UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No. 2
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
Commission File Number: 000-54191
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 33-1219070 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Room 3801, Block A, China Shine Plaza |
No. 9 Lin He Xi Road |
Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, P.R.C. 510610 |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including area code: (860) 20 22057860
Copies to:
Marc Ross, Esq.
Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP
61 Broadway, 32nd Floor
New York, New York 10006
Telephone: (212) 930-9700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yesx No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer£ | Accelerated Filer£ |
Non-Accelerated Filer£ | Smaller Reporting CompanyS |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ Nox
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the issuer on June 30, 2012, based upon the $0.475 per share closing price of such stock on that date, was approximately $25,337,512.
There were 112,028,365 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 9, 2013.
Documents incorporated by reference: None
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
PART I | 2 | |
Item 1. | Business. | 3 |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors. | 33 |
Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments. | 46 |
Item 2. | Properties. | 46 |
Item 3. | Legal Proceedings. | 48 |
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 48 |
PART II | 48 | |
Item 5. | Market for Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. | 48 |
Item 6. | Selected Financial Data. | 49 |
Item 7. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. | 49 |
Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. | 66 |
Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. | 66 |
Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. | 66 |
Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures. | 66 |
Item 9B. | Other Information. | 67 |
PART III | 67 | |
Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance. | 67 |
Item 11. | Executive Compensation. | 69 |
Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. | 70 |
Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. | 71 |
Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services. | 71 |
PART IV | 71 | |
Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. | 71 |
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EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Amendment No. 2 on Form 10-K/A (the “Amendment”) amends Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A ofSino Agro Food, Inc. (the “Company”)originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 29, 2013 (the “Original Filing”). This Amendment is being filed to conform certain information contained herein to the information contained in the Form S-1/A filed with the Commission on September 23, 2013.
No other changes have been made in this Amendment to the Original Filing other than to the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources.” Other than the foregoing, this Amendment speaks as of the original date of the Original Filing, does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the date of the Original Filing and does not modify or update in any way disclosures made in the Original Filing.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This Annual Report on Form 10-K/A contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. We have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by terminology including “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “can,” “continue,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “plans,” “potential,” “predict,” “should” or “will” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions; uncertainties and other factors may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels or activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Our expectations are as of the date this Form 10-K/A is filed, and we do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date this Annual Report on Form 10-K/A is filed to confirm these statements to actual results, unless required by law.
This Annual Report also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other industry data. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. We have not independently verified the statistical and other industry data generated by independent parties and contained in this Annual Report and, accordingly, we cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness, though we do generally believe the data to be reliable. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industries in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
PART I
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS. |
In this Annual Report, unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “Sino Agro” “we,” “our company,” “our” and “us,” refer to Sino Agro Food, Inc., a Nevada corporation together with its subsidiaries.
Company History
Our company, which was formerly known as Volcanic Gold, Inc. and A Power Agro Agriculture Development, Inc., was incorporated on October 1, 1974 in the State of Nevada. We were engaged in the mining and exploration business but ceased our mining and exploring business on October 14, 2005. On August 24, 2007, we entered into a Merger and Acquisition Agreement with Capital Award Inc., a Belize corporation and its subsidiaries Capital Stage Inc. and Capital Hero Inc. Effective the same date, Capital Award completed a reverse merger transaction with us. We acquired all the outstanding common stock of Capital Award from Capital Adventure, a shareholder of Capital Award, for 32,000,000 shares of our common stock.
On August 24, 2007 we changed our name from Volcanic Gold, Inc. to A Power Agro Agriculture Development, Inc. On December 8, 2007, we changed our name to Sino Agro Food, Inc. Our principal executive office is located at Room 3801, 38th Floor, Block A, China Shine Plaza, No. 9 Lin He Xi Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PRC, 510610.
We used to operate a dairy segment but sold it in December of 2009. We made the determination to do so because we believed the dairy industry had poor fundamentals in that it was manipulated and controlled by a few value-added manufacturers who obtained a majority of their raw milk supplies from various regional dairy farmers of the country who received very little value yet were expected to deliver high quality milk. As a result, the small dairy farmers were essentially forced to use chemicals in their milk to bring up the milk’s protein level that eventually caused the down-fall of the industry. In our opinion, this state of affairs led to the collapse of the Chinese dairy industry in 2010. After the sale of our former dairy business, we decided to implement our growth plan to develop the vertically integrated business operations in (i) cattle fattening and producing of beef products and (ii) fishery for the cultivation of fish and prawn and related products, as is further described elsewhere in this Annual Report.
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Corporate Acquisitions
On September 5, 2007, we acquired two existing businesses in the People’s Republic of China, or the PRC:
(a) Tri-Way Industries Ltd., Hong Kong (“TRW”) (formerly known as “Tri-way Industries Limited”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong; and
(b) Macau EIJI Co. Ltd., Macau (“MEIJI”) (formerly known as Macau Eiji Company Limited”), a company incorporated in Macau, and the owner of 75% equity interest in Enping City Juntang Town Hang Sing Tai Agriculture Co. Ltd. (“HST”), a PRC corporate Sino-Foreign joint venture. HST was dissolved in 2010.
On November 27, 2007, MEIJI and HST established a corporate Sino - Foreign joint venture, Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd, China (“JHST”) (formerly known as Jiang Men City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd.), a company incorporated in the PRC with MEIJI owning a 75% interest and HST owning a 25% interest.
In September 2009, we formed a 100% owned subsidiary in Macau, A Power Agriculture Development (Macau) Ltd., China (“APWAM”) (formerly known as “A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Limited”). APWAM presently owns 45% of a corporate Sino-Foreign joint venture, Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. (“SJAP”). SJAP is engaged in the business of manufacturing bio-organic fertilizer, livestock feed and development of other agriculture projects in the County of Huangyuan, in the vicinity of the Xining City, Qinghai Province, PRC.
On February 28, 2011, TRW applied to form a corporate joint venture, Enping City A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Ltd., China (“EBAPCD”) (formerly known as “Enping City Bi Tao A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited”), incorporated in the PRC. TRW initially owned a 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. On November 17, 2011, TRW formed Jiangmen City A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd, China (“JFD”) (formerly known as “Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited”) in which it acquired a 25% equity interest, while withdrawing its 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. As of December 31, 2011, we had invested $1,258,607 in JFD. JFD operates an indoor fish farm. On January 1, 2012, we acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for total cash consideration of $1,662,365. On April 1, 2012, we acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for the amount of $1,702,580. We presently own a 75% equity interest in JFD and control its board of directors. As of September 30, 2012, we had consolidated the assets and operations of JFD.
On April 15, 2011, MEIJI applied to form Enping City A Power Beef Cattle Farm (2) Co. Ltd., China (“EAPBCF2”) (formerly known as “Enping City A Power Cattle Farm Co., Limited”), all of which we would indirectly own a 25% equity interest in as of November 17, 2011. On September 13, 2012 MEIJI formed Jiangmen City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co. Ltd., China (“JHMC”) (formerly known as “Jiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited”) in which it owns 75% equity interest with an investment of $3,636,326, while withdrawing its 25% equity interest in ECF. As of September 30, 2012, we had consolidated the assets and operations of JHMC.
Tables of information: The tables below show:
(1) | Table 1 shows the Company’s Corporate Structure, where the boxes marked “Unincorporated project companies” mean that their respective Sino Foreign Joint Venture Company (“SJVC”) has not been formed officially, and that the Company has paid a 25% deposit as consideration toward their acquisition pending the official formation of their corresponding SJVC, all of which are anticipated to occur between December 31, 2013 to June 30, 2014. |
(2) | Table 2 shows the abbreviation of the names of the companies. |
(3) | Table 3 shows the location of the Company’s businesses |
(4) | Table 4 shows the business activities of the Company’s businesses. |
(5) | Table 5 summarizes the general information of our business and operation models. |
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TABLE 1: CORPORATE STRUCTURE
TABLE 2: ABBREVIATION OF THE NAMES OF THE COMPANIES
Abbreviation | Names of entities | Date of formation | ||||
Incorporated Companies | ||||||
1 | SIAF | Sino Agro Food, Inc. | 1974 | |||
2 | CA | Capital Award Inc. | 2003 | |||
3 | MEIJI | Macau EIJI Company Ltd. | 2005 | |||
4 | APWAM | A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Ltd. | 2007 | |||
5 | TRW | Tri-way Industries Ltd. (Hong Kong) | 2009 | |||
6 | CS | Capital Stage Inc. | 2003 | |||
7 | CH | Capital Hero Inc. | 2003 | |||
8 | JHST or HU Plantation | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | 2009 | |||
9 | JHMC or Cattle Farm 1 | Jiangman City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co. Ltd. | 2012 | |||
10 | SJAP | Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | 2009 | |||
11 | JFD or Fish Farm 1 | Jiangmen City A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd. | 2011 | |||
12 | HSA | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | 2011 | |||
Unincorporated Project Companies | ||||||
13 | Wholesale Center 1 or APNW | Guangzhou City A Power Nawei Trading Co. Ltd. China | 2012 | |||
14 | ZSAPP or Prawn Farm 2 | Zhongshan A Power Prawn Culture Farms Development Co. Ltd. China | 2012 | |||
15 | EBAPCD or Prawn Farm 1 | Enping City A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Ltd. China | 2011 | |||
16 | Cattle Farm 2 | Enping City A Power Beef Cattle Farm 2 Co. Ltd. China | 2011 |
All “Unincorporated Project Companies” are private companies formed in China with Chinese citizens acting as their legal representatives as required by company law of China. These companies’ names will be changed in accordance with the names granted by the relevant authorities once their corresponding Sino Foreign Joint Venture Company will officially have been formed.
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TABLE 3: LOCATION MAP OF GROUP’S BUSINESS
TABLE 4: BUSINESS ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP’S COMPANIES
ABBREVIATION Names | Business activities | |
SIAF | Engineering consulting (in general types of developments), business management, trading, sales and marketing | |
CA | Engineering consulting (mainly in development of fishery), management of fishery operation, marketing and sales of fishery produces and products. | |
MEIJI | Engineering consulting (mainly in cattle farming and vegetable farming), management service and marketing and sales of cattle and related products. | |
APWAM | Holding Company | |
TRW | Holding Company and holders of Technology Licenses. | |
CS | Dormant | |
CH | Dormant | |
JHST or (HU Plantation) | H U Plantation, Immortal Vegetable farming, processing and sales of produces and products. | |
JHMC or (Cattle Farm 1) | Rearing of cattle at Cattle Farm 1 which is a demonstration farm | |
SJAP | Existing activities: Manufacturing of organic fertilizer, bulk and concentrated livestock feed, and rearing of cattle and corporative farming
Expected Added activities by 2014 Slaughter and de-boning of cattle and value added processing of beef products Manufacturing of Enzyme Electricity generation via Mash Gas Station | |
JFD or (Fish Farm 1) | Growing of fish (sleepy cod species), eels (Flower Pattern species) and prawns (or shrimps) at Fish Farm 1 | |
HSA | Existing Activities Manufacturing of organic fertilizer, 100% pure organic mixed fertilizer and lake fish farming organic fertilizer.
Expected Added activities by 2014 Cattle farming | |
Wholesale Centre (1) | Marketing, sales and distribution of seafood and meats and related products.
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ZSAPP or (Prawn Farm2) | Hatchery and Nursery operation of prawns (or shrimps) Growing of prawns (or shrimp) using open-dams applying re-circulating filtration systems. | |
EBAPCD or (Prawn Farm 1) | Growing of prawns (or shrimp) | |
Cattle Farm (2) | By year 2014-Cattle Growing |
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TABLE 5: SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND OPERATION MODELS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Our Sino Foreign Joint Venture Companies (SJVC)
There are two methods that we use to obtain our SJVC’s in China;
¨ | One where we pay for our entire share of capital expenditures and associated costs (including establishment and development cost) and applying for the formation of the SJVC starting from day one. A Sino Joint Venture Agreement (or Memorandum of Understanding) is usually executed in advance bearing corresponding terms and conditions agreed by the joint venture parties. |
Examples: SJAP, JHST and HAS.
¨ | The other way involves us acquiring the entity only after its business operation has been developed and started to generate revenues; in this case, we would have evaluated that the particular operation would be beneficial to the Company in all aspects, and thereafter we would apply for the formation of its SJVC: |
Examples: JHMC and JFD.
This method is typically used in connection with projects that we built and developed for our Chinese investors such that the Joint Venture Agreements bear standard terms and conditions, in other words where the investors agree:
1. | to appoint us as their Consulting Engineer granting the right for us to appoint local qualified sub-contracts to build/construct the farms and local suppliers to supply all plants and equipment and related parts and components of the farms; |
2. | to let us have full management right on the construction and development of the farm and the management right to manage the operation of the related developed business operation of the farm afterward and as the sole marketing and distribution agent of the farm for the sales and marketing of the farm’s produces and products; |
3. | to pay for all construction and development costs in accordance with the terms and conditions of our consulting servicing contracts for acting as their consulting engineer; |
4. | in the event that we decide to acquire the developed farm and related business operations, the investors shall agree to incorporate a Sino Foreign Joint Venture Company to acquire all assets and liabilities of the said farm and business and allow us the option to take up to 75% of the SJVC at 100% net asset value of the SJVC and the investors keep 25% of the SJVC; and |
5. | in the event if we decide not to acquire the developed farm and related business operation, the investors agree to appoint us as the management of operation of the farm for a minimum period of 15 years. |
Our Employees
The following table describes our employees and for which divisions they work as of the date of this Annual Report.
Abbreviation | Management | Skilled | Non-skilled | Casual | Total | |||||||||||||||
SIAF, including CA, MEIJI, APWAM, TRW, CS and CH | 12 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 30 | |||||||||||||||
JHST | 5 | 18 | 43 | 128 | 194 | |||||||||||||||
JHMC | 2 | 2 | 13 | 16 | 33 | |||||||||||||||
SJAP | 16 | 26 | 65 | 150 | 257 | |||||||||||||||
JFD | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 14 | |||||||||||||||
HSA | 5 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 22 | |||||||||||||||
Total | 42 | 72 | 142 | 294 | 550 |
Cooperative Farming Model
Our Cooperative Farming Model provides us with an intermediary supply pipeline so we can ramp up our production at lower marginal cost to our operations, albeit on favorable trade terms from us.
Our strategy is to identify agriculture projects with strong growth potential linked to sales demand where small farmers lack commercial scale and expertise and where they benefit with our strategic alliance approach so that we have a win-win outcome for local small farmers who cooperate with us as an intermediary to produce the goods to supply our farms. We believe that this model ensures that we have a supply pipeline so we can ramp up production at lower margin cost to our operations albeit on favorable trade terms from us. We then work with the local government and with their help we introduce and initiate Farmers Cooperatives, such as in Huangyuan County, Xining City. This concept of strategic alliance with smallholder farmers under a Cooperative Farming Model was originated based on the following key characteristics and value enhancers:
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1. Once we have completed our assessment of the ability of the regional farmers to grow crops and pastures for us as our nominated contractors using our land that was leased to us free of rent by the local government or using the farmer’s own land, and using our plants and equipment for their planting and harvesting, we provide the farmers with supervision and associated services, seeds and organic fertilizer on credit terms offset by the crops and pastures that we purchase from them.
2. We also use this regional farmers’ concept when we are growing cattle as these farmers are our contractors using our bulk livestock feed on credit terms that will be offset by the amount of mature cattle that we buy from them.
3. The ultimate aim of this arrangement is to obtain cattle that will be qualified as “organically reared cattle” such that we shall be able to produce “Organic beef products” on a commercial scale basis.
The Organic Chain: (Organic Beef Product and Supply Chain)
• | SIAF’s agricultural waste is prepared by SIAF into bio-organic fertilizer. Also the livestock feed is prepared into bio-organic livestock feed. |
• | The bio-organic fertilizer and the bio-organic livestock feed is sold to farmers that work on SIAF’s land-use rights (which are owned by the government) at a discounted price. The fertilizer and the livestock feed is also prepared based on our enzyme. The use of the enzyme is synergistic as the production of fertilizer and livestock feed is permissible during 12 months of the year, which is a competitive advantage. |
• | The farmers use the bio-organic fertilizer on the soil and feed the grain to the cows together with the livestock feed. Tests made by the government that owns the land shows the following results from use of the bio-organic fertilizer: |
• | Additional average weight gain per head of fattening cattle; |
• | Additional fresh milk produced; |
• | All feeds are much easier to digest resulting in a much cleaner environment in the cattle yards and houses; |
• | No sickness during the period was recorded through the cause of consumption of our feeds; and |
• | All cattle preferred to eat our feed and were reluctant to revert back to the consumption of their old feed after they had consumed our feed during the period. |
• | SIAF acquires the young cattle from the regional farmers when they are about 6 months old. Due to the discounted price of the bio-organic fertilizer, SIAF acquires the young cattle to a discounted price from the farmers for a win-win outcome. The young cattle are fed with SIAF’s organic livestock feed (our “Stock Feed Manufacturing Technology”). |
Recent Case studies:
Our records show that farmers’ averaged annual incomes increased from RMB 480/Mu (about 660 square meters)/year to RMB 2,100/Mu/year by planting crops and pasture for us applying our fertilizer with harvesting being done by our teams of harvesting workers using our machineries and equipment.
Farmers who grow cattle using our livestock feed and sold their cattle to us has annual incomes increased by 4 times because it used to take them 4 years to grow and fatten a head of cattle to about 600 kg of body weight, but now it takes them less than 12 months to fatten a head of cattle to a body weight of no less than 700 Kg.
Our Technologies
A Power Re-circulating Aquaculture System and Technology
We built our fishery (both for growing of fish or shrimp) farms using our A Power Re-circulating Aquaculture System and Technology (“APRAS”), now in its 10thversion, to operate our sizeable commercial farming facilities. The A Power Technology and System is “an engineered, self-contained water treatment and re-circulating aquaculture system (“RAS”) for the growth of aquatic animals on a commercial scale”, whereas in the farm all fish grow-out tanks are in modules that can be built in various sizes to adapt to the growing capacity of the farm. This technology is proven, having been used in Europe and Australia for over 30 years. The Company attributes the following benefits to the system: improved productivity, lower labor requirements, mortality rates of less than 8% and feed-to-fish conversion ratios of 1:1 for pallet feed and 2:1 for non-pallet feed. The indoor system is fully controlled, tank water treated through micro-bio bacterial compartments to digest soluble wastes, solid waste separators remove the insoluble wastes, UV and O3 chambers clean the water and oxygen of the water is maintained by in-built aerators with water temperature controlled by heat exchangers, which is then recycled at the rate between 60 times to 120 times per hour adjustable according to the motion requirement of the growing species of fish with water temperature being maintained at suitable ranges to suit the species of fish. Importantly, this system does not require chemicals or antibiotics and is pollution free. Given the high incidence of pollution in aquaculture and the existing outdated open dam aquaculture methods used in China, we believe that our technology gives us distinct advantages both in the sales of fishes and prawns and for our consulting and service business to develop more farms in China.
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At the same time we believe that land prices are rising rapidly in China and our RAS has the ability to maximize the utilization of land because our technology can produce greater quantity per surface area compared to the existing open-dam or caging aquaculture systems and technologies (which are rather old systems) used in China; for instance, a standard AP Modular tank has a surface area of 100 m2 and the capacity to produce over 40 MT of prawns (or shrimp) per year whereas the old systems’ average of production is at 6 Mt/660 m2 per year; in other word, we can produce annually 1,600 MT of prawns (or shrimp) per acre of land whereas the old systems are producing 36 MT of prawns (or shrimp) per acre per year which gives us a considerable advantage. Now that we have established a few commercial APRAS farms in China and proven their commercial viability, we believe the Company has the potential to venture into developing aquaculture projects with annual productivity over hundreds of thousand metric tons will not be too far away.
Our Aromatic Feed formula and Feeding Systems
We feed our cattle with a portion of our aromatic feed (which is a feed mix consisting of various Chinese herbs to improve the health of the cattle) at a ratio in accordance with their needs during each growing stages of the cattle while they are being grown in the farm. The end results are that our cattle have better growth rate and are healthy animals with tender meats that have an aromatic favor.
Our Enzyme Technologies (“Bacterial and Bio-organic Manufacturing Technology”).
We have two Enzyme Technologies, one that was invented by SJAP and is being used for the manufacture of organic fertilizer and bulk livestock feed by SJAP at Qinghai, Xining’s operation (T2) and another one that we brought from a third party that is being used in our Cattle Farm 1’s operation to produce livestock feed (T1) and at HSA to produce 100% pure organic mixed fertilizer.
There are fundamental differences between T1 and T2 as shown in Table below:
Fundamentals | T1 (Page 65) | T2 (Page 40) | ||
Required temperature for fermentation | 15 degree C | 4 degree C | ||
Days required to complete fermentation processes | 21 days | 7 days | ||
Temperature variation for storages | Up to -10 degree C | Up to -30 degree C | ||
Shelve-life | One year | Two years or more | ||
Protein % increases after fermentation | 3% | 6% |
T2 is more practical and suitable to apply at colder climate regions such as at SJAP’s operation at Qinghai, Xining which typically has 6 months of winter at average temperature of -20 degree C and below whereas T1 is more suitable to regions where the climate is milder, such as at JHMC (Cattle Farm 1) and HSA where there are typically 10 months of warm and hot climate with mild winters.
An example showing the manufacturing process of Bulk Livestock Feed:
Raw materials consisting of crop wastes as well as locally grown and available wild wheat plus wild wheat sterns, wild peas with sterns and leaves, and selective pastures grown, will be cut and rolled into bales with the enzyme being added during the cutting and rolling process then packed and sealed in airtight and weather proof packaging for storage in the open. The materials will go through a number of aging and fermentation processes generated by the enzyme such that the feed will be ready for consumption as and when the farmers will require them to feed their cattle or sheep.
Our Formulas used for the manufacture of Concentrated livestock feed:
We have 6 formulas that we apply in our concentrated livestock feed manufacturing process, and these are formulas invented by our joint venture partners who were professors at the University of Xining before they joined our operation at SJAP. All cattle’s daily dietary needs include the consumption both of the bulk and concentrated livestock feed that are tailor made to suit each stage of their growing cycles (e.g., milking cows require higher protein diet while weaning calves need more calcium to grow body frames, and fattening cattle need higher energy input to gain body weight) in order that optimal growth efficiency be achieved. The bulk livestock feed provides the carbohydrates while the concentrated livestock feed provides the protein, vitamins, trace elements and other necessary supplements that will be required by cattle at various stages of their growing cycles. Our formulas will enhance feed with specific concentrated raw materials (i.e. soya bean, corns and seeds, etc.), such that no excessive raw materials will be wasted and consumed thus producing healthy cattle with maximal efficiency. At the same time this will reduce excessive body fat of growing cattle.
In this respect SJAP has done many tests to show that on average the fattened cattle has around 15 Kg of fat/body weight of 800 Kg if they were not fed with our concentrated Livestock feed, and the fattened cattle fed with our concentrated livestock feed on average has only 6 Kg of fat/body weight of 800 kg which means that saleable net weight gain per cattle is 9 kg because fats are not saleable.
Vertical Integration
Our five year business plan, which started in January 2010 and runs through December 2014 aims to complete the development of all the integrated activities listed below with a view to achieving our marketing plan concept of “From Farms to Plates.”
Vertical integration for our fishery developments: We intend to have following activities developed to support one another:
¨ Research and development in the fishery technologies, growing techniques, management systems, species of aquatic animals that will be grown that will have commercial market niches, breeding stocks that will have the ability to produce and sustain supplies of fingerling (or baby stocks) in commercial scales, feed analysis and formulation, marketing and sales, logistics and transportation of live aquatic animals and other related general information of the industry (e.g., we have established relationships with a number of local professional sub-contractors and entities to carry out the referred duties for the Company).
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¨ Hatchery and nursery farm. For example, we established ZSAPP (or Prawn Farm 2) to service such purpose.
¨ Grown-out farms. For example, we established Fish Farm 1 and Prawn Farm 1 for the growth of aquatic animals.
¨ Marketing and distribution networks, e.g., we are developing Wholesale Center 1 and chains of restaurants with the intention that they will eventually be used as part of our ultimate distribution channels to sell our aquatic seafood. Our vision of our distribution channels consists of sales channels via secondary wholesalers, restaurant and hotel distributors, super market chain distributors and commissioned sales agents. Some of these will be in direct competition to health shops and super market chains, establishments similar to Wholesale Center 1 and the chains of restaurants that we intend to develop for and on behalf of our Chinese joint venture investors.
Vertical integration for our organic beef and cattle business developments at SJAP : We intend to have following activities developed to support one another:
¨ Research and Development in the enzyme and feed technologies, growing techniques, management systems, breeding stocks, analysis and formulation, marketing and sales, logistic and transporting, and many aspect information of the industry(we have established this activity in house at SJAP).
¨ | Manufacturing of organic fertilizer (in operation since 2009). |
¨ | Cultivating and planting and harvesting of organic crops and pasture (ongoing since 2010). |
¨ | Manufacturing of Bulk Livestock Feed (ongoing since 2010). |
¨ | Manufacturing of Concentrated Livestock Feed (commenced operation since March 2013). |
¨ | Cattle Growing and rearing (in operation since 2010). |
¨ | Farming corporative (initiated and formed in 2010 and currently we have over 86 members in the corporative). |
¨ | Slaughtering, deboning and value added manufacturing of cattle, beef meats and products (that we are developing and constructing starting in January 2013 targeting completion of and starting operation of Phase (1) developments during the first quarter of 2014. |
¨ | Marketing and sales and distribution networks (that we plan on starting during the fourth quarter of 2013). |
¨ | Manufacturing of enzyme (which we intend to start pre-mobilization work within sometimes at the end of final quarter 2013). |
¨ | Development of mash gas station to complete our environmental program such that we shall able to recycle all of our cattle waste into raw material for the manufacture of our organic fertilizer and to supply electricity to our regional neighbors within the District of Huangyuan to service our corporate social responsibility. |
Information on Marketing, sales and distribution, produces and products:
The Fishery Sector
The Chinese markets prefer and pay premium prices for Live Aquatic animals, and there are many live seafood wholesale markets with hundreds of wholesalers selling live seafood in many Provinces of China supported by well-developed logistics services in road and air transports. As such we currently are selling our aquatic seafood mainly to wholesalers in the wholesale markets at Shanghai City, Southern Coastal Cities and the Guangzhou City which are the more dominant markets.
¨ | Fish Farm 1: We produce Sleepy Cod which is a tropical species growing mainly in the Southern regions of Guangdong Province, and an attractive breed for aquaculture purposes as it is a relatively small fish that grows best in our APRAS and provides “white pieces of fillets with flaky flesh that are suitable to the gourmet taste liked by Asians,” and is similar to that of the much-prized marble or sand goby. It is easy to ship, as it lies motionless in shipping bags, and stacks well in the live fish tanks used in Asian restaurants. Our APRAS system provides ideal environments to grow Sleepy Cod that always have better appearance and shelf-life when they get to the wholesalers with the important advantage of being free from chemicals and pollutants. Therefore our Sleepy Cod are well received and in demand and creating a niche market such that in general our Sleepy Cod are selling at premium prices receiving between 8 to 10% above the daily market averages. |
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The Sleepy Cod
Eels
¨ | From Prawn Farm 1: Stocking of prawn fingerling (baby prawns of 7 to 15 days old) began during the first quarter of 2013 for growing into marketable sized prawns from count sizes of 90/100 piece/Kg and larger. Larger prawns always demand higher premium prices. There are two varieties being grown; one is the Mexican White Prawns (or shrimp) which is an imported breed grown in water containing approximately 0.5% of salinity and that has a rather sweet flavor and crispy texture that is liked by Chinese consumers; the other variety is a locally bred species that we call the “LawZi Prawn” (its direct English translation is “Big Giant Prawns”) originated from Thailand but now well developed in China. The LawZi Prawns are grown in fresh water and are in high demand in many gourmet kitchens especially so when they are over 50 grams/piece. |
The Mexican White Prawns (or Shrimp)
The LawZi Prawns (or The Big Giant Prawns)
¨ | From Prawn Farm 2: Up to now it has been developed as a Hatchery and Nursery producing Prawn Fingerling and selling them to the regional prawn farmers. Currently the Company produces and sells mainly Mexican White Prawn Fingerling (or baby prawns) and expects to sell the LawZi Prawn fingerling during the third quarter of 2013, having successfully bred the second generation of LawZi brood stock prawns crossed between the wild species and domestic species during the first quarter of 2013. |
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The 5 days old baby prawns | The 20 or more days old baby prawns |
The Organic Fertilizer, Livestock Feed and Cattle growing at SJAP:
¨ | Currently SJAP is manufacturing organic fertilizer (since 2009), Bulk livestock feed (from 2010), Concentrated Livestock feed (starting March 2013), and has been growing cattle since 2011. |
Organic Fertilizer
Bulk Livestock Feed
The Organic Fertilizers are sold mainly to our corporative farmers who plant crops and pastures for us that we repurchase to process into Bulk Livestock Feed. Part of this Bulk Livestock feed will be used to grow cattle in our own cattle station and part will be sold to our corporative growers for growing cattle with the remaining part being sold to other regional farmers.
Concentrated Livestock Feed
The Concentrated Livestock Feed (“CLSF”) complements SJAP’s bulk livestock feed to provide the local cattle and sheep farming industry with a unique and completed feed formula that can cater to the growing of cattle and sheep at various growing cycles (e.g., specially formulated mixes with efficient nutrients for dairy cows and sheep, weaning, fattening and mature cattle and sheep). The advantage of the formulated feed combination is that the cattle and sheep growers will realize cost savings in production knowing precisely the amount of concentrated feed that will be needed by their livestock, thus avoiding excess concentrated feed being wasted on over feeding, resulting in worthless excess fat in mature animals. In this respect, the Chinese central government has placed an order with SJAP to reserve annually up to 5000 MT of CLSF as part of the country’s annual reserved emergency livestock feed inventory. From March 2013 onward, SJAP generates additional revenue generated from the sales of CLSF.
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The cattle we grow are primarily Simmental (a common breed introduced to China in the early 20th century), Charolais, and some Angus cattle. In general, we buy 6 to 8 months old cattle when they have established their body frames, then they will be fattened either by us in our indoor cattle stations or by our corporative farmers at their own farms for a further 6 to 10 months until they will reach body weight averaging 700/800 Kg/head and sell them as live cattle to the wholesale cattle buyers. It is because our cattle are well fed and healthy with better meat recovery rates such that we normally get premium prices that are calculated to about 10% above the daily market averages. We also earn between 10 to 12% from buying the cattle back from the corporative farmers and resold to the cattle wholesalers.
SJAP is constructing a slaughter house, a de-boning factory and a value added processing factory that are targeted to be completed and in operation by early 2014. Until such time, there will be no processed or frozen meats marketed and sold. However SJAP is planning on developing its marketing and sales network beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013 based on following marketing plans:
¨ | Developing sales offices in main cities of China (starting at Beijing, Shanghai, Changshi and Guangzhou City). |
¨ | Initiating and establishing sales with established and reputable first and second tier regional distributors. |
¨ | Initiating and establishing sales into first and second tier super market chains either as direct suppliers or as tenants. |
¨ | Developing our own chains of butchery shops and outlets using franchising methods. |
¨ | Developing our own restaurants based on the concept of our “Bull” restaurant that sells mainly beef dishes that can use up to 85% of a whole cattle instead of the normal 30% used by the most of the top restaurants and hotel caterers. In this respect, the expansion and development of the “Bull” restaurants will be done through franchising methods. |
¨ | Developing our own sales teams and personnel to sell and market our meats and products to the first and second tier restaurants and secondary distribution markets regionally. |
Business Overview, Businesses and Progress reports
We introduced our business activity in China in 2006 as an engineering consulting company specializing in building agriculture and aquaculture farms and the developments of related business operation using our expertise and knowhow knowledge in specific agriculture and aquaculture technologies (i.e. our A Power Re-circulating aquaculture system and technology and our cattle growing feeding and caring technology), engineering designs of, and management systems for, indoor and on-land fishery and cattle farms and vegetable farms (based on hydroponic technologies) adaptable to various climate and growing conditions, production of organic, green and natural agriculture produces after having developed many aquaculture fishery farms and cattle farms and related business developments including sales and marketing of produces and products in Australia and Malaysia since 1998.
In 2007 we acquired our first Sino Foreign Joint Venture company in China operating a dairy farm that was sold to our joint venture partner in 2010 followed by the acquisition of JHST (or the HU Plantation) in 2009, the establishment of SJAP (our major cattle growing operation) in 2009 and started the building of our first fishery farm (JFD or Fish Farm 1) in 2010 and continuing until today when we conduct all the activities shown in Table 2 above.
In all these developments we were the master engineers and pioneered the construction and building of farms from bare land into fully operational facilities covering the construction and building of infrastructures, staff quarters, offices, processing facilities, storages, and all related production facilities and their related managements responsible in developing all business activities into effective and efficient operation including all training of personnel.
Our Company is now maturing into a company dedicated to the agriculture and aquaculture industry. We are currently operating the HU Plantation, maintaining our services in engineering consulting, and specializing in the developments of two major products, namely meat derived from the growing of beef cattle and seafood derived from the growing of fish, prawns (or shrimp) and other marine species having niche markets with revenues generating from activities that we divide into five standalone business divisions or units: (1) fishery, (2) cattle, (3) beef organic fertilizer, (4) HU Plantation and (5) Marketing and Trading.
We started our first 5 year business plan in 2010 aiming to develop the concept of “From Farm to Plate” that would be supported with the vertical integration and services defined above.
Below is a summary of our operational and/or developing stage business activities carried out by our existing or newly formed subsidiaries.
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1. Fishery Division operated by Capital Award Inc. (“CA”)
CA generates revenues from two main activities: “Engineering and Consulting Services” and “Marketing and Sales of Aquatic seafood” described below:
Engineering and Technology Services via Consulting and Service Contracts (“CSC’s”) for the development, construction, supplies of plants and equipment and management of fishery (and prawn or shrimp) farms and related business operation.
CA has entered into numerous CSC’s; their information and status are shown in the table below:
Notes to the developments in progress:
Name of the developments | Location of development | Land area or Built up area | Current Phase & Stage | Commencement date of development | (Estimated) development's completion date on or before | Contractual amount | % of completion as at April 15.2013 | |||||||||
$ | ||||||||||||||||
Fish Farm (1) | Enping City | 9,900 m2 | fully operational | July. 2010 | Jun-11 | $5.3 million | Fully operational | |||||||||
Prawn Farm (1) | Enping City | 23,100 m2 | 2 phases | Phase 1 on June 2011 | Phase (1) on December 2012 | $11.6 million | Phase (1) in operation | |||||||||
Fish Farm (2) "The Fish & Eel Farm | Xin Hui District, Jiang Men. | 33,000 m2 | 3 Phases | Phase 1 January 15, 2013 | Phase 1 June 2014 | 14.9 million | 35% | |||||||||
Prawn Farm (2) The Hatchery & Nursery & Grow-out prawn farm | San Jiao Town, Zhong San City, | 120,000 m2 | 2 phases | Phase (1) and Phase (2) May 2012 | Phase (1) Dec. 2012 and Phase (2) December 2013. | Phase (1) $8.5 m and Phase (2) 8.67 Million | Phase (1) fully operational and Phase (2) 65% |
(a) | Phase 1 development work on a prawn hatchery and nursery farm (Prawn Farm 2) with Zhongshan A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Ltd. (“ZSAPP”) (a proposed name of this future SJVC), where the Company owns a direct 25% equity interest, was completed in May 2012. Prawn Farm 2 has generated income since May 2012. Phase 2 development works involves development of facilities for the production of prawns, brood stock, and associated expansion activities that were commenced in May 2012 and are expected to be completed during 2013. The work that has occurred includes the development of: (i) an additional indoor prawn nurturing apartment, (ii) three brood stock open dams with all under-ground in built filtration systems that is capable of holding up to 3,000 mother prawns at a time, (iii) all external fences of the farm, and (iv) two open dams with all in built filtration systems that has the capacity to grow out up to 12 MT of fish per year and all associated infrastructure. |
(b) | The development work on the fish and eel farm (Fish Farm 2) with an unrelated entity, Gao A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd., is still in progress. The project is delayed because the property is situated on an inlet and drainage is extremely difficult to resolve and costly to fix. We are engineering a solution that should resolve this problem. As of the date of this Annual Report, our engineering solution involves a semi-open dam and semi-enclosed farm concept built with groups of independent filtration and water recirculation systems that are suitable for the growing of prawns, fishes and/or eels in this farm. We are dividing work flow into phases and stages of work to yield the optimal financial efficiency and benefits. |
(c) | The development work on a prawn farm at Huanyuan County, Xining City (Prawn Farm 3) is for an unrelated third party Chinese investor, Wu Aquaculture A Power Development Co. Ltd. (a proposed name for this future SJVC) originally planned to be on SJAP property. All engineering design and related pre-development work has been completed, with original plans to begin construction and infrastructure work in May 2013, after the winter season. However, management decided in February 2013 to relocate Prawn Farm 3 to another block of land adjacent to SJAP’s existing property consisting of a much bigger area to accommodate future expansion whenever necessary. This relocation will require the approval of local authorities, resulting in a delay and a new time schedule dependent on the approval by authorities and the said approval is still in progress. |
Pictures showing Fish Farm 1
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Views of the Fish Farm 1 complex situated on 9,900 m2 of land in district of Enping City. It is a fully self-contained complex showing as one of typical development models being developed in China.
The farm has 16 grow-out APM tanks growing fish in-door and on land with the capacity to grow-out over 1,000 MT of fish/year
Pictures showing Prawn Farm 1
Situated in the district of Enping City on 26,100 m2 of land is our Prawn Farm 1 with a capacity to grow-out 250/300 MT of prawns/year and again is contained in a fully self-serviced complex with office, staff quarters, laboratory, dried and cold storages, stand-by generators’ room, heating rooms, water storage and tanks, landscaping gardens etc.
The plastic netting rolls are designed to provide shelter for the prawns and thus to increase the grow out capacity of the tanks.
Pictures showing Prawn Farm 2
Prawn Farm 2 has a much bigger land bank of 120,000 m2 because apart from its core function of being the hatchery and nursery operation to supply quality prawn fingerling, the farm is now developing open grow-out dams that have built-in RAS filtration systems to save on water consumption as well as to provide cleaner water aimed at reducing the impact of pollution.
The tanks in the picture are nursery tanks. Each tank has the capacity to nurture up to 10 million prawns every 5 days per 30 cubic liters (or 30 MT) of water. Prawn Farm 2 is also built as a fully self-contained complex with all associated facilities.
Marketing and Sales of aquatic seafood:
CA is the sole marketing, sales and distribution agent of the Re-circulating Aquaculture System (“RAS”) fishery and prawn (or shrimp) farms, such that it purchases all marketable sized fish and prawns (or shrimp) from the farms and in turn sells them to the wholesale markets and at the same time supplies the farms with fingerling, baby or adult fish or prawns and stock feed.
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Our RAS farms do not produce enough fish or prawns to warrant the establishment and sales of value added processing products or facilities given that the Chinese markets pay the best prices for live fish and prawns. Therefore, currently CA sells only live fish and prawns.
In this respect, CA generates revenues from the sales of seafood brought from farms that are either a subsidiary of the Company or an incorporated project company and contracted growers in the manner described below:
Fish Farm 1: JFD is the owner and operator of Fish Farm 1; the Company presently owns a 75% equity interest in JFD.
The Fish Farm 1 complex represents our typical model of developments and is built on a block of land measuring 9,900 m2 containing staff quarters providing accommodation for up to 15 workers, a self-contained office, a laboratory, external live bait holding tanks, all season red worm nurturing tanks, dry and cold storages, workshops, processing facilities, a heating room, 500 MT of water holding tanks, landscape gardens, standby generator and rooms, all related underground and on land infrastructure and a fish grow-out farm of 4,000 m2 that has all associated facilities to support 16 RAS tanks with each tank measuring 10 meter (m) x 10 m x 3 m in depth holding up to 240,000 liters (or 240 Metric Tons (MT) of water and has the production capacity to grow up to 80 MT of aquatic animals per year depending on its stocking cycles (or frequency of stocking of fish) and the initial size of the fish being stocked at each cycle. In other words, if the initial stocked fingerling is around 30/40 mm per fish, then it will take over 12 months to grow the fish into a marketable fish (averaging over 500 gram/fish) such that its annual production is only up to 30/35 MT/tank; however if the initial fish being stocked are at an average of 200 to 300 grams each then its stocking and harvesting cycle is 4 times per year, enhancing annual production capacity at up to 80 MT/tank. Initially, Fish Farm 1 was designed to grow sleepy cod, which had a niche market with most attractive prices in Chinese markets.
