UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
[ ]
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) or (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
[ X ]
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2003
OR
[ ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
For the transition period from
to
Commission File Number:
0-25026
| |
| IMPERIAL GINSENG PRODUCTS LTD. |
| (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
| |
| N/A |
| (Translation of Registrant’s Name into English) |
| |
| Canada |
| (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| |
| Suite 1601 |
| 650 West Georgia Street |
| Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| V6B 4N7 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
Page 1 of 83 Pages
The Exhibit Index is located on Page 76
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
None
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Common Shares Without Par Value
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
12,410,822 Common Shares Without Par Value at June 30, 2003
21,675,942 Class “A” Preferred shares with a par value of $1 each
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 which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 [ X ]
Item 18 [ ]
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes [ ] No [ ] Not applicable [ X ]
EXCHANGE RATES
Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts set forth in this registration statement are expressed in Canadian dollars. Since June 1, 1970, the Government of Canada has permitted a floating exchange rate to determine the value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. The high and low exchange rates, the average rates (the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period) and the end of the period rates for United States dollars, expressed in Canadian dollars, for the years June 30, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, and 1999, on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers payable in Canadian dollars as certified for custom purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or other sources deemed to be reliable, were as follows:
CDN. DOLLARS PER U.S. $1.00
Year ended | June 30, 2003 | June 30, 2002 | June 30, 2001 | June 30, 2000 | June 30, 1999 |
| | | | | |
End of period | 1.3475 | 1.5190 | 1.5145 | 1.4838 | 1.4735 |
Average | 1.5109 | 1.5686 | 1.5193 | 1.4729 | 1.5096 |
High | 1.6050 | 1.6195 | 1.5822 | 1.5170 | 1.5845 |
Low | 1.3305 | 1.5024 | 1.4625 | 1.4310 | 1.4447 |
Month ended | June 30, 2003 | May 31, 2003 | April 30, 2003 | March 31, 2003 | February 28, 2003 | January 31, 2003 |
| | | | | | |
End of period | 1.3475 | 1.3656 | 1.4424 | 1.4716 | 1.4943 | 1.5285 |
High | 1.3695 | 1.4335 | 1.4780 | 1.4944 | 1.5295 | 1.5787 |
Low | 1.3342 | 1.3507 | 1.4424 | 1.4633 | 1.4919 | 1.5188 |
At November 26, 2003, the exchange rate was CDN. $1.3109 per U.S. $1.00.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
IN ADDITION TO HISTORICAL INFORMATION, THIS ANNUAL REPORT CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND THE COMPANY DESIRES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE “SAFE HARBOR” PROVISIONS THEREOF. THEREFORE, THE COMPANY IS INCLUDING THIS STATEMENT FOR THE EXPRESS PURPOSE OF AVAILING ITSELF OF THE PROTECTIONS OF SUCH SAFE HARBOR WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IN THIS REPORT REFLECT THE COMPANY’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES, INCLUDING THOSE DISCUSSED HEREIN, THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM HISTORICAL RESULTS OR THOSE ANTICIPATED. IN THIS REPORT, THE WORDS “ANTICIPATES”, “BELIEVES”, “EXPECTS”, 7;INTENDS”, “FUTURE” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. READERS ARE CAUTIONED TO CONSIDER THE SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS DESCRIBED BELOW AND NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE HEREOF. THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO PUBLICLY REVISE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY ARISE AFTER THE DATE HEREOF.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 20-F
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| | Page No. |
PART I | | |
| | |
ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS |
5 |
ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE | 5 |
ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION | 5 |
ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY | 8 |
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSECTS | 15 |
ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES | 22 |
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 28 |
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 30 |
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING | 32 |
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 34 |
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 41 |
| | |
PART II | | |
ITEM 12. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES | 43 |
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARS AND DELIQUENCIES | 43 |
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS | 43 |
ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 43 |
ITEM 16. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT, CODE OF ETHICS AND PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 43 |
| | |
PART III | | |
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 45 |
ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 45 |
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS | 76 |
| | |
SIGNATURES | 78 |
CERTIFICATIONS | 79 |
PART I
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION
A.Selected financial data
Set forth below is selected consolidated financial data for the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods shown. The net income (loss) determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in Canada have also been reconciled to net income (loss) determined in accordance with United States GAAP. All amounts are stated in Canadian dollars. See "Exchange Rates" for information concerning recent and historical exchange rates between United States and Canadian dollars. The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 8 and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained herein including, without limitation, notes 2 and 15 thereto.
Years ended June 30 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
| | | | | |
Consolidated Operations | | | |
| | | | | |
Revenue | $ 5,820,993 | $ 5,345,505 | $ 8,065,265 | $ 6,801,727 | $ 6,185,295 |
Cost of sales | 4,899,214 | 10,149,498 | 8,866,774 | 6,904,068 | 8,431,357 |
Gross profit (loss) |
921,779 |
(4,803,993) |
(801,509) |
(102,341) |
(2,246,062) |
Other income | 26,817 | 22,702 | 33,903 | 38,382 | 118,251 |
| 948,596 | (4,781,291) | (767,606) | (63,959) | (2,127,811) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
General & admin | 1,265,426 | 1,154,913 | 2,486,905 | 2,680,115 | 4,146,788 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (316,830) | (5,936,204) | (3,254,511) | (2,744,074) | (6,274,599) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) on disposal of capital assets and investment |
45,413 |
30,174 |
(64,946) |
(404,181) |
(712) |
Gain on settlement of term debt |
672,817 |
105,575 |
- |
- |
- |
Write-off capital assets and investment |
- |
(1,008,418) |
(56,606) |
- |
- |
Write-off deferred debt issue costs |
- |
(4,868) |
(153,969) |
- |
(924,857) |
Net income (loss) before taxes |
401,400 |
(6,813,741) |
(3,530,032) |
(3,148,255) |
(7,200,168) |
Income taxes (recovery) |
(11,742) |
1,478 |
21,487 |
(75,732) |
40,133 |
Net income (loss) |
$ 413,142 |
$(6,815,219) |
$ (3,551,519) |
$ (3,072,523) |
$ (7,240,301) |
| | | | | |
US GAAP | $ 424,350 | $ (6,840,717) | $ (3,550,987) | $ (2,848,855) | $ (5,496,410) |
| | | | | |
Net loss per share |
$(0.21) |
$(2.18) |
$(2.82) |
$(2.99) |
$(4.74) |
US GAAP | $(0.21) | $(2.18) | $(2.82) | $(2.87) | $(3.67) |
Dividend per common share |
| | | | |
CDN$ | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
US$ | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Weighted average number of shares |
11,821,281 |
4,661,045 |
2,157,299 |
1,787,630 |
1,618,446 |
Years ended June 30 |
2003 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
| | | | | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets | | | | |
| | | | | |
Total Assets | $ 9,016,001 | $ 9,777,321 | $16,433,370 | $20,343,356 | $22,270,960 |
US GAAP | 9,016,001 | 9,777,321 | 16,433,370 | 20,343,356 | 22,009,444 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity: |
|
|
|
Term Debt | $ 833,290 | $ 1,733,026 | $ 2,105,335 | $ 6,925,376 | $ 6,648,176 |
US GAAP | 844,500 | 1,755,444 | 2,149,550 | 7,247,540 | 7,027,608 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit | (46,997,031) | (44,515,125) | (34,360,735) | (28,275,883) | (22,929,257) |
US GAAP | (46,731,146) | (44,260,448) | (34,036,560) | (27,818,756) | (23,361,810) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share Capital | 51,986,968 | 49,665,787 | 46,150,385 | 36,337,381 | 31,557,513 |
US GAAP | 51,709,874 | 49,388,693 | 45,781,996 | 36,813,294 | 32,033,426 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt to Equity ratio |
0.16 |
0.32 |
0.17 |
0.85 |
0.81 |
B.Capitalization and indebtedness
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
C.Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds
This Form 20-F is being filed as an annual report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this item.
D.Risk factors
The following is a brief discussion of those distinctive or special characteristics of the Company’s operations and industry, which may have a material impact on, or constitute risk factors in respect of, the Company’s future financial performance.
Farm risk
The Company could experience total or partial crop failure or loss due to disease, fire, adverse weather or human error. The Company’s results depend significantly on the yield attained from its ginseng crops as well as the quality of ginseng produced. To minimize the exposure to these risks we have a team of highly trained agricultural professionals and a crop management system, which includes regular testing and stringent quality control procedures.
Market risk
Ginseng is an agricultural commodity and hence, its price is determined by the supply and demand of ginseng. In addition, as ginseng is mainly consumed in China and over 80% of the total world production of North American Ginseng has been exported to China in the past. The price of ginseng is heavily dependent upon the Chinese economy and the consumer demand. Any changes in the exchange rate of the Chinese currency, consumer demand, tariff structure, and distribution system will affect the demand for, and ultimately the price of, ginseng.
The Company believes that the demand in China for ginseng products has been increasing and with China’s participation in the WTO, the Chinese market will be expanding steadily. The Company also endeavored to develop additional markets in North America and Europe in order to diversify the market base of its products. Despite limited success, it is conceivable in the foreseeable future the Company will still be dependent on the China market.
Credit risk
The Company sells the majority of root strictly on payment before delivery and hence the Company has minimal credit risk.
Foreign Exchange risk
As a marketing strategy, the Company has been actively seeking buyers outside the traditional ginseng buying circle and has increased the sales made directly to China. As all sales are made in Canadian Dollars, the Company is not exposed to any foreign exchange risk.
Future Profitability
The Company incurred losses for the seven fiscal years prior to June 30, 2003. Future profitable operations are dependent upon ginseng prices strengthening over current levels, the timing of which is uncertain.
Liquidity of Trading Market
The Company’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange) and on the NASD’s OTC Bulletin Board. The Company’s common shares were delisted from the NASDAQ Stock Market on January 6, 1999 because the Company no longer satisfied NASDAQ’s new minimum initial listing or maintenance standards as contained in SEC Release No. 34-38961 (August 22, 1997). The Company can give no assurances that its common share trading price will increase or maintain over current levels and due to the thin trading volume, the common shares may not be highly liquid.
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A.History and development of the Company
Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. (the "Company") was incorporated under the Company Act of British Columbia, Canada (the "Company Act") by Memorandum and Articles of Association under the name of Worthington Resources Corporation on April 6, 1989. The Company was listed for trading on the Vancouver Stock Exchange (symbol "WRC") on January 22, 1990 and became a public company. The Company changed its name to "Canadian Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd." on October 18, 1993. In conjunction with the name change to Canadian Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. the trading symbol was changed to "CIH". The Company completed a consolidation of its share capital (reverse stock split) on the basis of ten old shares for one new one, effective October 2, 1995. In conjunction with this share consolidation the trading symbol was changed to “IGP”. The Compan y was listed for trading on the NASDAQ Stock Market (National Market System) on October 27, 1995 under the trading symbol “IGPFF”. The Company changed its name to “Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd.” on December 4, 1995. On November 29, 1999, the Vancouver Stock Exchange merged with the Alberta Stock Exchange to form the Canadian Venture Exchange. On August 1, 2001 the Canadian Venture Exchange was purchased by the Toronto Stock Exchange who then changed the name of the Canadian Venture Exchange to the TSX Venture Exchange.
The Company’s principal place of business is located at Suite 1601 – 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4N7, phone (604) 689-8863, fax (604) 689-8892. The Company’s transfer agent is Pacific Corporate Trust Company located at 10th Floor, 625 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 3B8.
From its inception in 1989 until May 1992, the Company was engaged in the business of mining exploration. Knightswood Capital Corp., a company owned by Stephen McCoach, Hugh Cartwright, directors of the Company, acquired a controlling interest in the shares of the common stock without par value (the "common stock") of the Company on February 19, 1992. Shortly thereafter, the Company commenced with the development of its ginseng operations, including, the growing, brokering, processing, packaging, marketing and distributing of American ginseng products throughout North America, Southeast Asia and China.
Takeover Offer and Reorganization
On October 21, 1993, the Company made an offer with an acceptance date of November 30, 1993, to acquire the operations of an existing ginseng farm, Canadian Imperial Ginseng Farms (“CIGF”). In connection therewith, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares and bonds of the Canadian Imperial group of companies. This included the common shares of Columbia Ginseng (VCC) Corp. and Columbia Ginseng (VCC) II Corp. (the "VCC Corps."), the Class "A" preferred shares of Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp., and all of the secured bonds issued by CIGF pursuant to a trust deed, dated January 22, 1992, and the secured bonds issued by Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp., pursuant to a trust deed dated October 12, 1992. The offer was accepted by 98% of Columbia Ginseng (VCC) Corp. shareholders, 99.8% of Columbia Ginseng (VCC) II Corp. shareholders and 100% of Columbia G inseng Capital Corp. Class "A" preferred shareholders. In addition, the Company acquired $854,000 of Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. bonds and $933,000 of CIGF bonds. The Company under Section 29 of the Company Act subsequently acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of the VCC Corps. Acquisition of the foregoing shares and bonds gave the Company control over all of the shares entitled to participate in the income of CIGF, and a portion of its secured debt. As consideration for these transactions the Company issued common shares (pre-consolidation), as follows:
Columbia Ginseng (VCC) Corp. common shares | 4,853,066 |
Columbia Ginseng (VCC) II Corp. common shares | 1,333,053 |
Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp. Class "A" preferred shares | 2,391,688 |
CIGF secured bonds | 298,403 |
Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. secured bonds | 256,592 |
| 9,132,802 |
Columbia Ginseng (VCC) Corp. was incorporated under the provisions of the Company Act on February 23, 1990. Columbia Ginseng (VCC) Corp. was formed for the purpose of providing investors with an investment in the ginseng industry through CIGF.
Columbia Ginseng (VCC) II Corp. was incorporated under the provisions of the Company Act on October 29, 1991. Columbia Ginseng (VCC) II was formed for the purpose of providing investors with an investment in the ginseng industry through CIGF.
Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp. was incorporated under the provisions of the Company Act on January 3, 1990. Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp. holds all of the common shares of CIGF, representing 50% of the issued and outstanding voting shares thereof. All income from CIGF attributable to Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp. is attributable to the Class "A" preferred shares.
CIGF was incorporated under the Company Act on January 5, 1990. CIGF changed its name from Columbia Ginseng Corporation on June 27, 1995. CIGF’s principal business activity is the cultivation and processing of ginseng.
Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. was incorporated under the provisions of the Company Act on October 8, 1992. The principal business of Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. was to raise funds by way of a bond issue, the proceeds of which were provided to CIGF.
The TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange) completed its approval of the above transaction on February 3, 1994.
Significant Acquisitions, Divestitures and Joint Ventures
a)
Acquisition of Ontario Ginseng Farm
On June 30, 1994, the Company acquired from Hong Kong Hang Wo (Canada) Inc., a non-affiliated company, all of the business assets of a 153 acre ginseng farm in the province of Ontario.
The total purchase price was $9,766,079 payable as follows: (i) cash of $4,966,709; and (ii) the issuance of 1,555,915 (pre-consolidation) common shares of the Company (valued at $4.8 million) and 500,000 warrants. The assets acquired were valued as follows:
Farming equipment | $ 489,433 |
Shade cloth | 1,035,521 |
Seed | 300,000 |
Crops under cultivation | 5,850,000 |
Leaseholds | 166,000 |
Other | 83,649 |
Goodwill | 1,841,476 |
| $ 9,766,079 |
b)
Drying Facility Joint Venture
On October 1, 1993, CIGF entered into an agreement with three other ginseng farms to construct, equip and operate a ginseng drying plant in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. This agreement expires on December 31, 2003. CIGF has a 49% interest in the facility and acts as the operator. The three other ginseng farms, Pacific Canadian Ginseng Ltd. (with a 26% interest), Fountain Ridge Ginseng Farms Ltd. (with a 16% interest) and Ponderosa Ginseng Farms Corp. (with a 9% interest), had no affiliation with the Company prior to entering into the agreement other than sharing of certain common directors. The drying facility operates under the name "Canadian Imperial Ginseng Processing." The Company entered into an agreement dated October 23, 1993 to lease the drying plant to be constructed for it by a third party. The lease has an initial term of ten years ending October 21, 2003, with an option to renew for an additional five years at anytime during the 60 days preceding October 21, 2003. Future minimum payments attributable to CIGF under the lease equaled $521,712 at June 30, 2003. CIGF has an option to purchase the drying facility at any time during the 60 days preceding October 21, 2003 at a price of $705,000.
On October 14, 2003, the Company settled its debt of $823,897 owing at September 30, 2003 to a related party with the assignment of its net equity in land and building owned pursuant to the undivided interest in the drying facility. The net equity the Company has in the land and building is approximately $178,000.
c)
Chai-Na-Ta Corp.
During July, 1999, the Company purchased approximately 10% of the common shares of Chai-Na-Ta Corp. (“CNT”) with the intention of acquiring up to 49% of its common shares. Management felt that the combination of the two companies would result in a much larger operation which would control over 30% of the total world ginseng supply and would be in a stronger position to influence world ginseng price. However, after a series of discussions with the creditors of CNT to acquire the control of CNT and subsequent to the filing by CNT for creditors’ protection, the Company disposed the majority of shares of CNT it held and recorded a loss on disposal of $0.4 million during 2000.
d)
British Columbia farm operation
In light of the continued lower average prices realized on root harvested in British Columbia, and the uncertainty regarding the industry’s ability to control the British Columbia rusty root problem, the Company has decided to continue suspending planting in British Columbia. Fall 2003 is the third year that the Company has not planted ginseng in British Columbia. During the fall of 2003, the Company intends to harvest the remaining acres in British Columbia and commence the wind up of the British Columbia operation.
In addition, during 2003 and 2002, the Company wrote off approximately $6.1 million of its farm assets at the British Columbia operation.
B.Business Overview
Industry Background
Ginseng is recognized as a high value agricultural crop and has been proven to grow well in the interior of British Columbia over the past decade and in southern Ontario for over 100 years. Ginseng has been used by the people of eastern Asia for more than 5,000 years as a general tonic and is a foundation of Chinese herbal medicine. Ginseng is a herbaceous perennial herb native to northern Manchuria and the northeastern United States. The plant is prized for its fleshy root and is the single most valuable herb in Chinese medicine.
