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Bega Cheese Ltd

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FY2020 Annual Report · Bega Cheese Ltd
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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED

2020 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

Performance Highlights 

Chairman’s Report 

Chief Executive Officer’s Review 

Directors’ Report 

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 

Corporate Governance Statement 

Financial Statements 

Notes to the Financial Statements 

Directors’ Declaration 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

Shareholder Information 

Corporate Directory 

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A special thanks to the staff, farmers and customers whose images we have used through 
the report to illustrate relevant facts of our business. They represent the many people that 
together make Bega the Great Australian Food Company it is today.

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1,493 million

1,420 million

Revenue ($m)

Revenue has increased by $73 million, or 5%, compared to the prior year.

FY2020 Revenue

59%

Branded*

41%

Bulk*

35%

International all 
business units

Bega International

Export sales totalling $523 million, being an increase of 15% on 
the prior year, comprised 35% of total sales.

* the Group has two new reporting segments:

i. Branded – the manufacture of bulk ingredients into value added consumer products for internal or external brands.

ii. Bulk – the manufacture of bulk dairy ingredients, nutritional and bio nutrient products.

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Performance HighlightsFinancial results

The statutory result for each of FY2020 and FY2019 included a number of non-recurring items, which in FY2020 related primarily to legal costs 
and in FY2019 related primarily to business acquisitions, impairment of Coburg assets and other corporate activity. On a statutory basis for 
FY2020 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was $87.8 million, profit before tax (PBT) was $31.0 million and profit 
after tax (PAT) was $21.3 million. On a normalised basis for FY2020 EBITDA was $103.0 million, down 2%, PBT was $46.2 million, up 3%, and 
PAT was $31.9 million, up 3%.

EBITDA ($’000)

Basic earnings per share (cents)

104,867

102,992

87,824

78,933

14.9

14.9

9.9

2.1

FY2019**

FY2020

FY2019** FY2020

FY2019**

FY2020

FY2019** FY2020

Normalised*

Statutory

Normalised*

Statutory

Profit after tax ($’000)

Total dividend per share (cents)

30,929

31,886

21,268

4,447

FY2019**

FY2020

FY2019** FY2020

Normalised*

Statutory

11.0

10.0

FY2019

FY2020

Statutory

Production volume (tonnes)

Total dividend per share 

Production  has  decreased  by  2%,  compared  to  the  prior  year, 
reflecting the impact of drought and supply competition.

Bega  Cheese  Group  has  declared  a  final  dividend  of  5.0  cents  per 
share, taking the total dividend relating to FY2020 up to 10.0 cents per 
share. This represents a total payment of $21.4 million, being 67% of 
the normalised profit after tax and a decrease of $2.0 million, or 9%, on 
the prior year.

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297,668

303,252

*Normalised results exclude the impact of significant events occurring during the year.

**Amounts have been restated, see note 32 of the financial statements for details.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTSChairman’s Report

In the last two decades, it has often been the case that leaders from all 
walks of life have talked about a particular year as being tumultuous, a 
year of challenge, a year of change, a year of opportunities, a year the 
likes of which we have never seen before. While these statements are 
with good reason and foundation it is my view that FY2020 has made 
many  of  the  preceding  20  years  look  simple  and  peaceful  by 
comparison. At Bega Cheese we have faced highly competitive milk 
procurement markets, significant drought impacting our supply base, 
substantial increases in input costs across the supply chain, volatility 
in our markets and currency, never before experienced fires in Bega 
and Gippsland, and this was all prior to the arrival of COVID-19 and the 
disruption  it  has  brought  to  our  markets,  customers,  suppliers,  staff 
and the global community. 

It is in the above context that I am proud to report on the sound and 
stable business performance of Bega Cheese for FY2020. While it has 
been a challenging year on many levels the strength of Bega Cheese’s 
strategy, experience and culture has once again been demonstrated 
and continues to position us well to manage challenge and change. 

It is important that the company acknowledges the misstatement in our 
FY2019 accounts which was discovered and corrected in our 1H FY2020 
report. The misstatement was related to accounting systems changes 
associated  with  our  Koroit  acquisition  and  meant  that  EBITDA  was 
overstated in the FY2019 year by $10.5 million. The company was very 
embarrassed by the error in our accounts and has conducted an internal 
and  external  review  resulting  in  structural,  personnel  and  process 
changes  to  ensure  this  does  not  happen  again.  Comparisons  in  my 
report will be to the corrected FY2019 EBITDA, EBIT, PBT and PAT. 

I am pleased to once again report that Bega Cheese has continued to 
grow with total revenues in FY2020 being $1.49 billion, an increase of 
5%. While revenues continue to grow, a highly competitive milk supply 
environment  and  market  both  in  Australia  and  internationally  meant 
that normalised EBITDA and PAT were relatively stable at $103.0 million 
and $31.9 million respectively. Importantly, the company has reduced 
net  debt  significantly  with  FY2020  net  debt  being  $236.4  million  a 
reduction of 18%. 

The  impact  of  drought  and  supply  competition  meant  that  overall 
production decreased by 2% to 298 thousand tonnes. Bega Cheese 
has  continued  to  review  and  integrate  its  infrastructure  to  reflect 
changes  in  both  our  supply  profile  and  the  market.  Following  the 
closure  of  Coburg  in  FY2019  we  have  completed  the  integration  of 
Koroit,  continued  to  focus  Tatura  on  high  value  dairy  proteins  and 
nutritionals,  commenced  consolidation  of  some  of  our  processed 
cheese  capacities  between  our  Bega  and  Strathmerton  facilities, 
created greater capacity flexibility at our Port Melbourne facilities and 
progressed toll manufacturing arrangements with other dairy industry 
manufacturers. 

The  ongoing  refinement  of  our  manufacturing  infrastructure  reflects 
both  changes  in  our  supply  regions  and  the  market  and  is  a  great 
demonstration  of  the  agility  and  experience  of  the  business. 
The strategy of having diversified supply regions producing high value 
dairy  ingredients  for  both  the  retail  and  dairy  nutritionals  markets 
continues to be a priority for the business. An important initiative this 
year was the construction and commissioning of our new lactoferrin 
infrastructure  at  Koroit.  I  am  pleased  to  report  that  despite  the 
challenges of COVID-19 the plant was commissioned on time and the 
company will receive the full benefit of the new capacity in FY2021. 

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

It has been an important year for our Bega Foods business. Sales in 
our peanut butter range continue to grow, particularly as a result of the 
successful  launch  of  our  Simply  Nuts  products,  additionally  we 
continue  to  develop  our  Farmer’s  Table  cream  cheese  and  butter 
branded business, and the promotion of Vegemite has seen a return to 
growth, and the iconic status of this much loved brand reinforced.

Bega Foods has successfully expanded in the spread’s category with 
the launch of B honey, which combined with our existing range and 
new product development gives us significant presence in Australian 
retail and food service channels in dairy and spreads. Bega Foods has 
continued  to  grow  our  international  retail  and  food  service  business 
prior to the onset of COVID-19 where sales have since stabilised.

It  is  noteworthy  that  the  Bega  Foods  business  was  able  to  quickly 
respond to changed market conditions as a result of COVID-19, the 
business managed a collapse in both the Australian and international 
food service markets and a short term surge in demand in retail. The 
capability  and  flexibility  of  the  team  to  quickly  adjust  and  change  in 
both the dairy and food business again confirms value of the diversity 
of the business and customers we serve in Australia and internationally. 

We were pleased to receive a favourable decision in our legal dispute 
with  Kraft  from  the  Full  Court  of  the  Federal  Court  of  Australia  in 
April  2020.  The  Full  Court  judgement  confirmed  Bega  Cheese’s 
ownership of the trade dress currently associated with its peanut butter 
product. Kraft has now sought leave to appeal to the High Court. The 
High Court has set a date in mid-November 2020 to hear the application 
for  leave  to  appeal  to  the  High  Court.  The  dispute  with  Fonterra 
regarding the Bega brand continues. The trial in the Supreme Court of 
Victoria completed in July 2020 and we are now awaiting judgment. 

Bega Cheese has grown substantially over the past decade making a 
number of acquisitions and managing significant change. As we have 
previously reported to the market it was appropriate that this year we 
conduct  an  organisational  and  process  review  to  ensure  that  our 
business has the most effective and competitive structure available to 
us. This review has been completed and is being implemented, it does 
unfortunately  mean  that  there  will  be  some  redundancies  within  the 
business, we are always conscious of the dedication and commitment 
our staff give and we will of course offer support to those whose jobs 
are  not  required.  It  is  always  important  to  continue  to  review  the 
competitiveness of the business and ensure our structure and strategy 
are aligned and position us to be the company of choice for suppliers, 
staff, customers and shareholders alike. 

CEO Paul van Heerwaarden will provide more detail on the performance 
of  the  business  and  also  expand  on  our  actions  and  the  impact  of 
COVID-19.  Paul  has  led  the  team  wonderfully  through  a  challenging 
year and his focus on the safety of all involved with Bega Cheese while 
stewarding  the  business  through  never  before  seen  circumstances 
has been admirable. We continue to endeavour to be in a position to 
be responsive to whatever change in circumstances COVID-19 might 
bring and have put in place a dedicated COVID-19 team which includes 
Paul, myself and staff from across the business to ensure decisions 
and  actions  happen  quickly  and  are  made  with  all  the  available 
knowledge and information. Paul will comment further but I do want to 
acknowledge the efforts of everyone at Bega Cheese and across our 
supply  chain  for  their  dedication,  flexibility,  understanding  and 
resilience as we continue to manage the impact of COVID-19. 

It has been a year like no other and it would be remiss of me to not 
thank the Board and executive team for their efforts for the company 
and support of me during my period of leave to be treated for cancer. 
The cancer and chemotherapy treatments were a significant challenge 
and  knowing  the  company  was  in  good  hands  with  excellent 
knowledge and capability was and is important. I particularly want to 
acknowledge  Max  Roberts  for  stepping  in  as  Chairman,  Max  was 
preparing for retirement prior to my illness but agreed to stay on and 
chair  the  company  until  my  return.  Max  has  provided  outstanding 
service to the company for over 30 years as a Director and has made 
a  significant  contribution  to  the  company  and  the  dairy  industry. 
Max’s vision and positive approach to all that we were endeavouring to 
achieve at Bega Cheese will long be remembered and appreciated. 

It  was  in  sad  circumstances  that  Jeff  Odgers  elected  to  resign  his 
position as a director in June following a family tragedy. Jeff had been 
on the Board of Bega Cheese since its listing in 2011. Jeff’s knowledge 
of  the  dairy  industry,  global  market  dynamics  and  key  agri-political 
issues  such  as  water  resource  allocation  and  management  were 
second  to  none.  Jeff  has  made  a  wonderful  contribution  to 
Bega  Cheese and has always been ambitious in his views on what the 
company could achieve. 

I  thank  both  Jeff  and  Max  for  their  friendship  and  service  to 
Bega Cheese. 

As with all change it was important to recognise both the challenge 
and opportunity in replacing a supplier director. Given the acquisition 
of  Koroit  and  the  significance  of  Bega  Cheese’s  supply  footprint  in 
Western Victoria we were keen to have a supplier director from that 
region. I am pleased to report the company identified a number of well 
credentialed  candidates  and  has  finalised  our  search  and  expect  to 
appoint our new supplier director in September. We are also finalising 
our search for the vacant independent director position and expect to 
make an announcement shortly. 

The FY2020 year has indeed been a year like no other, I am pleased to 
present an annual report that reflects the stability of our business and 
the  strength  of  our  strategy.  The  company  continues  to  be  well 
positioned for growth and has the knowledge, experience and agility 
to respond to the challenge of a changing business and community 
environment  as  a  result  of  COVID-19.  I  would  like  to  express  my 
appreciation  and  thanks  to  the  Board,  Paul,  his  executive  team,  the 
staff and all associated with the company for their work and contribution 
to  the  success  of  Bega  Cheese.  I  would  also  like  thank  suppliers, 
customers and shareholders for their loyalty and support. 

Barry Irvin
Executive Chairman
27 August 2020

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Financial performance, financial strength 
and investing for the future

Bega Cheese Group generated record sales revenue of $1.49 billion in 
FY2020, with sound growth across most of our key market channels. 
The Group delivered a normalised EBITDA of $103.0 million, which is 
towards the upper end of guidance provided earlier this financial year 
and  despite  circumstances  this  year  unfolding  differently  than 
anticipated. Our financial performance has benefited from diversified 
earnings  streams  gained  from  the  significant  corporate  activity  of 
recent years.

In FY2020 we maintained a focus on strengthening our balance sheet 
and improving cash management, resulting in a significant reduction in 
net debt from $303.4 million at the end of 1H FY2020 to $236.4 million 
as at 30 June. We remained vigilant in managing working capital, with 
inventory and trade receivables down on the previous year.

We continued to invest in our future during this period of uncertainty.  
Commissioning of the new lactoferrin plant at Koroit progressed, we 
deployed our new management information system, and undertook an 
extensive  review  of  our  organisational  design  and  processes  to 
improve efficiency and streamline operating costs. Ongoing product 
innovation saw the launch of new Vegemite products and additional 
products in our Simply Nuts natural peanut butter range. Towards the 
end of financial year we were pleased to launch into the honey segment 
with our new B honey range.

The two legal cases with Fonterra and Kraft Heinz progressed during 
FY2020  and  we  await  outcomes  for  both.  In  the  proceedings  with 
Kraft  Heinz,  we  were  successful  in  confirming  Bega  Cheese 
ownership  of  the  peanut  butter  trade  dress  in  the  Full  Court  of  the 
Federal  Court  of  Australia.  The  High  Court  of  Australia  will  hear 
Kraft  Heinz’s  application  for  special  leave  to  appeal  in  November 
2020.  Final  submissions  have  been  filed  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Victoria trial in the matter brought against Bega Cheese by Fonterra 
regarding our use of the Bega trade mark in Australia and our cross 
claim  on  Fonterra  regarding  performance  of  their  obligations  under 
the Bega Trade Mark Licence Agreement.

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Chief Executive Officer’s ReviewUnprecedented rural, climatic and 
pandemic environment

I  am  not  alone  in  reporting  that  FY2020  presented  a  succession  of 
unprecedented challenges, all of which were described as ‘once in a 
century’ events. The first event was a clear signal that climate change 
will  continue  to  have  an  ever  increasing  impact.  Rural  communities 
entered  FY2020  having  already  endured  severe  and  prolonged 
drought. Our resilient farmer suppliers were tested to the limit as the 
drought  extended  throughout  the  first  half  of  FY2020.  Rivers  and 
natural  water  systems  dried  up,  dams  and  other  irrigation  reserves 
were extinguished, and stock and domestic water supply came under 
serious threat. Conditions could not have been more demanding for 
our  farmers  and  their  families  and  we  provided  as  much  drought 
support as we could to ease some of their burden.

The second event was extensive bushfires across the country, which 
became uncontrollable due to dry conditions and intensified in south 
east  NSW,  Victoria  and  ACT  on  New  Year’s  Eve  2019.  Fires  spread 
rapidly  and  delivered  conditions  never  seen  before.  Lives  were  lost, 
landscapes destroyed, rural and native animals perished, and assets 
and  infrastructure  burned  to  the  ground.  Generations  of  work  and 
investment  by  families  was  wiped  out.  Restoration  and  recovery  will 
involve  a  long  term  effort.  Bega  Cheese  Group  employees  made  a 
significant contribution by supporting farmers where possible with milk 
collections,  generators  and  emergency  feed.  Our  people  kept 
operations  running,  left  their  families  and  homes  to  protect  our 
manufacturing  facilities,  and  in  some  cases  put  their  lives  at  risk  to 
save others. Eventually the bushfires were declared contained due to 
widespread arrival of rain.

The third event is COVID-19, yet another challenge experienced on an 
unparalleled scale. We remain concerned for those in local communities, 
across  our  great  country  and  throughout  the  world.  The  Group  is 
committed  to  the  safety  of  our  staff,  staying  open  for  business  and 
providing  our  range  of  food  products  to  our  customers.  We  have 
modified our ways of working to minimise the risk of COVID-19,  ensure 
the wellbeing of our people, and maintain food supply to consumers. 

Growth of key markets and customers

Revenue of $1.49 billion for FY2020 was an increase of 5% compared 
to the prior year, primarily due to the growth in our Branded consumer 
and food service business in both domestic and international markets.

The domestic retail grocery market value grew by 10.5% in FY2020. 
The spreads category value growth was slightly lower at 9.8%, with a 
volume growth of 5.8%. This was positive in view of the overall decline 
in the spreads category during the prior year. The first eight months of 
FY2020  saw  the  spreads  category  grow  at  2.8%  value,  with  Bega 
outperforming  at  4.1%  growth.  This  accelerated  over  the  last  four 
months due to COVID-19 causing changes in purchasing decisions. 

The nut spreads segment had a strong year. Our core range of peanut 
butter  and  Bega  Simply  Nuts  performed  ahead  of  category. 
Yeast  spreads  also  performed  well,  driven  by  the  ongoing  growth  of 
Vegemite. Our association with Ash Barty during the Australian summer 
of tennis and the Australian Open continued this year. While Ash just 
missed out on making the final we were very proud to see her name on 
the supermarket shelves through our temporary rebranding of Vegemite 
as  Bartymite,  acknowledging  the  coming  together  of  two  great 
Australians. Following the successful launch of Gluten Free Vegemite 
last year, we expanded our iconic Vegemite brand with the launch of 
40% Less Salt Vegemite. Online Vegemite merchandise sales continue 
to grow, as does the franchising of the Vegemite trademark. 

In May we extended our spreads offering to include a honey range with 
the launch of B honey, made from 100% pure Australian honey. Honey 
remains  an  attractive  segment  for  Bega,  aligned  with  our  focus  on 
provenance and knowledge of the spreads category. B honey was close 
to  exceeding  its  launch  year  share  target  within  its  first  eight  weeks. 
Farmer’s Table launched into the Coles butter category in July 2020, with 
strong  shelf  position  and  encouraging  consumer  uptake.  The  cheese 
category experienced strong growth in FY2020, primarily in the natural 
cheese and entertaining segments – mainly due to increased commodities 
pricing leading to increased shelf prices. Volumes increased, with recent 
uplift due to the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour. 

Our export branded consumer and food service business continued 
to see strong growth, although COVID-19 dampened this across our 
markets from late January 2020. Demand for our brands in the food 
service channel was disrupted, however consumer demand switched 
to our brands in retail channels. In the Asian regions, the fundamentals 
of  a  growing  middle  class  and  westernisation  of  food  preferences 
remain  and  these  markets  continue  to  play  a  strategically  important 
role in our overall growth objective. 

The  nutritional  category  within  the  Bulk  segment  performed  in  line 
with expectations for the first half of the year, with strong momentum 
from  our  range  of  goat  milk  formulas  and  products  destined  for 
South East Asia. In the second half, the category was impacted by 
COVID-19 - particularly for customers supplying products into China. 
Many reported an increase in sales in Q3 caused by pantry loading, 
followed by a sharp decrease in demand in Q4. The Q4 decline was 
caused by the reduced presence of Daigou shoppers in Australia and 
an increase in the cost of airfreight due to fewer international flights. 
Lactoferrin pricing remained firm in the first half of the year, however 
pricing came under pressure later in the year as a result of the change 
in  channel  dynamics  and  reducing  global  demand.  Pricing  remains 
above  historical  averages  and  our  customer  mix,  including  the  end 
users of products, is more diverse than several years ago. 

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7

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEWSustainability in our supply chain

Challenging milk supply 

Our FY2020 milk intake of 955 million litres was 9.6% lower than the 
prior year due to drought and strong competition for milk, particularly 
in the first half.

We  experienced  competitive  and  seasonal  pressure  on  milk  supply 
across all regions, with drought conditions increasing the cost of farm 
inputs.  Suppliers  in  irrigation  regions  were  required  to  manage  tight 
water allocations and high costs of temporary water. Further pressure 
was placed on our supply base through domestic market processors 
offering premium milk prices to secure Victorian milk supply and offset 
lower milk supply from New South Wales and Queensland regions.

While growth of milk supply from Western Victoria continued, supply 
from  other  regions  declined.  This  was  due  to  factors  including 
increased  competition  in  Gippsland,  drought  and  bushfires  in  the 
Bega  region,  and  lower  milk  supply  from  an  irrigation  dependent 
northern Victoria region. In response to these challenges we provided 
record  milk  payments  throughout  FY2020  which  included  base  milk 
price  increases,  Bega  Supply  Premiums,  ongoing  irrigation  rebates 
and the introduction of new milk growth incentives. Our Better Farms 
program  also  continued  to  provide  help  to  suppliers  improve  their 
farm businesses. 

We  introduced  several  milk  price  and  contract  initiatives  this  year, 
including the implementation of the 9/3 milk pricing system which aims 
to  provide  stronger  cash  flow  and  price  relativity,  particularly  for 
pasture based dairy farms. The system enables improved sustainability 
of farm profitability and supports on farm decision making.

The Dairy Industry Code of Conduct came into effect in January 2020. 
This regulates the process for negotiating contractual arrangements, 
including  the  provision  of  minimum  base  milk  prices  between  dairy 
farmers and dairy processors. 

