility improvement activities etc.
The company sold 4,95,218 MT of Sugar as against 4,04,841 MT during the
previous year. The company also sold 1,10,902 MT of Molasses as against
90,373 MT in the previous year.
POWER
The operations of power generation were smooth across all of the six
cogen plants. While most of the power generated was continued to be
used captively to run the plants, the surplus power was sold to TNEB
and other merchant power purchasers.
Power generation was higher at 6,534 MW as compared to 5,243 MW in the
previous year (including Haliyal and Sankili). The company exported
4,100 MW of power during the year as against 3,427 MW in the previous
year.
DISTILLERY
During the year, Industrial Alcohol/ENA production was higher at 654
Lakh Litres as compared to 398 Lakh Litres during the previous year,
resulting in an increase of over 64% over the previous year on account
of greater efficiencies of production in Sivaganga distillery as well
as the integration of Haliyal and Sankili units into EID''s sugar
division.
BIO PRODUCTS
Bio Pesticides
The Bio-Pesticides Division registered revenue of Rs. 7,321 lakh in
2012-13 as compared to Rs. 7,628 lakh of previous year and accounting
for 4% of the Company''s Revenue. The drop in turnover was due to lower
sales in domestic market largely due to the weak agro climatic factors
that prevailed during the year in our key markets. PBIT for the year
was however higher at Rs. 1,557 lakh against Rs. 1,305 lakh in 2011-12.
Sale of Technical to USA achieved an impressive growth of 25% over
previous year. Production of Technical Aza was 10,141 Kgs, the highest
ever in a year.
Nutraceuticals
The Nutraceuticals Division''s turnover was Rs. 5,731 lakh for the year
ended 31st March, 2013 representing 3% of the Company''s Revenue. About
76% of this represents exports.
Premium Organic Spirulina continues to outperform competition in its
segment and sales during the year had grown at 41% over the previous
year. During the year, the company has successfully stabilized the
production process of Astaxanthin, a carotenoid extracted from
Haematococcus pluvialis, a micro algae, by producing 5,135 kgs of
biomass (1.5% Carotenoid equivalent). The company is pursuing the
ethical marketing route in the domestic market for creating awareness
and acceptance of the OTC products, considering that the use of
Nutraceutical products still depend on doctor''s endorsement.
DIVIDEND
During the year, the Company had paid 600% interim dividend (Rs. 6 per
equity share of Rs. 1 each) in February, 2013. The Board has not
recommended final dividend for the year ended March 31, 2013.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
ACQUISITION OF EQUITY SHARES FROM CARGILL ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS PTE
LIMITED IN SILKROAD SUGAR PRIVATE LIMITED
The Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Cargill Asia
Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd and Silkroad Sugar Private Limited and
purchased 5,69,77,800 equity shares of Rs. 10/- each from Cargill Asia
Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd. Consequent to the above purchase of equity
shares, the Company''s holding in Silkroad Sugar Private Limited has
increased to 99% and has become Company''s subsidiary.
SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT - MERGER OF DEMERGED SUGAR UNDERTAKINGS OF PARRYS
SUGAR INDUSTRIES LIMITED INTO E.I.D.-PARRY (INDIA) LIMITED
Pursuant to the scheme of approval by the High Courts of Karnataka and
Madras, two units of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited (PSIL) namely
Haliyal unit and Sankili unit got merged with E.I.D.-Parry (India)
Limited with effect from 1st April, 2012.
The Company has allotted 18,38,578 equity shares to the equity
shareholders of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited pursuant to the Scheme
of Arrangement (Demerger) during the financial year and the Equity
Shares are listed and traded both in National Stock Exchange of India
Limited (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange Limited (BSE).
INVESTMENTS
During the financial year, the Company had invested an amount ofRs. 50
Crore in the Equity Share Capital of Sadashiva Sugars Limited, a wholly
owned subsidiary, by converting a part of unsecured loan into equity
shares.
During the financial year, the Company had also invested an amount
ofRs. 15 Crore in 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preference Shares of Rs.
10/- each of Parrys Sugar Industries Limited by converting a part of
unsecured loan.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
Linder the ''Employee Stock Option Scheme'' (''the Scheme'') of the Company
and based on the approval of the shareholders at the Annual General
Meeting held on 26th July, 2007 and subsequent amendments thereof, the
Company had not granted any options during the year ended 31st March,
2013. The details of the Options granted up to 31st March, 2013 and
other disclosures as required under Clause 12 of the Securities and
Exchange Board of India (Employee Stock Option Scheme and Employee
Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 are set out in the Annexure to
this Report.
The Company''s Statutory Auditors, M/s.Deloitte Haskins & Sells, have
certified that the Scheme had been implemented in accordance with the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Employee Stock Option Scheme
and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 and the
resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
CREDIT RATING
During the year, rating agency CRISIL has assigned Long term Debt
rating of "AA" (High Safety) with negative outlook. The Company
continued to enjoy A1 rating for short term borrowing.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Company undertook a wide range of initiatives for the livelihood
enhancement and for health and hygiene awareness in the rural community
in which it operates. The Company also worked towards the preservation
of environment through various water and social conservation programs.
Towards utilising the scarce water resource, the Company promoted micro
irrigation systems like Drip, Sprinklers and Group Lift Irrigation
programs.
SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Coromandel International Limited
Coromandel achieved a revenue of Rs. 8,62,727 lakh for the year ended
31st March, 2013 and the profit after tax was Rs. 44,399 lakh. The
Company''s Board had recommended a dividend ofRs. 4.50 per share (450%)
for the year ended 31st March, 2013.
Parrys Sugar Industries Limited
The Company recorded revenues of Rs. 10,084 lakh for the 12 months
period ended 31st March, 2013. After providing for Depreciation,
Interest and Tax, the loss after tax was Rs. 1,293 lakh.
Sadashiva Sugars Limited
The Company recorded revenues of Rs. 12,206 lakh for the year ended
31st March, 2013. The Profit before finance costs and exceptional items
amounted to Rs. 87 lakh. Net loss for the period was Rs. 3,004 lakh.
Silkroad Sugar Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs. 311 lakh. During the year ended 31st
March, 2013 the company made a loss before tax ofRs. 6,580 lakh.
Parry Infrastructure Company Private Limited
During the year under review the company earned an income of Rs. 6,474
lakh with Profit Before Tax of Rs. 521 lakh. After providing for tax
provision, the Profit after Tax was Rs. 368 lakh.
Parry America Inc.
Parry America Inc, the 100% subsidiary based in US, reported an income
of US$ 7,537 thousand for the year ended 31st March, 2013. The Profit
after Tax was US$ 361 thousand.
Parry Phytoremedies Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs. 519 lakh. During the year ended 31st
March, 2013 the company made a loss before tax ofRs. 375 Lakh.
Parrys Sugar Limited
The Company during the year ended 31st March 2013, earned an income of
Rs. 14 lakh with profit after tax of Rs. 14 lakh.
Parrys Investments Limited
During the year ended 31st March, 2013 the Company earned an income of
Rs. 3 lakh and the Profit after Tax was Rs. 2 lakh.
US Nutraceuticals LLC
This overseas Subsidiary, during the year ended 31st March, 2013 earned
an income of US$ 15,969 thousand and the Profit after Tax was US$ 55
thousand.
SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNTS
In terms of the direction under Section 212(8) of the Companies Act,
1956 vide General Circular No.2/2011, bearing No.51/12/2007-CL-lll
dated 8-2-2011 issued by Government of India, Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, the Board of Directors have passed a Resolution according
consent to the Company for not attaching the financial statements in
respect of all the Subsidiary Companies for the year ended 31st March,
2013.
The annual accounts of the subsidiary companies and the related
detailed information will be made available to shareholders of the
holding and subsidiary companies seeking such information at any point
of time. The annual accounts of the subsidiary companies will also be
available for inspection by any shareholder in the Head Office of the
holding company and of the subsidiary companies concerned during
working hours upto the date of the Annual General Meeting. A hard copy
of details of accounts of subsidiaries will be furnished to any
shareholder on demand.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company
in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards (AS-21, AS-23
and AS - 27) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
and the same together with Auditors'' Report thereon form part of the
Annual Report.
