Sharda Cropchem Ltd
NSE:SHARDACROP

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Sharda Cropchem Ltd
NSE:SHARDACROP
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Price: 804.85 INR 0.1% Market Closed
Market Cap: 72.6B INR
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Earnings Call Transcript

Earnings Call Transcript
2023-Q2

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Sharda Cropchem Q2 FY '23 Earnings Conference Call hosted by Antique Stock Broking. [Operator Instructions]. Please note that this conference is being recorded.

I now hand the conference over to Mr. Manish Mahawar from Antique Stock Broking. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Thank you, [ Lisa ]. On behalf of Antique Stock Broking, I would like to welcome all the participants on the call of Sharda Cropchem. From the management, we have Mr. R.V. Bubna, Chairman and Managing Director; Mr. Ashok Vashisht, CFO; and Mr. Dinesh Nahar, GM, Finance on the call.

Without further ado, I would like to hand over the call to Mr. Bubna for opening remark. Post which, we will open the floor for Q&A. Thank you, and over to you Mr. Bubna.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Thank you, Mr. Manish. Good evening, and very warm welcome to everyone present here on the call. I hope all of you are keeping safe and healthy during these times. Along with me, I have Mr. Ashok Vashisht, our Chief Financial Officer; Mr. Dinesh Nahar, General Manager, Finance; and our Investor Relations advisers.

Hope you have all received our investor deck by now. For those who have not, you can view them on stock exchanges and on the company website.

We are an agrochemical company with crop protection -- with a good position in the generic crop protection industry. We are engaged in the process of marketing and distribution by procuring wide spectrum of formulations and generic active ingredients, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides across the globe. Extending this rich experience, we have also entered into biocide segment to cater disinfectant market. Leveraging our experience and product registrations capabilities, we have carved out a niche for ourselves and built a robust [ core on ] identifying generic molecules, preparing dossiers, seeking registrations, marketing and distribution. The company continues to identify opportunities in the generic molecules and corresponding formulations and generic active ingredients, preparing dossiers, seeking registrations in the relevant jurisdictions. Sharda Cropchem's total product registration stood at about 2,750 as on September 2022. Additionally, 1,120 applications for the product registrations globally are at different stages of approval.

The CapEx for H1 2023 stood at INR 230 crores. Every jurisdiction has different retail and procedural requirements for seeking registrations. With its rich experience, the company has successfully obtained the necessary regulatory approvals from these jurisdictions. The company is well equipped to respond to the potential issues such as -- issues as well as the readiness to efficiently respond and comply with the regulatory requirements. We maintain healthy relationships with multiple manufacturers in the agrochemical industry, mainly in China and India, sourcing from multiple manufacturers, helping the company in getting quality products at optimum price, and thereby derisking its sourcing capabilities.

Over the years, we have built a strong brand franchise within our global markets. We are benefiting through the economies of scale in our portfolio and leveraging value of our supply chain to deliver value to our customers across the globe.

For Q2 2023, revenues grew by 12% to INR 722 crores and for H1 FY '23, the revenues grew by 22% to INR 1,546 crores. Growth was led by better product mix and price realizations. Gross margins have been impacted by weakening euro against dollar as well as INR, leading to increased input costs and impact of general inflation across the [indiscernible]. Major currency has depreciated against the USD in the last 6 months due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Over 45% of H1 FY '23 sales from Agrochemical business have been in the Europe, whereas majority of the company's raw material is imported from China, and payments are done in U.S. dollars.

This has impacted the company's gross margins, overall profitability temporarily as the euro had considerably depreciated against the dollar.

We are now taking certain measures to reduce the adverse impact of ForEx. We have increased our sales focus on NAFTA region. We have begun sourcing in euro currency. We are optimally hedging our currencies, and we are seeking price increase from customers to negate this ForEx impact. We have accelerated focus on revenue-generating investments and are continuously looking to improve the operational efficiencies, which will help us improve margins. Our incessant efforts to explore newer markets and geographies while penetrating deeper into our existing ones is aligned to our endeavor of serving customers globally. We consistently strive to emerge higher on the global scale and our approach to think global, act globally has continued to navigate and [ challenge us ]. Further, our asset-light business model enables us to expand the number of products across our entire spectrum of product offerings. Our [indiscernible] diversifying our product portfolio's widening global reach, build supply chain capabilities and strengthening our distribution network enables us to enhance our performance year after year.

