Rating Rationale
August 31, 2020 | Mumbai
Diana Tea Co Limited
Rating outlook revised to 'Negative'; ratings reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.30.25 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL BBB-/Negative (Outlook revised from 'Stable' and rating reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A3 (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has revised its rating outlook on the long-term bank facilities of Diana Tea Co Limited (DTCL) to 'Negative' from 'Stable', while reaffirming the ratings at 'CRISIL BBB-/CRISIL A3'.
 
The revision in outlook is underpinned by weakening of the business risk profile in fiscals 2019 and 2020, as indicated by fall in profitability to Rs 0.39 crore and Rs 2.57 crore, respectively, against Rs 3-4 crore earlier. Though profitability was likely to recover to past levels in fiscal 2020, it did not meet CRISIL's expectation.
 
Further, even in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, players in the tea industry were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with nationwide lockdown declared by the central government reducing tea production by around 10-12% across the country. Nevertheless, realisations have been increasing and if prices sustain for the fiscal, tea growers may see a higher margin. This however, remains a rating sensitivity factor.
 
Longer-than-expected time taken for recovery could constrain the company's overall credit profile.
 
The ratings continue to reflect DTCL's healthy capital structure, marked by an adequate networth and low gearing. The ratings also factor in the company's established market position and extensive experience of the promoters in the tea industry. These strengths are partially offset by susceptibility to fluctuations in tea prices, seasonality in production and weather conditions.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths:
* Healthy capital structure: Capital structure is supported by healthy networth of Rs 45.19 crore as on March 31, 2020 (vis-a-vis Rs 44.70 crore as on March 31, 2019). Moderate reliance on external borrowings is reflected by outstanding debt of Rs 23.56 crore as on March 31, 2020 (Rs 19.11 crore as on March 31, 2019), and moderate bank limit utilisation. Hence, gearing and total outside liabilities to tangible networth ratios stood at 0.52 time and 0.67 time, respectively, as on March 31, 2020, as against 0.43 time and 0.7, time as on March 31, 2019.

* Established market position and extensive experience of the promoters: DTCL's plantations have been under cultivation since the early 1900s. Tea produced at its estates is well known, and commands a premium. The company is present in the bulk as well as branded segments, and its brand, Diana Tea, has an established market position in states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The company's tea is bought through auctions by reputed tea marketing companies. Healthy reputation of DTCL's estates and high quality of tea enable the company to realise better prices at auctions. The promoters, members of the Singhania family, also have extensive experience in the tea business.
 
Weaknesses:
* Susceptibility of profitability to fluctuations in tea prices: A significant portion of DTCL's sales are through auctions at Kolkata and Siliguri (both in West Bengal). Auction prices are determined at the centres, based on demand-supply dynamics. The domestic demand-supply scenario directly impacts prices, while the global situation could affect the market sentiment. While DTCL has some pricing discretion for tea sold through the private channel, these rates are also influenced by auction prices. Moreover, fragmentation in the tea industry limits pricing variation. For instance, realisation price could not match the increase in production cost of tea in fiscal 2019, leading to reduced profitability or loss for many West Bengal-based tea manufacturers. 

* Vulnerability of operating profitability to seasonality in production and weather conditions: Being a seasonal product, the tea yield depends on monsoon. Hence, production declines, amid poor weather conditions. The crop is also exposed to pest attacks. Tea plantation companies incur high fixed cost, mainly comprising labour and manufacturing expenses. If production lags normal levels, DTCL may witness a significant dip in profitability or even an operating loss.
Liquidity Adequate

Liquidity should remain adequate, marked by expected cash accrual of Rs 2-2.3 crore, against maturing debt of Rs 1.8 crore per fiscal. Cash accrual of Rs 2.03 crore was reported in fiscal 2020, against maturing debt of Rs 1.4 crore. Bank limit of Rs 29.3 crore was used at an average of 58% in last 12 months through July, 2020. Current ratio was adequate at 1.35 times as on March 31, 2020. Marketable securities of around Rs 1.6 crore also aid liquidity.

Outlook: Negative

CRISIL believes DTCL's business performance will remain under pressure over the medium term, given the volatility in the tea prices.

Rating Sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Revenue of over Rs 65 crore, and sustenance of operating profit
* Improvement in debt protection metrics
 
Downward factors
* Longer-than-expected time taken for business performance to recover, leading to cash accrual below Rs 2 crore in fiscal 2021
* Any long-term debt raised, weakening debt protection metrics.
About the Company

Incorporated in 1911 and listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, DTCL is an integrated tea player. It has tea plantations and manufactures crush-tear-curl (CTC) tea. The company was set up by Mr Nawab Ghulam Jabbar of Jalpaiguri (West Bengal), and was acquired by Mr Radheshyam Singhania in 1976. It is now managed by the Singhania family.

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2020 2019
Revenue Rs crore 61.11 62.37
Profit After Tax Rs crore 0.49 -1.88
PAT Margin % 0.81 -2.47
Adjusted Debt/Adjusted Networth Times 0.52 0.43
Interest coverage Times 1.14 0.22

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Crore) Complexity Levels Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 23 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Term Loan NA NA Mar-32 6.3 NA CRISIL BBB-/Negative
NA Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 0.95 NA CRISIL A3
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  29.30  CRISIL BBB-/Negative      27-05-19  CRISIL BBB-/Stable  28-02-18  CRISIL BBB/Stable      CRISIL BBB/Stable 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  0.95  CRISIL A3      27-05-19  CRISIL A3  28-02-18  CRISIL A3+      CRISIL A3+ 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Bank Guarantee .95 CRISIL A3 Bank Guarantee .95 CRISIL A3
Cash Credit 23 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Cash Credit 23 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Term Loan 6.3 CRISIL BBB-/Negative Term Loan 6.3 CRISIL BBB-/Stable
Total 30.25 -- Total 30.25 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process

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