DIRECTORS
Mr. A. Vellayan, Director is liable to retire by rotation in terms of
Articles 102 and 103 of the Articles of Association of the Company and
being eligible, offer himself for re-appointment. Mr. R A Savoor,
Director liable to retire by rotation at the ensuing Annual General
Meeting has opted not to seek re appointment.
Mr. Ravindra S Singhvi, Managing Director, resigned from the Board with
effect from 10th April, 2013. The Board places on record its grateful
appreciation for the valuable services rendered and contributions made
by him.
Mr. V. Manickam who resigned from the Board pursuant to LIC withdrawing
their nomination, joined the Board on 30th January, 2013 as an
Independent Director and will hold office till the ensuing Annual
General Meeting. The Company had received notice from a member
proposing the appointment of Mr. V. Manickam as a Director of the
Company.
As required under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement relating to
Corporate Governance, a brief resume, expertise and details of other
directorships of Mr. A. Vellayan and Mr. V. Manickam, Directors are
provided in the Notice of the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreements with the Stock
Exchanges, a Management Discussion and Analysis Report, Corporate
Governance Report and Auditors'' Certificate regarding compliance of
conditions of Corporate Governance are made a part of the Annual
Report.
CEO/CFO CERTIFICATION
Mr. P. Gopalakrishnan, Manager appointed under Companies Act, 1956 &
Vice President (Finance), has given a certificate to the Board as
contemplated in Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND
In terms of Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956 an amount ofRs.
20.74 lakh being unclaimed dividend of 2004-05 was transferred during
the year to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established by
the Central Government.
DEPOSITS
Other than the deposits that were transferred to the Investor Education
and Protection Fund, there were no other deposits due for repayment on
or before 31st March, 2013. The Company had discontinued acceptance of
deposits since July 2003.
DIRECTORS'' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956 the Directors
confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief:
- In the preparation of the Profit & Loss Account for the financial
year ended 31st March, 2013 and the Balance Sheet as at that date
("financial statements"), applicable Accounting Standards have been
followed;
- Appropriate accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and such judgements and estimates that are reasonable and
prudent have been made so as to give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial year and of
the profit of the Company for that period;
- Proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for
preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. To ensure
this, the Company has established internal control systems, consistent
with its size and nature of operations. In weighing the assurance
provided by any such system of internal controls its inherent
limitations should be recognised. These systems are reviewed and
updated on an ongoing basis. Periodic internal audits are conducted to
provide reasonable assurance of compliance with these systems. The
Audit Committee meets at regular intervals to review the internal audit
function;
- Proper systems are in place to ensure compliance of all laws
applicable to the Company;
- The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis.
AUDITORS
M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai, the
Company''s Auditors, retire at the conclusion of the forthcoming Annual
General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has proposed
that M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai be
re-appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company and to hold
office till the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the
Company. M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai
have forwarded their certificate to the Company, stating that their
re-appointment, if made, will be within the limit specified in that
behalf in Sub- section (IB) of Section 224 of the Companies Act, 1956.
COST AUDITOR
Mr. D Narayanan, Cost Accountant, who was appointed as Cost Auditor for
the year ended 31st March, 2012 has filed the following cost audit
reports to Central Government
SI. Product Due date of Actual date
No. filing cost of filing cost
audit report audit report
1. Sugar 28.02.2013 31.01.2013
2. Cogeneration 28.02.2013 31.01.2013
3. Industrial 28.02.2013 31.01.2013
Alcohol
4. Neem based 28.02.2013 31.01.2013
Pesticide
*As per Central Government Circular No.2/2013 dated January 31,2013,
Ministry of Corporate Affairs has extended the time limit for filing of
Cost Audit Report for the financial year ended 31.03.2012 upto 28th
February, 2013 or 180 days from the close of Company''s financial year
whichever is later.
The Company had filed the Compliance Report with Ministry of Corporate
Affairs in Form A on 31st January, 2013 within the due date of 28th
February, 2013 as per The Companies (Cost Accounting Records Rules),
2011.
The Company received the approval of the Central Government for
appointment of M/s Geeyes & Co., Cost Accountants as Cost Auditors for
the financial year 2012- 2013.
SECRETARIAL AUDIT REPORT
As a measure of good corporate Governance practice, the Company
appointed M/s. R. Sridharan & Associates, Prac- tising Company
Secretaries, to conduct Secretarial Audit.
For the year ended 31st March, 2013 M/s. R. Sridharan & Associates,
Practising Company Secretaries has conducted the secretarial audit and
the report has been reviewed by the Board.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
Under the provisions of Section 217 (2A) of the Companies Act, 1956
read with Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975 as amended,
the names and other particulars of employees are set out in the
Annexure to the Directors'' Report.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. When used in this Report, the words "anticipate",
"believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "will", and other similar
expressions as they relate to the Company and/or its businesses are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Actual results, performances or
achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in
such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as
of their dates. This report should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements included herein and the notes thereto.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Directors thank the customers, suppliers, farmers, financial
institutions, banks and shareholders for their continued support and
also recognize the contribution made by the employees to the Company''s
progress during the year under review.
On behalf of the Board
Chennai A. VELLAYAN
April 30, 2013 Chairman
Mar 31, 2012
The Directors have pleasure in presenting their Report together with
the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2012.
The performance highlights of the Company for the year are summarized
below:
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Rs.Lakhs
2011-12 2010-11
Total Income 171,217 143,840
Profit Before Interest,
27,447 18,927
Depreciation and Tax
Less : Interest 6,443 4,817
Depreciation 7,397 7,370
Profit Before Tax 13,607 6,740
Less: Provision for Tax :
- Current 750 -
- MAT Credit entitlement (750) -
- Deferred (125) (1,186)
Profit After Tax 13,732 7,926
Add : Surplus
brought forward 34,164 30,680
Amount available for
47,896 38,606
Appropriation
APPROPRIATIONS
Transfer to General Reserve 1,400 800
Transfer to Debenture
1,583 750
Redemption Reserve
Dividend on Equity Capital :
Interim paid 6,947 3,466
Dividend Distribution Tax
(Met) - (574)
Surplus carried to Balance 37,966 34,164
Sheet ' '
TOTAL 47,896 38,606
PERFORMANCE
The Company posted an all-round improved performance with an impressive
top line growth and earnings reflecting the robustness of its corporate
strategy of creating multiple drivers of growth. This performance is
particularly noteworthy when viewed against the backdrop of the
extremely challenging business context resulting out of a regulated
regime.
The Company recorded revenue of Rs. 171,217 Lakhs (including other
income of Rs. 17,552 Lakhs) for the year ended 31st March, 2012. The
total income of the company for the year 2011-12 grew by 19% to Rs.
171,217 Lakhs from Rs.143,840 Lakhs in the year 2010-11.
Other income for the year was Rs.17,552 Lakhs as against Rs. 16,699
Lakhs in 2010-11 which includes dividend income of Rs.12,561 Lakhs
against Rs. 11,431 Lakhs in 2010-11. Interest income earned during the
year was Rs. 2,247 Lakhs as against Rs. 1,689 Lakhs in 2010-11.
The Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization for
the year was Rs. 27,447 Lakhs representing 18 % of total sales and
showed a 45% rise over previous year's Rs. 18,927 Lakhs (including
Profit on Sale of Investments of Rs. 2,214 Lakhs). Better performance
of Bio Pesticides, other value added products of Sugar such as
Cogeneration and Distillery and dividend income received have
contributed towards EBIDTA during the year.
Sugar division's sales increased from Rs. 118,889 Lakhs in 2010-11 to
Rs. 144,771 Lakhs in 2011-12 driven by increased Sugar and Alcohol
sales.
Bio Pesticides division's sales has increased by 31% to Rs. 7,666 Lakhs
as against Rs. 5,833 Lakhs in 2010-11.