Our comprehensive corporate social responsibility strategy, aligned to 
the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, helps ensure our 
business is constantly improving and meeting customer, shareholder 
and  community  expectations.  This  year  our  ambitious  three-year 
energy reduction program continued. In other progress, we introduced 
a new Ethical Sourcing Policy, committed to the Responsible Children’s 
Marketing  Initiative,  became  an  early  adopter  of  the  Australasian 
Recycling Label, and became an associate member of the Roundtable 
on Responsible Palm Oil. Our sustainability focus remains on improving 
food  nutrition,  supporting  an  increase  in  the  diversity  of  our  people, 
reducing  greenhouse  gas  emissions,  improving  water  conservation 
and  reducing  packaging  waste.  Further  details  on  these  initiatives, 
plus our overall sustainability performance are provided in our FY2020 
Sustainability Report.

Last year we commenced piloting several Industry 4.0 initiatives with 
Swinburne  University  with 
the  Federal 
Government. Leveraging these new technologies includes utilising the 
IoT  (Internet  of  Things)  to  optimise  efficiency  with  aspects  of  our 
business,  including  inbound  milk  logistics  and  automated  machine 
learning on yeast processing. 

funding  support 

from 

As announced at half year, Bega Cheese engaged Boston Consulting 
Group  to  conduct  an  organisational  and  process  benchmarking 
review. This important work to improve cost efficiencies in our supply 
chain is an essential part of transforming into a larger and more diverse 
company, as is our move to a new centralised ERP system. 

With our ongoing review our manufacturing and supply chain footprint, 
a  number  of  strategic  steps  were  taken  prior  to  FY2020  that 
transformed our dairy processing network and enabled us to support 
our  growth  and  respond  to  various  milk  supply  and  competitive 
challenges.  This  included  the  acquisition  of  the  Koroit  facility  and 
closure of the Coburg facility, followed by third-party toll manufacturing 
agreements.  Further  opportunities  to  strengthen  our  network  were 
implemented  during  FY2020  including  the  commissioning  of  the 
lactoferrin plant in Koroit, plus other capital projects and commercial 
initiatives.  The  supply  of  lactoferrin  from  Koroit  commenced  in  the 
fourth quarter and we expect to realise the full year benefit from this 
significant project in FY2021. 

In  July  2020  we  announced  the  consolidation  of  our  individually 
wrapped processed cheese capacity to Strathmerton, with 63 roles to 
become redundant at Bega. The processed cheese market in Australia 
is  declining  as  consumers  switch  to  natural  cheese  products, 
particularly natural cheddar slices. While we still see opportunities for 
growth  in  processed  cheese  products  in  international  markets, 
domestically  we  typically  compete  with  low  cost  processors. 
To  maintain  cost  competitiveness  we  will  continue  to  rationalise  our 
supply chain and manufacturing footprint.

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9

Chief Executive Officer’s ReviewBEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REVIEW

COVID-19 and our response

Developing our people and culture

The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  changed  our  lives  and  the  way  our 
business operates. During this challenging time our focus has been on 
the  safety  of  our  people  and  our  communities.  The  way  our  people 
rallied together to support each other, our business and our customers 
has been inspiring and demonstrates our core values. 

Since March over 500 of our employees have worked remotely, yet we 
maintain a workforce of over 1,500 employees at manufacturing sites. 
Our  site  leadership  and  site-based  employees  are  essential  in 
ensuring  the ongoing production and supply of our quality products 
to customers.

Our values support our vision to become “The Great Australian Food 
Company”  and  play  an  important  role  in  employee  development 
programs.  During  FY2020  we  revised  our  employee  performance 
assessment process, giving equal weight to what we achieve and how 
we  achieve  it.  Our  Bega  Aspire  Leadership  Development  Program 
helps  develop  capability  in  our  next  generation  of  leaders,  giving 
participants  the  opportunity  to  work  on  projects  that  have  a  lasting 
impact on the business. We continued the Bega Graduate Program 
this  year.  To  further  the  development  of  graduates  we  introduced 
“#HeartLEADER”, a talent development program for those in the early 
stages of their careers.

At the time of writing we are in the midst of a Victorian State of Disaster, 
contending  with  Stage  4  restrictions  in  Melbourne  and  Stage  3  in 
regional  Victoria.  Our  business  is  now  operating  in  a  way  we  have 
never operated before. Remote working is only a small part of these 
changes.  In  line  with  our  crisis  management  policy,  a  COVID-19 
Executive Crisis Team was formed in February and has met regularly 
to  monitor  the  situation  and  adapt  our  response  to  the  changing 
forms  of 
circumstances  of  the  pandemic.  We  adopted  new 
communication  to  reach  all  employees  quickly  and  effectively. 
We  developed  a  comprehensive  suite  of  policies  and  procedures  to 
support  and  guide  managers  and  employees,  which  are  regularly 
reviewed  and  updated  in  line  with  the  latest  government  advice. 
To protect our core manufacturing employees, we implemented new 
procedures including daily temperature checks and a Workplace Face 
Mask Policy. Key bodies including Dairy Australia and the Australian 
Food and Grocery Council continue provide important guidance at an 
industry level.

The pandemic is expected to impact our customers and our supply 
chain  well  into  FY2021  or  longer.  As  business  continuity  plans  are 
regularly  reviewed  and  updated,  our  focus  remains  on  ensuring  the 
health  and  wellbeing  of  our  employees  and  providing  them  with  a 
range of supports.

In recent years we have seen a continued improvement in our safety 
performance  and  safety  culture  across  the  business.  Concerningly, 
safety  performance  deteriorated  during  FY2020  with  an  increase  in 
our total reportable injury frequency rate to 10.5, well above our rate in 
FY2019 and above our FY2020 target.  While we still saw improvement 
in a number of lead safety indicators, our overall performance is well 
below our expectations. Last month we engaged DuPont Sustainable 
Solutions, a leading global consultancy for workplace safety, who will 
work  closely  with  our  site  based  teams  to  assess  our  safety  culture 
and determine the necessary development plans.

In the past year we have had 10 enterprise bargaining agreements to 
negotiate  across  our  sites.  These  agreements  are  obviously  very 
important for both our employee groups and the company to ensure 
our  collective  interests  are  aligned  and  considered.  I  would  like  to 
acknowledge the significant contributions made by all our employees 
and  union  representatives  involved.  Our  next  agreement  is  due  for 
negotiation in FY2022.

The  Bega  Corporate  event,  normally  held  in  March  each  year,  was 
unfortunately  postponed  due  to  international  and  domestic  travel 
restrictions due to COVID-19. The TAT200 charity bike ride was held in 
November  2019  attracting  325  participants  and  raising  a  total  of 
$90,000. We were very excited to welcome Bubs as the new Diamond 
Sponsor and their contribution extended to strong representation at 
the bike ride and social events. Funds raised were directed towards 
local community support organisations and other initiatives, including 
university scholarships for members of local dairy farming families. 

We are proud of our ongoing partnership with Foodbank which allows 
us  to  support  front  line  charities,  local  communities,  and  schools 
across the country. More than 40% of all food and groceries distributed 
by  Foodbank  nationally 
to  regional  and  rural 
is  contributed 
communities.  In  FY2020,  we  donated  over  57,000  kilograms  of 
products,  equating  to  more  than  103,000  meals  for  Australians 
experiencing hardship.

8

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9

A positive outlook during ongoing uncertainty

The Group is well positioned as we enter FY2021, with increased profit 
contributions  from  the  recently  commissioned  lactoferrin  facility  at 
Koroit  and  cost  savings  flowing  from  the  organisation  and  process 
review.  Further  reductions  in  working  capital  and  net  debt  will 
strengthen the balance sheet. While we cautiously consider potential 
acquisition  opportunities,  our  two  main  areas  of  focus  are  organic 
growth across our portfolio of categories and markets, and improved 
cost competitiveness. 

Product  innovation  in  the  spreads  category  will  build  on  existing 
products  including  Vegemite  and  Simply  Nuts  natural  peanut  butter 
and the recently launched B honey range. The dairy category continues 
to  provide  opportunities,  including  processed  cheese  products  into 
export  consumer  and  foodservice  markets.  Ongoing  development 
and  consolidation  of  our  supply  chain  will  further  improve  our  cost 
competitiveness. This includes maintaining a focus on efficiencies in 
our manufacturing and logistics footprint, plus the second phase of the 
organisation and process review towards the end of H1 FY2021. 

Our milk supply for FY2021 is forecast to be lower than FY2020 due to 
the cessation of the two year milk supply guarantee arrangement as 
part of the Koroit acquisition in 2018. We expect milk supply to increase 
throughout the year through milk production growth from favourable 
seasonal conditions. The toll arrangements we have entered into with 
other  processors  will  increase  the  utilisation  of  our  dairy  processing 
network.  Opening  FY2021  milk  prices  in  Australia  were  lower  than  
FY2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic decreasing demand, as well 
as  increases  in  global  milk  supply.  These  market  conditions  are 
expected  to  remain  in  the  near  term,  providing  a  stable  outlook  to 
current FY2021 milk prices. While commodity prices have somewhat 
stabilised and global demand remains remarkably resilient, we continue 
to monitor the supply situation in the northern hemisphere, particularly 
in Northern Europe and the United States, for increases that may put 
commodity prices under further pressure. 

For the nutritional powders category, we expect Chinese buyers will 
shift  over  time  to  alternative  channels  such  as  cross-border 
ecommerce, providing some normality from Q2 FY2021. However, we 
understand that some share could be lost to domestic Chinese brands 
during  this  period.  A  normalised  trading  relationship  with  China  is 
essential  to  ensuring  our  customers  retain  access  to  this  important 
market for infant formula and dairy products. Despite the challenges in 
the  nutritional  powders  category,  which  utilises  lactoferrin  as  an 
ingredient, the outlook for our lactoferrin business remains strong with 
the majority of our lactoferrin pricing linked to fixed long term contacts 
with the recently commissioned plant at Koroit.

There is no doubt that the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic will be 
evident well into the future. The main implications for our business in 
the near term include the strength of domestic demand for our portfolio 
of consumer products, and the return to normal levels of demand for 
food service and nutritional products in key export markets. 

Importantly,  throughout  FY2020,  we  demonstrated  our  ability  to 
quickly  respond  to  challenges  and  opportunities  as  they  emerged. 
This included our supply chain responsiveness to bushfires in January, 
ramping up production of consumer products through March due to 
increased  domestic  demand,  managing  and  redirecting  production 
destined  for  export  markets,  and  quickly  implementing  new  policies 
and procedures to protect the safety of our people and products as 
the  implications  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  unfolded.  Despite  the 
various  domestic  and  global  challenges  we  are  faced  with,  I  remain 
optimistic that the resilience of our category portfolio and market mix, 
along  with  the  competitiveness  and  responsiveness  of  our  supply 
chain, positions us well to take on the opportunities and challenges we 
will face in FY2021 and beyond.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the support and leadership of the 
Board and Max’s Chairmanship during Barry’s absence. I was pleased 
to  welcome  Barry  back  following  his  recovery  and  valued  his 
leadership  and support, particularly in our responses to the COVID-19 
pandemic  and  the  mandatory  dairy  code.  Against  the  backdrop  of 
factors outside our control, we can reflect very positively on FY2020. 
I sincerely thank the executive team, our employees, farmer suppliers 
and other suppliers, customers and the consumers of our products. 
Your  ongoing  commitment  and  contribution  remains  central  to  our 
progress towards becoming The Great Australian Food Company. 

Paul van Heerwaarden
Chief Executive Officer
27 August 2020

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Performance Highlights11

Your Directors present the Annual Financial Report  
of the Bega Cheese Group for the year ended 30 June 2020

Barry Irvin – AM

Raelene Murphy  
B BUS, FCA, GAICD

Executive Chairman Bega Cheese Limited
Barry Irvin is recognised globally for his extensive experience in the dairy industry and has been 
Chairman of Bega Cheese Limited since 2000. Barry’s leadership has seen Bega grow from a 
small  regionally  based  dairy  company  to  now  the  third  largest  dairy  company  in  Australia, 
supplying a large range of dairy and grocery products in Australia and around the world.

Barry’s  depth  of  knowledge  of  the  industry  includes  a  significant  understanding  of  the 
issues affecting Australian dairy farmers, the key investments required to meet changing 
consumer needs and the management of long term customer relationships.

Barry  was  awarded  the  NAB  Agribusiness  Leader  of  the  Year  2009  and  the  Rabobank 
Leadership  Award  2011.  Barry  is  very  aware  of  the  importance  of  social  responsibility, 
he has been Chairman of Giant Steps, an organisation providing services to children and 
young adults with autism since 2002. In 2008 Barry was awarded a Member of the Order of 
Australia for contributions to children with disability and the Australia dairy industry.

Other Directorships:
Chairman – Giant Steps (Sydney); Director of Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd;
Giant Steps Melbourne Limited; and Giant Steps Australia Ltd.
Former Directorships in the last 3 years: Nil

Independent Director since June 2015 
Raelene  Murphy  has  over  35  years’  experience  in  strategic,  financial  and  operational 
leadership in both industry and professional advisory. In her professional advisory career, 
she specialised in operational and financial restructuring including merger and acquisition 
integration.  She  was  formerly  a  Managing  Director  at  KordaMentha  and  a  Partner  in  a 
national  accounting  firm  where  she  led  the  corporate  turnaround  practice.  Her  industry 
experience includes CEO of the Delta Group and senior executive roles in the Mars Group. 
Raelene is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Other BGA Committees:
Chair of Audit and Risk Committee
Member of Nomination Remuneration & Human Resources Committee

Other Current Directorships:
Non-executive  Director  of  Clean  Seas  Seafood  Limited;  Non-executive  Director  of 
Integral Diagnostics Limited; Non-executive Director of Altium Limited; Non-executive 
Director of Ross House Investments Pty Limited (Stillwell Motor Group).

Former Directorships in the last 3 years:
Non-executive Director of Service Stream Limited and Non-executive Director of Tassal 
Group Limited.

12

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13

Directors’ ReportTerry O’Brien  
FCPA, FAICD

Independent Director since September 2017 

Terry brings to the Board a wealth of experience in the food industry, including a period of the Chairmanship of the 
Australian Food and Grocery Council and has been responsible for leading growth and acquisition strategies over 
many years in the industry.

Terry was, from 2001 until 2017, the Managing Director of Simplot Australia Pty Limited, the US owned, but Australian 
centric, food processor and marketer managing leading Australian brands including Birds Eye, Edgell and John West. 
Since announcing his retirement in early 2017, Terry has transitioned to a portfolio career and sits on a number of 
Australian Company Boards. An accountant by training, Terry has been active in finance and management roles in the 
textile industry for ten years and in the food industry for over 30 years.

Other BGA Committees:
Chair of the Nomination Remuneration & Human Resources Committee, Member of the Audit & Risk Committee
Other Directorships:
Chairman of A.G Thompson Pty Ltd (t/a Kookaburra Sport); Chairman of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Pty Limited; 
Chairman of Clean Seas Seafood Limited; Director of Foodbank Australia. Member of the East Asia Review Commission 
(Advisory Board) of Societe d’Oxygene et d’Acetylene d’Extreme-Orient, a member of the Air Liquide Group.
Former Directorships in the last 3 years: Nil

Rick Cross  
B.Ag Sci (Hon), 
GAICD

Director since December 2011

Rick was appointed to the Board following the merger of Bega Cheese Limited and Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd.

Rick joined the Tatura Milk Industries’ Board in 2003 and was heavily involved in negotiating the initial subscription by 
Bega of 70% shareholding in Tatura Milk Industries. Rick also took a lead role in negotiating the scheme of arrangement 
for Bega to acquire the remaining 30% of Tatura Milk Industries in December 2011.

Rick has represented dairy farmers in many various industry roles, and was formerly the Chair of Murray Dairy, Inc. 
He also owns and actively manages a progressive dairy farm in Northern Victoria.

Other  BGA  Committees:  Chair  of  the  Milk  Services  Committee,  Member  of  the  Nomination  Remuneration  
& Human Resources Committee
Other Directorships: Nil 
Former Directorships in the last 3 years: Nil

Patria Mann 
B Ec, FAICD

Independent Director since September 2019

Patria  is  an  experienced  Non-executive  Director  with  over  16  years’  Board  experience  across  various  sectors. 
Patria qualified as a Chartered Accountant and was a former Partner at KPMG. She brings strong ASX, audit, risk 
management and governance experience to the Board.

She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Other BGA Committees: Member of Audit & Risk Committee
Other Directorships: Non-executive Director of Event Hospitality Entertainment Limited; Non-executive 
Director of Ridley Corporation Limited.
Former Directorships in the last 3 years: 
Non-executive Director of Allianz Australia Limited.

Richard Parbery 
FCPA, MAICD

Director since September 1988

Richard Parbery is the managing partner of a successful regional accounting practice, is a Fellow of the Australian 
Society  of  Certified  Practicing  Accountants,  a  registered  Company  Auditor,  registered  Tax  Agent,  a  registered 
Self- Managed Superannuation Fund Auditor, Justice of the Peace NSW, an External Examiner for the Law Society of 
NSW and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Richard Parbery is experienced in servicing 
many agricultural and general business clients.

Richard also controls a large family farm on the outskirts of Bega, New South Wales.

Other BGA Committees: Member of Audit & Risk Committee
Other Directorships: Nil
Former Directorships in the last 3 years: Nil

12

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13

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTPrincipal activities

The principal activity of the Bega Cheese Group in the course of the 
financial year was receiving, processing, manufacturing and distributing 
dairy  and  other  food-related  products.  A  number  of  key  events  in 
relation  to  the  activities  of  the  Group  during  the  year  ended 
30 June 2020 are set out in the Chairman’s report, the Chief Executive 
Officer’s  review  and  the  Review  of  Financial  Performance  and 
Operations  which  are  to  be  read  in  conjunction  with  this  Directors’ 
report.

Dividends

Interim ordinary dividend for the year 
ended 30 June 2020 of 5.0 cents

Final ordinary dividend for the year  
ended 30 June 2019 of 5.5 cents

Interim ordinary dividend for the year 
ended 30 June 2019 of 5.5 cents

Final ordinary dividend for the year 
ended 30 June 2018 of 5.5 cents

2020 
$’000

2019 
$’000

10,713

11,755

-

-

-

-

11,722

10,178

In  addition  to  the  above  dividends,  since  the  end  of  the  financial 
year  the  Directors  have  recommended  payment  of  a  final  ordinary 
dividend of $10.7 million (5.0 cents per fully paid share) to be paid on 
7 October 2020.

Review of operations

A comprehensive review of operations is set out in the Review of Financial 
Performance and Operations.

Significant changes in the state of affairs

Other than that disclosed in the Chairman’s report, the Chief Executive 
Officer’s  review  and  the  Review  of  Financial  Performance  and 
Operations  there  have  been  no  significant  changes  in  the  state  of 
affairs of the Bega Cheese Group since the last Annual Report.

Indemnification and insurance premiums 
for officers 

During the financial year, the Bega Cheese Group paid a premium in 
respect of a contract insuring the Directors and all executive officers of 
the Group and of any related body corporate against a liability incurred 
as  such  a  Director  or  executive  officer,  not  exceeding  the  extent 
permitted by law. The contracts of insurance prohibit disclosure of the 
nature of the liabilities and the amount of the premiums. The Group 
has  not  otherwise,  during  or  since  the  financial  year,  except  to  the 
extent permitted by law, indemnified or agreed to indemnify an officer 
of the Group or any related body corporate against a liability incurred 
as such an officer. This does not include remuneration or employment 
related  benefits,  any  sum  payable  pursuant  to  a  financial  support 
direction  or  contribution  notice  issued  in  respect  of  any  pension 
scheme, fines and pecuniary penalties for a deliberate or intentional 
act, nor amounts, which are prohibited to be paid by law.

Each Director has entered into a deed of access and indemnity with 
the Group, which indemnifies them for losses incurred as a Director or 
officer of Bega Cheese and places an obligation on the Bega Cheese 
Group  to  maintain  a  current  Directors’  and  Officers’  policy  with  a 
reputable insurer for the period of the Director’s tenure and for a seven 
year tail period (or longer if there is an unresolved outstanding claim 
against the Director) and a contractual right of the Director to access 
Group records for the period of the Director’s tenure and for a seven 
year tail period (or longer if there is an unresolved outstanding claim 
against the Director).

The Company has also agreed to indemnify the Company Secretaries 
and certain senior executives for all liabilities to another person (other 
than the Company or a related body corporate) that may arise from their 
position, except where the liability arises out of conduct involving a lack 
of good faith. The agreement stipulates that the Company will meet the 
full amount of any such liabilities, including costs and expenses.

Company secretaries

The  Company  Secretary  registered  with  the  ASX  is  Brett  Kelly  FCA, 
GAICD.  Brett  Kelly  was  appointed  to  the  position  of  Company 
Secretary  in  2002.  Brett  Kelly  holds  a  Bachelor  of  Commerce  in 
Accounting and is a Chartered Accountant with 35 years’ experience. 
He  has  also  been  a  graduate  member  of  the  Australian  Institute  of 
Company Directors since 2006. Brett Kelly completed the Certificate 
in Governance and Risk Management with the Governance Institute of 
Australia in December 2011.

Colin Griffin CA was appointed to the position of Company Secretary 
in 1993. Colin Griffin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and is a 
Chartered  Accountant  with  37  years’  experience.  Colin  Griffin’s 
primary  responsibility  was  as  Chief  Financial  Officer  (CFO)  until 
11  November  2019,  when  he  changed  roles  to  Executive  General 
Manager Contract Manufacturing.