However, sleepy cod does not have a large market share in China compared to the carp species. Our market research of the sleepy cod market size in 2012 shows that total annual domestic production is about 25,000/28,000 MT distributed to more than 100 wholesale markets throughout many provinces, with the markets at Guangzhou City, Southern Coastal towns of Guangdong and markets in Shanghai City comprising the dominant markets. From the time we started stocking sleepy cod in 2011 until the end of year 2012, live sleepy cod constituted a niche market in China and sold at wholesale for an average price of US$27/Kg until the cheaper imports from other Asian countries were permitted to be imported to China at a low tariff starting in January 2013, such that the wholesale prices fell sharply to an average of US$15/Kg. We mainly had fed live bait fish to our baby sleepy cod (250 to 300 gram each) that we bought from our contracted suppliers at around US$5/fish grown at average feed to weight gain conversion rate of 2.5 Kg of live bait to 1 kg of weight gained. As such, when we purchased our supplies of live bait at an average of US$1.65/Kg, and low mortality rate at the average below 8% coupled with our recorded 3.5 stocking and harvesting cycles per year, Fish Farm 1consistently achieved good sales revenues with gross profit margin of 50/55 % in 2011 and 2012. However its gross profit margin has fallen so far this year.
In this respect and in mitigating such situation, during the first quarter of 2013 we stepped up the modification of our RAS tanks to adapt to the growth of eels with 4 tanks and prawns (or shrimp) with 8 tanks and the expansion program in the Research and Development Station to accommodate the nurturing of Flower Pattern Eels’ fingerlings to grow into adult eels (of 500 gram/eel and upward) that would be supplied to Fish Farm 1 to grow the adult eels into marketable sized eels (around 1.5 kg/eel and larger) which at present are selling at high prices between US$27/28 per Kg. Fish Farm 1 is now stocked with and growing Flower Pattern eels, prawns and sleepy cod.
Prawn Farm 1 (or EBAPCD): EBAPCD is the proposed name of the future SJVC (subject to approval by relevant Chinese authorities under our application for SJVC status), established to own and operate Prawn Farm 1. EBAPCD will generate revenue starting during the third quarter of 2013. Capital Award will recognize income from purchases of prawns from Prawn Farm 1 and selling them to the wholesale markets.
Recently we placed our first 500,000 (Mexican White) prawn fingerling in Prawn Farm 1, and as of the date of this Annual Report management reported that prawns are meeting growth benchmarks with low mortality reaching around 15 cm/prawn in size. The Company believes that its Prawn Farm 1 represents the first indoor RAS prawn farm in Asia. Going forward, Prawn Farm 1 will carry out its rotational stocking and harvesting program targeting to produce between 250/ 300 MT of live prawns in 2013.
We have seen a rapid increase in live prawn prices in the first quarter of this year (averaging 100% increases in prices compared to the corresponding period last year) with current wholesale price averaging US$15/Kg for size of 80s (equivalent to 80 to 90 pieces of prawn/Kg), and prices going up proportionately to sizes of Mexican White prawns, and at a premium rate for popular, but rarer species (e.g., our big giant prawns, Green Prawn, Banana Prawns and Tiger Prawns). The average time required to grow prawns (of Mexican White Species or Big Giant Prawns) from 14-day old fingerlings to marketable sizes in commercial scale at the Prawn Farm 1 under our RAS system is estimated conservatively between 60/70 days, 90/100 days and 120/130 days for sizes of 80s, 60s and 40s, respectively. We believe, but cannot assure you, that we should be able to reduce this estimated grow-out period under our RAS system since the said grow-out period was calculated from and based on information of open-dam prawn farms as we do not have any conclusive commercial grow-out statistic being recorded at Prawn Farm 1 yet. However, we are confident that we shall be able to experience a much lower mortality rate, between 10/20 %, compared to the 50/60% at the open-dam farms.
Prawn Farm 2 (or ZSAPP): ZSAPP is also an intended name of the future SJVC (subject to approval by relevant Chinese authorities under our application for SJVC status), established to own and operate Prawn Farm 2. ZSAPP has been generating revenues since May 2012. However, ZSAPP’s financial statements will not be consolidated with ours until approval of this SJVC is formalized, and one of our subsidiaries acquires a majority equity interest therein. However, Capital Award recognizes income from commissions earned from ZSAPP’s sales of prawn fingerling to regional growers who constitute its sole marketing and sales agent.
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ZSAPP has been successful, producing LawZi Prawn (or the Big Giant Prawns) fingerling from the 5,000 pieces breeding stock that were imported from South-East Asian countries and the reproduction of the Big Giant Prawns fingerling has been consistent; consequently, we intend to market the Big Giant Prawn flies beginning during the third quarter of 2013 together with the Mexican White fingerling which constituted our main sales in 2012. During the past two years, our research confirmed that the demand and prices of the Big Giant Prawns in the local domestic markets were high (at between RMB450 to 550/10,000 flies in 2012) because supplies of quality Big Giant Prawn fingerling is fairly low compared to Mexican White (at averaged price between RMB150 to 170/10,000 flies in 2012), due to problems of inbreeding. As such, we expect high demand for our Big Giant Prawn flies by the regional prawn growers as they will be the offspring from our 2ndgeneration breeding stock free from inbreeding problems.
Fish sales generated from purchases with other open-dam growers contracted by Capital Award. Capital Award has been contracting with local aquaculture farms to grow sleepy cod since 2012 to present based on a fixed production cost, with recently added eel growing contracts commencing in the first quarter of 2013. There are existing contracts that will provide up to 800,000 pieces of sleepy cod and 600,000 pieces of eels to be sold by Capital Award between 2013 through the early part of 2014. However, Capital Award is exploring similar new contracts consistent with local reliable growers who meet our quality standards targeting to increase its fish sales revenue whenever the opportunity presents itself.
2. The Beef Cattle business of MEIJI:
Similarly to CA, MEIJI has two sources of revenues, its Engineering and Services revenues and its marketing and sales of cattle;
2.1. Engineering and services revenues. These revenues are generated from the Construction and development of Cattle Farm 1 and Cattle Farm 2.
The MEIJI table below shows the latest status of their developments:
Name of the developments | Location of development | Land area or Built up area | Current Phase & Stage | Commencement date | Estimated completion date on or before | Contractual amount | % of completion as at 15.04.2013 | |||||||||
Cattle Farm (1) | LiangXi Town, Enping City | 165,013 m2 | 2 phases | Apr-11 | Dec. 2011 | $4.17 million | 100 | % | ||||||||
Cattle Farm (2) | LiangXi Town, Enping City | 230,300 m2 | 2 Phases | Feb. 2012 | March. 2014 | $10.6 million | 65 | % | ||||||||
Cattle Farm (1) external road work | LiangXi Town, Enping City | 4.5 Km road | One Phase | Sept. 2012 | March. 2013 | $4.32 million | 100 | % | ||||||||
Cattle Farm (2) External Road work. | LiangXi Town, Enping City | 5.5 Km Road | One Phase | Sept. 2012 | March. 2013 | $5.28 Million | 100 | % |
Enping is situated in the Southern part of China with a semi-tropical climate, and the cattle farm is operated based on our semi-free ranged growing and management system that allows the cattle to roam around and feed in our pasture fields during the mornings and be kept and fed with our formulated aromatic feed in our semi-opened cattle houses during the hot days and nights. This is an entirely different agricultural environment than that of SJAP in Huangyuan, Xining, which has bitterly cold and long winter seasons and where all cattle are being grown in fully insulated cattle houses. The 2012 experience of the JHMC farm showed that the growth rate of the cattle in this environment is faster than at SJAP (averaging 1.78 Kg/day/head in weight gain compares to SJAP’s 1.5 kg/day/head). However Cattle Farm 1 showed higher mortality rates than SJAP (recording 5% in Cattle Farm 1 compared to 0.25% in SJAP). The reason for the higher mortality is due mainly to the change of climate, as Cattle Farm 1 has to buy young cattle from farms situated in the cold Northern part of China where they have ample supply of young cattle at lesser costs, but which require over 3 days of transportation, such that some of the weaker young cattle could not adapt to the hot climate of Enping and thus could not recover from the journey. To avoid the repetition of this high mortality rate, Cattle Farm 1 is building additional semi-open cattle houses that are equipped with cooling systems as temporary depots to receive the young cattle and to nurture them back to health before they are grown in our normal cattle houses. The other differential aspect between Cattle Farm 1 and SJAP is in the management of environmental impact; SJAP is going to build a mash gas station (estimated by the year end of 2013) to manage all of its cattle waste into electricity with its residue recycled as raw material used in its manufacturing of organic fertilizer, whereas in Cattle Farm 1, the cattle waste is being kept in septic wells that is treated with our enzyme under fermentation process, and then is channeled to fertilize our pasture fields at the farm. JHMC’s waste treatment program is sufficient for the time being as it has enough pasture fields to absorb the waste yielded from limited number of cattle (up to 500 head) being grown on the farm, however as the cattle number increases to a point where it could exceed the fields’ fertilizer absorption capacity, an alternative environment treatment plan must be implemented in order that this JHMC farm can grow more cattle.
Cattle Farm 2 will be complementary to Cattle Farm 1 having an additional 76 acres of land suitable for growing our type of pasture (a cross between Elephant and Yellow grass) that has a very high yield rate of over 35 MT/1/6 acre/year, and contains an average of over 9% protein that is very suitable for consumption by cattle. Between the two farms, under normal seasons, they have a capacity to produce up to 30,000 MT of pasture/year collectively that is capable to feed up to 5,000 head of cattle/year based on the consumption rate of average of 6 MT/head/year if the environmental issue mentioned above is resolved properly.
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By the end of February 2013, the Company had completed the external road works of about 10 Km leading from the outer-boundary access road to and surrounding the two farms. The development cost of this road was shared at the ratio of 2/3 by Cattle Farm 1 and 1/3 by Cattle Farm 2. This all season road was constructed at the request of the district village committee of Enping City, enhancing corporate social responsibility in our development of the two cattle farms.
Pictures showing Cattle Farm 1
This is our Cattle Farm 1 which was built as a demonstration farm to show that cattle can be raised in a semi-tropical climate using our Semi-grazing and housing method that we call “Semi-free growing” management system” where the cattle are allowed to graze in the field during the early morning and kept indoors and hence away from the hot sun during the hot summer afternoon. So far this method has been proven applicable with the growth rate of the cattle measured slightly better than the cattle at SJAP (i.e., averaging some 0.28 kg/day/cattle better).
2.2. Marketing and sales of live Cattle by MEIJI: Similar to CA in its model of operation, MEIJI purchases fully grown cattle from Cattle Farm 1 and sells them to the cattle wholesalers and brings young cattle from other farmers and sells them to Cattle Farm 1.
All cattle farms developed by MEIJI will be using its “Semi-free growing” management systems and aromatic-feed programs and systems to raise beef cattle.
Beef is traditionally a niche market in China, as it is sold mainly by expensive restaurants of upmarket hotels rather than in the homes of China’s consumers. This situation is rapidly changing owing to urbanization and rising incomes, the rising demand for a high protein diet, and the rise in restaurant dining due to work demands.
Our free range cattle grown in the Enping farms are fed with natural pastures, concentrated livestock feed and our Aromatic Feed that contains Chinese herbal plants specially designed to improve animal health such that these Enping farms produce healthy cattle and in turn quality meat. Although we cannot have them certified as pure organic meat yet because we cannot get certification from suppliers of the raw materials used to make our concentrated feed purely organic, we believe that we are not far away from being qualified to obtain 100% pure organic meat certification.
The Enping cattle farms are situated in Guangdong Province, which is not a traditional cattle growing country due to its tropical climate. Most cattle and beef supplies are imported from the Western and Northern Provinces at higher costs entailing higher wholesale and retail prices in Guangzhou City and in its urban cities, which provides marketing advantages for our cattle sales within the region.
Moreover, our 2012 sampled meat trials carried out with a number of reputable restaurants and hotels in Beijing City were well received with constant requests for us to supply them on a long-term basis. Our strategy is to ensure we can supply the quantity to maintain consistently sustainable supplies as required by our customers. At Enping cattle farms we will grow at least 1,000 head of mature cattle in 2013, which is the minimum number required to sustain the supplies to just a couple of restaurant chains.
According to the China Federal Agriculture Quarterly Report of 2011 the consumption of beef was over 6.48 million MT, 10% of which were premium cuts. Our planned 1,000 head of mature cattle in 2013 will yield approximately 375 MT of meat, which is a tiny fraction of the total market share indicating significant potential for growth in the future.
Under a joint venture with a group of businessmen (the “Joint Venture”), we started the setting up of a Cattle Station and related facilities on a block of leased land measuring about 130,000 m2 within the Central Cattle Market and Facility of Beijing City (that we call “The Beijing Cattle Farm”) to act as an intermediate house aiming to house and to grow our Aromatic beef cattle and to sell together with our Aromatic Cattle from Cattle Farm 1 through regional distributors and in turn to some of the top hotels and restaurants chains in Beijing City and also through wholesale shops that the Joint Venture intends to develop. In this respect, the development of wholesale shops fits in well as part of our interstate wholesale and distribution development plan that we mapped for some of the big cities in China, and this one in Beijing City will see the beginning of such plan being put into motion. The Joint Venture Agreement has not been finalized; consequently, the Joint Venture is currently based on a verbal understanding only.
Pictures showing the Beijing Cattle Farm and the Small Wholesale Shop
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3. SJAP and HSA Division in fertilizer, livestock feed and cattle:
We have two operations in this division spread over two provinces in China, consisting of the following:
3.1 Operation 1. Operation 1 is operated from Huangyuan County of Xining City, Qinghai Province, by SJAP, a majority owned subsidiary of the Company incorporated in China in 2009. As of the date of this Annual Report, SJAP’S principal activities that are generating revenues comprise: (i) manufacturing and sales of organic fertilizer, (ii) manufacturing and sales of livestock feed, and (iii) rearing and sales of beef cattle. On February 28, 2013, SJAP completed its development of the Concentrated Livestock Feed Manufacturing Factory and started the production and sales of Concentrated Livestock Feed (“CLF”).This CLF complements SJAP’s bulk livestock feed to provide the local cattle and sheep farming industry with a unique and completed feed formula that can cater to the rearing of cattle and sheep at various growing cycles (e.g., specially formulated mixes with efficient nutrients for dairy cows and sheep, weaning, fattening and mature cattle and sheep). The advantage of the formulated feed combination is that the cattle and sheep growers will realize cost savings in production knowing precisely the amount of concentrated feed that will be needed by their livestock, thus avoiding excess concentrated feed being wasted on over feeding, resulting in worthless excess fat in mature animals. In this respect, the Chinese central government has placed an order with SJAP to reserve annually up to 5000 MT of CLF as part of the country’s annual reserve emergency livestock feed inventory. Thus, from March 2013 onward, SJAP expects to have additional revenue generated from the sales of CLF.
The fertilizer, bulk livestock feed and cattle divisions under SJAP contributed 3%, 2% and 10% of the Company’s total revenue and 3%, 2% and 5% of the Company’s total consolidated gross profit, respectively, in 2012 derived from the production of about 4,500 head of mature cattle (between 15 months to 18 months old) from its own cattle houses and the co-operative growers, collectively, 25,000 MT of organic fertilizer, and 22,000 MT of bulk stock feed.
Our strategy is to increase the number of co-operative growers and obtain more internal cattle houses and thus to attempt to double the volume of production of mature cattle during 2013, which would in turn increase the demand for the production of fertilizer and bulk stock feed to grow in tandem. The cost of rearing cattle is expected to be lower as a result of concentrating efforts on manufacturing and/or selling livestock feed. The regional farmers are contracted to grow crops and pasture for us using our land that has been provided lease-free by the local Government or by using their own land, use our equipment for their planting and harvesting, are provided supervision and associated services from us, as well as seeds and organic fertilizer. These items are provided to them on credit, which are then charged against their account when the Company purchases the crops and pasture grass from them in return. Regional farmers also raise cattle for us using our bulk livestock feed under the same credit terms and conditions described above. That is, when the Company purchases the mature cattle from them, their accounts are charged for the feed against the amount paid.
The cattle we grow are primarily Simmental (a common breed introduced to China in the early 20th century), Charolais, and some Angus cattle. In general, six month old cattle are sold to local farmers, and we commit to repurchasing the cattle when they are between 15 months to 18 months old.
We also rent cattle housing to farmers, and will provide slaughter and deboning services to them once our abattoir and deboning facilities are completed in 2014.
Beef is distributed through wholesalers and through our own or developed restaurants as described elsewhere in this Annual Report. SJAP intends to add sheep farming during 2013 and value added product processing (including abattoir and deboning facilities in 2013 and a value added processing facility in 2014), and aims to, but cannot assure you that it will, expand its steakhouse restaurant “BULL” into a franchisee style chain of 50 outlets over time, whereas currently the one and only “Bull restaurant is to act as SJAP’s first demonstration model converted from one of our old cattle houses situated next to our newly renovated cattle houses at SJAP’s complex. This one Bull has over 130 seating capacity and since its commencement of business operations it is now becoming a popular dining of the locals, having achieved sales of just over $420,000 in year 2012 with net profit of just over $50,000 (or netting about 12%) which is a very small contribution to the Company’s consolidated revenues and profits. However as SJAP’s first demonstration model it has served the purpose.
Overall, SJAP expects that revenues from operations will increase as a result of the addition of further herds, and of comprehensive value added processing and marketing facilities. SJAP sells its organic fertilizer and bulk livestock feed mainly to its corporative and regional farmers in addition to using it to rear its own grown cattle, but because its geographic location is so far away from other major provinces there are high costs associated with selling its fertilizer, bulk livestock feed and live cattle other than to local purchasers; conversely, equivalent imports from other provinces must be made at a higher cost, which provides SJAP with a competitive edge. Further, Qinghai Province is a region rearing a million head of cattle and sheep per year, providing an ample market for SJAP’s fertilizer and livestock feed.
Our strategy includes building and owning our own abattoir and boning room in 2013 and the value added processing facilities in 2014, meaning that the distribution of our value added beef products to other provinces and main cities will become feasible as we improve our economies of scale to mitigate cost of transportation being charged on net meat weight instead of live cattle weight, and also exploit the lower production cost and leverage of our fully integrated operation and benefit from high sale prices due to its higher meat quality.
SJAP is making progress with the required merit credentials in China to become a certified China Dragon Head Business, which is a prestigious certification granted by the Government to businesses demonstrating corporate social responsibility (“CSR”) by 2014, frequently leading to additional governmental grants and other forms of assistance. Qinghai Province has bigger numbers of ethnic minorities receiving proportionately higher grants, incentives, assistances and subsidies from the Government, and SJAP has been well supported by the Government due to our CSR. In line with the focus on food security and managing the imbalance between rural (i.e., agrarian) and urban communities, this development will only enhance SIAF’s niche market position.
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In the longer term, we believe that wholesale prices of SJAP’s fertilizer and bulk livestock feed will maintain a steady growth rate of 5% to 10% per annum influenced mainly by rising labor cost of the country. Further, we expect a trend of continuous increases in beef and cattle prices given the increase in demand for quality beef and beef products (including value-added products) in tandem with the rise of living standards in China, the short supply of quality breeding stock that will be required to produce enough cattle to satisfy the increased demand and the Government’s stringent restrictions placed on imported cattle and beef meat from many developed nations due to disease and quarantine control measures, all of which will influence the price rise in cattle and beef meats in China.
In 2012, we have seen the wholesale prices ramp up from an average of RMB 16/Kg for live cattle and RMB 36/Kg for beef meat in January 2012 to an average of RMB 32/Kg of live cattle and RMB 55/Kg of beef meat at the end of February 2013, representing a rise of 100% in live cattle and 53% in beef meat prices. We do not expect prices to rise continuously at such a rate, but it is reasonable to assume rate increases to be between 10% to 15% per year for the next three years.
Progress reports:
Additional revenues are being generated from our newly built Concentrated Livestock Feed (“CLF”) factory. This factory is designed with an annual production capacity up to 60,000 MT, and it had produced and sold over 6,000 MT of CLF at an average price of RMB 2,600/MT (or US$419/MT) for the period of 3.5 months ended April 15, 2013.
Work on the construction of all 29 cattle houses and related facilities is progressing and targeted for completion during 2013 (from our present 12 cattle houses) that will have the capacity to house up to 2,500/3,000 heads of cattle at any one time. Collectively, these cattle houses will be able to rear up to 6,000 heads of marketable sized cattle annually (estimated at average weight of about 750/800 Kg per head) based on a six months rotational stocking and sales program growing from cattle averaged at 350/400 Kg per head. SJAP’s intention is to lease part of the cattle houses to the corporative growers to grow their own cattle, with SJAP supplying them with feed and associated services in veterinary, management and marketing of their grown cattle. Apart from this cattle house operation, SJAP will continue to promote its concept of the corporative growers in tandem with the increase of productivity of its livestock feed.
We cultivate an additional 1,500 acres of land, for a total over 6,500 acres of land that will be harvested in 2013. All of this land was granted rent-free to SJAP by the local government.
We saw an increase in demand for our organic fertilizer this year resulting in doubling shift work at SJAP’s fertilizer factory since mid-February to meet the sales of 30,000 MT for 2013.
SJAP received a business permit from the Chinese authorities in April of 2013, and construction commenced in the same month on the abattoir, de-boning factory, and related packaging facility. Since it is rare and difficult to obtain a permit for an abattoir facility in China, having this facility is expected to become a very valuable asset.
The construction of our enzyme factory is targeted to start during the third quarter of 2013 and the construction of a Mash Gas station is targeted to start during the fourth quarter of 2013.These are essential supporting activities to recycle our cattle wastes to be applied as raw materials for the manufacturing of our organic fertilizer and to further extend our Corporate Social Responsibility to provide free electricity to the regional district within close proximity to our existing complex. In this respect, the Government agreed to provide a grant of up to US$2 million to cover part of the development cost of the Mash Gas Station.
Pictures showing SJAP’s operation and complex
The Corporate office building, the Cattle Station and the concentrated livestock feed manufacturing factory
The organic fertilizer factory
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The cattle houses -we now have over 12 cattle houses with each to house over 150 heads with more cattle houses being built
Construction site and construction in progress of the slaughter house and deboning factory
The “Bull” restaurant next to our Cattle Station
3.2 Operation 2. Operation 2 is operated in Linli District, Hunan Province, by Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. China (“HSA”), a 76%owned subsidiary. As of the date of this Annual Report, HSA conducts the following business activities, both of which are in the development stage: (i) manufacturing and sales of organic and mixed fertilizer, and (ii) cultivation of pastures and crops in preparation for the establishment of beef cattle farm. By January 2013, its first organic fertilizer production plant was established and started its production of organic fertilizer. On March 5, 2013, HSA secured the rights to use an enzyme developed by a Hong Kong company some twenty years ago that has been utilized by global manufacturers of organic fertilizer. The advantage of this particular enzyme is that when it is applied to our organic fertilizer it has the ability to convert part of the organic raw materials into potash and phosphate without having to add in chemically formulated potash and phosphate, such that our end fertilizer can be qualified as pure organic fertilizer made with 100% natural organic raw materials. With this pure organic fertilizer HSA is in a position to fully explore the potential market for fish in farm lakes and thereby to attempt to align itself with the Government’s policy of encouraging lake fish Farmers to use pure organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizers. In addition, cost savings from avoiding the use of chemical potash and phosphate will in management’s belief result in a better profit margin for the Company. Sales of pure organic fertilizer commenced during the fourth week of March of 2013.
Currently, chemical fertilizers in the region are wholesale between RMB 3,000 to 3,600/MT depending upon their chemical composition and our old organic fertilizer from SJAP was sold at an average of RMB1,200 to RMB1,300/MT. Our new 100% pure organic fertilizer with up to 8% potash is currently being marketed between RMB 2,000 to RMB 2,200/MT targeting to reach an average up to RMB2,600/MT such that its prices will be at the mid-range of organic and chemical fertilizer.
HSA is targeting to produce up to 30,000 MT of 100% pure organic fertilizer in 2013 under its newly completed production plant and facilities aiming to increase its capacity to about 90,000 MT/year in stages by 2015 subject to its sales performance within the period. The main hardship related to selling fertilizer is the requirement to provide longer credit terms (sometimes up to 180 days) to our end buyers because these end users normally can afford to pay for them only after they sell their products; however only farmers who are assessed as creditworthy by us and who plant their fields and follow our requirement to harvest crops each year are considered.
Development of HSA in Linli District, Hunan Province is modeled like SJAP but it has a much better environment, being situated in a farming rich province that is next to the Guangdong Province and benefits from cheaper logistical costs, being closer to large markets and having a more favorable climate (milder winters and longer summers compared to SJAP’s long and bitterly cold winters and short summers). However financial support from the Government is more difficult to obtain due to there being more entities sharing the Government’s support provisions.
HSA had to endure both higher development costs and longer time to construct its facilities when compared to SJAP, whose property had 40 older (yet salvageable) buildings, which it has renovated to meet its needs.
Hunan Province is one of the biggest primary producing provinces of China with over 4 million primary producers producing rice, tea, tobacco, grapes, citrus, cotton, seedlings, sunflowers, herb plants and many varieties of cash crops and it has a long standing history in lake aquaculture producing millions of tons of fish and other seafood annually (e.g., total primary production is over RMB450 Billion, or about US$75 Billion) recorded in 2011 (as announced by Hunan Province Agriculture Department).
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Progress report:
At our newly built fertilizer factory, the 100% pure organic mixed fertilizer (“POMF”) is generating stable income and revenues aiming to reach its 2013 target of 30,000 MT. HSA produced and sold more than 6,000 MT of POMF at an average price above RMB 2,500/MT (or US$403/MT) collectively during the first 3.5 months of 2013.
Work on the construction and development of a cattle station commenced in March 2012 with preparation work in progress being carried out on its general layout, cultivation and planting of crops and pasture on 75 acres situated below the hill of the fertilizer factory, and hill leveling and cutting within the hill next to the fertilizer factory where the cattle houses will be built, which work is presently in progress.
Pictures showing HSA’s complex and operation
4. Hylocereus Undatus (“HU”) Plantation
JHST, an SJVC that is 75%owned by MEIJI, is consolidated as a subsidiary, and is the owner and operator of the Hylocereus Undatus Plantation (the “HU Plantation”), which is situated at Enping City, Guangdong Province. In 2012, JHST contributed 9% and 10% of the Company’s revenue and gross profit, respectively. The plantation was developed in 2008 with revenues being generated since year 2009. As of the date of this Annual Report, JHST has two types of operations; (i) growth and sales of flowers, and (ii) drying and value added processing and sales of HU flower products. Hylocereus Undatus is commonly referred to as Dragon Fruit plants.
The HU Plantation has been suffering from plant disease over the past two years, which resulted in a reduced yield of HU flowers. The Company tried to overcome this problem with various preventive trials in 2012 (such as green housing, replanting, change of fertilization program and anti-disease spraying from Malaysia, etc.) with few positive results. Although the overall harvest of 2012 was better than in 2011, it was still far below the harvest of 2010. In fact, the HU Plantation’s 2012 revenue and earnings were mainly supported by the sales of additional dried HU flowers processed from fresh HU flowers that were bought from regional growers. Since October 2012 after the harvesting a season of HU flowers, the Company has dedicated its effort to finding a viable solution to this disease problem, and by the end of February 2013, the Company believed that a solution was found. We started to implement the developments from March of 2013 on the HU Plantation with the aim of rectifying the situation before the start of the new harvest season beginning in June 2013.
JHST cultivates 187 acres of Hylocereus Undatus, or Dragon Fruit (cacti) flowers in Guangdong Province. Dragon Fruit flower for a very short period, sometimes only one night, and must be picked before they turn from green to white 20 to 25 cm long flowers, so they are by definition a fairly delicate crop. The harvesting season is from July through October.
Dragon Fruit cacti take three years to reach maturity, though they will flower a little even in their first year, and can produce for as long as twenty years. JHST began planting in late 2007, and by 2013 all of the plants are matured plants (averaging over 4 years old). To date, the product has been sold in the form of dried flowers, which are used in health-related soups and teas, and fresh flowers, consumed as vegetables in China.
Currently, fresh flowers are sold to regional wholesale and retail markets due to their short shelf life, whereas dried flowers are sold after they are dried and packed to a few major wholesalers who in turn distribute them to other wholesale and retail markets and export traders right through the winter and spring months (from October to June each year) in Guangdong Province. In this respect, it is a distinctly seasonal revenue product, as more than half of the division’s revenues are recognized in the third quarter, and no sales are made in the first quarter.
It was originally forecasted that by 2014, dried and pickled flowers would make up 96% of the division’s flower income as produce is diverted away from delicate fresh flowers. However, the planting of a special Chinese herb (called XueYingZi and commonly referred to as “Immortal Vegetable” in China), which is rich in selenium, among the HU Plants is expected to help to prolong the shelf life of the fresh flowers from 2-3 days up to 12-14 days, which will increase the sales of fresh flowers that are delicious to eat as fresh vegetables and commonly accepted as quality gourmet vegetables.
We expect this improvement of shelf life of the HU flowers to gradually even out our sales of dried flowers and fresh flowers through the harvest season starting in late June to October of each year and leave our drying and processing facilities extra time to process more flowers that we intend to buy from other regional growers so as to increase our overall revenue from 2013 onwards. Beginning in June 2013, JHST will also add the sales of the Immortal Vegetables planted now, which we expect to harvest within two and half months followed by the replanting of two more crops in 2013 and thereafter 4 crops/year in subsequent years.
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Given this progress of improvements, JHST is attempting to eliminate the factor of seasonality in revenue. The overall market situation for HU flowers is that demand is greater than supply due to the following reasons; (i) in Guangdong Province, HU Plants can only be grown commercially along certain districts where there were over 40,000 acres of HU Plantation back in 2005, but due to the growth of industrialization and modernization acreage is now less than 4,000 acres, and (ii) farm laborers are getting harder to find, coupled with the increase of cost of wages and salaries, the rapid rise of the land cost and the increase cost of farm developments, making it extremely difficult to start a large HU plantation. For these reasons we are anticipating prices of dried HU flowers to enjoy a steady rise at an average rate of 8 to 12% per year, which has been the trend since 2009.
Progress report
We expect a much improved performance in 2013.
Our field revitalization program has been carried out on the HU plantation since early March 2013 with certain work still being in progress; management reported seeing marked improvement in the field with healthy green everywhere as compared to last year’s concentration of yellow colors.
Coupling this improvement to the HU plants and the extra revenues that will be generated from the “Immortal vegetables” being planted now, we are optimistic and targeting an increase of at least 25% in revenue on the plantation itself in 2013 (excluding flowers that will be brought from regional growers for drying and sales of dried flowers).
Construction of the expansion of the drying and packaging factory of the HU Plant division commence over the summer months after we had completed the field revitalization work. As of the date of this Annual Report, we had built and started to use three new driers and basic infrastructural works around the site of the packaging factory are in progress expecting completion by the end of 2013.
5. The Corporate (or SIAF) Division
From the last quarter of 2012 the Company decided to generate the following business income to fund its shared services operations’ working capital annual budget:
The Wholesale and Distribution Facilities development project including design, construction and project management of its business operation of a specialist modern beef wholesale and distribution center (Wholesale Center 2) for Guangzhou City NaWei trading Co. Ltd (“NWT”), an unrelated Chinese third party owned company situated at the Guangzhou City, LiWan District, New Wholesale Market. Work started in November 2012, and as of the date of this Annual Report, we have completed a freezing room facility that has the capacity to store up to 150 MT of frozen food at -25 degrees Celsius with renovation and alteration work progressing on other facilities (e.g., wholesale shop, packaging and processing facility, office, dry good storage and function room).
(1) | The Central Kitchen and related facilities development project including design, construct, project management of development and management of business operation for Guangzhou CityWangxiangcheng (“WXC”), an unrelated Chinese company, of a Central Kitchen, a Central Bakery, a fast food restaurant and 3 mobile food stores (Central Facility 1) situated adjacent to Wholesale Center 2. Work started in November 2012, and as of the date of this Annual Report, about 80% of the construction work was completed. |
(2) | The Restaurant development project including design, construct, project management of development and management of its business operation for WXC. To date, Restaurant 1 at River South District has been operating for over 15 months, Restaurant 2 (at the UU Park Complex, Tianhe District) has been in operation for 7 months, Restaurant 3 (at the Sporting Complex, Tianhe District) has commenced operation since March 2013, the work at Restaurant 4, which is located at Harbor City Shopping Center, Guangzhou City, is almost completed and is targeted to open for business by October 2013, design and construction plans for Restaurant 5 (located at the center of Zhungzhen City, about a 35 minute drive from the Guangzhou City) have been submitted to the authorities for approval targeting construction work to start in August 2013, and Restaurant 6 (at the Li Wan District, next to Wholesale Center 1) will start renovation work during November 2013. Collectively, these 6 restaurants cover a total gross area of 5,800 m2 (about 63,800 ft2) with seating capacity for 1,370 persons. |
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Pictures below show the restaurants that we developed
Restaurant (1) | Restaurant (2) | Restaurant (3) | Restaurant (4) |
(3) | We are constructing a trading complex for the Import and Export trades of the Company itself at another building adjacent to the Wholesale Center 1 and 2 (the “Trading Center”). As of the date of this Annual Report, the Trading Center is importing frozen and fresh chilled and live seafood (i.e. cuttlefish, squid, prawns, salmon, crabs and eels) from Malaysia, Thailand, Russia and Madagascar and other local coastal fishing towns, that were sold to Wholesale Center 1 for Wholesale Center 1’s distribution and sales into various reputable food chain outlets, wholesale market stores and super market chains in the Guangzhou City, Shanghai City as well as in the southern coastal towns of the Guangdong Province. |
We expect to be appointed the turnkey solution provider given our current success on existing projects with our Chinese investor who owns the WXC’s development plan to develop over 50 gourmet restaurants and fast food outlets collectively within 2 years (2013 to 2014) and (via NWT) is planning on the development of a number of modern health food department chains in the Guangzhou City during 2014 and 2015with SIAF as its engineering consultant, management service provider, and marketer. As such, we expect SIAF’s business and engineering development division to be kept busy for the next 3 years. At the same time we are aiming to develop our import and export trades and the seafood value added trades in harmony with WXC’s and NWT’s developments to maintain our growth rates in the sales of fish, seafood and beef products to gain momentum in materializing our business vision of vertically integrated operations.
Progress reports:
The import and export trading of SIAF:
During the early months of 2013, we made good progress in the marketing and distribution channels having sold approximately 7,000 MT of imported frozen seafood including prawns (or shrimp), squids, octopus, and varieties of fish from Malaysia, Thailand, Norway and Vietnam and from local brokers and agents that were sold to Wholesale Center 1 for it to sell and distribute to various reputable clients in super market chains, central kitchen of restaurant chains and multiple number of seafood wholesale markets at some of the populated centers.
We also discovered, during the first quarter of 2013, the potential of sourcing and importing good quality frozen seafood (mainly in fish) as well as in live seafood (including live Flower Pattern eels, mud-crabs and lobsters) from Madagascar that would provide good profit margins. We had tried a number of sample shipments (by air cargoes) with good success rates; as such we have sent personnel over to Madagascar to liaise with local suppliers and to investigate the situation a number of times already with the intention to send a permanent team of workers over there to set up packaging and related facilities to explore its potential fully.
The Engineering and Consulting services
¨ | Work is in progress with the developments of Wholesale Centers 1 and 2. Operations at Wholesale Center 1 (“WSC 1”) commenced during the first quarter of 2013 and is moving along nicely, developing varieties of regional clients in the Guangzhou City. We have sold sleepy cod to WSC 1 for it to sell to wholesalers at the Shanghai Wholesale Market and in this respect the corresponding sales were well received by the Shanghai Market such that our sleepy cod was consistently sold at a premium of about RMB6 to RMB10/Kg above its daily market prices. We have also rectified WSC 1’s water treatment; as such all of its live fish holding tanks are now functioning and stocked with fish from Fish Farm 1. |
¨ | Although development work is still in progress on Wholesale Center 2 (“WSC 2”), having completed of its refrigeration facilities, but in the meantime, and during the first quarter 2013, WSC 2 has started to import Simmental variety of beef cuts from Hubei Province to start selling into local food catering chains with the intention to introduce our beef cuts from SJAP at a later date. However, selling frozen meats requires special quality certificates and retailing permits that WSC 2 is in the process of applying for, but we discovered that the related certification and permits are extremely difficult to obtain and are not confident that they will be obtained before the end of 2013 or beyond. |
As at the date of this Annual Report, we believe that all development work demonstrated good progress including our own Trading Center (which is now operating although part of its finishing work is still in progress), Leonie Chain’s Central Kitchen (as reported above, 80% has been completed) and the central bakery will start operations from May 2013, and we have 4 restaurants being completed with work in progress on 2 others. SJAP has completed more than 50% of its construction work on its slaughter house and deboning facilities, HST has completed its revitalization program of its HU Plantation (i.e., new irrigation systems with automatic sprinkle, replacing with organic soil, planting with Immortal Vegetables in between each roll of the HU plants, extension of staff quarters such that it has accommodation now for more than 40 workers at one time), planned 13 acres of Immortal Vegetable and built associated nursery, commencement of production from Prawn Farm 1, started operation of the Beijing Cattle Farm and wholesale shop, Prawn Farm 2 completed 3 prawn grow-out open dams with RAS systems and the successful breeding of fingerling of Big Giant Prawns from our 2nd generation breed stocks, the establishment of facilities in Madagascar and the successful production of the lake fish organic fertilizer. We view the foregoing developments as a giant step forward building strong fundamentals for the Company’s future growth.
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Consequently, we are seeing the 5-year plan play out as envisioned. Particularly at the wholesale level in the fishery and beef divisions, economies of scale are being realized. And the benefits of vertical integration are being achieved gradually, most in evidence between the wholesale and distribution levels. These are enhancing the Company's competitive position. We are beginning to see a multiplier effect generating core sustainable value and adding a layer of corporate maturity and operational reliability, reinforced by all financial metrics continuing to move positively.
Summary of Our Land Assets
Item | Owner | Location | Project | Area (acre) | Nature of Ownership | Tenure | Date Acquired | Expiry Date | ||||||||
Hunan Lot 1 | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | Ouchi Village, Fenghuo Town, Linli County | Fertilizer production | 31.92 | Lease | 43 | 4-5-11 | 4-4-54 | ||||||||
Hunan Lot 2 | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | Ouchi Village, Fenghuo Town, Linli County | Pasture growing | 247.05 | Management Rights | 60 | 7-18-11 | - | ||||||||
Hunan Lot 3 | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | Ouchi Village, Fenghuo Town, Linli County | Fertilizer production | 8.24 | Land Usage Rights | 40 | 5-24-11 | 5-23-51 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 1 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 8.23 | Management Rights | 60 | 8-10-07 | - | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 2 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 27.78 | Management Rights | 60 | 3-14-07 | 3-13-67 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 3 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 60.72 | Management Rights | 60 | 4-18-07 | - | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 4 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 54.68 | Management Rights | 60 | 9-1207 | - | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 5 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Jishilu Village of Dawan Village, Juntang Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 28.82 | Management Rights | 60 | 9-12-07 | - | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 6 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Liankai Village of Niujiang Town, Enping City | Fish Farm, HU Plantation | 31.84 | Management Rights | 60 | 1-1-08 | 12-31-68 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 7 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 41.18 | Management Rights | 26 | 1-1-11 | 12-31-37 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 8 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Shangchong Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 11.28 | Management Rights | 26 | 1-1-11 | 12-31-37 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 9 | Jiangmen City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co. Ltd. | Xiaoban Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | Cattle Farm | 41.18 | Management Rights | 20 | 4-1-11 | 12-31-31 | ||||||||
Qinghai Lot 1 | Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | No. 498, Bei Da Road, Chengguan Town of Huangyuan County, Xining City, Qinghai Province | Cattle farm, fertilizer & livestock feed production | 21.09 | Land Usage Rights & Building ownership | 40 | 11-1-11 | 10-30-51 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 10
| Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Niu Jiang Town Enping City, | HU Plantation Processing factory | 6.27 | Management Right Lease | 10 | 4-1-13 | 4-1-23 | ||||||||
Total | 620.28 |
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As far as “ownership” of land is concerned, in general all land is owned by the Government. Whereas in urban areas, the land is owned directly by the central Government in rural and suburban areas, the land (agricultural land) is owned by the local village collectives, usually through the villagers’ collective economic organization or the village committees. Uncultivated land in mountain and other remote areas is also Government-owned. Corporate entities and individuals may own the property (building) erected on Government land.
As such, any transferrable rights to the land are in the form of usufructuary rights (i.e., the right to use and enjoy the benefits derived therefrom for a period of time).
There are several types of usufructuary rights. These include the right to land contractual management (granted by local village collectives for agriculture land), the right to use of construction land (state land in urban areas), etc. The right to land contractual management allows a party the right to possess, utilize, and obtain profits from agricultural land. This right is transferrable, but this land use right is based on agricultural household contracts and cannot be changed arbitrarily to non-agricultural purposes.