Nutraceuticals division's sale has marginally reduced to Rs. 4,359
Lakhs as against Rs. 4,393 Lakhs in 2010-11.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS SUGAR
The Company has nine sugar plants spread across South India of which
four are in Tamil Nadu, one in Puducherry, and through its
subsidiaries, three in Karnataka and one in Andhra Pradesh. The Company
has increased its throughput sugarcane capacity to 34,750 TCD and
cogeneration capacity to 146 MW across its sugar mills. The integrated
Sugar Units have been designed to optimize process efficiencies,
increase sugarcane recovery ratio, and increase energy efficiency
through reduced steam and power consumption. The company during the
year focused on removal of bottlenecks, improving process efficiencies,
sugarcane recovery ratio and increasing energy efficiency through
reduced steam and power consumption.
The Company crushed 48.02 LMT of sugar cane during the year 2011 - 12
and processed 3,818 MT of raw sugar. The recovery of sugar from sugar
cane was at 9.04% as against 8.90% in the previous year owing to better
quality of sugarcane crop and certain other favorable factors. The
Company produced 434,107 MT Sugar from Sugarcane, 3,484 MT Sugar from
raw sugar and 246,439
MT Molasses during the financial year 2011 - 12. This was possible due
to increased usage of mechanical harvesters thereby reducing the
dependence on manual labour, encouraging farmers to plant High Yielding
Varieties of sugar cane, increased area under drip irrigation, soil
fertility improvement activities etc.
The company sold 404,841 MT of Sugar as against 335,760 MT during the
previous year, registering an increase of 21%. The Company also sold
90,373 MT of Molasses as against 32,035 MT in the previous year,
registering an increase of 182%.
POWER
The operations of power generation were smooth in all of the four cogen
plants. While most of the power generated by us continued to be used
actively to run the plants, the surplus power was sold to TNEB.
Power generation was higher at 5,243 MW as compared to 4,474 MW in the
previous year recording a growth of 17% largely due to higher quantum
of bagasse available from the crushing of sugarcane. The Company
exported 3,427 MW of power during the year as against 3,147 MW in the
previous year reporting an increase of 8.89%.
DISTILLERY
During the year, Industrial Alcohol/ENA production was higher at 398
Lakh Litres as compared to 275 Lakh Litres during the previous year,
resulting in an increase of over 45% over the previous year.
BIO PRODUCTS Bio Pesticides
The Bio-Pesticides Division registered revenue of Rs. 7,666 Lakhs in
2011-12 as compared to Rs. 5,833 Lakhs of previous year and accounting
for 5% of the Company's Revenue. PBIT for the year was Rs. 1,305 Lakhs
against Rs. 1,151 Lakhs in 2010-11.
Nutraceuticals
The Nutraceuticals division's turnover was Rs. 4,359 Lakhs for the year
ended 31st March, 2012 representing 3% of the Company's Revenue. About
78% of this represents exports.
Your company is planning to leverage the Parry brand into the wellness
sector in the Indian Nutraceutical market by launching a range of OTC
products under the Parry brand addressing various health concerns. The
products will cover preventive as well as health specific management
segments. Changing lifestyles and increasing health concerns of an
ageing population, offer an emerging opportunity for the business. Your
company has added two new products during the year viz., "GreenT6" and
"Rejuveneyes" to its existing portfolio of Spirulina, Pro9, Pro9D and
NBC9.
DIVIDEND
During the year, the Company had already paid an interim dividend of
Rs. 4 (400 %) per equity share of Re.1 each in March, 2012. The Board
has not recommended final dividend for the year ended March 31, 2012.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
INVESTMENT IN US NUTRACEUTICALS LLC
During the year, the company acquired 100% voting rights in its
subsidiary company, US Nutraceuticals LLC (doing business as Valensa
International), Florida, USA. Valensa International is a leading
science-based developer and provider of high quality botanically
sourced products for nutritional supplements and functional foods and
has launched health condition specific formulations including for eye
and joint health. This increase in holding provides the platform for
your company to move up the value chain by manufacturing value added
formulations from its ingredients, apart from cross selling
opportunities in the US and in the rest of the world for both your
company and Valensa.
APPROVAL OF SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT - MERGER OF DEMERGED SUGAR
UNDERTAKINGS OF PARRYS SUGAR INDUSTRIES LIMITED INTO E.I.D.-PARRY
(INDIA) LIMITED
The Board of Directors at their meeting held on April 25, 2012 have
approved a Scheme of Arrangement (Demerger) between the Company and
Parrys Sugar Industries Limited (PSIL), a subsidiary of the Company,
under Sections 391 to 394 of the Companies Act, 1956 pursuant to which
the Sankili and Haliyal undertakings of PSIL would be merged into the
Company with effect from 1st April, 2012. This is subject to the
approval of the shareholders and various other statutory and regulatory
approvals.
Upon this Scheme becoming effective, the Company shall issue equity
shares of the Company to the shareholders of PSIL in the ratio of 5
(Five) equity shares of Re. 1/- each fully paid for every 19 (Nineteen)
equity Shares of Rs.10/- each fully paid, held by them in PSIL.
DELISTING FROM MADRAS STOCK EXCHANGE (MSE)
During the year ended March 31, 2010, in accordance with the provisions
of SEBI(Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2009, the Company had
made an application to the Madras Stock Exchange for voluntary
delisting of its Equity Shares. Madras Stock Exchange vide its letter
dated April 4, 2012, informed of their decision to delist the company's
shares from their Stock Exchange.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
Under the 'Employee Stock Option Scheme' ('the Scheme') of the Company
and based on the approval of the shareholders at the Annual General
Meeting held on 26th July, 2007, the Company had granted 285,900
Options during the year ended 31st March, 2012. The details of the
Options granted up to 31st March, 2012, and other disclosures as
required under Clause 12 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Employee Stock Option Scheme and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme)
Guidelines, 1999, are set out in the Annexure to this Report.
The Company's Statutory Auditors, Messrs. Deloitte Haskins & Sells,
have certified that the Scheme had been implemented in accordance with
the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Employee Stock Option
Scheme and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 and the
resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
CREDIT RATING
The Company continues to have "AA" rating from CRISIL for its various
debt placements signifying Stable Outlook.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Company undertook a wide range of initiatives for the livelihood
enhancement and for health and hygiene awareness in the rural
community. The Company also worked towards the preservation of
environment through various water and social conservation programs.
Towards utilizing the scarce water resource, the Company promoted micro
irrigation systems like Drip, Sprinklers and Group Lift Irrigation
programs.
During the month of December'11, cyclone "Thane" struck parts of Tamil
Nadu causing loss of property and crops. With the aid of cane teams,
farmers were met and assistance was provided to them through food and
other facilities. All their priorities were identified and steps were
taken to bring the farming fraternity to normalcy at the earliest
possible time.
SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Coromandel International Limited
Coromandel achieved a turnover of Rs. 982327 Lakhs for the year ended
31st March, 2012 and the profit after tax was Rs.69327 Lakhs. The
Company's Board had recommended a final dividend of Rs. 3 per share
(300 %) for the year. With the interim dividend of Rs. 4 per share
(400%) paid in 2012, the total dividend to be paid by Coromandel for
the year ended 31st March, 2012 is Rs.7 per share. (700%)
Parrys Sugar Industries Limited
The company recorded a revenue of Rs. 59452 Lakhs for the 12 months
period ended 31st March, 2012. After providing for Depreciation,
Interest and Tax, the loss after tax was Rs.3343 Lakhs.
Sadashiva Sugars Limited
The Company recorded a revenue of Rs. 17580 Lakhs for the year ended
31st March, 2012. The Profit before Depreciation, Interest and Tax
amounted to Rs. 1620 Lakhs. After providing for depreciation, interest
and tax, the loss after tax was Rs. 2214 Lakhs.
Parry Infrastructure Company Private Limited
During the year under review the company earned an income of Rs. 5,721
Lakhs. After providing for interest, finance cost and other expenditure
amounting to Rs. 5,387 Lakhs, the Profit Before Tax was Rs.334 Lakhs.
