TIDMAEP

RNS Number : 6957Y

Anglo-Eastern Plantations PLC

19 May 2016

19 May 2016

Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc

("AEP", "Group" or "Company")

Interim Management Statement

Anglo-Eastern Plantations Plc and its subsidiaries, which owns, operates and develops plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia, amounting to some 128,600 hectares producing mainly palm oil and some rubber of which approximately 65,200 hectares (including Plasma) are planted, today announces its Interim Management Statement in respect of the period since 31 December 2015.

Operational and financial performance

For the first three months ended 31 March 2016, our own production of fresh fruit bunches ("FFB") was 187,000mt, an increase of 9% compared to the same period in 2015 (3M15: 172,200mt). Increased production was in line with higher matured planting from the Kalimantan plantations. FFB bought-in was 110,800mt, which represents a decrease of 13% in comparison with the same period in 2015 (3M15: 127,900mt). Total Crude Palm Oil ("CPO") produced was 63,200mt, 9% higher than the corresponding period in 2015 (3M15: 58,200mt) due to better oil extraction rate.

CPO CIF Rotterdam price averaged $630/mt for the first three months to 31 March 2016. This represents a decrease of 6% from the average price of $669/mt recorded in the first quarter of 2015 but is above $560/mt being the price at the start of 2016.

The Group's balance sheet remains strong with the Company continuing to generate positive cash flow. The Company's Long Term Development Loans totalled $35.8m as at 31 March 2016 (31 March 2015: $34.9m). The increase is due to a loan drawdown in February 2016. The Group has net cash of $67.3m as at 31 March 2016.

Development

The Group's new planting for the three months ended 31 March 2016 totalled 186 hectares. As reported previously this was primarily due to delays in settlement with the villagers for land compensation payments. These negotiations are continuing and management is confident that some of these negotiations will be concluded successfully. The replanting of circa 1,500 hectares in North Sumatera will start in the second quarter of 2016 and should be completed by the year end.

The Biogas plant in Central Kalimantan is about 75% completed and expected to be operational by the start of fourth quarter of 2016. Civil works for a third Biogas plant within the Group has started in Bengkulu. This is in line with the Group's commitment to reduce its carbon foot prints.

Outlook

The CPO CIF Rotterdam price started the year at $560/mt and has been rising rapidly; it closed at $731/mt on 31 March 2016. The CPO price is expected to remain strong until at least the end of June 2016 due to concerns over weaker CPO supply resulting from the El-Nino effect and the heat wave experienced in Indonesia and Malaysia.

The improving crude oil prices will also enhance the competitiveness and development in biodiesel which will result in a higher demand for CPO.

For further enquiry, contact:

 
 Anglo-Eastern Plantations 
  Plc 
 Dato' John Lim Ewe Chuan      +44 (0)20 7216 4621 
 
 
 Panmure Gordon 
 Andrew Godber                 +44 (0)20 7886 2500

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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