A usufructuary right properly granted in accordance with the laws may be transferred, leased, or mortgaged in accordance with the laws and the terms of the land-grant contract.
1. A lease confers on the recipient the same right to use and enjoy the benefits except for the right to own the building erected by the recipient and the right to transfer. In case of government acquisition of the land, the compensation paid by the government for the building will go to the lessor, unless the lease agreement states otherwise.
The Agreement for the 109.79MU land of HSA is stated to be a lease agreement but the terms therein seem to suggest that HSA is being granted a Management Right.
2 & 3. Land Use Rights and Management Rights confer the same right to use and enjoy the benefits. “Land Use Right” is one granted by the State and usually used in the context of urban land, whereas “Management Right” is granted by local village collectives and the term is usually used in respect of rural land.
4. The term Land Use Right relates to the right to use the land and enjoy the benefits derived there from, whereas Building Ownership Right relates to the right to ownership of the building erected on the land concerned.
SJAP was granted a Land Use Right by the State for the land (state-owned land), and a Building Ownership Right for the buildings erected thereon.
SIAF's Group of Companies - Rented Premises Profiles
Company | Location | Usage | Landlord | Tenure | ||||||
1 | Sino Agro Food, Inc. Guangzhou Representative Office | Room 3801, Block A, China Shine Plaza, No. 9, Linhexi Rd., Tianhe district, Guangzhou City | Head office | Guangzhou Shine Real Property Development Limited Company | 9 July 2012 to 8 July 2014 | |||||
2 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Unit 1-3, Jiangzhou Shuizha Building, No. 19 Jiangjun Rd., Juntang Town, Enping City | Office | Enping City Jiangzhou Water Engineering Management Dept. | 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2018 | |||||
3 | Jiangmen City A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd. | Room 202, Finance Building Chang’an Street, Niujiang Town, Enping City | Office | The Economic Development Office of Enping Government | 15 July 2011 to 14 July 2016 | |||||
4 | Jiangmen City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co. Ltd. | Unit 4-5, Jiangzhou Shuizha Building No. 19 Jiangjun Rd., Juntang Town, Enping City | Office | Enping City Jiangzhou Water Engineering Management Dept. | 1 June 2012 to 30 June 2017 |
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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Economic outlook China
China’s economy is at present second only to that of the United States (third, if the European Union is counted as one economy), having overtaken Japan’s role as number two in 2010.1 The OECD expects that China’s real GDP will grow by 8.5% in 2013 and by 8.9% in 2014.2 The IMF expects that China will be the worlds’ largest economy in 2017 with 18.3% of the world economy. The USA’s share is expected to fall to 17.9% by 2017.3
The strong growth in China has delivered major improvements in living standards and poverty has been reduced dramatically.4 Based on the World Bank’s classification, China recently graduated from lower to upper middle-income status. A growing emphasis on improving access to health and education as well as high investment in infrastructure have helped spread the benefits of growth nationally including in rural areas, where incomes have enjoyed consistently strong gains. Recent OECD simulations suggest that China could maintain high, though gradually easing, growth during the current decade, averaging 8% in per capita terms.
Source: OECD Economic Outlook No. 92 (database)/OECD economic surveys: China 2013
Time Period | Low and middle income countries | China | High-income countries | United States | ||||||||||||
1990-2000 | 3.3 | 10.4 | 2.7 | 3.4 | ||||||||||||
2000-2010 | 5.9 | 10.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||
2010-2020 a | 5.6-7.4 | 7.4-10.1 | 2.0-3.1 | 2.3-3.5 | ||||||||||||
2020-2030 a | 4.2-6.6 | 4.2-7.8 | 1.3-2.7 | 1.5-3.0 | ||||||||||||
Average annual per capita GDP growth Source: OECD Economic Outlook No. 92 (database)/OECD economic surveys: China 2013 |
1 The World Bank; China 2030, Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative Society [pages 3, 376-377], 2013
2 OECD Economic Outlook No. 92 (database)/OECD economic surveys: China 2013
3 IMF, October 2012
4 The World Bank; China 2030, Building a Modern, Harmonious, and Creative Society, 2013 [pages 3, 376-377]
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1990-2000 | 1.6 | 9.3 | 2.0 | 2.3 | ||||||||||||
2000-2010 | 4.6 | 9.8 | 1.0 | 0.7 | ||||||||||||
2010-2020 a | 4.4-6.1 | 6.8-9.5 | 1.6-2.6 | 1.5-2.7 | ||||||||||||
2020-2030 a | 3.4 | 3.9-7.6 | 1.1-2.4 | 0.9-2.4 |
Source: World Bank calculations using Envisage Model.
a. The lower and upper bounds reflect average growth rates in the low-growth and high-growth scenarios.
Source: IMF, October 2012
The share of the population aged 20 to 64 in the total population is expected to peak soon, according to the OECD, and the elderly dependency ratio will continue to rise, exerting downward pressure on saving rates. Agricultural employment has been falling for a decade at an average rate of 3.5% annually, with massive migration from the countryside to cities. Continuing migration of workers out of agriculture is expected to help boost farming profitability, leading to further gains from more mechanization. In addition, some consolidation of farms into bigger units may occur provided that the laws governing the ownership of rural land-use rights are changed to allow the sale of use-rights and favor the rental market for agricultural land, according to the OECD.5
Agriculture in China
China is the world’s largest agricultural economy. It is the leading producer of many agricultural commodities such as pork, horticultural products, rice and cotton and also the largest consumer of many agricultural products, such as pork, rice and soybeans. While China generally has been successful in meeting its rapidly rising demand for food and fiber by increasing domestic production, it has emerged as a leading global importer of several agricultural commodities, including cotton, soybeans, vegetable oils, and animal hides. As its domestic agricultural production has grown, China has also become the largest exporter in global markets for several horticultural products, including mandarin oranges, apples, apple juice, and garlic and other vegetables.
China’s increasingly important position in global agricultural markets followed decades of gradual growth in domestic food production and consumption. After the introduction of market-based reforms in 1978 that included the elimination of the collective production system and relaxation of government direction over certain farming production and marketing decisions, Chinese agricultural output grew significantly. Between 1978 and 2008, China almost doubled its production of grains (rice, wheat, and corn) and quadrupled its production of meats; production of fruit and milk was about 30 times greater in 2008 than in 1978. During these three decades, population growth of about 1% annually, coupled with annual per capita income growth of 8%, fueled a large increase in demand for more and higher-value agricultural products, especially by China’s large and growing middle class. China’s rapid growth in food consumption was largely met by domestic production growth, enabling it to remain self-sufficient in most major commodities. About 40% of China’s population of 1.3 billion is employed in the agricultural sector, and agriculture contributes about 11% to China’s GDP.6
China’s support for agriculture
China’s government support for agriculture is low compared to that of developed countries, such as the United States and the member states of the European Union, but in line with that of other rapidly growing economies, according to the United States International Trade Administration, or the USITC. As measured by the OECD’s PSE,7 the amount of support provided to Chinese farmers was low (and sometimes negative) during the 1990’s, but gradually rose to 9% in 2007. Compared with other countries at a similar level of development, including Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa, China’s support for farmers falls in the middle of the range. China’s PSE reflects changes in the central government’s policy priorities from grain self-sufficiency and low consumer prices toward a stronger focus on raising farm household incomes, according to the USITC.
5 OECD Economic Surveys China, March 2013 [Pages 20-21]
6 USITC: China’s Agricultural Trade: Competitive Conditions and Effects on U.S. Exports, March 2011 [pages 1-1 and1-8]
7 OECD: PSE is defined as the estimated monetary value of transfers from consumers and taxpayers to farmers, expressed as a percentage of gross farm receipts (defined as the value of total farm production at farm gate prices), plus budgetary support
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Government support to China’s agricultural sector indicates that Chinese policymakers are placing a renewed emphasis on the rural economy. Indirect support, in the form of general services, is very high relative to similar support programs in other countries, due largely to investments in agricultural infrastructure. General services include modern research and extension services, food safety agencies, and agricultural price information services, most of which provide benefits to producers and consumers throughout the economy. Compared with direct payments to farmers, general services support is less production-distorting to the sector.
Agricultural consumption
China is a major global consumer of agricultural products. It consumes one-third of the world’s rice, one-fourth of all corn, and one-half of all pork and cotton, and it is the largest consumer of oilseeds and most edible oils. The traditional Chinese diet centers around staple foods (mainly grains and starches), which account for nearly one-half of the daily caloric intake. Average Chinese per capita consumption recently stabilized at approximately 3,000 calories per day, one of the highest levels among Asian countries.
Chinese food consumption is influenced by factors such as population size and demographics, income, food prices, and general preferences. Per capita income growth and urbanization are the two factors most responsible for altering recent consumption patterns in China. Rising income translates into higher per capita food consumption, while increasing urbanization is driving diversification of food choices because of greater availability and choice offered through increasingly diverse sales outlets.
Chinese consumers generally fall into one of three categories: rural consumers; urban low-income consumers; or urban high-income consumers. Although urban high-income consumers can afford to buy more and better-quality food, the ubiquity of food outlets in cities means that nearly every urban resident, regardless of income, has available an increasingly diverse food selection. Compared to rural diets, urban diets contain less grain and more non staple items, including processed and convenience foods. Rural migrants to cities tend to adopt the urban diet.
Expenditure on food
Food is the largest class of household expenditure for all Chinese income groups; even housing takes a smaller share of average household income, according to the USITC. As income rises, the absolute amount of food expenditure increases, although the share of income spent on food falls. Urban residents spend substantially more on food than their rural counterparts, according to the USITC. Higher incomes lead to an increase in both the quantity and quality of food demanded. However, while demand for higher quantities of food appears to level off in the top income households, demand for higher-quality foods continues to rise with income spending on food consumed outside the home being on the rise. In 2003, about 18% of urban household food expenditures and over 11% of rural household food expenditures were made outside the home. In 2008, the average per capita annual expenditure on dining out was $127 among urban residents, up 26% from a year earlier. Per capita expenditures on food consumed away from home vary among regions, with Shanghai spending the most ($300) and Tibet the least ($84). Most such expenditures are made in restaurants, both independent establishments and fast-food chains. Although consumption away from the household is increasing, most foods are still eaten at home. The exception is meat, with about half of all meat consumed outside the home.
Food preferences
Along with more varied consumption, higher incomes are leading to changing food preferences, including demand for better quality and safer foods. Food preferences determine where urban Chinese purchase their food, whether it be at local “wet markets,” urban supermarkets, or restaurants. Chinese value the diversity in food products that different shopping outlets offer. In the future, analysts predict that further income growth and urbanization will continue to increase demand for a variety of higher quality foods, according to the USITC.
Like that of other countries at similar stages of development, the traditional Chinese diet comprises mostly grains and other starches. Consumption of non-staple, higher-value foods such as meat (especially pork), dairy, fruits, vegetables, and processed food has grown significantly in the past three decades; 30% of the food currently consumed in China has been processed in some way, according to the USITC.
China’s per capita expenditures for animal proteins for 2008 averaged $184, up from $137 in the previous year. The Chinese consume about four times as much pork as poultry, the second most popular animal protein. Pork consumption has been encouraged by improved cold storage distribution, as the product can be transported greater distances to reach more customers. Pork consumption levels are also high due to government support programs, including purchasing pork for reserves and occasionally subsidizing pork purchases for low-income consumers.
Food quality and safety are important factors affecting Chinese food preferences. High-income urban groups that focus their expenditure on high-quality products also seek assurance that their food is safe. Safety concerns can determine where certain foods are bought: fresh produce is usually purchased at a wet market because fresher produce is perceived to be safer, while meats are increasingly bought at a supermarket because of the availability of cold storage.8
The market for aquatic and aquaculture in China
The information in this section regarding aquatic and aquaculture, including graphs, is taken from the USDA’s GAIN Report Number: CH12073 per 12/28/2012 unless otherwise stated.9
8 USITC: China’s Agricultural Trade: Competitive Conditions and Effects on U.S. Exports, March 2011
9 Definition of terms: China’s definition of aquatic products includes both cultured (farm-raised) and wild caught products; aquatic products include fish, shrimp/prawn/crab, shellfish, algae, and other. Aquatic catch production is total volume of both fresh and seawater wild caught aquatic products; Aquaculture production is the total volume of both fresh and seawater cultured (farmed) aquatic products. This report will use Chinese terminology to maintain consistency between Chinese statistics and product categories. Total aquatic trade statistics below do not include fishmeal.
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Total Aquatic Products Production
China has the world’s largest aquatic production and its market share has risen from 7% in 1961 to 35% by 2010.10 Total 2012 aquatic production in China is estimated to increase four percent over last year to reach 58 million tons, compared to the 56 million tons in 2011 and 53.7 million tons in 2010, according to the USDA. Fish production accounts for 59% of the total aquatic production, followed by shellfish and crustaceans at 22.6% and 10%, respectively. Fish production is, according to the USDA, expected to continue its upward growth trend to reach 34.5 million tons in 2012, up from 33 million tons in 2011 and 31.3 million tons in 2010.
In 2011, Shandong, Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang provinces profited from favorable coastal locations and abundant freshwater resources/facilities to rank as the top four aquatic production areas. In terms of freshwater cultured production, Hubei, Guangdong, and Jiangsu provinces are the largest producers. These rankings are expected to remain unchanged in 2012, according to the USDA.
China has a long history of aquaculture but large-scale production only began after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. More recently, after China opened up to the outside world in the 1980's, the sector has been growing dramatically, becoming one of the fastest growing sectors among the agriculture industries in China.11
China remains the world largest aquaculture producer with total cultured aquatic production accounting for about 70% of the world total in recent years, based on industry sources. Total aquaculture water area reached 7.83 million hectares (MHa) in 2011 from 7.65 MHa in the previous year, with the majority (164,000 Ha) expansion in freshwater facilities. While the majority of cultured facilities are fresh water due to available natural resources, growth in seawater facilities has outpaced that of freshwater facilities over the past four years, rising 33% between 2008 and 2011, compared to 15% for freshwater. Aquaculture area growth slowing overall, investment in facility expansion is slowing, with 2011’s 2.5% expansion cooling significantly from 2009’s 14% expansion. Government officials relate that environmental concerns and the rapid industrialization/urbanization of China’s coastal region are hampering further aquaculture expansion.
Aquaculture fish production dominates the sector with a total production of 22.8 million tons, accounting for 69% of total fish production in 2011. Carp remains the most popular cultured freshwater fish with total production of 15.6 million tons in 2011 (up from 15.1 million tons in 2010), accounting for 72% of total freshwater cultured fish production, according to the USDA.
Cultured freshwater and seawater shrimp and prawn are produced primarily in Guangdong, Jiangsu, Hubei, Zhejiang and Guangxi provinces. In 2011, Guangdong led shrimp production with total cultured production of 609,207 tons, compared to 554,000 tons in 2010. Eel production is concentrated in Fujian, Guangdong, and Jiangxi provinces, and much of the production is destined for the Japanese market.
Aquatic consumption
As China’s processing and distribution systems become more developed and consumers rising affluence increases their interest in a more diversified and nutritious diet, seafood consumption is on the increase. According to the National Statistics Bureau, the per capita consumption of aquatic products was 14.62 Kg per urban dweller and 5.36 Kg per rural inhabitant in 2011. Per capita consumption is expected to increase steadily, with strong growth potential in the rural sector.The per capita consumption of aquatic products is highest in coastal regions, for example in Shanghai and Guangdong, (where aquatic products have been a traditional source of protein) and locations with relatively high disposable income.
According to Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) survey results (among 80 major aquatic product wholesale markets), the average wholesale price for aquatic products increased by 8.5% in the first eight months of 2012 from the previous year. The price increased by 9.7% for sea water products, and 6.9% for fresh water products. Prices for aquatic products are expected to grow in 2013, reflecting increases in the price of feed and other inputs.
Trade
Total aquatic trade value in 2012 is estimated at $27 billion, up four percent over $25.8 billion in 2011, according to the USDA. Total trade volume is expected to fall by two percent. According to MOA statistics, in the first three quarters of 2012, total aquatic trade volume stood at 5.86 million tons, down 2.4%, while trade value was $19.4 billion, up 6% over the previous year. Total aquatic import volume was 3.1 million tons, down 0.9% over the previous year; total aquatic trade surplus reached $7.5 billion, up $912 million over the same period from the previous year. Industry sources expect the 2012 total trade value will hit $27 billion. China’s aquatic export trade destinations (with export values over $100 million) rose from 17 countries/regions in 2009 to 25 in 2011 and will likely increase in 2012. Japan continues to be the largest export destination, followed by the United States and South Korea.
Exports and imports
Export value is expected to rise to $18.5 billion, up four percent over 2011. This growth is mainly due to increased prices as volume is expected to fall from the previous year. Most Chinese industry insiders believe that a stable recovery of global economies support higher aquatic exports in the near future.
10 The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2012, FAO
11 FAO – National Aquaculture Sector Overview China
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Import value is estimated at $5.7 billion in 2012, almost unchanged from the previous year; however, total import volume is likely to be 2.6 million tons, down four percent over the previous year. Russia is expected to remain China’s largest supplier of aquatic products in 2012, followed distantly by the United States and Japan. Qingdao and Dalian continue to be the two largest arrival ports for aquatic products, accounting for 80% of the total import volume in first ten months of 2012. Well-established facilities, including processing factories in Qingdao and Dalian, solidify their status as the largest seafood import hubs in China.
China’s fishery production policy
China’s fishery production policy remains generally unchanged. In the 12th Five Year Fishery Development Plan, the MOA plans to continue to promote a more sustainable development model with resource utilization, environmental protection, production of safe products, and increases in farmer income as major priorities. In November 2012, MOA published a notice promoting a sustainable and healthy development of marine fishing in other territorial seas. The notice stressed the need to upgrade fishing facilities to maintain a stable catch volume which reached 1.15 million tons in 2011.
Implementation of aquaculture licensing system continues
The MOA will continue to implement a nationwide aquaculture licensing system during the 12th Five Year Fishery Development Plan period. Licensing thousands of small-scale aquaculture facilities, however, has proven to be a challenge for the government. As of the end of 2011, 79% of aquaculture facilities had obtained production licenses.
The policy on aquatic processing trade remains unchanged
China’s government reportedly positive view of the aquatic processing trade may be due to its role in generating new employment and producing rendered feed ingredients that are in demand by the growing feed industry. If imports are exported as processed products, they will not be subject to a tariff or value-added tax (VAT). Imports sold in China are subject to tariff and VAT.
According to MOA, the share of processing trade has declined, accounting for 28.6% of aquatic export value in 2012 (compared to 33% in 2010). Nevertheless, both Chinese industry and official sources claim that China is becoming the world’s processing center for mackerel, salmon, cod, and herring. Industry sources note that the number of enterprises involved in the “Processing Trade” is on the rise, especially in Shandong and Liaoning.
Aquatic exports for domestic consumption
High import costs, which include a duty plus value-added tax approaching 25%, make imports for domestic consumption expensive. Some industry experts are calling for reduced import duties and VAT for seafood species that are not produced in China to encourage more imports for domestic consumption.
Import certificate for live edible aquatic products
Through bilateral consultation, a NOAA amended version of the Health Certificate for live edible aquatic products was approved by the Administration for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China, or AQSIQ. Obtaining the certificate for live edible aquatic product may remain an issue for exporters.
New hygiene certificate for US imported fishmeal
In late July 2011, the Department of Commerce, NOAA, the Seafood Inspection Program and AQSIQ reached agreement on a new health certificate for fish meal and fish oil exports to China, which took effect on July 1, 2012. In addition, AQSIQ approved registration of 26 US fish meal and fish oil exporters.
New health certificate for fish and fishery products
On April 10, 2012, AQSIQ requested an amendment to the US Health Certificate for Fish and Fishery Products destined to China, effective Jan 1, 2013. In late December, the Department of Commerce, NOAA, the Seafood Inspection Program and AQSIQ agreed on a new certificate which will be implemented January 1, 2013. The current certificate will be accepted for entry into China for fish and fishery products exported prior to January 1, 2013. Any fish and fishery products exported from the US after January 1, 2013 to China must be accompanied by the new health certificate.
Marketing
Due to market development efforts, domestic demand has increased for imported frozen aquatic products. Salmon, snow crab legs, and cod are all products commonly available in supermarkets. Product identification, such as brand names, logo and country of origin are important tools to attract consumer interest.
Scallops, salmon, Alaskan snow crab legs, king crabs, black cod, and oysters are popular items in many upscale hotels which commonly feature these products in buffets. With the proper display, high-value imported items can be promoted to customers.
Importers claim high value U.S. seafood products are easy to sell in both first and second tier cities, even in coastal cities such as Qingdao. Major obstacles include inconsistent availability due to insufficient supply and counterfeit products.
The market for meat in China
China is by far the world’s largest producer and consumer of meat which includes pork, poultry and beef. Historically, this situation did not have a large impact on the rest of the world, as China, for the most part, maintained self-sufficiency in meat. However, since 2007 the situation has changed dramatically. China has gradually turned into a net importer of meats.
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World meat production was around 297.1 million tons in 2011 and forecast to grow by less than 2% to 302 million tons in 2012.12China’s meat production reached 79.57 million tons in 2011, including 50.53 million tons of pork, yet the overall production was slightly less than the consumption; meanwhile, the net imports of meat climbed 33.59% year on year to 1.57 million tons. According to the “12th Five-Year Plan” of the meat industry, it is expected that by the end of 2015, China’s total meat output will have reached 85 million tons, consisting of about 63% pork.
With strong economic growth, China’s urbanization has been occurring at a faster pace than commonly expected. By the end of 2011, the urban population for the first time exceeded the rural population, reaching 51.3% of the total population. If rural migrants working in urban areas are included, the population working and living in urban areas accounted for about 70% of the total population.
Urbanization and rising purchasing power has led to a dietary pattern change switching from the consumption of traditional food grain products to an increase in consumption of meat.13 The change in consumer preferences, meaning higher priced red meat representing a major part of Chinese consumers main protein source, partly derives from the perception that consumption of red meat is equal to higher status than consumption of poultry or pork.14
There are several other specific market drivers which underpin the increase in demand for red meat. One driver is the improved living standard in China which stimulates the growth of beef markets since beef often sells at a much higher price and traditionally goes beyond a majority of people's affordable level. Another is the fact that Chinese people's dietary structure is becoming more diversified and reasonable, bringing larger amount of beef consumption since beef has nutritional benefits. Lastly, further regulation of China's beef industry is likely to ensure sufficient supply of cattle and promote the development of the beef industry which would result in safer and healthier beef products.15
The strong rise in feed grain prices in the past five years is now moving substantially through the market chain and is being reflected in higher meat prices with the exception of poultry where adjustments have been made. On the contrary, world meat consumption continues to grow at one of the highest rates among major agricultural commodities. Thus, developing countries can expect an increase in meat imports despite strong meat prices, driven by population and income growth and high income elasticity of demand. Equally so, strong prices will result in sustained export earnings, which will encourage large meat exporting countries to invest in international meat markets. When breaking the expected increase of demand down by region it is evident that the Asia and Pacific region is projected to stand for the largest increase in demand by far.16
The supporting policies from Chinese government is expected to ensure adequate supply of cattle sources from the upstream area and improve the quality and taste of beef products. Therefore, consumers are likely to get safer and healthier beef products and beef consumption is expected to move to a higher development level in the near future.17
The market for fertilizer in China
Demand for fertilizer in China is forecast to increase 3.3% per annum through 2015 to 262 million metric tons. Sales of fertilizers are expected to be supported by healthy expansion of agricultural activities as the amount of sown areas continues to grow and rural income levels rise. Farmers will continue to register steadily increasing incomes, the result of growing crop prices and government subsidies designed to supplement their revenues and reduce their material costs. Subsidies aimed directly at cutting the cost of fertilizers is expected to encourage additional use. In addition, rising crop prices have encouraged farmers to invest in fertilizers to further boost crop yields. Advances will also be driven by increases in the hectares of sown land dedicated to growing cash crops. However, increasing demand for organic food and improved understanding of the correct application of fertilizers is expected to prevent demand from rising at a faster pace.
In value terms, fertilizer demand is expected to grow 6.0% per year to 548 billion yuan, outpacing gains in volume terms. Faster value growth will be driven by strong demand for higher value multi-nutrient fertilizers. In addition, advances will be supported by continued growth in fertilizer prices as the cost of natural gas, oil, coal, and other raw materials continues to increase.
Demand for fertilizer nutrients in China is projected to grow 4.4%annually through 2015 to 98.1 million metric tons. Nutrient demand will be stimulated by increasing use of higher nutrient level products as income levels grow in rural areas in China. In addition, government efforts to promote multi-nutrient fertilizers will also support gains in fertilizer nutrient demand. Accounting for more than three-fourths of total fertilizer demand in 2010, single-nutrient fertilizers will remain the larger product type through 2015, despite a relatively low growth rate of 2.1% per year. Sales of single nutrient fertilizers will continue to be supported by their relatively low prices. Multi-nutrient fertilizer demand will post a strong annual growth rate of 7.3% through 2015, fortified by government efforts to promote their utilization.
The size, growth and composition of fertilizer demand in the six regions that make up China vary considerably. The Central-South and Central-East will remain the two largest regional fertilizer markets. Due to the comparatively high income levels in the Central-South and Central-East — which enable residents to afford more expensive food items – demand for cash crops such as fruits and vegetables will rise in these regions, which in turn will fuel demand for fertilizer. Sales in the Northeast and Northwest regions will outpace the average through 2015, benefiting from the Great Western Development Strategy, the Northeast Revitalization Policy, and increasing income levels for farmers.18
12Food Outlook Global Market Analysis, published by the Trade and Market Division of FAO under Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS), November 2012
13 China’s growing appetite for meats: Implications for World meat trade. A Multi-Client Study, April 2012
14 China and Hong Kong: Food Opportunities for Maine, Maine International Trade Center, March 2012
15 Frost & Sullivan: China’s beef market has great growth potential
16Meat - OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2012-2021
17 Frost & Sullivan: China’s beef market has great growth potential
18 Fertilizers in China, Industry Study with Forecasts for 2015 & 2020, Freedonia Group; June 2012
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In 2006, the central government started a program intended to partially compensate farmers for price increases in fuel, fertilizer and other agricultural inputs. In the case of fertilizers, government support is part of several separate programs targeting fertilizer producers, with cost reductions being passed along to farmers purchasing the input. By 2009, fuel and fertilizer subsidies totaled $10.5 billion.19
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS. |
An investment in our common stock involves significant risks. You should carefully consider the following risks and all other information set forth in this Annual Report before deciding to invest in our common stock. If any of the events or developments described below occurs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may suffer. In that case, the value of our common stock may decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Company
The current global economic and credit environment could have an adverse effect on demand for certain of our products and services, which would in turn have a negative impact on our results of operations, our cash flows, our financial condition, our ability to borrow and our stock price.
Since 2008, global market and economic conditions have been disrupted and volatile. Concerns over increased energy costs, geopolitical issues, the availability and cost of credit, the U.S. mortgage market sub-prime collapse and a declining residential real estate market in the U.S. have contributed to this increased volatility and diminished expectations for the economy and the markets going forward. These factors, combined with volatile oil prices, declining business and consumer confidence and increased unemployment, have precipitated a global recession. It is difficult to predict how long the current economic conditions will persist, whether they will deteriorate further, and which of our products, if not all of them, will be adversely affected. These conditions, if they continue, could cause a material decrease in our sales, net income and an increase in the prices we pay for raw materials used in producing our primary produce and products and our development cost and, thus, materially affect our operating results and financial condition.
We may be unable to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and as a result we may be unable to accurately report our financial results.
Our reporting obligations as a public company place a significant strain on our management, operational and financial resources and systems. If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we could experience delays or inaccuracies in our reporting of financial information, or non-compliance with the SEC, reporting and other regulatory requirements. This could subject us to regulatory scrutiny and result in a loss of public confidence in our management, which could, among other things, cause our stock price to drop.
Because we will require additional financing to expand our vertically integrated operation in accordance with our business plan and growing strategy, our failure to obtain necessary financing will impair our growth strategy; in addition, the risk of “vertical integration” is significant.
As of December 31, 2012, we had working capital of $111,401,112, including cash and cash equivalents of $8,424,265. Our capital requirements in connection with our planned vertically integrated development and growth plan of our business are significant.
In most of the developed countries, risks of agriculture operations are shared to a certain degree by different sectors in the industry, for example the following:
• | Research and development are at times initiated and supported by government departments; | |
• | The primary producers are mainly concerned with the growing risks of the produce; | |
• | There are marketing companies that assume the risks of marketing the produce; | |
• | There are trading houses conduct the sales of the produce and assume the credit risks of the sales; and | |
• | There are logistic companies that assume the risks of transporting the produce. |
However, as a vertically integrated operator, we shall have to cover all the mentioned risks. China is a developing country and currently its agriculture industry has not been fully developed similarly to other developed nations. As a result, management believes that it is essentially important for us to be able to develop our business operation in a vertically integrated manner in order to be able to achieve reasonable profit margins for our products. Although we also believe that the multiple layers of profits generated through the multiple operations may compensate to some degree for the variety of risks that we face through the multiple operations, nevertheless, the overall risks are much greater. At the same time, the full module of our vertically integrated developments has not been completed and these vertically integrated developments may require significant capital expenditures and management resources. Failure to implement these vertically integrated developments could hurt our ability to manage our growth and our financial position.
The estimated costs for this and other projects that are part of our growth strategy in the future will cost us an estimated $500 million in the aggregate and will be undertaken in phases of our 5 year-plan that was initiated in March of 2010, depending on the funds available to us including internal capital and external capital. We intend to use a significant part of the net proceeds from an offering of our securities to fund part of the estimated costs of its final phase. However, we will need approximately $118 million in 2013 to accomplish our longer term objectives, including but not limited to the approximately $26 million in gross proceeds intended to be raised from any such offering.
19 USITC: China’s Agricultural Trade: Competitive Conditions and Effects on U.S. Exports, March 2011
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To accomplish the objectives discussed above and to execute our business strategy, we need access to capital on appropriate terms. We currently have no commitments with any third party to obtain such additional financing and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain the requisite additional financing on any terms and, if we are able to raise additional funds, it may be necessary for us to sell our securities at a price which is at a significant discount from the market price and on other terms which may be disadvantageous to us. In connection with any such financing, we may be required to provide registration rights to the investors and pay damages to the investors in the event that the registration statement is not filed or declared effective by specified dates. The price and terms of any financing which would be available to us could result in both the issuance of a significant number of shares and significant downward pressure on our stock price. We cannot assure you that our business objectives, particularly over the longer term, will be met on a timely basis, if at all. Consequently, we may be unable to meet fixed obligations and expenses that will be generated in the operation of our business, whether as presently in existence or as proposed. Any failure to obtain requisite financing on acceptable terms could have material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and future prospects.
No assurance of successful expansion of operations.
Our significant increase in the scope and the scale of our product launch, including the hiring of additional personnel, has resulted in significantly higher operating expenses. As a result, we anticipate that our operating expenses will continue to increase. Expansion of our operations may also cause a significant demand on our management, finances and other resources. Our ability to manage the anticipated future growth, should it occur, will depend upon a significant expansion of our accounting and other internal management systems and the implementation and subsequent improvement of a variety of systems, procedures and controls. There can be no assurance that significant problems in these areas will not occur. Any failure to expand these areas and implement and improve such systems, procedures and controls in an efficient manner at a pace consistent with our business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. There can be no assurance that our attempts to expand our marketing, sales, manufacturing and customer support efforts will be successful or will result in additional sales or profitability in any future period. As a result of the expansion of our operations and the anticipated increase in our operating expenses, as well as the difficulty in forecasting revenue levels, we expect to continue to experience significant fluctuations in its results of operations.
We may be unable to successfully expand our production capacity, which could result in material delays, quality issues, increased costs and loss of business opportunities, which may negatively impact our product margins and profitability.
Part of our future growth strategy is to increase our production capacity to meet increasing demand for our existing goods. Assuming we obtain sufficient funding to increase our production capacity, any projects that we undertake to increase such capacity may not be constructed on the anticipated timetable or within budget. We may also experience quality control issues as we implement these production upgrades. Any material delay in completing these projects, or any substantial increase in costs or quality issues in connection with these projects, could materially delay our ability to bring our products to market and adversely affect our business, reduce our revenue, income and available cash, all of which could result in harming our financial condition.
Our business and operations are experiencing rapid growth. If we fail to effectively manage our growth, our business and operating results could be harmed.
We have experienced, and may continue to experience, rapid growth in our operations, which has placed, and may continue to place, significant demands on our management, operational and financial infrastructure. If we do not effectively manage our growth, the quality of our products and services could suffer, which could negatively affect our operating results. To effectively manage this growth, we will need to continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls and our reporting systems and procedures. These systems enhancements and improvements may require significant capital expenditures and management resources. Failure to implement these improvements could hurt our ability to manage our growth and our financial position.
If the Chinese government were to change its presently favorable policy toward the agriculture industry, we would no longer enjoy our present tax-related privileges, which would materially and adversely impact our sales performance, margins, and net profit and our costs structure.
As producers active in the agriculture industry, our subsidiaries are presently exempt from income tax and enjoy various incentive grants and subsidies given by the China Government. If the Chinese government were to change its presently favorable policy toward the agriculture industry, we would no longer enjoy our present tax-related privileges, which would materially and adversely impact our sales performance, margins, and net profit and our costs structure. We have experienced, and may continue to experience, quick changes of policies by the Chinese government. If we do not effectively and efficiently manage our growth on time due to lack of capital, we could suffer adversely from the consequences of any such policy changes.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to adequately protect, or uncertainty regarding validity, enforceability or scope of them could undermine our competitive position and reduce the value of our products, services and brand, and litigation to protect our intellectual property rights may be costly.
We attempt to strengthen and differentiate our product portfolio by developing new and innovative products and product improvements. As a result, our patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights are important assets to us. Various events outside of our control pose a threat to our intellectual property rights as well as to our products and services. For example, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in China and other countries in which our products are sold. Also, although we have registered our trademark in China, the efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient or effective. Any significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete and adversely affect our results of operation. Also, protecting our intellectual property rights is costly and time consuming. Policing the unauthorized use of our proprietary technology can be difficult and expensive. Litigation might be necessary to protect our intellectual property rights. But due to the relative unpredictability of the Chinese legal system and potential difficulties of enforcing a court’s judgment in China, there is no guarantee that litigation would result in an outcome favorable to us. Furthermore, any such litigation may be costly and may divert our management’s attention away from our core business. An adverse determination in any lawsuit involving our intellectual property is likely to jeopardize our business prospects and reputation. Although currently we are not aware of any of such litigation, we have no insurance coverage against the litigation costs so we would be forced to bear all litigation costs if we cannot recover them from other parties in the future. All of the foregoing factors could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. Any increase in the unauthorized use of our intellectual property in the future could make it more expensive for us to do business and harm our operating results.
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We may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if determined adversely against us, could adversely affect our business and subject us to significant liability to third parties.
Our success mainly depends on our ability to use and develop our technology and product designs without infringing upon the intellectual property rights of third parties. We may be subject to litigation involving claims of patent infringement or violations of other intellectual property rights of third parties. The holders of patents and other intellectual property rights potentially relevant to our product offerings may be unknown to us, which may make it difficult for us to acquire a license on commercially acceptable terms. There may also be technologies licensed to us and that we rely upon that are subject to infringement or other corresponding allegations or claims by third parties which may damage our ability to rely on such technologies. In addition, although we endeavor to ensure that companies that work with us possess appropriate intellectual property rights or licenses, we cannot fully avoid the risks of intellectual property rights infringement created by suppliers of components used in our products or by companies we work with in cooperative research and development activities. Our current or potential competitors may have obtained or may obtain patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our products. The defense of intellectual property claims, including patent infringement suits, and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time consuming, and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical personnel and management. These factors could effectively prevent us from pursuing some or all of our business operations and result in our customers or potential customers deferring, canceling or limiting their purchase or use of our products, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on highly skilled personnel and the continuing efforts of our executive officers and, if we are unable to retain, motivate or hire qualified personnel, our business may be severely disrupted.
Our performance largely depends on the talents, knowledge, skills and know-how and efforts of highly skilled individuals and in particular, the expertise held by our chief executive officer, Solomon Lee. His absence, were it to occur, could impact the development and implementation of the projects and businesses. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. Our continued ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to attract new technology developers and to retain and motivate our existing contractors. If one or more of our executive officers are unable or unwilling to continue in their present positions, we may not be able to replace them readily, if at all. Therefore, our business may be severely disrupted, and we may incur additional expenses to recruit and retain new officers. In addition, if any of our executives joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose some of our customers.
Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by epidemics, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophes.
Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by epidemics, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophes. For example, in early 2003, several economies in Asia, including China, were affected by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. During May and June of 2003, many businesses in China were closed by the PRC government to prevent transmission of SARS. Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the effects of H1N1 flu (swine flu), avian flu, severe acute respiratory syndrome or other epidemics or outbreaks. In April 2009, an outbreak of H1N1 flu first occurred in Mexico and quickly spread to other countries, including the U.S. and China. In the last decade, China has suffered health epidemics related to the outbreak of avian influenza and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Any prolonged occurrence or recurrence of H1N1 flu (swine flu), avian flu, SARS or other adverse public health developments in China may have a material adverse effect on our business and operations. These health epidemics could result in severe travel restrictions and closures that would restrict our ability to ship our products. Potential outbreaks could also lead to temporary closure of our manufacturing facilities, our suppliers’ facilities and/or our end-user customers’ facilities, leading to reduced production, delayed or cancelled orders, and decrease in demand for our products. Any future health epidemic or outbreaks that could disrupt our operations and/or restrict our shipping abilities may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Furthermore, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake also had a negative impact on many businesses in the region. Losses caused by epidemics, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophes, including SARS, avian flu, swine flu, earthquakes or typhoons, will adversely affect our operations.
Insofar as we do not encounter any epidemic in our aquaculture fishery farms in districts of the Guangdong Province or cattle farms in Huangyuan District of the Qinghai Province, however in the event of epidemics, we expect that our marine animals and our cattle will be quarantined until such time as a sanitary certificate for clean bill of health will be obtained before any of our products will be sold. Alternatively, in an extreme situation where our products would fail to obtain the sanitary certificate, they will be destroyed subject to the direction of the Inspection Authorities of the Agriculture Department of China. There is compensation granted by the Chinese Government for the destruction of our products but only for a fraction of our cost of production; as such the Company will bear virtually all losses under such circumstances.
Furthermore, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake also had a negative impact on many businesses in the region. Losses caused by epidemics, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other catastrophes, including SARS, avian flu, swine flu, earthquakes or typhoons, will adversely affect our operations.
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If we make any acquisitions, they may disrupt or have a negative impact on our business.
Although we have no present plans for any specific acquisitions, in the event that we make acquisitions, we could have difficulty integrating the acquired companies’ personnel and operations with our own. In addition, the key personnel of the acquired business may not be willing to work for us. We cannot predict the effect expansion may have on our core business. Regardless of whether we are successful in making an acquisition, the negotiations could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees and increase our expenses. In addition to the risks described above, acquisitions are accompanied by a number of inherent risks, including, without limitation, the following:
• | the difficulty of integrating acquired products, services or operations; |
• | the potential disruption of the ongoing businesses and distraction of our management and the management of acquired companies; |
• | the difficulty of incorporating acquired rights or products into our existing business; |
• | difficulties in disposing of the excess or idle facilities of an acquired company or business and expenses in maintaining such facilities; |
• | difficulties in maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; |
• | the potential impairment of relationships with employees and customers as a result of any integration of new management personnel; |
• | the potential inability or failure to achieve additional sales and enhance our customer base through cross-marketing of the products to new and existing customers; |
• | the effect of any government regulations which relate to the business acquired; |
• | potential unknown liabilities associated with acquired businesses or product lines, or the need to spend significant amounts to retool, reposition or modify the marketing and sales of acquired products or the defense of any litigation, whether or not successful, resulting from actions of the acquired company prior to our acquisition. |
Our business could be severely impaired if and to the extent that we are unable to succeed in addressing any of these risks or other problems encountered in connection with these acquisitions, many of which cannot be presently identified, these risks and problems could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees, increase our expenses and adversely affect our results of operations.
We face significant competition, including changes in pricing.
The markets for our products are both competitive and price sensitive. Many of our competitors have significant financial, operations, sales and marketing resources and experience in research and development and compete with us by offering lower prices. Competitors could develop new technologies that compete with our products on achieving a lower unit price. If a competitor develops superior technology or cost-effective alternatives to our products and services, our business could be seriously harmed as they may achieve a lower price for the same quality.
The markets for some of our products are also subject to specific competitive risks because these markets are highly price competitive. Our competitors have competed in the past by lowering prices on certain products. If they do so again, we may be forced to respond by lowering our prices. This would reduce sales revenues and increase losses. Failure to anticipate and respond to price competition may also impact sales and aggravate losses.