After providing for tax provision of Rs. 108 Lakhs, the Profit after
Tax was Rs. 226 Lakhs. With the brought forward amount of Rs. 89 lakhs,
Rs. 315 Lakhs is carried to Balance sheet.
Parry America Inc.
Parry America Inc, the 100% subsidiary based in US, reported an income
of US$ 6363 thousands for the year ended 31st March, 2012. The Profit
After Tax was US$ 247 thousands. Including the carried forward profit
of US$ 521 thousands for the previous year, the profit carried forward
for the year was US$ 768 thousands.
Parry Phytoremedies Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs. 392 Lakhs. During the year ended 31st
March, 2012 the company made a loss before tax of Rs. 299 Lakhs.
Parrys Sugar Limited
The Company during the year ended 31st March, 2012 earned an income of
Rs. 16 Lakhs. After providing for tax of Rs. 4 Lakhs, the Profit after
Tax was Rs. 12 Lakhs. With the brought forward amount of Rs. 45 Lakhs,
Rs. 57 Lakhs is carried to Balance sheet.
Parrys Investments Limited
During the year ended 31st March, 2012 the company earned an income of
Rs. 3 Lakhs and the Profit after Tax was Rs. 2 Lakhs.
US Nutraceuticals LLC
This overseas Subsidiary, during the year ended 31st March, 2012 earned
an income of US$ 15,364 thousands and the Loss after Tax was US$ 677
thousands.
SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNTS
In terms of the direction under Section 212(8) of the Companies Act,
1956 vide General Circular No.2/2011, bearing No.51/12/2007-CL-III
dated 8-2-2011 issued by Government of India, Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, the Board of Directors have passed a Resolution according
consent to the Company for not attaching the financial statements in
respect of all the Subsidiary Companies for the year ended 31st March,
2012.
The annual accounts of the subsidiary companies and the related
detailed information will be made available to shareholders of the
holding and subsidiary companies seeking such information at any point
of time. The annual accounts of the subsidiary companies will also be
available for inspection by any shareholders in the head office of the
holding company and of the subsidiary companies concerned during
working hours up to the date of the Annual General Meeting. A hard copy
of details of accounts of subsidiaries will be furnished to any
shareholder on demand.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company
in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards (AS-21, AS-23
and AS-27) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
and the same together with Auditors' Report thereon form part of the
Annual Report.
DIRECTORS
Mr. V Ravichandran, Mr. M B N Rao and Mr. V Manickam, Directors retire
by rotation in terms of Articles 102 and 103 of the Articles of
Association of the Company and being eligible, offer themselves for
re-appointment. As required under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement
relating to Corporate Governance, a brief resume, expertise and details
of other directorships of Mr. V Ravichandran, Mr. M B N Rao and Mr. V.
Manickam are provided in the Notice of the ensuing Annual General
Meeting.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreements with the Stock
Exchanges, a Management Discussion and Analysis Report, Corporate
Governance Report and Auditors' Certificate regarding compliance of
conditions of Corporate Governance are made a part of the Annual
Report.
CEO/CFO CERTIFICATION
Mr. Ravindra S. Singhvi, Managing Director and Mr. P. Gopalakrishnan,
Vice President (Finance), have given a certificate to the Board as
contemplated in Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND
In terms of Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956, an amount of Rs.
9.39 Lakhs being unclaimed dividend, interest on fixed deposit etc. was
transferred during the year to the Investor Education and Protection
Fund established by the Central Government.
DEPOSITS
Other than the deposits that were transferred to the Investor Education
and Protection Fund, there were no other deposits due for repayment on
or before 31st March, 2012. The Company had discontinued acceptance of
deposits since July 2003.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956, the Directors
confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief :
- In the preparation of the Profit & Loss Account for the financial
year ended 31st March, 2012 and the Balance Sheet as at that date
("financial statements"), applicable Accounting Standards have been
followed;
- Appropriate accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and such judgments and estimates that are reasonable and
prudent have been made so as to give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial year and of
the profit of the Company for that period;
- Proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for
preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. To ensure
this, the Company has established internal control systems, consistent
with its size and nature of operations. In weighing the assurance
provided by any such system of internal controls its inherent
limitations should be recognized. These systems are reviewed and
updated on an ongoing basis. Periodic internal audits are conducted to
provide reasonable assurance of compliance with these systems. The
Audit Committee meets at regular intervals to review the internal audit
function;
- Proper systems are in place to ensure compliance of all laws
applicable to the Company;
- The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis.
AUDITORS
M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai, the
Company's Auditors, retire at the conclusion of the forthcoming Annual
General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has proposed
that M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai be
re-appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company and to hold
office till the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the
Company. M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai
have forwarded their certificate to the Company, stating that their re-
appointment, if made, will be within the limit specified in that behalf
in Sub-section (1B) of Section 224 of the Companies Act, 1956.
COST AUDITOR
Mr.D.Narayanan, Cost Accountant who was appointed as Cost Auditor for
the year ended 31st March, 2011 has filed the following cost audit
reports to the Government.
Sl. Product Due date of Actual date of
No. filing cost filing cost audit
audit report report
1. Sugar 30.09.2011 21.09.2011
2. Industrial 21.09.2011 &
30.09.2011
Alcohol 23.09.2011
3. Neem based 30.09.2011 26.09.2011
Pesticide
The Company received the approval of the Central Government for
appointment of Mr.D.Narayanan as Cost Auditor to conduct the cost
audits for the financial year 2011-12.
M/s. Geeyes & Co., Cost Accountants have been appointed as Cost Auditor
to conduct cost audit relating to Sugar, Cogeneration Plants,
Industrial Alcohol and Neem based Pesticide for the year ending 31st
March, 2013.
SECRETARIAL AUDIT REPORT
As a measure of good corporate Governance practice, the Company
appointed M/s. R. Sridharan & Associates, Practicing Company
Secretaries, to conduct Secretarial Audit.
For the year ended 31st March, 2012 M/s. R. Sridharan & Associates,
Practicing Company Secretaries have conducted the secretarial audit and
the report has been reviewed by the Board.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
Under the provisions of Section 217 (2A) of the Companies Act, 1956
read with Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975 as amended,
the names and other particulars of employees are set out in the
Annexure to the Directors' Report.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. When used in this Report, the words "anticipate",
"believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "will" and other similar
expressions as they relate to the Company and/or its businesses are
intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Actual results, performances or
achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in
such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on these forward-looking statement that speak only as of
their dates. This report should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements included herein and the notes thereto.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Directors thank the customers, suppliers, farmers, financial
institutions, banks and shareholders for their continued support and
also recognize the contribution made by the employees to the Company's
progress during the year under review.
On behalf of the Board
Chennai A. VELLAYAN
April 25, 2012 Chairman
Mar 31, 2011
The Directors have pleasure in presenting their Report together with
the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2011.
The performance highlights of the Company for the year are summarised
below:
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Rs. Lakhs
2010-11 2009-10
Total Income 143550 129682
Profit Before Interest, Depreciation and Tax 18353 35536
Less : Interest 4243 3857
Depreciation 7370 6933
Profit Before Tax 6740 24746
Less: Provision for Tax :
- Current (Net of MAT Credit) - 2600
- Deferred (1186) 2987
- MAT Credit entitlement - (1369)
Profit After Tax 7926 20528
Add : Surplus brought forward 30680 59180
Amount available for Appropriation 38606 79708
APPROPRIATIONS
Transfer to General Reserve 800 40000
Transfer to Debenture Redemption Reserve 750 417
Dividend on Equity Capital :
Interim paid 3466 5181
Proposed Final - 3454
Dividend Distribution Tax (Net) (574) (24)
Surplus carried to Balance Sheet 34164 30680
TOTAL 38606 79708
PERFORMANCE
The Company recorded a revenue of Rs. 143550 Lakhs (including other
income of Rs. 17981 Lakhs) for the year ended 31st March, 2011. Other
income includes Rs. 2214 Lakhs (2009-10 Ã Rs. 798 Lakhs) of profit on
sale of investments. The total gross sales of the company for the year
2010-11 grew by 9 % to Rs. 129115 Lakhs from Rs.118576 Lakhs in the
year 2009-10.