Ginseng can be harvested in its third year but does not reach maturity until its fourth year. The plant flowers in early summer and in the fall of the third year produces a crop of red berries bearing one to three seeds each. The mature four year-old root is typically two to six inches long and up to one inch thick. A second seed crop is produced in the fourth year.
There are two species of ginseng which are commercially important,Panax ginsengandPanax Quinquefolium. Panax is a Latin noun meaning a plant with all-healing properties.
Panax ginseng is Asian ginseng originally found growing wild in northern Manchuria and now cultivated primarily in China, Korea and Japan. Wild Asian ginseng is now rare because of over-harvesting and the elimination of many of China's forested areas. To replace wild sources of ginseng, the Chinese initiated cultivation of the plant over 600 years ago.
Panax quinquefolium is customarily referred to as American ginseng. The plant was originally found wild throughout the northeastern states of the U.S. and in portions of southern Ontario and Quebec. Although some quantities are still harvested in the wild, the majority of current American ginseng production consists of cultivated product from select areas of Ontario, Wisconsin and British Columbia.
The ginseng products that are commercially harvested and marketed are the root and the seed.
Traditional Uses of Ginseng
American and Asian ginseng are traditionally used to treat opposite ailments. At the core of Chinese medicine are the concepts of "Yin" and "Yang." Yin represents the cooling, passive and storing elements of the body's operation, while Yang represents the healing, energy and metabolic aspects. The key to health under the concept of Chinese medicine is maintaining a balance between Yin and Yang. Sickness and disease are thought to arise when these two elements are out of balance.
American Ginseng | Asian Ginseng |
- To improve general health - Ideal for an active lifestyle - Anti-stress characteristics - Adaptogenic qualities - Cooling tonic - Strengthens internal organs | - Complements vegetarian diet - Stimulating qualities - For use when the body is depleted - Characterized as heating - Used as a tonic for the blood |
Traditionally, Ginseng has been used for medicinal purposes in China to treat the following ailments:
- High blood pressure - Depression - Headache - Skin dryness - Declined performance when fatigued - Anemia | - Debilitating effects of old age - Disease of the heart, kidney, liver, nervous system, digestive, and circulatory systems - Decline in potency in older men - Asthma, rheumatism and Alzheimer's disease |
Ginseng also has been accepted and used medicinally in Korea, Japan and in Russia.
Method of Production
The cultivation of ginseng was started in southeastern Manchuria and northern Korea approximately 600 years ago on a small and relatively primitive level. As ginseng became an increasingly important and valuable medicinal plant, the plantations grew larger, the production process became more sophisticated (particularly the efforts designed to accelerate seed germination) and cultivation activities extended to the areas including South Korea, Japan, Russia and North America. Today, the vast majority of commercial ginseng is cultivated rather than harvested from the wild. Ginseng is propagated from seeds or small plants. The seed is harvested between late August and early October at a time when the berries are crimson red. In North America seeds are generally stratified for one year and then planted in raised beds. The ginseng root is harvested after the third or fourth growing season.
A variety of soil and climates have been effectively utilized in ginseng production. According to Dr. John Proctor, of the University of Guelph, the most effective soils are those rich in humus, ranging from silt loam to sandy loam in texture, underlain by porous subsoils and well drained. Ginseng does not appear to be highly sensitive to temperature although it is sensitive to light and consequently must be grown under shaded conditions which, in commercial farms, is provided by an artificial shade covering.
Product Forms
Ginseng is sold in a variety of different product forms including whole roots, powders, capsules, tablets, teas, liquid extracts, tonics, candy, chewing gum, face lotion, shampoo, tobacco and isolated capsulized glycosides. The whole root form is the dominant product form. It is preferred in many areas of Asia because it permits the prospective purchaser to closely examine the characteristics of the root including its size, age, species and shape before buying. Ginseng is often combined with other products such as beverages and candy. One of the more exotic combinations is royal jelly, which combines ginseng with a bee secretion that is fed to a queen bee to keep her fertile and productive. Several pharmaceutical companies also manufacture capsules which combine ginseng with selected vitamins and minerals.
Industry Development
Ginseng has been commercially cultivated in North America for over 100 years. In British Columbia, the first commercial planting of ginseng occurred in 1982.
During the early to mid 1990’s, there was a dramatic increase in the number of ginseng acres planted and harvested in the three main producing areas of North America; Wisconsin, Ontario and British Columbia. According to management’s best estimates, the number of acres planted in North America went from approximately 3,000 in 1990 to approximately 4,500 at its peak in 1994. It is estimated that the number of acres planted dropped to 4,400, 4,200 and 3,500 for 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Corresponding to the increase in the number of acres planted, with a three to four year period for the plants to mature, the number of pounds harvested in North America jumped from 3.7 million in 1993 to an estimate of 5 to 6 million pounds from 1996 to 1999. Like the decrease in acres planted after 1994, the North American production should decrease commencing with the 2000 harvest.
Principally, as a result of the above noted 40% to 50% increase in supply since 1993, the average price from North American ginseng has dropped significantly from the mid $30 ($US) per pound in 1993 to an average of $8 to $12 ($US) in 1999. Another factor contributing to the price decline was devaluation of the Chinese currency in 1993 and 1994. It is hoped that with the anticipated drop in supply, prices should gradually recover.
Market Potential
The Company, based on its involvement in the industry, estimates the world market for ginseng and ginseng products exceeds $2 billion per year with North American ginseng production being approximately 20% of the world market.
The Company's experience indicates that the ginseng cultivated in Ontario has earned a reputation as being of good quality. This has resulted in importers and exporters actively competing to purchase good quality ginseng cultivated in Ontario.
Ginseng Price Determinants
Prices for American ginseng are not generally reflective of the area of North America in which the ginseng is grown, but rather are based on factors such as size, shape, weight, age, taste, color and the overall condition of the root. Ginseng growers predominantly sell dried ginseng root to ginseng brokers in Asia, or if the grower does not have a sufficient level of production, to brokers based in Wisconsin, Toronto and Vancouver. The brokers grade the root according to the above factors.
Market
Over 90% of North American ginseng production is exported with approximately 86% currently being imported to or through Hong Kong. The root is typically shipped from Hong Kong to the rest of China where it is graded and resold. China is the single largest ginseng consumer in the world.
The Company's Products
The Company's principal products are ginseng root and ginseng packaged products. For the years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 the sales mix was as follows:
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| (millions) | (millions) | (millions) |
|
|
|
|
Root cultivated | $5.5 | $4.9 | $7.5 |
Consumer products | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
|
|
|
|
Total revenue | $5.8 | $5.3 | $8.1 |
Cultivated root sold is the ginseng cultivated on the Company's own ginseng farms. Crops under cultivation are described more fully in the following section on ginseng supply. Once the ginseng has been harvested it is dried in either the Company's drying facility located in Kamloops, British Columbia or on the farm site in Harley, Ontario. Ginseng buyers, who are primarily from Hong Kong travel to the ginseng farms once the harvest has been completed. The ginseng price per pound is negotiated at that time, based on factors described above in the section on ginseng prices. The payment is received prior to delivery. The ginseng root is then shipped to the buyers. For the year ended June 30, 2003 the majority of root was sold to three to four buyers.
The Company has also developed its own product line targeted to the North American market. The product line includes ginseng teas, candies, capsules and fresh roots. The Company currently has one major distributor each for these products, in Western Canada and in Eastern Canada. In addition, the Company operates a tour operation through its drying facility in Kamloops, British Columbia where the product line is sold. The processing and packaging of this line of products is contracted to Canadian manufacturers.
In May 2003, the Company opened a second retail outlet located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The Company has not undertaken any significant research or development during the previous three fiscal years nor does it anticipate doing so at this time. Previous development costs consisted of package design and the registration of trademarks.
The Company's ginseng drying facilities have sufficient capacity to dry all ginseng harvested. As the Company’s own product line production is contracted out, the Company does not anticipate any material acquisitions of plant or equipment at this time other than in the normal course of farm operations.
In addition, as the Company's facilities have sufficient capacity to meet the expected sales, no material changes in the number of employees are expected to occur.
Ginseng Supply
At June 30, 2003, the Company had 552 acres (2002 - 561 acres) of American ginseng under cultivation.
There are currently no marketing boards or other restrictions to growing or selling ginseng in Canada. Asian ginseng brokers/processors generally travel to the large North American commercial plantations during harvest and competitively bid on the crops.
The Company is in the position of being able to supply all its ginseng root requirements from its own farm operations. The two main operations are the CIGF farm located in Kamloops, British Columbia (“BC”) and the Canadian Imperial Ginseng Ontario Ltd. farm in Harley, Ontario. The BC farm has approximately 128 acres and the Ontario farm, 424 acres of ginseng under cultivation.
In the fall of 2002 the Company harvested a total of 132 acres with the BC farm harvesting 80 acres and the Ontario farm harvesting 52 acres. The majority of sales from the 2002 fall harvest concluded by the spring of 2003. In the fall of the previous year, the Company harvested a total of 139 acres with the BC farm harvesting 91 acres and the Ontario farm harvesting 48 acres.
In light of the continued lower average prices realized on root harvested in the gardens in BC, and the rapidly disappearing comparative cost and yield advantages of the BC operations, the Company has decided to continue its suspension of planting in BC. Fall 2000 was the last year that ginseng was planted at the Company’s BC operation. Subsequent to the fall 2003 harvest, the Company will wind up the BC operation.
The Company expects to continue to carry approximately 550 to 600 acres of ginseng under cultivation per annum, with increasing acres to be seeded in the Ontario growing region.
Commencing in fall 2003, the Company intends to plant in Ontario, and harvest in BC and Ontario collectively the following number of acres:
Fiscal | Acres | Acres | Under |
Year | Planted | Harvested | Cultivation |
2004 | 150 | 153 | 550 |
2005 | 150 | 136 | 564 |
2006 | 150 | 141 | 573 |
2007 | 150 | 123 | 600 |
2008 | 150 | 150 | 600 |
C.Organizational structure
Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. is the parent company to the following (all of which are wholly-owned except where indicated): Canadian Imperial Ginseng Farms Ltd. ("CIGF") including its undivided 49% interest in Canadian Imperial Ginseng Processing, Canadian Imperial Ginseng Ontario Ltd. (“CIG Ontario”), Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp., Imperial Ginseng Distributors Ltd. (“Distributors”), and Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp.
D.Property, plant and equipment
The Company rents on a monthly basis approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of office space at Suite 1601 - 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Annual payments are approximately $30,000.
Canadian Imperial Ginseng Processing, the joint venture drying facility in which CIGF has a 49% undivided interest in, leases a 15,000 sq. ft. plant located at 1274 McGill Road, Kamloops, B.C., Canada. Monthly payments are $13,400 per month. The lease is for an initial 10 year period ending October 2003 with an option to renew for an additional 5 years. The joint venture has an option to purchase the building in October, 2003 for $705,000. Currently, the intention is to exercise the option to purchase.
In conjunction with the Company opening a new retail store in Vancouver, British Columbia, its subsidiary, Imperial Ginseng Distributors Ltd., leases a 1,386 sq. ft. store located at 8273 Oak Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Monthly rent payments are $3,535. The lease is for a term of 3 years ending on March 31, 2006 extendable for one further term of 2 years.
Ginseng takes 3 to 4 years to reach maturity and cannot be cultivated on the same land again therefore the land is most often leased. CIGF has entered into several leases with various parties for 4 to 5 year periods. CIG Ontario's operations are based in Harley, Ontario in the vicinity of Brantford, Ontario, Canada and have approximately 820 acres under lease from several parties. Lease costs for the next year will total, for all locations, approximately $400,000.
The Company believes that it has under lease (or option to lease) sufficient land for the next two years in Ontario and that its present facilities are suitable and adequate. The Company believes that sufficient land is available in Ontario for at least the next ten years of plantings.
In conjunction with the anticipated wind-up of the British Columbia farm operation, the Company intends to dispose of all assets at that operation for fair market values and/or transfer items to the Company’s Ontario farm operation.
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IN “OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS” CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CONCERNING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FUTURE HARVESTS, COMMODITY PRICES, THE AMOUNT OF SAVINGS DUE TO THE COMPANY’S COST CUTTING PROGRAM AND THE LEVEL OF FUTURE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON MANY ASSUMPTIONS AND FACTORS INCLUDING COMPETITIVE PRICING FOR PRODUCTS, COMMODITY PRICES, ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN COUNTRIES WHERE THE COMPANY DOES BUSINESS, THE EFFECTS OF CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS AND THE EFFECTS OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. ANY CHANGES IN SUCH ASSUMPTIONS OR FACTORS COULD PRODUCE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT RESULTS.
A.Operating results
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended June 30, 2003, the Company reports revenues of $5.8 million and net income of $0.4 million or $2.18 loss per share, compared to revenues of $5.3 million and a net loss of $6.8 million or $2.18 per share for the prior year.
FARM OPERATIONS
Planting season commenced in the summer of 2002, during which time the Ontario farm planted 123 acres of ginseng. This compares to the prior year’s planting of 141 acres at the Ontario farm. The Company continued its planting freeze at its British Columbia farm and will wind up the operation subsequent to the fall 2003 harvest at which time the Company will harvest the remaining acreage at that farm.
Acres harvested decreased to 132 acres in 2003 from 139 acres in 2002. At June 30, 2003, acres under cultivation total 552 acres. Subsequent to the planned fall 2003 activities, the Company will have approximately 550 acres under cultivation located solely at the Ontario farm.
Yields achieved in 2003 averaged 2,547 pounds per acre, compared to 2,740 pounds per acre achieved in 2002. The average yield decrease of 7% is due mainly to British Columbia yields of 2,532 pounds per acre in 2003 compared to yields achieved of 2,853 pounds per acre for 2002 which resulted from a mix which included 3-year-old root in 2003.
Cash crop costs decreased from $3.6 million in 2002 to $3.3 million in 2003 as a result of the decrease in acres planted and acres harvested.
REVENUE
The Company’s total revenue increased by 9% over the prior year due a 19% increase in the average price per pound realized over the prior year. The price increase was offset by a 5% decrease in acres harvested, a 7% decrease in average yield per acre, and a 23% decrease in sales of consumer products.
The increase in average price per pound is due to an increase in average price from both the Ontario and British Columbia root harvested. The Ontario root price continues to strengthen and the British Columbia harvest contained a lower percentage of rusty root as compared to the prior year.
The sales decrease in consumer products can be attributed to a reduction in bus tour sales resulting from SARS.
REVENUE (thousands) | 2003 | Change | 2002 | Change | 2001 |
| | | | | |
Root – Fall harvest | $ 5,471 | 12% | $ 4,890 | -35% | $ 7,526 |
Consumer Products | 350 | -23% | 456 | -16% | 539 |
| $ 5,821 | 9% | $5,346 | -34% | $ 8,065 |
GROSS PROFIT
Gross profit for 2003 is positive 16% compared to negative 90% in fiscal 2002. The improvement is due mainly to a write down in 2002 of $5.1 million (2001 - $1.3 million) when management decided to re-assess the recoverability of the British Columbia crop costs and to adjust the carrying value to the net realizable value.
GROSS PROFIT (thousands) | 2003 | GP% | 2002 | GP% | 2001 | GP% |
| | | | | | |
Root | $ 719 | 13% | $(5,057) | (103)% | $(1,060) | (14)% |
Consumer Products | 203 | 58% | 253 | 56% | 258 | 48% |
| $ 922 | 16% | $(4,804) | (90)% | $ (802) | (10)% |
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME
Miscellaneous income recorded in 2003, 2002 and 2001 is comprised largely of services provided to other farms.
INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
(thousands) | | | |
| | | |
Interest Income | $ 4 | $ 2 | $ 3 |
Miscellaneous Income | 23 | 21 | 31 |
| $ 27 | $ 23 | $ 34 |
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Legal and audit expenses increased 91% from 2002 due to legal expenses associated with a plan to obtain a stock exchange listing of the Company’s Class “A” Preferred Shares.
Marketing expenses increased 11% from 2002 due to increased commission from higher sales of root.
Office expenses increased by 41% from 2002 due to expenses incurred by the Company’s consumer product division to set up a new retail store in Vancouver, British Columbia in May 2003.
Other expenses decreased by 45% from 2002 because 2002 included adjustments to the final assessment amounts for provincial capital tax recoveries recorded in 2000.
Rent expense increased by 28% from 2002 due to the new retail store that was opened in May 2003.
Salaries and benefits increased by 19% from 2002 due to the accrual of performance incentives to the Company’s key employees for fiscal 2003.
Travel expense decreased by 19% from 2002 due to decreased travel required to the British Columbia farm. During 2002, travel expenses were higher due to the implementation of management’s strategic decision to suspend its plantings in British Columbia.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES | CHANGE | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
(thousands) | | | | |
| | | | |
Amortization | - | $ 1 | $ 1 | $ 1 |
Legal and audit | 91% | 79 | 42 | 47 |
Marketing | 11% | 193 | 173 | 255 |
Office supplies and services | 41% | 37 | 27 | 34 |
Other expenses | -45% | 21 | 38 | 21 |
Rent | 28% | 56 | 43 | 39 |
Salaries and benefits | 19% | 556 | 468 | 935 |
Travel | -19% | 27 | 34 | 21 |
| 17% | $ 970 | $ 826 | $ 1,353 |
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense includes the amortization of issue costs incurred in conjunction with the term debt.
Commencing in 2000, the Company allowed for the conversion of previously issued bonds into Class “A” Preferred Shares of the Company. For the year ended June 30, 2003, bonds in the amount of $nil (2002 - $0.2 million) (2001 - $4.8 million) were converted to preferred shares. In addition to the decreased interest expense, due to the bond conversions, the portion of unamortized issue costs relating to the bonds converted were also written off.
During 2003 and 2002, certain bonds were settled and amounts previously accrued as interest payable were reversed. The amounts reversed are recorded as gain on settlement of term debt.
The Company has determined that it was still prohibited in its ability to service interest on term debt and prohibited by corporate laws to pay dividends. As a result, the Company must continue to suspend the payment of dividends to its preferred shareholders and interest to its bondholders.
GAIN (LOSS) ON DISPOSAL OF CAPITAL ASSETS AND INVESTMENT
During 2003 and 2002, certain assets at the Company’s British Columbia farm were disposed of resulting in gains as disposal proceeds were in excess of book value.