Many of our competitors are larger and have greater financial and other resources than we do.
Our products compete and will compete with similar if not identical products produced by our competitors. These competitive products could be marketed by well-established, successful companies that possess greater financial, marketing, distributional, personnel and other resources than we possess. Using these resources, these companies can implement extensive advertising and promotional campaigns, both generally and in response to specific marketing efforts by competitors, and enter into new markets more rapidly to introduce new products. In certain instances, competitors with greater financial resources also may be able to enter a market in direct competition with us, offering attractive marketing tools to encourage the sale of products that compete with our products or present cost features that consumers may find attractive.
Risks Related to our Industry
Our agricultural assets are situated in three provinces in China and crop disease, severe weather, natural disasters and other conditions affecting the environment, including the effects of climate change, could result in substantial losses and weaken our financial condition.
Our agricultural operations are situated in Qinghai Province, Hunan and Guangdong Province. Qinghai Province in particular is subject to occasional periods of drought. Crops require water in different quantities at different times during the growth cycle. The limited water resource at any given point can adversely impact production. In Qinghai our cropping and pasture land presently comprises over 5,000 acres, an area too big and too costly to afford drip irrigation systems for our crops. In Hunan, the district of Linli where we have over 300 acres of crop and pasture land may from time to time be subject to flooding that could affect our agriculture production. In Enping, Guangdong, our HU Plants are very susceptible to dry and wet seasonal variation that could also affect our agriculture production.
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Crop disease, severe weather conditions, such as floods, droughts, windstorms and hurricanes, and natural disasters, may adversely affect our supply of one or more products, reduce our sales volumes, increase our unit production costs or prevent or impair our ability to ship products as planned. Since a significant portion of our costs are fixed and contracted in advance of each operating year, volume declines due to production interruptions or other factors could result in increases in unit production costs, which could result in substantial losses and weaken our financial condition. We may experience crop disease, insect infestation, severe weather and other adverse environmental conditions from time to time. Severe weather conditions may occur with higher frequency or may be less predictable in the future due to the effects of climate change.
An occurrence of such an event might result in material disruptions to our operations, to the operations of our customers or suppliers, resulting in a decline in the agriculture industry. There can be no assurance that our facilities or products will not be affected by any such occurrence in the future, which occurrence may lead to adverse conditions to our operations and financial results.
Prices of agricultural products are subject to supply and demand, a market condition of which is not predictable.
Because our agricultural products are commodities, we are not able to predict with certainty what price we will receive for our products. Additionally, the growth cycle of such products in many instances dictates when such products must be marketed to achieve the maximum profitability. Excessive supplies tend to cause severe price competition and lower prices throughout the industry affected. Conversely, shortages may drive the prices higher. Shortages often result from adverse growing conditions which can reduce the availability of the agricultural products affected. Since multiple variables can affect supply and demand, we cannot accurately predict or control from year to year what prices, either favorable or unfavorable, it will receive from the market.
In addition, general public perceptions regarding the quality, safety or health risks associated with particular food products could reduce demand and prices for some of our products. To the extent that consumer preferences evolve away from products that we produce for health or other reasons, and we are unable to modify our products or to develop products that satisfy new consumer preferences, there will be a decreased demand for our products. However, even if market prices are unfavorable, some of our agricultural products which are ready to be, or have been, harvested must be brought to market promptly. A decrease in the selling price received for our products due to the factors described above could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We could realize losses and suffer liquidity problems due to declines in sales prices for our agriculture products.
Sales prices for agricultural products are difficult to predict. It is possible that sales prices for our products will decline in the future, and sales prices for other agricultural products may also decline. In recent years, there has been increasing consolidation among food retailers, wholesalers and distributors. A significant portion of our costs is fixed, so that fluctuations in the sales prices have an immediate impact on our profitability. Our profitability is also affected by our production costs, which may increase due to factors beyond our control.
We are subject to the risk of product contamination and product liability claims.
The sales of our products may involve the risk of injury to consumers. Such injuries may result from tampering by unauthorized personnel, product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects, substances, chemicals, or residues introduced during the growing, packing, storage, handling or transportation phases. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe our facilities comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, including internal product safety policies, we cannot be sure that consumption of our products will not cause a health-related illness in the future or that we will not be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our brand image. We do not maintain product liability insurance.
We may not be successful in the implementation of our new technologies and new products, and our new products may be not widely accepted.
Our new technologies such as our drip irrigation system for precision agriculture or the introduction, testing and promotion of new agricultural varieties, must be able to adapt to local conditions. On the one hand, there exists the failure risk due to not being suitable for the local environment and market conditions; on the other hand, there are risks of loss of competitive advantages due to the rising of producing similar products enterprises and other enterprises that follow to produce the similar products.
We are a holding company whose subsidiaries are given certain degree of independency and our failure to integrate our subsidiaries may adversely affect our financial condition.
According to the specific characteristics of agricultural production in China, we have given our subsidiary companies and their farms a certain degree of independency in decision-making. On one hand, this independency increases the sense of ownership at all levels, on the other hand it has also increased the difficulty of the integration of operation and management, which has resulted in increased difficulty of management integration. In the event we are not able to successfully manage our subsidiaries this will result in operating difficulties and have a negative impact on our business.
One or more of our distributors could engage in activities that are harmful to our brand and to our business.
Our products are sold primarily through distributors, and those distributors are responsible for ensuring that our products have the appropriate licenses to be sold to farmers in their provinces and be kept at the right temperature to be fresh and meet shelf life terms. If those distributors do not obtain the appropriate licenses, their sales of our products in those provinces may be illegal, and we may be subject to government sanctions, including confiscation of illegal revenues and a fine of between two and three times the amount of such illegal revenues. Unlicensed sales in a province may also cause a delay for our other distributors in receiving a license from the authorities for their provinces, which could further adversely impact our sales. In addition, distributors may sell our products under another brand licensed in a particular province if our product is not licensed there. If our products are sold under another brand, the purchasers will not be aware of our brand name, and we will be unable to cross-market other seed varieties or other products as effectively to these purchasers. Moreover, our ability to provide appropriate customer service to these purchasers will be negatively affected, and we may be unable to develop our local knowledge of the needs of these purchasers and their environment. Furthermore, if any of our distributors sell inferior seeds produced by other companies under our brand name, our brand and reputation could be harmed, which could make marketing of our branded seeds more difficult. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are not aware of the occurrence of any of the potential violations by our distributors described above.
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The PRC agricultural market is highly competitive and our growth and results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to compete effectively.
The agricultural market in China is highly fragmented, largely regional and highly competitive, and we expect competition to increase and intensify within the sector. We face significant competition in our lines of business. Many of our competitors have greater financial, research and development and other resources than we have. Competition may also develop from consolidation within our industry in China or the privatization of producers that are currently operated by local governments in China. Our competitors may be better positioned to take advantage of industry consolidation and acquisition opportunities than we are. The reform and restructuring of state-owned equity in enterprises involved primarily in producing sectors will likely lead to the reallocation of market share in the agriculture industry, and our competitors may increase their market share by participating in the restructuring of state-owned agriculture companies. Such privatization would likely result in increased numbers of market participants with more efficient and commercially viable business models. As competition intensifies, our margins may be compressed by more competitive pricing and we may lose our market share and experience a reduction in our revenues and profit.
We may not possess all of the licenses required to operate our business, or we may fail to maintain the licenses we currently hold. This could subject us to fines and other penalties, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
We are required to hold a variety of permits and licenses to conduct business in China. We may not possess all of the permits and licenses required for each of our business segments. In addition, the approvals, permits or licenses required by governmental agencies may change without substantial advance notice, and we could fail to obtain the approvals, permits or licenses required to expand our business. If we fail to obtain or to maintain such permits or licenses, or if renewals are granted with onerous conditions, we could be subject to fines and other penalties and be limited in the number or the quality of the products that we could offer. As a result, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Under PRC law, we are required to obtain and retain permits and business licenses, and our failure to do so would adversely impact our ability to conduct business in China.
We hold various permits, business licenses, and approvals authorizing our operations and activities, which are subject to periodic review and reassessment by the Chinese authorities. Standards of compliance necessary to pass such reviews change from time to time and differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, leading to a degree of uncertainty. If renewals, or new permits, business licenses or approvals required in connection with existing or new facilities or activities, are not granted or are delayed, or if existing permits, business licenses or approvals are revoked or substantially modified, we may not be able to continue to operate our facilities which would have a material adverse affect on our operations. If new standards are applied to renewals or new applications, it could prove costly for us to meet these new standards.
The PRC economic cycle may negatively impact our operating results.
We believe that the rapid growth of the PRC economy before 2008 generally led to higher levels of inflation. We believe that the PRC economy has more recently experienced a decrease in its growth rate. We believe that a number of factors have contributed to this deceleration, including appreciation of the RMB, the currency of China, which has adversely affected China’s exports. In addition, we believe the deceleration has been exacerbated by the recent global crisis in the financial services and credit markets, which has resulted in significant volatility and dislocation in the global capital markets. It is uncertain how long the global crisis in the financial services and credit markets will continue and the significance of the adverse impact it may have on the global economy in general or the Chinese economy in particular. Slowing economic growth in China could result in weakening growth and demand for our products which could reduce our revenues and income. In the event of a recovery in the PRC, renewed high growth levels may again lead to inflation. The government’s attempts to control inflation may adversely affect the business climate and growth of private enterprise. In addition, our profitability may be adversely affected if prices for our products rise at a rate that is insufficient to compensate for the rise in inflation.
Currency fluctuations and restrictions on currency exchange may adversely affect our business, including limiting our ability to convert Chinese Renminbi, or RMB, into foreign currencies and, if the RMB were to decline in value, reducing our revenue in U.S. dollar terms.
The exchange rate of the RMB is currently managed by the Chinese government. On July 21, 2005, the People's Bank of China, or the People's Bank, with the authorization of the State Council of the PRC, announced that the RMB exchange rate would no longer be pegged to the U.S. Dollar and would float based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. According to public reports, the governor of the People's Bank has stated that the basket is composed mainly of the U.S. Dollar, the European Union Euro, the Japanese Yen and the South Korean Won. Also considered, but playing smaller roles, are the currencies of Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Russia, Australia, Canada and Thailand. The weight of each currency within the basket has not been announced.
The initial adjustment of the RMB exchange rate was an approximate 2% revaluation from an exchange rate of 8.28 RMB per U.S. Dollar to 8.11 RMB per U.S. Dollar. The People's Bank also announced that the daily trading price of the U.S. Dollar against the RMB in the inter-bank foreign exchange market would be allowed to float within a band of 0.3% around the central parity published by the People's Bank, while the trading prices of the non-U.S. Dollar currencies against the RMB would be allowed to move within a certain band announced by the People's Bank. The People's Bank has stated that it will make adjustments of the RMB exchange rate band when necessary according to market developments as well as the economic and financial situation. In a later announcement published on May 18, 2007, the band was extended to 0.5%. Since July 2008, the RMB has traded at 6.83 RMB per U.S. Dollar. Recent reports indicate an upward revaluation in the value of the RMB against the U.S. Dollar may be allowed. The People's Bank announced on June 19, 2010 its intention to allow the RMB to move more freely against the basket of currencies, which increases the possibility of sharp fluctuations in the value of the RMB in the near future and thus the unpredictability associated with the RMB exchange rate.
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Despite this change in its exchange rate regime, the Chinese government continues to manage the valuation of the RMB. The value of our common stock will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars, as well as earnings from, and the value of, any U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.
The income statements of our operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates in each applicable period. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currencies denominated transactions results in reduced revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. Similarly, to the extent the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated transactions results in increased revenue, operating expenses and net income for our international operations. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as we convert the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars in consolidation. If there is a change in foreign currency exchange rates, the conversion of the foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars will lead to a translation gain or loss, which is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. In addition, we have certain assets and liabilities that are denominated in currencies other than the relevant entity’s functional currency. Changes in the functional currency value of these assets and liabilities create fluctuations that will lead to a transaction gain or loss.
Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions. While we may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could adversely affect us and we may have limited legal recourse under PRC law if disputes arise under our contracts with third parties.
Since 1979, we believe PRC legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system and recently enacted laws and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China. In particular, because these laws and regulations are relatively new, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws and regulations involve uncertainties. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all) that may have a retroactive effect. As a result, sometimes we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after violation.
The Chinese government has enacted some laws and regulations dealing with matters such as corporate organization and governance, foreign investment, commerce, taxation and trade. However, their experience in implementing, interpreting and enforcing these laws and regulations is limited, and our ability to enforce commercial claims or to resolve commercial disputes is unpredictable. The resolution of these matters may be subject to the exercise of considerable discretion by agencies of the Chinese government, and forces unrelated to the legal merits of a particular matter or dispute may influence their determination. Any rights we may have to specific performance, or to seek an injunction under PRC law, in either of these cases, are severely limited, and without a means of recourse by virtue of the Chinese legal system, we may be unable to prevent these situations from occurring. The occurrence of any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Under the PRC EIT Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of the PRC. Such classification could result in tax consequences to us and our non-PRC resident shareholders.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress approved and promulgated a new tax law, the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, or “EIT Law,” which took effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, enterprises are classified as resident enterprises and non-resident enterprises. An enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define “de facto management bodies” as a managing body that in practice exercises “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise; however, it remains unclear whether the PRC tax authorities would deem our managing body as being located within China. Due to the short history of the EIT Law and lack of applicable legal precedents, the PRC tax authorities determine the PRC tax resident treatment of a foreign company on a case-by-case basis.
If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we could be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25 percent on our worldwide taxable income, as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. Second, under the EIT Law and its implementing rules, dividends paid between “qualified resident enterprises” are exempt from enterprise income tax. As a result, if we are treated as a PRC “qualified resident enterprise,” all dividends paid from our Chinese subsidiaries to us would be exempt from PRC tax.
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Finally, the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% PRC tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC stockholders that are not PRC tax “resident enterprises” and gains derived by hem from transferring our common stock, if such income is considered PRC-sourced income by the relevant PRC authorities. In such event, we may be required to withhold a 10% PRC tax on any dividends paid to non-PRC resident stockholders. Our non-PRC resident stockholders also may be responsible for paying PRC tax at a rate of 10% on any gain realized from the sale or transfer of our common stock in certain circumstances. We would not, however, have an obligation to withhold PRC tax with respect to such gain.
Moreover, the State Administration of Taxation (“SAT”) released Circular Guoshuihan No. 698 (“Circular 698”) on December 15, 2009 that reinforces the taxation of non-listed equity transfers by non-resident enterprises through overseas holding vehicles. Circular 698 addresses indirect share transfers as well as other issues. Circular 698 is retroactively effective from January 1, 2008. According to Circular 698, where a foreigner (non-PRC resident) who indirectly holds shares in a PRC resident enterprise through a non-PRC offshore holding company indirectly transfers equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise by selling the shares of the offshore holding company, and the latter is located in a country or jurisdiction where the effective tax burden is less than 12.5 percent or where the offshore income of his, her, or its residents is not taxable, the foreign investor is required to provide the PRC tax authority in charge of that PRC resident enterprise with certain relevant information within 30 days of the transfer. The tax authorities in charge will evaluate the offshore transaction for tax purposes. In the event that the tax authorities determine that such transfer is abusing forms of business organization and a reasonable commercial purpose for the offshore holding company other than the avoidance of PRC income tax liability is lacking, the PRC tax authorities will have the power to re-assess the nature of the equity transfer under the doctrine of substance over form. A reasonable commercial purpose may be established when the overall international (including U.S.) offshore structure is set up to comply with the requirements of supervising authorities of international (including U.S.) capital markets. If the SAT’s challenge of a transfer is successful, it may deny the existence of the offshore holding company that is used for tax planning purposes and subject the seller to PRC tax on the capital gain from such transfer. Since Circular 698 has a relatively short history, there is uncertainty as to its application. We (or a foreign investor) may become at risk of being taxed under Circular 698 and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 or to establish that we (or such foreign investor) should not be taxed under Circular 698, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations (or such foreign investor’s investment in us).
If any such PRC taxes apply, a non-PRC resident stockholder may be entitled to a reduced rate of PRC taxes under an applicable income tax treaty and/or a foreign tax credit against such stockholder’s domestic income tax liability (subject to applicable conditions and limitations). Prospective investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the applicability of any such taxes, the effects of any applicable income tax treaties, and any available foreign tax credits.
Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may materially adversely affect us.
In October 2005, the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, issued the Notice on Relevant Issues in the Foreign Exchange Control over Financing and Return Investment Through Special Purpose Companies by Residents inside China, generally referred to as Circular 75. The policy announced in this notice required PRC residents to register with the relevant SAFE branch before establishing or acquiring control over an offshore special purpose company, or SPV, for the purpose of engaging in an equity financing outside of China on the strength of domestic PRC assets originally held by those residents. Failure to comply with the requirements of Circular 75 and any of its internal implementing guidelines as applied by SAFE in accordance with Notice 106 may result in fines and other penalties under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange restrictions. Any such failure could also result in the SPV’s affiliates being impeded or prevented from distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the SPV, or from engaging in other transfers of funds into or out of China.
We have requested our shareholders who are PRC residents to make the necessary applications, filings and amendments as required under Circular 75 and other related rules. We attempt to comply, and attempt to ensure that our shareholders who are subject to these rules comply, with the relevant requirements. However, we cannot provide any assurances that our shareholders who are PRC residents will comply with our request to make any applicable registrations, and nor can we provide any assurances that our shareholders who are PRC residents will be able to obtain such applicable registration or comply with other requirements required by Circular 75 or other related rules or that, if challenged by government agencies, the structure of our organization fully complies with all applicable registrations or approvals required by Circular 75. Moreover, because of uncertainty over how Circular 75 will be interpreted and implemented, and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us, we cannot predict how it will affect our business operations or future strategies. A failure by such PRC resident shareholders or future PRC resident shareholders to comply with Circular 75 or other related rules, if SAFE requires it, could subject these PRC resident shareholders to fines or legal sanctions, restrict our overseas or cross-border investment activities, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make distributions or pay dividends or affect our ownership structure, which could adversely affect our business and prospects.
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the Chinese government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our products and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.
Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:
• | the amount of government involvement; |
• | the level of development; |
• | the growth rate; |
• | the control of foreign exchange; and |
• | the allocation of resources. |
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While the Chinese economy has grown significantly in the past 20 years, we believe the growth has been uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. We believe some of these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us.
The Chinese economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over Chinese economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.
Contract drafting, interpretation and enforcement in China involve significant uncertainty.
We have entered into numerous contracts governed by PRC law, many of which are material to our business. As compared with contracts in the United States, contracts governed by PRC law tend to contain less detail and to not be as comprehensive in defining contracting parties’ rights and obligations. As a result, contracts in China are more vulnerable to disputes and legal challenges. In addition, contract interpretation and enforcement in China is not as developed as in the United States, and the result of any contract dispute is subject to significant uncertainties. Therefore, we cannot assure you that we will not be subject to disputes under our material contracts, and if such disputes arise, we cannot assure you that we will prevail.
The application of PRC regulations relating to the overseas listing of PRC domestic companies is uncertain, and we may be subject to penalties for failing to request approval of the PRC authorities prior to listing our shares in the U.S.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC government agencies, namely, the Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (“SAIC”), the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), SAFE, the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (“SASAC”), and the State Administration for Taxation (“SAT”), jointly issued the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “ New M&A Rules “), which became effective on September 8, 2006. The New M&A Rules purport, among other things, to require offshore “special purpose vehicles”, that are (1) formed for the purpose of overseas listing of the equity interests of PRC companies via acquisition and (2) are controlled directly or indirectly by PRC companies and/or PRC individuals, to obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of their securities on overseas stock exchanges. On September 21, 2006, pursuant to the New M&A Rules and other PRC Laws, the CSRC published on its official website relevant guidance with respect to the listing and trading of PRC domestic enterprises’ securities on overseas stock exchanges (the “Related Clarifications”), including a list of application materials regarding the listing on overseas stock exchanges by special purpose vehicles. We were and are not required to obtain the approval of CSRC under the New M&A Rules in connection with this transaction because we were and are not a special purpose vehicle formed or controlled by PRC individuals.
However, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation, application and enforcement of these rules, and CSRC has yet to promulgate any written provisions or formally to declare or state whether the overseas listing of a PRC-related company structured similar to ours is subject to the approval of CSRC. Any violation of these rules could result in fines and other penalties on our operations in China, restrictions or limitations on remitting dividends outside of China, and other forms of sanctions that may cause a material and adverse effect to our business, operations and financial conditions.
The New M&A Rules also established additional procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities by foreign investors more time-consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the Ministry of Commerce be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise that owns well-known trademarks or China’s traditional brands. We may grow our business in part by acquiring other businesses. Complying with the requirements of the New M&A Rules in completing this type of transaction could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including CSRC approval, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
We may face regulatory uncertainties that could restrict our ability to issue equity compensation to our directors and employees and other parties who are PRC citizens or residents under PRC law. The grant of stock options under any incentive plan that we adopt in the future would registration with SAFE.
On April 6, 2007, SAFE issued the “Operating Procedures for Administration of Domestic Individuals Participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plan of An Overseas Listed Company,” also known as “Circular 78”. It is not clear whether Circular 78 covers all forms of equity compensation plans or only those that provide for the grant of stock options. For any equity compensation plan which is so covered and is adopted by a non-PRC listed company after April 6, 2007, Circular 78 requires all participants who are PRC citizens to register with, and obtain the approval of, SAFE prior to their participation in any such plan. In addition, Circular 78 also requires PRC citizens to register with SAFE and make the necessary applications and filings if they participate in an overseas listed company’s covered equity compensation plan prior to April 6, 2007. As of the date of this filing, we have not adopted any incentive plans, but may do so in the future. Any such plan may grant equity compensation, including, but not limited to, stock options, to our PRC employees and/or directors. The grant of any equity compensation under such a plan to a PRC citizen, however, may under Circular 78 require the PRC citizen to register with and obtain approval of SAFE. We believe that the registration and approval requirements contemplated in Circular 78 will be burdensome and time consuming. If it is determined that our such a plan, or any equity compensation grant under such a plan, is subject to Circular 78, failure to comply with such provisions of Circular 78 may subject us and any recipients thereof to fines and legal sanctions and prevent us from being able to grant equity compensation to our PRC employees and/or directors. In that case, our ability to compensate our employees and directors through equity compensation would be hindered and/or prevented.
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Capital outflow policies in the PRC may hamper our ability to remit income to the United States.
The PRC has adopted currency and capital transfer regulations. These regulations may require that we comply with complex regulations for the movement of capital and as a result we may not be able to remit all income earned and proceeds received in connection with our operations or from the sale of our operating subsidiary to the U.S. or to our stockholders.
Our operations and assets in the PRC are subject to significant political and economic uncertainties.
Government policies are subject to rapid change and the government of the PRC may adopt policies which have the effect of hindering private economic activity and greater economic decentralization. There is no assurance that the government of China will not significantly alter its policies from time to time without notice in a manner with reduces or eliminates any benefits from its present policies of economic reform. In addition, a substantial portion of productive assets in China remains government-owned. For instance, all lands are state or rural collective economic organizations owned and leased to business entities or individuals through governmental grants of the land use rights. The grant process is typically based on government policies at the time of the grant, which could be lengthy and complex. This process may adversely affect our business. The government of China also exercises significant control over China’s economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. Uncertainties may arise as a result of changing governmental policies and measures. In addition, changes in laws and regulations, or their interpretation, or the imposition of confiscatory taxation, restrictions on currency conversion, imports and sources of supply, devaluations of currency, the nationalization or other expropriation of private enterprises, as well as adverse changes in the political, economic or social conditions in China, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our use of the allocated land may be subject to challenges in the future.
All land use rights that we own are land use rights relating to allocated land. The local governmental authorities have granted such land use rights to us for free use or at a discounted levy rate given our contribution to the development of the local economy. However, pursuant to theCatalogue on Allocated Land issued by the Ministry of Land Resources of the PRC (the “Catalogue ”), the land use rights for allocated land may only be granted to those specific projects which are in compliance with the Catalogue, subject to the approval of the competent governmental authorities. We, as a privately owned agricultural producer, may not be qualified to be granted such land use rights for allocated land according to the Catalogue. Consequently, our use of such land may be subject to challenge in the future, and the legal consequences could include the confiscation of such land by the governmental authorities or a demand that we pay a market price for purchasing the land use rights for such land and converting the allocated land use right to a granted land use right.
Because Chinese law governs almost all of our material agreements, we may not be able to enforce our legal rights within China or elsewhere, which could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities, or capital.
Chinese law governs almost all of our material agreements. We cannot assure you that we will be able to enforce any of our material agreements or that remedies will be available outside of China. The system of laws and the enforcement of existing laws in China may not be as certain in implementation and interpretation as in the United States. Our inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under any of our current or future agreements could result in a significant loss of business, business opportunities or capital. It will be extremely difficult to acquire jurisdiction and enforce liabilities against our officers, directors and assets based in China.
Substantially all of our assets will be located in the PRC and all of our officers and our present directors reside outside of the United States. As a result, it may not be possible for United States investors to enforce their legal rights, to effect service of process upon our directors or officers or to enforce judgments of United States courts predicated upon civil liabilities and criminal penalties of our directors and officers under federal securities laws. Moreover, we have been advised that China does not have treaties providing for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of judgments of courts with the United States. Further, it is unclear if extradition treaties now in effect between the United States and China would permit effective enforcement of criminal penalties of the federal securities laws.
We do not have insurance coverage.
We currently do not purchase property insurance for our properties, including raw materials, semi-manufactured goods, manufactured goods, buildings and machinery equipment, livestock, and we currently do not carry any product liability or other similar insurance, nor do we have business liability or business disruption insurance coverage for our operations in the PR. There is no insurance covering risks incurred through seasonal variation consequences. In this respect, we as an engineering based company have qualified personnel and staffs to manage and to limited the happenings of these relevant risk factors; however there is no guarantee that accidents will not happen, and if they happen, the consequences may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Because our cash and cash equivalent are held in banks which do not provide capital guarantee insurance, the failure of any bank in which we deposit our funds could affect our ability to continue in business.
Banks and other financial institutions in the PRC do not provide insurance for funds held on deposit. A significant portion of our assets are in the form of cash deposited with banks in the PRC, and in the event of bank failure, we may not have access to, or may lose entirely, our funds on deposit. Depending upon the amount of cash we maintain in a bank that fails, our inability to have access to such cash deposits could impair our operations, and, if we are not able to access funds to pay our suppliers, employees and other creditors, we may be unable to continue in business.
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Failure to comply with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act could subject us to penalties and other adverse consequences.
We are subject to the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits United States companies from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Foreign companies, including some that may compete with us, are not subject to these prohibitions. Corruption, extortion, bribery, pay-offs, theft and other fraudulent practices occur from time to time in the PRC. We cannot assure you that our employees or other agents will not engage in such conduct for which we might be held responsible. If our employees or agents are found to have engaged in such practices, we could suffer severe penalties and other consequences that may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the PRC government promulgated a new labor law, namely, the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, or the New Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The New Labor Contract Law imposes greater liabilities on employers and significantly affects the cost of an employer’s decision to reduce its workforce. Further, it requires that certain terminations be based upon seniority and not merit. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce, the New Labor Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to effect such changes in a manner that is most advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost-effective manner, thus materially and adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock
Volatility in our common stock price may subject us to securities litigation.
Stock markets, in general, have experienced in recent months, and continue to experience, significant price and volume volatility, and the market price of our common stock may continue to be subject to similar market fluctuations unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. This increased volatility, coupled with depressed economic conditions, could continue to have a depressing effect on the market price of our common stock. The following factors, many of which are beyond our control, may influence our stock price:
• | the status of our growth strategy; | |
• | announcements of technological or competitive developments; | |
• | regulatory developments in the PRC affecting us, our customers or our competitors; | |
• | announcements regarding patent or other intellectual property litigation or the issuance of patents to us or our competitors or updates with respect to the enforceability of patents or other intellectual property rights generally in the PRC or internationally; | |
• | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; | |
• | changes in financial estimates by securities research analysts; | |
• | changes in the economic performance or market valuations of our competitors; | |
• | additions or departures of our executive officers; | |
• | release or expiration of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding common stock; and | |
• | sales or perceived sales of additional shares of our common stock. |
In addition, the securities markets have, from time to time, experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are not related to the operating performance of particular companies. Any of these factors could result in large and sudden changes in the volume and trading price of our common stock and could cause our stockholders to incur substantial losses. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, stockholders have often instituted securities class action litigation against that company. If we were involved in a class action suit or other securities litigation, it would divert the attention of our senior management, require us to incur significant expense and, whether or not adversely determined, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Your ability to bring an action against us or against our directors and officer, or to enforce a judgment against us or them, will be limited because we conduct substantially all of our operations in the PRC and because the majority of our directors and officers reside outside of the United States.
We are a Nevada holding company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, all of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, none of whom are residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts. Our counsel as to PRC law has advised us that the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under thePRC Civil Procedures Law. Courts in the PRC may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of thePRC Civil Procedures Law based on treaties between the PRC and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. The PRC does not have any treaties or other arrangements that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments with the United States. In addition, according to thePRC Civil Procedures Law , courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or the public interest. So it is uncertain whether a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States.
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We will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the NASDAQ Marketplace rules and, as a result, will qualify for and will rely on certain exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements.
Our chief executive officer controls a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” pursuant to Rule 5615 (c) of the corporate governance standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC should we successfully apply for a listing on this exchange. Under such rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC, including the requirements that:
• | a majority of our Board of Directors consist of independent directors; | |
• | the nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; | |
• | the compensation committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and | |
• | there be an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees. |
This controlled company exemption does not extend to the audit committee requirements under Rule 5605(c) or the requirement for executive sessions of Independent Directors under Rule 5605(b)(2).
We intend to elect to be treated as a “Controlled Company” in the event that we should seek to list our shares on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. As a result, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are mandatorily subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.
One of our directors and officers controls a majority of our common stock and his interests may not align with the interests of our other stockholders.
Solomon Lee, our chairman, chief executive officer and president, controls our company and beneficially owns in excess of 50.1% of our issued and outstanding common stock. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock because investors often perceive a disadvantage in owning shares in a company with one or several controlling stockholders. Furthermore, our directors and officers, as a group, have the ability to significantly influence or control the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as mergers, consolidations or the sale of substantially all of our assets. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company which could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of our common stock. In addition, without the consent of Mr. Lee, we could be prevented from entering into transactions that could be beneficial to us. Mr. Lee may cause us to take actions that are opposed by other stockholders as his interests may differ from those of other stockholders.
Future issuances of capital stock may depress the trading price of our common stock.
Any issuance of shares of our common stock (or common stock equivalents) could dilute the interests of our existing stockholders and could substantially decrease the trading price of our common stock. We may issue additional shares of our common stock in the future for a number of reasons, including financing our operations and business strategy (including in connection with acquisitions, strategic collaborations or other transactions).
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could depress the market price of our common stock, and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our common stock.
We believe that the market price of our shares in the OTC BB markets is adversely affected by the current stigma associated with Chinese companies quoted or listed publicly in the United States.
We believe that the market price of our shares in the OTC BB markets is adversely affected by the current stigma associated with Chinese companies quoted or listed publicly in the United States. Although we managed to maintain our liquidity to a certain degree, our market prices are suffering (e.g., our shares are presently trading at approximately 25% of our net tangible asset value per share). Many Chinese companies are suffering from this stigma, which tends to affect both market prices and liquidities, and our company is no exception. There are reasons of varying degrees of legitimacy explaining this stigma, including but not limited to: (i) investors’ experience of losses suffered in the course of investing in other Chinese companies, (ii) the difficulty some Chinese companies have had in preparing auditable financial statements, (iii) the difficult in enforcing US judgments in foreign courts generally, all of which have contributed to a negative perception in the minds of some US investors regarding all Chinese companies publicly traded on US markets. Regardless of the reasons for this perception, should it continue over a sustained period of time our market prices may keep on trading below our net tangible asset value per share, which would not only increase the risk that our shareholders lose the funds they have invested in our company, but may also adversely affect our ability to maintain our growth plan on a timely manner and thus our business and financial condition as well.
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Our shares of our common stock are subject to the U.S. “Penny Stock” Rules, meaning that investors who purchase our common stock may have difficulty re-selling their shares of our common stock as the liquidity of the market for our shares may be adversely affected by the impact of the “Penny Stock” Rules.
Although we anticipate that at some point, shares of our common stock will trade on the NASDAQ Capital Market, in the event that shares of our common stock do not become listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market or if our shares are in the future delisted from the NASDAQ Capital Market, it may be more difficult for investors our company to sell the shares of our common stock. A “penny stock” is generally defined by regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an equity security with a market price of less than US$5.00 per share. However, an equity security with a market price under US$5.00 will not be considered a penny stock if it fits within any of the following exceptions:
(i) | the equity security is listed on a national securities exchange; |
(ii) | the issuer of the equity security has been in continuous operation for less than three years, and either has (a) net tangible assets of at least US$5,000,000, or (b) average annual revenue of at least US$6,000,000; or |
(iii) | the issuer of the equity security has been in continuous operation for more than three years, and has net tangible assets of at least US$2,000,000. |
Although we believe our common stock is not a penny stock based upon the exception (iii) above, we cannot provide any assurance that in the future our common stock will not be classified as Penny Stock.
If an investor buys or sells a penny stock, SEC regulations require that the investor receive, prior to the transaction, a disclosure explaining the penny stock market and associated risks. Furthermore, trading in our common stock is currently subject to Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act, which relates to non-NASDAQ and non-exchange listed securities. Under this rule, broker/dealers who recommend our securities to persons other than established customers and accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to a transaction prior to sale.
The low price of our common stock has a negative effect on the amount and percentage of transaction costs paid by individual shareholders. The low price of our common stock also limits our ability to raise additional capital by issuing additional shares. There are several reasons for these effects. First, the internal policies of certain institutional investors prohibit the purchase of low-priced stocks. Second, many brokerage houses do not permit low-priced stocks to be used as collateral for margin accounts or to be purchased on margin. Third, some brokerage house policies and practices tend to discourage individual brokers from dealing in low-priced stocks. Finally, broker's commissions on low-priced stocks usually represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher priced stocks. As a result, our stockholders may pay transaction costs that are a higher percentage of their total share value than they would if our share price were substantially higher.
As an issuer of “penny stock” the protection provided by the federal securities laws relating to a forward-looking statement does not apply to us and as a result we could be subject to legal action.
Although federal securities laws provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by a public company that files reports under the federal securities laws, this safe harbor is not available to issuers of penny stocks. As a result, if we are a penny stock, we will not have the benefit of this safe harbor protection in the event of any legal action based upon a claim that the material provided by us contained a material misstatement of fact or was misleading in any material respect because of our failure to include any statements necessary to make the statements not misleading. Such an action could hurt our financial condition.
The issuance of any of our equity securities pursuant any equity compensation plan we may adopt may dilute the value of existing stockholders and may affect the market price of our stock.
In the future, we may issue to our officers, directors, employees and/or other persons equity based compensation under any equity compensation plan we may adopt to provide motivation and compensation to our officers, employees and key independent consultants. The award of any such incentives could result in an immediate and potentially substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and could result in a decline in the value of our stock price. The exercise of these options and the sale of the underlying shares of common stock and the sale of stock issued pursuant to stock grants may have an adverse effect upon the price of our stock.
The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, divert management's attention and affect our ability to attract and retain qualified board members.
We are a public company and subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Exchange Act requires, among other things, that we file annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls for financial reporting. For example, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that our management report on the effectiveness of our internal controls structure and procedures for financial reporting. Section 404 compliance may divert internal resources and will take a significant amount of time and effort to complete. If we fail to maintain compliance under Section 404, or if in the future management determines that our internal control over financial reporting are not effective as defined under Section 404, we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the NASDAQ Stock Market should we in the future be listed on this market, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities. Furthermore, investor perceptions of our company may suffer, and this could cause a decline in the market price of our common stock. Any failure of our internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our stated results of operations and harm our reputation. If we are unable to implement these changes effectively or efficiently, it could harm our operations, financial reporting or financial results and could result in an adverse opinion on internal controls from our independent auditors. We may need to hire a number of additional employees with public accounting and disclosure experience in order to meet our ongoing obligations as a public company, particularly if we become fully subject to Section 404 and its auditor attestation requirements, which will increase costs. Our management team and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to new compliance initiatives and to meeting the obligations that are associated with being a public company, which may divert attention from other business concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Our shares of common stock may be thinly traded, so you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all.
We cannot predict the extent to which an active public market for our common stock will develop or be sustained. Our common stock is currently traded on the OTC Bulletin Board where the shares have historically been thinly traded, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing our common stock at or near bid prices at any given time may be relatively small or non-existent.
This situation may be attributable to a number of factors, including the fact that we are a small company that is relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others in the investment community who generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend to be risk averse and would be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our shares until such time as we have become more seasoned and viable. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days, weeks or months when trading activity in our shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. We cannot assure you that a broader or more active public trading market for our common stock will develop or be sustained, or that current trading levels will be sustained or not diminish.
We may become involved in securities class action litigation that could divert management’s attention and harm our business.
The stock market in general, and the shares of early stage companies in particular, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the companies involved. If these fluctuations occur in the future, the market price of our shares could fall regardless of our operating performance. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. If the market price or volume of our shares suffers extreme fluctuations, then we may become involved in this type of litigation, which would be expensive and divert management’s attention and resources from managing our business.
As a public company, we may also from time to time make forward-looking statements about future operating results and provide some financial guidance to the public markets. The management has limited experience as a management team in a public company and as a result projections may not be made timely or set at expected performance levels and could materially affect the price of our shares. Any failure to meet published forward-looking statements that adversely affect the stock price could result in losses to investors, stockholder lawsuits or other litigation, sanctions or restrictions issued by the SEC.
Securities analysts may elect not to report on our common stock or may issue negative reports that adversely affect the stock price.
At this time, no securities analysts provide research coverage of our common stock, and securities analysts may not elect not to provide such coverage in the future. It may remain difficult for our company, with its small market capitalization, to attract independent financial analysts that will cover our common stock. If securities analysts do not cover our common stock, the lack of research coverage may adversely affect the stock’s actual and potential market price. The trading market for our common stock may be affected in part by the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about our business. If one or more analysts elect to cover our company and then downgrade the stock, the stock price would likely decline rapidly. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market, which, in turn, could cause our stock price to decline. This could have a negative effect on the market price of our common stock.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
We use the following properties:
46 |
Summary of Our Land Assets
Item | Owner | Location | Project | Area (acre) | Nature of Ownership | Tenure | Date Acquired | Expiry Date | ||||||||
Hunan Lot 1 | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | Ouchi Village, Fenghuo Town, Linli County | Fertilizer production | 31.92 | Lease | 43 | 5-Apr-2011 | 4-Apr-2054 | ||||||||
Hunan Lot 2 | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | Ouchi Village, Fenghuo Town, Linli County | Pasture growing | 247.05 | Management Rights | 60 | 18-Jul-2011 | — | ||||||||
Hunan Lot 3 | Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | Ouchi Village, Fenghuo Town, Linli County | Fertilizer production | 8.24 | Land Usage Rights | 40 | 24-May-2011 | 23-May-2051 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 1 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 8.23 | Management Rights | 60 | 10-Aug-2007 | — | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 2 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 27.78 | Management Rights | 60 | 14-Mar-2007 | 13-Mar-2067 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 3 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 60.72 | Management Rights | 60 | 18-Apr-2007 | — | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 4 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 54.68 | Management Rights | 60 | 12-Sep-2007 | — | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 5 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Jishilu Village of Dawan Village, Juntang Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 28.82 | Management Rights | 60 | 12-Sep-2007 | — | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 6 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Liankai Village of Niujiang Town, Enping City | Fish Farm, HU Plantation | 31.84 | Management Rights | 60 | 1-Jan-2008 | 31-Dec-2068 | ||||||||
GuangdongLot 7 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Nandu Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 41.18 | Management Rights | 26 | 1-Jan-2011 | 31-Dec-2037 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 8 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Shangchong Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | HU Plantation | 11.28 | Management Rights | 26 | 1-Jan-2011 | 31-Dec-2037 | ||||||||
Guangdong Lot 9 | Jiangmen City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co. Ltd. | Xiaoban Village of Yane Village, Liangxi Town, Enping City | Cattle Farm | 41.18 | Management Rights | 20 | 1-Apr-2011 | 31-Mar-2031 | ||||||||
Qinghai Lot 1 | Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. | No. 498, Bei Da Road, Chengguan Town of Huangyuan County, Xining City, Qinghai Province | Cattle farm, fertilizer & livestock feed production | 21.09 | Land Usage Rights & Building ownership | 40 | 1-Nov-2011 | 30-Oct-2051 | ||||||||
Total | 614.01 |
SIAF's Group of Companies - Rented Premises Profiles
Company | Location | Usage | Landlord | Tenure | ||||||
1 | Sino Agro Food, Inc. Guangzhou Representative Office | Room 3801, Block A, China Shine Plaza, No. 9, Linhexi Rd., Tianhe district, Guangzhou City | Head office | Guangzhou Shine Real Property Development limited Company | 9 Jul 2012 to 8 Jul 2014 | |||||
2 | Jiangmen City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. | Unit 1-3, Jiangzhou Shuizha Building, No. 19 Jiangjun Rd., Juntang Town, Enping City | Office | Enping City Jiangzhou Water Engineering Management Department | 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2018 | |||||
3 | Jiangmen City A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd. | Room 202, Finance Building Chang’an Street, Niujiang Town, Enping City | Office | The Economic Development Office of Enping Government | 15 Jul 2011 to 14 Jul 2016 | |||||
4 | Jiangmen City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co. Ltd. | Unit 4-5, Jiangzhou Shuizha Building No. 19 Jiangjun Rd., Juntang Town, Enping City | Office | Enping City Jiangzhou Water Engineering Management Department | 1 Jun 2012 to 30 Jun 2017 |
47 |
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
In the ordinary course of business, we may be involved in legal proceedings from time to time. As of the date hereof, except as set forth herein, there are no known legal proceedings against the Company. No governmental agency has instituted proceedings, served, or threatened the Company with any complaints.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable
PART II
ITEM5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASERS OF EQUITY SECURITIES. |
Since January 5, 2012, our common stock has been quoted on OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol of “SIAF.” Prior thereto, on July 24, 2007, our Common Stock began to be quoted on the Pink OTC Markets under the symbol “SIAF.PK.” The following table lists the high and low bid price for our Common Stock as quoted by the Pink OTC Markets, then the OTC BB during each quarter within the last two completed fiscal years. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown, or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
Year 2011 | High | Low | ||||||
First Quarter | $ | 1.58 | $ | 1.21 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 1.43 | $ | 0.82 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 1.04 | $ | 0.45 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 0.78 | $ | 0.36 |
Year 2012 | High | Low | ||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.93 | $ | 0.50 | ||||
Second Quarter | $ | 0.98 | $ | 0.42 | ||||
Third Quarter | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.34 | ||||
Fourth Quarter | $ | 0.71 | $ | 0.51 |
Year 2013 | High | Low | ||||||
First Quarter | $ | 0.67 | $ | 0.38 | ||||
Second Quarter to date | 0.52 | 0.51 |
The closing price of our common stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on April 10, 2013 was $0.53 per share.