Moreover, through our expertise, disciplined approach, experience and commitment to create value for our shareholders, we are exploring better opportunities, emerging as a prominent global brand and enhancing our overall business performance persistently.

With this brief overview, I would now like to hand over the call to our CFO, Mr. Ashok Vashisht, for discussing our financial performance. Thank you.

A
Ashok Kumar Vashisht
executive

Thank you, sir. Good evening, everyone. Coming to Q2 FY '23 financial performance, revenue stood at INR 722 crores versus INR 643 crores in quarter 2 FY '22, registering a growth of 12% year-on-year. Revenue growth was led by better product mix and better price realization during the quarter. The company is focusing on value-based growth. Gross margin for Q2 FY '23 stood at [indiscernible] 28% in quarter 2 FY '22. So the margins are slightly lower than Q2 FY '22, but better than Q1 FY '23 where it was 25.4%.

EBITDA for Q2 has grown by 3% to INR 107 crores, whereas there is a marginal decline in percentage EBITDA to 14.8%. This was mainly due to lower gross margins driven by weakening of euro against dollar -- U.S. dollar as well as Indian rupees. Additionally, general inflation and strengthening of global workforce to support our future growth has also marginally impacted the EBITDA. PAT for the quarter Q2 FY '23 stood at INR 12 crores against INR 32 crores quarter 2 FY '22. PAT was impacted by higher ForEx losses to the tune of INR 38.7 crores Q2 FY '23, mainly driven by weakening of euro against dollar and INR. If we exclude ForEx loss for the quarter, PAT has actually grown by 12% due to favorable product mix and better [ operational ] efficiencies.

Coming to the split of Agrochemical business, which grew by 14% year-on-year basis to INR 576 crores, and Non Agro grew by 4% year-on-year basis to INR 146 crores. In the Agrochemical space, Europe grew by 11%, NAFTA grew by 28%, and LATAM degrew by 10% and Rest of the World grew by 18%. Europe continue to contribute higher in terms of contribution to the total Agro business at 41%, NAFTA 40%, LATAM 11% and Rest of the World 8% of the Agrochemical business for Q2 FY '23.

In Non Agrochemical space, Europe grew (sic) [ degrew ] by 22%, NAFTA grew by 19%, LATAM grew by 26% and Rest of the World grew marginally by 1%. Europe contributes 22%, NAFTA 57%, LATAM 7% and Rest of the World 14% of the Non Agro business for Q2 FY '23.

Now coming to half year performance for H1 FY '23. Revenue stood at INR 1,546 crores against INR 1,265 crore in H1 FY '22, registering a high double-digit growth of 22% on a year-on-year basis. Our revenue growth was led by better product mix and better price realization. Gross margin for H1 FY '23 stood at 26.3% as against 28.6% in H1 FY '23 (sic) [ H1 FY '22 ]. So since there was an increase in margins in Q2 over Q1 FY '23, so the gap for the 6 months is narrowed down in Q2.

EBITDA has grown by 4% to INR 218 crore, whereas there is a marginal decline in percentage EBITDA margin to 14.1%. This was essentially due to gross margin driven by weakening of euro against dollar, as well as INR, general inflation and strengthening of our global force to support future growth.

PAT stood at INR 35 crores in H1 FY '23 against INR 70 crore in H1 FY '22. PAT was impacted by ForEx losses to the tune of INR 81.9 crores in H1 FY '23. Excluding ForEx losses, PAT has actually grown by 62% due to better product mix as well as better [ operational ] efficiencies.

Coming to the split in Agrochemical business, grew by 15% on year-on basis to INR 1,190 crores, whereas Non Agro business grew by 56% year-on-year basis to INR 356 crores. In the Agrochemical space, Europe grew by 18%, NAFTA region grew by 19%, LATAM degrew by 6% and Rest of the World grew by 18%. In terms of contribution, Europe contributes 46% for the first half of the year FY '23, NAFTA 36%, LATAM 12% and Rest of the World (RoW ) 6% of the Agrochemical business. In the Non Agrochemical space, Europe grew by 39%, NAFTA grew by 82%, LATAM 81%, and Rest of the World 7%.

In Non Agro business, in terms of contribution, Europe contributes 26%, NAFTA 56%, LATAM 6% and RoW 12%.

Now coming to working capital efficiencies. As on 30th September '22, in terms of number of days, it stood at 91 days. We are a net cash company. Our total debt as on 30th September '22 stood at INR 17 crore and our cash and cash equivalents as at 30th September '22 stood at INR 283 crores.