During the summer of 2000 and at the end of the lease contract of the Ontario farm office and processing facility, the Ontario operation relocated its farm office and processing facility to a more modern facility. Certain old and obsolete buildings and processing equipment were abandoned or disposed of with a loss, and the Company recorded $0.07 million loss as a result of this relocation.
GAIN ON SETTLEMENT OF DEBT
During 2003 and 2002, bonds were settled for amounts less than face value resulting in a gain being record for these transactions. In addition, amounts previously accrued as interest payable, were reversed.
WRITE DOWN OF CAPITAL ASSETS AND INVESTMENT
In light of the Company’s decision to suspend planting in British Columbia and the potential impact this decision has on the carrying value of the Company’s assets and share in assets at the joint venture processing facility, provisions were made during 2002 and 2001.
During 2002, the Company determined that due to the continued depressed price of British Columbia ginseng root, it is uncertain whether the benefit of the $0.4 million investment in Ponderosa Ginseng Farms Corp. can accrue to the Company. As a result, the Company wrote down its investment to $1.
WRITE-OFF OF DEFERRED DEBT ISSUE COSTS
Deferred debt issue costs in the amount of $nil (2002 - $4,868) (2001 - $153,969) attributable to the convertible bonds converted to preferred shares were written-off.
INCOME TAXES
The Canadian Income Tax Act and Regulations allows certain farming and crop costs to be deductible for tax purposes in the year incurred. For accounting purposes only the portion of crop costs in respect of crops harvested are expensed. The Company has loss carryforwards aggregating approximately $27 million, which have not been recorded in the financial statements but can be applied in the future years to reduce income tax payable.
Income tax expense recorded is mainly the large corporation tax on employed capital rather than tax on income.
B.Liquidity and capital resources
FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | |
Cash flow from operations prior to reinvestment in ginseng crop costs |
$ 4,229,528 |
$ 3,412,136 |
$ 5,848,968 |
Working capital | $ (277,832) | $ 480,797 | $ 3,370,765 |
Current ratio | 0.92 | 1.15 | 2.18 |
Cash provided from operations, prior to reinvestment into ginseng crops, increased by $0.8 million in 2003. This increase results from revenue increases of 9% caused by a 19% increase in the average price per pound realized over the prior year. Working capital decreased by $0.8 million in 2003 and the current ratio decreased from 1.15 in 2002 to 0.92 in 2003 due to decreased inventory on hand, increased accounts payable due to a related party, and increased capital leases due for payment during fiscal 2004.
Cash provided from operations, prior to reinvestment into ginseng crops, decreased by $2.4 million in 2002. This significant decrease results from revenue decreases of 34% caused by a 15% decrease in the average price per pound realized over the prior year, a reduction in acres harvested and a 16% decrease in value-added product sales. Working capital decreased by $2.9 million in 2002 and the current ratio decreased from 2.18 in 2001 to 1.15 in 2002 due mainly to the amount recorded as the cost of ginseng crop costs expected to be harvested and marketed within one year. This amount is lower compared to 2001 because the carrying value of the BC crop costs was written down by $5.1 million during 2002.
Cash provided from operations, prior to reinvestment into ginseng crops, increased by $2.9 million in 2001. Revenue increases of 19% combined with reduced cash outlays for debt servicing costs result in this significant increase. Working capital improved by $3.6 million in 2001 and the current ratio increased from 0.96 in 2000 to 2.18 in 2001 due to an increase in cash and inventory, and a reduction in bank indebtedness, accounts payable, and the current portion of long-term debt.
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | |
Crop cost expenditures, net of depreciation | $ 3,303,204 | $ 3,581,483 | $ 3,950,184 |
Total crop cost expenditures decreased $0.3 million from 2002 to 2003. These savings can be attributed to the seeding suspension at the Company’s British Columbia farm operation and a 13% decrease in the number of acres seeded at the Ontario farm operation. The five largest categories of expenditures are for labour, fertilizers, fuel, land rental, and mulch.
Total crop cost expenditures decreased $0.4 million from 2001 to 2002. Much of the savings were achieved from the seeding suspension in BC, partially offset by a 36% increase in acres planted in Ontario. The five largest categories of expenditures are for labour, equipment lease and rental, fertilizers, land rental, and mulch.
Total crop cost expenditures decreased slightly from 2000 to 2001 despite an increase in acres harvested from 165 in 2000 to 180 in 2001 and an increase in acres planted from 142 in 2000 to 185 in 2001. These variances result from cost savings achieved by management and key employees.
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
Capital assets: | | | |
Acquisitions | $ 187,170 | $ 398,255 | $ 277,173 |
Disposals | (45,413) | (232,223) | (12,294) |
Financed acquisitions | - | (36,627) | (104,686) |
Net cash capital asset expenditures | $ 141,757 | $ 129,405 | $ 160,193 |
Capital asset expenditures reflect the cash purchases of capital assets during the year and exclude those assets acquired through leases.
Capital asset acquisitions during 2003 are due mainly to irrigation enhancements and shadestructure requirements for the increased acreage in Ontario.
Capital asset acquisitions during 2002 result mainly from equipment upgrades and shadestructure requirements for the increased acreage in Ontario as well as shipping costs for moving certain equipment from the BC farm to be utilized at the Ontario farm.
Capital asset acquisitions during 2001 consist mainly of upgrades required when, at the end of the lease contract of the Ontario farm office and processing facility, the Ontario operation relocated its farm office and processing facility to a more modern facility. Certain old and obsolete buildings and processing equipment were abandoned or disposed of with a loss, and the Company recorded a $0.07 million loss as a result of this relocation.
In addition, to facilitate the increasing acres in this region, a tractor and farm vehicle was purchased.
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | |
Term debt (excluding current portion) | $ 317,340 | $ 654,132 | $ 810,537 |
Term debt | 833,290 | 1,733,026 | 2,105,335 |
Repayment of term debt | 541,194 | 176,106 | 132,490 |
Debt-to-equity ratio | 0.16 | 0.32 | 0.17 |
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | |
Common shares | $ 22,641,042 | $ 21,909,107 | $ 19,843,918 |
Class “A” Preferred shares | $ 19,131,566 | $ 20,437,368 | $ 22,326,326 |
Unpaid dividends and royalties | $ 10,214,360 | $ 7,319,312 | $ 3,980,141 |
During 2003, the Company determined that it was required to continue to suspend payment of dividends on its Class “A” Preferred Shares and interest on all of its previously issued convertible bonds. As at June 30, 2003 cumulative unpaid dividends and interest in arrears are $8,807,243 and $458,053, respectively.
During 2003, the Company was able to settle certain of its term debt obligations and was able to eliminate $0.9 million of term debt. In conjunction with these settlements, the Company recorded a gain on settlement of debt of $0.4 million plus the reversal of approximately $0.3 million of previously accrued interest.
Commencing in 1999, the Company allowed for the conversion of approximately $18 million of previously issued bonds into Class “A” Preferred Shares of the Company. The bonds are convertible to preferred shares at a price of $1.00 per share and pay an average dividend of approximately 12.5% per annum. From March 31, 1999 to June 30, 2002, bondholders had converted $17.6 million in principal amount of bonds to preferred shares. In addition, $1.0 million of accrued interest on bonds was converted to preferred shares.
In addition to the conversion of bonds into preferred shares, the Company has converted $0.4 million of bonds into common shares of the Company since 1999.
From 1998 to 2000, the Company issued convertible bonds pursuant to an Offering Memorandum dated March 30, 1998, as amended, in the principal amount of $6.6 million. One half of the principal amount of the bonds mature in January 2004 and the remaining half in January 2005. The bonds pay interest at a rate averaging approximately 12% per annum. The balance of these bonds outstanding at June 30, 2003 after the conversions total $0.4 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2003, the Company settled $0.3 million of this debt.
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | |
Bank indebtedness, beginning of year | $ 545,000 | $ - | $ 1,255,000 |
Short-term borrowings (repayments) | (160,000) | 545,000 | (1,255,000) |
Bank indebtedness, end of year | $ 385,000 | $ 545,000 | $ - |
The Company’s subsidiary, CIGF, has available an operating credit facility with a Canadian Chartered Bank (the “Bank”). Under the credit arrangement with the Bank, CIGF has, subject to certain margin and other calculations, up to $0.9 million which bears interest at the Bank’s prime rate plus 1¼%.
In addition, the Company’s subsidiary, CIGO has a $1.4 million credit facility with the Bank under the same terms and conditions.
The purpose of this credit facility is to provide cash flow during the period prior to receiving revenue from its ginseng harvest. The period of utilization of this credit facility is generally from August to March. The credit facility is required to be paid in full on April 30 of each year.
C.Research and development, patents and licenses, etc.
Not applicable
D.Trend information
Ginseng typically reaches maturity after 4 years of growth. Therefore production volumes for ginseng producers can be estimated based on having planting data for the fall plantings 4 years prior to harvest. As ginseng prices reached low levels during 1999 to 2000, many producers reduced their plantings or were unable to plant due to cash flow constraints. It is anticipated that these reduced plantings would impact harvests during 2003 to 2004, resulting in a price increase from reduced supply available. However, price can also be impacted by the quality of root produced, available inventory from previous or early harvests, or the strength of the purchasing currency against the Canadian Dollar.
E.Off-balance sheet arrangements
Not applicable
F.Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations
The Company’s future contractual obligations are as follows:
| Payments due by period |
| Less than 1 year |
1-3 years |
3-5 years |
Total |
Term debt Obligations | $ 515,950 | $ 328,550 | $ - | $ 844,500 |
Capital lease obligations | 443,884 | 52,034 | 25,794 | 521,712 |
Operating lease obligations | 400,634 | 758,100 | 128,000 | 1,286,734 |
Bank indebtedness | 385,000 | - | - | 385,000 |
| $ 1,745,468 | $ 1,138,684 | $ 153,794 | $ 3,037,946 |
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.Directors and senior management
Stephen McCoach
Co-Chairman and Director
Hugh Cartwright
Co-Chairman and Director
James Chang
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Joseph Rogers
Director
Maurice Levesque
Director
Dr. Aik Ping Eng
Director
Rob Geier
Vice President Operations (Ontario)
Hilary Madore
Vice President Finance
Stephen P. McCoach, C.A. – Co-Chairman and Director
Mr. McCoach has over sixteen years experience in finance and administrative management functions both in public and private companies. Mr. McCoach is co-founder and was the Chief Executive Officer of the Company from December 1989 to June 1997. At June 1997, Mr. McCoach was appointed as Chairman. Mr. McCoach is also an officer and director of Western Royal Ginseng (VCC) Corp., Pacific Canadian Ginseng (VCC) Ltd., and related companies thereto. Prior to 1989, Mr. McCoach was a director and Vice President of FraserFund Venture Capital (VCC) Corp. and a corporate officer for Consolidated FirstFund Capital Corp. In 1987, Mr. McCoach also served as the Vice President, Finance and Administration for Columbia Computing Services Limited, a Toronto Stock Exchange listed international software company. Mr. McCoach has a broad range of experience in business management and strategic planning, pub lic and private financing, international banking and investment analysis. He has also developed extensive contacts throughout the ginseng industry in Hong Kong, Taiwan and China. Mr. McCoach obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and became a chartered accountant with Peat Marwick Thorne, Chartered Accountants. Mr. McCoach is also a member of the Hong Kong - Canada Business Association.
Mr. McCoach is a partner and director of Qwest Bancorp Ltd. (formerly Columbia Capital Management Corp.).
Hugh Cartwright, B.Comm. – Co-Chairman and Director
Mr. Cartwright is a co-founder of and was the President of the Company from December 1989 to June 1997. He has extensive contacts in the ginseng industry throughout North America and Asia and a strong contact base with Canadian broker dealers. Mr. Cartwright has a broad range of experience in business management, strategic planning and finance. From 1987 to 1989 he was retained by Consolidated FirstFund Capital Corp. to structure and administer venture capital funds and limited partnerships, to manage a corporate portfolio of over 50 investments, and to consult and provide marketing and corporate finance services to various public and private companies. Mr. Cartwright graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce degree specializing in finance and has successfully completed the Canadian Securities Course.
Mr. Cartwright is a partner and director of Qwest Bancorp Ltd. (formerly Columbia Capital Management Corp.).
James Chang, M.A., M.B.A, C.P.A. (U.S.) - President, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Chang held the position of Vice-President, Marketing and International Operations of the Company until June 1997, at which time Mr. Chang was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Mr. Chang has extensive contacts in the ginseng industry and is responsible for the root selling activities of the Company. In addition, Mr. Chang is responsible for the Company’s financial, regulatory reporting and compliance functions.
Joseph A. Rogers - Director
Mr. Rogers has over thirty years experience in operating and managing agricultural businesses. From June 1991 to March 1994, Mr. Rogers was the Vice President - Operations of the Company responsible for all ongoing operational activities. Commencing April 1994 to December 1995, Mr. Rogers was responsible for all British Columbia and Ontario operational activities as well as overseeing the operations of GB Health Products Ltd. in Asia. From 1954 to 1962 Mr. Rogers served as a Captain and Flight Commander, United States Air Force, multi-engine jet aircraft; from 1967 to 1978 he was President and a Director of the B.C. Livestock Producers Cooperative Association and from 1979 to 1987 he was the Managing Director of Southern Interior Beef Corporation where he was responsible for developing and managing that corporation from inception to it becoming the largest business of its kind in British Columbia. ;As well, Mr. Rogers was Commissioner (appointed by the Government of B.C.) of the Provincial Agricultural Land Commission and Project Officer for the Beef Industry Development Committee for British Columbia.
Maurice Levesque - Director
Mr. Levesque is a partner and director of Qwest Bancorp Ltd. (formerly Columbia Capital Management Corp.) and as Executive Vice-president is responsible for Qwest Bancorp Ltd.’s corporate relations, investor relations, and investment sales and marketing operations. Prior to joining Columbia Capital Management Corp., Mr. Levesque spent 11 years in senior compliance and corporate sales and marketing positions for Metropolitan Trust and Metropolitan Financial Advisors Limited, subsidiary operations of Metropolitan Life Company of Canada.
Mr. Levesque graduated from The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with a diploma in Business Administration and Marketing and has successfully completed the Canadian Investment Funds Course, Branch Managers Course and Officers, Partners and Directors Course. Mr. Levesque is currently a member of Sales and Marketing Executives of Vancouver.
Dr. Aik Ping Eng, M.D. - Director
Dr. Eng is the President of D. Keane Enterprises, a company involved in brokering American ginseng to Asia since 1986. D. Keane Enterprises also owns and operates a chain of wholesale and retail ginseng and ginseng product stores in Malaysia. Dr. Eng has been a practicing physician in Vancouver for many years and brings with him extensive knowledge in grading, marketing and distributing ginseng as well as a strong contact base in the ginseng industry in Asia.
Rob Geier, M.Sc -Vice President Operations (Ontario)
Mr. Geier has over 10 years of research and management experience in a wide variety of agronomic and horticultural production systems and has worked for several government agencies and private consulting firms and on numerous farms. Mr. Geier graduated form the University of Guelph with a Bachelor’s degree specializing in horticultural crop production and with a Master’s degree specializing in weed and herbicide physiology.
Hilary Madore CMA– Vice President Finance
Ms. Madore achieved her CMA designation shortly after she started working with the Company in 1994. During the course of her employment she has worked closely with management on matters of financial and regulatory compliance and implementation of various cost savings measures. In January, 2000, Ms. Madore was promoted to Vice President Finance.
B.Compensation of directors and senior management
The following table contains a summary of compensation paid to directors and senior management during the year ended June 30, 2003:
Name |
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) | Long-term Incentive Plan1 ($) |
James S. Chang | 36,000 | - | 17,583 |
Stephen P. McCoach | 124,000 | - | 17,083 |
Hugh R. Cartwright | 124,000 | - | 17,083 |
Maurice Levesque | - | - | 2,083 |
Joseph A. Rogers | - | - | 2,083 |
Dr. Aik Ping Eng | - | - | 2,083 |
Rob Geier | 80,000 | 4,400 | 14,500 |
Hilary Madore | 65,000 | - | 15,000 |
(1) The Company has in place long-term incentive plans whereby directors, senior officers and key management employees of the Company can participate in deferred incentive bonus pay-outs based on ginseng market performance and management’s achievement in yield and cost per acre on a pre-determined formula. These amounts were paid during the year ended June 30, 2003.
The following table lists stock options outstanding at June 30, 2003 to purchase common shares of the Company for directors and senior management:
Name | Number of Shares |
Exercise Price |
Expiry Date |
James S. Chang | 215,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Stephen P. McCoach | 215,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Hugh R. Cartwright | 215,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Maurice Levesque | 215,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Joseph A. Rogers | 50,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Dr. Aik Ping Eng | 50,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Rob Geier | 75,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
Hilary Madore | 50,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
C.Board Practices and Share Ownership
The Board of Directors is comprised of six members as elected by the Shareholders of the Company. Three members are outside directors and the other three members are also officers of the Company. The Board has three committees, the Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Conduct Review Committee. Each committee is comprised of three directors and also has available to it other officers and senior management of the Company when required. The Board annually reviews the responsibilities and mandates of these committees.
Board Practices
Audit Committee:
The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting, internal control as well as reviewing and recommending for approval of financial statements. The Committee, consisting of a majority of outside directors, reviews the Company’s consolidated financial statements, assesses the accounting principles, risks, adequacy and internal effectiveness of internal controls and recommends the financial statement to the Board for approval. The Committee also meets with management and external auditors to discuss internal controls and significant accounting and reporting issues as well as recommending the engagement or re-appointment of the Company’s external auditors.
Executive Committee:
The Executive Committee, comprised of the Co-Chairmen and the President, serves as a sounding board in situations whereby a full board of Director’s meeting would not be required. Specifically the Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of the Company. Further, the Committee reviews the effectiveness of the Board and identifies, interviews and recommends the appointment of new directors. It is the Committees objective to ensure that the Board is comprised of individuals with diverse background and experience thereby providing a broad range of talent and experience.
Conduct Review Committee:
The Conduct Review Committee has been established to deal with related party transactions and conflicts of interest, where and if applicable. Its responsibility is to fully disclose the identity of non-arms length transactions and implement effective procedures to mitigate business or other relationship that could be perceived to materially interfere with their ability to act in the best interest of Imperial Ginseng.