Holders
As of April 9, 2013, an aggregate of 112,028,365 shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and were owned by approximately 5,192 stockholders of record.
Dividends
On October 2, 2011, we declared cash dividends of US $0.01 per share of our common stock with a record date of October 31, 2010, and payment date of November 15, 2011. Subsequently, the dividend was fully paid to shareholders of record on November 15, 2011. On December 6, 2012, we declared cash dividends of US $0.01 per share of our common stock with a record date of December 26, 2012, and payment date of January 15, 2013. Subsequently, the dividend was fully paid to shareholders of record on January 15, 2013.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table sets forth certain information as of December 31, 2012, with respect to compensation plans under which the Company’s equity securities are authorized for issuance:
(a) | (b) | (c) | ||||||||
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights | The weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights | Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) | ||||||||
Equity compensation | None | - | - | |||||||
Plans approved by | ||||||||||
Security holders | ||||||||||
Equity compensation | None | - | - | |||||||
Plans not approved | ||||||||||
By security holders | ||||||||||
Total |
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ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. |
Not applicable because our company is a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
Forward-looking Statements
We and our representatives may from time to time make written or oral statements that are “forward-looking,” including statements contained in this Annual Report and other filings with the SEC, reports to our stockholders and news releases. All statements that express expectations, estimates, forecasts or projections are forward-looking statements. In addition, other written or oral statements which constitute forward-looking statements may be made by us or on our behalf. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “project,” “forecast,” “may,” “should,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in or suggested by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report to conform forward-looking statements to actual results. Important factors on which such statements are based are assumptions concerning uncertainties, including but not limited to, uncertainties associated with the following:
• | Inadequate capital and barriers to raising the additional capital or to obtaining the financing needed to implement our business plans; | |
• | Our failure to earn revenues or profits; | |
• | Inadequate capital to continue business; | |
• | Volatility or decline of our stock price; | |
• | Potential fluctuation in quarterly results; | |
• | Rapid and significant changes in markets; | |
• | Litigation with or legal claims and allegations by outside parties; and | |
• | Insufficient revenues to cover operating costs. |
This Annual Report also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other industry data. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. We have not independently verified the statistical and other industry data generated by independent parties and contained in this Annual Report and, accordingly, we cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness, though we do generally believe the data to be reliable. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industries in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the estimates made by the independent parties and by us.
Consolidated Results of Operations
Part A.
Revenues
Revenues including continued and discontinued operations increased by $86,733,736 (or 167.18% from $51,879,903 for the year ended December 31, 2011to $138,613,639 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to maturity of all business sectors of the Company except for beef (i.e., fishery, plantation, organic fertilizer and cattle farm) as they gradually move into operational stages instead of developing stages.
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The following chart illustrates the changes of revenues by category from the year ended December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2011.
2012 | 2011 | Difference | ||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Fishery | 86,346,475 | 26,422,125 | 59,924,350 | |||||||||
Plantation | 11,878,599 | 6,113,155 | 5,765,444 | |||||||||
Beef | 14,224,324 | 15,182,222 | -957,898 | |||||||||
Organic Fertilizer | 9,126,240 | 2,480 | 9,123,760 | |||||||||
Cattle Farm | 17,038,001 | 4,159,921 | 12,878,080 | |||||||||
Total | 138,613,639 | 51,879,903 | 86,733,736 |
Fishery: Revenue from fishery increased by $59,924,350 (or 226.80%) from $26,422,125 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $86,346,475 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in fishery was primarily due to our increase in revenue from the sale of fish and prawn and development contracting services for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the sale of fingerlings and consulting income for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Plantation: Revenue from our plantation increased by $5,765,444 (or 94.31%) from $6,113,155 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $11,878,599 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the increase of wholesale prices in fresh and dried flowers for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Beef: Revenue from beef decreased by $957,898 (or 6.31%) from $15,182,222 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $14,224,324 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to the fact that calves grew and become salable beef cattle.
Organic fertilizer: Revenue from organic fertilizer increased by $9,123,760 from $2,480 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $9,126,240 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the startup of the new business of organic fertilizer during the year ended December 31, 2012.
Cattle farm: Revenue from cattle farm development increased by $12,878,080 (or 309.57%) from $4,159,921 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $17,038,001 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to increased development contract service of cattle farms for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold increased by $41,855,597 (or 155.30%) from $26,951,874 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $68,807,471 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the Company increasing its scale of operations from continuing operations in terms of its fishery, plantation, cattle farm and beef operations.
The following chart illustrates the changes of cost of goods sold by category from the year ended December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2011.
Category | 2012 | 2011 | Difference | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Fishery | 39,862,296 | 15,392,278 | 24,470,018 | |||||||||
Plantation | 5,035,955 | 2,070,835 | 2,965,120 | |||||||||
Beef | 11,031,756 | 6,974,847 | 4,056,908 | |||||||||
Organic fertilizer | 5,266,047 | 2,406 | 5,263,640 | |||||||||
Cattle farm | 7,611,417 | 2,511,508 | 5,099,909 | |||||||||
68,807,471 | 26,951,874 | 41,855,597 |
Fishery: Cost of goods sold from fishery increased by $24,470,018 (or 158.98%) from $15,392,278 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $39,862,296 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the sales volume relating to fish and the expansion of contracted services for the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Plantation: Cost of goods sold from our plantation increased by $2,965,120 (or 143.18%) from $2,070,835 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $5,035,955 for the year ended December 31, 2012 due to good harvest in 2012. The increase was primarily due to cost increases in farm labor, logistic and associated general overhead of operations.
Beef: Cost of goods sold from beef increased by $4,056,908 (or 58.16%) from $6,974,847 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $11,031,756 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to fact that cattle are in growing stage and therefore cost of sales increase even though revenue from beef decreases.
Organic fertilizer: Cost of goods sold from organic fertilizer increased by $5,263,640 (or 2,187.71%) from $2,406 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $5,266,047 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the startup of the new business of organic fertilizer for the year ended December 31, 2012.
50 |
Cattle farm: Cost of goods sold from cattle farm development increased by $5,099,909 (or 203.03%) from $2,511,508 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $7,611,417 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in cattle farm was primarily due to the commencement of our contracting services in the cattle farming industry for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased by $44,878,139 (or 180.03%) from $24,928,029 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $69,806,168 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the corresponding increases in revenues from our fishery, plantation, cattle farm and organic fertilizer operations.
The following chart illustrates the changes of gross profit by category from the year ended December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2011.
Category | 2012 | 2011 | Difference | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Fishery | 46,484,179 | 11,029,847 | 35,454,332 | |||||||||
Plantation | 6,842,644 | 4,042,320 | 2,800,324 | |||||||||
Beef | 3,192,568 | 8,207,375 | (5,014,805 | ) | ||||||||
Organic fertilizer | 3,860,193 | 74 | 3,860,119 | |||||||||
Cattle farm | 9,426,584 | 1,648,413 | 7,778,169 | |||||||||
Total | 69,806,168 | 24,928,029 | 44,878,139 |
Fishery: Gross profit from fishery increased by $35,454,332 from $11,029,847 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $46,484,179 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to our increased contract service income from fishery and prawn development contracts and sale of fish for the year ended December 31, 2012 versus consulting income and sale of fish for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Plantation: Gross profit from our plantation increased by $2,800,324 (or 69.28%) from $4,042,320 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $6,842,644 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was due mainly to the increase of wholesale prices both on dried and fresh flowers for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Beef: Gross profit from beef decreased by $5,014,805 (or 61.1%) from $8,207,373 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $3,192,568 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease of revenue and the increase of cost of sales.
Organic fertilizer: Organic fertilizer increased by $3,860,119 from $74 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $3,860,193 during the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the start-up of our new business of organic fertilizer for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Cattle farm: Gross profit from cattle farm development increased by $7,778,171 (or 471.86%) from $1,648,415 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $9,426,584 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase in cattle farm was primarily due to the commencement of our contracting services in the cattle farming industry for the year ended December 31, 2012.
General and Administrative Expenses and Interest Expenses
General and administrative and interest expenses from continuing and discontinued operation (including depreciation and amortization) increased by $3,046,994 (or 57.21%) from $5,302,736 for the year ended December 31, 2011 to $8,349,729 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to increase on the depreciation and amortization amounting to $1,764,288 for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $936,509 for the year ended December 31, 2011, and the increase in others and miscellaneous of $2,152,605 for year ended December 31, 2012 from $280,728for the year ended December 31, 2011.
Category | 2012 | 2011 | Difference | |||||||||
$ | $ | $ | ||||||||||
Office and corporate expenses | 1,619,888 | 1,718,389 | -98,501 | |||||||||
Wages and salaries | 2,555,681 | 2,122,975 | 432,706 | |||||||||
Traveling and related lodging | 77,730 | 94,728 | -16,998 | |||||||||
Motor vehicles expenses and local transportation | 112,448 | 54,462 | 57,986 | |||||||||
Entertainments and meals | 103,222 | 94,945 | 8,277 | |||||||||
Others and miscellaneous | 2,152,605 | 280,728 | 1,871,877 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,764,288 | 936,509 | 827,779 | |||||||||
Sub-total | 8,385,862 | 5,302,736 | 3,083,126 | |||||||||
Interest expenses | 282,320 | - | 282,320 | |||||||||
Total | 8,668,182 | 5,302,736 | 3,365,446 |
In this respect, total depreciation and amortization amounted to $2,378,270 for the year ended December 31, 2012, out of which amount, $1,764,288 was reported under general and administration expenses and $613,982 was reported under cost of goods sold; whereas total depreciation and amortization was at $1,475,450 for the year ended December 31, 2011 and out of which amount $936,509 was reported under General and Administration expenses and $538,941 was reported under cost of goods sold.
51 |
Part B. Discussion and analysis on the results of operations 2012: This Part B discusses and analyzes certain items that we believe may require further clarification and explanation; other items of comparison 2012 to 2011 are not discussed in this Part B but in Part A above).
Balance Sheet items (1) on total current assets:
As of December 31, 2012 | ||||
$ | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 8,424,265 | |||
Inventories | 17,114,755 | |||
Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | 2,336,880 | |||
Deposits and prepaid expenses | 47,308,857 | |||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful debts | 52,948,350 | |||
Other receivables | 5,954,248 | |||
Total current assets | 134,087,355 |
Accounts Receivable:
At December 31, 2012
Accounts receivable | Current | 0-30 days | 31-90 days | 91-120 days | over 120 days and less than 1 year | ||||||||||||
Consulting and Service (from 6 contracts) totaling | 32,769,312 | 6,524,405 | 18,420,793 | 1,811,533 | 6,012,581 | ||||||||||||
Sales of Fish (from Farms and from imports) | 5,216,923 | 1,612,905 | 1,726,826 | 1,877,192 | - | ||||||||||||
Sales of Cattle and Beef Meats (from Enping Farm) | 610,880 | 335,984 | 274,896 | - | - | ||||||||||||
Sales of HU Flowers (Dried) | 5,549,439 | - | 2,538,175 | 2,749,650 | 261,614 | ||||||||||||
Sales Fertilizer, Bulk Stock feed and Cattle by SJYL | 6,795,524 | 1,950,575 | 3,634,487 | 10,982 | 1,199,480 | ||||||||||||
Sales Fertilizer from HAS | 2,006,272 | 390,112 | 1,189,607 | 417,485 | 9,068 | ||||||||||||
Total Accounts Receivable | 52,948,350 | 10,813,981 | 27,784,784 | 6,866,842 | 7,482,743 | ||||||||||||
Percentage of total | 100 | % | 21 | % | 52 | % | 13 | % | 14 | % |
Provision for diminution in value of accounts receivable:
Receivables from revenue derived from consulting and services billed for work completed are within our normal trading terms with our principal investor and therefore no diminution in value is required.
Fish Sales: Most farmed fish are sold to wholesalers at prevailing daily market prices capped within 90 days trading terms with a small portion at 180 days as the sale of oversized fish takes time to sell.
We sold over US$43 million of fish to the wholesalers in year 2012, and as of December 31, 2012, accounts receivable of $1,877,192 was over 180 days past due representing less than 2% of the total sales. These debtors are wholesalers who are profitable and viable businesses with a good track record and therefore provision of diminution in value is not required.
Sales of dried HU flowers: The dried flowers have been sold to wholesalers with longer trading terms (e.g., up to 180 days) so as to offset with their holding cost so that they could sell the dried flowers through the winter months (from December 2013 to June 2014 when the new season starts) whereby we agreed with the wholesalers that they would buy our dried flowers as soon as we produce them. Therefore, we consider the receivables from the sales of dried HU flowers to be from wholesalers with a good track record and therefore provision for diminution in value is not required.
Sales of fertilizer and bulk livestock feed: Sales are made to regional farmers who agree to grow crops and pasture by purchasing and using our fertilizer. The farmers raise cattle on these pastures and we have agreed to purchase the cattle from these farmers at a later date. Under this arrangement the accounts receivable that are owed to us by the farmers can be offset by the amount that we owe to the farmers for the purchase of the cattle. Therefore there is no need to provide any diminution in value to the account receivable.
52 |
Deposits and Prepayments (Break-down)
Deposits for Prepayments for purchases of equipment | 318,192 | |||
Miscellaneous | 4,892,258 | |||
Deposits for- acquisition of land use right | 7,826,508 | |||
Deposits for- inventory purchases | 2,228,854 | |||
Deposits for- aquaculture contract | 7,062,600 | |||
Deposits for- building materials | 2,000,000 | |||
Deposits for- proprietary technology | 2,254,839 | |||
Prepayments for construction in progress | 14,423,021 | |||
Shares issued for employee compensation and oversea professional fee | 271,800 | |||
Temporary deposits payment for acquiring equity investments | 6,030,785 | |||
47,308,857 |
Balance Sheet Item (2) on Current Liabilities:
As of December 31, 2012 | ||||
$ | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||
Accounts payable and accruals | 5,762,643 | |||
Billings in excess of cost and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | 2,790,084 | |||
Due to a director | 3,345,803 | |||
Dividend payable | 951,308 | |||
Other payables | 6,422,478 | |||
Short term bank loan | 3,181,927 | |||
Total current liabilities | 22,686,243 |
Account payables and Accruals:
Our current trading environment does not include many suppliers who will offer credit terms which means that most purchases are paid for in cash and this results in a low trade account payables balance of $8,762,643 representing about 8.4% of total sales of $68.8 million for the reasons stated below: (Note: For % cost of sales of the segment, please also refer to the table immediately following this section).
Trading environment of the following activities:
1. | Consulting and services since inception account is the major contributor of income to date and cost of sales average 27% for cattle farms and others, and 40% for prawn or fish farms. We supply the following cost elements: our own staff, engineering, technology implementation, supervision, training and associated management work and most of the building sub-contractors worked on sub-contract at cost fixed by us; as such no big profit margin is accepted plus we require a prolonged credit term. For contracts related to the construction of farms we use plants, equipment, parts and components that were specially manufactured and made as per our own designs and engineering by local manufacturers and suppliers (who carry a high amount of initial development costs and inventories for us based on the understanding that we would pay for the deliveries of goods sold within shorter trading terms such that they could afford to carry such costs). We believe that, as time has passed, our track record has earned us excellent credibility with all of our suppliers and subcontractors due to our good standing. |
2. | Fish sales started gradually from late 2011with low cost of sales averaging 47% (the bulk of the cost comes from the supplies of baby fingerlings and the live-bait as the main fish feed), and customary trading terms of Chinese suppliers is on a cash on delivery basis, and suppliers who provide credit terms presently is limited to no more than a select few. |
3. | Cattle sales at Xining SJAP’s own cattle stations and from its cooperative farmers started in 2011at lower profit margins compared to the sales of fish with cost of sales averaging 77%, and it is also customary in China to pay for the young live-cattle by cash on deliveries. The Enping cattle farm started to buy young cattle in 2011 and started sales of mature cattle in 2012, but at small quantities with cost of sales averaging at 72% which is lower than in SJAP due to the fact that sales of mature cattle were from JHMC directly without the sales from cooperative farmers as in SJAP. Most of the young cattle supplies were from small primary producers (local small farmers) who did not have great resources of finance; as such we paid for these supplies of young cattle in cash on deliveries. |
4. | In SJAP, the actual cost of sales are averaging 49% and the bulk of our fertilizers were sold to farmers who are growing pastures and crops for us such that their fertilizer sales were kept as book entries that would be contrasted with the pastures and crops that we would buy back from them. In the case of JHMC, in 2012, its cost of sales were higher than in SJAP at 77% due to the fact that JHMC did not have its own production facilities constructed in 2012, such that its organic fertilizer was supplied from SJAP and thus involved additional transportation costs. |
5. | Bulk livestock feed are produced by regional cooperative growers under contract to us and they use our supply of fertilizer and seeds that represented the main cost components enhancing cost of sales at an average of 48%. Again, sale of fertilizer is held on credit against crops and pasture grass purchased from them, as well as bulk livestock feed sold to them for cattle rearing, and reconciled once cattle are purchased from them. |
53 |
Other Payables: As of December 31, 2012, we have other payables totaling $6,422,478. Promissory notes amounting to $3,352,394 were issued to third parties and personally guaranteed by a director, repayable within two year with no interest being accrued Promissory notes could be repaid either as cash or shares of the Company or a combination of both. Debt amounts and the conversion rates applicable to the shares are determined by both parties as they agree to settle the debt by the Company’s issuance of shares.
Income Statements (1) Segment break-down on Revenue (to third parties):
Segments | Sales Revenue | % of total | Cost of sales | % of total cost | Gross Profit | % of total | ||||||||||||||||||
2012 | Revenue | 2012 | of sales | 2012 | gross | |||||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | profit | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fishery Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consulting and Service | 36,193,780 | 26 | % | 14,340,937 | 21 | % | 21,852,843 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||
Others in sales of Fish, Prawns and commissions and management services | 44,798,779 | 32 | % | 23,329,038 | 34 | % | 21,469,741 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||
Fish Farm 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales of Fish | 391,009 | 0.28 | % | 183,774 | 0 | % | 207,235 | 0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Cattle Farm Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEIJI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consulting and Service | 11,080,131 | 8 | % | 2,998,343 | 4 | % | 8,081,788 | 12 | % | |||||||||||||||
Others in sales of cattle, meat and commission etc. | 5,688,904 | 4 | % | 4,419,418 | 6 | % | 1,269,486 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Cattle Farm 1 | 268,966 | 0.19 | % | 193,656 | 0 | % | 75,310 | 0 | % | |||||||||||||||
Beef Organic fertilizer Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
SJAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fertilizer | 3,825,194 | 3 | % | 2,136,239 | 3 | % | 1,688,955 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Bulk Live Stock Feed | 2,863,637 | 2 | % | 1,382,827 | 2 | % | 1,480,810 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||
Cattle | 14,445,695 | 10 | % | 11,079,144 | 16 | % | 3,366,551 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||
HSA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fertilizer | 2,213,038 | 2 | % | 1,699,593 | 2 | % | 513,445 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
HU Plant Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JHST | 11,878,599 | 9 | % | 5,035,955 | 7 | % | 6,842,644 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||
Corporate Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
SIAF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consulting and Service | 3,267,401 | 2 | % | 909,677 | 1 | % | 2,357,724 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||
Others | 1,698,506 | 1 | % | 1,098,870 | 2 | % | 599,636 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||
Total | 138,613,639 | 100 | % | 68,807,471 | 100 | % | 69,806,168 | 100 | % |
Segment of Revenue analysis and explanation:
1. In 2012, revenue of the consulting and management service by segments aggregated 36% (or $50.5 million) of the total revenue ($138.6 million) of the Company derived collectively from Capital Award (26% or $36.2 million), MEIJI (8% or $11 million) and SIAF (2% or $3.3 million).
The revenue from consulting and management service by segments has been reduced by 4% from 40% in 2011 to 36% in 2012 as shown in the table below. The reason for such decrease is primarily due to the increase of sales revenue of other segments (e.g., sales of fish, cattle and other goods), and this trend is expected to continue as more farms are anticipated to be developed and as the productivity of the existing developed farms increases. However, as we are an agriculture engineering based company, we intend to continue to build farms and other wholesaling and retailing facilities with the objective of maintaining the revenue from consulting and management service within 25% to 30% of the Company's total consolidated revenue year to year.
54 |
Financial information 2010 to 2012 of the segments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segments | Revenue | Cost of Sales | Gross Profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fishery Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consulting and Service | 4,163,833 | 16,488,192 | 36,193,780 | 1,006,209 | 7,561,874 | 14,340,937 | 3,157,624 | 8,926,318 | 21,852,843 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beef Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEIJI | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consulting and Service | - | 4,159,921 | 11,080,131 | - | 2,511,508 | 2,998,343 | - | 1,648,413 | 8,081,788 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate Sector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SIAF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consulting and Service | 3,267,401 | - | - | 909,677 | - | - | 2,357,724 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total sales revenue of the segments | 4,163,833 | 20,648,113 | 50,541,312 | 1,006,209 | 10,073,382 | 18,248,957 | 3,157,624 | 10,574,731 | 32,292,355 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment % of the group consolidated total | 38 | % | 40 | % | 36 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated total of continuing operations | 10,918,766 | 51,879,903 | 138,613,639 | 3,731,204 | 26,951,874 | 68,807,471 | 7,187,562 | 24,928,029 | 69,806,168 |
2. In 2012, the revenue from other segments (e.g., sales of fish, fertilizer, bulk livestock feed, cattle, etc.) increased by 4% from 60% in 2011 to 64%. This increase is due primarily to additional farms being built in 2012, contributing to the increase in production as shown in the table below.
Financial information 2010 to 2012 of the segments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segments | Revenue | Cost of Sales | Gross Profit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fishery Sector | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Award | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Others in sales of Fish, Prawns and commissions etc. | 9,933,933 | 44,798,779 | 7,830,404 | 23,329,038 | - | 2,103,529 | 21,469,741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fish Farm 1 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales of Fish | - | - | 391,009 | - | - | 183,774 | - | - | 207,235 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cattle Farm Sector | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MEIJI | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Others in sales of cattle, meat and commission etc. | - | - | 5,688,904 | - | - | 4,419,418 | - | - | 1,269,486 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cattle Farm 1 | - | - | 268,966 | - | - | 193,656 | - | - | 75,310 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beef Organic fertilizer Sector | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SJAP | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fertilizer | 1,400,712 | 11,814,921 | 3,825,194 | 525,646 | 4,975,462 | 2,136,239 | 875,066 | 6,839,459 | 1,688,955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bulk Live Stock Feed | 579,367 | 2,514,617 | 2,863,637 | 371,024 | 1,205,763 | 1,382,827 | 208,343 | 1,308,854 | 1,480,810 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cattle | - | 852,751 | 14,445,695 | 793,649 | 11,079,144 | - | 59,102 | 3,366,551 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Concentrated Live Stock Feed (Only for 2013) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HSA | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fertilizer | - | 2,453 | 2,213,038 | - | 2,381 | 1,699,593 | - | 72 | 513,445 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cattle (Only for 2013) | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HU Plant Sector | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
JHST | 4,774,854 | 6,113,115 | 11,878,599 | 1,828,325 | 2,070,833 | 5,035,955 | 2,946,529 | 4,042,282 | 6,842,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate Sector | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SIAF | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Others | 1,698,506 | - | - | 1,098,870 | - | - | 599,636 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segments' Total | 6,754,933 | 31,231,790 | 88,072,327 | 2,724,995 | 16,878,492 | 50,558,514 | 4,029,938 | 14,353,298 | 37,513,813 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment % of the consolidated total | 62 | % | 60 | % | 64 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated total of | 10,918,766 | 51,879,903 | 138,613,639 | 3,731,204 | 26,951,874 | 68,807,471 | 7,187,562 | 24,928,029 | 69,806,168 |
Income Taxes
No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of CA, ZX, JHST, JHMC, JFD, HSA and SJAP since they are exempt from EIT for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors. However as of December 31, 2012 JFD has been levied with an EIT of 25%, which JFD is appealing to the Taxation Department for a waiver of this tax. The Company expects to prevail in its appeal, therefore there is no EIT being provided for JFD during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of HSA for the income earned for the years December 31, 2012 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors. EIT has been provided in the financial statements of HSA at 25% for the income for the years ended December 31, 2011 as it is not within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors.
However, as of December 31, 2012, Taxation Department agreed that HSA is exempt from EIT for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of HSA for the income earned for the years December 31, 2012 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors. EIT has been provided in the financial statements of HSA at 25% for the income for the years ended December 31, 2011 as part of its revenue was generated from other source of supply other than SJAP that was not exempted from EIT.
However, as of December 31, 2012, Taxation Department agreed that JFD is exempt from EIT for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of JFD for the income earned for the years December 31, 2012 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors. JFD had been levied with an EIT of 25% in 2011, but JFD’s appeal to the Taxation Department for a waiver of this tax was successful by December 31, 2012.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements:
None.
55 |
Other Significant Factors That May Affect Cash/Liquidity:
Seasonal Factors Affecting our Operations
In China, winter season is from mid-November to mid-March. The Chinese lunar year holiday falls during this period in February each year. During the Chinese lunar holiday, Chinese workers take a 30-day holiday (although the Government’s official holiday period is for 10 days). The months of March and April are the times for ground preparation and seedling for the new season.
These seasonal factors have certain influences on our overall operations explained as follows:
The Plantation - The HU flowers’ harvesting season is from July to the end of October. During this time, the bulk of our freshly harvested flowers are dried and stored. Although the dried flowers are sold year round, the bulk of sales occurs from November to June each year. In general, we sell the dried flowers at their highest prices from April through June. During 2009, we did not have enough dried flowers to store and sell throughout the entire year and our harvest was sold by the end of December. However, our 2010 harvest was at 31.5 million pieces, which is twice the volume of our 2009 harvest of 16.5 million pieces. This harvest of 31.5 million is still an insufficient number of flowers to be processed, dried, stored, and sold through to June 2011 to even out our annual sales through the year of 2011. In 2012 with the additional dried flowers processed from the fresh flowers that were bought from regional growers we managed to supply the market with higher quantity of dried flowers, yet the seasonal in-balance on sales remains the same.
As of December 31, 2012, we had no other significant transactions that may affect our cash/liquidity other than the seasonal variation effects mentioned earlier and the fact that the Company considers all highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents kept with financial institutions in People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) are not insured or otherwise protected. Should any of those institutions holding the Company’s cash become insolvent, or the Company is unable to withdraw funds for any reason, the Company could lose the cash on deposit on that institution.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2013, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $9,391,449, (see notes to the consolidated account), and our working capital as of June 30, 2013 was $145,332,475.
As of June 30, 2013, our total long term debts are as follows:
Contractual Obligations | Less than 1 year ($) | 1-3 years ($) | 3-5 years ($) | More than 5 years ($) | Total ($) | |||||||||||||||
Short Term Bank Loan | 2,265,849 | |||||||||||||||||||
Long Term Debts | 0 | 0 | 178,031 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Promissory Notes Issued to third parties | 5,915,423 |
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $16,120,653 for the six months ended June 30, 2013. This compares with cash provided by operating activities $9,887,541 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase in cash flows from operations primarily resulted from net cash provided by net income for the period after adjustments of non- cash items.
Cash used in investing activities totaled $14,086,955 for the six months ended June 30, 2013. This compares with cash used in investing activities totaled $11,722,784 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The increase in cash flows used in investing activities primarily resulted from construction payments of $12,596,632 for the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared to construction payments of $6,626,688 for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
Cash used in financing activities totaled $951,308 for the six months ended June 30, 2013. This compares with cash from financing activities totaled $1,672,033 for the six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease in cash flows provided by investing activities primarily resulted from non-controlling interests contribution of $1,806,644 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared with no non-controlling interests for the six months ended June 30, 2013.
The following table shows the debt we have exchanged for equity during the periods indicated:
56 |
Issuance | Consideration | Investors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Date | Events | of shares | Price / share | received | Non-USA | USA | ||||||||||||||||
# of shares | US$ | US$ | # of persons | |||||||||||||||||||
As at | ||||||||||||||||||||||
31.12.2010 | Quoted in 10K and Form 10 | 55,474,136 | 50,884,475 | 136 | 5,123 | |||||||||||||||||
03.01.2011 | Debt settlements | 370,000 | 1.50 | 562,500 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
13.01.2011 | Debt settlements | 491,000 | 1.50 | 736,500 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
10.02.2011 | Debt Settlements | 425,000 | 1.50 | 637,500 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
10.02.2011 | Debt settlements | 35,000 | 1.50 | 52,500 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
16.04.2011 | Debt settlements | 530,000 | 1.50 | 795,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
22.04.2011 | Debt settlements | 400,000 | 1.50 | 600,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
08.05.2011 | Debt settlements | 351,000 | 1.50 | 526,500 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
2,602,000 | 3,910,500 | |||||||||||||||||||||
06.07.2011 | Brought from third parties for resale | -500,000 | 0.78 | -390,000 | -1 | |||||||||||||||||
19.07.2011 | Brought from third parties for resale | -500,000 | 0.78 | -390,000 | -1 | |||||||||||||||||
27.06.2011 | Debt Settlements | 304,878 | 0.82 | 250,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
21.07.2011 | Debt Settlements | 304,878 | 0.82 | 250,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
16.08.2011 | Debt Settlements | 377,976 | 0.82 | 309,940 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
02.09.2011 | Debt Settlements | 12,268 | 0.82 | 10,060 | ||||||||||||||||||
02.09.2011 | Debt settlements | 353,542 | 0.84 | 296,975 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
02.09.2011 | Debt settlements | 426,787 | 0.69 | 293,629 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
01.07.2011 | Worker compensation & adjustments | 1,706,620 | 1.01 | 1,723,686 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||
11.7.2011 | Worker compensation & adjustments | 1,054,109 | 0.90 | 943,428 | ||||||||||||||||||
11.07.2011 | Professional services paid in shares and adjustments | 1,800,000 | 0.90 | 1,611,000 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
As at | ||||||||||||||||||||||
30.09.2011 | Total Common shares issued | 63,417,194 | 59,703,693 | 215 | 5,136 |
Equity Changes
Issurance of | Consideration | Investors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Date | Events | shares | Price / share | received | Non-USA | USA | ||||||||||||||||
# of shares | US$ | US$ | # of persons | |||||||||||||||||||
As at | ||||||||||||||||||||||
30.09.2011 | Total common shares issued | 63,417,194.00 | 59,703,693.00 | 215.00 | 5,136.00 | |||||||||||||||||
08.10.2011 | Share issued for debt settlement | 1,470,588.00 | 0.85 | 1,250,000.00 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
14.10.2011 | Shares brought = (A) | -600,000.00 | 0.65 | -390,000.00 | -1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
19.10.2011 | Shares brought = (B) | -620,000.00 | 0.65 | -403,000.00 | -1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
23.10.2011 | Shares brought = ( C ) | -2,000,000.00 | 0.01 | -20,000.00 | - | |||||||||||||||||
23.10.2011 | Shares brought = (D) | -2,000,000.00 | 0.01 | -20,000.00 | - | |||||||||||||||||
23.10.2011 | Shares brought = (E) | -2,400,000.00 | 0.01 | -24,000.00 | - | |||||||||||||||||
14.10.2011 | Debt Settlement | 600,000.00 | 0.80 | 480,000.00 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
14.11.2011 | Debt Settlements | 620,000.00 | 0.80 | 496,000.00 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
14.11.2011 | Debt settlement | 1,596,480.00 | 0.91 | 1,450,000.00 | 3.00 | |||||||||||||||||
15.11.2011 | Debt settlement | 6,400,000.00 | 0.504 | 3,225,600.00 | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
15.12.2011 | Debt settlement | 550,000.00 | 0.504 | 277,200.00 | - | |||||||||||||||||
as at 31.12 2011 | 67,034,262.00 | 66,025,493.00 | 221.00 | 5,135.00 |
57 |
Equity Changes
Issurance of | Consideration | Investors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Date | Events | shares | Price / share | received | Non-USA | USA | ||||||||||||||||
# of shares | US$ | US$ | # of persons | |||||||||||||||||||
as at 31.12 2011 | 67,034,262 | 66,025,493 | 221 | 5,135 | ||||||||||||||||||
16.01.2012 | Debt Settlement | 867,100 | 0.65 | 563,615 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
14.02.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,508,959 | 0.60 | 905,375 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
07.03.2012 | Debt Settlement | 722,225 | 0.63 | 455,002 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
23.03.2012 | Debt Settlements | 600,000 | 0.75 | 450,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
As at 31.03.2012 | 70,732,546 | 3 | 68,399,485 | 225 | 5,135 | |||||||||||||||||
20.04.2012 | Debt Settlement | 801,666 | 0.71 | 568,118 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
20.04.2012 | Debt Settlement | 437,370 | 0.71 | 310,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
20.04.2012 | Debt Settlement | 458,524 | 0.71 | 325,015 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
25.05.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,280,081 | 0.62 | 793,650 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
25.05.2012 | Debt Settlement | 2,133,606 | 0.62 | 1,315,475 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
08.06.2012 | Debt Settlement | 558,538 | 0.65 | 365,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
08.06.2012 | Debt Settlement | 893,639 | 0.65 | 585,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
15.06.2012 | Debt Settlement | 473,923 | 0.65 | 310,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
As at 30.06.2012 | 77,769,893 | 8 | 72,971,743 | 232 | 5,135 | |||||||||||||||||
05.07.2012 | Debt Settlement | 2,151,247 | 0.54 | 1,161,825 | ||||||||||||||||||
19.07.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,795,307 | 0.52 | 931,825 | ||||||||||||||||||
08.08.2012 | Debt Settlement | 765,000 | 0.52 | 400,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
16.08.2012 | Worker Compensation | 906,000 | 0.395 | 362,400 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
18.08.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,678,000 | 0.51 | 859,825 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
22.08.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,493,500 | 0.52 | 773,325 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
17.09.2012 | Debt Settlement | 2,902,960 | 0.64 | 1,862,439 | ||||||||||||||||||
20.09.2012 | Debt Settlement | 390,625 | 0.65 | 250,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
24.09.2012 | Debt Settlement | 527,803 | 0.71 | 400,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
668,647 | 0.71 | 500,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
As at 30.09.2012 | 91,048,982 | 80,473,382 | 235 | 5,138 | ||||||||||||||||||
12.10.2012 | Debt Settlement | 371,429 | 0.70 | 260,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
24.10.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,062,357 | 0.70 | 743,650 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
01.10.2012 | Debt Settlement | 804,346 | 0.70 | 563,042 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
9.11.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,209,187 | 0.615 | 743,650 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
9.11.2012 | Debt Settlement | 491,080 | 0.615 | 302,014 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
23.11.2012 | Debt Settlement | 474,364 | 0.615 | 291,734 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
03.12.2012 | Debt Settlement | 392,955 | 0.53 | 208,266 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
03.12.2012 | Debt Settlement | 660,377 | 0.53 | 350,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
17.12.2012 | Debt Settlement | 69,732 | 0.53 | 36,958 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
21.12.2012 | Debt Settlement | 188,679 | 0.53 | 100,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
21.12.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,037,736 | 0.53 | 550,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
21.12.2012 | Debt Settlement | 1,311,321 | 0.53 | 695,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
As at 31.12.2012 | 99,122,545 | 7.13 | 85,317,696 | 235 | 5,138 |
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Equity Changes Q1 2013
Issurance of | Consideration | Investors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Date | Events | shares | Price / share | received | Number of Persons / Entities | |||||||||||||||||
# of shares | US$ | US$ | Non-USA | USA | ||||||||||||||||||
As at 31.12.2012 Opening Balance | 100,004,850 | 85,917,696 | 235 | 5,138 | ||||||||||||||||||
03.01.2013 | Debt Settlement | 925,977 | 0.53 | 490,768 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
03.01.2013 | Debt Settlement | 835,106 | 0.53 | 442,606 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
15.01.2013 | Debt Settlement | 1,415,094 | 0.53 | 750,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
15.01.2013 | Debt Settlement | 1,415,094 | 0.53 | 750,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
20.02.2013 | Debt Settlement | 1,432,692 | 0.52 | 745,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
25.02.2013 | Debt Settlement | 961,538 | 0.52 | 500,000 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
15.03.2013 | Debt Settlement | 1,181,818 | 0.550 | 650,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
28.03.2013 | Debt Settlement | 645,161 | 0.620 | 400,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
28.03.2013 | Debt Settlement | 1,532,258 | 0.620 | 950,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
As at 31.03.2013 (or Q1 2013) | 110,349,588 | 91,596,070 | 239 | 5,138 | ||||||||||||||||||
18.04.2013 | Debt Settlement | 2,241,379 | 0.58 | 1,300,000 | - | |||||||||||||||||
18.04.2013 | Debt Settlement | 932,822 | 0.58 | 541,037 | - | |||||||||||||||||
10.05.2013 | Debt Settlement | 2,915,055 | 0.46 | 1,340,925 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
10.05.2013 | Debt Settlement | 2,084,703 | 0.46 | 958,963 | - | |||||||||||||||||
25.06.2013 | Debt Settlement | 663,362 | 0.41 | 271,978 | ||||||||||||||||||
25.06.2013 | Debt Settlement | 986,919 | 0.41 | 404,637 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
As at 30.06.2013 (or Q2 2013) | Total | 120,173,828 | 96,413,610 | 241 | 5,138 |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). All material inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Renminbi of the People’s Republic of China (RMB) has been determined to be the Company’s functional currency. The balance sheets were translated at year end exchange rates. Expenses were translated at moving average exchange rates in effect during the years. The effects of rate changes on assets and liabilities are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income.
BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of SIAF, its subsidiaries Capital Award, CS, CH, TRW, MEIJI, HJST, HSA, and APWAM and its variable interest entity SJAP. All material inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of companies acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated Financial Statements from the effective date of acquisition.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Company adopted the accounting pronouncements relating to business combinations (primarily contained in ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations”), including assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies. These pronouncements established principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquire as well as provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, these pronouncements eliminate the distinction between contractual and non-contractual contingencies, including the initial recognition and measurement criteria and require an acquirer to develop a systematic and rational basis for subsequently measuring and accounting for acquired contingencies depending on their nature. Our adoption of these pronouncements will have an impact on the manner in which we account for any future acquisitions.