With this financial overview, we can now open the floor for questions. Thank you.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Sameer Deshpande from Fair Deal Investments.

S
Sameer Deshpande
analyst

After looking at the Q2 results, the problem of euro depreciation continues because we have [ around INR 39 crores ] of loss [indiscernible] this year, quarter 2, along with INR 42 crores for the [indiscernible] in the Q1. You have mentioned that you have taken certain measures like price increase, all that is regarding this sourcing in euro [indiscernible] the dollar which we were doing earlier. So how far we have been successful in these 2 initiatives in the Q2? Or -- and how much percentage of our sourcing will happen going forward in euro?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

See, the percentage of -- I mean, the task is not so easy. The seller is also very much aware that euro is likely to strengthen once again. So he wants to also take very cautious steps and he's not giving us a fair exchange rate conversions. We're making efforts, but the task is equally difficult.

S
Sameer Deshpande
analyst

Sir, but -- actually -- as the situation deteriorated after [indiscernible] Q1 on 30th June, I think the euro was quite favorable. But after that in September, it is now some [indiscernible] or so. And the current provision which we have made of [ INR 39 crores ] loss, now we have receivables to the tune of around INR 1,000 crores and payables, credit payables are [ around INR 1,135 crores ]. So have you taken the full impact on the receivables and payables also at this point -- at the current euro rate?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, please.

S
Sameer Deshpande
analyst

So going forward, the scenario currently [indiscernible] or something euro to the dollar. If the situation goes down further, then only we will be facing problem. But have you done some hedging also?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

See the options for hedging are also very limited because everybody is in 2 minds. There are some opinions which say that euro is going to start strengthening from here, and the other opinions which will say that it all depends upon the Ukraine -- Europe war, Ukraine-Russia war. So the views are not very clear. Wherever we see some light, we try to pursue that path, and we are always vigilant to hedge as and when we get some chances.

S
Sameer Deshpande
analyst

But have we been successful in taking some price increases also?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes. To some extent, yes.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Sonal from Prescient Capital.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Sure. So sir, my question is a follow-on to the gentleman who was in the queue before me. If I were to just take some numbers, roughly 50% of your sales is to the European region. And if I were to just quantify what part of your -- and [ assuming 50% ] of your raw material is being procured for Europe as we speak right now [ assuming ] similar margins, what part of this has been converted from USD to euro? [indiscernible] understand, if you could just give a ballpark, just to understand how far [indiscernible].

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Sir, your question is not very clear. Can you speak a little louder and slower?

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Sir, am I -- is my voice more audible now?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Now your voice is more audible, but then some of the words are getting mixed up.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay. I'll speak slow, sir. So I am saying, sir, roughly 50% of your sales is to the European region. Now I wanted to understand that the raw material, which is sourced for the European region, what part of that raw material is now getting procured in Europe? So that there is no [ priority ]...?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Very small part, very small part. It could be 5% to 7%.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay. And sir, for the remaining year, basically. If you were to make sales to this particular region, are there any contractual changes you have done to sales, or this is [ largely spot ] sales that you either can sell or you cannot sell? Just want to understand your obligation for the remaining year for the European region, just to understand that, sir.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

See, as I've explained in our previous meetings also, we do not have a long-term contract with any customer or any supplier. The businesses are negotiated from purchase order to purchase order even in the same season. So we are very flexible and nimble footed as far as -- we don't have very long-term obligation either to our customers nor to our suppliers.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Got it. So how easy -- just to understand, sir, how easy or difficult is it for us to redirect the sales for the European region to the NAFTA region, given that there are different dynamics, different competition? Just want to understand that. If you could explain that a little more, that will help.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Well, we have been successful in the last quarter and our efforts are going on. We are having a better access and deeper penetration into the NAFTA markets, and the customers are appreciating our products, quality and service. So we hope to make some progress in that direction.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay, sir. Sir, any broader guidance can you give for your sales and maybe the ForEx basically? Just trying to understand because I factor this in the gross margin basically. So can we assume that our gross margins will be squeezed by a similar amount? So for example, for Q2, if our -- so if I [ were to ] just take H1, sir, our gross profit was roughly INR 400 crores, and we lost roughly INR 100 crores in currency depreciation -- INR 80 crores in currency depreciation. So basically, we are losing roughly 5% odd. So can we just assume that for the balance of the year, the gross margins would be in the range of 20%? Because -- or is it difficult for you to pinpoint?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

See, our gross margin should be in the range of 28% to 30%. Or I would say, 26% to 30%.

