9X Increase in Contracted HB4 Wheat Hectares YoY, Ahead of Upcoming Crop Season in Southern Hemisphere
4X Increase in Micro-beaded Fertilizers Sales YoY
Comparable Revenues up 35% to $35.0 Million in Fiscal Third Quarter 2021
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. (“Bioceres”) (NASDAQ: BIOX), a fully-integrated provider of crop productivity solutions designed to enable the transition of agriculture towards carbon neutrality, has reported its financial results for the fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2021. Financial results are expressed in U.S. dollars and are presented in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. All comparisons in this announcement are year-over-year (“YoY”), unless noted otherwise.
Fiscal Third Quarter & Subsequent Financial & Operational Highlights
- HB4 wheat on track with over 60,000 hectares already contracted for upcoming planting season, representing over 200 different growers and +550 locations. Approximately half of total hectares onboarded via beta version of digital platform.
- HB4 soy harvest 60% completed. In late 2020, drought-tolerant HB4 soy was planted on approximately 23,000 hectares.
- Agreement with upscale consumer brand Havanna to develop and roll out HB4 wheat-derived products with improved environmental footprint and farm-to-fork traceability.
- Contribution of non-core GLA rights into Moolec Science in exchange for 6% ownership. Investment allows the Company to enter fast growing alternative food market and complements efforts to enable the transition of food systems towards carbon neutrality.
- Comparable revenues up 35% to $35.0 million in third quarter of fiscal 2021. Crop nutrition expansion was the main growth catalyst for the quarter driven by a 466% growth of micro-beaded fertilizers sales. For the trailing twelve months total comparable revenues increased 12% to $177.0 million compared to the year-ago period, and Adjusted EBITDA increased 14% to $46.4 million.
- Bioceres subsidiary Rizobacter Argentina S.A. completed a $26.0 million public offering of Series V corporate bonds in the Argentine capital market.
- Completed transfer of stock exchange listing from the NYSE American to The Nasdaq Global Select Market. New listing enhances visibility as an Ag-Tech company focused on sustainable solutions.
ESG Initiatives:
- We have commissioned Vigeo Eiris1 to produce an independent opinion on the alignment of our sustainability-linked financing framework with IMCA’s SLBP 2020. The global leader in ESG assessment is of the opinion that Bioceres’ selected KPI: “Tons of CO2 equivalent cumulative savings in soy/wheat primary production systems”, results relevant, coherent and material from an environmental standpoint, as well as it reflects relevant sustainability challenges for the activities of the Company related to the Agriculture sector, mainly United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs” 2 & 13), namely Zero Hunger and Climate Action. Moreover, the Framework sets Bioceres to achieve ambitious goal of 156,000+ tons of CO2 eq. cumulative savings by 2025 as HB4 soy and wheat roll out projections are met.
1 V.E. is a global leader in ESG assessments, data, research, benchmarks and analytics. Leveraging on extensive proprietary database, they equip market players with the ESG insight needed to manage risks and better understand and address social and environmental impact. Since 2019, V.E has been an Affiliate of Moody’s Corporation. For further information please visit: vigeo-eiris.com |
MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY
Mr. Federico Trucco, Bioceres Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, commented: “The positive performance of HB4 wheat varieties observed during the last crop cycle, as reported in our second quarter’s earnings call, has created excellent pre-season momentum, with contracts already in place for over 60,000 hectares, our baseline target prior to Brazil import approval. We are also progressing with HB4 soy harvest, which is currently at 60%. Resulting seed inventories for both crops should put us in a good place for a meaningful launch once China and Brazil approve HB4 in soy and wheat, respectively.”
