Fuel retailing helps Kaap Agri survive farming woes
The Western Cape’s drought and jitters over land expropriation contributed to the group’s grain handling and storing division’s profit halving
Expansion into fuel retailing helped Kaap Agri mitigate a collapse in grain handling and storage in its 2018 financial year. Of the four divisions the group segments itself into, The Fuel Company (TFC) reported the fastest growth with revenue rising 30% to R1.8bn and operating profit 35% to R85.8m. Kaap Agri said TFC achieved this despite delays in getting regulatory approval to expand its network of garages. The impressive performance of its fuel retailing arm helped the group grow its overall revenue 2.2% to R6.5bn despite the contribution from its grain handling and storage business, Wesgraan, falling 38% to R439m. Wesgran's operating profit more than halved to R23.6m from R52m. "The agricultural environment remains heavily impacted by climatic conditions in the various areas in which we operate as well as foreign-exchange volatility," the results statement said. "Policy uncertainty, especially with regard to expropriation without compensation, has negatively impacted capital inv...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.