Operator

The next question is from the line of [indiscernible] Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, congratulation on a good set of number under the challenging environment. Sir, I just want to ask you the basic information. The one is regarding the registration that we had. It is there -- in which [ companies ], we hold all these registrations?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

What was the last part of your question?

U
Unknown Analyst

In which company's name that we hold so many registrations that we have?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Which countries or companies?

U
Unknown Analyst

No. I [indiscernible] -- I think we have a registration number [indiscernible] 2,600 or 2,800.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

They are in Sharda Cropchem name or is it in the subsidiaries' name?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

It is in both. Wherever the authorities insist that they will give the registration to a local entity, we form a subsidiary, and we obtain the registration in the subsidiaries' name. But the investment for the registrations is done from the principal company, mother company, and the mother company is the beneficial owner. The subsidiary companies are, in majority of the cases, not even doing the transactions unless, again, the local rules prohibit that we have to do the transactions through the subsidiary companies' name. So ultimate beneficiary is always the mother company.

U
Unknown Analyst

So what I have understood is it is either in the name of Sharda Cropchem or wherever the particular country demands, then only in a subsidiary, in the company's subsidiary name. Is my understanding is correct?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, sir. And the capital investment is only from the mother company, but the [ root ] can be the subsidiary company. And the beneficial owner is also the mother company.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Now we have so many subsidiaries. This has basically been created based on the demand or the requirement in each country. Is -- that is correct?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Sir, my next question is, does promoters hold stake in any group companies which are in same line of business?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No. [indiscernible] Sharda.

U
Unknown Analyst

In which field?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

It's only in Sharda Cropchem. Yes.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of [ Anuj ] Sharma from [ M3 ] Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, a few questions. One is, can you just give some highlights into the demand situation in Europe?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Pardon me?

U
Unknown Analyst

Could you just give some thoughts or some outlook on the demand situation in Europe?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

In Europe?

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes, European geography. That's right.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes. The demand situation is normal. In fact, it has been better than the previous quarter last year.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Okay. The second question is, these currency [indiscernible] would also have affected competitors [ on pricing ]. So how is the pricing outlook or the cost dynamics of the competitors evolved?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Sir, everybody is in the same boat. The competitors don't have any special thing. And many of the multinationals are also slowly switching over to our sourcing from China because -- in order to save the cost of manufacturing, which is higher in their own countries.

U
Unknown Analyst

Right. So what -- do you see scenarios of price increase by competitors as well? Because many times, you have alluded to that you wait for the competitors or MNC to increase the pricing for you to make [indiscernible]. So are you seeing that already happening?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, that is happening.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And what is the quantum of price rise we could see?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

What is the -- what?

U
Unknown Analyst

What is the quantum of price rise? Yes, yes.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

It is difficult to calculate in terms of percentage, but the price rise is happening. And part of the effect of the cross-currency exchange rates, we have been able to pass very slowly and silently to the customers.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And sir, is there substantial manufacturing in Europe as well? Because of the energy situation, is the cost of manufacturing in Europe rising, and hence, our competitive advantage increases?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

The cost of manufacturing is increasing in Europe because of the increase in the cost of energy. And this is also pushing the manufacturing to be more towards China and less in Europe.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Roughly, sir, what percentage of manufacturing would be coming out of Europe today?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

What percentage of manufacturing coming out of Europe? You mean grossly, overall?

U
Unknown Analyst

No, sir. Procured in Europe and supply, sir. All right. And sir...

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

[indiscernible] kind of information. These are all very confidential and nobody reveals these things.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. And my last question is this currency movement. Historically, if you go back, when was the last time we saw this currency movement that we are seeing now for Sharda?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Again, please repeat the question. It's not clear to me.

U
Unknown Analyst

Yes. I'm saying that this currency movement, if you go historically, when was the last time we saw these movements for Sharda, and how did we play the game last time?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No, I can't understand [indiscernible]. You -- what do you want -- your question is not clear at all, sir.

Currency movement for Sharda? Currency movement for everybody?

U
Unknown Analyst

No, no. I'm saying we have...

Operator

Sharma -- sir, may we request that you return to the question queue. There are participants waiting for their turn.

The next question is from the line of Rajesh Jain from [ NB ] Investments.