1414

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15

Meetings of Directors and Board Committees

Meetings of the Board of Directors

The  following  table  sets  out  the  number  of  Board,  Audit  &  Risk 
Committee,  Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Human  Resources 
Committee,  Milk  Services  Committee  and  Peanut  Growing  and 
Breeding  Committee  meetings  held  during 
the  year  ended 
30 June 2020 and the number of meetings attended by each eligible 
Director and other members:

Meetings of the Audit & Risk Committee

Held and Eligible

Attended

Raelene Murphy

Patria Mann 2

Richard Parbery

Terry O’Brien

9

6

9

9

9

6

9

8

Meetings of the Nomination, Remuneration and 
Human Resources Committee

Held and Eligible

Attended

Barry Irvin 5

Rick Cross

Patria Mann 1

Raelene Murphy

Jeff Odgers 7

Richard Parbery

Terry O’Brien

Max Roberts 6

12

17

14

21

17

17

17

9

12

17

14

20

15

17

17

9

1. 

Patria Mann commenced as Director on 9 September 2019.

2. 

Patria Mann was appointed as a member of the Audit & Risk Committee at its meeting  
held 18 November 2019.

3.  Raelene Murphy was appointed as a member of the Nomination, Remuneration and  

Human Resources Committee on 29 January 2020.

4.  Rick Cross was appointed as a member and Chair of the Milk Services Committee by  

Held and Eligible

Attended

Special Resolution on 17 July 2020.

Terry O’Brien

Richard Cross

Raelene Murphy 3

Max Roberts

5

5

1

4

5

5

1

4

5. 

 Barry Irvin was granted a leave of absence at the Bega Board meeting held 20 May 2019, 
with Max Roberts being appointed as Chairman of the Board during Barry’s   
absence. Barry returned to service from the Board meeting held 29 January 2020, 

6.  Max Roberts ceased to be alternate Director for Barry Irvin on 29 January 2020.

7. 

Jeff Odgers resigned as Director on 30 June 2020.

Directors gave apologies in advance of the meetings they were unable to attend.

Meetings of the Milk Services Committee

Held and Eligible

Attended

Jeff Odgers 7

Max Roberts

Rick Cross 4

4

2

0

4

1

0

Meetings of the Peanut Growing and Breeding 
Committee

Held and Eligible

Attended

Max Roberts

Brett Kelly

Peter Watt

Stephen Rae

6

6

6

6

6

4

6

4

14

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15

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORT 
 
 
•  becoming  an  early  adopter  of  the  Australasian  Recycling  Label 
which  clearly  shows  customers  how  to  correctly  recycle  each 
component of packaging

•  greenhouse  gas  emissions  maintained  at  FY2019  levels  through 
the purchase of Australian Carbon Credit Units generated through 
storage in soils on dairy farms

• 

re-using  39%  of  water  in  our  manufacturing  operations  for 
irrigation  on  farms  and  commencing  a  water  efficiency  and  risk 
management project.

Sustainability strategy

On farm dairy sustainability

Farm sustainability remains a major challenge for our milk suppliers 
in FY2020 with drought conditions and significant bushfires across 
Australia directly impacting our dairy farm families. Irrigation water 
prices  and  feed  prices  continue  to  place  significant  strain  on 
these suppliers.

A  new  9/3  milk  payment  system  was  introduced  this  year  to  better 
support  efficient  milk  production.  The  plan  was  welcomed  by  dairy 
farmers  and  the  United  Dairyfarmers  of  Victoria  (UDV)  as  a  simpler 
payment approach to better support the Australian Dairy Industry and 
Bega Cheese is an early adopter. The new payment system provides 
a flat price for nine months of the year outside of spring and another 
lower price for the three months of spring. Bega Cheese provided a 
differential  of  $0.50  per  kilogram  of  Milk  Solids  between  the  spring 
months and the remainder of the year. This simple payment system 
increases  early  season  cash  flow  to  dairy  farmers  and  encourages 
them  to  produce  milk  at  a  time  that  best  suits  their  farm  business. 
Uptake of the new milk payment system is around 68% of our dairy 
farmer suppliers in northern Victoria, 73% in Gippsland and 38% in the 
western districts of Victoria.

Our Bega Better Farms program, introduced in late 2018, continues to 
help  dairy  farmers  develop  and  improve  the  long-term  resource 
sustainability  and  efficiency  of  their  businesses.  Grants  were  made 
available  for  information  and  service  support,  development  and 
training  and  on-farm  capital  works.  Our  Field  Officers  assessed 
applications against the expectations of the farm report checklist, the 
risk  of  non-compliance  and  opportunities 
improvement. 
The program was temporarily suspended in the previous financial year 
due  to  funds  being  redirected  to  drought  support  initiatives,  and 
recommenced in FY2020.

for 

Environmental sustainability

Overview

We are committed to ensuring that our business continues to develop 
sustainably by reducing our impact on the natural environment with a 
specific focus on environmental compliance, responsible and ethical 
sourcing,  product  stewardship,  resource  efficiency,  climate  change, 
and ensuring a positive social impact.

This  commitment  is  guided  by  our  comprehensive  Corporate  Social 
Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which ensures we focus on the areas of 
CSR with the most material impact and aligns our associated action 
plans  with  the  United  Nations  Sustainability  Goals.  Our  CSR 
framework, priorities to 2030 and progress to date will be shared in our 
FY2020 Sustainability Report.

Environmental regulations and management

Legislative framework

Our business is subject to Federal and State Environmental Acts and 
Regulations. These include reporting requirements under the National 
Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (Cth), the Protection of 
the  Environment  Operations  Act  1997  (NSW),  the  Environment 
Protection Act 1970 (Vic), the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld) 
and the Clean Energy Act 2011 (Cth).

The Group’s manufacturing sites are licenced under State Environment 
Protection Regulations. The licences stipulate performance standards 
as  well  as  specific  monitoring  requirements  for  emissions  such  as 
noise,  air,  odour  and  wastewater.  Two  tradewaste  notices  were 
received  from  South  East  Water  during  FY2020.  We  are  pleased  to 
report  there  were  no  infringements  or  notices  from  the  Environment 
Protection Authority.

During  FY2020  the  Group  complied  with  all  statutory  and  voluntary 
reporting  requirements  and  continues  to  monitor  and  report  energy 
intensity and carbon footprint.

Major environmental initiatives

In  FY2020,  activities  to  reduce  environmental  impacts  and  ensure 
sustainability included:

•  continuing  the  rollout  of  our  Energy  Roadmap  in  FY2020, 
completing 80% of sub meter installations and approving $822,000 
in  energy  efficiency  projects  expected  to  reduce  group  energy 
consumption by around 2%, saving 44,000 GJ

•  adopting  a  new  Ethical  Sourcing  Policy  in  January  2020,  which 
sets minimum standards for suppliers on a range of human rights 
labour  and  non-discrimination,  and 
issues  such  as  child 
environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, water, 
waste and packaging

•  becoming associate members* of the Roundtable on Responsible 
Palm  Oil  (RSPO),  a  not-for-profit  that  develops  and  implements 
global standards for sustainable palm oil, plus commencing RSPO 
Supply Chain Certification for relevant manufacturing sites with the 
first of these certified in July 2020

1616

▲

* Associate members purchase less than 500 metric tonnes of oil palm products per year

17

Remuneration report (audited)

Introduction

2. 

to advise and assist the Board to ensure that the Group:

This  report  sets  out  the  remuneration  of  the  Executive  Chairman, 
Non-executive Directors, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Chief 
Financial  Officer  (CFO)  being  the  key  management  personnel  (KMP)  
of the Group, the executives accountable for planning, directing and 
controlling  the  affairs  of  the  Group  during  the  financial  year  to 
30 June 2020.

Key Management Personnel (KMP)

Details of Directors are set out in the Directors’ Report on pages 12 
to 13. 

The CEO is appointed by the Board on the recommendation from the 
Nomination,  Remuneration  and  Human  Resources  Committee 
(NRHRC). The executive positions comprising KMP are determined by 
the NRHRC in consultation with the Executive Chairman and the CEO. 
The  KMP  are  the  Executive  Chairman,  the  CEO  and  the  CFO.  On 
November  11  2019  a  new  CFO  was  appointed  by  the  CEO  and  the 
previous incumbent was appointed to another executive position. 

•  has  coherent  human  resources  policies  and  practices  which 
enable the Group to attract and retain Directors and Executives 
who  will  create  value  for  shareholders  and  that  support  the 
Group’s wider objectives and strategies

•  fairly  and  responsibly  remunerates  Directors  and  Executives, 
having regard to the performance of the Group, the performance 
of the Executives and the market remuneration environment

•  has  effective  human  resources  policies  and  procedures  to 
attract, motivate and retain appropriately skilled people to meet 
the Group’s current and future needs.

Further details of the role of the NRHRC are provided in the FY2020 
Corporate  Governance  Statement  published  on  the  Bega  Cheese 
Limited website.

www.begacheese.com.au/investors/corporate-governance

Name

Position Held

Paul van 
Heerwaarden

Chief Executive Officer

Executive Director

Tatura Milk

Remuneration guidelines

Entity

Group

The  Board,  through  the  deliberations  and  recommendations  of  the 
NRHRC, is responsible for the remuneration strategy, principles and 
procedures for employees of the Group.

Colin Griffin

Chief Financial Officer to 10/11/19

Group

Peter Findlay

Executive Director

Tatura Milk

Non-executive director

Chief Financial Officer - 
from 11/11/19

CCFA

Group

Remuneration governance

The  NRHRC  operates  under  a  formal  charter  to  assist  the  Board  in 
relation to its responsibilities in identifying, attracting and remunerating 
Directors, the Executive Chairman, the CEO and the CFO being the 
KMP of the Group.

The NRHRC provides guidance to the Executive Chairman and CEO in 
implementing decisions of the Board in relation to remuneration and 
strategic human resource planning.

The NRHRC has two key roles:

1. 

 to  assess  and  make  recommendations  to  the  Board  on  any 
changes to the composition of the Board with a view to ensuring 
that  it  can  operate  effectively  and  efficiently  and  adequately 
discharge its responsibilities and duties

In  setting  the  remuneration  of  Executive  KMP,  inclusive  of  base 
remuneration,  Short-Term  Incentive  (STI)  and  the  Long-Term  Incentive 
(LTI)  at-risk  payment  for  the  Executive  Chairman,  CEO  and  CFO,  the 
Board  takes  recommendations  from  the  NRHRC.  In  formulating  its 
recommendations,  the  NRHRC  considers  a  range  of  factors  including 
Group financial performance and the remuneration market data for KMP 
operating  in  similar  publicly  listed  organisations  and  industry  sectors. 
The level of performance and contribution of the individual KMP is also a 
material factor in determining the total remuneration for each KMP.

Each  KMP  has  a  significant  amount  of  their  remuneration  directly 
related to budgeted profit, free cash flow, safety and personal business 
objective 
the  business  strategy. 
The achievement of performance criteria resulting in remuneration at 
risk (RAR) payments for KMP, have a direct bearing on the earnings of 
the Group and its potential to reward shareholders.

targets  clearly 

linked 

to 

In  reviewing  KMP  remuneration  in  FY2020,  the  Executive  General 
Manager  Human  Resources  sourced  current  remuneration  market 
data  for  comparable  organisations  based  on  revenue,  market 
capitalisation,  employee  headcount  and 
industry  sector. 
This  information  was  considered  by  the  NRHRC  to  determine  base 
salary adjustments for the Executive Chairman for his executive duties, 
the CEO and the former CFO. The approved base salary adjustments 
of 2.5% were implemented with effect from 1 September 2019. 

the 

The  external  information  received  in  support  of  the  FY2019  KMP 
remuneration  review  was  also  referenced  for  the  FY2020  review. 
This  was  then  updated  with  details  of  general  market  remuneration 
movements during FY2018 and FY2019 from Aon Hewitt through their 
Major Companies Executive data base, obtained for a fee of $5,445. 
The Board confirmed that the remuneration recommendations were 
made 
the 
free  of  undue 
recommendations relate.

influence  by 

to  whom 

the  KMP 

16

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17

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTDirectors’ remuneration

Directors’  remuneration  is  set  by  the  Board  within  the  maximum 
aggregate amount of $1,200,000 per annum approved by shareholders 
at the 2017 Annual General Meeting.

In  order  to  maintain  independence  and  impartiality,  Non-executive 
Directors are not entitled to any form of incentive payments and the 
level  of  their  fees  is  not  set  with  reference  to  measures  of  Group 
performance.  In  setting  Directors’  fees,  the  Board  takes  into 
consideration the Group’s existing remuneration policies, fees paid by 
comparable  companies  and  the  level  of  remuneration  required  to 
attract and retain Directors of the appropriate calibre.

The  Group  pays  Chair  and  Committee  fees  to  the  Non-executive 
Directors  out  of  the  maximum  aggregate  fee  pool  approved  by 
shareholders.  These  fees  are  set  at  levels  which  reflect  the  time 
commitments  and  responsibilities  of  their  roles.  Non-executive 
Directors  are  also  entitled  to  be  reimbursed  for  reasonable  travel, 
accommodation and other expenses incurred while engaged on the 
business  of  the  Group.  In  reviewing  the  Board  fees  for  FY2020,  the 
Executive  Manager  Human  Resources  sourced  current  Board  fee 
market data for comparable organisations based on revenue, market 
capitalisation, employee headcount and the industry sector.

In  April  2018  Ernst  and  Young  provided  an  independent  review  of 
external data relating to Board fees (Ernst and Young Board Report) 
and  the  fee  charged  was  disclosed  in  the  FY2018  Remuneration 
Report. Ernst and Young was provided with a brief from the Chairman 
of  the  NRHRC  to  arrange  an  independent  market  review  against 
practices  of  peer  companies.  Peer  companies  were  independently 
selected  by  Ernst  and  Young.  The  Ernst  and  Young  Board  Report 
provided guidance to the NRHRC that Non-Executive Director Board 
fees  were  beneath  market  practice.  There  was  no  change 
recommended to the Chairman’s allowance or Board Committee fees. 

In reviewing Board fees in FY2020, based on the April 2018 Ernst and 
Young  Board  Report  guidance,  and  updated  market  remuneration 
movements  during  FY2018  and  FY2019  Board  Director  fees  were 
increased by 2.5% per Director inclusive of superannuation with effect 
from 1 November 2019, with no change to committee fees. The Chair 
of Audit and Risk fee increased to $24,000 per annum.

During the year there were changes to the composition of the Board.

Barry Irvin the Chairman of the Board took a period of leave for health 
reasons from 24 May 2019 until 29 January 2020, Max Roberts did not 
seek re-election at the 2019 Annual General Meeting, whilst ceasing to 
be a Director in his own right, Mr Roberts remained on the Board in his 
capacity as the Alternate Director for Barry Irvin whilst he was on leave 
of  absence.  Mr  Roberts  also  acted  as  the  Chairman  of  the  Board 
during this time to 29 January 2020. Patria Mann was appointed to the 
Board on 10 September 2019. Jeff Odgers resigned from the Board 
effective 30 June 2020.

There were no changes to the Chairs of the Board Committees, being 
the  Audit  &  Risk  Committee,  the  NRHRC  and  the  Milk  Services 
Committee.

The  Peanut  Growing  and  Breeding  Committee  continued  to  be 
Chaired  by  Max  Roberts  during  FY2020,  with  three  Bega  senior 
employees  as  committee  members.  Bega  employee  committee 
members do not receive any committee fees.

The  following  table  summarises  the  previous  and  current  level  of  all 
Directors’ fees and allowances:

Fees and allowances by role

Chairman of the Board

Director fees

Chair of Audit & Risk Committee

Audit & Risk Committee member allowance

Chair of NRHRC

NRHRC member allowance

Chair of Milk Services Committee

Milk Services Committee member allowance

Chairman of PCA Board

Annual amount including super

Rate from  
1/7/19 to 31/10/19

Rate as from 
1/11/2019

Rate as from 
29/1/2020

$

$

$

184,500

184,500

184,500

90,000

20,000

10,000

17,500

8,750

10,000

5,000

0

92,250

24,000

10,000

17,500

8,750

10,000

5,000

0

92,250

24,000

10,000

17,500

8,750

10,000

5,000

65,500

1818

▲

19

Remuneration of the Executive Chairman

Executive duties

Consistent with previous years, the Board agreed that the remuneration 
of  the  Executive  Chairman  be  split  as  to  his  responsibilities  as 
Chairman of the Board and as to his responsibilities as the most senior 
executive of the Group.

In  FY2020,  the  Board  reviewed  the  remuneration  of  the  Executive 
Chairman for his executive duties and this was adjusted by 2.5% from 
1  September  2019,  in  conjunction  with  a  recommendation  from  the 
NRHRC. In making its recommendation, the NRHRC took account the 
benchmarking  and  related  information  referred  to  in  the  above 
Remuneration Guidelines.

The  Executive  Chairman  continued  to  receive  the  Chairman’s 
allowance whilst on approved leave of absence given his service and 
significant  contribution  to  the  Company  as  approved  by  the  Board. 
The  Alternate  Chairman  Max  Roberts  received  the  Chairman’s 
allowance during the Executive Chairman’s leave of absence.

The  remuneration  of  the  Executive  Chairman  for  executive  duties  in 
FY2020 was set in accordance with the following principles:

•  a base salary of $425,150 per annum, inclusive of superannuation, 
which is not subject to specific performance or deliverables criteria 
and  is  generally  considered  fixed  for  the  duration  of  the  relevant 
annual review period, which was adjusted from 1 September 2019

•  a short-term incentive up to $212,575 per annum, that was subject 
to achievement of agreed performance outcomes, as approved by 
the NRHRC in August 2019

•  a long-term incentive up to $212,575 per annum, that is subject to 
the  achievement  of  performance  hurdles,  as  determined  by  the 
NRHRC in August 2019.

In  relation  to  the  executive  duties  carried  out  by  the  Executive 
Chairman,  the  key  terms  of  his  services  agreement  with  the  Group 
were unchanged as follows:

Term

Termination  
by Group

Termination 
by Executive

Payments on 
Termination

Ongoing,  subject  to  termination  rights  set 
out in the service agreement.

Six months’ notice or payment in lieu of such 
minimum notice, or without notice where the 
termination  is  “for  cause”.  Forthwith  in  the 
event of incapacity or breach of the service 
agreement  by 
the  Executive  Chairman 
without remedy.

Six  months’  notice  or  lesser  period  as 
agreed by the Group

Salary  and  statutory  entitlements  up  to  the 
date  of 
if  applicable, 
payment in lieu of the minimum notice period 
as per above.

termination  and, 

18

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19

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTNon-executive duties

Remuneration of the CFO

The basis of remuneration of the Executive Chairman, in his capacity 
as  a  Director  on  the  Board  with  non-executive  responsibilities, 
is consistent with the details of Directors’ Remuneration set out above.

A new CFO was appointed on 11 November 2019. The remuneration 
of the incoming CFO was determined with reference to the remuneration 
benchmarking referred to in the above remuneration guidelines. 

Remuneration of the CEO

The Board, having regard to recommendations received through the 
NRHRC, determines the remuneration of the CEO.

The remuneration of the CEO was adjusted from 1 September 2019 by 
2.5%,  through  the  benchmarking  and  recommendation  process 
referred to in the above Remuneration Guidelines.

The remuneration of the CEO in FY2019 was set in accordance with 
the following principles:

•  an  annual  base  salary  of  $753,198,  inclusive  of  superannuation, 
which is not subject to specific performance or deliverables criteria 
and  is  generally  considered  fixed  for  the  duration  of  the  relevant 
annual review period, as approved by the Executive Chairman and 
the NRHRC in August 2019

•  a  short-term  incentive  up  to  $376,599  per  annum  subject  to  the 
achievement of agreed performance outcomes as approved by the 
Executive Chairman and the NRHRC in August 2019

•  a  long-term  incentive  plan  up  to  $376,599  per  annum,  that  is 
subject to the achievement of performance hurdles, as determined 
by the NRHRC in August 2019.

The  CEO  has  a  service  agreement  the  key  terms  of  which  were 
unchanged as follows:

Term

Termination  
by Group

Termination 
by Executive

Payments on 
Termination

Ongoing,  subject  to  termination  rights  set 
out in the service agreement.

Six months’ notice or payment in lieu of such 
minimum notice, or without notice where the 
termination  is  “for  cause”.  Forthwith  in  the 
event of incapacity or breach of the service 
agreement  by 
the  Executive  Chairman 
without remedy.

Six  months’  notice  or  lesser  period  as 
agreed by the Group

Salary  and  statutory  entitlements  up  to  the 
if  applicable, 
date  of 
payment in lieu of the minimum notice period 
as per above.

termination  and, 

The remuneration of the CFO from 11 November in FY2020 was set in 
accordance with the following principles:

•  an  annual  base  salary  of  $600,000,  inclusive  of  superannuation, 
which is not subject to specific performance or deliverables criteria 
and  is  generally  considered  fixed  for  the  duration  of  the  relevant 
annual review period as approved by the CEO

•  a short-term incentive up to $240,000 per annum, that was subject 
to the achievement of agreed performance outcomes as approved 
by the CEO using the agreed weighting as a percentage of base 
salary for the position as approved by the NRHRC in August 2019 

•  a  long-term  incentive  plan  up  to  $150,000  per  annum,  that  is 
subject to the achievement of performance hurdles as approved by 
the CEO using the agreed weighting as a percentage of base salary 
for the position as approved by the NRHRC in August 2019.

The CFO has a service agreement, the key terms of which are as follows:

Term

Termination  
by Group

Termination 
by Executive

Payments on 
Termination

Ongoing,  subject  to  termination  rights  set 
out in the service agreement.

Six months’ notice or payment in lieu of such 
minimum notice, or without notice where the 
termination  is  “for  cause”.  Forthwith  in  the 
event of incapacity or breach of the service 
agreement  by 
the  Executive  Chairman 
without remedy.