Other income for the year was Rs. 17981 Lakhs as against Rs. 14950
Lakhs in 2009-10 which includes income from sale of balance 3% stake in
Roca Bathroom Products Pvt. Ltd. (formerly Parryware Roca Pvt. Ltd) -
Rs. 2214 Lakhs, dividend income of Rs. 11431 Lakhs against Rs. 10017
Lakhs in the year 2009-10. Interest income earned during the year was
Rs. 1689 Lakhs as against Rs. 772 Lakhs in the year 2009-10. The
Earnings Before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortisation (EBIDTA)
for the year was Rs. 16139
Lakhs (excluding Profit on Sale of Investments of Rs. 2214 Lakhs)
representing 13% of total sales and showed a dip of 53.54% over
previous years EBIDTA of Rs. 34738 Lakhs (excluding Profit on Sale of
Investments of Rs. 798 Lakhs). Losses of Sugar segment was the main
contributor to above dip in EBIDTA.
However, better performance of Bio pesticides, Nutraceuticals, other
value added products of Sugar such as Co-generation and Distillery and
dividend income received have contributed towards positive side of
EBIDTA during the year. Sugar divisions sales increased from Rs.
108887 Lakhs in the year 2009-10 to Rs. 115901 Lakhs in the year
2010-11 mainly driven by increased Power export and Alcohol sales.
Bio Pesticides divisions sales has increased by 63% to Rs. 5832 Lakhs
as against sales during 2009-10. Nutraceuticals divisions sales has
increased by 17% to Rs. 4393 Lakhs as against sales during 2009-10.
SUGAR
The sugar industry is one of the largest agro based industries,
supporting Indias economic growth.
The Company has nine sugar plants spread across Southern India of which
four are in Tamil Nadu, one in Puducherry, and through its
subsidiaries, three in Karnataka and one in Andhra Pradesh.
The Company has increased the throughput sugarcane capacity to 32500
TCD and co-generation capacity to 146 MW across its sugar mills. The
integrated Sugar Units have been designed to optimise process
efficiencies, increase sugarcane recovery ratio, and increase energy
efficiency through reduced steam and power consumption.
INVESTMENT In PARRYS SUGAR INDUSTRIES LIMITED (PREVIOUSLY Known As M/s
GMR INDUSTRIES LTD.)
As part of the growth strategy for the Sugar business, the company
acquired 65% equity stake in the equity capital of M/s Parrys Sugar
Industries Ltd. (PSIL) (previously known as M/s GMR Industries Ltd.)
after complying with all formalities relating to open offer under SEBI
(Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations 1997 to
the shareholders of PSIL.
JOINT VENTURE WITH CARGILL ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS PTE LIMITED
During the financial year ended 31st March 2011, the Joint Venture
entity viz. Silkroad Sugar Private Ltd., commenced commercial
production. However, supply of gas is an area of concern and maximum
efforts are put in for ensuring continuous supply of gas. With a
capacity of 2000 tons of refined sugar production per day and with a 35
MW Co-generation Plant, this refinery will be the largest in the South
Asian region.
BIO-PRODUCTS
bio-Pesticides
The Bio-Pesticides Division registered revenue of Rs. 5839 Lakhs in the
year 2010-11 as compared to Rs. 3626 Lakhs in the previous year
accounting for 4% of the Companys Revenue. PBIT for the year was Rs.
1151 Lakhs against Rs. 561 Lakhs in 2009-10.
Nutraceuticals
The Nutraceuticals divisions turnover was Rs. 4368 Lakhs for the year
ended 31st March, 2011 representing 3% of the Companys Revenue. About
82% of this represents exports.
Nutraceuticals division is planning to leverage the Parry brand into
the wellness sector in the Indian Nutraceutical market by launching a
range of OTC products under the Parry brand addressing various health
concerns. The products will cover preventive as well as health specific
management segments. Changing lifestyles and increasing health concerns
of an aging population, offer an emerging opportunity for the business.
As part of this initiative, Nutraceuticals division has launched
Protein drink products under the brand Pro9 and Pro9D during the
last quarter of the year 2010-11. While the former is for the general
public, the later is a variant for diabetic segment.
DIVIDEND
During the year, the Company had already paid an interim dividend of
Rs. 2 (200 %) per equity share of Re. 1 each in March, 2011. The Board
has not recommended final dividend for the year ended 31st March, 2011.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS SUB DIVISION OF SHARES
In order to further improve liquidity of shares, widen the shareholder
base and to make the shares affordable for smaller investors, the
nominal value of equity shares were sub divided from Rs. 2 per share to
Re. 1 per share with effect from 24th December, 2010 after obtaining
the approval of shareholders through postal ballot.
INVESTMENT IN US NUTRACEUTICALs LLC
During the year under review, the Company acquired a further 3% stake
in US Nutraceuticals LLC increasing the stake from 48% to 51% and
consequently US Nutraceuticals LLC had become a subsidiary of the
Company.
SALE OF SHARES IN ROCA BATHROOM PRODUCTS PRIVATE LIMITED
During the year, Roca Bathroom Investments S.L. (ROCA S.L.) exercised
the call option notice for purchasing the balance 64045 equity shares
held by the Company in Roca Bathroom Products Private Ltd., for a
consideration of Rs. 22.20 Crore. The Company accepted their above said
offer and transferred the balance 64045 equity shares of Rs. 10 each to
ROCA S.L. in March, 2011. With this transfer, the entire stake in Roca
Bathroom Products Private Ltd., had been divested.
DELISTING FROM LUXEMBOURG STOCK EXCHANGE Ã GLOBAL DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS
(GDRs)
The total number of GDRs listed in Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LSE) was
less than 0.15% of the share capital of the company. Further, there
were negligible transactions since October 2005. In view of the
compliance costs not commensurate with the total GDRs outstanding, the
Board approved the delisting of GDRs from LSE. The GDRs from LSE have
been delisted from April 11, 2011.
VOLUNTARY DELISTING OF EQUITY SHARES FROM THE MADRAS STOCK EXCHANGE
LTD.
During the year ended 31st March, 2010, in accordance with the
provisions of SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2009, the
Company had made an application to The Madras Stock Exchange Limited
for voluntary delisting of its Equity Shares from where the Companys
Equity Shares are listed and the application is pending.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
Under the Employee Stock Option Scheme (the Scheme) of the Company
and based on the approval of the shareholders at the Annual General
Meeting held on 26th July, 2007, the Company had granted 366300 Options
during the year ended 31st March, 2011.
The details of the Options granted up to 31st March, 2011, and other
disclosures as required under Clause 12 of the Securities and Exchange
Board of India (Employee Stock Option Scheme and Employee Stock
Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999, are set out in the Annexure to this
Report.
The Companys Statutory Auditors, Messrs. Deloitte, Haskins & Sells,
have certified that the Scheme had been implemented in accordance with
the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Employee Stock Option
Scheme and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 and the
resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
Coromandel International Limited
Coromandel achieved a turnover of Rs. 752795 Lakhs for the year ended
31st March, 2011 and the profit after tax was Rs. 69446 Lakhs. The
Companys Board has recommended a final dividend of Rs. 3 per share
(300%) for the year. With the interim dividend of Rs. 4 per share
(400%) paid in February, 2011, the total dividend declared by
Coromandel for the year ended 31st March, 2011 is Rs. 7 per share. (
700%)
Parrys sugar Industries Limited
Parrys Sugar Industries Ltd., (formerly GMR Industries Ltd.,) a listed
subsidiary was acquired by EID Parry in August, 2010. The said company
recorded a revenue of Rs. 29852 Lakhs for the 12 months period ended
31st March, 2011. After providing for depreciation, interest and
expenses, the loss after tax was Rs. 6760 Lakhs.