U
Unknown Analyst

Sir, I had 2 questions. One, is that most of the innovator companies, they have manufacturing base in either in Europe or U.S., or most of them have shifted to China?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

I won't say most of them have shifted, but some of them have shifted to China because the cost of -- this cost of energy is being very prohibitive in Europe. It is impacting everybody very adversely during the -- particularly because of this Russia-Ukraine war.

U
Unknown Analyst

So otherwise, before this war, then all of them were manufacturing at Europe or U.S. only?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No, sir. Even at that time, they were sourcing some part of their products or business from China. This is gradually happening for the last 10, 15 years, that manufacturing in China is increasing and the manufacturing in Europe and U.S.A. is decreasing. It's a continuous process.

U
Unknown Analyst

Continuous. Okay. With your experience on being in this field for such a long time, is it possible to know how much percent has been shifted?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No, sir. [indiscernible].

U
Unknown Analyst

No, no. Okay. Now why I'm asking this question is, see, we -- you are sourcing from China or so and giving at a lesser price. If the innovator companies have -- were to shift their entire manufacturing requirements to China, then still, will you have any price difference?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Sir, I think you have not understood the word shifting very practically.

When we say shifting, that means that they are reducing their production. The facilities likely still remain in Europe. They are reducing their production in Europe, and their sourcing from China is increasing.

U
Unknown Analyst

Correct. So once they start sourcing from...

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

[indiscernible] full capacity in Europe, and they are slowly -- because they find a sourcing from China, much shift there, more convenient and cheaper.

U
Unknown Analyst

Correct. So since they now start getting their product manufactured at lower cost, so for Sharda, the price difference, whatever was there earlier, it will keep shrinking in future?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

We don't see it in the reality. We don't see it in reality. In fact, our market share is increasing in these geographies. And of course, we are a very small player. So we don't see it's any adverse impact on Sharda's business.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay. Sir, my second question is regarding this currency fluctuation with the -- whatever the bad experience we had for the last 2 quarters. In future, are we going to take any precaution in that regard?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Sir, as we have -- I think this question is being repeated. Even the previous gentleman had asked the same thing. We are making efforts on 3 or 4 fronts to shift more efforts -- I mean, more concentration in the NAFTA region, where we are not impacted by the currency -- foreign exchange effect at all.

Secondly, we are trying to convince our customers in Europe that it's becoming very expensive for us, and some of the customers are understanding, realizing. And I think they also don't have much of an option but to accept our request for increase in the margins -- in the prices.

U
Unknown Analyst

Okay, okay.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

These are the [ domain factors ].

Operator

The next question is from the line of Manish Mahawar from Antique Stock Broking.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Yes. Bubnaji, just needed some data points from you for the quarter. Can it possible to share the sales breakup in terms of volume, price and currency for the quarter?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. One minute. You said volume?

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Yes, volume growth for the quarter.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

As far as the volume is concerned, there is a degrowth in the last quarter, degrowth to the extent of about 23%.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

23%. And price and exchange -- price or product mix?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

You mean revenue?

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Yes. The realization or product mix [indiscernible].

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Real price and product mix, there has been improvement to the extent of 34%.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Okay. And currency, sir?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

2%.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

2%. And what was the number for our first half?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

One minute. Which number, Mr. Manish?

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Volume, price and exchange, sir, same number for the first half. This is for second quarter you have given.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No, I have given -- this is the difference. He's asking the -- you're asking for the H1? Okay, first half, you said?

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Yes.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Our product and price mix impact is plus 36%. Volume is degrowth by 13%. ForEx is 0.5%.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

0.5%. Okay. And sir, can it possible to share the breakup -- regional volume breakup for Agrochemical business?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

So in Europe, NAFTA, RoW and LATAM volume, sir?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

One minute. This is the total -- you want to know Agro [ plus ] Non Agro?

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

No, agrochemicals, sir. You used to give each and every quarter to basically agrochemical's volume breakup in terms of the regional, I'm talking about.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes. Volume in Europe is 3 million, 30,10,000 as against 34 million in the last quarter -- last year's quarter. NAFTA, it is 19 million, 19 lakhs versus 23.5 lakhs in the previous year. LATAM, it is 6 lakhs versus 14 lakhs in the previous year. Rest of the World, it is 7.5 lakhs versus about 10 lakhs in the same quarter last year. Total, 63 lakhs versus 81 lakhs in the previous year. And minus 22.7%. Yes, sir.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Okay. And the gross margin, sir, for regional gross margins?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, sir. Gross margin for Agro or again, overall?