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NON - CONTROLLING INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company adopted the accounting pronouncement on non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This guidance is primarily contained in ASC Topic “Consolidation”. It clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this standard has not had material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods covered thereby. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Judgments and estimates of uncertainties are required in applying the Company’s accounting policies in certain areas. The following are some of the areas requiring significant judgments and estimates: determinations of the useful lives of assets, estimates of allowances for doubtful accounts, cash flow and valuation assumptions in performing asset impairment tests of long-lived assets, estimates of the reliability of deferred tax assets and inventory reserves.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC 605. Sales revenue is recognized when all of the following have occurred: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) the ability to collect is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally satisfied at the time of shipment when risk of loss and title passes to the customer. Service revenue is recognized when services have been rendered to a buyer by reference to the stage of completion. License fee income is recognized on the accrual basis in accordance with the underlying agreements.
Government grants are recognized upon (i) the Company has substantially accomplished what we must be done pursuant to the terms of the policies and terms of the grant that are established by the local government; and (ii) the Company receives notification from the local government that the Company has satisfied all of the requirements to receive the government grants; and or (iii) the amounts are received.
Revenues from the Company's fishery development services contract are performed under fixed-price contracts. Revenues under long-term contracts are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605,Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”). Under the percentage-of-completion method, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognized that profit over the contract term. The percentage of costs incurred determines the amount of revenue to be recognized. Payment terms are generally defined by the installation contract and as a result may not match the timing of the costs incurred by the Company and the related recognition of revenue. Such differences are recorded as either costs or estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts or billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts.
The Company determines a customer’s credit worthiness at the time an order is accepted. Sudden and unexpected changes in a customer’s financial condition could put recoverability at risk.
The percentage of completion method requires the ability to estimate several factors, including the ability of the customer to meet its obligations under the contract, including the payment of amounts when due. If the Company determines that collectability is not assured, we will defer revenue recognition and use methods of accounting for the contract such as the completed contract method until such time as the Company determines that collectability is reasonably assured or through the completion of the project.
For fixed-price contracts, the Company uses the ratio of costs incurred to date on the contract (excluding uninstalled direct materials) to management's estimate of the contract's total costs, to determine the percentage of completion on each contract. This method is used as management considers expended costs to be the best available measure of progression of these contracts. Contract costs included all direct material, subcontract and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as supplies, tool repairs and depreciation. The Company accounts for maintenance and repair services under the guidance of ASC 605 as the services provided relate to construction work. Contract costs incurred to date and expected total contract costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability arising from contract penalty, change orders and final contract settlements may result in revisions to the estimated profitability during the contract. These changes, which include contracts with estimated costs in excess of estimated revenues, are recognized as contract costs in the period in which the revisions are determined. Profit incentives are included in revenues when their realization is reasonably assured. At the point the Company anticipates a loss on a contract, the Company estimates the ultimate loss through completion and recognizes that loss in the period in which the possible loss was identified.
The Company does not provide warranties to customers on a basis customary to the industry; however, the customers can claim warranty directly from product manufacturers for defects in equipment or products. Historically, the Company has experienced no warranty claims.
The Company’s fishery development consultancy services revenues are recognized when the relevant services are rendered, and are subject to a Chinese business tax at a rate of 0% of the gross fishery development contract service income approved by the Chinese local government.
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COST OF GOODS SOLD
Cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct purchase cost of merchandise goods, and related levies.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING
Shipping and handling costs related to cost of goods sold are included in general and administrative expenses which totaled $84,297 and $58,392 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
ADVERTISING
Advertising costs are included in general and administrative expenses, which totaled $1,973 and $99,526 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
The Company considers all highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents kept with financial institutions in People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) are not insured or otherwise protected. Should any of those institutions holding the Company’s cash become insolvent, or the Company is unable to withdraw funds for any reason, the Company could lose the cash on deposit on that institution.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Terms of the sales vary. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
The standard credit period of the Company’s most of customers is three months. Any amount that has an extended settlement date of over one year is classified as a long term receivable. Management evaluates the collectability of the receivables at least quarterly. Provision for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are $0. There were no bad debts written off for the years ended December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined on a weighted average basis) and net realizable value. Costs incurred in bringing each product to its location and conditions are accounted for as follows:
• | raw materials – purchase cost on a weighted average basis; |
• | manufactured finished goods and work-in-progress – cost of direct materials and labor and a proportion of manufacturing overhead based on normal operation capacity but excluding borrowing costs; and |
• | retail and wholesale merchandise finished goods – purchase cost on a weighted average basis. |
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Such costs include the cost of replacing parts that are eligible for capitalization when the cost of replacing the parts is incurred. The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each year.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the assets.
Milk cows | 10 years | |
Plant and machinery | 5 - 10 years | |
Structure and leasehold improvements | 10 -20 years | |
Mature seed | 20 years | |
Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 2.5 - 10 years | |
Motor vehicles | 5 -10 years |
An item of property and equipment is removed from the accounts upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on disposal of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item) is included in the consolidated statements of income in the period the item is disposed.
GOODWILL
Goodwill is an asset representing the fair economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis at the end of the company’s fiscal year, or when impairment indicators arise. The Company uses a fair-value-based approach to test for impairment at the level of each reporting unit. The Company directly acquired MEIJI which is engaged in Hu Plantation. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill in the amount of $724,940. This goodwill represents the fair value of the assets acquired in these acquisitions over the cost of the assets acquired.
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PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES
The Company has determined that technological feasibility is established at the time a working model of products is completed. Master license of stock feed manufacturing technology was acquired and the costs of acquisition were capitalized as proprietary technologies when technological feasibility had been established. Proprietary technologies are intangible assets of finite lives. Proprietary technologies are amortized using the straight line method over their estimated lives of 25 years. Management evaluates the recoverability of proprietary technologies on an annual basis of the end of the company’s fiscal year, or when impairment indicators arise. As required by ASC Topic 350 “Intangible – Goodwill and Other”, the Company uses a fair-value-based approach to test for impairment.
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS
Construction in progress represents direct costs of construction as well as acquisition and design fees incurred. Capitalization of these costs ceases and the construction in progress is transferred to property, and equipment when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. No depreciation is provided until construction is completed and the asset is ready for its intended use..
LAND USE RIGHTS
Land use rights represent acquisition of land use right rights of agriculture land from farmers and are amortized on the straight line basis over the respective lease periods. The lease period of agriculture land is in the range from 30 years to 60 years. Land use rights purchase prices were determined in accordance with the 2007 PRC Government’s minimum lease payments of agriculture land and mutually agreed between the company and the vendors. No independent professional appraiser performed a valuation of land use rights at the balance sheet dates.
CORPORATE JOINT VENTURE
A corporation formed, owned, and operated by two or more businesses (ventures) as a separate and discrete business or project (venture) for their mutual benefit is considered to be a corporate joint venture. Investee entities, in which the company can exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the company’s share of the earnings or losses of these companies is included in net income.
A loss in value of an investment that is other than a temporary decline is recognized as a charge to operations. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
An entity (investee) in which the investor has obtained less than a majority-owned interest, according to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). A variable interest entity (VIE) is subject to consolidation if a VIE is an entity meeting one of the following three criteria as elaborated in ASC Topic 810-10,Consolidation.
(a) | equity-at-risk is not sufficient to support the entity's activities |
(b) | As a group, the equity-at-risk holders cannot control the entity; or |
(c) | The economics do not coincide with the voting interest |
If a firm is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the holdings must be disclosed on the balance sheet. The primary beneficiary is defined as the person or company with the majority of variable interests
TREASURY STOCK
Treasury stock consists of a Company’s own stock which has been issued, but is subsequently reacquired by the Company. Treasury stock does not reduce the number of shares issued but does reduce the number of shares outstanding. These shares are not eligible to receive cash dividends. Accounting for excesses and deficiencies on treasury stock transactions is governed by ASC 505-30-30.
State laws and federal agencies closely regulate transactions involving a company’s own capital stock, so the purchase of outstanding shares and converting them into treasury shares must have a legitimate purpose. Some of the most common reasons for purchasing outstanding shares are as follows:
(i) to meet additional stock needs for various reasons, including newly implemented stock option plans, the issuance stock for convertible bonds or convertible preferred stock, or a stock dividend;
(ii) to eliminate the ownerships interests of a stockholder;
(iii) to increase the market price of the stock that returns capital to shareholders; and
(iv) to potentially increase earnings per share of the stock by decreasing the shares outstanding on the same earnings.
The cost method of accounting for treasury stock shares has been adopted by the Company. The purchase of outstanding shares is treated as a temporary reduction in shareholders’ equity in view of the expectation to reissue the shares instead of retiring them. When the Company reissues the treasury shares, the temporary account is eliminated. The cost of treasury stock shares reacquired is charged to a contra account, in this case a contra equity account that reduces the stockholder equity balance.
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INCOME TAXES
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
The provision for income tax is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred taxes area accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.
Deferred income taxes are calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it relates to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also adjusted in the equity accounts. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. ASC 740 also prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. ASC 740 also provides guidance related to, among other things, classification, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and disclosure requirements. Any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits will be recorded in tax expense.
POLITICAL AND BUSINESS RISK
The Company's operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environment in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRC's economy. The Company's operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
In accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”, long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets, including intangibles, for impairment, at the end of each fiscal year. An asset is considered impaired when estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset. In the event the carrying amount of such asset is considered not recoverable, the asset is adjusted to its fair value. Fair value is generally determined based on discounted future cash flow. As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company determined no impairment charges were necessary.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
As prescribed in ASC Topic 260 “Earning per Share,” Basic Earnings per Share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock shares outstanding during the year plus potential dilutive instruments such as stock options and warrants. The effect of stock options on diluted EPS is determined through the application of the treasury stock method, whereby proceeds received by the Company based on assumed exercises are hypothetically used to repurchase the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period.
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to the Company’s common stockholders amounted to $0.70 and $0.21, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to the Company’s common stockholders amounted to $0.63 and $0.23, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, basic earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to the Company’s common stockholders amounted to $0.70 and $0.43, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to the Company’s common stockholders amounted to $0.63 and $0.39, respectively.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company is the Chinese Renminbi (RMB). For those entities whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollars, all assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date; shareholder equity is translated at historical rates and items in the statements of income and of cash flows are translated at the average rate for the period.
Because cash flows are translated based on the weighted average translation rate, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported in the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances in the balance sheets. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of equity.
Translation gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the statements of income and comprehensive income as incurred. The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were translated at RMB6.2855 to $1.00 and RMB6.30 to $1.00, respectively.
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The average translation rates applied to the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were RMB6.31 to $1.00 and RMB6.33 to $1.00, respectively.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Non - GAAP financial measures can represent our actual U.S. dollars reported earnings per share including foreign exchange gain of net assets denominated in RMB as the underlying trend shows Chinese Renminbi appreciates steadily against United States dollars. As such, we measure diluted earnings per share growth rate using comprehensive income divided by weighted average numbers of shares outstanding, and provide guidance on the comprehensive income per shares.
Below is a reconciliation of reported EPS to non - GAAP measure EPS for the fiscal years 2012 and 2011:
Consolidated results | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||
Diluted net earnings per share (EPS) | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.39 | ||||
Translational impact (a) | $ | 0.06 | $ | 0.04 | ||||
Non - GAAP measure EPS | $ | 0.73 | $ | 0.43 | ||||
Non - GAAP measure EPS growth rate (b) | 67 | % | - |
(a) Translation impact is the difference between reported EPS and using non -GAAP measure.
(b) Calculated as a percentage of growth from the prior year's reported EPS.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
ASC Topic 220 “Comprehensive Income” establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in stockholders’ equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The comprehensive income for all periods presented includes both the reported net income and net change in cumulative translation adjustments.
RETIREMENT BENEFIT COSTS
PRC state managed retirement benefit programs are defined contribution plans and the payments to the plans are charged as expenses when employees have rendered service entitling them to the contribution.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company adopts both ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” and ASC Topic 505-50,”Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” using the fair value method in which an entity issues its equity instruments to acquire goods and services from employees and non-employees. Stock compensation for stock granted to non-employees has been determined in accordance with this accounting standard and the accounting standard regarding accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring, or in conjunction with selling goods or services, as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured. This accounting standard allows the “simplified” method to determine the term of employee options when other information is not available. Under ASC Topic 718 and ASC Topic 505-50, stock compensation expenses is measured at the grant date on the value of the option or restricted stock and is recognized as expenses, less expected forfeitures, over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company follows paragraph 825-10-50-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for disclosures about fair value of its financial instruments and paragraph 820-10-35-37 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Paragraph 820-10-35-37”) to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. Paragraph 820-10-35-37 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures, Paragraph 820-10-35-37 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three (3) broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three (3) levels of fair value hierarchy defined by Paragraph 820-10-35-37 are described below:
Level 1 Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.
Level 2 Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.
Level 3 Pricing inputs that are generally observable inputs and not corroborated by market data.
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and accrued expenses, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments.
The Company does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or a non-recurring basis, consequently, the Company did not have any fair value adjustments for assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011, nor gains or losses are reported in the statements of income and other comprehensive income that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.
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NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
The Company does not expect any recent accounting pronouncements to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In January 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update (ASU”) No, 2011-01, Receivables Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses, to be concurrent with the effective date of the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, as presented in proposed Accounting Standards Update, Receivables (Topic 310): Clarifications to Accounting for Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors. The amendments in this Update apply to all public-entity creditors that modify financing receivables within the scope of the disclosure requirements about troubled debt restructurings in Update 2010-20. Under the existing effective date in Update 2010-20, public-entity creditors would have provided disclosures about troubled debt restructurings for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The amendments in this Update temporarily defer that effective date, enabling public-entity creditors to provide those disclosures after the Board clarifies the guidance for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring. The deferral in this Update will result in more consistent disclosures about troubled debt restructurings. This amendment does not defer the effective date of the other disclosure requirements in Update2010-20. In the proposed Update for determining what constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, the Board proposed that the clarifications would be effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2011. For the new disclosures about troubled debt restructurings in Update 2010-20, those clarifications would be applied retrospectively to the beginning of the fiscal year in which the proposal is adopted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-01 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-03,Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Reconsideration of Effective Control for Repurchase Agreements (ASU 2011-03), intended to improve financial reporting of repurchase agreements and refocus the assessment of effective control on a transferor’s contractual rights and obligations rather than practical ability to perform those rights and obligations. The guidance in ASU 2011-03 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-03 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04,Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04). ASU 2011-04 represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) on fair value measurement. A variety of measures are included in the update intended to either clarify existing fair value measurement requirements, change particular principles requirements for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of these requirements, the FASB does not intend to change the application of existing requirements under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. ASU2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and early application is not permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-04 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05,Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05), intended to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income and to facilitate convergence of accounting guidance in this area with that of the IASB. The amendments require that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Amendments under ASU 2011-05 for public entities should be applied retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-05 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
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In July 2011, the FASB issued accounting guidance on disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses. The guidance expands disclosures for the allowance for credit losses and financing receivables by requiring entities to disclose information at disaggregated levels. It also requires disclosure of credit quality indicators, past due information and modifications of financing receivables. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Testing Goodwill for Impairment (ASU No. 2011-08), which amends ASC 350 to first assess qualitative factors before performing the quantitative goodwill impairment testing. The ASU provides the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the results of the qualitative analysis indicate it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative two-step impairment test, which is required under current U.S. GAAP, would not be necessary. The ASU is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-08 to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. |
Not applicable because our company is a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. |
The financial statements required by this item are located following the signature page of this Annual Report.
ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. |
None.
ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We conducted an evaluation (the “Evaluation”), under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls”) as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on this Evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our Disclosure Controls were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
Changes in Internal Controls
We have also evaluated our internal controls for financial reporting, and there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter of fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management or board override of the control.
The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention of overriding controls. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2012, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report. We were not required to have, nor have we, engaged our independent registered public accounting firm to perform an audit of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the rules of the Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION. |
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE. |
The Board of Directors elects our executive officers annually. A majority vote of the directors who are in office is required to fill vacancies. Each director shall be elected for the term of one year and until his successor is elected and qualified or until his earlier resignation or removal. Our directors and executive officers are as follows:
Name | Age | Position | ||
Lee Yip Kun Solomon | 63 | CEO and Director | ||
Tan Poay Teik | 54 | Chief Marketing Officer and Director | ||
Chen Bor Hann | 48 | Secretary and Director | ||
Yap Koi Ming (George) | 60 | Independent Director | ||
Nils Erik Sandberg | 73 | Independent Director |
Lee Yip Kun Solomon. Mr. Lee has been a Director and our Chief Executive Officer since August 2007. From March 2004 to date he has been Group Managing Director of Capital Award Inc. Since May, 1993, he has been the CEO of Irama Edaran Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia), a modern fishery developer. There was no formal relationship between Sino Agro Food and Irama Edaran. He received a B.A. Major in Accounting and Economics from Monash University, Australia in July 1972. As a member of the board, Mr. Solomon contributes his knowledge of our company and a deep understanding of all aspects of our business, products and markets, as well substantial experience developing corporate strategy, assessing emerging industry trends, and business operations.
Tan Paoy Teik. Mr. Tan has been a Director and our Chief Marketing Officer since August 2007. Since July, 2005, he has been Group Managing Director of Milux Corporation Bhd. (Malaysia), a manufacturer of home and gas appliances. He received an MBA from South Pacific University in 2005. Mr. Tan is currently the Managing Director of Milux Corporation Bhd; as such, he spends half of his working time with Milux and half with our company. As a member of the board, Mr. Tan contributes his knowledge of the company and a deep understanding of all aspects of our business, products and markets, as well substantial experience developing corporate strategy, assessing emerging industry trends, and business operations.
Chen Bor Hann. Mr. Chen has been a Director and Secretary since August 2007. Since March, 2004, he has been Director and Business Development Manager of Capital Award Inc. From September 1995 to March 2004, he was Fishery Supervisor of Irama Edaran Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia). As a member of the board, Mr. Chen contributes his knowledge of the company and a deep understanding of all aspects of our business, products and markets, as well substantial experience developing corporate strategy, assessing emerging industry trends, and business operations.
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Nils-Erik Sandberg. Mr. Sandberg has been an Independent Director of the Company since January 1, 2013. He brings international investment experience and skills in corporate governance, investor relations, and corporate finance with local knowledge of NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and Swedish Stock Exchange that will benefit the Company. He was appointed the Chairman of the Compensation Committee of the Company as of February 1, 2013. He is President of the Jordan Fund, a Swedish investment group network since 1990. Mr. Sandberg also currently holds a position as an adviser for Gustavia Energy and Commodities Fund, formerly known as the Stockpicker JF Commodity Energy Fund, since 2008. Mr. Sandberg was the founder and served as the CEO of Hydrocarbon International HCI AB, a publicly traded Swedish oil Company, from 1986 to 1993. Mr. Sandberg was the founder and served as the CEO of Grauten Oil AB, a publicly traded Swedish oil company, from 1986 to 1993. Mr. Sandberg was a director of International Petroleum Corporation, predecessor of Lundin Oil, later Lundin Petroleum, which trades on both the NASDAQ-OMX and TSX exchanges.
Koi Ming Yap (George). Mr. Yap has been an Independent Director of the Company since January 1, 2013. He brings international investment banking, corporate finance, financial reporting, investment strategies, and international auditing experience and skills in corporate governance, investor relations, and corporate finance with knowledge of NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and the Swedish Stock Exchange that will benefit the Company. He was appointed the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Company as of February 1, 2013. He is a practicing international chartered accountant with over 30 years standing and is a practicing member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales since 1984. His international experience has covered Australia-NZ, United Kingdom-, Europe, Malaysia, the ASEAN, China and Hong Kong. Mr. Yap has been the managing principal of K M Yap & Company, a sole proprietary firm of Chartered Accountancy in NSW, Sydney, since 1990. He has been managing director of Brenna Investments Pty Ltd. since 1998 and has held the position of Public Interest Director (non-executive) for the Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia, in Malaysia since 2010 (a position sanctioned by the Securities Commission of Malaysia). Mr. Yap specializes in strategic corporate finance solutions, business plans, registering listings on stock exchanges, international banking, financial management, risk management, financial reporting, auditing, financial management, investment management, and providing corporate finance solutions in terms of sourcing finance, as well as cornerstone investors in IPOs, reverse mergers, and takeovers, that are expected to benefit the Company.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our officers or directors.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of the director(s) or executive officers of the Company: (i) has been involved as a general partner or executive officer of any business which has filed a bankruptcy petition; (ii) has been convicted in any criminal proceeding nor is subject to any pending criminal proceeding; (iii) has been subjected to any order, judgment or decree of any court permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; and (iv) has been found by a court, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law.
Board Committees:
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee currently consists of two directors: Messrs. Yap (chairman) and Sandberg. The Board has determined that:
• | Mr. Yap qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the SEC in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K; and |
• | all members of the Audit Committee (i) are “independent” under the independence requirements of Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., (ii) meet the criteria for independence as set forth in the Exchange Act, (iii) have not participated in the preparation of our financial statements at any time during the past three years and (iv) are financially literate and have accounting and finance experience. |
The designation of Mr. Yap as an “audit committee financial expert” will not impose on him any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than those that are generally imposed on him as a member of our Audit Committee and our Board, and his designation as an “audit committee financial expert” will not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of our Audit Committee or Board.
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee currently consists of two directors: Messrs. Sandberg (chairman) and Yap. The Board has determined that:
• | all members of the Compensation Committee qualify as “independent” under the independence requirements of Marketplace Rule 5605(a)(2) of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.; |
• | all members of the Compensation Committee qualify as “non-employee directors” under Exchange Act Rule 16b-3; and |
• | all members of the Compensation Committee qualify as “outside directors” under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code ”). |
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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
None of the members of our Compensation Committee is an officer or employee of our company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one of more executive officers serving on our Board or Compensation Committee.
Code of Conduct
The Board has established a corporate Code of Conduct which qualifies as a “code of ethics” as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act. Among other matters, the Code of Conduct is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
• | honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; |
• | full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in our SEC reports and other public communications; |
• | compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; |
• | prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Conduct to appropriate persons identified in the code; and |
• | accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct. |
Waivers to the Code of Conduct may be granted only by the Board. In the event that the Board grants any waivers of the elements listed above to any of our officers, we expect to announce the waiver within four business days on a Current Report on Form 8-K.
The Code of Conduct applies to all of the Company’s employees, including our principal executive officer, the principal financial and accounting officer, and all employees who perform these functions. If we amend our Code of Conduct as it applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller (or persons performing similar functions), we shall disclose such amendment through the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. |
Summary Compensation Table
The table below summarizes all compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our Principal Executive Officer, our two most highly compensated executive officers other than our CEO who occupied such position at the end of our latest fiscal year and up to two additional executive officers who would have been included in the table below except for the fact that they were not executive officers at the end of our latest fiscal year, by us, or by any third party where the purpose of a transaction was to furnish compensation, for all services rendered in all capacities to us or our subsidiary for the latest fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2012.
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary($) | Bonus ($) | Option Awards ($) | Nonequity incentive plan compensation | Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($) | All other compensation ($) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lee Yip Kun Solomon | 2012 | 336,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 336,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer | 2011 | 336,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 336,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tan Paoy Teik | 2012 | 174,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 174,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chief Marketing Officer | 2011 | 174,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 174,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chen Bor Hann | 2012 | 60,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Secretary | 2011 | 60,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60,000 |
Summary Equity Awards
There has been no equity incentive award made to any of our executive officers as of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
Employment Agreements
Lee Yip Kun Solomon. On June 14, 2011, we entered into a three-year employment agreement effective as of January 1, 2011 with Lee Yip Kun Solomon, our Chief Executive Officer and President (the “Lee Agreement”). Pursuant to the Lee Agreement, Mr. Lee is entitled to an annual base salary of $336,000 and to receive 336,000 shares of our common stock. Such shares have not been issued to Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee shall also be eligible for discretionary performance bonus payments; no such bonus has been paid. The Lee Agreement provides for Mr. Lee to be eligible to participate in any incentive compensation established by the Company; no such plan has been established. The Lee Agreement also includes confidentiality obligations to which Mr. Lee must adhere.
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Tan Paoy Teik. On June 14, 2011, we entered into a three-year employment agreement effective as of January 1, 2011 with Tan Paoy Teik, our Chief Marketing Officer (the “Tan Agreement”). Pursuant to the Tan Agreement, Mr. Tan is entitled to an annual base salary of $174,000 and to receive 174,000 shares of our common stock. Such shares have not been issued to Mr. Tan. Mr. Tan shall also be eligible for discretionary performance bonus payments; no such bonus has been paid. The Tan Agreement provides for Mr. Tan to be eligible to participate in any incentive compensation established by the Company; no such plan has been established. The Tan Agreement also includes confidentiality obligations to which Mr. Tan must adhere.
Chen Bor Hann. On June 14, 2011, we entered into a three-year employment agreement effective as of January 1, 2011 with Chen Bor Hann, our Secretary (the “Hann Agreement”). Pursuant to the Hann Agreement, Mr. Hann is entitled to an annual base salary of $174,000 and to receive 174,000 shares of our common stock. Such shares have not been issued to Mr. Hann. Mr. Hann shall also be eligible for discretionary performance bonus payments; no such bonus has been paid. The Hann Agreement provides for Mr. Hann to be eligible to participate in any incentive compensation established by the Company; no such plan has been established. The Hann Agreement also includes confidentiality obligations to which Mr. Hann must adhere.
General
At no time during the last fiscal year with respect to any person listed in the table above was there:
" | any outstanding option or other equity-based award re-priced or otherwise materially modified (such as by extension of exercise periods, the change of vesting or forfeiture conditions, the change or elimination of applicable performance criteria, or the change of the bases upon which returns are determined; |
" | any waiver or modification of any specified performance target, goal or condition to payout with respect to any amount included in non-stock incentive plan compensation or payouts; |
" | any option or equity grant; |
" | any non-equity incentive plan award made to a named executive officer |
" | any nonqualified deferred compensation plans including nonqualified defined contribution plans; or |
" | any payment for any item that should be included as All Other Compensation in a Summary Compensation Table. |
We have no compensation arrangements (such as fees for retainer, committee service, service as chairman of the board or a committee, and meeting attendance) with directors. Directors did not receive any compensation except for that received as executive officers as set forth above.
ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. |
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the number of shares of our Common Stock owned beneficially based on 112, 028,365 issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock as of the date of this Annual Report by: (i) each of our directors; (ii) each of our named executive officers; and (iii) each person or group known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding shares of Common Stock.
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Other than as described in the notes to the table, we believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to shares beneficially owned by them. All share ownership figures include shares issuable upon exercise of options or warrants exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Annual Report, which are deemed outstanding and beneficially owned by such person for purposes of computing his or her percentage ownership, but not for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated below, beneficial ownership is calculated based on the 112,028,365 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the date of this Annual Report.
Name and address | Shares of Common Stock | Percent of Common Stock | Shares of Series A Preferred Stock | Percent of Series A Preferred Stock | Percent of All Capital Stock (1) | |||||||||||||||
Directors and Officers (2): | ||||||||||||||||||||
Lee Yip Kun Solomon | 12,500,000 | 11.2 | % | 75 | 75 | % | 62.2 | % | ||||||||||||
Tan Poay Teik | 0 | 0 | 20 | 20 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||||
Chen Bor Hann | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||
George Yap | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||||
Nils Erik Sandberg (3) | 4,023,210 | 3.6 | % | 0 | 0 | * | ||||||||||||||
All Officers and Directors as a Group (5 persons) | 16,523,210 | 14.7 | % | 100 | 100 | % | 82.9 | % | ||||||||||||
5% or Greater Beneficial Owners | ||||||||||||||||||||
Nordnet Pensionsfoersaekring AB | 15,744,591 | 14 | % | — | 0 | 2.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Forsakringsaktiebolaget Avanza Pension | 14,895,771 | 13.3 | % | — | 0 | 2.7 | % |
* Less than one percent.
(1) Includes the voting power of the 100 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, which in the aggregate carry the voting power of eighty percent (80%) of all votes entitled to be voted at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of our company or action by written consent of our shareholders. Each outstanding share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall represent its proportionate share of the 80%, which is allocated to the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
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(2) The address for each of the officers and directors is c/o Sino Agro Food, Inc., Room 3801, Block A, China Shine Plaza, No. 9 Lin He Xi Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City (510610), P.R.C.
(3) Includes 910,300 shares of Common Stock owned of record by Mr. Sandberg’s spouse and 750,000 shares of Common Stock owned of record by Ängby Sportklubb, a not-for-profit organization of which Mr. Sandberg is the chairman of the board of directors. Mr. Sandberg disclaims any beneficial ownership of the shares of Common Stock held by Ängby Sportklubb.
ITEM 13 | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
During fiscal year 2010, we borrowed an aggregate of $926,196 from Mr. Lee, our chairman and chief executive officer. During fiscal year 2011, Mr. Lee paid $8,969,078 for and on behalf of the Company and we repaid Mr. Lee $9,605,510 of the foregoing amount, leaving us indebted to Mr. Lee in the amount of $289,764 on December 31, 2011. During fiscal year 2012, we borrowed an aggregate of $3,056,039 from Mr. Lee, leaving us indebted to Mr. Lee in the amount of $3,345,803 on December 31, 2012. The amounts are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed term of repayment.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, we repurchased 7,000,000 shares of our common stock from Capital Adventure for $396,400. Capital Adventure is owned by Messrs. Solomon Lee, Tan and Chen, our three executive directors.
The Company does not presently have a policy that addresses related-party matters but is considering implementing such a policy.
ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
(1) Principal Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant, Madsen & Associates CPA’s, Inc., for our audit of annual financial statements and review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were:
2012 | $ | 124,000 | ||
2011 | $ | 95,000 |
(2) Audit-Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountants that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported in the preceding paragraph:
2012 | $ | 4,230 | ||
2011 | $ | 0 |
(3) Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were:
2012 | $ | 0 | ||
2011 | $ | 0 |
(4) All Other Fees
None.
PART IV
ITEM 15.EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(A) Financial Statements
See index to Financial Statements on Page F-1
(B) Exhibits.
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Exhibit No. | Exhibit Description | |
2.1 | Stock Purchase Agreement and Share Exchange – Volcanic Gold and Capital Award (1) | |
2.2 | Acquisition Agreement - Hang Yu Tai Investment Limited (1) | |
2.3 | Acquisition Agreement - Macau Eiji Company Limited (1) | |
2.4 | Acquisition Agreement - Tri-way Industries Limited (1) | |
2.5 | Disposition Agreement - Triway selling equity interest in TianQuan Science (1) | |
2.6 | Acquisition Agreement - A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Limited acquired the Pretty Mountains’ 45% equity interest in Sanjiang A Power (1) | |
3.1 | Articles of Incorporation of Volcanic Gold, Inc. (1) | |
3.2 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation – Name Change: Volcanic Gold, Inc. to A Power Agro Agriculture Development, Inc. (1) | |
3.3 | Certificate of Correction (1) | |
3.4 | Amendment to Articles of Incorporation – Name Change: A Power Agro Agriculture Development, Inc. to Sino Agro Food, Inc. (1) | |
3.5 | Bylaws of Volcanic Gold, Inc. (1) | |
3.6 | Organizational Documents: Capital Award, Inc. (1) | |
3.7 | Organizational Documents: Hang Yu Tai Investment Limited (1) | |
3.8 | Organizational Documents: ZhongXingNongMu Co. Ltd. (1) | |
3.9 | Organizational Documents: Macau Eiji Company Limited (1) | |
3.10 | Organizational Documents: Jiang Men City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. (1) | |
3.11 | Organizational Documents: Tri-way Industries Limited (1) | |
3.12 | Organizational Documents: A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Limited (1) | |
3.13 | Bylaws (11) | |
3.14 | Certificate of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (12) | |
4.1 | Form of common stock Certificate of Sino Agro Foods, Inc. (1) | |
4.2 | Form of Certificate of Series A Preferred (1) | |
4.3 | Form of Certificate of Series B Preferred (1) | |
4.4 | Certificate of Rights and Preferences – Series A Preferred (3) | |
4.5 | Certificate of Rights and Preferences – Series B Preferred (3) | |
4.6 | Certificate of Designation of the Series F Non-Convertible Preferred Stock (10) | |
10.1 | Patented “Intellectual Property” namely “Zhi Wu Jei Gan Si Liao Chan Ye Hua Chan Pin Ji Qi Zhi Bei Fang Fa” registered under the Patent Number “ZL2005 10063039.9” and Certificate number “329722” of China (1) | |
10.2 | Sino Foreign Joint Venture Agreement: Jiang Men City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. (1) | |
10.3 | Sino Foreign Joint Venture Agreement: Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. (1) | |
10.4 | Deed of Trust - A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Limited (1) | |
10.5 | Deed of Trust - Macau Eiji Company Limited (1) |
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10.6 | Deed of Trust - Hang Yu Tai Investment Limited (1) | |
10.7 | Master License from Infinity Environmental Group, a Belize corporation. (1) | |
10.8 | Capital Award Consulting Service Agreement (2) | |
10.9 | Tri-Way Joint Venture Agreement (2) | |
10.10.a | Share Sale Agreement of Zhongxingnongmu Co. Ltd. (4) | |
10.10.b | MOU SIAF and Mr. Sun Sales and Purchase of shares Hang Yu Tai (4) | |
10.11 | Joint Venture Agreement for Enping City Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co., Ltd (3) | |
10.12 | AP Technology Consulting Services Agreement between Capital Award and a Group of China Parties (3) | |
10.13 | Organic Premium Beef Cattle (Fragrant Beef) Breeding and Feed Production Technology Cooperation Agreement (3) | |
10.14 | Organic Premium Beef Cattle (Fragrant Beef) Breeding and Feed Production Technology Sale and Transfer Agreement (3) | |
10.15 | Employment Agreement – Lee (4) | |
10.16 | Employment Agreement – Tan (4) | |
10.17 | Employment Agreement – Chen (4) | |
10.18 | SJVC Enping Cattle and Sheep Farm Joint Venture Agreement (4) | |
10.19 | Bait Fish Contract between Enping A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd. and Guangzhou Jinyang Aquaculture Co. Ltd. (5) | |
10.20 | Sleepy Cod Contract between Enping A Power Fishery Development Co. Ltd. and Guangzhou Jinyang Aquaculture Co. Ltd. (5) | |
10.21 | Agreement between Capital Award, Inc. and Liu Gang, et al. (6) | |
10.22 | Agreement between Macau Eiji Company Limited and Mr. Jin Xuesong (7) | |
10.23 | Addendum to Consulting and Services Agreement (8) | |
10.24 | SJVC Agreement between MEIJI and Mr. He Yue Xiong (8) | |
10.25 | Consulting and Services Agreement MEIJI and Mr. He Yue Xiong, et al. (8) | |
10.26 | Agreement to Purchase Young Beef between MEIJI and Yang Zi Shao Town Cattle Farm (8) | |
10.27 | WSPS SJVC between the Company and Zhou Jianfeng (8) | |
10.28 | WSPS Consulting and Services Agreement between Capital Award and Zhou Jianfeng, et al. (8) | |
10.29 | Memorandum of Understanding between the Company and Wu Xiaofeng (8) | |
10.30 | Jiangman Hang Meiji Cattle Farm Co. Ltd. Statutory Documents (9) | |
10.31 | Consulting and Service Agreement (Wholesale 2) between the Company and Guangzhou YiLi Na Wei Trading Co. Ltd. (9) | |
14 | Code of Ethics (13) | |
31.1 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
31.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act* | |
32.1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002* | |
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1. Incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on November 19, 2010.
2. Incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on January 19, 2011.
3. Incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on April 25, 2011.
4. Incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on July 6, 2011.
5. Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 19, 2011.
6. Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 29, 2012.
7. Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012.
8. Incorporated herein by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2012.
9. Incorporated herein by reference to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 15, 2012.
10. Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 16, 2012.
11. Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 28, 2012.
12. Incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2013.
13. Incorporated herein by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on March 28, 2013.
* Filed herewith
74 |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. | ||
October 2, 2013 | By: | /s/ LEE YIP KUN SOLOMON |
Lee Yip Kun Solomon Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer Principal Financial Officer Principal Accounting Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
October 2, 2013 | By: | /s/ LEE YIP KUN SOLOMON |
Lee Yip Kun Solomon Chief Executive Officer, Director (Principal Executive Officer Principal Financial Officer Principal Accounting Officer) |
October 2, 2013 | By: | /s/ TAN POAY TEIK |
Tan PoayTeik Chief Officer, Marketing |
October 2, 2013 | By: | /s/ CHEN BORHANN |
Chen BorHann Corporate Secretary |
October 2, 2013 | By: | /s/ YAP KOI MING |
Yap Koi Ming Director |
October 2, 2013 | By: | |
Nils Erik Sandberg Director |
75 |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
76 |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | F-1 |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | F-2 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | F-3 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | F-4 - F-5 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | F-6 |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | F-7 -F-42 |
Madsen & Associates CPAs, Inc. |
684 East Vine Street #3, Murray, UT 84107 | PHONE: (801) 268-2632 | FAX: (801) 268-3978 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Sino Agro Food, Inc.
(Incorporated in the State of Nevada, United States of America)
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and the consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income, the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”).Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor have we been engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statements presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The Company has restated its statement of cash flows to correct an error related to the reporting of cash flows from the sale of a subsidiary during 2011. The effects of this restatement are explained in note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2011, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
s/Madsen & Associates CPA’s, Inc.
Madsen & Associates CPA’s, Inc.