Six  months’  notice  or  lesser  period  as 
agreed by the Group

Salary  and  statutory  entitlements  up  to  the 
date  of 
if  applicable, 
payment in lieu of the minimum notice period 
as per above.

termination  and, 

2020

▲

21

Long-term incentive plan

Following  a  review  by  the  NRHRC  of  remuneration  structures  in 
FY2017, the Board established a long-term incentive plan as part of the 
remuneration  framework  for  the  Executive  Chairman  and  the  CEO. 
A  further  NRHRC  review  of  remuneration  structures  in  FY2018 
recommended that a long-term incentive plan be extended to all the 
Executives reporting to the CEO, including the CFO.

The purpose of the Long-Term Incentive Plans (LTIPs) is to:

•  assist  in  the  retention,  motivation  and  reward  of  the  Executive 

Chairman, CEO and Executive reports 

• 

link  the  reward  of  the  Executive  Chairman,  CEO  and  Executive 
reports to shareholder value creation

•  align the economic interests of the CEO and Executive reports with 
shareholders  by  providing  an  opportunity  to  be  rewarded  via  an 
equity interest in the Group based on creating shareholder value. 
The  Executive  Chairman  and  CEO  have  identical  performance 
targets  for  Earnings  Per  Share  (EPS)  and  Return  on  Funds 
employed (ROFE).

KMP, other than Non-executive Directors, each have part of their total 
remuneration  at  risk  (RAR).  The  payment  of  the  short-term  RAR 
component is subject to the actual performance of the individual and 
the Group against determined financial and non-financial criteria.

The criteria to be applied are reviewed by the Board on an annual basis 
to ensure that they closely align with the specific corporate, leadership 
and financial objectives of the Group. The strategic plan, business and 
operating plans and annual budgets are the key reference points used 
in  determining  the  criteria.  Each  year  the  NRHRC  makes  a 
recommendation to the Board for approval in respect of the determined 
criteria for all KMP.

For  FY2020  each  Executive  KMP  had  a  documented  performance 
agreement  that  set  individual  performance  objectives,  described 
success  factors  for  each  objective  and  identified  development 
opportunities that would help them in their current and future roles.

The performance objectives were clearly linked to the key strategic areas 
set for the business and aligned with the Group’s values and performance 
objectives  including  improvement  in  Group  safety  performance,  sales 
and  volume  growth,  cost  reduction  and  margin  improvement  and 
product quality improvement and customer service metrics.

Each Executive KMP’s performance was assessed at the end of the 
financial year against their agreed objectives. Overall performance was 
assessed considering what was achieved in total across all objectives, 
how this was achieved and by an assessment of personal adherence 
to the Group’s values.

Executive KMP whose performance is rated as “under achieved” would 
not  receive  a  base  salary  review,  nor  would  they  be  entitled  to  any 
outcome under the short-term RAR program. Whilst actual performance 
of the individual Executive KMP is an important criterion in adjusting their 
base remuneration, the remuneration recommendations of the NRHRC 
also consider the financial performance of the Group.

The  Executive  Chairman’s  participation  in  the  short-term  RAR  Plan 
was suspended for FY2020 due to his extended approved period of 
absence during FY2020.

At the end of the financial year the Executive Chairman assesses the 
actual  performance  of  the  CEO  against  determined  criteria  and  has 
access  to  all  relevant  information  in  conducting  this  assessment. 
The  Chairman  also  liaises  with  the  Chair  of  the  NRHRC  and  other 
Directors  before  making  a  recommendation  for  the  outcome  of  the 
CEO’s short-term RAR component of his remuneration to the NRHRC 
prior to it being submitted to the Board for final review and approval. 

At the end of the financial year, the CEO assesses a report from the 
Executive  General  Manager  Human  Resources  as  to  the  actual 
performance of the CFO against the determined criteria. The CEO also 
considers the audited Annual Report and other factors in formulating 
a  recommendation  as  to  the  outcomes  for  the  short-term  RAR 
component  of  the  remuneration 
for  the  CFO.  A  report  and 
recommendation  are  then  submitted  to  the  NRHRC  prior  to  being 
submitted to the Board for final review and approval. Board approval is 
required  before  the  short-term  RAR  component  of  remuneration  is 
paid to the CFO.

20

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21

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTLong-term incentive plan FY2020 to FY2022

Long-term incentive plan – Executive Chairman

The FY2020 LTIP is designed to reward the CEO and Executive reports 
to the CEO for long term performance and long term value creation for 
shareholders. The table below outlines the key features of the FY2020 
LTIP as it applies to the CEO and Executive reports to the CEO.

Vesting percentage

EPS growth targets FY2020-FY2022

Nil vesting

below 8% over the performance period

50% vesting

at 8% over the performance period

Pro-rated vesting 
between 50% and 100%

between 8% and 12% over the 
performance period

100% vesting

at 12% over the performance period

The Executive Chairman participates in two long-term incentive plans, 
being the ‘Executive Chairman’s Long-Term Incentive (LTI) Cash Plan 
(i) FY2019 to FY2021 and (ii) FY2020 to FY2022’.

The Executive Chairman is a substantial shareholder of Bega Cheese 
and  his  personal  financial  interests  are  already  aligned  with  other 
shareholders.  The  opportunity  to  receive  further  shares  in  Bega 
Cheese under a share-based long-term incentive plan may be seen to 
provide  the  Executive  Chairman  with  an  opportunity  to  increase  his 
shareholding 
to  other  substantial 
shareholders.

in  a  manner  not  available 

As such, the Executive Chairman’s LTI Cash Plan, FY2019 to FY2021 
and  FY2020  to  FY2022  is  to  be  paid  in  cash  if  hurdles  are  met,  as 
detailed below.

Vesting percentage

ROFE growth targets FY2020-FY2021

Nil vesting

below 7% over the performance period

Executive Chairman’s LTI Cash Plan (i) FY2019 to FY2021, 
and (ii) FY2020 to FY2022

50% vesting

at 7% over the performance period

Grant Date:

(i) 1 July 2018; and (ii) 1 July 2019

Pro-rated vesting 
between 50% and 100%

between 7% and 10% over the 
performance period

100% vesting

at 10% or above over the  
performance period

Vesting Date:

(i) 30 June 2021; and (ii) 30 June 2022

Potential value  
of Plan:

(i) $202,437; and (ii) $207,498

Vesting percentage

ROFE growth targets FY2022

Nil vesting

below 8% over the performance period

50% vesting

at 8% over the performance period

Vesting 
Conditions: 

Pro-rated vesting 
between 50% and 100%

between 8% and 11% over the 
performance period

100% vesting

at 11% or above over the  
performance period

The Board retains the discretion to adapt the calculation of the Long 
term Incentive Plan measures of the Earnings Per Share and Return on 
Funds  Employed  performance  hurdles  to  reflect  the  impact  of 
significant  events,  such  as  capital  raising  or  corporate  activity,  that 
may occur during the performance periods.

Provided below are the details of Long-Term Incentive Plans for each 
of the Executive Chairman, the CEO and the CFO.

Subject to the satisfaction of the performance 
hurdles  and  the  vesting  conditions  (set  out 
below).

No payment will be made unless the Executive 
Chairman  remains  employed  with  the  Group 
(i) 
during 
1 July 2018 to 30 June 2021; and 1 July 2019 
to 30 June 2022.

the  entire  performance  period 

Performance 
Hurdles:

Earnings Per Share (EPS) 
Performance Rights

55% of the potential value of the Plans granted 
will be subject to a performance hurdle based 
on  the  achievement  of  certain  EPS  growth 
targets for the FY2019 to FY2021 plan and for 
the FY2020 to FY2022 plan. Those EPS growth 
targets are set out in the table above and apply 
over the entire performance period.

Return On Funds Employed (ROFE) 
Performance Rights

45%  of  the  potential  value  of  the  Plan  will  be 
subject to a performance hurdle based on the 
achievement  of  certain  ROFE  targets  for  the 
FY2019 to FY2021 plan and for the FY2020 to 
FY2022 plan. Those ROFE targets are set out 
in the table above and are assessed at the end 
of  each  year  over  the  performance  period. 
ROFE  is  calculated  as  the  Group’s  earnings 
before  interest  and  taxation,  adjusted  for  any 
non-operating items, divided by shareholder’s 
funds plus net interest bearing debt.

2222

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23

Long-term  incentive  plan  –  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief 
Financial Officer

Exercise Price:

There is no exercise price payable in relation to 
the exercise of the performance rights.

The  CEO  participates  in  two  long-term  incentive  plans,  being  the 
‘LTI Performance Rights Plan (i) FY2019 to FY2021 and (ii) FY2020 to 
FY2022’. The CFO participates in one long-term incentive plan, being 
the (ii) ‘LTI Performance Rights Plan FY2020 to FY2022’. Given that the 
CEO and CFO are not substantial shareholders in Bega Cheese the 
Board has agreed that the best way to align the performance of the 
CEO  and  CFO  with  the  interests  of  shareholders  is  for  the  outcome 
available under their long-term incentive to be based on performance 
rights over ordinary shares in the Company.

The  number  of  performance  rights  for  the  LTI  Performance  Rights 
Plan  (i)  FY2019  to  FY2021  and  (ii)  FY2020  to  FY2022  is  calculated 
using the ‘face value’ method.

The face value of the performance rights for allocation purposes under 
the (i) FY2019 to FY2021 plan is $6.98. This was calculated by taking 
the five-day volume weighted average price of Bega Cheese Limited 
of $7.41 per share as at 1 July 2018, being the effective date of the 
CEO’s  long-term  incentive  plan  agreement,  and  then  deducting  the 
present value of expected dividends forgone over the duration of the 
Plan (i.e. the dividends not received until the performance rights vest).

The  face  value  of  the  performance  rights  for  allocation  purposes 
under the (ii) FY2020 to FY2022 plan is $4.45. This was calculated by 
taking the five-day volume weighted average price of Bega Cheese 
Limited of $4.85 per share as at 1 July 2019, being the effective date 
of the CEO’s long-term incentive plan agreement, and then deducting 
the present value of expected dividends forgone over the duration of 
the Plan. (i.e. the dividends not received until the performance rights 
vest). The same face value of the performance rights was applied to 
the CFO, who participates in the Plan on a pro-rata service basis. 

Subject to the satisfaction of the performance hurdles and the vesting 
conditions (set out below), each performance right issued under the 
plan is converted into one fully paid ordinary share in the Group.

Vesting 
Conditions: 

No performance right granted will vest and be 
automatically  exercised  unless 
the  CEO 
remains  employed  with  the  Group  during  the 
entire performance period from (i) 1 July 2018 
to 30 June 2021; and from (ii)1 July 2019 to 30 
June 2022 , and the CFO from (ii)1 July 2019 to 
30 June 2022

Performance 
Hurdles:

Earnings Per Share (EPS) 
Performance Rights

55% of the potential value of the Plan granted 
will be subject to a performance hurdle based 
on  the  achievement  of  certain  EPS  growth 
targets for the FY2019 to FY2021 plan and for 
the FY2020 to FY2022 plan. Those EPS growth 
targets are set out in the table on page 22 and 
are assessed at the end of each year over the 
performance period.

Return on Funds Employed (ROFE) 
Performance Rights

45% of the potential value of the Plan granted 
will be subject to a performance hurdle based 
on  the  achievement  of  certain  ROFE  growth 
targets for the FY2019 to FY2021 plan and for 
the  FY2020  to  FY2022  plan.  Those  ROFE 
growth  targets  are  set  out  in  the  table  on 
page 22 and apply over the entire performance 
period.  ROFE  is  calculated  as  the  Group’s 
earnings before interest and taxation, adjusted for 
any non-operating items, divided by shareholder’s 
funds plus net interest bearing debt.

22

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23

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTAdditional  Rules  applicable  to  the  CEO  and  CFO  LTI 
Performance  Rights  Plan  (i)  FY2019  to  FY2021,  and  (ii) 
FY2020 to FY2022

KMP remuneration at-risk (RAR) outcome

RAR Gateways

Dividends and voting rights: There are no voting or dividend rights 
until the performance rights vest and are automatically exercised and 
then ordinary shares are held in the Group.

The CEO and CFO are only entitled to any outcomes of the short-term RAR 
Plan if specific gateways are achieved. These gateways ensure that:

•  RAR  payments  are  aligned  to  the  Group’s  key  strategic  and 

Dividend  reinvestment:  Additional  performance  rights  are  not 
granted as a result of holding performance rights when dividends are 
declared by the Group.

Restrictions on Performance Rights: The CEO and CFO may not 
transfer or encumber the performance rights with a security interest 
without the consent of the Board.

Lapse  of  Performance  Rights:  Performance  rights  that  have  not 
vested  as  at  the  relevant  performance  measurement  date  will 
automatically lapse, unless otherwise determined by the Board.

All performance rights will also lapse in other circumstances, including, 
but not limited to, where the CEO and CFO has acted fraudulently or 
dishonestly in the opinion of the Board.

CEO  LTI  Performance  Rights  issued  under  the  Plan  
(i) FY2019 to FY2021 and (ii) FY2020 to FY2022

business objectives

•  no RAR payments would be made unless the Group achieves or 
exceeds targeted profit (having accrued for the payout of the at-risk 
program in that year)

•  no  RAR  payments  are  made  if  during  the  year  there  is  a  major 
safety, quality or environmental event that is within the reasonable 
control of the Group.

Individual gateways also applied to the CEO and CFO relating to individual 
performance with additional gateways relating to participation in safety, 
quality and environmental programs. These gateways ensure that:

•  no  RAR  payment  would  be  made  unless  the  individual  KMP 

executed their duties in a proper and effective manner

•  no  RAR  payment  would  be  made  unless  the  individual  actively 
participated in key programs around safety, quality and environment, 
all of which are essential leadership components of the role of KMP.

Grant Date:

(i) 1 July 2018; and (ii) 1 July 2019

Executive Chairman

Vesting Date:

(i) 30 June 2021; and (ii) 30 June 2022

Number of Performance 
Rights offered:

(i) 51,343; and (ii) 82,599

CFO  LTI  Performance  Rights  issued  under  the  Plan  (ii) 
FY2020 to FY2022

Grant Date:

(ii) 11 November 2019

Vesting Date:

(ii) 30 June 2022

Number of Performance 
Rights offered:

(ii) 17,160

Long-term incentive plan FY2018 to FY2020 outcome

The FY2018 to FY2020 LTIP award which matured in FY2020 did not 
vest into cash in the case of the Executive Chairman or shares in the 
case of the CEO as both the ROFE and EPS targets under the 2018 
plan were not met. The performance rights issued to the CEO under 
the FY2018 to FY2020 Plan have therefore lapsed. 

The  Executive  Chairman’s  participation  in  the  short-term  RAR  Plan 
was suspended for FY2020 due to his extended approved period of 
absence during FY2020. 

Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

The short-term RAR component for the CEO and CFO for FY2020 was 
determined in accordance with the 2020 RAR Plan approved by the 
Board. The CFO participates in the Plan on a prorata basis from the 
commencement of his employment from 11 November 2019.

If Group and individual gateways were both met, the CEO and CFO 
could  achieve  a  RAR  payment  based  on  the  achievement  of  the 
normalised Group EBITDA budget target (55%), safety (10%), free cash 
flow (15%) and strategic personal objective targets (20%). A normalised 
Group EBITDA stretch budget target is also set (10%).

The CEO and CFO achieved 30% of the Group EBITDA target, 15% for 
free cash flow target, and 0% for Group safety performance. The CEO 
achieved 15% for his personal objective’s targets, and the CFO 18%. 
The former CFO met his personal gateways to be eligible for a payment 
under the 2020 short term RAR Plan. However, the Board has used its 
discretion to withhold all amounts otherwise due under the 2020 Plan 
to  the  former  CFO,  who  has  accepted  accountability  for  previously 
reported errors in the FY2019 Annual Report.

Those RAR participants in the group who were involved in the FY2019 
misstatement of financial results due to the delay of the deployment of 
the Enterprise Risk Planning system, which led to the misstatement, 
have had their RAR outcomes appropriately adjusted. 

The  maximum  RAR  for  the  CEO  is  equal  to  50%  of  his  total  fixed 
remuneration. The maximum RAR for the CFO is equal to 40% of his total 
fixed remuneration on a prorata basis from 11 November 2019 in FY2020.

24

▲

25

Board approach to 2020 RAR

The  Board  used  the  discretion  that  it  has  under  the  RAR  Plan  to  open  the  Group  financial  performance  gateway.  Whilst  the  FY2020  financial 
achievement was just short of the Group target, it was at the upper end of market guidance given in October 2019. The Board recognised the excellent 
cash generation and significant disruption to the business due to drought, bushfires and COVID-19 during the year in exercising discretion. 

Those RAR participants in the Group who were involved in the FY2019 misstatement of financial results due to issues associated with deployment of 
the Enterprise Risk Planning system, which led to the misstatement, have had their RAR outcomes appropriately adjusted.

The continued focus on cash generation was extended to the RAR program where the CEO and the CFO, Executives and other leaders, will have their 
payment made in the form of a share grant. The use of shares for short term incentive delivery is designed to conserve cash in an uncertain economic 
environment as the economy emerges from COVID-19 and to align employees with the goals of the organisation.

Group 
gateways

Individual 
gateways

Budget 
EBITDA 
55%

OH&S 
criteria
10%

Free  
cash 
flow 
budget
15%

Personal 
objectives
20%

Total 
achieved
%

Total 
forfeited
% 

Current 
fixed 
rem’n 
2020
$

Outcome   
$

×

×

√

√

30%

0%

15%

15%

60%

40%

753,198

225,960

30%

0%

15%

18%

63%

37%

600,000

95,953

CEO

Paul van 
Heerwaarden

CFO

Peter Findlay

Relationship between remuneration policy and group performance

The  key  indicators  of  Group  performance  and  shareholder  wealth  relevant  to  the  remuneration  of  KMPs  that  have  been  extracted  from  the 
FY2020 financial statements are as follows:

Key  
performance 
indicator

FY2020 
Actual

FY2020 
Normalised

FY2019 
Actual

FY2019 
Normalised

FY2018 
Actual

FY2018 
Normalised

FY2017 
Actual

FY2017 
Normalised

FY2016 
Actual

FY2016 
Normalised

FY2020 vs FY2019 
Normalised

Amount     %

Enterprise 
value

Profit  
before tax

Profit  
after tax

Dividends  
per share

Earnings  
per share

Total 
shareholder 
return

KMP total 
remuneration

$m 1,190 

1,190  1,309 

1,309 

1,617 

1,617 

 882 

1,334 

 914 

 914 

(119)

 (9)

$’000 31,045

46,213

8,379

44,899 50,884

69,036 198,038

43,155 39,900

40,504

 1,314 

 3 

$’000 21,268

31,886

4,447

30,929 28,768

44,003 138,748

30,331 28,779

29,202

 957 

 3 

Cents

10

10

11

11

11

11

10

10

9.5

9.5

(1.00)

 (9)

Cents

9.9

14.9

2.1

14.9

15.6

23.9

90.9

19.9

18.9

19.1

 -  

 -  

%

-4.81

-4.81 -33.01

-33.01

15.51

15.51

16.7

16.7

32.91

32.91

 28.20 

 (85)

$’000

2,940

2,940

3,025

3,025

3,658

3,658

5,415

5,415

4,962

4,962

(85)

 (3)

The outcomes above resulted in the RAR gateways opening and achievement of Group and individual RAR outcomes as outlined in the previous table.

Bega Cheese Enterprise Value is calculated as at 30 June each year as market capitalisation plus debt less cash, with the FY2017 normalised 
amount excluding the impact of a one-off large cash balance pending the settlement of the Mondelēz Grocery Business acquisition that followed 
on 4 July 2017.