Sadashiva Sugars Limited
The Company recorded a revenue of Rs. 7060 Lakhs for the year ended
31st March, 2011. The Profit before Depreciation, Interest and Tax
amounted to
Rs. 787 Lakhs. After providing for depreciation, interest and tax, the
loss after tax was Rs. 2082 Lakhs.
Parry Infrastructure company Private Limited
During the year under review the company earned an income of Rs. 1378
Lakhs. After providing for interest, finance cost and other expenditure
amounting to Rs.1246 Lakhs, the Profit Before Tax was Rs. 132 Lakhs.
After providing for tax provision of Rs. 44 Lakhs, the Profit after Tax
was Rs. 88 Lakhs. With the brought forward amount of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 89
Lakhs is carried to Balance sheet.
Parry America Inc.
Parry America Inc. the 100% subsidiary based in US, reported an income
of US$ 5524 thousands for the year ended 31st March, 2011. The Profit
After Tax was US$ 245 thousands. With the carried forward profit of US$
276 thousands for the previous year, the profit carried forward for the
year was US$ 521 thousands.
Parry Phytoremedies Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs. 974 Lakhs. During the year ended 31st
March, 2011 the company made a loss after tax of Rs. 90 Lakhs.
Parrys sugar Limited
The Company during the year ended 31st March 2011, earned an income of
Rs. 11 Lakhs. After providing for tax of Rs. 3 Lakhs, the Profit after
Tax was Rs. 8 Lakhs. With the brought forward amount of Rs. 9 Lakhs,
Rs. 17 Lakhs is carried to Balance Sheet.
Parrys Investments Limited
During the year ended 31st March, 2011 the company earned an income of
Rs. 97 Lakhs and the Profit after Tax was Rs. 92 Lakhs.
Us Nutraceuticals LLC
During the year ended 31st March, 2011, the overseas subsidiary earned
an income of US$ 12075 thousands and the Loss after Tax was US$ 1703
thousands .
Coromandel Bathware Limited
In view of the Company suspending its operations with effect from 31st
March, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company applied to the
Registrar of Companies, Tamil Nadu, Chennai for striking off the name
of the Company under Section 560 of the Companies Act, 1956 under the
Easy Exit Scheme, 2011 announced by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
Government of India.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India vide their
letter dated 29th January, 2011 had informed that the name of the
company had been struck off the Register and dissolved.
SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNTS
In terms of the approval granted by the Central Government u/s 212 (8)
of the Companies Act, 1956, vide their letter dated 24th January, 2011
copies of the Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss Account, Reports of the
Board and the Auditors of all the Subsidiary Companies have not been
attached to the Balance Sheet of the Company as at 31st March, 2011.
However, as directed by the Central Government, the financial data of
the subsidiaries have been separately furnished forming part of the
Annual Report. These documents will also be available for inspection at
the Registered Office of the Company and the concerned subsidiary
companies, during working hours up to the date of the Annual General
Meeting. However, the related detailed information of the Annual
Accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will be made available to the
Holding and Subsidiary Companies investors seeking such information at
any point of time. The Annual Accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will
also be kept for inspection by the investors at the Registered Office
of the Company and that of the Subsidiary Companies concerned.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company
in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards (AS-21, AS-23
and AS-27) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
and the same together with Auditors Report thereon form part of the
Annual Report.
DIRECTORS
Mr. K. Raghunandan stepped down from the Board both as the Managing
Director and also as a Director with effect from 28th January, 2011
consequent to his movement to the Murugappa Group as Head of IT &
Technology. The Board places on record its appreciation for the
services rendered and the valuable contributions made by Mr. K.
Raghunandan, during his tenure as Managing Director.
Mr. Ravindra S. Singhvi, who joined the Company as the Chief Executive
Officer in December, 2010 was inducted in the Board as an Additional
Director of the Company with effect from 29th January, 2011 and also
appointed as the Managing Director for a period of 5 years with effect
from 29th January, 2011.
The Company has received a notice from a member proposing the
appointment of Mr. Ravindra S. Singhvi as a Director of the Company. As
required under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement relating to Corporate
Governance, a brief resume, expertise and details of other
directorships
of Mr. Ravindra S. Singhvi are provided in the Notice of the Annual
General Meeting.
Mr. R.A. Savoor and Mr. Anand Narain Bhatia, Directors retire by
rotation in terms of Articles 102 and 103 of the Articles of
Association of the Company and being eligible, offer themselves for
re-appointment. As required under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement
relating to Corporate Governance, a brief resume, expertise and details
of other directorships of Mr. R.A. Savoor and Mr. Anand Narain Bhatia
are provided in the Notice of the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement with the Stock
Exchanges, a Management Discussion and Analysis Report, Corporate
Governance Report and Auditors Certificate regarding compliance of
conditions of Corporate Governance forms part of the Annual Report.
CEO/CFO CERTIFICATION
Mr. Ravindra S. Singhvi, Managing Director and Mr. P. Gopalakrishnan,
Vice President (Finance), have given a certificate to the Board as
contemplated in Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND
In terms of Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956, an amount of Rs.
9.14 Lakhs being unclaimed dividend, interest on fixed deposit and
unclaimed deposits etc. was transferred during the year to the
Investor Education and Protection Fund established by the Central
Government.
DEPOSITS
Other than the deposits that were transferred to the Investor Education
and Protection Fund, there were no other deposits due for repayment on
or before 31st March, 2011. The Company had discontinued acceptance of
deposits since July 2003.
DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956, the Directors
confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief :
- in the preparation of the Profit & Loss Account for the financial
year ended 31st March, 2011 and the Balance Sheet as at that date
(Ãfinancial statementsÃ), applicable Accounting Standards have been
followed;
- appropriate accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and such judgements and
estimates that are reasonable and prudent have been made so as to give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at the
end of the financial year and of the profit of the Company for that
period;
- proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for
preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. To ensure
this, the Company has established internal control systems, consistent
with its size and nature of operations. In weighing the assurance
provided by any such system of internal controls its inherent
limitations have to be recognised. These systems are reviewed and
updated on an ongoing basis. Periodic internal audits are conducted to
provide reasonable assurance of compliance with these systems. The
Audit Committee meets at regular intervals to review the internal audit
function;
- proper systems are in place to ensure compliance of all laws
applicable to the Company;
- the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
AUDITORS
M/s. Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai, the
Companys Statutory Auditors, retire at the conclusion of the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has proposed
that M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai be
re-appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company and to hold
office till the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the
Company. M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai
have forwarded their certificate to the Company, stating that their
re-appointment, if made, will be within the limit specified in that
behalf in Sub-section (1B) of Section 224 of the Companies Act, 1956.
COST AUDITOR
The Company received the approval of the Central Government for
appointment of Mr. D. Narayanan as Cost Auditor to conduct the cost
audits for the financial year 2010-11.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
Under the provisions of Section 217 (2A) of the Companies Act, 1956
read with Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975 as amended,
the names and other particulars of employees are set out in the
Annexure to the Directors Report.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Directors thank the customers, suppliers, farmers, financial
institutions, banks and shareholders for their continued support and
also recognise the contribution made by the employees to the Companys
progress during the year under review.
on behalf of the board
A. VELLAYAN
Chairman
Chennai
April 29, 2011
Mar 31, 2010
The Directors have pleasure in presenting their Report together with
the audited accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2010.
The performance highlights of the Company for the year are summarised
below:
FINANCIAL RESULTS
Rs. Lakhs
2009-2010 2008-2009
Total Income 129682 167772
Profit Before Interest and Depreciation 35536 96539
Less : Interest 3857 2682
Depreciation 6933 5017
Profit Before Tax 24746 88840
Less :
Provision for Tax :
- Current 2600 13800
- Deferred 2987 5776
- MAT Credit entitlement (1369) -
- Fringe Benefit Tax à 68 Profit After Tax 20528 69196
Add : Surplus brought forward 59180 15784
Amount available for Appropriation 79708 84980
APPROPRIATIONS
Transfer to General Reserve 40000 6920
Transfer to Debenture Redemption Reserve 417 -
Dividend on Equity Capital :
Interim paid 5181 12181
Proposed Final 3454 5167
Dividend Tax (Net) (24) 1532
Surplus carried to Balance Sheet 30680 59180
TOTAL 79708 84980
PERFORMANCE
The Company recorded a revenue of Rs.129682 lakhs (including other
income of Rs.14950 lakhs) for the year ended 31st March, 2010. Other
income includes Rs.798 lakhs (2008-09 - Rs.74972 lakhs) of Profit on
sale of investments. The total gross sales of the company for the year
2009-10 grew by 51% to Rs. 118576 Lakhs from Rs. 78384 Lakhs in the
year 2008 - 09.
The Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Tax and Amortization for
the year was Rs. 34738 Lakhs (excluding Profit on sale of Investments
of Rs.798 lakhs) representing 30% of total sales and showed a growth of
61% over previous years Rs. 21567 Lakhs (excluding profit on sale of
investments of Rs.74972 lakhs). The increased profits in Sugar resulted
in higher EBIDTA during current year.
Sugar sales increased from Rs.58618 Lakhs to Rs.93634 Lakhs in 2009-10,
showing a growth of 60% mainly driven by higher prices. Alcohol sales
increased by 113% consequent to the newly commissioned Distillery plant
at Sivaganga district, Tamilnadu. Revenue from sale of power recorded
an increase of 29%.
Bio-Pesticides sales dropped marginally due to drop in volume.
Nutraceuticals divisions sales increased by 29%, due to higher sales
volume of Spirulina and traded products that include Lycopene , Lutein
& Others.
SUGAR
The sugar industry is one of the largest agro based industries,
supporting Indias economic growth. The downturn in sugar production
witnessed in 2008-09 Sugar Season is slated to continue into the next
two Sugar Seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) as production is expected to be
significantly lower than consumption, leading to the possibility of
sugar imports to meet domestic demand.
The Company has six sugar plants spread across South India of which
four are in Tamil Nadu, one in Puducherry and one in Karnataka through
its subsidiary, Sadashiva Sugars Ltd. The Company has increased the
throughput sugarcane capacity to 21,500 TCD and cogeneration capacity
to 100 MW across its sugar mills. The integrated Sugar Units have been
designed to optimize process efficiencies, increase sugarcane recovery
ratio, and increase energy efficiency through reduced steam and power
consumption.
The Company continues to be one of the low cost producers of
international quality sugar, through its innovative process and farmer
centric practices.
The existing Distillery unit at Nellikuppam has been converted into a
multi-product unit with ENA and Ethanol production facilities. Further
expanding capacity from 40 KLPD to 75 KLPD is in progress. The green
field stand alone distillery factory in Sivaganga, with a capacity of
60 KLPD, commissioned during March 2009 stabilised during the year.
INVESTMENT IN SADASHIVA SUGARS LIMITED
As part of the growth strategy for the Sugar business, in October, 2009
the Company acquired a 76% stake in the Equity of M/s Sadashiva Sugars
Limited, Bangalore having its factory at Nagaral Nainegali, Bagalkot
District, Karnataka. The factory has a capacity to crush sugarcane of
2500 TCD and Cogen capacity of 15.5 MW. With this acquisition, the
Company made an entry in the State of Karnataka.
JOINT VENTURE WITH CARGILL ASIA PACIFIC HOLDINGS PTE LIMITED
During the financial year ended 31st March 2010, your company invested
Rs. 1430 lakhs in the equity of the Joint Venture entity viz. Silkroad
Sugar Private Ltd.
The commercial production is yet to commence and is expected to
commence in 2010-11 and the delay has been due to non availability of
gas. With a capacity of 2000 tons of refined sugar production per day
and with a 35 MW Co-Generation Plant, this refinery will be the largest
in the South Asian region.
BIO PRODUCTS
Bio Pesticides
The US market experienced economic slowdown resulting in 10-15% sales
reduction for agrochemicals.
Organic crop areas reduced by 20-30% over 2008-09 leading to sales
reduction of biological inputs. Better economic outlook over 2010-11
and thereafter is expected to bring back the organic momentum.
Domestic markets, mainly in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal and
North Eastern States registered growth over 2008-09, mainly due to the
product acceptability of Bio Granule Abda in rice and Fruits &
Vegetables crop segments.
The revenue (including excise duty) for the year ended 31st March, 2010
was Rs.3626 lakhs as compared to Rs.3636 lakhs of previous year. PBIT
for the year was Rs. 561 lakhs against the previous years Rs. 717
lakhs.
Nutraceuticals
The Nutraceuticals products continued to grow in all the markets and
are currently exported to over 38 countries. Certified Organic
Spirulina continues to outperform competition in its segment.
The revenue (including excise duty) for the year ended 31st March, 2010
was Rs. 3747 lakhs representing 3% of the Companys revenue. About 80%
of this represents exports. Nutraceuticals divisions sales has
increased by 28%, due to higher sales volume of Spirulina and traded
products that include Lycopene, Lutein & Others.
To ensure that Parry Nutraceuticals maintains its edge in product
development, the Parry Life Sciences facility was established at TICEL
Park, Chennai to develop products and formulations in line with market
demand across dietary supplement, functional foods and Pharmaceuticals
segments.
R & D
During the year, the Company incurred a sum of Rs. 357.90 lakhs towards
the revenue expenditure on account of Research and Development at the
Approved In-House R & D units at Bangalore and Nellikuppam. The
Company also incurred a sum of Rs. 1.61 lakhs towards Capital
expenditure in respect of Approved In-House R & D units at Bangalore
and Nellikuppam. In addition to the above, the Company also spent a sum
of Rs. 270.49 lakhs towards revenue expenditure and Rs. 298.19 lakhs
towards Capital expenditure for establishing a new research centre at
Chennai.
DIVIDEND
Your Directors are pleased to recommend a final dividend of Rs. 4 (200
%) per equity share of Rs. 2 each for the
financial year ended 31st March, 2010. During the year, the Company had
already paid an interim dividend of Rs. 6 (300%) per equity share of
Rs. 2 each in February, 2010.
With this, the total dividend declared for the year is Rs.10 (500%) per
share.
CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS
INVESTMENT IN EQUITY SHARES OF PARRY PHYTOREMEDIES PRIVATE LIMITED,
SUBSIDIARY COMPANY
During the year under review, the Company acquired a further 20,000
equity shares of Rs. 100 each of Parry Phytoremedies Private Limited, a
subsidiary increasing the stake from 51% to 63%.
INVESTMENT IN EQUITY SHARES OF COROMANDEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED,
SUBSIDIARY COMPANY
During the year, the Company acquired a further 3,36,500 shares of Rs.2
each of Coromandel International Limited, a listed Subsidiary of the
Company. With this, the Company holds 63% in their Equity.
SALE OF SHARES IN TRICHY DISTILLERIES AND CHEMICALS LIMITED
During the year, the Company divested its entire stake of 2,20,000
equity shares of Rs.10 each held by the Company in Trichy Distilleries
and Chemicals Limited.
VOLUNTARY DELISTING OF EQUITY SHARES FROM THE MADRAS STOCK EXCHANGE
LTD.
In accordance with the provisions of SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares)
Regulations, 2009, the Company has made an application to The Madras
Stock Exchange Limited for voluntary delisting of its Equity Shares
from where the Companys Equity Shares are listed. The proposed
voluntary delisting would not adversely affect the investors, as the
Companys shares would continue to be listed on the NSE and BSE, which
have nation wide terminals.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION SCHEME
Under the ÃEmployee Stock Option Schemeà (Ãthe SchemeÃ) of the Company,
the Company had not granted any Options during the year ended 31st
March, 2010. The details of the Options granted up to 31st March,
2010, and other disclosures as required under Clause 12 of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Employee Stock Option Scheme and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme)
Guidelines, 1999, are set out in the Annexure to this Report.
The Companys Auditors, Messrs. Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, have
certified that the Scheme had been implemented in accordance with the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Employee Stock Option Scheme
and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999 and the
resolutions passed by the Members in this regard.
SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES Coromandel International Limited
The name of the Company has been changed during the year from
Coromandel Fertilisers Limited to Coromandel International Limited
(Coromandel) in order to communicate the business potential of the
Company across the globe to the stakeholders. Coromandel achieved a
turnover of Rs. 639473 lakhs for the year ended 31st March, 2010 and
the profit after tax was Rs.46820 lakhs. The Companys Board had
recommended a final dividend of Rs. 4 per share (200 % ) for the year.
With the interim dividend of Rs. 6 per share (300%) paid in February,
2010, the total dividend from Coromandel for the year ended 31st March,
2010 is Rs.10 per share (500%).
Parry Chemicals Limited
Parry Chemicals Limited, a 100% subsidiary of Coromandel, achieved a
turnover of Rs.56.96 lakhs for the year ended 31st March, 2010. The
Profit after Tax was Rs.1.68 lakhs.
Parrys Sugar Limited
The Company during the year ended 31st March 2010, earned an income of
Rs.12.56 lakhs and after providing for expenses amounting to Rs.0.44
lakhs, the Profit before tax was Rs.12.12 lakhs. After providing for
tax of Rs. 3 lakhs, the Profit after Ta x was Rs.9.12 lakhs. With the
brought forward amount of Rs.27.95 lakhs, Rs.37.07 lakhs is carried to
Balance sheet.
Parry Infrastructure Company Private Limited
The Company is in the process of evaluating various properties held by
the Murugappa Group Companies and depending on the market demand and
potential value, the Company will progress on the development of these
properties for residential/commercial purposes.
During the year under review the company earned a profit of Rs.5 lakhs.
After adjusting the carried forward loss of Rs.4 lakhs, the balance
amount of Rs.1 lakh is carried to the Balance Sheet.
Parry America Inc.
Parry America Inc, the 100% subsidiary based in US, reported an income
of US$ 2,960 thousands for the year ended 31st March, 2010. The Profit
After Tax was US$ 134 thousands. Including the carried forward profit
of US$ 142 thousands for the previous year, the profit carried forward
for the year was US$ 276 thousands.
Parrys Investments Limited
During the year ended 31st March, 2010 the company earned an income of
Rs.5 lakhs and the Profit after Tax was Rs.1 lakh.
Coromandel Bathware Limited
No operations were carried on during the current year.
Parry Phytoremedies Private Limited
The revenue for the year was Rs.603 lakhs. During the year ended 31st
March, 2010 the company made a loss of Rs. 89 lakhs.
Sadashiva Sugars Limited
The Company, acquired by EID Parry during October, 2009 recorded a
revenue of Rs.1123 lakhs for the year ended 31st March, 2010. After
providing for depreciation, interest and expenses the loss carried
forward was Rs.1470 lakhs.
SUBSIDIARY ACCOUNTS
In terms of the approval granted by the Central Government u/s 212 (8)
of the Companies Act, 1956, copies of the Balance Sheet, Profit & Loss
Account, Reports of the Board and the Auditors of all the Subsidiary
Companies have not been attached to the Balance Sheet of the Company as
at 31st March, 2010. However as directed by the Central Government,
the financial data of the subsidiaries have been separately furnished
forming part of the Annual Report. These documents will also be
available for inspection at the Registered Office of the Company and
the concerned subsidiary companies, during working hours up to the date
of the Annual General Meeting. However, the related detailed
information of the Annual Accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will be
made available to the Holding and Subsidiary Companies investors
seeking such information at any point of time. The Annual Accounts of
the Subsidiary Companies will also be kept for inspection by the
investors at the Registered Office of the Company and that of the
Subsidiary Companies concerned.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company
in accordance with the applicable Accounting Standards (AS-21, AS-23
and AS-27) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
and the same together with Auditors Report thereon form part of the
Annual Report.
DIRECTORS
Mr.Sridhar Ganesh, Director resigned from the Board with effect from
30th October, 2009.
The Board places on record its grateful appreciation of the valuable
services rendered and contributions made by Mr.Sridhar Ganesh as a
Director.
Mr.M.B.N.Rao and Mr.V.Ravichandran, joined the Board as Additional
Directors on 1st August, 2009 and 30th October, 2009 respectively and
will hold office till the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The Company
had received notices from members proposing the appointments of
Mr.M.B.N.Rao and Mr.V.Ravichandran as Directors of the Company.
Mr. A.Vellayan, Chairman retires by rotation in terms of Articles 102
and 103 of the Articles of Association of the Company and being
eligible, offers himself for re-appointment.
As required under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement relating to
Corporate Governance, a brief resume, expertise and details of other
directorships of Mr.M.B.N.Rao, Mr.V.Ravichandran and Mr.A.Vellayan are
provided in the Notice of the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Pursuant to Clause 49 of the Listing Agreements with the Stock
Exchanges, a Management Discussion and Analysis Report, Corporate
Governance Report and Auditors Certificate regarding compliance of
conditions of Corporate Governance are made a part of the Annual
Report.
CEO / CFO CERTIFICATION
Mr.K.Raghunandan, Managing Director and Mr.P.Gopalakrishnan, Vice
President (Finance), have given a certificate to the Board as
contemplated in Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement.
TRANSFER TO THE INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND
In terms of Section 205C of the Companies Act, 1956, an amount of
Rs.6.32 lakhs being unclaimed dividend, interest on fixed deposit and
unclaimed deposits etc. was transferred during the year to the
Investor Education and Protection Fund established by the Central
Government.
DEPOSITS
4 deposits totalling to Rs. 0.39 lakhs due for repayment on or before
31st March, 2010 were not claimed by the Depositors on that date.
Efforts are being made to contact all such deposit holders to
facilitate the refund to them. The Company had discontinued acceptance
of deposits since July 2003.
DIRECTORSÃ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 217(2AA) of the Companies Act, 1956, the Directors
confirm that, to the best of their knowledge and belief :
- in the preparation of the Profit & Loss Account for the financial
year ended 31st March, 2010 and the Balance Sheet as at that date
(Ãfinancial statementsÃ), applicable Accounting Standards have been
followed;
- appropriate accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and such judgements and estimates that are reasonable and
prudent have been made so as to give a true and fair view of the state
of affairs of the Company as at the end of the financial year and of
the profit of the Company for that period;
- proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Companies Act, 1956 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for
preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities. To ensure
this, the Company has established internal control systems, consistent
with its size and nature of operations. In weighing the assurance
provided by any such system of internal controls its inherent
limitations should be recognised. These systems are reviewed and
updated on an ongoing basis. Periodic internal audits are conducted to
provide reasonable assurance of compliance with these systems. The
Audit Committee meets at regular intervals to review the internal audit
function;
- the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
AUDITORS
M/s. Deloitte, Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai, the
Companys Auditors, retire at the conclusion of the forthcoming Annual
General Meeting and are eligible for re-appointment.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has proposed
that M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai be
re-appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company and to hold
office till the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the
Company. M/s. Deloitte Haskins & Sells, Chartered Accountants, Chennai
have forwarded their certificate to the Company, stating that their
re-appointment, if made, will be within the limit specified in that
behalf in Sub-section (1B) of Section 224 of the Companies Act, 1956.
COST AUDITOR
The Company received the approval of the Central Government for
appointment of Mr.D.Narayanan as Cost Auditor to conduct the cost
audits for the financial year 2009-10.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
Under the provisions of Section 217 (2A) of the Companies Act, 1956
read with Companies (Particulars of Employees) Rules, 1975 as amended,
the names and other particulars of employees are set out in the
Annexure to the Directors Report.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Directors thank the customers, suppliers, farmers, financial
institutions, banks and shareholders for their continued support and
also recognise the contribution made by the employees to the Companys
progress during the year under review.
On behalf of the Board
Chennai A. VELLAYAN
April 24, 2010 Chairman
Disclaimer: This is 3rd Party content/feed, viewers are requested to use their discretion and conduct proper diligence before investing, GoodReturns does not take any liability on the genuineness and correctness of the information in this article