“As we progress in developing and scaling locally adapted HB4 seeds, as well as on the regulatory front, we are also moving forward with two additional aspects aimed at maximizing this opportunity. We have onboarded close to half of HB4 Program growers via our Generation HB4 digital platform, fully automating the commercial interaction, credit scoring, contract execution and input logistics. On the downstream front, we have validated HB4’s sustainability framework and entered a first agreement with a consumer brand, Havanna, for HB4 wheat-derived products. The direct interaction with consumers leveraging on the farm-to-fork traceability of the HB4 Program and associated environmental metrics, represents a tangible example of how technology may be used towards re-building agriculture’s social license while keeping food affordable.”
Mr. Enrique Lopez Lecube, Chief Financial Officer of Bioceres, said: “On the financial front, the third quarter of 2021 experienced top-line revenue growth of 35% as our crop nutrition segment was the main growth catalyst driven by micro-beaded fertilizers sales. The combination of this and operating leverage enabled the Company to deliver improved adjusted EBITDA and margin expansion during the third quarter of fiscal 2021, positioning our financial profile into the LTM double digit growth trajectory.”
“In summary, I believe Bioceres is firing on all cylinders as we now have financial flexibility to execute our HB4 Program, our cost of capital has been reduced, and our financial performance is building while exploiting leverage in our model. We look forward to sharing more on our developing story at upcoming investor conferences in the coming months,” concluded Lopez Lecube.
Key Operational Metrics (Figures in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise noted)
HB4 Wheat and HB4 Soy Metrics
Operational metrics to be updated in the upcoming quarter, 4Q21, at end of HB4 soy harvest and HB4 wheat planting.
Table 1: Key Financial Metrics (Figures in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise noted)
3Q21 |
As Reported |
% Change |
||
Revenue by Segment |
3Q20 |
3Q21 |
Reported |
Comparable¹ |
Crop Protection |
16.6 |
17.3 |
4% |
(3%) |
Seed and Integrated Products |
4.0 |
3.7 |
(9%) |
(9%) |
Crop Nutrition |
5.0 |
15.2 |
203% |
191% |
Total Revenue |
25.7 |
36.2 |
41% |
35% |
Gross Profit |
10.8 |
15.3 |
42% |
45% |
Gross Margin |
41.9% |
42.3% |
41 bps |
362 bps |
Adjusted EBITDA |
2.6 |
6.9 |
163% |
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
10.2% |
19.0% |
881 bps |
|
1. |
Comparable excludes the impact of IAS29 as discussed in more detail on page 17. |
Table 2: Key Financial Metrics (Figures in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise noted)
Fiscal Nine-Month Period |
As Reported |
% Change |
||
Revenue by Segment | 9M20 |
9M21 |
Reported |
Comparable¹ |
Crop Protection |
67.7 |
66.0 |
(3%) |
(3%) |
Seed and Integrated Products |
23.5 |
24.8 |
6% |
10% |
Crop Nutrition |
33.7 |
36.5 |
8% |
7% |
Total Revenue |
124.9 |
127.3 |
2% |
2% |
Gross Profit |
56.7 |
58.2 |
3% |
5% |
Gross Margin |
45.4% |
45.7% |
35 bps |
141 bps |
Adjusted EBITDA |
31.8 |
31.7 |
(0%) |
|
Adjusted EBITDA Margin |
25.5% |
24.9% |
(58 bps) |
|
Cash & Cash Equivalents |
54.3 |
49.2 |
(9%) |
|
Net Debt to LTM EBITDA |
2.30x |
2.89x |
|
|
LTM EBITDA |
40.6 |
46.4 |
14% |
|
1. |
Comparable excludes the impact of IAS29 as discussed in more detail on page 17. |
For a full version of Bioceres Fiscal Third Quarter 2021 Earnings Release, click here.
FISCAL THIRD QUARTER 2021 EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
Bioceres Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Federico Trucco, Chief Financial Officer Enrique Lopez Lecube and Head of Investor Relations Máximo Goya will host the conference call, followed by a question-and-answer session. The conference call will be accompanied by a presentation, which can be viewed during the webcast or accessed via the investor relations section of the company’s website here.