Share Ownership
The following table sets out the names of directors and senior management, the period of time during which each has been a director or senior manager of the Company, and the number of common shares of the Company beneficially owned by each of them, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, as at June 30, 2003:
Name(1) | Periods during which Has Served as a Director or Senior Manager |
Shares Owned(2) |
STEPHEN P. McCOACH(3)(6) Canada Co-Chairman, Secretary and Director | 1992 to present | 415,690 |
HUGH R. CARTWRIGHT(6) Canada Co-Chairman and Director | 1992 to present | 4,248,878(4) |
DR. AIK PING ENG(3) Canada Director | 1993 to present | 4,000 |
JOSEPH A. ROGERS Canada Director | 1994 to present | 11,500 |
JAMES S. CHANG(6) Canada President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | 1996 to present | 2,259,002 |
MAURICE LEVESQUE(3) Canada Director | 1996 to present | 3,870,062(5) |
ROBERT GEIER Canada Vice-President, Ontario Operations | 1997 to present | Nil |
HILARY MADORE Canada Vice-President, Finance | 2000 to present | Nil |
(1)
The information as to shares beneficially owned or over which a director exercises control or direction has been furnished by each director individually.
(2)
The information as to shares beneficially owned or over which a nominee exercises control or direction, not being within the knowledge of the Company, has been furnished by each director individually.
(3)
Denotes member of Audit Committee.
(4)
Of these shares, 592,496 are held directly, and 3,656,382 are held by Qwest Bancorp Ltd., owned 1/6 by each of Hugh R. Cartwright, Janice Cartwright, Maurice Levesque and Lynn Levesque, and 1/3 by Yvonne McCoach.
(5)
Of these shares, 213,680 are held directly, and 3,656,382 are held by Qwest Bancorp Ltd. (see above).
(6)
Denotes member of Executive Committee. The Executive Committee serves as a sounding board in situations where a full Board of Directors meeting is not required. Specifically, the Executive Committee is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Company. Further, the Committee reviews the effectiveness of the Board and identifies, interviews and recommends the appointment of new directors. The Executive Committee’s objective is to ensure that the Board is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience, thereby providing the Board with a broad range of talent and experience.
D.Employees
The following table lists the number of employees at the end of the period for each of the past three financial years broken down by geographic location as well as an average of temporary employees employed during the year:
| 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
Vancouver, British Columbia | 5 | 5 | 6 |
Kamloops, British Columbia | 8 | 10 | 14 |
Harley, Ontario | 35 | 34 | 35 |
Average temporary/seasonal employees employed during the year |
45 |
45 |
38 |
The Company had a Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”), which expired October 31, 2002, enabling the Company to provide its directors, officers and employees with an opportunity to share in increases in the value of the Company’s shares. Options granted under the Plan create an incentive for the optionees to increase the value of the Company. At October 31, 2002, 563,359 options were grantable under the Plan and 84,300 options were outstanding at an exercise price of $3.00 per common share. These options expired on November 4, 2002.
Subsequent to the expiry of the Company’s Plan, the Company implemented a new Stock Option Plan on November 1, 2002 (the “New Plan”), which authorized the issuance of up to 2,482,164 common shares. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance to any person within any 12-month period may not exceed 5% of the number of outstanding common shares. The exercise price of the options will be determined by the fair market value of the shares at the closing price on the date prior to the date of the grant, all of which vest immediately.
At June 30, 2003, the following incentive stock options were outstanding and exercisable to directors and employees:
Number Outstanding | Exercise Price Per Share | Expiry Date |
1,385,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A.Major Shareholders
To the Company’s knowledge, it is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any foreign government, nor is it aware of any person who owns more than 5% of the Company’s common stock (the only outstanding class of the Company’s voting securities) except as noted below:
Identity of Person or Group |
Amount Held(1) | % of Class |
Qwest Bancorp Ltd. (2) | 3,656,382 | 29.5% |
James Chang | 2,259,002 | 18.2% |
(1)
As at June 30,2003.
(2)
Qwest Bancorp Ltd. is owned 1/6 by each of Hugh Cartwright, Janice Cartwright, Maurice Levesque and Lynn Levesque, and 1/3 by Yvonne McCoach. Messrs. Cartwright and Levesque are directors and officers of the Company and the remaining owners are spouses of directors/officers of the Company.
Canadian law does not permit disclosure of the beneficial shareholders of a company’s voting securities.
Significant changes in the percentage ownership of major shareholders during the past three years are as follows:
•
On January 30, 2002, Qwest Bancorp Ltd. converted 1,464,000 Class “A” Preferred Shares into 3,074,026 common shares of the Company.
•
On January 30, 2002, James Chang, a director of the Company, converted 488,000 Class “A” Preferred Shares into 1,024,675 common shares of the Company.
•
On August 13, 2002, Qwest Bancorp Ltd. converted 402,212 Class “A” Preferred Shares into 3,656,473 common shares of the Company.
•
On August 13, 2002, James Chang converted 134,071 Class “A” Preferred Shares into 1,218,827 common shares of the Company.
Major shareholders do not have different voting rights.
The following table identifies the total number of shares of the Company's common stock owned, or under option by the officers, directors, and senior management of the Company, and as a group, at June 30, 2003:
Identity of Person or Group | Amount Owned | Amount Under Option |
Total | Percentage of Class(2)(3) |
Qwest Bancorp Ltd. (1) | 3,656,382 | - | 3,656,382 | 26.3% |
Stephen P. McCoach | 415,690 | 215,000 | 630,690 | 4.5% |
Hugh R. Cartwright | 592,496 | 215,000 | 807,496 | 5.8% |
Maurice Levesque | 213,680 | 215,000 | 428,680 | 3.1% |
James S. Chang | 2,259,002 | 215,000 | 2,474,002 | 17.8% |
Dr. Aik Ping Eng | 4,000 | 50,000 | 54,000 | 0.0% |
Joseph A. Rogers | 11,500 | 50,000 | 61,500 | 0.0% |
Robert Geier | - | 75,000 | 75,000 | 0.1% |
Hilary Madore | - | 50,000 | 50,000 | 0.0% |
All directors and officers as a group | 7,152,750 | 1,085,000 | 8,237,750 | 61.0% |
(1)
Qwest Bancorp Ltd. is owned 1/6 by each of Hugh Cartwright, Janice Cartwright, Maurice Levesque and Lynn Levesque, and 1/3 by Yvonne McCoach. Messrs. Cartwright and Leveque are directors and officers of the Company and the remaining owners are spouses of directors/officers of the Company.
(2)
The Company knows of no arrangements, which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control.
(3)
Percentage of class is calculated based on the outstanding common shares as at June 30, 2003 of 12,410,822 plus outstanding stock options.
Pacific Corporate Trust Company is the Company's registrar and transfer agent for the Company's shares. Pacific Corporate Trust's records as of June 30, 2003 indicate 12,410,822 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as follows:
Residence of Shareholder |
Number of Holders |
Number of Shares (1) |
Percent |
Canada | 182 | 11,691,694 | 94.2% |
U.S.A. | 54 | 643,536 | 5.2% |
Other | 1 | 75,592 | 0.6 |
Total | 237 | 12,410,822 | 100.0% |
(1) Includes the total number of shares held by registered and beneficial shareholders.
B.Related party transactions
Marketing Agreement
On January 1, 1999, the Company subsidiaries, Canadian Imperial Ginseng Farms Ltd. and Canadian Imperial Ginseng Ontario Ltd., entered into separate marketing agreements with companies controlled by James S. Chang (“the Marketing Companies”). The Marketing Companies render all marketing and selling services and pay all expenses related to the sale of the Company’s ginseng root. These agreements expire on June 30, 2004. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, the Company paid $164,047 (2002 – $146,696, 2001 - $225,674) with respect to these services.
Accounting and Administrative Services
Trilogy Bancorp Ltd. (“Trilogy”) of Vancouver, British Columbia, a private corporation owned equally by the family trusts of Stephen P. McCoach, Hugh R. Cartwright and Maurice Levesque, provide asset and administration services to the Company. For the year ended June 30, 2003, Trilogy received $246,000 (2002 - $246,000, 2001 - $246,000) from the Company. Of this amount, $184,000 was for salaries for services provided by all employees of Qwest and Trilogy (excluding the above shareholders). Of the balance, $20,000 was for reimbursement of rent and $42,000 was for expense reimbursement of office services and supplies.
During 1999, Qwest was engaged to consult with and to advise the Company with respect to restructuring its long-term debt obligations and financing. As a result, the Company entered into a Financing and Services Agreement dated January 25, 1999 with Qwest to structure, package, market and administer the conversion of long-term debt obligations to convertible Class “A” Preferred Shares and to raise capital through the issuance of preferred shares and bonds. Qwest is compensated for such services by a service charge of 6% of the face value of Preferred Shares and Bonds issued and 2.5% is paid to Trilogy for annual asset management. For the year ended June 30, 2003, the Company was charged $nil (2002 - $nil, 2001 - $4,800) and $543,256 (2002 - $547,381, 2001 - $431,372), respectively, for these services.
During the financial year ended June 30, 2002, the Company settled $536,283 (2001 - $952,000, 2000 - $1,000,000) of its debt owing to Qwest with the issuance of 536,283 (2001 – 952,000, 2000 – 1,000,000) Class “A” Preferred Shares.
Preferred Share Conversion
During the year ended June 30, 2003, Qwest converted 402,212 Class “A” Preferred Shares into 3,656,473 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.11 per share.
Also during the year ended June 30, 2003, James S. Chang converted 134,071 Class “A” Preferred Shares into 1,218,827 common shares of the Company at a price of $0.11 per share.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 17 and 18 for the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended June 30, 2003.
B.Significant Changes
Results of Operations
Significant changes that have occurred since the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, including results of operations for the three-month period ended September 30, 2003, are as follows:
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2003, the Company reports revenues of $154,578 and net income of $141,825 or $0.05 loss per share.
During the three-month period ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, certain assets at the Company’s British Columbia farm were disposed of resulting in gains as disposal proceeds were in excess of book value.
During the three-month period ended September 30, 2003, bonds were settled for amounts less than face value resulting in a gain being record for these transactions. In addition, amounts previously accrued as interest payable, were reversed.
Financial Position
Farm Operations:
During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company commenced its planting and harvesting activities. The Company estimates that it will plant approximately 150 acres of ginseng at its Ontario farm and harvest a total of 153 acres between its British Columbia and Ontario farms.
Subsequent to the planned fall 2003 activities, the Company will have approximately 550 acres under cultivation located solely at the Ontario farm.
Related Party Transactions and Balances:
a) Management Company
For the three-month period ended September 30, 2003, the Company was charged and accrued $135,556 with respect to administration of its Class “A” Preferred Shares owing to a related party. At September 30, 2003, $823,897 is owing to this related party and is included in accounts payable. The amount is due on demand, unsecured and non-interest bearing.
On October 14, 2003, the Company settled its debt owing to this related party with the assignment of its net equity in land and building owned pursuant to an undivided interest in a joint venture ginseng processing facility located in Kamloops, B.C. The net equity the Company has in the land and building is approximately $178,000.
In addition, the management company provides administrative and office services and the Company was charged $46,125, $4,920, and $10,455 for salaries, rent, and office services, respectively.
Financing Activities
During the period the Company determined that it was required to continue to suspend payment of dividends on its Class “A” Preferred Shares and interest on all of its previously issued convertible bonds. As at September 30, 2003 cumulative unpaid dividends and interest in arrears are $9,484,559 and $325,547, respectively.
During the three month period ended September 30, 2003, the Company negotiated and settled $313,000 of term debt, and realized a gain on settlement of the term debt of $51,950. In addition, $157,906 previously accrued as interest expense was reversed.
Canadian Imperial Ginseng Farms Ltd. and Canadian Imperial Ginseng Ontario Ltd., subsidiaries of the Company, have available with a Canadian chartered bank a $2,250,000 line of credit, subject to certain margining calculations, which bears interest at price plus 1¼% per annum and is secured by a charge over all inventory and crops, certain leasehold improvements and an assignment of life insurance on the Company’s president. At September 30, 2003, $1,945,000 was drawn on this facility.
Liquidity and Financial Position
At September 30, 2003, the Company had total assets of $10,499,960 as compared with $9,016,001 at June 30, 2003. This increase is primarily due to the investment into ginseng crop costs for on-going maintenance of the crops and the planting expenditures for new seeding.
Working capital decreased from $277,832 at June 30, 2003 to negative $1,229,644 at September 30, 2003 and the current ratio decreased from 0.92 at June 30, 2003 to 0.75 at September 30, 2003. These differences are primarily due to the increased utilization of the Company’s bank line of credit for expenditures incurred for seeding and harvest activities prior to having the final root product available for sale. The selling of the root usually takes place during the Company’s 2nd and 3rd quarters of the fiscal year.
Total term debt, net of discount, decreased from $833,290 at June 30, 2003 to $523,092 at September 30, 2003 due to bond settlements.
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A.
Offer and Listing Details
The Company's common stock was listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange under the symbol "CIH" from October 18, 1993 to October 2, 1995. On October 2, 1995 in conjunction with the share consolidation (reverse stock split) the trading symbol was changed to “IGP”. On November 29, 1999, the Vancouver Stock Exchange merged with the Alberta Stock Exchange to form the Canadian Venture Exchange. On August 1, 2001, 2001 the Canadian Venture Exchange was purchased by the Toronto Stock Exchange who then changed the name of the Canadian Venture Exchange to the TSX Venture Exchange.
On October 27, 1995 the Company’s common stock was listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (National Market System) under the symbol “IGPFF”.
On January 6, 1999, the Company was notified by Nasdaq Stock Market that its securities would be delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market effective with the close of business January 6, 1999. The notification indicated that the action was taken because the Company no longer satisfied the net tangible assets and market value of public float requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market pursuant to the revised rules of August 22, 1997. The Nasdaq notification also noted that on January 5, 1999, the Company did not comply with the $1.00 minimum bid price and $1,000,000 market value of public float requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market.
The Company’s shares continue to trade on NASD OTC Bulletin Board as well as the TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange)
The high and low sales prices for the securities traded on TSX Venture Exchange (formerly the Canadian Venture Exchange) are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
High
Low
1999 | | 4.25 | 1.04 |
2000 | | 3.00 | 0.53 |
2001 | | 0.70 | 0.22 |
2002 | | 0.32 | 0.07 |
2003 | | 0.10 | 0.01 |
Quarter Ended
High
Low
2001 | September 30 | 0.30 | 0.10 |
| December 31 | 0.20 | 0.07 |
| | | |
2002 | March 31 | 0.20 | 0.08 |
| June 30 | 0.18 | 0.09 |
| September 30 | 0.06 | 0.03 |
| December 31 | 0.05 | 0.01 |
| | | |
2003 | March 31 | 0.07 | 0.02 |
| June 30 | 0.10 | 0.06 |
| September 30 | 0.12 | 0.07 |
Month Ended
High
Low
May 2003 | | 0.10 | 0.06 |
June 2003 | | 0.10 | 0.07 |
July 2003 | | 0.12 | 0.12 |
August 2003 | | 0.10 | 0.09 |
September 2003 | | 0.10 | 0.07 |
October 2003 | | 0.07 | 0.07 |
The High and Low sales prices for the securities traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market (National Market System)/NASD OTC Bulletin Board are as follows:
Fiscal Year Ended
High
Low
1999 | | 3.50 | 0.75 |
2000 | | 1.97 | 0.31 |
2001 | | 0.50 | 0.17 |
2002 | | 0.20 | 0.04 |
2003 | | 0.10 | 0.01 |
Quarter Ended
High
Low
2001 | September 30 | 0.20 | 0.06 |
| December 31 | 0.15 | 0.04 |
| | | |
2002 | March 31 | 0.06 | 0.06 |
| June 30 | 0.06 | 0.06 |
| September 30 | 0.05 | 0.02 |
| December 31 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
| | | |
2003 | March 31 | 0.10 | 0.01 |
| June 30 | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| September 30 | 0.06 | 0.03 |
Month Ended
High
Low
May 2003 | | Did not trade | |
June 2003 | | Did not trade | |
July 2003 | | 0.06 | 0.06 |
August 2003 | | 0.04 | 0.04 |
September 2003 | | 0.04 | 0.04 |
October 2003 | | 0.04 | 0.04 |
The Company paid a dividend in the fiscal year ended June 30, 1993 to its common shareholders and has not paid any other further dividends to date. The Company is currently precluded from paying dividends on its common shares as long as the arrears on bond interest payments, bond maturity, and preferred share dividends continue. Management of the Company does not know when, or if this arrears will be corrected.
There are no credit agreements, which limit the payment of dividends, provided the loans are in good standing.
B.Plan of distribution
This Form 20F is being filed as an Annual Report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this section.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.Share capital
This Form 20F is being filed as an Annual Report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this section.
B.Memorandum and articles of association
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F dated October 28, 1994 (Commission File No. 0-25026).
C. Material contracts
There have been no material contracts entered into, other than contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, to which the Company or any member of the group is a party, for the two years immediately preceding publication of this document.
D. Exchange controls
There are no foreign exchange controls prescribed by Canadian law and there are no Canadian laws, decrees or regulations otherwise restricting the import or export of capital except theIncome Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA") and regulations thereunder which provide for withholding taxes affecting certain remittances to non-resident holders of a company's securities. See Item 7.
Except as provided in the Investment Canada Act (the "Investment Act") and the Company Act, there are no limitations under the laws of Canada, the Province of British Columbia or in the charter or any other constituent documents of the Company on the right of foreigners to hold or vote the Company's common stock.
The Investment Act generally prohibits implementation of a reviewable investment by an individual, government or government agency, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture that is not a "Canadian" as defined in the Investment Act (a "non-Canadian"), unless after review the Minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada. An investment in common stock by a non-Canadian (other than a "NAFTA investor" as defined in the Investment Act) will be reviewable under the Investment Act if it is an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company is $5,000,000 or more. A non-Canadian will be deemed to acquire control of the Company for the purposes of the Investment Act if he acquires a majority of the outstanding common stock. A non-Canadian will be presumed to acquire control of the Company if he acquires more than one-third (but less than a majority) of the outstanding common stock, unless it can be established that, on the acquisition, the Company is not controlled in fact by the non-Canadian through the ownership of such shares. A non-Canadian will be deemed not to acquire control if he acquires less than one-third of the outstanding common stock.
