Rating Rationale
November 06, 2020 | Mumbai
F3 Marine Foods Worldwide
'CRISIL B+/Stable/CRISIL A4' assigned to bank debt
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.13 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL B+/Stable (Assigned)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A4 (Assigned)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL B+/Stable/CRISIL A4' ratings to the bank facilities of F3 Marine Foods Worldwide (FMFW).
 
The ratings reflect FMFW's modest scale of operations, exposure to risks related to seasonality in business and intense competition, volatility in raw material prices and regulatory changes. These weaknesses are partially offset by the extensive experience of the partners in seafood operations and the cold storage industry and the firm's locational advantage.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Weaknesses
* Modest scale of operations
FMFW's business risk profile is constrained by its modest scale of operations, as reflected in operating income of Rs 20.93 crore in fiscal 2020. Intense competition in the marine products industry will continue constrain scalability and operating flexibility.
 
* Exposure to risks related to seasonality in business and intense competition
The industry faces a demand-supply imbalance, as seafood is a depleting commodity and tightened regulations on fishing have made supply conditions irregular. The segment is also susceptible to adverse seasonal conditions, lack of quality seeds and feed, rampant diseases and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sustained demand from key export destinations and domestic seafood production remain key monitorables.
 
* Susceptibility to volatility in raw material prices and regulatory changes
Marine products have a shelf life of around a year, so inventory is maintained depending on prices and market conditions. Seasonal availability of marine products leads to volatility in prices, which could marginally strain the operating margin. Furthermore, the viability of frozen seafood companies is dependent on support from the government in the form of incentive schemes. Any withdrawal of such schemes can adversely impact operations over the medium term.
 
Strengths
* Extensive experience of the partners
The two-decade-long experience of the partners, their strong understanding of the market dynamics and healthy relationships with suppliers and customers will continue to support the business.
 
* Locational advantage
The firm's processing plant is in Udupi, Karnataka. This plant location is in close proximity to fishery jetties, such as Malpe, Gangoli, Mangalore, Tadadi, Gokarna and Bailkere. It is located around 60 kilometre from the Mangaluru port, leading to easy procurement and transportation of raw material and finished goods.
Liquidity Stretched

Cash accrual, expected at 0.6-1 crore in fiscals 2021 and 2022, is tightly matched with yearly debt obligation of 0.4-0.5 crore over the medium term. Bank limit utilisation averaged 34.71% over the 12 months through August 2020.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes FMFW will continue to benefit from the partners' extensive experience and healthy relationships with clients.
 
Rating sensitivity factors
Upward factors
* Sustained increase in revenue (by 30%) and stable operating margin (over 6%) leading to higher cash accrual
* Efficient working capital management
 
Downward factors
* Decline in operating profitability below 2% leading to fall in cash accrual
* Larger-than-expected, debt-funded capital expenditure weakening the capital structure

About the Firm

Established in 2016 as a partnership firm, Udupi-based FMFW is owned and managed by Mr Mushtaq Ahmed, Mr Mohseen Mohammed and other partners. It processes fishery and seafood products. It also operates a cold storage facility.

Key Financial Indicators
As on / for the period ended March 31   2020* 2019
Operating income Rs crore 20.93 15.79
Reported profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore -2.63 -2.81
PAT margin % -12.60 -17.78
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.70 0.26
Interest coverage Times 1.31 -0.02
*Provisional

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 Cr)
Complexity Level Rating Assigned
with Outlook
NA Packing Credit NA NA NA 10.00 NA CRISIL A4
NA Long Term Loan NA NA Dec-27 3.00 NA CRISIL B+/Stable
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  13.00  CRISIL B+/Stable/ CRISIL A4    --    --    --    --  -- 
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
Long Term Loan 3 CRISIL B+/Stable -- 0 --
Packing Credit 10 CRISIL A4 -- 0 --
Total 13 -- Total 0 --
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
CRISILs Approach to Recognising Default
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
The Rating Process

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