To access the call, please use the following information:
Date: |
Thursday, May 13, 2021 |
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Time: |
8:30 a.m. EDT, 5:30 a.m. PDT |
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Toll Free dial-in number: |
1-844-839-9680 |
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Toll/International dial-in number: |
1-647-689-2346 |
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Conference ID: |
2683788 |
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Pre-Register conference call: |
Click here |
Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact MZ Group at +1 (949) 491-8235.
The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the investor relations section of the company’s website here.
A replay of the call will be available until May 18, 2021 following the conference.
Toll Free Replay Number: |
1-800-585-8367 |
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International Replay Number: |
1-416-621-4642 |
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Replay ID: |
2683788 |
About Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp.
Bioceres Crop Solutions Corp. (NASDAQ: BIOX) is a fully integrated global provider of crop productivity technologies designed to enable the transition of agriculture towards carbon neutrality. The Company's solutions create economic incentives for farmers and other stakeholders to adopt environmentally friendlier production practices. The Company has a unique biotech platform with high-impact, patented technologies for seeds and microbial ag-inputs, as well as next generation crop nutrition and protection solutions. Through its HB4 program, the Company is bringing digital solutions to support growers' decisions and provide end-to-end traceability for production outputs. For more information, click here.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “forecast,” “intend,” “seek,” “target,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Such forward-looking statements include estimated financial information and, among others, statements related to the expected or potential impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and the related responses by governments, clients and the Company, on our business, financial condition, liquidity position and results of operations, and any such forward-looking statements, whether concerning the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, whether (i) the health and safety measures implemented to safeguard employees and assure business continuity will be successful, (ii) the uncertainty related to COVID-19 in the farming community will be short lived, and (iii) we will be able to coordinate efforts to ramp up inventories. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions, expectations, plans and forecasts regarding the Company’s current or future results and future business and economic conditions more generally. Such forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement of the Company to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from management’s expectations or could affect the Company’s ability to achieve its strategic goals, including the uncertainties relating to the impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, operations, liquidity and financial results and the other factors that are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings updated from time to time. The preceding list is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of our forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. All forward-looking statements contained in this release are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are or were made, and the Company does not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income |
|||||
(Figures in US dollars) |
|||||
|
Three-month
|
Three-month
|
|
Nine-month
|
Nine-month
|
Total revenue Cost of sales |
36,221,113 (20,901,909) |
25,672,412 (14,920,088) |
|
127,315,064 (69,088,393) |
124,918,358 (68,227,890) |
Gross profit % Gross profit |
15,319,204 42% |
10,752,324 42% |
|
58,226,671 46% |
56,690,468 45% |
Operating expenses Share of profit of JV Other income or expenses, net |
(11,656,378) 906,241 205,127 |