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Overall, sir. Overall. You used to give overall breakup.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Gross margin in Europe is 29% versus 33% last year. NAFTA, 26% versus 28% last year. LATAM, 24% versus 15% last year. Rest of the World is 30% versus 20% last year.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Okay. Sure.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

And overall, it's 27.3% versus 28% last year. So it's more or less at the same level overall.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Sonal from Prescient.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Sir, I wanted to understand from an H1 perspective, the reason for the degrowth of sales in LATAM? If you could explain that...

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Degrowth of sales?

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Yes, sir. I'm on the agrochem -- I'm talking about the agrochemical side, yes.

U
Unknown Executive

[indiscernible].

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

From your slide.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, sir, I'm trying to.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Sir, I'm on Slide #22 of your presentation.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

That's much easier, then.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Yes, sir.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

22. You said there is a degrowth from [ INR 155 crores ] to INR 146 crores?

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Yes, sir.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

You asked me -- what's the question? What is the reason?

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Yes. I wanted to understand why is this happening? If you could just explain this, that will help.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Sir, this is a very small change. There can be many factors. It is not something very significant so that we can point out and say that this has been the main factor.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay. Okay.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

And it can happen because of the product mix. There was one product which was doing very well in the last 12 months. So 1 quarter, it may be a little less and 1 quarter, it could be a little more.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay. Sir, I have a second question on -- you just -- to the gentlemen who was on the line before me, you gave the numbers for the volume for the Agrochemical business. You said that the total, [ end total ], we sold 61 lakh on the volume front compared to 81 lakh. So what is the guidance for the whole year, sir, if you could just explain that? If you could -- if you could share that?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

See, we are expecting the revenue to grow by 15% to 18%, and EBITDA to also grow by 15% to 18%.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Overall.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay. Sir, could you explain a little bit how do you come to this math? Because for somebody who's tracking the company, basically -- if I'm an outsider, I would basically like to believe that there is a volume growth, there is a realization growth, which basically adds up to 15% to 18%. But what is happening is, there is a negative volume growth and there is a very high realization growth, which is leading to our 15% to 18% guidance which you are giving. So I just want to understand this, that how do you come to 15%, 18%? So like 15%, 18%, sir, volume growth [Foreign Language], [ value ] growth [Foreign Language], realization growth [Foreign Language], sir.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

One minute. Sir, I can only say in general that there's a better product mix. We are coming up with newer molecules in our registrations, which is giving us a better realization. And the older products are becoming commodities. So they were having good volume, but the net gain was not so much. So those products are getting phased out, and newer products with better margins and better prices are taking their position.

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Got it, sir. Understand. And these newer products, there is no -- how much of, sir, commodity inflation is actually baked-in in the pricing of these products?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No. I mean, I'm very sorry. Again, the question has not been very clear to me. Can you kindly repeat it once again?

Operator

Sonal, can you repeat your question?

S
Sonal Minhas
analyst

Okay. So I was saying, I understand that your product mix is improving, hence your realization mix is improving. And until that part, I think the explanation was, sir, well understood. I wanted to understand that how much of the commodity, the price rise in the commodity are we carrying in our product mix? And do you see -- let's say, let's take a product X right now, sir, for example, which was also selling last year; product X, which was selling last year to product X, which is selling this year. Do we expect that product price and realization to come down because of the commodity prices easing off? Am I clear in that, sir? Or should I...?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

No, sir, I want to tell you something. When I use the word commodity, I did not mean agricultural commodities. I was trying to say that when a product becomes older, the number of registrants become more, the agrochemical product itself becomes like a commodity. And when I say commodity, that means plenty of availability and lesser margins. It is not to do with the Agro commodities which are the agricultural product. Am I clear?

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Manish Mahawar for his closing comments.

M
Manish Mahawar
analyst

Yes. Thank you, [ Lisa ]. On behalf of Antique Stock Broking, I would like to thank the team of Sharda Cropchem for providing us an opportunity to host the call.

Bubnaji, would you like to make closing comments, sir?

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Yes, some small brief statements. I would like to thank everybody who joined us for the call. I hope that we have been able to answer all your queries. We look forward to such interactions in the future. We hope to meet your expectations in future. In case you require any further details, you may contact us or our [ Industrial ] Relations team of SGA and also to us sometimes.

We also take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy and safe Diwali in advance. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Antique Stock Broking, that concludes this conference call. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.

R
Ramprakash Bubna
executive

Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you, everybody. Bye.

U
Unknown Executive

Thank you.

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