24

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25

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTDetails of remuneration

Executive Chairman

Barry Irvin (4) (5)

Executives

Paul van Heerwaarden

Peter Findlay (6)

Colin Griffin (7)

Total Executive 
Remuneration

Non-executive Directors

Richard Cross

Peter Margin (8)

Raelene Murphy

Jeff Odgers (9)

Richard Parbery

Max Roberts (10) (11)

Terry O'Brien

Patria Mann (12)

Total Non-Executive 
Remuneration

Short-term benefits

Cash 
salary 
and fees
$

Short-term 
incentive
$

Post-employment 
benefits

Long-term benefits

Superannuation
$

Leave (1)
$

Long-term 
incentive 
(2)

$

Share-based 
payment

Equity settled 
performance 
rights (3)
$

Total

All 
amounts
$

 569,565 

 -  

 25,000 

 49,957 

(108,949)

 572,810 

 78,642 

 25,000 

 50,572 

 1,646 

 -  

 -  

 535,573 

 728,670 

 725,238 

225,960

 25,000 

 78,730 

 707,448 

 136,056 

 25,000 

 91,769 

 371,152 

 95,953 

 18,258 

 34,983 

 -  

 155,617 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 8,910 

 53,254 

 429,036 

 67,472 

 25,000 

 57,265 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

(197,728)

 857,200 

 3,915 

 964,188 

 21,636 

 541,982 

 -  

 -  

(17,789)

 199,992 

 58,941 

 637,714 

Year

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

 1,821,572 

 321,913

 77,168 

 216,924 

 (108,949) 

(193,881)

 2,134,747

2019

 1,709,294 

 282,170 

 75,000 

 199,606 

 1,646 

 62,856 

 2,330,572 

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

 93,876 

 89,344 

 -  

 67,693 

 107,656 

 99,738 

 92,694 

 90,606 

 92,694 

 90,606 

164,050

 106,087 

 108,676 

 96,179 

 75,951 

 -  

735,597

 640,253 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 8,705 

 8,488 

 -  

 -  

 10,227 

 9,475 

 8,806 

 8,608 

 8,806 

 8,608 

 15,714 

 10,078 

 10,324 

 9,137 

 7,215 

 -  

 69,797 

 54,394 

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 -  

 102,581 

 97,832 

 -  

 67,693 

 117,883 

 109,213 

 101,500 

 99,214 

 101,500 

 99,214 

 179,764 

 116,165 

 119,000 

 105,316 

 83,166 

 -  

 805,394

 694,647 

Total KMP

2020

 2,557,169 

 321,913 

 146,965 

 216,924 

 (108,949) 

(193,881)

2,940,141 

2019

 2,349,547 

 282,170 

 129,394 

 199,606 

 1,646 

 62,856 

 3,025,219 

(1)  The expense relates to the combined long service and annual leave accrual during the year.
(2) 

(3) 

 Long-term incentive based on the achievement of specified milestones of the Executive Chairman’s LTI Plan. The amount reflects the expense for the FY2018 to FY2020 proportion of 
the cash incentive due to vest in 2020. Further details of the Executive Chairman’s LTI Plan are set out in the Summary of Plans above.
 In accordance with accounting standards, remuneration includes the amortisation of the fair value at grant date of performance rights issued under the LTI Plans that are expected to 
vest, less any write-back on performance rights lapsed or expected to lapse as a result of actual or expected performance against Plan hurdles. The value disclosed in the above Table 
represents the portion of fair value allocated to this reporting period and is not indicative of the benefit, if any, that may be received by the Executive should the performance conditions 
with respect to the relevant long term incentive plan be satisfied. The amount of $(193,881) in FY2020 reflects the write-back of expense incurred in prior periods relating to unvested 
rights that were forfeited in respect of the FY2018 to FY2020 plan ($258,798); less the current year expense for the LTI Plans that are expected to vest ($64,917) for the FY2020 to FY2022 
plan. Further details of the CEO’s and CFO’s LTI Plan are set out in the Summary of Plan above.
Includes remuneration for Non-executive Chairman responsibilities.

(4) 
(5)  Due to the Executive Chairman’s leave of absence during the year he did not participate in the STI program in FY2020.
(6)  Peter Findlay commenced as CFO on 11 November 2019.
(7)  Colin Griffin ceased as CFO on 10 November 2019.
(8)  Board Director Peter Margin resigned from the Board on 31 January 2019.
(9) 
(10)  Max Roberts received Board Chairman allowance from 1 July 2019 to 28 January 2020.
(11)  Max Roberts appointed to PCA Board Chairman on 29 January 2020.
(12)  Board Director Patria Mann commenced with the Board on 9 September 2019.

Jeff Odgers resigned from the Board on 30 June 2020.

26

▲

27

  
Other matters

Related party transactions

Shareholdings

The number of shares held by Directors and KMP during the year including their close family members and entities related to them are as follow:

2020 – Numbers of ordinary shares

Balance at start of year Other changes during the year

Balance at the end of the year

Executive Chairman

Barry Irvin

Executive KMP

Colin Griffin

Paul van Heerwaarden

Peter Findlay

Non-executive Directors

Richard Cross

Raelene Murphy

Jeff Odgers

Richard Parbery

Terry O’Brien

Max Roberts(1)

Patria Mann

2,707,841

(700,000)

2,007,841

145,538

47,857

-

210,058

8,964

20,271

2,668,982

10,120

1,457,857

-

1,133

-

-

(20,058)

-

(20,271)

13

3,203

(1,457,857)

20,000

146,671

47,857

-

190,000

8,964

-

2,668,995

13,323

-

20,000

(1) Max Roberts ceased to be an alternate Director of Bega Cheese Limited on 30 January 2020 so his shareholdings are no longer required to be disclosed.

Transactions relating to milk

During the year, some Directors and their related entities had transactions with Bega Cheese Group relating to the supply of milk (Supplier Directors). 
These transactions were on the same normal commercial terms as other suppliers and are summarised in the table below:

Payments made by the Group during the year

Amounts outstanding at year end

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$

2019 
$

8,440,785

7,150,526

521,141

543,743

26

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27

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTReview of Financial Performance  
and Operations

Key highlights

The  Bega  Cheese  Group  has  delivered  its  strategic  objectives  for 
FY2020. Revenue remains in solid growth and the Group continues to 
effectively  manage  challenging  dynamics  in  milk  procurement, 
extended  drought  conditions,  extreme  weather  events  and  more 
recently  a  global  pandemic.  The  Group  continues  to  accelerate 
innovation  in  branded  food,  optimise  cost  structures  to  be  globally 
efficient, and diversify the supplier base. Key achievements for FY2020 
are set out below.

Existing  facilities  will  continue  to  be  operated  with  manufacturing 
capacity  adjusted  to  support  sustainable  growth  and  cost  efficiency. 
A  secondary  manufacturing  footprint  review  commenced  during 
FY2020 focused on optimisation of facilities at Strathmerton in Victoria 
and  Ridge  Street  in  Bega.  In  July  2020,  the  Group  announced  the 
consolidation  of  some  of  our  processed  cheese  capability,  with 
production  to  move  from  the  Bega  Ridge  Street  facility  to  the 
Strathmerton facility. This work will occur across three stages in FY2021.

Finance and operational overview

The  Company  acknowledges  the  misstatement  in  our  FY2019 
accounts relating to the implementation of the Group’s new enterprise 
resource  planning  (ERP)  system  during  the  transition  of  the  Koroit 
facility  into  the  business.  This  was  discovered  and  corrected  in  our 
1HFY2020  report.  Comparisons  in  June’s  report  will  be  to  the 
corrected FY2019 EBITDA, EBIT, PBT and PAT.

Milk  received  was  955  million  litres,  which  is  down  on  the  record 
1.06  billion  litres  in  FY2019.  The  reduction  was  due  to  an  overall 
decrease in the Australian milk pool, particularly in northern Victoria 
and  the  Bega  Valley  where  prolonged  and  challenging  drought 
conditions caused increased milk competition. The Group continues 
to  acknowledge  the  loyalty  of  our  milk  suppliers  and  welcomes 
new suppliers.

After adjusting for one-off items, the Group generated top line revenue 
of $1.49 billion, up 5%, normalised EBITDA of $103.0 million, down 2%, 
normalised PAT of $31.9 million, up 3% and normalised earnings per 
share of 14.9 cents, flat on prior year.  Notwithstanding the considerable 
challenge  brought  about  by  the  COVID–19  pandemic  in  the  last 
quarter,  the  Group’s  underlying  financial  performance  is  in  line  with 
guidance provided on 29 October 2019.

The  Group  faced  a  number  of  headwinds  throughout  FY2020,  with 
drought placing pressure on milk supply and a sharp increase in farm 
gate  prices.  The  reduced  volume  and  increased  cost  of  supply 
created a reduction in FY2020 margin of approximately $80.0 million 
on a prior year comparative basis. This was partially offset by stronger 
commodity  pricing  and  favourable  foreign  currency  exposure. 
This  outcome  combined  with  additional  bushfire  related  costs  of 
$2.5 million and COVID-19 security measures of $1.0 million meant a 
significant challenge in maintaining the normalised EBITDA of FY2019. 
The  business  was  able  to  largely  mitigate  these  challenges  by 
continuing  to  realign  our  product  mix  and  the  execution  of  cost 
initiatives. The Coburg plant was closed, and new toll arrangements 
were initiated. The Group achieved $14.0 million of efficiency savings 
across  our  plants.  Further  savings  were  made  across  the  supply 
chain of $3.0  million and monthly salaries of $5.0 million. 

Bega Cheese has continued to make progress with reducing net debt 
throughout FY2020. Net debt fell year on year by $51.8 million.

The Group manufactured 297,668 tonnes of dairy, spreads, grocery 
and peanut products in both branded and bulk formats during FY2020. 
This represents a reduction of 5,584 tonnes or almost 2% on the prior 
year and is due to lower milk intake as a result of prolonged drought 
and increased competition for supply. 

As  mentioned,  lactoferrin  manufacturing  capacity  was  increased 
through the construction and commissioning of the lactoferrin plant in 
Koroit which commenced production in April 2020. Supply began in 
accordance  with  a  multi-year  agreement  with  a  major  international 
nutritional company.  

Business integration

The Koroit dairy facility in Western Victoria, acquired in August 2018, is 
now embedded into the growth and overall performance of the Group. 
This  acquisition  expanded  the  geographic  diversification  of  the  milk 
pool  available  to  the  Group,  enabling  the  business  to  optimise  milk 
streams  and  product  return  benefits.  The  assets  and  infrastructure 
provide significant dairy manufacturing capability and capacity, which 
has  supported  increased  dairy  goods  production  and  added  to  our 
product portfolio the areas of retail, foodservice and bulk butter, retail 
powdered  milk,  growing  up  milk  powders,  skim  milk  powder  and 
whole milk powder. In FY2020, we invested in lactoferrin capability at 
the  Koroit  facility  which  began  generating  incremental  sales  for  the 
Group  through  the  last  quarter  of  FY2020.  The  rollout  of  a  new 
centralised  ERP  system  was  completed  with  implementation  at  the 
Tatura and Koroit sites at the end of July 2019. Deployment of a single 
consolidated ERP system will result in improved business information, 
integration and efficiency opportunities across the business.

Insurance matters

Insurance  premiums  continue  to  rise  with  insurance  companies 
continuing  to  demand  increased  premiums  on  the  back  of  global 
losses,  particularly  relating  to  industrial  special  risk  associated  with 
expanded polystyrene panel which exists throughout a number of our 
manufacture  and  storage  facilities.  Total  general  insurance  costs  for 
FY2020  were  $16.9  million,  an  increase  on  prior  year  of  $5.2  million. 
A comprehensive review of our insurance in early 2020 lead to a change 
in  brokers  and  assisted  in  securing  a  positive  outcome  for  FY2021 
renewals. Management has implemented a strategy, supported by the 
Board,  to  mitigate  risks  associated  with  increasing  premiums  and 
expanded polystyrene panel.

Organisational Process Review  

Following  the  acquisitions  in  recent  years  of  the  Mondelēz  Grocery 
Business, Peanut Company of Australia and the ex-Murray Goulburn 
dairy facility at Koroit, Bega Cheese has transformed into a larger and 
diverse  company  competing  in  dairy  and  non-dairy  categories  with 
operations across eight manufacturing sites in three states and over 
1,800 employees. 

2828

▲

29

An  organisational  review  commenced  during  FY2020  to  streamline 
our  processes  and  workflows  with  the  aim  of  increasing  efficiency. 
Analysis  and  external  benchmarking  was  conducted  throughout  the 
year  to  enable  the  business  to  realise  savings  in  FY2021,  with  most 
changes being executed in the first half.

The  benchmarking  review  concluded  we  had  the  opportunity  to 
reduce  our  cost  structure  by  consolidating  back  office  functions, 
outsourcing  and  eliminating  some  functions  and  processes,  and 
taking  advantage  of  operating  on  a  single  common  ERP  system. 
While some of the savings were realised in the second half of FY2020, 
these savings were offset by one-off costs including redundancies and 
consulting fees that are all reflected in the normalised result. 

A hiring freeze early in the financial year reduced the cost and personnel 
impact of the review. Further savings are expected in FY2021 from the 
organisation and process review, including the recent announcement 
in  July  of  35  redundancies.  The  total  reduction  in  the  number  of 
employees  to  date  is  110  compared  to  our  base  workforce  in  early 
FY2020.  This  includes  the  redundancies  announced  recently  and 
other redundancies announced during FY2020, along with the impact 
of the hiring freeze.

New segments

In  March  2020,  the  Group  announced  that  as  a  result  of  recent 
acquisitions the Board of Directors were reviewing the overall structure 
of the business activities of the Group and how activities were to be 
reported to the Chief Operating Decision Makers (CODM).

Following  the  outcome  of  this  review,  the  Group  has  two  reporting 
segments:

i. 

ii. 

 Branded – the manufacture of bulk ingredients into value added 
consumer products for internal or external brands.

 Bulk  –  the  manufacture  of  bulk  dairy  ingredients,  nutritional  and 
bio nutrient products.

Prior  to  inter-segment  elimination,  EBITDA  growth  of  Branded  and 
Bulk  in  FY2020  was  higher  5.3%  and  6.2%  respectively.  Growth  in 
Branded  was  largely  due  to  an  increase  in  retail  spreads  sales  and 
optimisation programs across overheads and conversion costs. Bulk 
EBITDA performance was largely as a result of favourable commodity 
driven  sales  prices,  foreign  exchange,  new  third  party  contractual 
arrangements  and  cost  improvement  initiatives  across  production 
sites. This was partially offset by a higher cost of farm gate milk.

On 27 August 2020 Bega Cheese declared a final fully franked dividend 
of  5.0  cents  per  share  representing  a  distribution  of  $  10.7  million, 
a decline of $1.1 million compared to the 2019 final dividend. The DRP 
will be available for this dividend.

Reconciliation of statutory and normalised performance

As in previous years, the Group will report on both the statutory result 
and the normalised result for FY2020 compared to the prior year, with 
the focus of commentary being on the normalised result.

GROUP STATUTORY RESULT FY2020

On a statutory reporting basis, the Group generated:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

 earnings  before  interest,  tax,  depreciation  and  amortisation 
(EBITDA)  of  $87.8  million,  compared  to  $78.9  million  in  FY2019, 
being an increase of 11%

 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $42.0 million compared to 
$28.3 million in FY2019, being an increase of 48%

 profit before tax (PBT) of $31.0 million, compared to $8.4 million in 
FY2019, being an increase of 269%

 profit  after  tax  (PAT)  of  $21.3  million,  compared  to  $4.4  million  in 
FY2019, being an increase of 384%

 earnings  per  share  (EPS)  of  9.9  cents,  compared  to  2.1  cents  in 
FY2019, being an increase of 371%.

GROUP NORMALISED RESULT FY2020

The  statutory  result  for  the  Group  in  each  of  FY2020  and  FY2019 
included  several  one-off  items,  most  of  which  related  to  corporate 
activity. While these items each had a financial impact on the statutory 
performance of the Group, they do not affect the underlying financial 
performance  of  the  business.  To  provide  a  more  meaningful 
understanding  of  the  underlying  financial  performance,  normalising 
adjustments have been made to the statutory financial statements for 
each  of  these  items  and  are  set  out  in  more  detail  in  the  table  on 
page 30. On a normalised basis the Group generated:

•  EBITDA of $103.0 million, compared to $104.9 million in FY2019, 

being a decrease of 2%

•  EBIT of $57.2 million, compared to $64.5 million in FY2019, being 

a decrease of 11%

•  PBT of $46.2 million, compared to $44.9 million in FY2019, being 

Dividends paid in FY2020 

an increase of 3%

•  PAT of $31.9 million, compared to $30.9 million in FY2019, being 

an increase of 3%

•  EPS of 14.9 cents, which was the same in FY2019.

On 28 August 2019 Bega Cheese declared a final FY2019 fully franked 
dividend  of  5.5  cents  per  share,  representing  a  distribution  of 
$11.8  million.  The  Directors  activated 
the  Group’s  Dividend 
Reinvestment Plan (DRP) for this dividend. The DRP, offers ordinary 
shareholders in Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to acquire 
fully paid ordinary shares without transaction costs. Shares purchased 
under the DRP were allotted on 1 October 2019 and raised $2.2 million 
in new share capital.

On  1  March  2020  Bega  Cheese  declared  an  interim  fully  franked 
dividend  of  5.0  cents  per  share,  representing  a  distribution  of 
$10.7  million.  The  Directors  again  activated  the  Group’s  DRP  for 
this  dividend.  Shares  purchased  under  the  DRP  were  allotted  on 
3 April 2020 and raised $0.8 million in new share capital.

28

▲

29

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTMATERIAL ITEMS IMPACTING GROUP NORMALISED RESULT 
FY2020 AND PRIOR YEAR

Normalising adjustments in FY2020

•  Legal  and  other  expert  advisory  fees  totalled  $9.7m  and  were 
related  to  defending  legal  actions  initiated  by  Kraft  Foods  Group 
Brands  LLC  (Kraft),  with  the  significant  majority  of  legal  issues 
determined by the Courts to be in favour of Bega Cheese. Kraft has 
now sought special leave to appeal to the High Court. Legal and 
other expert advisory fees relate to defending legal actions taken by 
Fonterra Brands (Australia) Pty Ltd (Fonterra) against Bega Cheese 
and  by  Bega  Cheese  against  Fonterra  in  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Victoria. The trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria was completed in 
July 2020 and we are now awaiting judgment (FY2019: $3.8 million)

•  One-off operating costs related to the deployment of a centralised 

ERP totalled $5.3 million (FY2019: $3.5 million)

•  Residual  acquisition  costs  associated  with  the  Koroit  facility  in 

1HFY2020 totalled $0.3m (FY2019: $11.0 million).

The  table  below  demonstrates  the  movement  between  the  financial 
performance  for  statutory  reporting  purposes  and  the  normalised 
financial  performance  for  the  Group.  These  adjustments  have  not 
been subject to specific audit procedures. 

CONSOLIDATED

Period ending 30 June 2020

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

EBIT

Net finance costs

Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Gross margin - percentage

Basic earnings per share - cents

CONSOLIDATED

Period ending 30 June 2019 (restated)

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

EBIT

Net finance costs

Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Gross margin - percentage

Basic earnings per share - cents

Per 
Financial
Statements
$’000 

Koroit 
Acquisition 
Costs 
$’000 

Koroit 
Fair Value 
Adjustments 
$’000 

Coburg  
Site 
Closure 
Costs 
$’000 

 - 

 - 

 - 

253

 - 

253

 - 

 253 

(76)

 177 

1,493,219 

(1,204,171)

289,048 

87,824 

(45,808)

42,016 

(10,971)

31,045 

(9,777)

21,268 

19.4

%

9.9 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Legal 
Costs 
$’000 

ERP 
Costs 
$’000 

Normalised 
Outcome 
$’000 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

1,493,219 

(1,204,171)

289,048 

9,650 

5,265

102,992 

 - 

 - 

9,650 

5,265 

 - 

 - 

9,650 

5,265

(2,895)

(1,579)

6,755 

3,686 

(45,808)

57,184 

(10,971)

46,213 

(14,327)

31,886 

19.4

%

14.9 

Per 
Financial
Statements
$’000 

Koroit 
Acquisition 
Costs 
$’000 

Koroit 
Fair Value 
Adjustments 
$’000 

Coburg  
Site 
Closure 
Costs 
$’000 

Legal 
Costs 
$’000 

ERP 
Costs 
$’000 

Normalised 
Outcome 
$’000 

1,419,952 

(1,140,206)

279,746 

 - 

- 

- 

 - 

2,648 

2,648 

 - 

- 

- 

 - 

- 

- 

 - 

- 

- 

1,419,952 

(1,137,558)

282,394 

78,933 

(50,602)

28,331 

(19,952)

8,379 

(3,932)

4,447 

19.7

%

2.1 

11,019 

2,648 

4,942 

3,783 

3,542 

104,867 

- 

10,229 

- 

- 

2,648 

15,171 

3,783 

3,542 

- 

2,648 

(794)

1,854 

- 

- 

- 

15,171 

3,783 

3,542 

(4,551)

(1,135)

(1,063)

10,620 

2,648 

2,479 

(40,373)

64,494 

(19,595)

44,899 

(13,970)

30,929 

19.9

%

14.9 

- 

11,019 

357 

11,376 

(2,495)

8,881 

▲

3030

31

Cash flow, net debt and group capital management

Capital investment

CASH FLOWS 

Operating activities - Bega Cheese Group generated net cash inflows 
from  operating  activities  of  $137.7  million  in  FY2020,  compared  to 
$100.3 million in FY2019. Key items generating operating cash flow in 
FY2020 were:

Capital invested in plant and equipment totalled $42.2 million in FY2020 
(FY2019: $42.7 million), with the key investments being:

•  completion of a new lactoferrin plant at the Koroit facility

•  various projects to improve the safety of our sites 

•  net  profit  after  tax  and  after  adjusting  back  non-cash  items  of 

depreciation and amortisation of $66.0 million

•  upgraded existing manufacturing capability to support new product 

innovation.

The Group completed its investment in the new ERP system, spending 
$9.1  million  in  FY2020  (FY2019:  $21.0  million),  with  key  milestones 
being:

•  project commencement in FY2016, later significantly expanded as 
the  business  introduced  new  acquisitions  including  Bega  Foods, 
the  Koroit  facility,  as  well  as  important  commercial  alliances  with 
domestic dairy partners to facilitate rationalisation of manufacturing 
capacity

•  deployment at Bega Foods in two stages during FY2018, being in 
operation across this part of the business since February 2018

• 

implementation across additional Group sites in October 2018 and 
for ‘order to cash’ at the Koroit facility in April 2019

•  final  deployment  rolled  out  at  the  Tatura  and  Koroit  facilities  in 

July 2019.

• 

improvement  in  working  capital  of  $61.4  million  through  strong 
receivables and inventory management.

Investing activities - Bega Cheese Group incurred net cash outflows 
from investing activities of $52.6 million in FY2020, which included the 
following key items:

•  payment of $28.0 million on the new lactoferrin plant at Koroit

•  payments totalling $14.1 million for the deployment of a new ERP 

system.

Financing activities - Bega Cheese Group incurred net cash outflows 
from financing activities of $91.0 million in FY2020, which included the 
following key items:

•  net repayment of borrowings of $68.8 million 

•  dividend payments of $19.5 million.