The Investment Act was amended with the implementation of the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement to provide for special review thresholds for "Americans," as defined in the Investment Act. The Investment Act was further amended with the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement to provide for special review thresholds for "NAFTA investors," as defined in the Investment Act. The special rules for "Americans" are suspended while the rules for NAFTA investors remain in force. The special rules for Americans under the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement are substantially similar to the rules for NAFTA investors under the North American Free Trade Agreement, as discussed below, except that the special rules for Americans apply only to Americans and American-controlled entities, as defined in the Investment Act. The special rules for NAFTA inves tors do not apply, and the general rules described above do apply, to the acquisition of control of certain types of businesses specified in the Investment Act. The definition of NAFTA investor includes NAFTA investor - controlled entities, as defined in the Investment Act. Under the Investment Act, as amended, if the NAFTA investor rules apply, an investment in the common stock by or from a NAFTA investor will be reviewable only if it is an investment to acquire control of the Company and the value of the assets of the Company is equal to or greater than a specified amount (the "Review Threshold"). The Review Threshold is adjusted annually each year to be equivalent to $150,000,000 in constant 1992 dollars (calculated as provided in the Investment Act).
If any non-Canadian, whether or not a NAFTA investor, acquires control of the Company by the acquisition of common stock, but the transaction is not reviewable as described above, the non-Canadian is required to notify the Canadian government and to provide certain basic information relating to the investment. (A non-Canadian, whether or not a NAFTA investor, is also required to provide a notice to the government on the establishment of a new Canadian business.) If the business of the Company is then a prescribed type of business activity related to Canada's cultural heritage or national identity, and if the Canadian government considers it to be in the public interest to do so, then the Canadian government may give a notice in writing within 21 days requiring the investment to be reviewed. If the government reviews the investment, then the non-Canadian is prohibited from making the investment until the Minister responsible for the Investment Act is satisfied that the investment is likely to be a benefit to Canada. If the investment is made without such a determination, then the government may require that the non-Canadian divest itself of the investment.
For non-Canadians (other than NAFTA investors, as defined in the Investment Act), an indirect acquisition of control, by the acquisition of voting interests of an entity that directly or indirectly controls the Company, is reviewable if the value of the assets of the Company is then $50,000,000 or more. If the NAFTA investor rules apply, then this requirement does not apply to a NAFTA investor, as defined in the Investment Act, or to a person acquiring the entity from a NAFTA investor. Special rules specified in the Investment Act apply if the value of the assets of the Company is more than 50% of the value of the entity so acquired. By these special rules, if the non-Canadian (whether or not a NAFTA investor) is acquiring control of an entity that directly or indirectly controls the Company, and the value of the assets of the Company and all other entities carrying on business in Canada, calculated in the manner provided in the Investment Act and the regulations under the Investment Act, is more than 50% of the value, calculated in the manner provided in the Investment Act and the regulations under the Investment Act, of the assets of all entities, the control of which is acquired, directly or indirectly, in the transaction of which the acquisition of control of the Company forms a part, then the thresholds for a direct acquisition of control as discussed above will apply, that is, a review threshold equivalent to $150 million in constant 1992 dollars for a NAFTA investor or $5.0 million for a non-Canadian other than a NAFTA investor. If the value exceeds that review threshold, then the transaction must be reviewed in the same manner as a direct acquisition of control by the purchase of shares of the Company, as described above.
There are no provisions in the Company's constating documents which limit the right of non-resident or foreign owners to hold or vote the Company's shares or which prescribe restrictions on the payment of dividends, interest or other payments.
Under the Company Act, the Company is required to have at least one director resident in the Province of British Columbia and a majority of directors who are residents of Canada. Accordingly, the ability of shareholders to elect directors is limited to the extent the board of directors of the Company must at all times meet these requirements.
Certain directors of the Company also serve as directors of companies, which may enter into contracts with the Company, thereby raising the possibility of a conflict of interest. In accordance with the laws of the Province of British Columbia, directors are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Furthermore, the Company requires directors to disclose to the Company any potential conflicts of interest. If the Board of Directors determines that any potential conflict of interest involving Company directors prevents such directors from meeting their fiduciary obligations to the Company, the Board is obligated to consider the remedial action, which should be taken under the particular circumstances.
The Company believes that all terms to respective transactions are comparable to those which would have been obtainable from unaffiliated sources.
E.Taxation
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING THE COMMON SHARES.
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Investors
The following is a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax consequences to a shareholder of acquiring, holding and disposing of common shares where, for purposes of the ITA, the holder (a) is not resident in Canada, (b) does not, and is not deemed to, carry on business in Canada, (c) holds common shares as capital property, and (d) is the beneficial owner of the common shares, and where, for the purposes of the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980) (the "Convention"), the shareholder is resident in the United States.
The summary is based on the current provisions of the ITA and the regulations thereunder and on the Company's understanding of the current administrative practices of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The provisions of the ITA are subject to the provisions of the Convention. The summary also takes into account all specific proposals to amend the ITA and the regulations thereunder publicly announced by the Minister of Finance of Canada through November 1997. The summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in law, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account or consider any provincial, territorial or foreign income tax considerations. The summary is of a general nature only and is not a substitute for independent advice from a shareholder's own tax advisers.
Dividends on Common Shares
Under the ITA, a nonresident of Canada is generally subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% on the gross amount of dividends paid or credited to him by a corporation resident in Canada. The Convention limits the rate to 15% of the gross amount of the dividends if the shareholder is resident in the United States and the dividends are beneficially owned by him. The Convention further limits the rate to 10% of the gross amount of the dividends if the shareholder is also a corporation that beneficially owns at least 10% of the voting stock of the payor corporation.
The Convention generally exempts from Canadian withholding tax dividends paid to a religious, scientific, literary, educational or charitable organization or to an organization exclusively administering a pension, retirement or employee benefit fund or plan, if the organization is resident in the United States and exempt from income tax under the laws of the United States. However, the payor of such dividends may still be required to withhold and remit tax to Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (which is refundable upon application by the organization) unless the organization has obtained a valid letter of exemption from Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. Organizations in possession of a valid letter of exemption are normally listed in Revenue Canada's annual publication, "List of United States Organizations Exempt from Canadian Non-Resident Tax under Article XXI (1) of the Canada-United States Tax Convent ion."
Disposition of Common Shares
The proceeds of disposition to a nonresident of Canada from the disposition of common shares will generally be the sale price therefor. However, if common shares are purchased by the Company from a nonresident of Canada other than in an open market in the manner in which shares would normally be purchased by the public, the proceeds of disposition to the shareholder will generally be the paid-up capital of the common shares and the balance of the price received will be deemed to be a dividend and taxable as described under "Dividends on common shares."
Under the ITA only capital gains and capital losses realized on the disposition of "taxable Canadian property" are taken into account by a nonresident of Canada in computing income. The common shares will constitute taxable Canadian property to a nonresident of Canada at a particular time if, at any time in the preceding 5 years, 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of the capital stock of the Company belonged to the non-resident person, to persons with whom the non-resident person did not deal at arm's length or to the non-resident person and persons with whom he did not deal at arm's length.
The capital gain (or capital loss) of a non-resident of Canada from the disposition of common shares that are "taxable Canadian property" will be the amount, if any, by which his proceeds of disposition, less any costs of disposition, exceed (or are less than) the adjusted cost base of the common shares to the holder immediately prior to the disposition. The portion of a capital gain (the "taxable capital gain") and the portion of a capital loss (the "allowable capital loss") required to be taken into account currently is as follows:
July 1, 1999 – February 27, 2000 75%
February 28, 2000 – October 17, 2000 66 2/3%
October 18, 2000 – Current 50%
Any allowable capital loss realized by the shareholder will, subject to the rules in the ITA which deny or restrict the ability to utilize losses, be deductible from taxable capital gains realized by the shareholder in the current tax year, the three preceding taxation years or future taxation years.
The Convention relieves United States residents from liability for Canadian tax on capital gains derived from a disposition of common shares unless:
(a)
their value is derived principally from real property in Canada;
(b)
the holder was resident in Canada for 120 months during any period of 20 consecutive years preceding, and at any time during the 10 years immediately preceding, the disposition and the common shares (or, in certain circumstances, property for which the common shares were substituted) were owned by him when he ceased to be resident in Canada; or
(c)
they formed part of the business property of a permanent establishment the holder has or had within the 12 months preceding disposition, or pertained to a fixed base the holder has or had in Canada or was available to the United States resident in Canada for purposes of performing independent personal services within the 12 months preceding the disposition.
The Company does not believe that the value of its shares derives principally from real property in Canada.
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences to United States Investors
The following general discussion sets forth a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences that are applicable to the following persons who invest in and hold common shares as capital assets ("U.S. Shareholders"): (i) citizens or residents (as specially defined for federal income tax purposes) of the United States, (ii) corporations or partnerships created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or of any state and (iii) estates or trusts the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source. This discussion does not deal with (a) all aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to a particular U.S. Shareholder based on such U.S. Shareholder's particular circumstances (including potential application of the alternative minimum tax), (b) certain U.S. Shareholders subject to special treatmen t under the federal income tax laws or foreign individuals or entities, (c) U.S. Shareholders owning directly or by attribution 10% or more of the common shares, or (d) any aspect of state, local or non-United States tax laws. Additionally, the following discussion assumes that the Company will not be classified as a "foreign personal holding company" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
Passive Foreign Investment Company
For any taxable year of the Company, if 75% or more of the Company's gross income is "passive income" (as defined in the Code) or if at least 50% of the Company's assets, by average fair market value (or by adjusted income tax bases if the Company elects), are assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income, the Company will be a Passive Foreign Investment Company ("PFIC"). The Company may be a PFIC and, if so, may continue to be a PFIC for the foreseeable future.
A U.S. Shareholder of a PFIC is subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules in Sections 1291 to 1297 of the Code. As described below, these provisions set forth two alternative tax regimes at the election of each such U.S. Shareholder, depending upon whether the U.S. Shareholder elects to treat the Company as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF Election").
U.S. SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY URGED TO CONSIDER MAKING A QEF ELECTION TO AVOID CERTAIN POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES.
1.
The QEF Election Alternative
Each U.S. Shareholder is strongly urged to consider making a QEF Election because of the potential benefits of such election that are discussed below and because the Company anticipates that it will not have any earnings and profits (as computed for United States federal income tax purposes) for the current taxable year and little, if any, earnings and profits for any future taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC. (There can be no assurance, however, that this will be the case.) Accordingly, the timely making of the QEF election, as discussed below, generally should, subject to the discussion below under "Other PFIC Rules", avoid any significant adverse United States federal income tax consequences resulting from any classification of the Company as a PFIC, although this may depend on a particular U.S. Shareholder's particular circumstances.
A U.S. Shareholder who elects in a timely manner to treat the Company as a QEF (an "Electing U.S. Shareholder") will be subject, under Section 1293 of the Code, to current federal income tax for any taxable year in which the Company is a PFIC (or is treated as a PFIC with respect to the U.S. Shareholder) on such Electing U.S. Shareholder's pro-rata share of the Company's (i) "net capital gain" (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), which will be taxed as long-term capital gain to the Electing U.S. Shareholder and (ii) "ordinary earnings" (the excess of earnings and profits over net capital gain), which will be taxed as ordinary income to the Electing U.S. Shareholder, in each case, for the shareholder's taxable year in which (or with which) the Company's taxable year ends, regardless of whether such amounts actually are distributed. An Electing U.S . Shareholder, however, would not take into account any income with respect to any taxable year of the Company for which it has no earnings and profits. Adjustments are provided generally to prevent double taxation at the time of later distributions on or dispositions of common shares.
The QEF election also allows the Electing U.S. Shareholder to (i) generally treat any gain realized on the disposition of common shares (or deemed to be realized on the pledge of such shareholder's common shares) as capital gain; (ii) treat such shareholder's share of the Company's net capital gain, if any, as long-term capital gain instead of ordinary income; (iii) probably (although in the absence of regulations this matter is not free from doubt) retain in the case of an individual Electing U.S. Shareholder, the "step-up" in the tax basis of common shares to the fair market value of such shares on the date of such Electing U.S. Shareholder's death (which would otherwise not be retained); and (iv) generally avoid interest charges resulting from PFIC status altogether.
In the event the Company is deemed a PFIC, the Company intends to comply with the reporting requirements prescribed by Treasury regulations. In particular, the Company will maintain information so that the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the Company may be determined. However, future regulations may contain reporting and record-keeping requirements that are so onerous that it would not be practicable for the Company to comply. If, after review of the requirements, the Company decides not to comply with the PFIC record-keeping requirements, the Company will so notify its shareholders.
A QEF election must be made by attaching the following documents to the timely filed U.S. federal income tax return for the first taxable year of the U.S. Shareholder in which or with which a taxable year of the Company during which the Company was a PFIC and the U.S. Shareholder held (or was considered to have held) common shares ends: (i) a "Shareholder Section 1295 Election Statement" executed by the U.S. Shareholder, (ii) a "PFIC Annual Information Statement" received by the U.S. Shareholder from the Company, and (iii) a Form 8621. In addition, the Electing U.S. Shareholder must file a copy of the Shareholder Section 1295 Election Statement with the Internal Revenue Service Center, P.O. Box 21086, Philadelphia, PA 19114. In the case of common shares owned through a U.S. entity, the election is made at the entity level.
The following three paragraphs apply to Electing U.S. Shareholders:
Dividends Paid on Common shares. Dividends paid on common shares (including any Canadian taxes withheld) to an Electing U.S. Shareholder will be treated as ordinary dividend income for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits (as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes) unless paid out of earnings and profits that were taxed to the Electing U.S. Shareholder under the QEF rules. Such dividends generally will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction available to corporations. Amounts in excess of such earnings and profits will be applied against the Electing U.S. Shareholder's tax basis in the common shares, and to the extent in excess of such tax basis, will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of such common shares.
Credit for Canadian Taxes Withheld. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 904 of the Code (which generally restricts the availability of foreign tax credits to a U.S. Shareholder's tax liability attributable to foreign-source income of the same type as the income with respect to which the tax was imposed, as determined under complex U.S. tax rules), the Canadian tax withheld or paid with respect to dividends on the common shares generally may be taken as a foreign tax credit against United States federal income taxes by any Electing U.S. Shareholder who chooses to claim such a credit for the taxable year. Electing U.S. Shareholders who do not choose to claim foreign tax credits for a taxable year may claim a United States tax deduction for such Canadian tax in such taxable year.
Disposition of common shares. Any gain or loss on a sale or exchange of common shares by an Electing U.S. Shareholder will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if the common shares have been held for more than one year, and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. The sale of common shares through certain brokers may be subject to the information reporting and back-up withholding rules of the Code.
2.
The Non-QEF Election Alternative
If a U.S. Shareholder does not timely make a QEF election for the first taxable year of the Company during which he holds (or is considered to hold) the common shares in question and the Company is a PFIC (a "Non-electing U.S. Shareholder"), then special rules under Section 1291 of the Code will apply to (i) gains realized on the disposition (or deemed to be realized by reason of a pledge) of common shares, and (ii) certain "excess distributions" (as defined in the Code) by the Company. The Company has never made any distributions with respect to the common shares and it does not anticipate making any such distributions in the foreseeable future.
A non-electing U.S. Shareholder generally would be required to pro-rate all gains realized on the disposition of common shares and all excess distributions over such shareholder's entire holding period for the common shares. All gains or excess distributions allocated to prior years of the U.S. Shareholder (provided that such periods are not prior to the first day of the first taxable year of the Company during such U.S. Shareholder's holding period and beginning after December 31, 1986 for which it was a PFIC) would be taxed at the highest tax rates for each such prior year applicable to ordinary income. (Special foreign tax credit rules apply with respect to withholding taxes imposed on amounts that are treated as excess distributions.) The Non-electing U.S. Shareholder also would be liable for interest on the foregoing tax liability for each such prior year calculated as if such liability had been du e with respect to each such prior year. A Non-electing U.S. Shareholder that is not a corporation must treat this interest charge as "personal interest" which is non-deductible. The balance of the gain or the excess distribution will be treated as ordinary income in the year of the disposition or distribution and no interest charge will be incurred with respect to such balance.
If the Company is a PFIC for any taxable year during which a Non-electing U.S. Shareholder holds (or is considered to hold) common shares, then the Company will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such common shares, even if it is no longer definitely a PFIC. A Non-electing U.S. Shareholder may terminate this deemed PFIC status by electing to recognize gain (which will be taxed under the rules discussed above for Non-electing U.S. Shareholders) as if such common shares had been sold on the last day of the last taxable year for which it was a PFIC. Certain other elections are also available to Non-electing U.S. Shareholders.
Other PFIC Rules:
Certain special, generally adverse, rules will apply with respect to the common shares while the Company is a PFIC, regardless of whether the common shares are held (or considered to be held) by an Electing or Non-electing U.S. Shareholder. For example, under Section 1297(b)(6) of the Code, a U.S. Shareholder who uses PFIC stock as security for a loan (including a margin loan) will, except as may be provided in regulations, be treated as having made a taxable disposition of such stock. In addition, under Section 1291 (f) of the Code, the Treasury has authority to issue regulations that would treat as taxable certain transfers that are generally not so treated, such as gifts, exchanges pursuant to corporate reorganizations, and transfers at death, although it is not clear that such authority extends to transfers by Electing U.S. Shareholders.
Future Developments
The foregoing discussion is based on existing provisions of the Code, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Any such changes could affect the validity of this discussion. In addition, the implementation of certain aspects of the PFIC rules requires the issuance of regulations which in many instances have not yet been promulgated and which may have retroactive effect. Furthermore, legislation has been proposed which would replace the PFIC provisions with a consolidated anti-deferral regime. While this legislation was vetoed, it may be re-introduced in subsequent years.
ALL PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING THE COMMON SHARES.
E. Dividends and paying agents
This Form 20F is being filed as an Annual Report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this section.
F. Statements by experts
This Form 20F is being filed as an Annual Report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this section.
G. Documents on display
Documents and exhibits referred to in this document may be inspected at the offices of the Securities and Exchange Commission or obtained from the Company by telephoning (604) 689-8863 or in writing at Suite 1601 – 650 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4N7.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not applicable.
