Sugar companies likely to witness 5-7 pc revenue growth in FY'22: Report

Sugar companies' revenue is likely to grow by 5-7 per cent in 2021-22, following firm domestic and global prices and expected growth in both sugar exports and ethanol volumes, according to a report.

On the back of favourable pricing environments domestically and globally as well as increased share of ethanol in revenue mix, the revenues of a sample of sugar companies are expected to grow by 5-7 per cent in FY22 on a year-on-year basis, Icra said in a report.

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"Increased sucrose diversion towards ethanol in light of government's complimenting policies is likely to result in ramp up of ethanol supplies while limiting the sugar production. This coupled with healthy sugar export prospects for the current fiscal would aid moderation in inventory position and thus, lower borrowing levels at the fiscal's end notwithstanding ongoing debt funded capex plans (for distillery and crushing capacities) for various players," Icra

Senior Vice President and Group Head Sabyasachi Majumdar said.

With improved operating profits and reduced debt levels, the coverage metrics and capital structure would emerge stronger by end of fiscal year, he added.

The report further stated that the domestic sugar prices rose to around Rs 34,000-36,000 per tonne in August-September 2021 after three years following sharp increase in global prices as well as onset of the festive season.

The international raw sugar prices firmed up to USD 420-440 per tonne in August-September 2021 compared to USD 270-280 per tonne in August-September 2020 in the anticipation of decline in Brazilian sugar production and thus, balanced global supply position, it said.

In light of surged global sugar prices, the export prospects look promising for the upcoming sugar season even if export policy isn't announced, said the report.

Icra estimates India to register sugar exports of around 4-6 million tonnes for SY 2022 (sugar year), thus the closing stock is expected to be at around 7.1-9.1 million tonne as on September 30, 2022, compared to 8.6 million tonne estimated as on September 30, 2021, it said.

Icra said that the sugarcane UP-SAP is expected to be hiked by Rs 25 per quintal while Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) has been increased by Rs 5 per quintal for SY2022.
Thus, for SY2022, UP-SAP would be Rs 350 per quintal for early maturing variety and Rs 340 per quintal for normal variety while FRP would be Rs 290 per quintal, which would result in higher sugar production cost.

However, with a favourable mix of ethanol towards B-heavy or juice (feedstock) coupled with higher sugar realisations, the likely cane price hike is expected to be comfortably absorbed by the industry and the operating margin is expected to remain stable at 12.5-13 per cent in FY22.

Likely hike in cane prices, especially in Uttar Pradesh, though in line with industry's expectations, would arrest the expansion in operating margins that could have flown from improved sugar realisations, healthy sugar exports in addition to ramped up ethanol supplies with favourable feedstock based mix. Nevertheless, the expanded scale and improved revenue mix would allow higher operating profits even as operating margin remains flat," Icra Vice President and Sector Head Anupama Arora added.