NET DEBT AT YEAR END

Bega Cheese Group had consolidated net debt of $236.4 million as at 
30 June 2020 compared to $288.2 million at 30 June 2019, being a 
reduction of $51.8 million or 18%, with the significant movement in net 
debt being the result of operating cash flow of $137.7 million, partially 
offset by investing activities of $52.6 million and dividend payments of 
$19.5 million.

BALANCE SHEET CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 

The Group continues to enjoy the support of its bankers via a primary 
Syndicated Debt Facility with Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. (Rabobank 
Australia  Branch)  and  Westpac  Banking  Corporation  (Syndicate 
Bankers),  an  Inventory  Facility  and  a  Trade  Receivables  Facility 
provided  by  Rabobank,  and  other  overdraft  and  guarantee  facilities 
provided by Westpac.

On  20  December  2019,  the  Rabo  Trade  Receivables  Facility  was 
renewed  with  an  expiry  date  of  31  January  2022.  Facility  Four 
($100  million)  and  Facility  Five  ($100  million)  of  the  Syndicated  Debt 
Facility were extended to 30 September 2022.

With the Group reducing net debt throughout FY2020, the normalised 
EBITDA  to  net  debt  leverage  ratio  has  reduced  from  2.75  times  to 
2.35  times  and  means  Bega  Cheese  is  well  within  year  end  bank 
covenants  of  3.75  times.  Bank  covenants  reduce  to  3.5  times  for 
December  2020  and  further  reduce  to  3.0  times  from  March  2021 
onwards. Bega Cheese expects its leverage ratio to continue to trend 
favourably  throughout  FY2021  and  is  in  a  strong  position  to  meet 
covenant requirements in the future.

30

▲

31

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTCommentary on investing activity

Business risks

Bega Foods

Bega Foods was acquired on 4 July 2017 and is now embedded into 
to  the  overall  performance  of  the  Group  with  strong  year  on  year 
EBITDA growth.

Bega Foods has increased sales and market share in spreads within 
Australia through the extension of new packaging formats and variants 
in Vegemite and Peanut Butter, as well as the launch of Bega’s own 
honey brand B honey in FY2020. Bega continues to actively market 
the iconic Vegemite brand, as well as Bega Peanut Butter and Simply 
Nuts. Bega launched into the area of retail block butter in Australian 
supermarkets via the Farmer’s Table brand.

Prolonged  drought  conditions  in  key  growing  areas  of  Bundaberg, 
Kingaroy  and  Tolga  Queensland  reduced  the  amount  of  Australian 
peanuts  processed  in  FY2020.  We  are  encouraged  by  improved 
weather  conditions  in  recent  times  and  expect  favourable  growth  in 
Peanuts for the next season.

Koroit facility

The Group acquired the Koroit facility in August 2018 and the activities of 
the Koroit facility are consolidated within the Bega Cheese Limited entity.

The new ERP system went live for Koroit manufacturing in July 2019. 

The  Milk  Supply  Guarantee  Agreement 
(MSG)  under  which 
Bega Cheese was entitled to receive up to 300 million litres of milk per 
annum (as adjusted for milk that transitions from the defined milk pool 
to Bega Cheese directly) ceased on 30 June 2020. The acquisition of 
Koroit has enabled the Group to broaden its milk supplier base during 
challenging conditions. 

Capitol Chilled Foods

The Group maintained its 25% shareholding in Capitol Chilled Foods 
(Australia) Pty Ltd (CCFA), a regional milk processor based in Canberra, 
with Lion Dairy and Drinks holding the other 75%.

180 Nutrition

The Group maintained its 61% controlling share in 180 Nutrition Pty Ltd.

Bemore Partnership 

Bemore  was  a  joint  operation  owned  jointly  by  Bega  Cheese 
Investments  Pty  Ltd  and  Blackmores  SPV  Co  Pty  Ltd.  The  Bemore 
Partnership was wound up on 24 February 2020.

The  senior  management  team  is  responsible  for  minimising  and 
controlling risks associated with the Group’s operations, and it reports 
regularly  to  the  ARC  and  the  Board  on  those  risks.  The  ARC  is  also 
responsible for overseeing and assessing the process of financial and 
non-financial risk management and compliance. The Board reviews the 
Group’s risk management framework at least annually to satisfy itself 
that  this  framework  continues  to  be  sound  and  that  the  Group  is 
operating with due regard to the risk appetite set by the Board, including 
in respect of contemporary and emerging risks such as conduct risk, 
digital  disruption,  cyber-security,  privacy  and  data  breaches, 
sustainability and climate change. A review has been carried out by the 
Board during the 2020 financial year reporting period.

Areas of risk that may impact the Group’s financial and operating result 
in future periods includes but is not limited to the following:

Strategic growth

The  Group’s  strategy  is  to  grow  both  organically  and  through 
acquisition.  This  strategy  may  place  significant  demands  on 
management, resources, internal controls and systems resulting in the 
failure to realise anticipated benefits or effectively integrate acquisitions. 
The  Group  uses 
independent  advisors  when  assessing  new 
opportunities  and  engages  additional  resources  as  required  to 
manage the specific needs of the opportunity.

Commercial

Access to raw materials

Milk and peanuts are key ingredients used by the Group. An inability to 
access  the  necessary  volumes  would  result  in  reduced  output. 
The  Group  operates  within  all  legislative  requirements  including  the 
Dairy  Code  of  Conduct,  and  has  contracts  in  place  with  its  farmer 
suppliers to secure supply.  We actively diversify our supply by seeking 
suppliers in more regions to grow volume and mitigate against climatic 
impacts. The Group has programs in place with its suppliers, such as 
Bega Better Farms, to encourage sustainable farming practices and 
strengthen our relationships.

Changing consumer trends

The Group has active sales, marketing and new product development 
teams to identify emerging consumer trends ensuring product portfolio 
and manufacturing capability remains relevant.

3232

▲

33

Regulation and compliance

Privacy and confidentiality

Not meeting industry or regulatory compliance requirements may lead 
to  the  loss  of  licences  and  accreditation  and  the  inability  to  provide 
services or offer rebates which will reduce the provision of services. 
The  Group  engages  both  internal  and  external  resources  to  ensure 
compliance  with  existing  and  emerging  regulatory  requirements. 
These requirements include but are not limited to the following:

• 

food safety and quality;

•  competition and consumer legislation;

• 

international trade rules;

•  chain of responsibility;

The  Group  ensures  secure  processing,  transmission  and  storage  of 
confidential, proprietary and other information in its IT infrastructure.  
The loss or misuse of personal information, or inadequate and insecure 
data  protection  and  privacy  protocols  may  result  in  a  breach  of 
customer and supplier privacy and confidentiality.

Business  continuity,  disaster  recovery  and  crisis  management: 
This  relates to the risk that a major event severely disrupts production 
and impacts customer supply - and includes our business response 
to a COVID-19 outbreak in one or multiple sites. Crisis and business 
continuity  plans  are  in  place  at  each  site  for  key  foreseen  events. 
These plans are regularly reviewed and tested with training provided 
to management and employees.

•  brand protection and intellectual property;

Technology and security

Cyber intrusion. This concerns the risk that a material cyber intrusion 
could  severely  disrupt  operations  or  otherwise  compromise  critical 
information.  The  Group  uses  reputable  providers  of  security 
hardening  services  and  regularly  performs  penetration  testing  and 
employee training. 

Recruitment and retention

This relates to the risk that the business does not have the right people 
in the right roles to support its strategy and vision. The Group adopts 
a rigorous recruitment and review process that is underpinned by its 
values.  Incentives  are  in  place  providing  short  term  and  long-term 
benefits  where  appropriate  to  attract  and  retain  key  employees. 
Succession plans are in place for key roles reviewed annually.

•  contracts with stakeholders;

•  corporate social responsibility; and

•  environmental management.

Health, safety and environment

This  relates  to  the  risk  of  harm  to  employees  due  to  a  lack  of 
effectiveness  in  workplace  health  and  safety  systems  or  major 
business disruption caused by an environmental breach. The Group 
actively manages this risk through several initiatives including:

•  key performance measures for management;

• 

induction, training and contractor management;

•  behavioural safety programs;

•  our safety management system including policies and procedures;

• 

 critical  risk  register  and  engagement  of  subject  matter  experts 
as required; 

• 

incident management and corrective actions;

• 

 environmental management system implemented across all sites; 
and

•  adherence to all EPA licence obligations across all sites.

32

▲

33

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTCOVID-19

Whilst the Group’s markets for goods were disrupted by COVID-19, the 
financial performance was not materially impacted by the pandemic. 

The  safety  and  wellbeing  of  the  Group’s  employees,  customers, 
consumers,  business  partners  and  community  remains  the  highest 
priority.

The  Group  has  established  a  multi  scenario  COVID-19  business 
continuity plan to ensure the ongoing viability of the business including 
but not limited to:

•  contracts in place ensuring key suppliers compliance to appropriate 

pandemic precautions;

•  diversified supplier base for essential inputs;

Additional measures to protect the health and safety of our people and 
our consumers were implemented, including:

•  splitting of critical teams in our manufacturing facilities;

•  executive crisis team formed in February 2020 to rapidly respond to 

the changing situation;

•  social distancing measures;

•  additional cleaning of all manufacturing sites;

•  supply chain third party providers following regulatory and Group 

policies; 

•  flexible domestic and international product mix to meet emerging 

circumstances;

• 

selective inventory build; and

• 

increased  restrictions  and  temperature  testing  across  all  of  our 
manufacturing sites;

•  monitoring international ports for major disruptions.

•  flexible working arrangements for office employees;

Outlook

The  Group  will  continue  to  focus  on  product  innovation  and  cost 
reduction  in  FY2021.  The  execution  of  the  organisational  review, 
consolidation  of  secondary  manufacturing  and  offtake  from  the  new 
lactoferrin  plant  will  be  key  activities.  The 
improved  financial 
performance of the business will also underpin further cash realisation 
and a continued reduction in net debt.

• 

travel restrictions; and

• 

increased use of technology platforms to facilitate remote working.

The  Group’s  manufacturing  sites  and  supply  and  logistics  business 
partners  remain  fully  operational.  Additional  measures  have  been 
adopted to minimise the risk of future supply disruptions. Our employees 
have shown great resilience and have been remarkable in dealing with 
the  rapid  but  necessary  changes.  We  are  also  pleased  that  no  job 
losses have been incurred in our business as a direct result of COVID-19.

The financial performance of the Group remained strong. Retail sales 
accelerated  as  demand  for  supermarket  staple  food  products 
increased through increased home consumption. Demand across the 
foodservice  channel  was  negatively  impacted,  along  with  bulk 
ingredients  products  due 
in  away-from-home 
consumption  both  in  Australia  and  Internationally.  The  reduction  of 
Daigou shoppers in Australia and an increase in the cost of airfreight 
due  to  fewer  international  flights  negatively  impacted  sales  in  Q4. 
The increased diversification of the Group’s product portfolio through 
recent acquisitions has been important in responding to the changing 
needs of consumers. This has enabled our business to be well placed 
to navigate future changes as a result of the pandemic. 

to  a  reduction 

The  Group  did  not  receive  any  Australian  Government  COVID-19 
subsidies.

34

▲

35

Likely developments and expected results 
of operations

Other than as disclosed in the Chairman’s review, the Chief Executive 
Officer’s review and the review of financial performance and operations 
information  on  likely  developments  has  not  been  included  because 
disclosure would likely result in unreasonable prejudice to the Group.

Rounding of amounts

The Group is of a kind referred to in Instrument 2016/191, issued by the 
Australian  Securities  and  Investments  Commission,  relating  to  the 
‘rounding  off’  of  amounts  in  the  Directors’  report.  Amounts  in  the 
Directors’  report  have  been  rounded  off  in  accordance  with  that 
instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, to the 
nearest dollar.

Matters subsequent to the end of the financial year

On 27 August 2020, the Directors declared a final fully franked dividend 
of 5.0 cents per share, which represents a distribution of $10.7 million.

During  July  2020,  the  Group  announced  that  following  the  ongoing 
organisation  and  process  review,  there  would  be  35  redundancies 
across the business. In addition, the Group intends to implement an 
optimisation  strategy  at  our  processed  cheese  making  facilities  at 
Strathmerton and Ridge Street Bega with a further 63 roles to become 
redundant during the period of August to October 2021. The Group 
expects the restructuring associated with the reduction in positions to 
cost approximately $5.1 million for FY2021.

No other matters or circumstances occurring subsequent to the end of 
the financial year have significantly affected, or may significantly affect, 
the operations of the consolidated entity, the results of those operations, 
or the state of affairs of the consolidated entity in future years.

Auditor

Details  of  the  amounts  paid  or  payable  to  PricewaterhouseCoopers 
(PwC) Australia for audit and non-audit services provided during the 
financial year are set out in note 30.

The Board of Directors have considered the position and in accordance 
with  advice  from  the  Audit  &  Risk  Committee  are  satisfied  that  the 
provision of non-audit services is compatible with the general standard 
of independence for auditors imposed by the Corporations Act 2001 
for the following reasons:

•  all  non-audit  services  have  been  reviewed  by  the  Audit  &  Risk 
Committee  to  ensure  they  do  not  impact  the  impartiality  and 
objectivity of the auditor

•  none  of  the  services  undermine  the  general  principles  relating  to 
auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of Ethics for 
Professional Accountants.

A copy of the Auditor’s Independence Declaration as required under 
section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 is set out on page 36.

This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the Directors.

Barry Irvin
Executive Chairman
Bega

Raelene Murphy 
Independent Director 
Melbourne

27 August 2020

34

▲

35

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  DIRECTORS’ REPORTIndependent auditor’s report 
To the members of Bega Cheese Limited 

Report on the audit of the financial report 

Our opinion 

In our opinion: 
Report on the audit of the financial report
The accompanying financial report of Bega Cheese Limited (the Company) and its controlled entities 
As lead auditor for the audit of Bega Cheese Limited for the year ended 30 June 2020, I declare that to the best of my knowledge and belief, 
(together the Group) is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 
there have been:
(a)  giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of its financial 
(a)  no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and

performance for the year then ended  

(b)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 
(b)  no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit.

This declaration is in respect of Bega Cheese Limited and the entities it controlled during the period.
What we have audited 
The Group financial report comprises: 

● 
● 
● 
● 
Paddy Carney
● 
Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers

the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2020 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended 
the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended 
the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended 
the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include a summary of significant 
accounting policies 
the directors’ declaration. 

● 

Sydney
27 August 2020

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 
section of our report. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
our opinion. 

Independence 
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the 
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical 
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence 
Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
One International Towers Sydney, Watermans Quay, Barangaroo, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY  NSW  2001 
T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au 
Level 11, 1PSQ, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, PO Box 1155 Parramatta NSW 2124 
T: +61 2 9659 2476, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

36

▲

Auditor’s Independence Declaration 
 
  
 
The Bega Cheese Group is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards 
of accountability and transparency in the management and conduct of its business.

The Board has adopted corporate governance policies and practices that it believes are consistent with the continued growth and success of the 
Group and the ongoing enhancement of value for the Bega Cheese Group shareholders.

The Corporate Governance Statement outlines the key aspects of the Group’s corporate governance framework and is available on the Group’s 
website at www.begacheese.com.au/investors/corporate-governance/

The Board considers that the Group’s corporate governance framework and practices have complied with the ASX Recommendations for the 
financial year, except otherwise detailed in the Corporate Governance Statement.

▲▲

37

Corporate Governance Statement40   
41   
42   
43   

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

1  Significant events in the accounting period

HOW NUMBERS ARE CALCULATED
44   
44   
44   
44   

1a  Dividend reinvestment plan
1b  Kraft legal action
1c  Fonterra legal action

45   
45   
45   
46   

47   
47   
48   
49   
50   
50   
50   

2  Segment Information

2a  Description of segments
2b  Segment information provided to the CODM
2c  Other segment information

Segment revenue

3  Earnings per share
4  Dividends to shareholders
5  Revenue and other income
6  Expenses
7 

Income tax
7a 
7b  Numerical reconciliation of income tax expense

Income tax expense

to prima facie tax expense

50   

7c  Amounts recognised through other 

51   
51   
52   
53   
54   

54   
54   
56   
59   
59   
59   
60   
60   
60   
60   

61   
61   
61   
62   

62   
62   

comprehensive income

7d  Amounts recognised through equity
7e  Movements in deferred tax
7f 

Income taxes paid
8  Trade and other receivables
9  Derivative financial instruments

and other financial assets

10  Inventories
11  Property, plant and equipment
12  Intangible assets
13  Trade and other payables
14  Borrowings
15  Derivative financial instruments - liabilities
16  Provisions
17  Share capital

17a  Share capital
17b  Movement in share capital value 

and number of shares

18  Reserves 

18a  Reserves 
18b  Nature and purpose of reserves
19  Notes to the Consolidated Statement

of Cash Flows
19a  Reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents
19b  Reconciliation of profit for the period to net cash 

flows from operating activities

RISK
63   
63   
63   
63   
64   
65   
65   
66   
66   
67   
68   
68   
69   

20  Critical accounting estimates and judgements
21  Financial risk management

21a  Market risk

Market risk - Foreign exchange risk
Market risk - Group sensitivity
Market risk - Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk
Market risk - Interest rate sensitivity

21b  Credit risk
21c  Liquidity risk
21d  Financing arrangements
21e  Maturities of financial liabilities
21f  Fair value estimation
22  Capital risk management

GROUP STRUCTURE
70   
70   
70   
70   
70   

23  Parent entity financial information
23a  Summary financial information
23b  Guarantees entered into by parent entity
23c  Contingent liabilities of the parent entity
23d  Contractual commitments for the acquisition 

of property, plant or equipment

24  Subsidiaries and joint arrangements

24a  Interest in joint operation
24b  Interest in joint venture
25  Closed group disclosure

71   
71   
71   
71   

26  Contingent liabilities
27  Commitments

UNRECOGNISED ITEMS
72   
72   
72   
72   
72   
72   
72   

28a  Dividend
28b  Restructure

28a  Capital commitments
28b  Lease commitments

28  Subsequent events

FURTHER DETAILS
73   
73   
73   
73   

29  Related party transactions

29a  Terms and conditions of related party transactions
29b  Related party transactions with group entities
29c  Key management personnel remuneration 

and transactions
30  Remuneration of auditors
31  Share-based payments
32  Restatements
33  Summary of significant accounting policies

74   
74   
75   
76   

▲

39

Index to Financial Statements 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Other revenue

Other income

Distribution expense

Marketing expense

Occupancy expense

Administration expense

Transaction costs relating to Koroit acquisition

Impairment of assets

Coburg site closure costs

Finance costs

Share of net profit of joint venture

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the year attributable to owners of Bega Cheese Limited

Other comprehensive income/(expense):

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Cash flow hedges

Change in the fair value of other financial assets

Total other comprehensive (expense)/income

Notes

5

5

5

6

6

24

7a

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

$'000 

Restated* 

2019 

$'000 

1,493,219 

1,419,952 

(1,204,171)

(1,140,206)

289,048

279,746

8,996

4,950

(86,551)

(35,686)

(13,989)

8,546

3,888

(84,986)

(38,267)

(13,542)

(123,453)

(100,776)

 -

(1,052)

 -

(11,280)

62 

31,045

(9,777)

21,268 

(1,221)

 - 

(1,221)

(11,019)

(10,229)

(4,942)

(20,363)

323 

8,379 

(3,932)

4,447 

714 

(8)

706 

Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to owners of Bega Cheese Limited

20,047

5,153 

Earnings per share for profit attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent:

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

2020

Cents

9.9 

9.9 

2019 

 Cents 

2.1 

2.1 

3

3

* See note 32 for details about restatements.

The above Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

40

▲
▲

 
BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Balance Sheet

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade and other receivables

Derivative financial instruments

Inventories

Current tax assets

Total current assets

Non-current assets

Other financial assets

Property, plant and equipment

Deferred tax assets

Other receivables

Intangible assets

Investments accounted for using the equity method

Total non-current assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables

Derivative financial instruments

Borrowings

Provisions

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Borrowings

Provisions

Deferred tax liabilities

Total non-current liabilities 

Total liabilities

Net assets

EQUITY

Share capital

Reserves

Retained earnings

Capital and reserves attributable to owners of Bega Cheese Limited

Total equity

* See note 32 for details about restatements.

The above Consolidated Balance Sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

$’000 

Restated* 

2019

$’000 

Notes

19

8

9

10

9

11

7e

8

12

24

13

15

14

16

14

16

7e

17a

18a

22,882 

117,419 

1,309

257,372 

10,703

409,685

716 

454,724

6,696

2,053 

548,136

1,403 

28,760 

179,910 

754 

272,625 

9,168 

491,217

716 

443,331 

4,444 

14,028 

546,100

1,341 

1,013,728

1,009,960

1,423,413

1,501,177

253,389 

274,877 

61

2,978

49,546 

305,974

255,550

2,879 

44,971

303,400

609,374

814,039

480,507 

20,859

312,673

814,039

814,039

175 

13 

48,996 

324,061 

316,058 

1,773 

44,271

362,102

686,163

815,014

477,494 

22,860 

314,660

815,014

815,014

▲
▲

41
41

Share-
based 
payment 
reserve 
$’000 

Capital 
profits 
reserve 
$’000 

Hedging 
reserve 
$’000 

Fair 
value 
reserve 
$’000 

Transactions 
with 
non-controlling 
interests 
$’000 

Retained 
earnings* 
$’000 

Total 
$’000 

508 

33,959 

(442)

Share 
capital 
$'000 

274,862 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Consolidated

Balance as at 1 July 2018

Profit for the year (restated*)

Other comprehensive 
income for the year

Transactions with  
owners in their  
capacity as owners:

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

714 

 - 

 - 

 - 

-  Issue of shares, net of transaction 

costs and tax (note 17)

202,632 

 - 

-  Share-based payments relating  

to incentives (note 31)

-  Dividends provided for  

or paid (note 4)

Balance as at 30 June 2019 
(restated*)

 - 

 - 

688 

 - 

477,494 

1,196 

33,959 

272 

Change in accounting policy

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Restated balance as  
at 1 July 2019

Profit for the year

Other comprehensive  
income for the year

Transactions with  
owners in their  
capacity as owners:

-  Issue of shares 

(note 17)

-  Share-based payments relating to 

incentives 
(note 31)

-  Dividends provided  
for or paid (note 4)

477,494 

1,196 

33,959 

272 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

3,013 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(780)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(1,221)

 - 

 - 

 - 

Balance as at 30 June 2020

480,507 

416 

33,959 

(949)

* See note 32 for details about restatements. 