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
This Form 20F is being filed as an Annual Report under the Exchange Act and, as such, there is no requirement to provide any information under this section.
PART II
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES
Due to significantly lower than expected ginseng root prices and the resulting lower cash flow from operations, the Company did not make payments to retire one-half of its 1994 convertible bond issue on December 31, 1999 and the balance on December 31, 2000. The Company has been working with those bondholders to refinance their bonds, to convert their bonds to preferred shares or to common shares of the Company, or to settle the bonds. As a result of the conversions and some settlements, $470,500 is outstanding at June 30, 2003, of which $309,500 had been extended to mature one-half on December 31, 2004 and one-half on December 31, 2005.
In addition, the Company did not make payments to retire one-half of its 1995 convertible bond issue on December 31, 2000 and the balance on December 31, 2001. The Company has been working with those bondholders to convert their bonds to preferred shares or to common shares of the Company or to settle the bonds. As a result of the conversions and settlements, $25,000 is outstanding at June 30, 2003. Subsequent to June 30, 2003, the balance of $25,000 was also settled.
The Company is currently precluded from paying dividends on its Class “A” Preferred Shares and unable to pay interest on all its previously issued convertible bonds. As at June 30, 2003, cumulative unpaid dividends and interest are approximately $8,807,243 and $458,053, respectively.
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHT OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Not applicable.
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2003 was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President Finance. Based on that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and the Vice President Finance concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to provide, and are effective in providing, reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported with in the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated cannot provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. Subsequent to the date of the most recent evaluation of the disclosure controls, there were no significant changes in the Company's disclosure controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the disclosure controls, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
ITEM 16. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT, CODE OF ETHICS AND PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
A.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Company’s financial expert in its audit committee currently is Stephen McCoach.
B.
Code of Ethics
The Company has not adopted a formal written code of ethics that applies to Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions given its relatively small size and the Directors, including the director/employees of the Company, are subject to the laws of the Province of British Columbia, Canada, whereby they are required to act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
C.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The following table discloses accounting fees and services of the Company:
Type of Services Rendered | 2003 Fiscal Year ($Cdn) | 2002 Fiscal Year ($Cdn) |
Audit fees | $36,250 | $32,500 |
Audit-related fees (disbursements – fax, courier, etc.) | $1,180 | $1,577 |
Tax fees | $6,000 | $7,500 |
PART III
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial Statements required under this item are filed herewith and attached to this Form 20-F and form part of this Annual Report.
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
See item 17.
Index to Financial Statements
Page
Auditors Report
47
Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002
48
Consolidated Statements of Loss for the years ended
June 30, 2003, June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2001
49
Consolidated Statements of Deficit for the years ended
June 30, 2003, June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2001
50
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended
June 30, 2003, June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2001
51
Consolidated Schedules of Ginseng Crop Costs for the years ended
June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002
53
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
54
Consolidated Financial Statements of
IMPERIAL GINSENG PRODUCTS LTD.
Years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001
![[form20f03002.jpg]](https://capedge.com/proxy/20-F/0001176256-03-000274/form20f03002.jpg)
Grant Thornton LLP
Chartered Accountants
Management Consultants
AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. as at June 30, 2003 and 2002 and the consolidated statements of operations, deficit and cash flows for the years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in Canada and the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform an audit to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, these consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at June 30, 2003 and 2002 and the results of its operations and its cash flows years June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001 in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. As required by the Company Act of British Columbia, we report that, in our opinion, these principles have been applied on a consistent basis.
Vancouver, Canada “GRANT THORNTON LLP”
August 22, 2003
Chartered Accountants
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(expressed in Canadian dollars)
June 30, | 2003 | 2002 |
|
|
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets: Cash |
$ 52,730 |
$ 70,969 |
Accounts receivable | 37,869 | 36,136 |
Inventory | 145,956 | 610,800 |
Ginseng crop costs (schedule) | 2,700,000 | 2,800,000 |
Prepaid expenses | 98,520 | 122,794 |
| 3,035,075 | 3,640,699 |
|
|
|
Ginseng crop costs (schedule) | 4,351,190 | 4,223,802 |
Capital assets (note 4) | 1,629,735 | 1,912,819 |
Investment (note 5) | 1 | 1 |
|
|
|
| $ 9,016,001 | $ 9,777,321 |
|
|
|
LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
Bank indebtedness (note 7) | $ 385,000 | $ 545,000 |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (notes 3(a) and 8) |
1,991,820 |
1,431,067 |
Current portion of obligations under capital leases (note 9) |
420,137 |
104,941 |
Current portion of term debt (note 10) | 515,950 | 1,078,894 |
| 3,312,907 | 3,159,902 |
|
|
|
Obligations under capital leases (note 9) | 66,296 | 483,104 |
Term debt (note 10) | 317,340 | 654,132 |
Royalty amount payable (note 10(c)) | 62,820 | 62,820 |
|
|
|
Shareholders’ Equity: |
|
|
Share capital (note 12) | 51,986,968 | 49,665,787 |
Conversion option | 266,701 | 266,701 |
Deficit | (46,997,031) | (44,515,125) |
| 5,256,638 | 5,417,363 |
|
|
|
| $ 9,016,001 | $ 9,777,321 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Commitments (note 14)
On Behalf of the Board
“Hugh Cartwright”
“James Chang”
Hugh Cartwright, Director
James Chang, Director
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years ended June 30, | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|
|
|
|
REVENUE | $ 5,820,993 | $ 5,345,505 | $ 8,065,265 |
Cost of sales | 4,499,214 | 5,049,498 | 7,566,774 |
Write down of ginseng crop costs | 400,000 | 5,100,000 | 1,300,000 |
|
|
|
|
Gross profit (loss) | 921,779 | (4,803,993) | (801,509) |
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income | 26,817 | 22,702 | 33,903 |
|
|
|
|
| 948,596 | (4,781,291) | (767,606) |
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES: |
|
|
|
Amortization and depreciation | 1,143 | 939 | 923 |
Interest on bank indebtedness | 56,914 | 52,798 | 113,104 |
Interest on term debt and capital leases | 238,098 | 275,715 | 1,019,220 |
Legal and audit | 79,368 | 41,536 | 47,452 |
Marketing (note 3(c)) | 192,830 | 173,387 | 255,153 |
Office supplies and services | 37,317 | 26,557 | 34,461 |
Other | 21,052 | 38,536 | 21,365 |
Rent | 55,587 | 43,422 | 38,584 |
Salaries | 555,927 | 468,399 | 935,159 |
Travel | 27,190 | 33,624 | 21,484 |
|
|
|
|
| 1,265,426 | 1,154,913 | 2,486,905 |
|
|
|
|
Net loss before undernoted | (316,830) | (5,936,204) | (3,254,511) |
|
|
|
|
Gain (loss) on disposal of capital assets and investment |
45,413 |
30,174 |
(64,946) |
Gain on settlement of term debt | 672,817 | 105,575 |
|
Write down of capital assets and investment | - | (1,008,418) | (56,606) |
Write-off of deferred debt issue costs (note 11(b)) | - | (4,868) | (153,969) |
| 718,230 | (877,537) | (275,521) |
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) before taxes | 401,400 | (6,813,741) | (3,530,032) |
|
|
|
|
Income taxes (recovery) (note 13) | (11,742) | 1,478 | 21,487 |
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) | $ 413,142 | $(6,815,219) | $(3,551,519) |
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share (basic and diluted) | $ (0.21) | $ (2.18) | $ (2.82) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Deficit
(expressed in Canadian dollars)
Years ended June 30, | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deficit, beginning of the year | $ (44,515,125) | $ (34,360,735) | $ (28,275,883) |
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) | 413,142 | (6,815,219) | (3,551,519) |
|
|
|
|
Preferred share dividends (note 12(b)) | (2,722,309) | (2,863,271) | (2,207,439) |
|
|
|
|
Royalty amount (note 12(c)) | (172,739) | (475,900) | (325,894) |
|
|
|
|
Deficit, end of the year | $ (46,997,031) | $ (44,515,125) | $ (34,360,735) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(expressed in Canadian dollars)
Years ended June 30, | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from operations: |
|
|
|
Net income (loss) | $ 413,142 | $(6,815,219) | $(3,551,519) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization | 176,045 | 122,686 | 128,077 |
Cost of ginseng crops harvested | 3,184,964 | 3,710,932 | 6,329,277 |
Write down of ginseng crop costs | 400,000 | 5,100,000 | 1,300,000 |
Ginseng crop costs, net of deferred depreciation and amortization of $309,148 (2002 - $603,837) (2001 - $768,007) |
(3,303,204) |
(3,581,483) |
(3,950,184) |
(Gain) loss on disposal of capital assets and investment |
(45,413) |
364,825 |
64,946 |
Gain on settlement of term debt | (672,817) | (105,575) | - |
Write down capital assets | - | 613,419 | 56,606 |
Write off of deferred debt issue costs | - | 4,868 | 153,969 |
| 152,717 | (585,547) | 531,172 |
Changes in non-cash working capital: |
|
|
|
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable | (1,733) | 19,786 | 9,766 |
Decrease in inventory | 461,014 | 383,422 | 201,126 |
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses | 24,373 | (27,633) | (4,092) |
Increase in accounts payable | 289,953 | 49,625 | 1,165,205 |
Royalty amount payable | - | (9,000) | (4,393) |
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 926,324 | (169,347) | 1,898,784 |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
Drawing (repayment) of short-term bank borrowings | (160,000) | 545,000 | (1,255,000) |
Reduction of capital lease obligations | (101,612) | (155,903) | (224,507) |
Reduction of long-term debt | (541,194) | (176,106) | (132,490) |
Reduction of preferred shares | - | - | (12,500) |
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (802,806) | 212,991 | (1,624,497) |
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
Purchase of capital assets, net of disposal proceeds | (141,757) | (129,405) | (160,193) |
|
|
|
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash | (18,239) | (85,761) | 114,094 |
Cash at beginning of year | 70,969 | 156,730 | 42,636 |
Cash at end of year | $ 52,730 | $ 70,969 | $ 156,730 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Continued)
(expressed in Canadian dollars)
Years ended June 30, | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
|
|
|
|
Non-cash investing and financing activities not included in cash flows: |
|
|
Common shares issued in settlement of debt | $ - | $ 52,500 | $ - |
Preferred shares issued in settlement of debt | - | 536,283 | 952,000 |
Term debt converted to common shares | - | - | 155,000 |
Term debt converted to preferred shares | - | 160,000 | 4,810,500 |
Preferred shares converted to common shares | 731,935 | 2,012,689 | 65,200 |
Interest accrued on term debt converted to common and preferred shares |
- |
38,583 |
933,556 |
Dividends and royalty accrued on preferred shares | 2,895,048 | 3,339,171 | 2,533,333 |
Preferred share issue costs accrued | 573,867 | 577,783 | 465,044 |
Bond discount on bonds converted transferred to preferred shares |
- |
29,148 |
163,879 |
Capital asset purchases financed with capital leases | - | 36,627 | 104,687 |
|
|
|
|
Supplemental cash flow information: |
|
|
|
Interest paid | $ 79,082 | $ 116,313 | $ 208,157 |
Income tax paid | - | 34,523 | 106 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Schedules of Ginseng Crop Costs
(expressed in Canadian dollars)
Years ended June 30, | 2003 | 2002 |
|
|
|
Capital tax (recovery) | $ (11,685) | $ 42,417 |
Depreciation | 309,148 | 603,837 |
Direct labour | 1,646,301 | 1,739,454 |
Equipment rental | 65,613 | 92,748 |
Fertilizers | 569,283 | 620,609 |
Fuel | 76,240 | 68,988 |
Hardware, supplies and small tools | 32,850 | 40,055 |
Insurance | 20,007 | 17,874 |
Land rental and improvements | 394,459 | 417,715 |
Mulch | 230,112 | 248,645 |
Office supplies and services | 74,260 | 66,531 |
Other | 21,988 | 28,158 |
Rent | 19,680 | 55,920 |
Repairs and maintenance | 72,351 | 85,583 |
Seed | 56,846 | 15,943 |
Telephone and utilities | 18,514 | 21,870 |
Travel and automobile | 16,385 | 18,973 |
| 3,612,352 | 4,185,320 |
|
|
|
Balance, beginning of the year | 7,023,802 | 12,121,780 |
| 10,636,154 | 16,307,100 |
|
|
|
Less: Charged to cost of sales | (3,184,964) | (3,710,932) |
Write down | (400,000) | (5,100,000) |
Charged to inventory | - | (472,366) |
|
|
|
Net crop costs, end of the year | $ 7,051,190 | $ 7,023,802 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprised of: |
|
|
Current portion expected to be harvested and marketed within one year |
$ 2,700,000 |
$ 2,800,000 |
Balance expected to be harvested after one year | 4,351,190 | 4,223,802 |
|
|
|
| $ 7,051,190 | $ 7,023,802 |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(expressed in Canadian Dollars)
Years ended June 30, 2003, 2002 and 2001
1.
Operations:
Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. (the "Company") is incorporated under the Company Act (British Columbia). The Company cultivates, processes, and markets North American Ginseng products throughout North America and Asia. The revenue of the Company is almost entirely derived from ginseng root and value-added product sales. Future profitable operations are dependent upon ginseng prices strengthening over current levels, the timing of which is uncertain.
2.
Significant accounting policies:
(a)
Basis of presentation:
These consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada which, except as set out in note 15, also comply in all material respects with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries (all of which are wholly-owned except where indicated): Canadian Imperial Ginseng Farms Ltd. ("CIG Farms") including, on a proportionate basis, its undivided 49% interest in Canadian Imperial Ginseng Processing (“Processing”) (note 6), Canadian Imperial Ginseng Ontario Ltd. (“CIG Ontario”), Columbia Ginseng Capital Corp., Imperial Ginseng Distributors Ltd., and Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp.
(b)
Use of estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the recognized amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(c)
Inventory:
Inventory consists of ginseng root (36% (2002 – 84%)) and products available for sale and is valued at the lower of cost (determined on a weighted average basis) and net realizable value.
(d)
Ginseng crop costs:
Ginseng crop costs are recorded at the lower of cost (determined using the full absorption cost method, including direct costs incurred for the acquisition, planting and maintenance of the ginseng crops) and net realizable value. Direct costs include stratified seed, labour, supplies, and direct overhead. Ginseng crop costs are charged to cost of sales based on a proportionate allocation of costs incurred during the period from planting to harvest for the related acres harvested. Management reviews the underlying value of deferred costs on an ongoing basis by reference to estimated future cash flows with any excess charged to income as determinable. Costs accumulated on the acres expected to be harvested during the next fiscal year have been classified as a current asset.
(e)
Capital assets:
Capital assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and are depreciated on a straight line basis commencing when the assets are put into use over the following periods:
| Buildings | 10 – 20 years |
| Building under capital lease | 20 years |
| Farming equipment | 5 – 7 years |
| Office equipment | 5 years |
| Laboratory equipment | 5 – 7 years |
| Processing equipment | Unit of production |
| Shadehousing | 10 years |
| Irrigation | 7 – 10 years |
Management reviews the net recoverable value of capital assets on an ongoing basis by reference to estimated undiscounted future cash flows with any excess charged to income as determinable.
(f)
Investments
Long-term investments, other than investments in subsidiaries or significantly controlled enterprises, are carried at cost. Management reviews the carrying value of investments and if there is an other than temporary decline in value, these investments are written down to provide for the loss.
(g)
Deferred debt issue costs:
Deferred debt issue costs are amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt.
(h)
Debt conversion option and discount on convertible bonds:
In accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles for financial instruments, the estimated value attributed to the conversion option has been separated from the convertible debt obligation (note 10) and reported as equity for financial reporting purposes.
The resulting implied discount on the Convertible Bonds is being amortized over the term of the applicable Convertible Bonds with the amortization amount included in interest expense.
(i)
Revenue recognition:
Sales revenue is recognized when all risks and benefits of ownership of ginseng products and crops have been transferred to customers under executed sales agreements.
(j)
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts through review of open accounts, and historical collection and allowance amounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is intended to reduce trade accounts receivable to the amount that reasonable approximates their fair value due to their short-term nature. The amount ultimately realized from trade accounts receivable may differ from the amount estimated in the financial statements based on collection experience and actual returns and allowances.
(k)
Income taxes:
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets, liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled and the losses and tax credits utilized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
(l)
Net loss per share:
Loss per share is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under this method, all options whose average price is less than or equal to the average share price for the year are assumed to be exercised and all convertible securities are converted at the average share price during the period. Also under this method, certain shares that are considered contingently issuable, such as escrowed shares subject to release based on performance criteria, are excluded from the calculation of weighted average common shares outstanding.
The following table summarizes the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended June 30:
| | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | | |
| Net income (loss) | $ 413,142 | $ (6,815,219) | $ (3,551,519) |
| Preferred share dividends and royalty amount |
(2,895,048) |
(3,339,171) |
(2,533,333) |
| | $ (2,481,906) | $(10,154,390) | $ (6,084,852) |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding |
11,821,281 |
4,661,045 |
2,157,299 |
| Basic and diluted loss per share |
$ (0.21) |
$ (2.18) |
$ (2.82) |
The calculation of fully diluted loss per share is not presented as the effect of all outstanding options are anti-dilutive.
(m)
Stock option plan:
The Company has an Employees’ and Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan which is disclosed in Note 12. No compensation expense is recognized for this plan when share or share options are issued to employees and directors. Any consideration paid by employees and directors on exercise of share options or purchase of shares is credited to share capital. If shares or share options are repurchased from employees and directors, the excess of the consideration paid over the carrying amount of the shares or share options cancelled is charged to the deficit.
(n)
Comparative figures:
Certain comparative figures have been restated to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year.
(o)
Impairment of long-lived assets:
The Company monitors the recoverability of long-lived assets, including capital and intangible assets, based upon estimates using factors such as future asset utilization, business climate and future non-discounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the related assets or to be realized on sale. The Company’s policy is to write down assets to their fair value in the year when it is determined likely that the carrying amount of the asset will not be recovered.
(p)
Advertising costs:
The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred and includes this expense as a component of marketing expenses.
(q)
Shipping and handling costs:
The Company expenses all shipping and handling costs as incurred and includes this expense as a component of cost of sales.
3.
