PACRA Maintains Entity Ratings of Islamabad Feeds (Private) Limited

Globally, the poultry feed production stood at 1.2bln MT in 2020, up by 1% from 2019. Pakistan's annual poultry feed production is around ~3.5mln MT, with ~150 registered feed mills and ~200 unregistered feed mills catering to it. The industry generates an annual turnover of ~PKR 396bln (Jun-20). At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of restaurants/marriage halls and export avenues led to a supply glut of poultry products in the local market. However, as business avenues became operational, demand for poultry products improved. Lately, a visible surge was also observed in feed and poultry product prices. This, along with SBP's interest rate cut along with deferment and/or restructuring option provided sufficient respite to the industry players. An uptick in prices and demand dynamics are expected if the hospitality segment remains operational.
The ratings reflect Islamabad Feeds (Pvt.) Ltd.'s ('the Company') established presence in poultry and allied chain including feed, hatcheries, broiler, and layer farms. The second generation has been successfully inducted into the family business. The current sponsors have adequate acumen in the poultry segment. The Company remained exposed to inherent risks in the feed industry emanated from raw material price changes and low demand amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Lately, the increasing demand and prices of poultry products has eased some pressure off the Company, however, the optimum production and sales levels are anticipated if demand avenues (banquet halls, dine-in restaurants) remain operational and demand uncertainties subside. Although the Company enjoyed stable margins and profitability, sales remained slightly lower leading to lower capacity utilization and off-take. The Company has piled up raw material inventory (maize and soybean meal), procured on cash, to manage the impact of increased cost. As a result, margins and profits are expected to benefit the Company. However, this led to stretched working capital requirement, and receivable days remaining high, which was met through short-term borrowings. The Company has an aggressively leveraged capital structure, while coverages remain stretched.
The ratings are dependent on the management's ability to prudently manage liquidity and working capital requirements. The management's ability to build profitable volumes remains critical for the ratings. Envisioned improvement in business and financial profile along with effective changes in governance framework would be beneficial. Significant deterioration in coverages and/or margins will have negative impact on the ratings.

About the Entity
Islamabad Feeds (Pvt.) Limited was incorporated in August, 2008. The Company is primarily engaged in the production and sale of poultry feed, broiler meat, layer and eggs. The Company has two feed mills in Rewat and Okara with production capacities of 78 MT per hour and 40 MT per hour, respectively.
Major shareholding vests with Mr. Muhammad Ali (43.8%), followed by Mr. Muhammad Hassan (36.6%), Ms. Yumna Aslam (7.3%), Ms. Saleha Aslam (7.3%), and Mrs. Alia Mehmood (5%). Mr. Ali has been appointed as the Group's CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is assisted by a team of experienced professionals and is expected to play a pivotal role in making strategic decisions.