The above Consolidated Statement of Change in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

42

▲
▲

8 

 - 

(8)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(12,567)

332,113 628,441

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

4,447 

4,447 

 - 

706 

 -  202,632 

 - 

688 

(21,900)

(21,900)

(12,567)

314,660 815,014

 - 

(787)

(787)

(12,567)

313,873 814,227

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

21,268

21,268

 - 

(1,221)

 - 

3,013 

 - 

(780)

(22,468)

(22,468)

(12,567)

312,673 814,039

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Receipts from customers inclusive of goods and services tax

Payments to suppliers and employees inclusive of goods and services tax

Net (payments)/proceeds to/from Trade Receivables Facility

Interest and other costs of financing paid

Income taxes paid

Net cash inflow from operating activities

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from sale of shares in listed companies

Payments for shares in listed companies

Payments for shares in unlisted companies

Interest received

Dividend received

Payments for property, plant and equipment

Net proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

Payments for intangible assets

Payment for acquisition of Koroit

Acquisition related costs

Joint venture distributions received

Notes

7f

19

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

$’000 

2019 

$’000 

1,691,644 

1,422,126 

(1,494,944)

(1,476,828)

(35,359)

(11,280)

(12,330)

137,731 

 - 

 - 

(1,000)

309 

 - 

(42,752)

4,952 

(14,085)

 - 

 - 

 - 

188,601 

(20,363)

(13,264)

100,272 

30,981 

(29,609)

(716)

411 

15 

(42,300)

203 

(20,049)

(251,173)

(11,019)

375 

Net cash (outflow) from investing activities

(52,576)

(322,881)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Proceeds from borrowings

Repayment of borrowings

Principal elements of lease payments

Net proceeds from issue of shares

Dividends paid to members

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities

Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

18,202 

(87,000)

(2,780)

 - 

(19,455)

(91,033)

(5,878)

28,760 

22,882

395,083 

(346,011)

(104)

199,859 

(19,127)

229,700 

7,091 

21,669 

28,760

4

19

The above Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

▲
▲

43
43

Notes to the financial statements

How numbers are calculated

1.  Significant events in the accounting period

A.  Dividend reinvestment plan

The  Group’s  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  (DRP)  will  be  activated  for  the  FY2020  final  fully  franked  dividend.  The  DRP  is  optional  and  offers 
ordinary  shareholders  in  Australia  and  New  Zealand  the  opportunity  to  acquire  fully  paid  ordinary  shares  without  transaction  costs.  Shares 
allocated under the DRP will be derived from new issued ordinary shares. The shares issued rank pari passu with other ordinary shares already 
on issue. The allocation price will be determined in accordance with the DRP rules as the arithmetic average of the daily volume weighted average 
market price of all Bega Cheese Limited shares sold through a normal trade on the ASX trading system over the five business days commencing 
on the day of the record date.

A shareholder can elect to participate in or terminate their involvement in the DRP at any time. Election notices for participation in the DRP in 
relation to the FY2020 final fully franked dividend to be paid on 7 October 2020 must be recorded by the registry by 5:00 pm on 10 September 2020 
to be effective for that dividend.

B.  Kraft legal action

On 1 May 2019, the Federal Court of Australia delivered judgment in favour of Bega Cheese in proceedings that were commenced by Kraft Foods 
Group Brands LLC and H.J. Heinz Company Australia Limited (collectively referred to as Kraft Heinz) in November 2017. 

In the proceedings, Kraft Heinz challenged Bega Cheese’s use and promotion of the trade dress (yellow lid, clear jar, yellow label with red or blue 
peanut device) of the Bega Cheese peanut butter products. However, the Court determined that Bega Cheese was the rightful owner of the 
relevant rights in the peanut butter trade dress and the Court ordered that Kraft Heinz may not use, sell or advertise and promote its own peanut 
butter products using the trade dress. The Court also ordered Kraft Heinz to pay Bega Cheese’s costs of the proceedings.

Kraft Heinz filed an appeal against the judgment of the Federal Court on various grounds. The Full Federal Court dismissed the appeal in its 
judgment delivered on 14 April 2020 and confirmed Bega Cheese’s ownership of the trade dress rights. 

Kraft Heinz has now filed an application in the High Court of Australia seeking special leave to appeal from the judgment of the Full Federal Court. 
Bega Cheese has filed a response to the application and the High Court has set a date in mid-November 2020 to hear the application for special 
leave to appeal. Subject to the outcome of the application for special leave and (if special leave is granted) the decision of the High Court, the 
amount of compensation to which Bega Cheese is entitled to be paid arising from Kraft Heinz’s use of the peanut butter trade dress will be 
considered and determined in a further hearing before the Federal Court.

C.  Fonterra legal action

In 2001, Bega Cheese granted Fonterra an exclusive licence to use the Bega trademarks in Australia on natural cheddar cheese, processed 
cheddar cheese, string cheese and butter (Licensed Products). Fonterra commenced legal proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria seeking 
orders including declarations that Bega Cheese cannot use the Bega trademarks in Australia on products outside of the Licensed Products 
without Fonterra’s consent, as well as damages. Bega Cheese, as owner of the trademarks, has vigorously opposed Fonterra’s position and 
asserted its rights to use its trademarks in Australia. Bega Cheese has also made various counter claims in respect of alleged breaches of the 
licence by Fonterra. The hearing by the Supreme Court of Victoria has concluded and the parties are awaiting the decision of the Court.

44
44

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▲

▲

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45

2.  Segment information

A.  Description of segments

The  Group  determines  the  reporting  segments  based  on  financial  and  other  management  reports  reviewed  by  the  Executive  Chairman, 
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in their capacity as the Chief Operating Decision Makers (CODM). 

In March 2020, the Group announced that as a result of recent acquisitions the Board of Directors were reviewing the overall structure of the 
business activities of the Group and how activities were to be reported to the CODM.

Following the outcome of this review, the Group has two reporting segments:

i.  Branded – the manufacture of bulk ingredients into value added consumer products for internal or external brands.
ii.  Bulk – the manufacture of bulk dairy ingredients, nutritional and bio nutrient products.

The CODM assesses the performance of the operating segments based on a measure of EBITDA. In addition, the CODM take into account 
current year events by segment so that normalised business performance is assessed.

Unallocated overheads relate to corporate and legal costs that cannot be reasonably classified into a segment.

Inter-segment eliminations represent elimination of sales and profit in stock arising from inter-segment sales at an arm’s length transfer price.

B. Segment information provided to the CODM

The segment information provided to the CODM for the reportable segments for the year ended 30 June 2020 is as follows:

Year ending 30 June 2020

Revenue

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

EBIT

Interest revenue

Interest expense

Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Branded 
$'000 

Bulk 
$'000 

Unallocated 
overheads 
$'000 

Inter-segment 
eliminations 
$'000 

Group 
Total 
$'000 

878,568 

977,383

 - 

(362,732)

1,493,219 

76,056 

42,267 

(30,096)

(403)

87,824

(45,808)

42,016

309 

(11,280) 

31,045

(9,777) 

21,268

Impact of current year events on profit before tax

Legal costs

Other costs (Post implementation costs of ERP)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(9,650)

(5,518)

 - 

 - 

(9,650)

(5,518)

44

▲

▲

▲
▲

45

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS2.  Segment information (cont.)

Prior period comparative segment information has been restated as follows:

Year ending 30 June 2019 (restated)

Revenue

EBITDA

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

EBIT

Interest revenue

Interest expense

Profit before income tax 

Income tax expense

Profit for the year

Impact of current year events on profit before tax

Transaction costs relating to Koroit acquisition

Fair value adjustments relating to Koroit acquisition

Coburg site closure costs

Legal costs

Other costs

C.  Other segment information

Segment revenue

Branded 
$'000 

Bulk 
$'000 

Unallocated 
overheads 

Inter-segment 
eliminations 
$'000 

Group 
Total 
$'000 

822,133 

856,189

 - 

(258,370)

1,419,952 

72,221 

39,803 

(32,093)

(998)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(15,171)

 - 

 - 

(11,019)

(2,648)

 - 

(3,783)

(3,542)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

78,933 

(50,602)

28,331 

411 

(20,363)

8,379 

(3,932)

4,447

(11,019)

(2,648)

(15,171)

(3,783)

(3,542)

Sales between segments are carried out at arm’s length and eliminated on consolidation. The revenue from external parties reported to the 
CODM is measured in a manner consistent with that in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Segment sales by destination are 
as follows:

Sales to external customers in Australia

Branded

Bulk

Total sales to external customers in Australia

Sales to external customers in other countries

Branded

Bulk

Total sales to external customers in other countries

Total sales to external customers 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

$’000 

649,842 

319,900 

969,742 

228,726 

294,751 

523,477 

2019 

$’000 

612,944 

352,303 

965,247 

209,189 

245,516 

454,705 

1,493,219 

1,419,952 

46

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47

3.  Earnings per share

Earnings per share for profit from continuing operations attributable

to ordinary equity holders of the parent:

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

Weighted average number of shares used as the denominator

in calculating basic earnings per share

Adjustments for calculation of diluted earnings per share:

Contingent employee incentives

Shares used as the denominator in calculating diluted earnings per share

Profit attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the Group

used in calculating earnings per share

4.  Dividends to shareholders

Recognised amounts:

2020 Interim dividend of 5.00 cents

2019 Final dividend of 5.50 cents

2019 Interim dividend of 5.50 cents

2018 Final dividend of 5.50 cents

Total dividend

Issue of shares under the DRP

Net cash outflow

Unrecognised amounts:

2020 Final dividend of 5.00 cents

2019 Final dividend of 5.50 cents

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

Cents

9.9 

9.9 

Restated 
2019

Cents

2.1 

2.1 

2020 

Number 

2019 

Number 

214,163,264 

207,222,774 

349,081

261,176 

214,512,345 

207,483,950 

2020 

$'000 

2019 

$'000 

21,268

4,447 

COMPANY

Full year 
2020 

$’000 

Full year 
2019 

$’000 

10,713 

11,755 

 - 

 - 

22,468 

(3,013)

19,455

 - 

 - 

11,722 

10,178 

21,900 

(2,773)

19,127 

10,722 

 - 

 - 

11,755 

46

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▲

47

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS4.  Dividends to shareholders (cont.)

The dividends paid in 2020 and 2019 were fully franked. The 2020 final dividend will be fully franked.

Value of the dividend franking account

CONSOLIDATED

COMPANY

2020 

$’000 

2019 

$’000 

101,860

108,083

2020 

$’000 

26,585

2019 

$’000 

36,214

The value of the dividend franking account represents the balance of the franking account as at the end of the year, adjusted for franking credits 
and debits that will arise from the settlement of liabilities or receivables for income tax.

The consolidated amounts include franking credits that would be available to the parent entity if distributable profits of the subsidiaries were paid 
as dividends.

5.  Revenue and other income

Sales of goods

Services

Total revenue

Other revenue

Royalties

Dividends

Other

Total other revenue

Other income

Rental income

Profit on sale of investment

Interest income

Other

Total other income

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

$’000 

2019 

$’000 

1,450,847 

1,397,227 

42,372

22,725 

1,493,219 

1,419,952 

7,860 

 - 

1,136 

8,996 

1,613

 - 

309 

3,028

4,950 

7,215 

15 

1,316 

8,546 

1,422

748 

411 

1,307 

3,888 

The Group recognises the majority of its revenue from contracts with customers for the transfer of goods at a point in time. Refer to note 33e for 
further explanation of the Group’s revenue recognition policy.

Revenues of approximately $223,629,000 (2019: $227,302,000) are concentrated in a small number of external customers.

48

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▲

49

6.  Expenses

(Profit)/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Increase/(decrease) in inventory provisions

Increase/(decrease) in allowance for impairment of receivables

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Impairment of tangible assets

Impairment of intangible assets

Impairment of investments

Amortisation of intangible assets

Trade Receivables Facility costs

Employee benefit expense:

- Defined contribution superannuation expense

- Other employee benefits expense

Total employee benefit expense

Finance costs:

- Interest on bank loans

- Lease liability interest

- Other finance costs

Total finance costs

CONSOLIDATED

2020 

$’000 

(257)

1,659 

521 

37,639 

 - 

52 

1,000

7,117

3,763 

2019 

$’000 

106 

(5,042)

(30)

35,246 

10,229 

 - 

 - 

5,127 

1,497 

16,583 

210,960 

227,543 

16,522 

204,685 

221,207 

8,231

734

2,315

11,280 

17,788 

-

2,575 

20,363 

48

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▲

49

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS7. 

Income tax

A. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

Current tax (expense)

Deferred tax (expense)/benefit from the origination and reversal of temporary differences

Adjustments recognised in the current year in relation to tax of prior years

Total income tax expense

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

(6,527)

(3,529)

279 

(9,777)

2019 
$’000 

(11,278)

6,948 

398 

(3,932)

Judgement is required in determining the provision for income taxes. There are certain transactions and calculations undertaken during the 
ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain as at the end of the financial year. The Group estimates its tax 
liabilities  based  on  its  understanding  of  the  tax  law.  Where  the  final  tax  outcome  of  these  matters  is  different  from  the  amounts  recorded, 
such differences will impact the amount of current or deferred income tax liabilities in the period such determination is made.

B. NUMERICAL RECONCILIATION OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE  
TO PRIMA FACIE TAX EXPENSE

Profit from continuing operations before income tax 

Tax (expense) at the Australian tax rate of 30% (2019 - 30%)

Tax effect of amounts which are not deductible/(taxable) in calculating taxable income:

Non-assessable income

Non-deductible expenses

Other deductible expenses

Tax incentives 

Adjustments in respect of prior year

De-recognition of previously recognised capital losses

Previously unrecognised capital losses used

Current year tax losses not recognised

Total income tax expense

C. AMOUNTS RECOGNISED THROUGH OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Aggregate current and deferred tax arising in the reporting period and not recognised 
in net profit or loss but through other comprehensive income in respect of:

Fair value movement in investments

Movement in hedging reserve

Total amount recognised through other comprehensive income

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000

31,045 

8,379 

(9,314)

(2,513)

700 

(1,014)

189 

(125)

374 

279 

(419)

209 

(781)

(9,777)

 - 

(1,296)

3 

(1,293)

282 

398 

 - 

 - 

(806)

(3,932)

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

 - 

(3)

(3)

3 

(447)

(444)

50
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51

7. 

Income tax (cont.)

D. AMOUNTS RECOGNISED THROUGH EQUITY 

Aggregate current and deferred tax arising in the reporting period and not recognised  
in net profit or loss or other comprehensive income but through equity in respect of:

Lease transition adjustment

Share issue costs

Total amount recognised through equity

E. MOVEMENTS IN DEFERRED TAX

Movements in deferred tax in the year are detailed below:

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

533 

 - 

533 

 - 

940 

940 

Consolidated

Year ending 30 June 2020

Deferred tax assets

Doubtful debts

Inventories

Sundry accrued expenses

Black hole expenditure

Employee provisions

Leases

Share issue costs

Prepayments

Fair value of derivatives

Tax losses

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax (liabilities)

Property, plant and equipment

Brand names

Software

Prepayments

Fair value of derivatives

Other

Total deferred tax (liabilities)

Total deferred tax

Opening 
balance 
$'000 

Reclassification 
$’000 

Charged 
 to income 
$'000 

Charged  
to equity 
$'000 

Closing 
balance 
$'000 

37 

2,014 

5,585 

2,440 

14,532 

 - 

1,112 

 - 

 - 

1,258 

26,978 

(16,298)

(42,530)

(6,354)

(41)

(139)

(1,443)

(66,805)

(39,827)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

42 

 - 

 - 

 - 

4,509 

4,551 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

4,551 

167 

882 

(1,234)

401 

1,471 

(54)

(345)

23 

22 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

533 

 - 

 - 

(3)

 - 

1,333 

530 

(139)

 - 

(4,857)

41 

139 

(46)

(4,862)

(3,529)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

530 

204 

2,896 

4,351 

2,841 

16,003 

521 

767 

23 

19 

5,767 

33,392 

(16,437)

(42,530)

(11,211)

 - 

 - 

(1,489)

(71,667)

(38,275)

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51

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS7. 

Income tax (cont.)

Period ending 30 June 2019

Deferred tax assets

Doubtful debts

Inventories

Sundry accrued expenses

Black hole expenditure

Employee provisions 

Share issue costs

Fair value of derivatives

Tax losses

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax (liabilities)

Property, plant and equipment

Brand names

Prepayments

Fair value of derivatives

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 
income

Other

Total deferred tax (liabilities)

Total deferred tax

Opening 
balance* 
$'000 

Acquisition* 
$'000 

Charged 
 to income 
$'000 

Charged  
to equity 
$'000 

Closing 
balance 
$'000 

37 

2,302 

154 

1,738 

 - 

(616)

345 

 - 

13,007 

1,088 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

328 

5,086 

702 

437 

(336)

 - 

 - 

508 

319 

1,258 

19,323 

(7,443)

(42,530)

(2,876)

 - 

(3)

(3,300)

(56,152)

(36,829)

817 

6,217 

(10,953)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(306)

(11,259)

(10,442)

2,098 

 - 

2,835 

(11)

 - 

(4,191)

731 

6,948 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

940 

(319)

 - 

621 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(128)

3 

 - 

(125)

496 

37 

2,014 

5,585 

2,440 

14,532 

1,112 

 - 

1,258 

26,978 

(16,298)

(42,530)

(41)

(139)

 - 

(7,797)

(66,805)

(39,827)

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised as at 30 June 2020 are $17,691,039, the potential tax benefit of this at 
30% is $5,307,312. Unused capital losses for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised as at 30 June 2020 are $13,743,886, the potential 
tax benefit of this at 30% is $4,123,166.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet have been disclosed based on whether the taxable entity they relate to has 
a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts.

F. INCOME TAXES PAID

Income taxes paid is included in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as follows:

Income taxes (paid) included in operating activities

Total income taxes (paid)

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000 

(12,330)

(12,330)

(13,264)

(13,264)

* See note 32 for details about restatements.

52
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53

8.  Trade and other receivables

Current assets

Trade receivables

Allowance for impairment of receivables

Net trade receivables

Goods and services tax (GST) receivable

Prepayments

Accrued revenue

Trade Receivables Facility continuing involvement asset

Amounts receivable under Trade Receivables Facility

Other debtors

Advances to suppliers

Total current trade and other receivables

Non-current assets

Prepayments

Total non-current trade and other receivables

Total trade and other receivables

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

31,508 

(602)

30,906 

7,665 

17,302 

11,990 

18,660

14,702

16,066 

128 

2019 
$’000

89,205 

(81)

89,124 

14,732 

18,757 

5,550 

21,955

8,999

20,613 

180 

117,419 

179,910 

2,053 

2,053 

14,028 

14,028 

119,472 

193,938 

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business. They are generally 
due for settlement within 30 days and are therefore all classified as current. Trade receivables are recognised initially at the amount of consideration 
that is unconditional unless they contain significant financing components, when they are recognised at fair value. The Group holds the trade 
receivables with the objective of collecting the contractual cash flows and therefore measures them subsequently at amortised cost using the 
effective interest method. Details about the Group’s impairment policies and the calculation of the loss allowance are provided in note 33.

Advances to suppliers are prepayments for milk to assist with short-term working capital. The advances have a maximum repayment term of  
6 months and interest is charged at 4.58% (2019: 7.25%). 

Non-current prepayments relate to milk supplier premium payments. 

Accrued revenue primarily relates to receivables from customers under product supply contracts whereby the revenue has yet to be invoiced.

During the 2019 financial year, the Group entered into a Trade Finance Facility (‘Trade Receivables Facility’) with the Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. 
(Australia Branch) (Rabobank) whereby it may purchase receivables from the Group at a discount. This facility is utilised by the Group as a primary 
source  of  working  capital.  The  maximum  available  at  any  time  under  the  facility  was  $200.0  million  during  the  financial  year.  Most  eligible 
receivables  sold  to  Rabobank  are  insured  by  the  Group  with  the  Group  retaining  a  continuing  involvement  asset  of  10%,  representing  its 
maximum  exposure  under  the  facility.  The  Trade  Receivables  Facility  is  a  fully  committed  facility  and  was  extended  to  31  January  2022  in 
December 2019. The funded value of the Group’s Trade Receivables Facility was $153.3 million as at 30 June 2020 (2019: $188.6 million). 90% of 
the  value  of  receivables  sold  by  the  Group  into  this  facility  are  de-recognised  as  an  asset  as  the  contractual  rights  to  cashflows  from  these 
receivables have expired on acceptance of the sale to Rabobank.