Murray, Utah
April 15, 2013, except for note 34 to the financial statements which is dated April 23, 2013
- F-1 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
$ | $ | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 8,424,265 | $ | 1,387,908 | ||||
Inventories | 17,114,755 | 4,435,445 | ||||||
Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | 2,336,880 | 456,104 | ||||||
Deposits and prepaid expenses | 47,308,857 | 14,868,838 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | 52,948,350 | 27,531,915 | ||||||
Due from related parties | - | 15,820,752 | ||||||
Other receivables | 5,954,248 | 9,688,871 | ||||||
Total current assets | 134,087,355 | 74,189,833 | ||||||
Property and equipment | ||||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 19,946,302 | 2,667,765 | ||||||
Construction in progress | 24,492,510 | 3,577,869 | ||||||
Land use rights, net of accumulated amortization | 55,733,246 | 56,507,470 | ||||||
Total property and equipment | 100,172,058 | 62,753,104 | ||||||
Other assets | ||||||||
Goodwill | 724,940 | 724,940 | ||||||
Proprietary technologies, net of accumulated amortization | 8,114,624 | 6,977,675 | ||||||
Long term accounts receivable | - | 5,936,718 | ||||||
License rights | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Unconsolidated equity investee | - | 1,258,607 | ||||||
Total other assets | 8,839,565 | 14,897,941 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 243,098,978 | $ | 151,840,878 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 5,762,643 | $ | 1,202,104 | ||||
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts | 2,790,084 | 1,962,119 | ||||||
Due to a director | 3,345,803 | 289,764 | ||||||
Dividends payable | 951,308 | 155,957 | ||||||
Other payables | 6,654,478 | 11,968,148 | ||||||
Due to related parties | - | 867,413 | ||||||
Short term bank loan | 3,181,927 | - | ||||||
22,686,243 | 16,445,505 | |||||||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||||
Deferred dividends payable | 3,146,987 | - | ||||||
Long term debts | 175,006 | - | ||||||
3,321,993 | - | |||||||
Commitments and contingencies | - | - | ||||||
Stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Preferred stock: $0.001 par value | ||||||||
(10,000,000 shares authorized, 10,000,100 and 7,000,100 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | - | - | ||||||
Series A preferred stock: $0.001 par value | ||||||||
(100 shares designated, 100 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | - | - | ||||||
Series B convertible preferred stock: $0.001 par value | ||||||||
(10,000,000 shares designated, 10,000,000 and 7,000,000 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31,2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | 10,000 | 7,000 | ||||||
Series F Non-convertible preferred stock: $0.001 par value | ||||||||
(1,000,000 shares designated, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | - | - | ||||||
Common stock: $0.001 par value | ||||||||
(130,000,000 shares authorized, 100,004,850 and 67,034,262 shares issued and oustanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | 100,005 | 67,034 | ||||||
Additional paid - in capital | 91,216,428 | 72,794,902 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 103,864,308 | 50,395,444 | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 3,868,274 | 3,446,838 | ||||||
Treasury stock | (1,250,000 | ) | (1,250,000 | ) | ||||
Total Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries stockholders' equity | 197,809,015 | 125,461,218 | ||||||
Non - controlling interest | 19,281,727 | 9,934,155 | ||||||
Total stockholders' equity | 217,090,742 | 135,395,373 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 243,098,978 | $ | 151,840,878 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
- F-2 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
$ | $ | |||||||
Continuing operations | ||||||||
Revenue | 138,613,639 | 51,879,903 | ||||||
Cost of goods sold | 68,807,471 | 26,951,874 | ||||||
Gross profit | 69,806,168 | 24,928,029 | ||||||
General and administrative expenses | (8,385,862 | ) | (5,302,736 | ) | ||||
Net income from operations | 61,420,306 | 19,625,293 | ||||||
Other income (expenses) | ||||||||
Government grant | 139,836 | - | ||||||
Other income | 308,332 | 449,498 | ||||||
Gain of extinguishment of debts | 1,666,386 | 987,518 | ||||||
Interest expenses | (282,320 | ) | - | |||||
Net other income (expenses) | 1,832,234 | 1,437,016 | ||||||
Net income before income taxes | 63,252,540 | 21,062,309 | ||||||
Provision for income taxes | - | (31 | ) | |||||
Net income from continuing operations | 63,252,540 | 21,062,278 | ||||||
Less: Net (income) attributableto the non - controlling interest | (5,706,708 | ) | (5,371,246 | ) | ||||
Net income from continuing operations attributable to the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries | 57,545,832 | 15,691,032 | ||||||
Discontinued operations | ||||||||
Net income from discontinued operations | - | 10,203,951 | ||||||
Less: Net income attributable to the non - controlling interest | - | - | ||||||
Net income from discontinued operations attributableto the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries | - | 10,203,951 | ||||||
Net income attributable tothe Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries | 57,545,832 | 25,894,983 | ||||||
Other comprehensive income | ||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | 448,984 | 3,815,775 | ||||||
Comprehensive income | 57,994,816 | 29,710,758 | ||||||
Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to the non - controlling interest | (27,548 | ) | (721,880 | ) | ||||
Comprehensive income attributable tothe Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries | 57,967,268 | 28,988,878 | ||||||
Earnings per share attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries common stockholders: | ||||||||
From continuing and discontinued operations | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.43 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.39 | ||||
Earnings per share attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries common stockholders: | ||||||||
From continuing operations | ||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.26 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||
Basic | 82,016,910 | 60,158,210 | ||||||
Diluted | 92,016,910 | 67,158,210 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
- F-3 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
Series A | Series B Convertible | Series F Non convertible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock | Preferred stock | Preferred stock | preferred stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Par value $0.001 | Par value $0.001 | Par value $0.001 | Par value $0.001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Number | Number | Number | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of shares | Amount | of shares | Amount | of shares | Amount | of shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2011 | 55,474,136 | 55,474 | 100 | - | 7,000,000 | 7,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- For settlement of debts | 15,619,397 | 15,619 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Services rendered | 1,800,000 | 1,800 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Employees' compensation | 2,760,729 | 2,761 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock redeemed at stated value for cancellation | (8,620,000 | ) | (8,620 | ) | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disposal of HYT group | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Continuing operation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Discontinued operation | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2011 | 67,034,262 | 67,034 | 100 | - | 7,000,000 | 7,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of Series B convertible preferred stock | - | - | - | - | 3,000,000 | 3,000 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- settlement of debts | 32,064,588 | 32,065 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Employees' compensation | 906,000 | 906 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortize discount- Convertible notes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Continuing operation | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Business combination of subsidiaries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | 100,004,850 | 100,005 | 100 | - | 10,000,000 | 10,000 | - | - |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
- F-4 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treasury stock | Additional | other | Non - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | paid - in | Retained | comprehensive | controlling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
of shares | Amount | capital | earnings | income | interest | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of January 1, 2011 | - | - | 58,586,362 | 25,019,971 | 3,804,116 | 13,578,958 | 101,051,881 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- settlement of debts | - | - | 11,496,767 | - | - | - | 11,512,386 | |||||||||||||||||||||
- services rendered | - | - | 1,618,200 | - | - | - | 1,620,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
- employees' compensation | - | - | 2,664,353 | - | - | - | 2,667,114 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock redeemed at stated value for cancellation | - | - | (1,570,780 | ) | - | - | - | (1,579,400 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock | (1,000,000 | ) | (1,250,000 | ) | - | - | - | - | (1,250,000 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Disposal of HYT group | - | - | - | - | (3,451,173 | ) | (9,737,929 | ) | (13,189,102 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Continuing operation | - | - | - | 15,691,032 | - | 5,371,246 | 21,062,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||
- Discontinued operation | - | - | - | 10,203,951 | - | - | 10,203,951 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | (519,510 | ) | - | - | (519,510 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | 3,093,895 | 721,880 | 3,815,775 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2011 | (1,000,000 | ) | (1,250,000 | ) | 72,794,902 | 50,395,444 | 3,446,838 | 9,934,155 | 135,395,373 | |||||||||||||||||||
. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of Series B convertible preferred stock | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Issue of common stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- settlement of debts | - | - | 17,831,352 | - | - | - | 17,863,417 | |||||||||||||||||||||
- employees' compensation | - | - | 361,494 | - | - | - | 362,400 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortize discount - Convertible notes | 228,680 | 228,680 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income for the year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Continuing operation | - | - | - | 57,545,832 | - | 5,706,708 | 63,252,540 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Business combination of subsidiaries | - | - | - | - | - | 3,613,316 | 3,613,316 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends | - | - | - | (4,076,968 | ) | - | - | (4,076,968 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation gain | - | - | - | - | 421,436 | 27,548 | 448,984 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | (1,000,000 | ) | (1,250,000 | ) | 91,216,428 | 103,864,308 | 3,868,274 | 19,281,727 | 217,090,742 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
- F-5 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND 2011
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 63,252,540 | $ | 21,062,278 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash from operations: | ||||||||
Depreciation | 443,361 | 220,810 | ||||||
Amortization | 1,934,909 | 1,043,181 | ||||||
(Gain) on extinguishment of debts | (1,666,386 | ) | (987,518 | ) | ||||
Common stock issued for services and employee's compensation | 2,229,657 | 2,139,057 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Increase in inventories | (10,037,494 | ) | (3,018,112 | ) | ||||
Increase in deposits and prepaid expenses | (34,307,276 | ) | (7,374,355 | ) | ||||
Increase (decrease) in due to a director | 12,239,470 | (6,313,966 | ) | |||||
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses | 3,330,443 | 833,667 | ||||||
(Decrease) increase in other payables | 1,482,417 | 16,748,043 | ||||||
Increase in accounts receivable | (18,142,198 | ) | (18,250,484 | ) | ||||
Increase in cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | (1,880,776 | ) | (456,104 | ) | ||||
Increase in billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of costs and estimated earnings | 827,965 | 1,962,119 | ||||||
(Decrease) Increase in due to related parties | (867,413 | ) | 643,529 | |||||
Decrease (Increase) in due from related parties | 15,820,752 | - | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in other receivables | 3,734,623 | (3,651,677 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 38,394,594 | 4,600,468 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
Acquisition of proprietary technologies | (1,500,000 | ) | - | |||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (10,756,744 | ) | (252,346 | ) | ||||
Proceeds of disposal of subsidiaries | - | 557,700 | ||||||
Investment in unconsolidated equity investees | - | (1,258,607 | ) | |||||
Net cash outflow from business combination of subsidiaries less cash acquired | (6,893,349 | ) | - | |||||
Payment for construction in progress | (19,185,878 | ) | (1,346,394 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (38,335,971 | ) | (2,299,647 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Proceeds From Long term debt | 175,006 | - | ||||||
Non-controlling interest contribution | 3,634,064 | - | ||||||
Proceeds from Short term debt | 3,181,927 | - | ||||||
Dividends paid | (134,631 | ) | (573,814 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 6,856,366 | (573,814 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by continuing operations | 6,914,989 | 1,727,007 | ||||||
Cash flows from discontinued operations | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | - | - | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | - | (3,137,885 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in financing activities | - | - | ||||||
Net cash used in discontinued operations | - | (3,137,885 | ) | |||||
Effects on exchange rate changes on cash | 121,368 | (1,091,240 | ) | |||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 7,036,357 | (2,502,118 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 1,387,908 | 3,890,026 | ||||||
8,424,265 | 1,387,908 | |||||||
Less: cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year - discontinued operation | - | - | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year - continuing operations | $ | 8,424,265 | $ | 1,387,908 | ||||
Supplementary disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 282,320 | - | |||||
Cash paid for income taxes | - | $ | 31 | |||||
Non - cash transactions: | ||||||||
Common stock issued for settlement of debts | $ | 17,863,417 | $ | 11,512,386 | ||||
Series B convertible preferred stock | $ | 3,000 | - | |||||
Common stock issued for service and employee compensation | $ | 362,400 | $ | 4,278,114 | ||||
Common stock acquired for cancellation | - | $ | (1,579,400 | ) | ||||
Transfer to property and equipment from construction in progress | $ | 6,419,170 | - | |||||
Transfer to land use rights from construction in progress | $ | 528,451 | - | |||||
Settlement of land use rights payable in contra of disposal proceeds receivable | - | $ | 38,056,750 | |||||
Disposal proceeds receivable from sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX | - | $ | 5,386,233 | |||||
Purchases of treasury stock | - | $ | (1,250,000 | ) |
Note: Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
- F-6 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | CORPORATE INFORMATION |
Sino Agro Food, Inc. (the “Company” or “SIAF”) (formerly known as Volcanic Gold, Inc. and A Power Agro Agriculture Development, Inc.) was incorporated on October 1, 1974 in the State of Nevada.
The Company was engaged in the mining and exploration business but ceased its mining and exploring business on October 14, 2005. On August 24, 2007, the Company entered into a Merger and Acquisition Agreement with Capital Award Inc., a Belize corporation (“CA”) and its subsidiaries Capital Stage Inc. (“CS”) and Capital Hero Inc. (“CH”). Effective the same date, CA completed a reverse merger transaction with SIAF. SIAF acquired all the outstanding common stock of CA from Capital Adventure, a shareholder of CA, for 32,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.
On August 24, 2007 the Company changed its name from Volcanic Gold, Inc. to A Power Agro Agriculture Development, Inc. On December 8, 2007, the Company changed its name to Sino Agro Food, Inc.
On September 5, 2007, the Company acquired three existing businesses in the People’s Republic of China (the“PRC”):
(a) | Hang Yu Tai Investment Limited (“HYT”), a company incorporated in Macau, the owner of a 78% equity interest in ZhongXingNongMu Ltd (“ZX”), a company incorporated in the PRC; |
(b) | Tri-way Industries Limited (“TRW”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong; |
(c) | Macau Eiji Company Limited (“MEIJI”), a company incorporated in Macau, the owner of 75% equity interest in Enping City Juntang Town Hang Sing Tai Agriculture Co. Ltd. (“HST”), a PRC corporate Sino-Foreign joint venture. HST was dissolved in 2010. |
On November 27, 2007, MEIJI and HST established a corporate Sino - Foreign joint venture, Jiang Men City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd. (“JHST”), a company incorporated in the PRC with MEIJI owning a 75% interest and HST owning a 25% interest.
On November 26, 2008, SIAF established Pretty Mountain Holdings Limited (“PMH”), a company incorporated in Hong Kong with an 80% equity interest. On May 25, 2009, PMH formed a corporate Sino-Foreign joint venture, Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Ltd. (“SJAP”), incorporated in the PRC, of which PMH owns a 45% equity interest. At the time, the remaining 55% equity interest in SJAP was owned by the following entities:
• | Qinghai Province Sanjiang Group Company Limited (English translation) (“Qinghai Sanjiang”), a company owned by the PRC with major business activities in the agriculture industry; and |
• | Guangzhou City Garwor Company Limited (English translation) (“Garwor”), a private limited company incorporated in the PRC, specializing in sales and marketing. |
SJAP is engaged in the business of manufacturing bio-organic fertilizer, livestock feed and development of other agriculture projects in the County of Huangyuan, in the vicinity of the Xining City, Qinghai Province, PRC.
In September 2009, the Company carried out an internal reorganization of its corporate structure and business, and formed a 100% owned subsidiary, A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Limited (“APWAM”), which was formed in Macau. APWAM then acquired PMH’s 45% equity interest in SJAP. By virtue of the acquisition, APWAM assumed all obligations and liabilities of PMH under the Sino Foreign Joint Venture Agreement. On May 7, 2010, Qinghai Sanjiang sold and transferred its equity interest in SJAP to Garwor. The State Administration for Industry and Commerce of Xining City Government of the PRC approved the sale and transfer. As a result, APWAM owned 45% of SJAP and Garwor owned the remaining 55%. This remains the case as of the date of this annual report (the “Report”).
On September 9, 2010, an application was submitted by the Company to the Companies Registry of Hong Kong for deregistration of PMH under Section 291AA of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance. On January 28, 2011, PMH was dissolved.
On February 15, 2011 and on March 29, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU), respectively, to sell 100% equity interest in HYT group (including HYT and ZX)to Mr. Xin Ming Sun, a director of ZhongXingNong Nu Co., Ltd for $45,000,000, with an effective date of January 1, 2011.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | CORPORATE INFORMATION (CONTINUED) |
The Company applied to form Enping City Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Limited (“EBAPCD”), in which the Company would indirectly own a 25% equity interest on February 28, 2011.
On February 28, 2011, TRW applied to form a corporate joint venture, Enping City Bi Tao A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“EBAPFD”), incorporated in the PRC. TRW owned a 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. On November 17, 2011, TRW formed Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“JFD”) in which it acquired a 25% equity interest, while withdrawing its 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had invested $1,258,607 in JFD. JFD operates an indoor fish farm. On January 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for total cash consideration of $1,662,365. On April 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for the amount of $1,702,580. The Company presently owns a 75% equity interest in JFD, representing majority of votes and controls its board of directors. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had consolidated the assets and operations of JFD.
On April 15, 2011, MEIJI applied to form Enping City A Power Cattle Farm Co., Limited (“ECF”), all of which the Company would indirectly own a 25% equity interest in on November 17, 2011. On January 1, 2012, the Company had invested $1,076,489 in ECF. On September 17, 2012 MEIJI formed Jiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited (“JHMC”) and acquired additional 50% equity interest for $2,944,176 on September 30,2012 while withdrawing its 25% equity interest in ECF. The Company presently owns 75% equity interest in JHMC, representing majority of votes and controls its board of directors. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had consolidated the assets and operations of JHMC.
On July 18, 2011, the Company formed Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co., Limited (“HSA”), in which the Company owns a 26% equity interest, and SJAP owns a 50% equity interest with the Chinese partner owning the remaining 24%. As of December 31, 2012, MEIJI and SJAP invested $130,000 and $425,000 in HSA, respectively.
The Company’s principal executive office is located at Room 3801, Block A, China Shine Plaza, No. 9 Lin He Xi Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PRC, 510610.
The nature of the operations and principal activities of the Company and its subsidiaries are described in Note 2.2.
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
2.1 | FIISCAL YEAR |
The Company has adopted December 31 as its fiscal year end.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.2 | REPORTING ENTITY |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the following entities:
Name of subsidiaries | Place of incorporation | Percentage of interest | Principal activities |
Capital Award Inc. (“CA”) | Belize | 100% (2011: 100%) directly | Fishery development and holder of AP License |
Capital Stage Inc. (“CS”) | Belize | 100% (2011:100%) indirectly | Dormant |
Capital Hero Inc. (“CH”) | Belize | 100% (2011: 100%) indirectly | Dormant |
Tri-way Industries Limited (“TRW”) | Hong Kong, PRC | 100% (2011: 100%) directly | Investment holding, holder of enzyme technology master license for manufacturing of livestock feed and bio-organic fertilizer and has not commenced its planned business of fish farm operations. |
Macau Meiji Limited (“MEIJI”) | Macau, PRC | 100% (2011: 100%) directly | Investment holding, cattle farm development, beef cattle and beef trading |
A Power Agro Agriculture Development (Macau) Limited (“APWAM”) | Macau, PRC | 100% (2011: 100%) directly | Investment holding |
Jiang Men City Heng Sheng Tai Agriculture Development Co. Ltd (“JHST”) | PRC | 75% (2011: 75%) directly | Hylocereus Undatus Plantation (“HU Plantation”). |
Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“JFD”) | PRC | 75% indirectly treated as subsidiary (2011: 25% indirectly and treated as unconsolidated equity interest) | Fish cultivation |
Jiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited (“JHMC”) Formerly known as Enping City A Power Cattle Farm Co., Limited (“ECF”) | PRC | 75% indirectly treated as subsidiary (2011: 25% indirectly and treated as unconsolidated equity interest) | Beef cattle cultivation |
Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co., Limited (“HSA”) | PRC | 26% directly and 50% indirectly (2011: 26% directly and 50% indirectly) | Manufacturing of organic fertilizer,livestock feed, and beef cattle and sheep cultivation, and plantation of crops and pastures |
Name of variable interest entity | Place of incorporation | Percentage of interest | Principal activities |
Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co., Ltd (“SJAP”) | PRC | 45% (2011: 45%) indirectly | Manufacturing of organic fertilizer,livestock feed, and beef cattle and plantation of crops and pastures |
Name of unconsolidated equity investee | Place of incorporation | Percentage of interest | Principal activities |
Enping City Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co., Limited (“EBAPCD”) (pending approval) | PRC | 25% (2011: 25% indirectly) | Prawn cultivation |
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.3 | BASIS OF PRESENTATION |
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this interim report should be read in conjunction with the information included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.
2.4 | BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION |
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company, its subsidiaries CA, CS, CH, TRW, MEIJI, HYT, ZX, HJST, JFD, JHMC, HSA and APWAM and its variable interest entity SJAP. All material inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. HYT and ZX were no longer recognized as subsidiaries as of January 1, 2011 and PMH was dissolved on January 28, 2011.
SIAF, CA, CS, CH, TRW, MEIJI, JHST, JFD, JHMC , HSA, APWAM and SJAP are hereafter referred to as (“the Company”).
2.5 | BUSINESS COMBINATION |
The Company adopted the accounting pronouncements relating to business combination (primarily contained in ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations”), including assets acquired and liabilities assumed on arising from contingencies. These pronouncements established principles and requirement for how the acquirer of a business recognizes and measures in its financial statements he identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any non-controlling interest in the acquisition as well as provides guidance for recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. In addition, these pronouncements eliminate the distinction between contractual and non-contractual contingencies, including the initial recognition and measurement criteria and require an acquirer to develop a systematic and rational basis for subsequently measuring and accounting for acquired contingencies depending on their nature. The Company’s adoption of these pronouncements will have an impact on the manner in which it accounts for any future acquisitions.
2.6 | NON - CONTROLLING INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The Company adopted the accounting pronouncement on non-controlling interests in consolidated financial statements, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This guidance is primarily contained in ASC Topic “Consolidation.” It clarifies that a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this standard has not had material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
2.7 | USE OF ESTIMATES |
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods covered thereby. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Judgments and estimates of uncertainties are required in applying the Company’s accounting policies in certain areas. The following are some of the areas requiring significant judgments and estimates: determinations of the useful lives of assets, estimates of allowances for doubtful accounts, cash flow and valuation assumptions in performing asset impairment tests of long-lived assets, estimates of the realization of deferred tax assets and inventory reserves.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.8 | REVENUE RECOGNITION |
The Company’s revenue recognition policies are in compliance with ASC 605. Sales revenue is recognized when all of the following have occurred: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) the ability to collect is reasonably assured. These criteria are generally satisfied at the time of shipment when risk of loss and title passes to the customer.
License fee income is recognized on the accrual basis in accordance with the agreements.
Government grants are recognized when (i) the Company has substantially accomplished what must be done pursuant to the terms of the grant that are established by the local government; and (ii) the Company receives notification from the local government that the Company has satisfied all of the requirements to receive the government grants; and (iii) the amounts are received.
Revenues from the Company's fishery development services contracts are performed under fixed-price contracts. Revenues under long-term contracts are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605,Revenue Recognition(“ASC 605”). Under the percentage-of-completion method, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract and recognizes that profit over the contract term. The percentage of costs incurred determines the amount of revenue to be recognized. Payment terms are generally defined by the installation contract and as a result may not match the timing of the costs incurred by the Company and the related recognition of revenue. Such differences are recorded as either costs or estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts or billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts. The Company determines a customer’s credit worthiness at the time an order is accepted. Sudden and unexpected changes in a customer’s financial condition could put recoverability at risk.
The percentage of completion method requires the ability to estimate several factors, including the ability of the customer to meet its obligations under the contract, including the payment of amounts when due. If the Company determines that collectability is not assured, the Company will defer revenue recognition and use methods of accounting for the contract such as the completed contract method until such time as the Company determines that collectability is reasonably assured or through the completion of the project.
For fixed-price contracts, the Company uses the ratio of costs incurred to date on the contract to management's estimate of the contract's total costs, to determine the percentage of completion on each contract. This method is used as management considers expended costs to be the best available measure of progression of these contracts. Contract costs include all direct material, subcontract and labor costs and those indirect costs related to contract performance, such as supplies, tool repairs and depreciation. The Company accounts for maintenance and repair services under the guidance of ASC 605 as the services provided relate to construction work. Contract costs incurred to date and expected total contract costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract. Changes in job performance, job conditions, and estimated profitability arising from contract penalty, change orders and final contract settlements may result in revisions to the estimated profit ability during the contract. These changes, which include contracts with estimated costs in excess of estimated revenues, are recognized as contract costs in the period in which the revisions are determined. Profit incentives are included in revenues when their realization is reasonably assured. At the point the Company anticipates a loss on a contract, the Company estimates the ultimate loss through completion and recognizes that loss in the period in which the loss was identified.
The Company’s fishery development consultancy services revenues are recognized when the relevant services are rendered to a buyer.
The Company does not provide warranties to customers on a basis customary to the industry, however, customers can claim warranty directly from product manufacturers for defects in equipment or products. Historically, the Company has experienced no warranty claims
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
2.9 | COST OF GOODS SOLD |
Cost of goods sold consists primarily of direct purchase cost of merchandise goods, and related levies.
2.10 | SHIPPING AND HANDLING |
Shipping and handling costs related to cost of goods sold are included in general and administrative expenses which totaled $84,298 and $58,096 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
2.11 | ADVERTISING |
Advertising costs are included in general and administrative expenses, which totaled $1,973 and $99,526 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
2.12 | FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company is the Chinese Renminbi (RMB).
For those entities whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, all assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date; shareholders’ equity is translated at historical rates and items in the statements of income and of cash flows are translated at the average rate for the period. Because cash flows are translated based on the average translation rate, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported in the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances in the balance sheets. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statements of shareholders’ equity. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the statements of income and comprehensive income, as incurred.
Accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity amounted to $3,875,101 as of December 31, 2012 and $ 3,446,838 as of December 31, 2011. The balance sheet amounts with the exception of equity as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were translated using an exchange rate of RMB 6.29 to $1.00 and RMB 6.30 to $1.00, respectively. The average translation rates applied to the statements of income and other comprehensive income and of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were RMB 6.31 to $1.00 and RMB 6.33 to $1.00, respectively.
2.13 | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
The Company considers all highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents kept with financial institutions in the PRC are not insured or otherwise protected. Should any of those institutions holding the Company’s cash become insolvent, or should the Company become unable to withdraw funds for any reason, the Company could lose the cash on deposit with that institution.
2.14 | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE |
The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
The standard credit period for most of the Company’s clients is three months. The collection period over 1 year is classified as long-term accounts receivable. Management evaluates the collectability of the receivables at least quarterly. Provision for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are $0.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.15 | INVENTORIES |
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined on a weighted average basis) and net realizable value.
Costs incurred in bringing each product to its location and conditions are accounted for as follows:
(a) | raw materials – purchase cost on a weighted average basis; |
(b) | manufactured finished goods and work-in-progress – cost of direct materials and labor and a proportion of manufacturing overhead based on normal operation capacity but excluding borrowing costs; and |
(c) | retail and wholesale merchandise finished goods – purchase cost on a weighted average basis. |
Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs for completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.
2.16 | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Such costs include the cost of replacing parts that are eligible for capitalization when the cost of replacing the parts is incurred. Similarly, when each major inspection is performed, its cost is recognized in the carrying amount of the property and equipment as a replacement only if it is eligible for capitalization. The assets’ residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at each financial year end.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Plant and machinery | 5 - 10 years |
Structure and leasehold improvements | 10 - 20 years |
Mature seeds | 20 years |
Furniture and equipment | 2.5 - 10 years |
Motor vehicles | 5 -10 years |
An item of property and equipment is removed from the accounts upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on disposal of the asset (calculated as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the item) is included in the consolidated statements of income in the period the item is disposed.
2.17 | GOODWILL |
Goodwill is an asset representing the fair economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified or separately recognized. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis at the end of the Company’s fiscal year, or when impairment indicators arise. The Company uses a fair-value-based approach to test for impairment at the level of each reporting unit. The Company directly acquired MEIJI, which is the holding company of JHST that operates the Hu Plantation. As a result of this acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill in the amount of $724,940. This goodwill represents the fair value of the assets acquired in these acquisitions over the cost of the assets acquired.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.18 | PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES |
A master license of stock feed manufacturing technology was acquired and the costs of acquisition are capitalized as proprietary technologies when technological feasibility has been established. Stock feed manufacturing technology is amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated life of 20 years.
An aromatic cattle-feeding formula was acquired and the costs of acquisition are capitalized as proprietary technologies when technological feasibility has been established. Stock feed manufacturing technology is amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated life of 25 years.
The Company has determined that technological feasibility is established at the time a working model of products is completed. Proprietary technologies are intangible assets of finite lives. Management evaluates the recoverability of proprietary technologies on an annual basis at the end of the Company’s fiscal year, or when impairment indicators arise. As required by ASC Topic 350 “Intangible – Goodwill and Other”, the Company uses a fair-value-based approach to test for impairment.
2.19 | CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS |
Construction in progress represents direct costs of construction as well as acquisition and design fees incurred. Capitalization of these costs ceases and the construction in progress is transferred to property and equipment when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. No depreciation is provided until construction is completed and the asset is ready for its intended use.
2.20 | LAND USE RIGHTS |
Land use rights represent acquisition of rights to agricultural land from farmers and are amortized on the straight-line basis over their respective lease periods. The lease period of agricultural land is in the range from 30 to 60 years. Land use rights purchase prices were determined in accordance with the 2007 PRC Government’s minimum lease payments on agricultural land and mutually agreed to terms between the Company and the vendors.
2.21 | CORPORATE JOINT VENTURE |
A corporation formed, owned, and operated by two or more businesses as a separate and discrete business or project (venture) for their mutual benefit is considered to be a corporate joint venture. Investee entities, in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of these companies is included in net income.
A loss in value of an investment that is other than a temporary decline is recognized as a charge to operations. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity that would justify the carrying amount of the investment.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.22 | VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY |
A variable interest entity (“VIE”) is an entity (investee) in which the investor has obtained less than a majority interest, according to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). A VIE is subject to consolidation if a VIE meets one of the following three criteria as elaborated in ASC Topic 810-10, Consolidation:
(a) | equity-at-risk is not sufficient to support the entity's activities; |
(b) | as a group, the equity-at-risk holders cannot control the entity; or |
(c) | the economics do not coincide with the voting interest |
If a firm is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, the holdings must be disclosed on the balance sheet. The primary beneficiary is defined as the person or company with the majority of variable interests. A corporation formed, owned, and operated by two or more businesses (ventures) as a separate and discrete business or project (venture) for their mutual benefit is defined as a joint venture.
2.23 | TREASURY STOCK |
Treasury stock means shares of a corporation’s own stock that have been issued and subsequently reacquired by the corporation. Converting outstanding shares to treasury shares does not reduce the number of shares issued but does reduce the number of shares outstanding. These shares are not eligible to receive dividends. Accounting for excesses and deficiencies on treasury stock transactions is governed by ASC 505-30-30.
State laws and federal agencies closely regulate transactions involving a company’s own capital stock, so the purchase of outstanding shares must have a legitimate purpose. Some of the most common reasons for purchasing outstanding shares are as follows:
(a) | to meet additional stock needs for various reasons, including newly implemented stock option plans, stock for convertible bonds or convertible preferred stock, or a stock dividend. |
(b) | to make more shares available for acquisitions of other entities. |
The cost method of accounting for treasury shares has been adopted by the Company. The purchase of outstanding shares and thus converting them into treasury shares is treated as a temporary reduction in shareholders’ equity in view of the expectation to reissue the shares instead of retiring them. When the Company reissues the treasury shares, the temporary account is eliminated. The cost of acquiring outstanding shares for converting into treasury shares is charged to a contra account, in this case a contra equity account that reduces the stockholder equity balance.
2.24 | INCOME TAXES |
The Company accounts for income taxes under the provisions of ASC Topic 740 “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Under ASC Topic 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
The provision for income tax is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items, which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method in respect of temporary differences arising from differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of assessable tax profit. In principle, deferred tax liabilities are recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilized.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.24 | INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) |
Deferred income taxes are calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, except when it related to items credited or charged directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Company intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
ASC Topic 740 also prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken, or for one expected to be taken, in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance related to, among other things, classification, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and disclosure requirements. Any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits will be recorded as tax expense.
2.25 | POLITICAL AND BUSINESS RISK |
The Company's operations are carried out in the PRC. Accordingly, the political, economic and legal environment in the PRC may influence the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations by the general state of the PRC's economy. The Company's operations in the PRC are subject to specific considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. The Company's results may be adversely affected by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.26 | CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK |
Cash includes cash at banks and demand deposits in accounts maintained with banks within the PRC. Total cash in these banks as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 amounted to $8,403,458 and $1,379,837, respectively, none of which is covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any risks to its cash in bank accounts.
Accounts receivable are derived from revenue earned from customers located primarily in the PRC. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of customers and has not experienced any material losses to date.
The Company had 5 major customers whose revenue individually represented the following percentages of the Company’s total revenue:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Customer A | 32.44 | % | - | |||||
Customer B | 10.27 | % | - | |||||
Customer C | 9.69 | % | - | |||||
Customer D | 6.34 | % | - | |||||
Customer E | 6.01 | % | - | |||||
Customer F | 29.03 | % | ||||||
Customer G | - | 13.96 | % | |||||
Customer H | - | 13.87 | % | |||||
Customer I | - | 8.24 | % | |||||
Customer J | - | 6.68 | % | |||||
64.75 | % | 71.78 | % |
The Company had 5 major customers whose accounts receivable balance individually represented the following percentages of the Company’s total accounts receivable:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Customer A | 18.18 | % | 15.31 | % | ||||
Customer B | 14.32 | % | - | |||||
Customer C | 11.14 | % | - | |||||
Customer D | 9.94 | % | - | |||||
Customer E | 8.23 | % | - | |||||
Customer F | 9.14 | % | ||||||
Customer G | - | 8.60 | % | |||||
Customer H | - | 8.39 | % | |||||
Customer I | - | 8.22 | % | |||||
61.81 | % | 49.66 | % |
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.27 | IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS |
In accordance with ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment,” long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets, including intangibles, for impairment, each reporting period. An asset is considered impaired when estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the asset. In the event the carrying amount of such asset is considered not recoverable, the asset is adjusted to its fair value. Fair value is generally determined based on discounted future cash flow. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company determined no impairment charges were necessary.
2.28 | EARNINGS PER SHARE |
As prescribed in ASC Topic 260 “Earnings per Share,” Basic Earnings per Share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock shares outstanding during the year plus potential dilutive instruments such as stock options and warrants. The effect of stock options on diluted EPS is determined through the application of the treasury stock method, whereby proceeds received by the Company based on assumed exercises are hypothetically used to repurchase the Company’s common stock at the average market price during the period.
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, basic earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries common stockholders amount to $0.70 and $0.43, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ common stockholders amounted to $0.63 and $0.39, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, basic earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries common stockholders amount to $0.70 and $0.26, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Sino Agro Food, Inc. and its subsidiaries’ common stockholders amounted to $0.63 and $0.23, respectively.
2.29 | ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
ASC Topic 220 “Comprehensive Income”establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in stockholders’ equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. The comprehensive income for all periods presented includes both the reported net income and net change in cumulative translation adjustments.
2.30 | RETIREMENT BENEFIT COSTS |
PRC state managed retirement benefit programs are defined contribution plans and the payments to the plans are charged as expenses when employees have rendered service entitling them to the contribution made by the employer.
2.31 | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company has adopted both ASC Topic 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” and ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non- Employees” using the fair value method in which an entity issues its equity instruments to acquire goods and services from employees and non-employees. Stock compensation for stock granted to non-employees has been determined in accordance with this accounting standard and the accounting standard regarding accounting for equity instruments that are issued to other than employees for acquiring, or in conjunction with selling goods or services, as the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measured. This accounting standard allows the “simplified” method to determine the term of employee options when other information is not available. Under ASC Topic 718 and ASC Topic 505-50, stock compensation expenses is measured at the grant date on the value of the option or restricted stock and is recognized as expenses, less expected forfeitures, over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.
- F-18 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
2.32 | FAIR value of financial INSTRUMENTS |
The Company follows paragraph 825-10-50-10 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification for disclosures about fair value of its financial instruments and paragraph 820-10-35-37 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Paragraph 820-10-35-37”) to measure the fair value of its financial instruments. Paragraph 820-10-35-37 establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures, Paragraph 820-10-35-37 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three (3) broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three (3) levels of fair value hierarchy defined by Paragraph 820-10-35-37 are described below:
Level 1 | Quoted market prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. |
Level 2 | Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. |
Level 3 | Pricing inputs that are generally observable inputs and not corroborated by market data. |
The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, such as cash and accrued expenses, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. The Company does not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or a non-recurring basis, consequently, the Company did not have any fair value adjustments for assets and liabilities measured at fair value at December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011, nor gains or losses are reported in the statements of income and comprehensive income that are attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to those assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2011.
2.33 | NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS |
The Company does not expect any recent accounting pronouncements to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In May 2011, the FASB issued amendments to authoritative guidance related to fair value measurement and disclosure requirements. The new guidance changes some fair value measurement principles and enhances disclosure requirements related to activities in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The amendments are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance specifies that an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. This guidance does not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. It also does not change the presentation of related tax effects, before related tax effects, or the portrayal or calculation of earnings per share. This guidance is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements as it amended only the presentation of comprehensive income.
In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2012-02, the amendments to ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”). The amendments apply to all entities, both public and nonpublic, that have indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, reported in their financial statements. In accordance with the amendments an entity has the option first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value with the carrying amount in accordance with Subtopic 350-30. An entity also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. An entity will be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The amendments are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will apply these amendments for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2012. The Company does not expect the adoption of the amendments to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
- F-19 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3. | SEGMENT INFORMATION |
The Company establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Company’s internal organization structure as well as business segments and major customers in consolidated financial statements. The Company operates in four principal reportable segments: Fishery Development Division, and HU Plantation Division and Organic Fertilizer and Bread Grass Division, Cattle Development Division and discontinued Dairy Production Division since January 1, 2011.
2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | Discontinued operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Organic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fishery | Fertilizer and | Cattle Farm | Dairy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Development | HU Plantation | Bread Grass | Development | Corporate and | Production | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Division | Division | Division | Division | others | Division | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 86,346,475 | $ | 11,878,599 | $ | 23,350,564 | $ | 17,038,001 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 138,613,639 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 39,150,568 | $ | 6,245,281 | $ | 3,875,609 | $ | 9,058,822 | $ | (784,448 | ) | $ | - | $ | 57,545,832 | |||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 79,222,788 | $ | 36,792,718 | $ | 96,282,055 | $ | 28,265,035 | $ | 2,536,382 | $ | - | $ | 243,098,978 |
2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | Discontinued operations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fishery Development Division | HU Plantation Division | Organic Fertilizer and Bread Grass Division | Cattle Farm Development Division | Corporate and others | Dairy Production Division | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 26,422,125 | $ | 6,113,155 | $ | 15,184,702 | $ | 4,159,921 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 51,879,903 | ||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 10,876,752 | 2,950,339 | $ | 3,262,178 | $ | 1,466,290 | $ | (2,864,527 | ) | $ | 10,203,951 | $ | 25,894,983 | ||||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 37,030,261 | $ | 27,672,083 | $ | 54,353,901 | $ | 7,152,129 | $ | 25,632,504 | $ | - | $ | 151,840,878 |
- F-20 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. | INCOME TAXES |
United States of America
The Company was incorporated in the State of Nevada, in the United States of America. The Company has no trading operations in United States of America and no US corporate tax has been provided for in the consolidated financial statements of the Company
China
Beginning January 1, 2008, the new Enterprise Income Tax (“EIT”) law replaced the existing laws for Domestic Enterprises (“DE’s”) and Foreign Invested Enterprises (“FIE’s”). The new standard EIT rate of 25% replaced the 33% rate currently applicable to both DE’s and FIE’s. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the new EIT will have on its financial condition. Beginning January 1, 2008, China unified the corporate income tax rule on foreign invested enterprises and domestic enterprises. The unified corporate income tax rate is 25%.
Under new tax legislation in China beginning in January 2008, the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors are exempt from enterprise income taxes.
No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of CA, ZX, JHST, JHMC, JFD, HSA and SJAP since they are exempt from EIT for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors.
However, as of December 31, 2012, Taxation Department agreed that HSA is exempt from EIT for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of HSA for the income earned for the years December 31, 2012 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors. EIT has been provided in the financial statements of HSA at 25% for the income for the years ended December 31, 2011 as part of its revenue was generated from other source of supply other than SJAP that was not exempted from EIT.
However, as of December 31, 2012, Taxation Department agreed that JFD is exempt from EIT for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. No EIT has been provided in the financial statements of JFD for the income earned for the years December 31, 2012 as they are within the agriculture, dairy and fishery sectors. .JFD had been levied with an EIT of 25% in 2011, but JFD’s appealing to the Taxation Department for a waiver of this tax was successful by December 31, 2012.
Belize and Malaysia
CA, CS and CH are international business companies incorporated in Belize, and are exempt from corporate tax in Belize.
All sales invoices of CA were issued by its representative office in Malaysia and its trading and service activities are conducted in China. As the Malaysia tax law is imposed on a territorial basis and not on a worldwide basis, CA’s income is not subject to Malaysian corporate tax.
As a result, neither Belize nor Malaysia corporate tax is provided for in the consolidated financial statements of CA for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Hong Kong
No Hong Kong profits tax has been provided in the consolidated financial statements of PMH and TRW, since these entities did not earn any assessable profits for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Macau
No Macau Corporation tax has been provided in the consolidated financial statements of HYT, APWAM and MEIJI since these entities did not earn any assessable profits for the December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Provision for income taxes is as follows:
- F-21 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
4. | INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
SIAF | $ | - | $ | - | ||||
CA, CS and CH | - | - | ||||||
TRW | - | - | ||||||
MEIJI and APWAM | - | - | ||||||
JHSF, JHMC and SJAP | - | - | ||||||
HSA | - | 31 | ||||||
$ | - | $ | 31 |
5. | NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS |
On February 15, 2011 and on March 29, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement and memorandum of understanding, respectively, to sell 100% equity interest in HYT group (including HYT and ZX)to Mr. Xin Ming Sun, a director of ZhongXingNong Nu Co., Ltd for $45,000,000, with an effective date of January 1, 2011.HYT group contributed revenue and net income for the Dairy Production Division. Prior to sale of HYT group, the Dairy Production Division represented a separate business segment; the disposal group has been treated as a discontinued operation in this quarterly financial report. The post-tax result of the Dairy Production Division has been disclosed as a discontinued operation in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.
(a) Net income from discontinued operations
Note | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Revenue | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Cost of goods sold | - | - | ||||||||||
Gross profit | - | - | ||||||||||
General and administrative expenses | - | - | ||||||||||
Net income from operations | - | - | ||||||||||
Interest expense | - | - | ||||||||||
Net income before income taxes | - | - | ||||||||||
Net income from sale of subsidiaries | - | 10,203,951 | ||||||||||
Net income before income taxes | - | 10,203,951 | ||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | - | - | ||||||||||
Net income from discontinued operations | - | 10,203,951 | ||||||||||
Less: Net income attributable to the non - controlling interest | - | - | ||||||||||
Net income from discontinued operations attributable to the Sino Agro Food, Inc. and subsidiaries | $ | - | $ | 10,203,951 |
- F-22 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. | NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) |
(b) | Consideration received |
2011 | ||||
Consideration received in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 704,388 | ||
Disposal proceeds receivable of sale of subsidiaries | 44,295,612 | |||
Total consideration proceeds | $ | 45,000,000 |
- F-23 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. | NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) |
(c) | Net cash outflow on sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX |
2011 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents balance disposed of | $ | (3,137,885 | ) | |
Net cash outflow on sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX | $ | (3,137,885 | ) |
- F-24 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
5. | NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (CONTINUED) |
(d) | Detailed cash flow from discontinued operations |
Note | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||
Net income for the period | $ | - | $ | 10,203,951 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | - | - | ||||||||||
Amortization | - | - | ||||||||||
Net gain of sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX | - | (10,203,951 | ) | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Increase in inventories | - | - | ||||||||||
Increase in deposits and prepaid expenses | - | - | ||||||||||
Increase in other payables | - | - | ||||||||||
Decrease in accounts receivable | - | - | ||||||||||
Decrease in other receivables | - | - | ||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | - | - | ||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||
Net cash outflow on sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX | 5(c) | - | (3,137,885 | ) | ||||||||
Payment for acquisition of land use rights | - | - | ||||||||||
Payment for construction in progress | - | - | ||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | - | (3,137,885 | ) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | - | - | ||||||||||
Effects on exchange rate changes on cash | - | - | ||||||||||
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | - | (3,137,885 | ) | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, begining of year | - | 3,137,885 | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, at end of year | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Supplementary disclosures of cash flow information: | ||||||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | - | $ | - | ||||||||
Non - cash transactions | ||||||||||||
Disposal proceeds receivable of sale of subsidiaries, HYT and ZX | $ | - | $ | 44,295,612 |
- F-25 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
6. | DIVIDEND |
On October 10, 2011, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.01 share, to be paid on November 15, 2011 to the stockholders as of the close of business on October 30, 2011(Record Date).