Related party balances and transactions:
(a)
Accounts payable
Included in accounts payable is $699,154 (2002 - $97,569) due to management companies with directors in common (“Management Companies”). The amount is due on demand, unsecured and non-interest bearing.
(b)
Transactions
The Company was charged for services by Management Companies as follows:
| | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | | |
| Salaries | $ 184,000 | $ 184,000 | $ 184,000 |
| Rent | 20,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Office supplies and services | 42,000 | 42,000 | 42,000 |
| Preferred share distribution services |
- |
- |
4,800 |
| Asset management services | 543,256 | 547,381 | 441,372 |
| | $ 789,256 | $ 793,381 | $ 692,172 |
During 1999, a Management Company with directors in common was engaged to consult with and advise the Company with respect to restructuring its term debt obligations. As a result, the Management Company was engaged to structure, package, market and administer the conversion of term debt obligations to convertible Class “A” Preferred Shares (note 12(b)).
The Management Company is compensated for such services by a one-time service charge of 6% of the face value of Convertible Bonds or Preferred Shares issued either by way of term debt converted to Preferred Shares or through the issue of Preferred Shares by way of private placements and an annual asset management service charge of 2.5% of Preferred Shares issued. The service charge of 6% was waived by the Management Company for conversions that occurred from May 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.
During the year, the Company settled $nil (2002 - $536,283) (2001 - $952,000) of its debt owing to one of the Management Companies with the issuance of nil (2002 – 536,283) (2001 – 952,000) Class “A” Preferred Shares (note 12(b)).
(c)
Marketing Services
The Company has ginseng marketing agreements with companies owned by a director of the Company (the “Marketing Companies”). Pursuant to these agreements, the Marketing Companies market the Company’s ginseng crops on a best effort basis in return for a fee. The Marketing Companies render all marketing and selling services and pay all expenses related to the sale of the Company’s ginseng root. During the year, substantially all of the Company’s sales were made through the Marketing Companies and the fees paid were $164,047 (2002 - $146,696) (2001 – $225,674).
4.
Capital assets:
| | | | 2003 |
| | | Accumulated | Net Book |
| | Cost | Depreciation | Value |
| Land | $ 132,727 | $ - | $ 132,727 |
| Buildings | 210,580 | 107,149 | 103,431 |
| Building under capital lease | 561,311 | 259,526 | 301,785 |
| Farming equipment | 731,252 | 640,204 | 91,048 |
| Farming equipment under capital lease | 233,222 | 122,552 | 110,670 |
| Office and laboratory equipment | 110,336 | 93,558 | 16,778 |
| Processing equipment | 774,437 | 622,200 | 152,237 |
| Shadehousing and irrigation | 2,403,057 | 1,681,998 | 721,059 |
| | $ 5,156,922 | $ 3,527,187 | $ 1,629,735 |
| | | | 2002 |
| | | Accumulated | Net Book |
| | Cost | Depreciation | Value |
| Land | $ 132,727 | $ - | $ 132,727 |
| Buildings | 210,580 | 96,153 | 114,427 |
| Building under capital lease | 561,311 | 231,460 | 329,851 |
| Farming equipment | 720,997 | 604,012 | 116,985 |
| Farming equipment under capital lease | 233,222 | 93,569 | 139,653 |
| Office and laboratory equipment | 93,603 | 91,375 | 2,228 |
| Processing equipment | 774,437 | 501,067 | 273,370 |
| Shadehousing and irrigation | 2,242,875 | 1,439,297 | 803,578 |
| | $ 4,969,752 | $ 3,056,933 | $ 1,912,819 |
During the year ended June 30, 2002, the Company wrote down capital assets by the amount of $613,419 to their estimated salvage value. The write down of assets relates to the uncertainty of future ginseng plantings at CIG Farms in Kamloops, B.C.
5.
Investment:
The Company has a 3.5% investment in Ponderosa Ginseng Farms Corp. (“Ponderosa”), a 98-acre ginseng farm located in Kamloops, B.C.The Company’s investment in Ponderosa has been written down to a nominal value, due to a decline in the value of this investment that management has concluded is other than temporary.
6.
Interest in processing facility:
The Company has an undivided 49% interest in Processing, a joint venture which operates a ginseng drying and processing facility located in Kamloops, B.C. The Company's interest in the assets, liabilities and equity of the operation are as follows:
| | 2003 | 2002 |
| |
|
|
| Current assets | $ 35,289 | $ 19,694 |
| Capital assets | 591,479 | 728,043 |
| Current liabilities | (18,658) | (15,240) |
| Obligations under capital leases | (358,876) | (400,835) |
| Net equity | $ 249,234 | $ 331,662 |
These consolidated financial statements include the following costs incurred by this operation:
| | 2003 | 2002 |
| |
|
|
| Cost of sales | $ 258,550 | $ 363,970 |
| |
|
|
| Depreciation, included in cost of sales | $ 137,814 | $ 126,996 |
7.
Bank indebtedness:
CIG Farms and CIG Ontario, subsidiaries of the Company, have available with a Canadian chartered bank a $2,250,000 (2002 - $2,500,000) line of credit, subject to certain margining calculations, which bears interest at prime plus 1¼ % per annum and is secured by a charge over all inventory and crops, certain leasehold improvements and an assignment of life insurance on the Company’s president. At June 30, 2003, $385,000 (2002 - $545,000) was drawn on this facility.
8.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
| | 2003 | 2002 |
| Accounts payable | $ 417,705 | $ 336,121 |
| Accrued liabilities | 416,908 | 441,023 |
| Interest payable on bonds | 458,053 | 556,354 |
| Due to Management Companies (note 3(a)) | 699,154 | 97,569 |
| | $ 1,991,820 | $ 1,431,067 |
9.
Obligations under capital leases:
Future minimum payments under capital leases as at June 30, 2003 are as follows:
| | Equipment | Building | Total |
| 2004 | $ 78,736 | $ 365,148 | $ 443,884 |
| 2005 | 19,135 | - | 19,135 |
| 2006 | 24,024 | - | 24,024 |
| 2007 | 8,875 | - | 8,875 |
| 2008 and thereafter | 25,794 | - | 25,794 |
| Total future minimum lease payments | 156,564 | 365,148 | 521,712 |
| Less interest portion at effective rates of 0.9% to 12.09% |
(21,443) |
(13,836) |
(35,279) |
| Principal balance | 135,121 | 351,312 | 486,433 |
| Less current portion | (68,825) | (351,312) | (420,137) |
| | $ 66,296 | $ - | $ 66,296 |
In August 1993, Processing entered into an agreement to lease a drying facility constructed by a third party. The amounts set out above under the heading "Building" represent the Company's undivided beneficial 49% interest in the obligations related to this drying facility. This lease has an initial term of 10 years ending October 21, 2003, with an option to renew for an additional five years. A subsidiary of the Company has an option to purchase the drying facility at any time during the 60 days preceding October 21, 2003 at a price of $705,000.
The participants in the joint venture are obligated to make lease payments equal to their percentage interest of $13,400 per month. The title of the land purchased on behalf of the joint venture at the site for the drying facility has been transferred to the lessor for the duration of the lease as security under the lease agreement.
The agreement referred to above expires on December 31, 2003. The Participants have yet to decide on whether or not this agreement will be extended and or whether the option to purchase the drying facility will be exercised.
In the event that the Participants decide not to extend the agreement, Canadian Imperial Ginseng Processing will liquidate its assets, settle its liabilities and distribute the excess (if any) to the Participants in proportion to their undivided beneficial interest.
10.
Term debt:
| | 2003 | 2002 |
| Convertible Bonds 1994 (a): |
|
|
| Series 1, at 13% per annum | $ 205,500 | $ 255,500 |
| Series 2, at 12% per annum | 265,000 | 265,000 |
| | 470,500 | 520,500 |
| Convertible Bonds 1995 (b): |
|
|
| Series 1, at 14% per annum | - | 175,000 |
| Series 2, at 13% per annum | 25,000 | 403,000 |
| | 25,000 | 578,000 |
| Convertible Bonds 1998 (c): |
|
|
| Series 1, at 12% per annum | 251,000 | 251,000 |
| Series 2, at 11% per annum | 98,000 | 98,000 |
| | 349,000 | 349,000 |
| |
|
|
| Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. Bonds (d) | - | 298,000 |
| |
|
|
| Term Loan (e) | - | 9,944 |
| | 844,500 | 1,755,444 |
| Less unamortized discount on Convertible Bonds | (11,210) | (22,418) |
| | 833,290 | 1,733,026 |
| Less current portion | (515,950) | (1,078,894) |
| | $ 317,340 | $ 654,132 |
(a)
Convertible Bonds 1994:
Of the total bonds outstanding on June 30, 2003, bonds totaling $309,500 were extended during the year ended June 30, 2000 to mature one half on December 31, 2004 and one half on December 31, 2005. During the year ended June 30, 2003, the Company negotiated and settled bonds totaling $50,000 (2002 - $170,000). During the year ended June 30, 2002, bonds totaling $110,000 were converted to preferred shares (note 12(b)).
(b)
Convertible Bonds 1995:
The bonds matured as to one half of the principal amount on December 31, 2000 and the balance on December 31, 2001. During the year ended June 30, 2003, the Company negotiated and settled bonds totaling $553,000 (2002 - $25,000). Subsequent to June 30, 2003, the balance of $25,000 was settled.
(c)
Convertible Bonds 1998:
The bonds are convertible into common shares of the Company until January 31, 2004 at a price of $2.06 - $3.89 per common share, with the conversion price increasing by $0.25 per share for each subsequent year until maturity. The bonds mature as to one half of the principal amount on January 31, 2004 and the balance on January 31, 2005. In addition, the bondholders have the option to retract a maximum of 5% of the principal amount of the bond originally issued in each year until maturity of the bonds.
Bondholders are entitled to a royalty equivalent to 0.1% of the gross cash receipts from the sale of one acre of ginseng root from each of the 1998, 1999 and 2000 plantings of ginseng crops for each $1,000 of face value of bonds outstanding. This royalty is payable upon maturity of the bonds. The Company has accrued $62,820 with respect to this obligation.
During the year, bonds with a face value of $nil (2002 - $50,000) (note 12(b)) were converted to preferred shares by bondholders. Subsequent to June 30, 2003, bonds totaling $288,000 were settled.
(d)
Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. Bonds:
Pursuant to a bond offering in October 1992, Columbia Ginseng Financial Corp. (“CGFC”), a subsidiary of the Company, issued bonds bearing interest at rates of 11% and 12% per annum. Pursuant to a loan agreement, the bond proceeds were loaned to CIG Farms at an interest rate of 12.5% per annum, payable in full on December 31, 1997. At December 31, 1997, bondholders holding $298,000 of bonds extended the maturity of their bonds to December 31, 2004 under the same terms as the previous bonds. During the year ended June 30, 2003, the balance of bonds outstanding of $298,000 were settled for $164,000.
(e)
Term Loan:
The Term Loan from a Canadian chartered bank was secured by general security agreements over all inventory and equipment of CIG Farms. The loan was repayable in monthly blended payments of principal and interest of $3,342 to maturity on September 18, 2002.
(f)
Principal repayments:
As at June 30, 2003, minimum principal repayments on term debt, including the impact of the ability of holders to call for early retraction on Convertible Bonds, are as follows:
| 2004 | $ 515,950 |
| 2005 | 173,800 |
| 2006 | 154,750 |
|
| $ 844,500 |
11.
Financial instruments:
Financial instruments of the Company are comprised of cash, bank indebtedness, accounts receivable, investment, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, obligations under capital leases, and term debt. Except as indicated below, at June 30, 2003 the estimated fair values of financial instruments are considered by management to be not materially different from their carrying value due to their short-term to maturity or capacity for prompt liquidation.
The fair value of the Company’s investment in Ponderosa (note 5) was estimated based on Ponderosa’s net asset values.
At June 30, 2003, the estimated fair value of fixed rate term debt is approximately $29,100 less than its face value prior to the effective reduction in the carrying value made to recognize the value on issuance of the conversion option. The fair value of the fixed rate term debt has been estimated by discounting future cash flows at the rate implicit in the Convertible Bonds.
As all debt instruments bear interest at fixed rates, the Company is not currently exposed to significant risk if interest rates fluctuate.
Management does not believe that, at June 30, 2003, the Company has significant concentrations of credit risk. The Company’s sales primarily are completed subsequent to the fall harvest of ginseng. Depending on the timing of transactions, accounts receivable at any time may represent amounts due, through the Marketing Companies, from a few customers who may not be resident in Canada. The Company has a policy of minimizing risk by assessing the credit worthiness of ultimate customers and requiring advance cash payments to be lodged prior to the delivery of major sales.
12.
Share capital:
| Authorized: | | |
| 100,000,000 Common Shares without par value | | |
| 100,000,000 Class “A” Preferred Shares with a par value of $1 each | | |
| 100,000,000 Class “B” Convertible Preferred Shares with no par value | | |
| | | |
| | 2003 | 2002 |
| Issued and outstanding: | | |
| Common shares (a) | $ 22,641,042 | $ 21,909,107 |
| Class “A” Preferred shares (b) | 19,131,566 | 20,437,368 |
| Unpaid dividends and royalties (d) | 10,214,360 | 7,319,312 |
| | $ 51,986,968 | $ 49,665,787 |
(a)
Common shares issued:
|
| Number of shares |
Amount |
| Balance, June 30, 2000 | 2,092,587 | $ 19,519,865 |
| Preferred share conversions | 57,569 | 65,200 |
| Bond conversions – principal and interest | 666,638 | 185,986 |
| Conversion option attributable to bonds converted | - | 72,867 |
| Balance, June 30, 2001 | 2,816,794 | 19,843,918 |
| Preferred share conversions | 4,332,121 | 2,012,689 |
| Settlement of debt | 154,412 | 52,500 |
| Balance, June 30, 2002 | | 21,909,107 |
| Preferred share conversions | 5,107,495 | 731,935 |
| Balance, June 30, 2003 | 12,410,822 | $ 22,641,042 |
(b)
Class “A” preferred shares issued:
|
| Number of shares |
Amount |
| Balance, June 30, 2000 | 17,098,330 | $ 15,370,708 |
| Original principal amount of bonds converted | 4,810,500 | 4,810,500 |
| Unamortized bond discount of bonds converted | - | (163,879) |
| Conversion option attributable to bonds converted | - | 997,171 |
| Accrued interest on bonds converted | 902,570 | 902,570 |
| Total carrying value of bonds converted to preferred shares in 2001 |
5,713,070 |
6,546,362 |
| Preferred share issue costs | - | (465,044) |
| Preferred shares issued in settlement of debt (note 3(c)) |
952,000 |
952,000 |
| Preferred shares retracted | (12,500) | (12,500) |
| Preferred shares converted to common shares | (65,200) | (65,200) |
| Balance, June 30, 2001 | 23,685,700 | 22,326,326 |
| Original principal amount of bonds converted | 160,000 | 160,000 |
| Unamortized bond discount of bonds converted | - | (10,000) |
| Conversion option attributable to bonds converted | - | 29,148 |
| Accrued interest on bonds converted | 38,583 | 38,583 |
| Total carrying value of bonds converted to preferred shares in 2002 |
198,583 |
217,731 |
| Preferred share issue costs | - | (630,283) |
| Preferred shares issued in settlement of debt (note 3(c)) |
536,283 |
536,283 |
| Preferred shares converted to common shares | (2,012,689) | (2,012,689) |
| Balance, June 30, 2002 | 22,407,877 | 20,437,368 |
| Preferred share issue costs | - | (573,867) |
| Preferred shares converted to common shares | (731,935) | (731,935) |
| Balance, June 30, 2003 | 21,675,942 | $ 19,131,566 |
The Class “A” Preferred Shares are non-voting and are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at 12% per annum. The preferred shareholders have the right to convert their preferred shares to common shares of the Company at a price between $0.70 and $3.50 per common share. For each year after January 31, 2004, the conversion price will increase by $0.25 per share. In addition, for preferred shares issued prior to December 31, 1999, the preferred shareholders have the option, subject to certain restrictions and penalties, to retract in each year a maximum of 25% of the balance of preferred shares originally issued. For preferred shares issued after December 31, 1999, 2000, and 2001, the preferred shareholders have the option to retract, as noted above, after December 31, 2000, 2001, and 2002, respectively. The Company may, at its sole option, honor retraction requ ests through the issuance of common shares.
The preferred shares issued pursuant to the conversion of Convertible Bonds are recorded at the Company’s carrying value of the Convertible Bonds. Accordingly, the amounts recorded for these preferred shares includes the original principal amount of the bonds converted net of the unamortized balance of the discount on the Convertible Bonds (note 10) plus the estimated value attributed to the conversion option that was separated from the debt obligation for financial reporting purposes. Deferred debt issue costs in the amount of $nil (2002 - $4,868) (2001 – $153,969) attributable to the convertible bonds converted to preferred shares were written-off.
(c)
Royalty Participation Units:
One Royalty Participation Unit was issued, at nominal cost, with each Class “A” Preferred Share. The Royalty Participation Units provide for a royalty amount calculated as 0.05% per 1,000 Royalty Participation Units of the gross cash receipts from the sale of the ginseng root from one average acre of the harvests from each of the 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 plantings for Preferred Shares issued before May 1, 2001. The crops are anticipated to be harvested as four-year-old ginseng in the fall of 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, respectively. For Preferred Shares issued after May 1, 2001, the royalty amount is based on the sale of ginseng root from one average acre of the harvests from each of the 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 plantings with the crops to be harvested as four-year-old ginseng in the fall of 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively.
(d)
Unpaid dividends and royalties:
| | Amount |
| Balance, June 30, 2000 | $ 1,446,808 |
| Unpaid cumulative dividends on preferred shares | 2,207,439 |
| Unpaid royalties on Royalty Participation Units | 325,894 |
| Balance, June 30, 2001 | 3,980,141 |
| Unpaid cumulative dividends on preferred shares | 2,863,271 |
| Unpaid royalties on Royalty Participation Units | 475,900 |
| Balance, June 30, 2002 | 7,319,312 |
| Unpaid cumulative dividends on preferred shares | 2,722,309 |
| Unpaid royalties on Royalty Participation Units | 172,739 |
| Balance, June 30, 2003 | $ 10,214,360 |
The cumulative dividends on the Company’s Class “A” Preferred Shares that are unpaid at year-end have been accrued as a component of shareholders’ equity as the Company can pay these dividends at its sole discretion with common shares.