(9,953,025) (132,080) (22,098) |
|
(35,107,369) 1,211,928 345,449 |
(31,262,696) 1,166,425 (203,664) |
Operating profit |
4,774,194 |
645,121 |
|
24,676,679 |
26,390,533 |
Finance result |
(5,008,001) |
(4,584,952) |
|
(23,640,337) |
(24,453,628) |
Profit / (loss) before income tax |
(233,807) |
(3,939,831) |
|
1,036,342 |
1,936,905 |
Income tax |
(390,710) |
366,382 |
|
(6,232,163) |
(838,273) |
Profit / (loss) for the period |
(624,517) |
(3,573,449) |
|
(5,195,821) |
1,098,632 |
Other comprehensive income / (loss) |
1,911,937 |
(56,919) |
|
2,707,064 |
(7,623,444) |
Total comprehensive profit / (loss) |
1,287,420 |
(3,630,368) |
|
(2,488,757) |
(6,524,812) |
Profit / (loss) for the period attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent Non-controlling interests |
(1,180,484) 555,967 |
(3,120,733) (452,716) |
|
(7,503,849) 2,308,028 |
1,143,771 (45,139) |
|
(624,517) |
(3,573,449) |
|
(5,195,821) |
1,098,632 |
Total comprehensive profit / (loss) attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
|
Equity holders of the parent Non-controlling interests |
510,325 777,095 |
(3,170,432) (459,936) |
|
(5,278,946) 2,790,189 |
(5,597,750) (927,062) |
|
1,287,420 |
(3,630,368) |
|
(2,488,757) |
(6,524,812) |
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Financial Position |
|
|
(Figures in US dollars) |
|
|
ASSETS |
03/31/2021 |
06/30/2020 |
CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
16,784,080 |
27,159,421 |
Other financial assets |
32,415,344 |
28,799,833 |
Trade receivables |
80,412,576 |
73,546,633 |
Other receivables |
7,855,945 |
4,770,672 |
Income and minimum presumed income taxes recoverable |
167,745 |
112,220 |
Inventories |
39,058,808 |
29,338,548 |
Biological assets |
17,101,794 |
965,728 |
Total current assets |
193,796,292 |
164,693,055 |
|
|
|
NON-CURRENT ASSETS |
|
|
Other financial assets |
333,969 |
322,703 |
Trade receivables |
831,581 |
- |
Other receivables |
2,169,173 |
1,703,573 |
Income and minimum presumed income taxes recoverable |
10,288 |
6,029 |
Deferred tax assets |
2,776,265 |
2,693,195 |
Investments in joint ventures and associates |
29,287,990 |
24,652,792 |
Property, plant and equipment |
42,845,194 |
41,515,106 |
Intangible assets |
61,093,033 |
35,333,464 |
Goodwill |
26,480,645 |
25,526,855 |
Right-of-use leased asset |
1,080,939 |
1,114,597 |
Total non-current assets |
166,909,077 |
132,868,314 |
Total assets |
360,705,369 |
297,561,369 |
|
|
|
LIABILITIES |
03/31/2021 |
06/30/2020 |
CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
Trade and other payables |
60,402,061 |
57,289,862 |
Borrowings |
85,415,020 |
63,721,735 |
Employee benefits and social security |
3,622,544 |
4,510,592 |
Deferred revenue and advances from customers |
1,388,479 |
2,865,437 |
Income tax payable |
5,049,721 |
1,556,715 |
Government grants |
1,302 |
1,270 |
Consideration for acquisition of assets |
200,000 |
- |
Lease liability |
507,434 |
665,098 |
Total current liabilities |
156,586,561 |
130,610,709 |
|
|
|
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES |
|
|
Trade and other payables |
452,654 |
452,654 |
Borrowings |
50,740,811 |
41,226,610 |
Employee benefits and social security |
- |
534,038 |
Government grants |
- |
2,335 |
Investments in joint ventures and associates |
1,266,645 |
1,548,829 |
Deferred tax liabilities |
17,630,027 |
16,858,125 |
Provisions |
377,900 |
417,396 |
Consideration for acquisition of assets |
7,637,972 |
- |
Warrants |
- |
1,686,643 |
Convertible notes |
47,197,434 |
43,029,834 |
Lease liability |
428,304 |
444,714 |
Total non-current liabilities |
125,731,747 |
106,201,178 |
Total liabilities |
282,318,308 |
236,811,887 |
|
|
|
EQUITY |
|
|
Equity attributable to owners of the parent |
61,026,785 |
46,179,395 |
Non-controlling interests |
17,360,276 |
14,570,087 |
Total equity |
78,387,061 |
60,749,482 |
Total equity and liabilities |
360,705,369 |
297,561,369 |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210513005427/en/
Contacts
Investor Relations Contact:
Chris Tyson
Executive Vice President
MZ Group – MZ North America
(949) 491-8235
BIOX@mzgroup.us
www.mzgroup.us
Bioceres Crop Solutions
Máximo Goya, Head of Investor Relations
+54-341-4861100
maximo.goya@biocerescrops.com