On August 22, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared that the Company’s stockholders were entitled to received one share of restricted Series F Non-convertible Preferred Stock for every 100 shares of Common Stock owned by the stockholders as of September 28, 2012 (the “Record Date”), with lesser or greater amounts being rounded up to the nearest 100 shares of common stock for purpose of the computing the dividend. The holders of record of shares of Series F Non – Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a coupon payment directly from the Company at the redemption rate of $3.40 per share and be payable on May 30, 2014.
On December 6, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors has declared cash dividend on its Common Stock, payable in the amount of $0.01 for every one share issued and outstanding as of December 26, 2012 (Record Date), with a distribution date of January 15, 2013.
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Cash dividend | ||||||||
95,130,730 (2011: 51,950,974) outstanding shares of $0.01 | $ | 951,307 | $ | 519,509 | ||||
Deferred dividend | ||||||||
91,931,287 outstanding shares of $0.01 (2011: 0) | 3,125,661 | - | ||||||
$ | 4,076,968 | $ | 519,509 |
7. | CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Cash and bank balances | $ | 8,424,265 | $ | 1,387,908 |
8. | INVENTORIES |
As of December 31, 2012, inventories are as follows:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Grass carp | $ | 4,612,090 | $ | - | ||||
Bread grass | 1,473,653 | 449,984 | ||||||
Beef cattle | 2,569,659 | 825,853 | ||||||
Organic fertilizer | 737,166 | 807,689 | ||||||
Forage for cattle and consumable | 278,900 | - | ||||||
Raw materials for bread grass and organic fertilizer | 6,765,536 | 1,398,965 | ||||||
Raw materials for HU plantation | - | 11,111 | ||||||
Immature seeds | 677,751 | 842,313 | ||||||
Unharvested HU plantation | - | 99,530 | ||||||
$ | 17,114,755 | $ | 4,435,445 |
- F-26 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
9. | DEPOSITS AND PREPAID EXPENSES |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
$ | $ | |||||||
Deposits for Prepayments for purchases of equipment | 318,192 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 4,892,258 | |||||||
Deposits for- acquisition of land use right | 7,826,508 | 4,453,665 | ||||||
Deposits for- inventory purchases | 2,228,854 | 5,190,952 | ||||||
Deposits for- aquaculture contract | 7,062,600 | 3,085,164 | ||||||
Deposits for- building materials | 2,000,000 | - | ||||||
Deposits for- proprietary technology | 2,254,839 | - | ||||||
Prepayments for construction in progress | 14,423,021 | - | ||||||
Shares issued for employee compensation and oversea professional fee | 271,800 | 2,139,057 | ||||||
Temporary deposits payment for acquiring equity investments | 6,030,785 | - | ||||||
47,308,557 | 14,868,838 |
The Company made temporary deposit payments for equity investments in the future development of a prawn farm hatchery and a prawn farm nursery. Miscellaneous represents the value of the shares of the Company held by the custodian for convertible notes, rental and utility deposits, for sundries purchases and sundries prepaid expenses.
10. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE |
The Company has performed an analysis on all of its accounts receivable and determined that all amounts are collectible by the Company. As such, all accounts receivable are reflected as a current asset and no allowance for bad debt has been recorded as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. Bad debts written off for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are $0.
Aging analysis of accounts receivable is as follows:
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
0 - 30 days | $ | 10,813,981 | $ | 20,061,598 | ||||
31 - 90 days | 27,784,784 | 1,828,058 | ||||||
91 - 120 days | 6,866,842 | 2,457,259 | ||||||
over 120 days and less than 1 year | 7,482,743 | 3,185,000 | ||||||
over 1 year | - | 5,936,718 | ||||||
52,948,350 | 33,468,633 | |||||||
Less: amounts reclassified as long term accounts receivable | - | (5,936,718 | ) | |||||
$ | 52,948,350 | $ | 27,531,915 |
- F-27 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
11. | OTHER RECEIVABLES |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Temporary payments | $ | - | $ | 656,092 | ||||
Due from employees | - | 130,191 | ||||||
Due from third parties | 5,954,248 | 8,902,588 | ||||||
$ | 5,954,248 | $ | 9,688,871 |
Payments due from employees and third parties are unsecured, interest free and without fixed term of repayment. Payments due from employees are the amounts advanced for handling business transactions on behalf of the Company, and are reconciled once the business transactions have been completed.
12. | DUE FROM RELATED PARTIES |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Due from proceeds receivable | $ | - | $ | 5,386,233 | ||||
Due from HYT | - | 10,434,519 | ||||||
$ | - | $ | 15,820,752 |
The Company sold the HYT group (including HYT and ZX) effective January 1, 2011. Due from HYT is an unsettled balance, which is unsecured, interest free and to be repaid within one year from December 31, 2011.
Disposal proceeds receivable in the amount of $44,295,612 from the sale of subsidiaries are due from Mr. Xi Ming Sun, a director of ZhongXingNong Nu Co., Ltd., (i) of which $3,796,215 was settled by way of equal installments of $759,243 each on April 30, June 30, August 31, October 31 and December 31 of 2011; and (ii) the remaining $40,499,397 shall be settled by way of cash toward the Company’s purchase cost of Land (or land use rights) and / or by way of Land (or land use rights) acceptable to the Company as stated in the agreement.
As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the outstanding amount due from Mr. Xi Ming Sun is $0 and $5,386,233 , respectively.
13. | PLANT AND EQUIPMENT |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Plant and machinery | $ | 3,681,644 | $ | 1,855,068 | ||||
Structure and leasehold improvements | 15,446,062 | 27,211 | ||||||
Mature seeds | 1,369,626 | 503,663 | ||||||
Furniture and equipment | 212,479 | 773,185 | ||||||
Motor vehicles | 277,513 | 106,298 | ||||||
20,987,324 | 3,265,425 | |||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation | (1,041,022 | ) | (597,660 | ) | ||||
Net carrying amount | 19,946,302 | 2,667,765 |
- F-28 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Depreciation expense was $443,361 and $220,810 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
14. | CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Construction in progress | ||||||||
- Oven room for production of dried flowers | $ | 828,905 | $ | 826,359 | ||||
- Office, warehouse and organic fertilizer plant in HSA | 10,450,518 | 26,646 | ||||||
- Organic fertilizer and bread grass production plant and office building | 7,921,105 | 2,724,864 | ||||||
- rangeland for beef cattle and office building | 5,291,982 | - | ||||||
$ | 24,492,510 | $ | 3,577,869 |
15. | LAND USE RIGHTS |
Private ownership of agricultural land is not permitted in the PRC. Instead, the Company has leased five lots of land. The cost of the first lot of land use rights acquired in 2007 was $6,194,505, which consists of 1,985.06 acres in the Hebei Province with leaseholds expiring in 2036, 2051, 2067 and 2077. The cost of the second lot of land use rights acquired in 2007 in the Guangdong Province was $6,408,289 and consists of 174.94 acres with the lease expiring in 2067. The cost of the third lot of land use rights acquired in 2008 in the Guangdong Province was $764,128, which consists of33.68 acres with the lease expiring in 2068. The cost of the fourth lot of land use rights acquired in 2010 in the Hebei Province was $3,223,411, which consists of 825 acres with the lease expiring in 2066.The first lot of land use rights with the original cost of $6,194,505 and the fourth lot of land use rights with the original cost of $3,223,411 were disposed of with the sale of a subsidiary of ZX. The cost of the fifth lot of land use rights acquired in 2011 was $7,042,831, which consists of 57.58 acres in the Guangdong Province, with the lease expiring in 2037. The cost of the sixth lot of land use rights acquired in 2011 was $35,405,750 which consisted of 279.50 acres in the Hunan Province, PRC and the leases expire in 2061. The cost of the seventh lot of land use rights acquired in 2012 was $528,240 which consisted of 8.53 acres in the Xining City , Qinghai Province, PRC and the leases expire in 2051.
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Cost | $ | 58,630,950 | $ | 57,845,574 | ||||
Less: Accumulated amortization | (2,897,704 | ) | (1,338,104 | ) | ||||
Net carrying amount | $ | 55,733,246 | $ | 56,507,470 |
Land use rights are amortized on the straight-line basis over their respective lease periods. The lease period of agriculture land is 30 to 60 years.
Amortization of land use rights was $1,599,600 and $732,946 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
- F-29 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
16. | PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGIES |
By an agreement dated November 12, 2008, TRW acquired an enzyme technology master license, registered under a Chinese patent, for the manufacturing of livestock feed and bioorganic fertilizer and its related labels for $8,000,000. On March 6, 2012 MEIJI acquired an aromatic-feed formula technology for the production of aromatic cattle for $1,500,000.
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Proprietary technologies | $ | 9,512,258 | $ | 8,000,000 | ||||
Less: Accumulated amortization | (1,397,634 | ) | (1,022,325 | ) | ||||
Net carrying amount | $ | 8,114,624 | $ | 6,977,675 |
Amortization of proprietary technologies was $375,309 and $310,235 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. No impairments of proprietary technologies have been identified during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
17. | GOODWILL |
Goodwill represents the fair value of the assets acquired the acquisitions over the cost of the assets acquired. It is stated at cost less accumulated impairment losses.Management tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or when impairment indicators arise. In these instances, the Company recognizes an impairment loss when it is probable that the estimated cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets. To date, no such impairment loss has been recorded.
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Goodwill from acquisition | $ | 724,940 | $ | 724,940 | ||||
Less: Accumulated impairment losses | - | - | ||||||
Net carrying amount | $ | 724,940 | $ | 724,940 |
18. | UNCONSOLIDATED EQUITY INVESTEE |
On February 11, 2011, CA applied to form a corporate joint venture, Enping City Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Limited (“EBAPCD”), incorporated in the People’s Republic of China. CA has the right to acquire up to a 75% equity interest in EBAPCD. EBAPCD has not commenced its business of prawn cultivation.
On February 28, 2011, TRW applied to form a corporate joint venture, Enping City Bi Tao A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“EBAPFD”), incorporated in the PRC. TRW owned a 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. On November 17, 2011, TRW formed Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“JFD”) in which it acquired a 25% equity interest, while it withdrew its 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. As of December 31, 2011, the Company invested $1,258,607 in JFD. On January 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for the amount of $1,662,365. On April 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for the amount of $1,702,580. The Company presently owns a 75% equity interest in JFD and controls majority of votes and its board of directors. As result, the Company has consolidated the assets and operations of JFD.
On April 15, 2011, MEIJI applied to form Enping City A Power Cattle Farm Co., Limited (“ECF”), incorporated in the People’s Republic of China. MEIJI had 25% equity interest in ECF. The PRC Government granted the official name of Jiang Men City Hang Meiji Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited (“JHMC”) to ECF on June 3, 2012. On April 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for the amount of $1,702,580. The Company presently owns a 75% equity interest in ECF and controls majority of votes and its board of directors. As result, the Company has consolidated the assets and operations of JFD.
- F-30 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
18. | UNCONSOLIDATED EQUITY INVESTEE (CONTINUED) |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Investment in unconsolidated joint venture | $ | - | $ | 1,258,607 |
19. | VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY |
On September 28, 2009, APWAM acquired the PMH’s 45% equity interest in the Sino-Foreign joint venture company, Qinghai Sanjiang A Power Agriculture Co. Limited (“SJAP”), which was incorporated in the People’s Republic of China. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has invested $2,251,359 in this joint venture. SJAP is engaged in its business of the manufacturing of organic fertilizer, livestock feed, and beef cattle and plantation of crops and pastures.
Continuous assessment of the VIE relationship with SJAP
The Company may also have a controlling financial interest in an entity through an arrangement that does not involve voting interests, such as a VIE. The Company evaluates entities deemed to be VIE’s using a risk and reward model to determine whether to consolidate. A VIE is an entity (1) that has total equity at risk that is not sufficient to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other entities, (2) where the group of equity holders does not have the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, or the obligation to absorb the entity’s expected losses or the right to receive the entity’s expected residual returns, or both, or (3) where the voting rights of some investors are not proportional to their obligations to absorb the expected losses of the entity, their rights to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both, and substantially all of the entity’s activities either involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor that has disproportionately few voting rights.
The Company also quantitatively and qualitatively examined if SJAP is considered a VIE. Qualitative analyses considered the extent to which the nature of its variable interest exposed the Company to losses. For quantitative analyses, the Company also used internal cash flow models to determine if SJAP was a VIE and, if so, whether the Company was the primary beneficiary. The projection of these cash flows and probabilities thereof requires significant managerial judgment because of the inherent limitations that relate to the use of historical data for the projection of future events. On December 31, 2012, the Company evaluated the above VIE testing results and concluded that the Company is the primary beneficiary of SJAP’s expected losses or residual returns and that SJAP qualifies as a VIE of the Company. As result, the Company has consolidated SJAP as a VIE.
The reasons for the changes are as follows:
•Originally, the board of directors of SJAP consisted of 7 members; 3 appointees from Qinghai Sanjiang (one stockholder), 1 from Garwor (one stockholder), and 3 from the Company, such that the Company did not have majority interest represented on the board of directors of SJAP.
•On May 7, 2010, Qinghai Sanjiang sold and transferred its equity interest in SJAP to Garwor. The State Administration for Industry and Commerce of Xining City Government of the People’s Republic of China approved the sale and transfer.
Consequently Garwor and the Company agreed that the new board of directors of SJAP would consist of 3 members; 1 appointee from Garwor and 2 appointees from the Company, such that the Company now had a majority interest in the board of directors of SJAP. Also, and in accordance with the Company’s Sino Joint Venture Agreement, the Company’s management appointed the chief financial officer of SJAP.
As result, the financial statements of SJAP were included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
- F-31 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
20. | LICENSE RIGHTS |
Pursuant to an agreement dated August 1, 2006 between Infinity Environmental Group Limited (“Infinity”) and the Company, the Company was granted an A Power Technology License with the condition that the Company was required to pay the license fee covering 500 units of APM as performance payment to Infinity on or before July 31, 2008. This license allows the Company to develop service, manage and supply A Power Technology Farms in the PRC using the A Power Technology, but subject to a condition that the Company is required to pay a license fee to Infinity once the Company has sold the license to its customer. Under the said license, the Company has the right to authorize developers and/or joint venture partners to develop A Power Technology Farms in the PRC. Infinity is a company incorporated in Australia.
21. | OTHER PAYABLES |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Due to third parties | $ | 877,259 | $ | 10,794,449 | ||||
Promissory notes issued to third parties | 3,352,394 | - | ||||||
Convertible notes payable | 232,000 | - | ||||||
Due to local government | 2,192,825 | - | ||||||
Due to employees and others | - | 1,114,848 | ||||||
Land use rights payable | - | 58,851 | ||||||
$ | 6,654,478 | $ | 11,968,148 |
Due to third parties, employees and others are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed terms of repayment.
22. | DUE TO RELATED PARTIES |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Due to third parties | $ | - | $ | 867,413 |
Due to related parties are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed terms of repayment.
23. | CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS |
(i) | Construction Billing in Excess of Costs and Estimated Earnings on uncompleted Contracts. |
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Billings | $ | 9,810,427 | $ | 19,066,400 | ||||
Less: Costs | (1,886,705 | ) | (8,249,145 | ) | ||||
Estimated earnings | (5,133,638 | ) | (8,855,136 | ) | ||||
Billing in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contract | $ | 2,790,084 | $ | 1,962,119 |
- F-32 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
23. | CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS |
(ii) Costs and estimated earning in excess of billing on uncompleted contracts
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Costs | $ | 3,755,046 | $ | 887,540 | ||||
Estimated earnings | 8,307,452 | 1,974,204 | ||||||
Less: Billings | (9,725,618 | ) | (2,405,640 | ) | ||||
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contract | $ | 2,336,880 | $ | 456,104 |
(iii) Billings on uncompleted constracts in excess of costs and estimated earning
2012 | 2011 | |||||||
Billings | $ | 19,536,045 | $ | 21,472,040 | ||||
Less: Costs | (5,641,751 | ) | (9,136,685 | ) | ||||
Estimated earnings | (13,441,090 | ) | (10,829,340 | ) | ||||
Billing in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contract | $ | 453,204 | $ | 1,506,015 |
24. | BORROWINGS |
There are no provisions in the Company’s bank borrowings and long term debts that would accelerate repayment of debt as a result of a change in credit ratings or a material adverse change in the Company’s business. Under certain agreements, the Company has the option to retire debt prior to maturity, either at par or at a premium over par.
Short term bank loan
Name of bank | Interest rate | Term | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
Agricultural Bank of China | 6% | August 8, 2012 - August 29, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Huangyuan County Branch, Xining City, Qinghai Province, | ||||||||||||||||
P.R.C. | $ | 3,181,927 | ^* | $ | - |
^ | personal and corporate guaranteed by third parties. |
* | secured by land use rights with net carrying amount of $528,240. |
Long term debts
Name of lender | Interest rate | Term | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||
Gan Guo Village Committee | 12.22% | June 2012 - June 2017 | ||||||||||||||
Bo Huang Town | ||||||||||||||||
Huangyuan County, Xining City | ||||||||||||||||
Qinghai Province, P.R.C. | $ | 175,006 | $ | - |
- F-33 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
25. | SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
The Group’s share capital as at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011shown on the consolidated balance sheet represents the aggregate nominal value of the share capital of the Company as at that date.
On March 22, 2010, the Company designated 100 shares of Series A preferred stock at a par value per share of $0.001. As of the same date, 100 shares of Series A preferred stock were issued at $1 per share for cash in the amount of $100.
The Series A preferred stock:
(i) | does not pay a dividend; |
(ii) | votes together with the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation as a single class and, regardless of the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding and as long as at least one of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, shall represent eighty percent (80%) of all votes entitled to be voted at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation or action by written consent of shareholders. Each outstanding share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall represent its proportionate share of the 80%, which is allocated to the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock; and |
(iii) | ranks senior to common stockholders, holders of Series B convertible preferred stockholders and any other stockholders on liquidation. |
The Company has designated 100 shares of Series A preferred stock with 100 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The Series B convertible preferred stock:
On March 22, 2010, the Company designated 7,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at a par value per share of $0.001. The Series B convertible preferred stock is redeemable, the stockholders are not entitled to receive any dividend and voting rights but rank senior over common stockholders on liquidation, and can convert to common stock on a one for one basis at any time. On June 26, 2010, 7,000,000 shares of common stock were surrendered for cancellation and the Company issued 7,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at $1.00 per share. Pursuant to share exchange agreement made as of December 22, 2012, between the Company and a stockholder, Capital Adventure Inc., a holder of 3,000,000 shares of common shares, with the consent of Board of Directors, to exchange for 3,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock on one-for-one basis. As of December 23, 2012, 3,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock were issued to Capital Adventure Inc., for the exchange of its holding of 3,000,000 shares of common stocks. As of December 31, 2012, 3,000,000 shares of common stocks were still not returned to the Company.
There were 10,000,000 shares and 7,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
- F-34 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
25. | SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED) |
The Series F Non-Convertible preferred stock:
On August 13, 2012, the Company designated 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value per share of $0.001 as Series F Non-Convertible Preferred Stock with a face value of $1.00 per share with 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012.
The Series F Non-Convertible Preferred Stock:
(i) | is not redeemable; |
(ii) | except for (iv), with respect to dividend rights, rights on liquidation, winding up and dissolution, rank junior and subordinate to (a) all classes of Common Stock,(b) all other classes of Preferred Stock and (c) any class or series of capital securities of the Company. |
(iii) | except for (iv), shall not entitled to receive any dividend; and |
(iv) | on May 30, 2014, the holders of record of shares of Series F Non-Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a coupon payment directly from the Company at the redemption rate of $3.40 per share. Upon redemption, the Record Holder shall no longer own any shares of Series F that have been redeemed, and all such redeemed shares shall disappear and no longer exist on the books and records of the Company; redeemed shares of Series F which no longer exist upon redemption shall thereafter be counted toward the authorized but unissued “blank check” preferred stock of the Company. |
Common Stock:
During the year ended December 31, 2011: (i) the Company reacquired 1,000,000 shares of its common stock which became treasury shares, for $1,250,000 at a price of $1.25 per share; (ii) the Company issued 15,619,397 shares of common stock for $12,499,902 at values ranging from$0.50 to $1.50 per share to settle debts due to third parties; (iii) the Company purchased 8,620,000 shares for $1,579,400 at prices ranging from $0.01 to $0.78 for cancellation; (iv) the Company issued employees a total of 2,760,729 shares of common stock valued at fair value of range from $0.895 per share to $1.01 per share for $2,667,114; and (v) the Company issued 1,800,000 shares of common stock to a certain company that provided consulting services for the benefit of the Company at $0.895 per share for $1,620,000.
On December 5, 2012, the Company obtained stockholder consent for the approval of an amendment to our articles of incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock, no par value (the “Common Stock”), from 100,000,000 to 130,000,000. The board of directors believes that the increase in our authorized Common Stock will provide is with greater flexibility with respect to our capital structure for purposes including additional equity financings and stock based acquisitions.
During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company issued (i) 32,064,588 shares of common stock for 18,193,714 at values ranging from $0.40 to $0.71 per share to settle debts due to third parties; and (ii) 906,000 shares of common stock valued to employees at fair value of $0.40 per share for $362,400 for employee compensation. The fair value of the common stock issued was determined by using the trading price of the Company’s common stock on the date the Shares were issued.
The Company has common stock 100,004,850 and 67,034,262 common shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
26. | Convertible Notes Payable |
In December of 2011, the Board of Directors passed a resolution authorizing the Company to enter into an agreement to borrow funds from a third party to assist in providing a method for certain Chinese shareholders to sell their shares in the Company. The Company entered into a series of convertible promissory notes along with common stock purchase warrants whereby this third party could exercise the conversion option and settle the amount due by receiving shares of stock from these certain Chinese shareholders. The monies borrowed from this third party were deposited into a custodial account that was not controlled by the Company. The Chinese shareholders also deposited their shares with this custodian. The shares transferred to the custodian were at all times, in the opinion of management, sufficient to satisfy the obligations of the convertible promissory notes and the outstanding common stock purchase warrants. All amounts owed this financing arrangement were to be repaid through the conversion options exercised by the third party and by the deliverance of the common shares of these certain Chinese investors.
During 2012, the Company borrowed a total of $ 460,000 from this third party under five separate promissory notes. Each note carried an interest rate of 12% per annum with a maturity date of six months from the date of issuance. Under the terms of the notes, the holder of the note has the option to convert the note to comon shares at a discount of 15% from the average market price of the lowest three trading prices for the common stock during the ten trading days prior to the conversion date. The Company also issued a total of 842,500 common stock purchase warrants with an exercise price of $0.50 per share with an expiration date six months from the date of issuance.
The Company calculated the fair value of the warrants and the beneficial conversion feature utilizing the Black Scholes model at the date of the issuance of each promissory note. The relative fair values were allocated to the warrants and the debt. Accordingly, a discount was created on the debt and this discount will be amortized to interest expense of the life of the debt. Debt discount amortization as of December 31, 2012 was $ 178,867.
At December 31, 2012, there was $ 232,000 principal outstanding and accrued interest in the amount of $ 9,764 that was owed under the terms of the promissory notes. The Company has recorded these amounts as payable by the Company with a corresponding asset represented by the value of the shares of the Company held by the custodian at December 31, 2012.
- F-35 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
27. | WARRANTS |
As indicated in the convertible promissory note footnote, during 2012, the Company borrowed a total of $ 460,000 from a third party under five separate promissory notes secured by personal guarantee of a director. Each note carried an interest rate of 12% per annum with a maturity date of six months from the date of issuance. Under the terms of the notes, the holder of the note has the option to convert the note to common shares at a discount of 15% from the average market price of the lowest three trading prices for the common stock during the ten trading days prior to the conversion date. The Company also issued a total of 842,500 common stock purchase warrants with an exercise price of $0.50 per share with an expiration date six months from the date of issuance. The Company fair valued the warrants on the date of issuances and recorded amounts based on their relative fair values to the debt and to the warrants; The fair value of the warrants was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model and included the following assumptions
Expected annual dividend rate | 0.00 | % | |||
Weighted average exercise price | $ | 0.50 | |||
Risk-free interest rate | 2.00 | % | |||
Average expected life | 6 months | ||||
Expected volatility of common stock | 80.00 | % | |||
Forfeiture rate | 0.00 | % |
The warrants have an exercise price of $0.5 and have a contractual life of 6 months from the date of issuance. The value of the discounts created by the warrants and beneficial conversion feature were $36,113 and $52,118 , respectively. The discount related to the beneficial conversion feature will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt and the discount for the warrants will be amortized to interest expense over the contractual life of the warrants. The relative fair values were allocated to the warrants and the debt. Accordingly, a discount was created on the debt and this discount will be amortized to interest expense of the life of the debt.
As of December 31, 2012, the following share purchase warrants were outstanding and exercisable:
Expiry date | Exercise date | December 31, 2012 | ||||||
January 8, 2013 | $ | 0.50 | 150,000 | |||||
February 15, 2013 | $ | 0.50 | 78,500 | |||||
April 9, 2013 | $ | 0.50 | 157,000 | |||||
385,500 |
Share purchase warrant transactions and the number of share purchase warrants outstanding and exercisable are summarized as follows:
2012 | Exercise price | |||||||
Number of warrants outstanding at January 1, 2012 | - | - | ||||||
Issued | 842,000 | $ | 0.50 | |||||
Exercised | - | - | ||||||
Expired | (457,000 | ) | - | |||||
Number of warrants outstanding at December 31, 2012 | 385,000 |
28. | OBLIGATION UNDER OPERATING LEASES |
The Company leases (i) 2,178 square feet of agriculture space used for offices for a monthly rent of $512 in Enping City, Guangdong Province, PRC, its lease expiring on March 31, 2014;(ii) 2,300 square feet of office space in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PRC for a monthly rent of $4,238, its lease expiring on October 15, 2012; (iii)5,081 square feet of office space in Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, PRC for a monthly rent of $11,838, its lease expiring on July 8, 2014; and (iv) 1,555 square feet each for two staff quarter in Linli District, Hunan Province, PRC for a monthly rent of $159, its lease expiring on January 23, 2013 and May 1, 2014.
Lease expense was $155,119 and $64,256 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
The future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2012, are as follows:
2012 | ||||
Year ended December 31, 2013 | $ | 156,401 | ||
Year ended December 31, 2014 | 87,843 | |||
Thereafter | - | |||
$ | 244,244 |
29. | BUSINESS COMBINATION |
Business combination of JFD
On February 28, 2011, TRW applied to form a corporate joint venture, Enping City Bi Tao A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“EBAPFD”), incorporated in the PRC. TRW owned a 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. On November 17, 2011, TRW formed Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“JFD”) in which it acquired a 25% equity interest, while withdrawing its 25% equity interest in EBAPFD. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had invested $1,258,607 in JFD. JFD is engaged as an operator of an indoor fish farm. Prior to December 31, 2011, JFD has not commenced its principal business activity. The Company owned a 50% Interest in JFD at January 1,2012 and at the time consolidated the Assets and operation with the Company. The Company controlled the board of directors and Voting Rights at that time. On January 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for total cash consideration of $1,662,365. On April 1, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 25% equity interest in JFD for the amount of $1,702,580.The Company presently owns a 75% equity interest in JFD and controls its majority of votes board of directors. As result,Company had consolidated the assets and operations of JFD.
Second acquisition on January 1, 2012 – 25% additional equity interest in JFD.
The Company allocated the purchase price on the fair value of the assets acquired as of January 1, 2012.
- F-36 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
29. | BUSINESS COMBINATION (continued) |
Net assets at fair value acquired: | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 34,919 | ||
Construction in progress | 4495306 | |||
Inventory | 1838337 | |||
6368562 | ||||
Less: Other payables | (92,603 | ) | ||
Non-controlling interest | (3,324,729 | ) | ||
25% held by the Company | (1,662,365 | ) | ||
$ | 1,288,865 | |||
Satisfied by | ||||
Purchase consideration | $ | 1,662,365 | ||
Less: Cash acquired | (373,500 | ) | ||
$ | 1,288,865 |
Third acquisition on April 1, 2012 – 25% additional equity interest in JFD.
The Company allocated the purchase price based on the fair value of the assets acquired as of April 1, 2012.
Net assets at fair value acquired: | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 33,535 | ||
Construction in progress | 4,499,376 | |||
Inventory | 1,970,387 | |||
Accounts receivable | 1,337,519 | |||
7,840,817 | ||||
Less: Other payables | (292,663 | ) | ||
Accounts payable | (1,230,096 | ) | ||
Non-controlling interest | (1,702,580 | ) | ||
50% held by the Company | (3,405,159 | ) | ||
$ | 1,210,319 | |||
Satisfied by | ||||
Purchase consideration | $ | 1,702,580 | ||
Less: Cash acquired | (492,261 | ) | ||
$ | 1,210,319 |
Business combination of JHMC
Second acquisition on September 30, 2012 - 50% additional equity interest in JHMC
On April 15, 2011, MEIJI applied to form Enping City A Power Cattle Farm Co., Limited (“ECF”), all of which the Company would indirectly own a 25% equity interest in on November 17, 2011. On January 1, 2012, the Company had invested $1,076,489 in ECF. On September 17, 2012 MEIJI formed Jiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited (“JHMC”) and acquired an additional 50% equity interest for $2,944,176 on September 30,2012 while withdrawing its 25% equity interest in ECF. The Company presently owns a 75% equity interest in JHMC, representing majority of votes and controls its board of directors. As result, the Company has consolidated the assets and operations of JHMC.
- F-37 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company allocated the purchase price based on the fair value of the assets acquired as of September 30, 2012.
Net assets at fair value acquired: | ||||
Property, plant and equipment | $ | 512,450 | ||
Construction in progress | 4,177,007 | |||
Inventory | 671,429 | |||
5,360,886 | ||||
Less: Non - controlling interest | (1,340,221 | ) | ||
$ | 4,020,665 | |||
Satisfied by | ||||
Purchase consideration | $ | 4,020,665 |
The following table summarizes our unaudited consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, as well as unaudited consolidated results of operations as though the JFD and JHMC acquisitions had occured on January 1, 2011
2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||
As reported | Pro Forma | As reported | Pro Forma | |||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 138,612,639 | $ | 128,725,067 | $ | 51,879,903 | $ | 47,718,758 | ||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 57,545,832 | $ | 50,655,603 | $ | 15,691,032 | $ | 14,041,347 | ||||||||
Net income from discontinued operations | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 10,203,951 | $ | 10,203,951 | ||||||||
Total net income from continuing and discontinued operations | $ | 57,545,832 | $ | 50,655,603 | $ | 25,894,983 | $ | 24,245,298 | ||||||||
From continuing and discountinued operations Earning per share | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.43 | $ | 0.40 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.36 | ||||||||
From continuing operations Earning per share | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.70 | $ | 0.68 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.23 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.63 | $ | 0.55 | $ | 0.23 | $ | 0.21 |
The unaudited pro forma information set forth above is for informational purpose only and include adjustments related to elimination of revenue from JFD and JHMC before acquisition of equity interests. The pro forma information should not be considered indicative of actual results that would have been achieved if JFD and JHMC have been acquired at the beginning of 2011 or results that may be obtained in any future period.
- F-38 - |
SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
30. | STOCK BASED COMPENSATION |
On July 1, 2011 and July 11, 2011, the Company issued employees a total of 2,760,729 shares of common stock valued at fair value of range from $0.895 per share to $1.00 per share for services rendered to the Company. On July 11, 2011, the Company issued 1,800,000 shares of common stock to a company to provide consulting services for the benefit of the Company. The fair value of the common stock issued was determined by using the trading price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance of $0.895 per share.
The Company calculated stock based compensation of $4,278,114 and recognized $2,139,057 for the year ended December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the deferred compensation balance was $2,139,057, and the deferred compensation balance of $2,139,057 was to be amortized over 6 months beginning on January 1, 2012.
On August 16, 2012, the Company issued employees a total of 100,000 shares of common stock valued at fair value of range from $0.40 per share for services rendered to the Company. On the same date, the Company issued 906,000 shares of common stock to a company to provide consulting services for the benefit of the Company. The fair value of the common stock issued was determined by using the trading price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance of $0.40 per share.
The Company calculated stock based compensation of $2.501,457 and recognized $2,229,657 for the year ended December 31, 2012.As of December 31, 2012, the deferred compensation balance was $271,800 and this balance of $271,800 was to be amortized over 9 months beginning on January 1, 2013.
31. | CONTINGENCIES |
As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any pending claims, charges, or litigation that it expects would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of incomes and other comprehensive income or cash flows.
32. | GAIN ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBTS |
The Company executed several agreements with third parties to settle debts by issuance of the Company’s common stock. The shares issued by the Company were valued at the trading price of the stock on the date the shares were issued. Any excess of the fair value of the shares over the carrying cost of the debt has been reported as a gain on the extinguishment of debts of $1,666,386 and $987,518 has been credited to operations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
33. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
In addition to the transactions and balances as disclosed elsewhere in these consolidated financial statements, during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had the following significant related party transactions:-
Name of related party | Nature of transactions | |
Mr. Xi Ming Sun, director of ZhongXingNong Nu Co., Ltd | During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company sold its 100% equity interest in HYT group (including HYT and ZX) for $45,000,000. | |
Included in due from related parties, due from Mr. Xi Ming Sun is $0 and $5,386,233 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has a fixed term of repayment. | ||
Enping City Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Limited, equity investee | During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company entered into a prawn farm contract with Enping Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Ltd (under application) with a contract value of $8,740,980 and recognized income of $4,021,554. | |
Billings in excess costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contract, due to Enping City Bi Tao A Power Prawn Culture Development Co. Limited (under application) is $0 and $225,835 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has no fixed term of repayment. | ||
Dongguan City Shenghua A Power Agriculture Development Co., Limited, stockholder of Hunan Shenghua A Power Agriculture Co., Limited | Included in due to related parties, due toDongguan City Shenghua A Power Agriculture Development Co., Limited is $0 and $66,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has fixed term of repayment. | |
Mr. Yue Xiong He, director of Jiang Men City Hang Sing Tai Agriculture Development Co Ltd, subsidiary of the Company | Included in due to related parties, due to Mr. Yue Xiong He is $0 and $800,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amounts are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed term of repayment. | |
Capital Adventures, Inc. owned by Messrs. Solomon Lee Yip Kun, Tan Paoy Teik and Chen Bor Han | During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company purchased 7,000,000 shares of the Company from Capital Adventure, Inc. for $396,400. | |
Xiang Jun Fang, director of Jiang Men City Hang Sing Tai Agriculture Development Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the Company | Included in due to related parties, due to Mr. Xiang Jun Fang is $0 and $1,413 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has no fixed term of repayment. |
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SINO AGRO FOOD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
33. | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (CONTINUED) |
Name of related party | Nature of transactions | |
Mr. Solomon Yip Kun Lee, Chairman | Included in due to a director, due to Mr. Solomon Yip Kun Lee is $3,345,803 and $289,764 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amounts are unsecured, interest free and have no fixed term of repayment. | |
Hang Yu Tai Investment Limited controlled by Mr. Xi Ming Sun | Included in due from related parties, due from Hang Yu Tai Investment Limited is $0 and $10,434,519 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has no fixed term of repayment. | |
Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited (“JFD”), equity investee | During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company entered into a fishery farm contract with Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited with a contract value of $5,906,956 and recognized income of $3,181,774. | |
Billings in excess costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contract, due to Jiang Men City A Power Fishery Development Co., Limited is $0 and $1,484,320 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has no fixed term of repayment. | ||
Jiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited ("JHMC") (Formerly known as Enping City A Power Cattle Farm Co., Limited ("ECF")), equity investee | During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company entered into a cattle farm contract withJiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limitedwith a contract value of $4,418,464 and recognized income of $1,651,808. | |
Billings in excess costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contract, due toJiang Men City Hang Mei Cattle Farm Development Co., Limited is $0 and $251,964 as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The amount is unsecured, interest free and has no fixed term of repayment. |
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34. RESTATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
2011 | 2011 | |||||||||||
As reported | Adjustments | Restated | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 21,062,278 | $ | 21,062,278 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash from operations: | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 220,810 | 220,810 | ||||||||||
Amortization | 1,043,181 | 1,043,181 | ||||||||||
(Gain) on extinguishment of debts | (987,518 | ) | (987,518 | ) | ||||||||
Common stock issued for services and employee's compensation | 2,139,057 | 2,139,057 | ||||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
Increase in inventories | (4,477,682 | ) | 1,459,570 | (1) | (3,018,112 | ) | ||||||
Increase in deposits and prepaid expenses | 1,499,930 | (8,874,285 | ) | (2) | (7,374,355 | ) | ||||||
Decrease (increase) in due to a director | (6,313,946 | ) | (6,313,966 | ) | ||||||||
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses | 811,258 | 22,409 | (3) | 833,667 | ||||||||
Increase in other payables | 11,798,629 | 4,949,414 | (4) | 16,748,043 | ||||||||
Increase in accounts receivable | (9,567,456 | ) | (8,683,028 | ) | (5) | (18,250,484 | ) | |||||
Increase in cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts | (456,104 | ) | (456,104 | ) | ||||||||
Increase in billings on uncompleted contracts in excess of costs and estimated earnings | 1,962,119 | 1,962,119 | ||||||||||
Increase in due from related parties | (10,434,519 | ) | 10,434,519 | (6) | - | |||||||
Decrease (increase) in due to related parties | 643,529 | 643,529 | ||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in other receivables | (5,721,191 | ) | 2,069,514 | (7) | (3,651,677 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,222,375 | 4,600,468 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (252,346 | ) | (252,346 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds of disposal of subsidiaries | 557,700 | 557,700 | ||||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated equity investees | (1,258,607 | ) | (1,258,607 | ) | ||||||||
Payment for construction in progress | (1,346,394 | ) | (1,346,394 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (2,299,647 | ) | (2,299,647 | ) | ||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||||||
Dividends paid | (573,814 | ) | (573,814 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (573,814 | ) | (573,814 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by continuing operations | 348,914 | 1,727,007 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from discontinued operations | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | - | - | ||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (3,137,885 | ) | (3,137,885 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | - | - | ||||||||||
Net cash used in discontinued operations | (3,137,885 | ) | (3,137,885 | ) | ||||||||
Effects on exchange rate changes on cash | 286,853 | (1,378,093 | ) | (8) | (1,091,240 | ) | ||||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | (2,502,118 | ) | (2,502,118 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 3,890,026 | 3,890,026 | ||||||||||
1,387,908 | 1,387,908 | |||||||||||
Less: cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year - discontinued operations | - | - | ||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year - continuing operations | $ | 1,387,908 | $ | 1,387,908 |
The statement of cash flows has been restated to correct an error related to the reporting of cash flows from sale of subsidiaries during the year ended December 31, 2011. The effects of this restatement are outlined below:
(1) | HYT's inventories have been excluded from the statement of cash flows. | |||
(2) | HYT's deposits and prepaid expenses of $8,874,285 have been excluded from deposits and prepaid expenses. | |||
(3) | HYT's accounts payable and accrued expenses of $22,409 have been excluded from deposits and prepaid expenses. | |||
(4) | HYT'S other payables have been excluded from the statement of cash flows. | |||
(5) | HYT'S accounts receivable have been excluded from the statement of cash flows. | |||
(6) | HYT's due from related parties have been excluded from the statement of cash flows. | |||
(7) | HYT's other receivables have been excluded from the statement of cash flows. | |||
(8) | The Company has recognized an additional exchange loss due to the correction regarding the HYT disposal. |
35. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
(i) | On March 27, 2013, 3,000,000 Series B convertible preferred stock were cancelled. As result, total issued and outstanding preferred stock as of that date is 7,000,100 shares. |
(ii) | On March 28, 2013, the Company filed a prospectus related to a public offering of Common Stocks of the Company for maximium aggregate gross proceeds of $26,250,000 within a period not to exceed 180 days from the date of this prospectus. |
(iii) | The shareholders of the Company voted to increase the authorized shares of common stock to 130,000,000 on December 5, 2012. The certificate of amendment effectuating the vote by the shareholders was filed with the State of Nevada on January 24, 2013. |
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