The unpaid royalty amount related to the Royalty Participation Units has also been accrued as a component of shareholders’ equity as the Company can pay these royalties at its sole discretion with common shares.
(e) Stock options:
Pursuant to the Company’s stock option plan introduced October 31, 1997, as amended, the Company authorized the issuance of up to 563,359 common shares under its stock option plan. This stock option plan expired on October 31, 2002. The Company implemented a new stock option plan on November 1, 2002, which authorized the issuance of up to 2,482,164 common shares. The aggregate number of common shares reserved for issuance to any person within any 12-month period may not exceed 5% of the number of outstanding common shares. The exercise price of the options will be determined by the fair market value of the shares at the closing price on the date prior to the date of the grant, all of which vest immediately.
At June 30, 2003, the following incentive stock options were outstanding and exercisable to directors and employees:
|
Number Outstanding | Exercise Price PerShare |
Expiry Date |
Remaining ContractualLife |
| 1,385,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 | 4.9 years |
A summary of share option activity for the three years ended June 30, 2003 is as follows:
| | Number of Shares | Exercise Price |
Expiry |
| Options outstanding June 30, 2000 | 254,800 | | |
| Expired | (135,000) | $1.25 | November 4, 2000 |
| Options outstanding June 30, 2001 | 119,800 | | |
| Forfeited | (35,500) | $3.00 | November 4, 2002 |
| Options outstanding June 30, 2002 | 84,300 | | |
| Expired | (84,300) | $3.00 | November 4, 2002 |
| Issued | 1,385,000 | $0.06 | May 22, 2008 |
| Options outstanding June 30, 2003 | 1,385,000 | $0.06 | |
The Company applies the intrinsic value based method of accounting for stock-based compensation granted to employees and directors. Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for stock options granted to employees and directors. Had compensation expense been determined based on the fair value at grant date for stock options, the Company’s net income in 2003 would have been decreased and net loss per share would have been increased to the pro-forma amounts indicated below:
| Net income |
|
| As reported | $ 413,142 |
| Pro forma | $ 333,783 |
| Net loss per share, basic and fully diluted |
|
| As reported | $ (0.21) |
| Pro forma | $ (0.22) |
The fair value of the options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, assuming a risk-free interest rate of 3.72%, a dividend yield of 0%, expected volatility of 176% and expected option life of 5 years.
(f)
Warrants:
A summary of warrant activity for the three years ended June 30, 2003 is as follows:
|
| Number of Shares | Exercise Price | Expiry |
| Warrants outstanding June 30, 2000 | 1,244,928 | | |
| Expiry of private placement warrants | (117,449) | $1.74 | June, 2001 |
| Expiry of warrants issued in respect of Convertible Bonds 1998 |
(72,167) |
$2.00-$2.10 |
May, 2001 |
| Warrants outstanding June 30, 2001 | 1,055,312 | | |
| Expiry of warrants issued in respect of Convertible Bonds 1998 |
(287,187) |
$1.56-$3.48 | July, 2001 – June, 2002 |
| Expiry of warrants issued in respect of Class “A” Preferred Shares |
(206,814) |
$1.69-$3.25 | March, 2002 – June, 2002 |
| Warrants outstanding June 30, 2002 | 561,311 | | |
| Expiry of warrants issued in respect of Convertible Bonds 1998 |
(218,968) |
$1.30-$3.25 | July, 2002 – December, 2002 |
| Expiry of warrants issued in respect of Class “A” Preferred Shares |
(342,343) |
$1.30-$2.66 | July, 2002-December, 2002 |
| Warrants outstanding June 30, 2003 | - | | |
13.
Future income taxes:
(a)
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount that would have been expected by applying Canadian corporate income tax to the loss before taxes. The principal reasons for this difference are as follows:
| | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| | | | |
| Net income (loss) before income taxes |
$ 401,400 |
$ (6,813,741) |
$ (3,530,032) |
| | | | |
| Statutory income tax rate | 38.6% | 39.6% | 44.6% |
| | | | |
| Computed “expected” tax recovery | $ 154,940 | $ (2,698,241) | $ (1,574,394) |
| |
|
|
|
| Tax provision effect arising from: |
|
|
|
| Large corporations tax (recovery) | (11,742) | 1,478 | 21,487 |
| Potential benefit of losses and other net tax assets not recognized |
(154,940) |
2,698,241 |
1,574,394 |
| Income tax expense (recovery) | $ (11,742) | $ 1,478 | $ 21,487 |
(b)
Future income taxes include the following tax assets (liabilities):
| | 2003 | 2002 |
| |
|
|
| Deferred crop costs | $ (2,290,500) | $ (2,880,000) |
| Capital assets | 2,426,500 | 2,282,800 |
| Capital leases | 218,900 | 251,200 |
| Share and debt issue costs | (199,400) | 198,800 |
| Non-capital loss carryforwards | 12,703,700 | 13,351,400 |
| Other | 386,200 | 158,200 |
| Valuation adjustment | (13,245,400) | (13,362,400) |
| | $ - | $ - |
The potential future tax benefit that may be derived from non-capital losses and expenditures have been offset by a valuation allowance because it is uncertain that sufficient taxable income will be earned to realize the benefits before their expiration.
(a)
The Company’s farming and other operating losses expire as follows:
| | Farming losses | Other operating losses |
Total |
| 2004 | $ 2,848,000 | $ 1,505,000 | $ 4,353,000 |
| 2005 | 1,630,000 | 42,000 | 1,672,000 |
| 2006 | 2,093,000 | 1,387,000 | 3,480,000 |
| 2007 | 7,088,000 | 256,000 | 7,344,000 |
| 2008 | 1,833,000 | - | 1,833,000 |
| 2009 | 4,583,000 | - | 4,583,000 |
| 2010 | 1,098,000 | - | 1,098,000 |
| 2011 | 795,000 | - | 795,000 |
| 2012 | 1,151,000 | - | 1,151,000 |
| 2013 | 1,044,000 | - | 1,044,000 |
| | $ 24,163,000 | $ 3,190,000 | $ 27,353,000 |
14.
Commitments:
Future minimum payments under operating leases are as follows:
| | Building | Land | Total |
| | | | |
| 2004 | $ 30,000 | $ 370,634 | $ 400,634 |
| 2005 | 30,000 | 301,800 | 331,800 |
| 2006 | 7,500 | 226,400 | 233,900 |
| 2007 | - | 192,400 | 192,400 |
| 2008 and thereafter | - | 128,000 | 128,000 |
| Total future minimum lease payments | $ 67,500 | $ 1,219,234 | $ 1,286,734 |
15.
United States generally accepted accounting principles:
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada which are different in some respects from those generally accepted in the United States of America and from requirements prescribed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The significant differences related to these consolidated financial statements are as follows:
(a)
Under U.S. accounting principles, the value assigned to the conversion option of the Convertible Bonds would be classified as part of the term debt obligation and not in shareholders’ equity. As such, no amortization of debt discount would be required.
(b) Under U.S. accounting principles, the value assigned to the conversion option of the Convertible Bonds would be classified as part of the term debt obligation and as such the carrying value of Convertible Bonds converted to preferred shares would be the face value of the related bonds.
(c)
637,500 performance shares were released in 1994 from escrow arrangements. Under U.S. accounting principles, the excess of the fair value of these shares at the time the shares were releasable over the nominal original consideration paid, would have been charged to operations as compensation expense with an offsetting increase in the value assigned to the shares issued in capital stock. In addition, certain other reconciling items were identified in prior years which would require reclassification between share capital and deficit under U.S. accounting principles.
(d)
Under U.S. accounting principles, The Company’s undivided 49% interest in Processing (note 6) would be accounted for on the equity basis rather than on a proportionate consolidated basis as recorded in these consolidated financial statements. Accounting for this investment on the equity basis would not materially effect the total assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity or results of operations.
(e)
Under U.S. accounting principles, the management fees waived (note 3(b)) would be accounted for as other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders’ equity). Under Canadian accounting principles, this item is not recorded in the Company’s accounts.
The effect of these differences on net loss, total assets and the components of shareholders' equity as reported under generally accepted accounting principles in Canada are as follows:
| Net income (loss) | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 |
| Net income (loss), Canadian generally accepted accounting principles |
$ 413,142 |
$ (6,815,219) |
$ (3,551,519) |
| Reversal of discount amortization (a) | 11,208 | (25,498) | 532 |
| Net income (loss), United States generally accepted accounting principles |
$ 424,350 |
$ (6,840,717) |
$ (3,550,987) |
| Loss per share, United States generally accepted accounting principles |
$ (0.21) |
$ (2.18) |
$ (2.82) |
| Deficit | 2003 | 2002 |
| Deficit, Canadian generally accepted accounting principles |
$(46,997,031) |
$(44,515,125) |
| Net impact of prior years’ adjustments (c) | (1,632,418) | (1,632,418) |
| Reversal of discount amortization (b) | 2,337,303 | 2,326,095 |
| Management fees waived (e) | (439,000) | (439,000) |
| Deficit, United States generally accepted accounting principles |
$(46,731,146) |
$(44,260,448) |
| Share Capital and Conversion Option | 2003 | 2002 |
| Share capital and conversion option, Canadian generally accepted accounting principles |
$52,253,669 |
$49,932,488 |
| Adjustment to preferred shares (b) | (2,348,512) | (2,348,512) |
| Net impact of prior years’ adjustments (c) | 1,632,418 | 1,632,418 |
| Management fees waived (e) | 439,000 | 439,000 |
| Share capital and conversion option, United States generally accepted accounting principles |
$51,976,575 |
$49,655,394 |
| Term Debt | 2003 | 2002 |
| Term debt, Canadian generally accepted accounting principles |
$ 833,290 |
$ 1,733,026 |
| Reversal of unamortized discount on convertible bonds | 11,210 | 22,418 |
| | 844,500 | 1,755,444 |
| Less current portion | (515,950) | (1,078,894) |
| Term debt, United States generally accepted accounting principles |
$ 328,550 |
$ 676,550 |
Recent accounting pronouncements
Foreign currency and hedging
In November 2001, the CICA issued Accounting Guideline 13, "Hedging Relationships" ("AcG 13") which establishes new criteria for hedge accounting and will apply to all hedging relationships in effect for the Company's years ending on or after August 1, 2003. Effective August 1, 2003, the Company will reassess all hedging relationships to determine whether the criteria are met or not and will apply the new guidance on a prospective basis. To qualify for hedge accounting, the hedging relationship must be appropriately documented at the inception of the hedge and there must be reasonable assurance, both at the inception and throughout the term of the hedge, that the hedging relationship will be effective. The Company does not currently have any hedging relationships.
Disposal of Long-Lived Assets and Discontinued Operations
In December 2003, the CICA issued Handbook Section 3475 for Disposal of Long-Lived Assets and Discontinued Operations with the purpose of harmonizing Canadian GAAP with generally accepted accounting principles in the Unites States of America ("US GAAP"). The section is effective for disposal activities initiated by a commitment to a plan on or after May 1, 2003, with earlier adoption encouraged. The key aspects of Handbook Section 3475 are as follows:
•
a long-lived asset to be disposed of other than by sale should continue to be classified as held and used until it is disposed of;
•
a long-lived asset can only be classified as held for sale if certain criteria are met;
•
an asset classified as held for sale should be measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell;
•
a loss recognized on classification of an asset as held for sale does not include future operating losses;
•
discontinued operations are defined more broadly than previously. They comprise dispositions where the operations and cash flows can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the enterprise;
•
the income statement presentation of discontinued operations is unchanged; and
•
various disclosures related to the disposal of long-lived assets is required.
The Company is currently assessing the impact of Handbook Section 3475 on its financial position and results of operations.
Accounting for Severance and Termination Benefits
In March 2003, the Emerging Issues Committee of the CICA (“EIC”) issued EIC Abstract 134 for Accounting for Severance and Termination Benefits, which addresses the various types of severance and termination benefits related to the termination of an employee's services prior to normal retirement. The accounting treatment must be applied prospectively to exit or disposal activities initiated after March 31, 2003. This Abstract harmonizes Canadian GAAP and US GAAP.
Guarantees
In November 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" ("FIN 45"), which requires certain disclosures to be made by a guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 2002 about its obligations under guarantees. FIN 45 also requires the recognition of a liability by a guarantor at the inception of certain guarantees entered into or modified after December 31, 2002. FIN 45 requires the guarantor to recognize a liability for a non-contingent component of certain guarantees; that is, it requires the recognition of a liability for the obligation to stand ready to perform in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur. The initial measurement of this liab ility is the fair value of the guarantee at inception. This is substantially consistent with the CICA Accounting Guideline AcG-14, Disclosure of Guarantees. The Company does not have any guarantees under these standards.
Variable interest entities
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" ("VIE's") ("FIN 46") which requires that companies that control another entity through interests other than voting interest should consolidate the controlled entity. In the absence of clear control through a voting equity interest, a company's exposure (variable interests) to the economic risk and the potential rewards from a VIE's assets and activities are the best evidence of a controlling financial interest. VIE's created after January 31, 2003 must be consolidated immediately. VIE's existing prior to February 1, 2003 must be consolidated by the Company commencing with its first quarter 2004 financial statements. The Company has not yet determined whether it has any VIE's which will require consolidation.
Derivatives and hedging activities
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No, 149 "Amendment of SFAS No. 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS 149 amends and clarifies accounting for SFAS No. 133 "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities". In particular, it clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative as discussed in SFAS No. 133; clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component; amends the definition of an underlying hedge to conform it to the language used in the FASB Interpretation No. 45; and amends certain other existing pronouncements. This is substantially consistent with the CICA EIC Abstract 128, Accounting for Trading, Speculative or Non-Hedging Derivative Financial Instruments.
SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. CICA EIC Abstract 128 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2003. The Company will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 149 for U.S. GAAP purposes on April 1, 2003 and will adopt the provisions of CICA EIC 128 on April 1, 2004 and is currently assessing the impact, if any, that the adoption of SFAS No, 149 will have on its results of operations and financial position.
Liabilities and equity
On May 15, 2003, the FASB issued Statement No, 150,Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. The Statement requires issuers to classify as liabilities (or assets in some instances) three classes of freestanding financial instruments that embody obligations for the issuer.
Generally, the Statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and is otherwise effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company will adopt the provisions of the Statement on July 1, 2003. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the new standard.
Revenue Recognition
The Emerging Issues Task Force issued EITF 00-21, “Multiple Element Arrangements” effective for arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. This guidance requires companies with deliverables that include multiple revenue generating activities to separately value the revenues related to each element of the process. The Company does not anticipate any impact to our results of operations of financial position as a result of this new EITF.
Stock Based Compensation
In December 2002, the FASB issued FAS 148. FAS 148 does not change the provisions of FAS 123 that permit the Company to continue to apply the intrinsic value method of APB 25. Under FAS 148, companies that choose to adopt the accounting provisions of FAS 123 may choose from three transition methods; the prospective method, modified prospective method and retroactive restatement method. The Company continues to account for stock compensation under APB 25, and therefore under FAS 148 is required to disclose the net income and earnings per share (basic and diluted), the compensation expense net of tax included in net income, compensation that would have been included in net income had the company adopted FAS 123 for all awards granted, modified or settled since December 14, 1994 and pro forma net income and earnings per share beginning with the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description
Page Number
1
Memorandum and Articles of Registrant
*
2-A
Canadian Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd.
*
Convertible Bond Offering - July 28, 1994
2-B
Other Long Term Debt Instruments
*
2-C
Canadian Imperial Ginseng Products
*
Convertible Bond Offering - January 27, 1995
2-D
First Ginseng Capital Corp.
Participating Bond Offering - January 30, 1996
*
2-E
Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd.
Participating Bond Offering – March 30, 1998
***
2-F
Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd.
Participating Bond Offering – March 30, 1998,
(as amended Oct. 1, 1998, Oct. 7, 1998 and
Dec. 11, 1998)
****
2-G
Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd.
Class “A” Preference Shares – Confidential Offering Memorandum
****
3-A
Joint Venture Agreement - GB Health Products Ltd.
*
3-B
Asset Purchase Agreement - Hong Kong Hang Wo (Canada) Inc.
*
3-C
Joint Venture Agreement - Canadian Imperial Ginseng Processing
*
3-D
Lease Agreement
*
3-E
Joint Venture Agreement - Crown Royal Ginseng Products
*
3-F
Sale Agreement - Haverhill Enterprises Ltd.
**
*
3-G
Option Agreement - First Ginseng Capital Corp.
**
3-H
Option Agreement - Opus Cranberries Financial Corp.
**
3-I
Ginseng Marketing Agreement – Golden Phoenix
****
3-J
Financing & Services Agreement – Qwest Bancorp Ltd.
****
3-K
Demand Loan Agreement – Golden Phoenix
****
4-A
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
82
4-B
Certification of Vice President Finance pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
83
__________________________________
*
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 20-F dated October 28, 1994.
**
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F dated December 31, 1997.
***
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F dated December 23, 1998.
****
Previously filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F dated December 21, 1999.
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this Annual Report on its behalf.
Dated at Vancouver, British Columbia, this 22nd day of December, 2003
IMPERIAL GINSENG PRODUCTS LTD.
“James S. Chang”
Per: James S. Chang
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
“Stephen P. McCoach”
Per: Stephen P. McCoach
Title: Co-Chairman
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Hilary Madore, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. (the “Company”);
2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and have:
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation, and
(c)
Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness and disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation;
5.
The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 22, 2003
Signed: “Hilary Madore”
Hilary S.A. Madore, Vice President Finance
I, James Chang, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. (the “Company”);
2.
Based on my knowledge, this annual report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and have:
(d)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(e)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation, and
(f)
Presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness and disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation;
5.
The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: December 22, 2003
Signed: “James Chang”
James Chang,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 4-A
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report on Form 20-F of Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. (the “Company”) for the year ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The annual report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: December 22, 2003
“James Chang”
James Chang
Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 4-B
CERTIFICATION OF VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the annual report on Form 20-F of Imperial Ginseng Products Ltd. (the “Company”) for the year ended June 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The annual report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information contained in the annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: December 22, 2003
“Hilary Madore”
Hilary Madore
Vice President Finance