52

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53

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS9.  Derivative financial instruments and other financial assets

Current assets

Foreign currency forwards – cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forwards – fair value hedges

Total current derivative financial instruments

Non-current assets

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) - unlisted equity securities

Total non-current financial assets

Total financial assets 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

824 

485

1,309

716 

716 

2019 
$’000

754 

-

754 

716 

716 

2,025 

1,470 

Derivative financial instruments relate to foreign currency contracts used for hedging. Further information on these contracts is given in note 21a. 
No material amounts were incurred due to ineffectiveness of cash flow hedges or gains or losses on fair value hedges attributable to the hedging 
instrument or the hedged item.

10.  Inventories

The write-down of inventories to net realisable value requires judgement in assessing future commodity prices, other market conditions, product 
shelf life and provisions for quality.

Raw materials, work in progress and stores

Finished goods 

Carrying amount of inventories at lower of cost or net realisable value

11.  Property, plant and equipment

Land and buildings

At cost

Accumulated depreciation

Total land and buildings

Plant and equipment

At cost

Accumulated depreciation

Total plant and equipment

Right-of-use assets

At cost

Accumulated depreciation

Total right-of-use assets

Construction in progress

Total property, plant and equipment

54
54

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▲

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

134,114 

123,258 

257,372 

Restated 
2019 
$’000

155,130 

117,495 

272,625 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

207,918 

(44,029)

163,889

619,707 

(347,301)

272,406

15,559 

(6,791)

8,768

2019 
$’000

200,965 

(39,288)

161,677

567,793 

(321,880)

245,913

-

-

-

9,661

35,741

454,724

443,331

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55

 
 
11.  Property, plant and equipment (cont.)

The movements in property, plant and equipment are:

Consolidated

Year ending 30 June 2020

Construction 
in progress  
$'000 

Land and 
buildings  
$'000 

Plant and 
equipment  
$'000 

Right-of-use 
assets  
$'000 

Total 
 $’000

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

35,741 

161,677 

245,913 

 - 

443,331 

Change in accounting policy (note 33)

 - 

 - 

 - 

Restated balance at the beginning of the financial year

35,741 

161,677 

245,913 

Right-of-use asset additions

Capital expenditure

Disposals

Depreciation

Transfers

Balance at the end of the financial year

Year ending 30 June 2019

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

Acquisitions through business combinations

Capital expenditure

Reclassification

Disposals

Depreciation

Impairment

Transfers

Balance at the end of the financial year

 - 

42,170 

 - 

 - 

(68,250)

9,661 

 - 

 - 

(3,326)

(5,334)

10,872 

163,889 

20,639 

133,697 

 - 

30,553 

42,689 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(27,587)

35,741 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(5,183)

 - 

2,610 

 - 

 - 

(1,232)

(29,653)

57,378 

272,406 

169,249 

92,480 

 - 

(156)

(345)

(30,063)

(10,229)

24,977 

161,677 

245,913 

6,927 

6,927 

4,630 

 - 

(137)

(2,652)

 - 

6,927 

450,258 

4,630 

42,170 

(4,695)

(37,639)

 - 

8,768 

454,724 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

323,585 

123,033 

42,689 

(156)

(345)

(35,246)

(10,229)

 - 

443,331 

54

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55

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS12.  Intangible assets

Brands

Water rights

Headwork utilities rights

Gene pool

Software

Goodwill

Total intangible assets

Consolidated

Year ending 30 June 2020

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

140,405 

5,601 

934 

1,180 

53,530 

346,486

548,136

2019
Restated 
$’000

140,405 

5,601 

956 

1,467 

51,185 

346,486

546,100

Brands  
$'000 

Software  
$'000 

Water 
Rights  
$'000 

Goodwill  
$'000 

Other 
 $’000

Total 
 $’000

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

140,405 

51,185 

5,601 

346,486

2,423 

546,100

Additions

Amortisation

Impairment

 - 

 - 

 -

9,099

(6,702)

(52)

 - 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

 -

106 

(415)

 -

9,205

(7,117)

(52)

Balance at the end of the financial year

140,405 

53,530 

5,601 

346,486

2,114 

548,136

Year ending 30 June 2019

Balance at the beginning of the financial year

140,405 

35,055 

5,601 

229,446 

Acquisitions through business combinations*

Additions

Reclassification

Amortisation

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Balance at the end of the financial year

140,405 

337 

20,726 

156 

(5,089)

51,185 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

117,040

 - 

 - 

 - 

956 

- 

1,505 

 - 

(38)

411,463 

117,377

22,231 

156 

(5,127)

5,601 

346,486

2,423 

546,100

Brands and other identifiable intangible assets

Brands and other identifiable intangible assets purchased by the Group are initially recognised at cost, or at their fair value if acquired as part of 
a business combination.

These identifiable intangible assets are subsequently measured:

• 

• 

if they have a finite life, at cost less amortisation, and

if they have an indefinite life, at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Finite  life  brands  or  other  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  amortised  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  shorter  of  their  contractual  or  useful 
economic life, being three to 25 years. They are also tested for impairment when an indicator of impairment may exist.

Indefinite  life  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  not  amortised  but  are  instead  tested  for  impairment  annually,  or  more  frequently  if  there  is  an 
indicator  of  impairment.  Brands  or  other  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  determined  to  have  an  indefinite  life  where  there  is  an  intention  to 
maintain and support the brand or other intangible asset for an indefinite period.

Water rights

Water rights are indefinite life identifiable intangible assets and were acquired as part of the acquisition of the Strathmerton and Peanut Company 
of  Australia  (PCA)  facilities.  Water  rights  are  attributable  to  the  Branded  segment.  Impairment  was  tested  by  reference  to  third  party  market 
valuation based on recent transactions and related data.

* See note 32 for details about restatements.

56
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57

12.  Intangible assets (cont.)

Headwork utilities rights

Headwork utilities rights are finite life identifiable intangible assets relate to the Group ’s right to access the Bega Valley Shire Council municipal 
wastewater system.

Gene pool intellectual rights

PCA conducts a peanut research and development programme focused on developing improved seed varieties for growers. The programme 
endeavours to improve the desirable attributes of seed varieties provided to growers, with the overall objective to improve the quality of PCA’s 
peanuts and to minimise costs to production. The rights are finite life identifiable intangible assets and include intellectual property relating to 
cross breeding peanut seed varieties for optimal commercial use, and plant breeder’s rights for successful varieties.

Software

Purchased and internally developed software assets are capitalised where there is an identifiable asset that will generate future economic benefits 
through revenue, supporting effective management and decision making or cost savings.

Ongoing software related costs are capitalised if they extend the useful life or enhance the functionality of the software asset.

Software assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, being three to 10 years and are tested for impairment when 
an indicator of impairment exists.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the net identifiable assets of the acquired business at the date of 
acquisition. Goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets.

Goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be 
impaired and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount 
of goodwill related to that entity.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or 
groups of cash-generating units (CGU) that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose.

Bega Foods impairment assessment

The Group has identified the Mondelēz Grocery Business, acquired in July 2017 and renamed Bega Foods, to be a CGU. This CGU includes 
goodwill of $229.4 million and capitalised brands of $140.0 million. The Bega Foods CGU produces branded grocery products including Vegemite, 
peanut butter and honey for sale to domestic customers. 

This  CGU  is  subject  to  annual  impairment  testing  as  it  holds  indefinite  life  intangible  assets.  Impairment  testing  requires  a  high  degree  of 
judgement in assessing whether the carrying value of assets is supported by their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of the Bega Foods 
CGU has been determined using the ‘fair value less cost of disposal’ approach.

In calculating the recoverable amount of the Bega Foods CGU a discounted cash flow model was utilised forecasting cash flows for the period 
FY2021 to FY2025. A number of assumptions were made in respect of matters which are not certain, including the following key assumptions:

•  a long-term nominal growth rate of 2% beyond the forecast period

•  with advice from independent experts, applied post tax discount rate of 6.5%

• 

In  FY2020  EBITDA  was  positively  impacted  by  additional  retail  demand  as  a  result  of  COVID-19.  Given  the  uncertainty  generated  by  the 
pandemic the Group has not forecast for this increased demand to be sustained and expects to return to normal levels of demand in FY2021. 
EBITDA growth over the forecast period is expected from new products, operational efficiencies and increases in pricing.

Using the above assumptions, the recoverable amount was not less than the carrying value of the Bega Foods CGU as at 30 June 2020 and as 
a result no impairment was required.

56

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57

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
12.  Intangible assets (cont.)

Sensitivity analysis

Management has considered the following changes in key assumptions to be reasonably possible:

Variance from base case

Long-term growth rate

Discount rate

Forecast EBITDA per annum

0.5%

1.0%

5.0%

lower

higher

lower

Based on the above sensitivity analysis, a reasonably possible change in any single assumption would not result in the recoverable amount of the 
Bega Foods CGU being lower than its carrying value as at 30 June 2020.

Koroit impairment assessment

The Group has identified the Koroit business, acquired in August 2018, to be a CGU. This CGU includes goodwill of $117.0 million. This CGU 
represents the dairy processing facility located in Western Victoria which was acquired from Saputo in August 2018. The Koroit CGU produces 
dairy products which are sold domestically and internationally. 

This  CGU  is  subject  to  annual  impairment  testing  as  it  holds  indefinite  life  intangible  assets.  Impairment  testing  requires  a  high  degree  of 
judgement in assessing whether the carrying value of assets is supported by their recoverable amount. The recoverable amount of the Koroit 
CGU has been determined using the ‘fair value less cost of disposal’ approach.

In calculating the recoverable amount of the Koroit CGU a discounted cash flow model was utilised forecasting cash flows for the period FY2021 
to FY2025. A number of assumptions were made in respect of matters which are not certain, including the following key assumptions:

•  a long-term nominal growth rate of 1.5% beyond the forecast period

•  with advice from independent experts, applied post tax discount rate of 6.5%

•  continuing investment in milk pricing systems and strategy to support growth in milk intake

• 

lactoferrin expansion to support a long term lactoferrin supply agreement

• 

In  FY2020  the  CGU  experienced  increased  milk  prices,  the  impact  of  which  was  more  than  offset  by  improved  product  mix  and  new 
customer  contracts.  The  CGU’s  new  lactoferrin  plant  is  expected  to  contribute  strongly  over  the  forecast  period,  having  commenced 
production at the end of FY2020. Milk pricing and volumes have been assumed to reduce from FY2020 levels in FY2021 with moderate 
growth in milk volumes thereafter. 

Using the above assumptions, the recoverable amount was not less than the carrying value of the Koroit CGU as at 30 June 2020 and as a result 
no impairment was required.

Sensitivity analysis

Management has considered the following changes in key assumptions to be reasonably possible:

Variance from base case

Long-term growth rate

Discount rate

Forecast EBITDA per annum

Forecast milk intake growth

0.5%

1.0%

5.0%

10.0%

lower

higher

lower

lower

Based on the above sensitivity analysis, a reasonably possible change in any single assumption would not result in the recoverable amount of the 
Koroit CGU being lower than its carrying value as at 30 June 2020.

As a result of the annual impairment reviews, no impairment losses for the Group’s CGUs have been recognised in the year.

58
58

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59

13.  Trade and other payables

Trade payables

Deferred income

Accrued charges and sundry creditors

Trade Receivables Facility continuing involvement liability

Total trade and other payables

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

201,812 

1,364 

31,553 

18,660 

Restated
2019 
$’000

195,284 

1,853 

55,785 

21,955 

253,389 

274,877 

The average credit period on purchases is the month end after the goods are received, except for utilities and certain professional fees. No material 
amounts of interest are charged on late payments and the amounts are unsecured.

Judgement is used in assessing trade payables due to suppliers under product supply contracts that require a periodic reconciliation to specific 
terms of those contracts. From time to time there may be differences of opinion between the Group and the supplier as to the amount payable 
under the contracts. Such differences are usually resolved amicably between the parties having regard to the relevant contract. Where such 
differences  are  unresolved  at  reporting  dates  the  Group  seeks  additional  information  and  professional  advice  in  the  context  of  the  relevant 
contract in forming a view as to the amount to be accrued for at the reporting date.

14.  Borrowings

Current - at amortised cost

Lease liabilities

Total current borrowings

Non-current - at amortised cost

Secured term loans

Lease liabilities

Borrowing costs

Total non-current borrowings

Total borrowings

For further details on borrowings and facilities, see note 21

15.  Derivative financial instruments – liabilities

Current liabilities

Foreign currency forwards - cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forwards - fair value hedges

Total derivative financial instruments - liabilities

For further details on derivatives, see note 21.

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2,978 

2,978 

2019 
$’000

13 

13 

248,000 

317,000 

8,290 

(740)

 - 

(942)

255,550

316,058 

258,528 

316,071 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

48 

13

61 

2019 
$’000

175 

-

175 

58

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59

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS16.  Provisions

Current liabilities

Employee benefits

Total current provisions

Non-current liabilities

Employee benefits

Total non-current provisions

Total provisions

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

49,546 

49,546 

2019 
$’000

48,996 

48,996 

2,879 

2,879 

1,773 

1,773 

52,425 

50,769 

The current provision for employee benefits includes accrued annual leave, vesting sick leave and long service leave. Long service leave covers 
all unconditional entitlements where employees have completed the required period of service. The amount of the provision presented as current 
of  $49,546,000  (2019:  $48,996,000)  is  due  to  the  Group  not  having  an  unconditional  right  to  defer  settlement  for  any  of  these  obligations. 
However, based on past experience, the Group does not expect all employees to take the full amount of accrued leave or require payment within 
the next 12 months. The following amounts reflect leave that is not expected to be taken or paid within the next 12 months:

Current leave obligations expected to be settled after 12 months

17.  Share capital

A.  Share capital

Share capital - ordinary shares fully paid

B.  Movement in share capital value and number of shares

Ordinary shares on issue at 1 July 2018

Shares issued under Institutional Placement

Shares issued under Share Purchase Plan

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Share issue transaction costs, net of tax

Ordinary shares on issue at 30 June 2019

Ordinary shares on issue at 1 July 2019

Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Ordinary shares on issue at 30 June 2020

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

11,930

2019 
$’000

11,892

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000

480,507 

477,494 

Ordinary 
shares
Number 
’000

185,055 

27,758 

318 

603 

 - 

Ordinary 
shares 
$’000

274,862 

199,859 

2,259 

2,773 

(2,259)

213,734 

477,494 

213,734 

703 

214,437 

477,494 

3,013 

480,507 

Ordinary shares entitle the holder to participate in dividends and share in the proceeds of winding up the Company in proportion to the number 
of shares held. On a show of hands every holder of ordinary shares present at a meeting in person, or by proxy is entitled to one vote and upon 
a poll each share is entitled to one vote.

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61

18.  Reserves

A.  Reserves

Share-based payment reserve

Capital profits reserve

Hedging reserve

Transactions with non-controlling interests reserve

Total reserves

B.  Nature and purpose of reserves

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

416 

33,959 

(949)

(12,567)

20,859

2019 
$’000

1,196 

33,959 

272 

(12,567)

22,860 

The share-based payment reserve is used to recognise the fair value of shares and performance rights issued to employees by the Company. 

The capital profits reserve is as a result of historical capital transactions.

The  hedging  reserve  is  used  to  record  gains  or  losses  on  hedging  instruments  (cash  flow  hedges)  that  are  recognised  directly  in  equity,  
as described in note 33.

The fair value reserve is used to record gains or losses on fair value of investments classified as Financial assets at fair value through other 
comprehensive income.

The transactions with non-controlling interests reserve records the difference arising as a result of the acquisition of the non-controlling interest 
in Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS19.  Notes to the consolidated statement of cash flows

A. RECONCILIATION OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash and cash equivalents

Balance per statement of cash flow

B. RECONCILIATION OF PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD 

TO NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Profit after income tax

Adjustments for non-cash, investing and financing items:

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment

Amortisation of intangible assets

(Profit)/loss on sale of property, plant and equipment

(Profit) on sale of shares in listed companies

Acquisition related costs

Impairment of tangible assets

Impairment of investments

Impairment of intangible assets

Non-cash employee (benefit)/expense - share-based payments

Fair value adjustment to derivatives

Interest income received and receivable

Dividend received and receivable

Share of net profit of joint venture

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

(Increase)/decrease in assets:

Trade and other debtors and GST recoverable

Inventories

Prepayments

Current and deferred tax assets

Increase/(decrease) in liabilities:

Trade and other payables

Provision for income taxes payable

Changes in provisions

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

22,882 

22,882 

Restated 
2019 
$’000

28,760 

28,760 

21,268 

4,447 

37,639 

7,117 

(257)

 - 

 - 

 - 

1,000 

52

(780)

(2,413)

(309)

 - 

(62)

61,035 

15,253 

13,427 

(2,030)

(14,865)

 - 

1,656 

35,246 

5,127 

106 

(748)

11,019 

10,229 

 - 

 -

688 

(870)

(411)

(15)

(323)

54,930 

(35,641)

(21,113)

(2,902)

45,286 

(6,736)

1,953 

Net cash flow from operating activities

137,731 

100,272 

62
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Risk

20. Critical accounting estimates and judgements

Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future 
events that may have a financial impact on the Group and that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

In particular, information about significant areas of estimation, uncertainty and critical judgement in applying accounting policies that have the 
most significant effect on the amount recognised in the financial statements are described in note 7 - income tax, note 8 - trade and other 
receivables, note 10 - inventories, note 12 - intangible assets and note 13 - trade and other payables.

21.  Financial risk management

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risks (including currency risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and liquidity 
risk. The Group’s overall risk management approach focusses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse 
effects on the financial performance of the Group. The Group uses derivative financial instruments such as foreign exchange contracts to hedge 
certain risk exposures. Derivatives are exclusively used for hedging purposes, not for trading or other speculative purposes. The Group uses 
different methods to measure different types of risk to which it is exposed. These methods include sensitivity analysis in case of interest rate, 
foreign exchange and aging analysis for credit risk.

Financial management is carried out by the treasury function within the finance department under policies approved by the Board of Directors 
and overseen by the Audit & Risk Committee. Treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close co-operation with the Group’s 
operating  units,  by  applying  principles  provided  by  the  Board  that  has  overall  responsibility  for  risk  management.  The  Board  also  approves 
policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of financial instruments, and investment of excess 
liquidity.

A.  Market risk

The  Group’s  activities  expose  it  primarily  to  market  risks  in  relation  to  foreign  currency  and  interest  rate  movements.  The  Group  enters  into  
a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage exposures which include forward foreign currency contracts to hedge exchange rate risks 
from the sale of exported goods and purchase of imported goods.

Foreign exchange risk

Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognised assets and liabilities denominated in a currency that is not the 
entity’s functional currency. The Group exports dairy products and is exposed to foreign exchange risk, primarily movements in exchange rates 
of US dollar and Japanese Yen. The Group also makes purchases including capital equipment, ingredients and packaging that exposes it to 
movements in exchange rates of US dollar, NZD and Euro. The risk is measured using sensitivity analysis and cash flow forecasting. Forward 
contracts are used to manage these risks.

The Group’s risk management policy is to match known and highly probable future cash flows in foreign currencies, for cash flow and fair value 
hedge accounting purposes, with forward exchange contracts in the same currency and with closely corresponding settlement dates. 30- 80% 
of its estimated foreign currency exposures in respect of forecast sales over the subsequent 12 months are hedged. All material foreign currency 
purchases are hedged on execution of contracts.

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63

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS21.  Financial risk management (cont.)

The Group’s exposure to foreign exchange risk at the end of the reporting period is expressed as follows:

Contract 
amount in 
foreign
currency  
'000 

Weighted 
average 
forward 
rate  

Contract
amount  
'000 

Market 
value 
assets 
 ’000

Market 
value 
liabilities 
 ’000

64,299 

2,684 

2,236 

42,230 

1,618 

165,842 

0.6856 

0.6105 

73.7603 

(4,273)

(45,583)

(2,598)

(30,727)

0.6097 

0.6802 

824 

 - 

 - 

 - 

485 

97,172 

67,952 

0.6994 

431 

(2,316)

4,119 

(246)

(7,081)

(1,459)

313,629 

(279)

(4,768)

Sales 
2020 
$’000 

2,384 

(2,301)

0.6299 

76.1470 

1.0708 

0.7152 

CONSOLIDATED

Purchases 
2020 
$’000

(1,136)

992 

49 

 - 

21 

263 

Sales 
2019 
$’000

320 

167 

 - 

(35)

(13)

(13)

 - 

 - 

 - 

(55)

 - 

 - 

Purchases 
2019
$’000

388 

(52)

 Jul 20 to Feb 21 

 Jul 20 to Feb 21 

 Jul 19 to Feb 20 

 Jul 19 to Dec 19 

Consolidated

At 30 June 2020

Cash flow hedges

US Dollar

Euro

Japanese Yen

Fair value hedges

Euro

US Dollar

At 30 June 2019

Cash flow hedges

US Dollar

Fair value hedges

Euro

Japanese Yen

New Zealand Dollar

US Dollar

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Change in discounted spot value

Change in value of hedged item

Maturities

Group sensitivity

The Group sensitivity for cash flow exposures is based on the financial instruments held on 30 June 2020, had the Australian dollar strengthened 
or weakened by 10% against the US dollar with all other variables held constant. The analysis is performed on the same basis for 2019 and has 
no material impact on profit after tax due to the Group aiming to fully hedge its foreign currency exposures and the accounting treatment of the 
instruments held. The Group sensitivity is detailed in the following table:

Equity

AUD$ strengthens 10% - increase

AUD$ weakens 10% - (decrease)

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2,833 

(3,463)

2019 
$’000

6,184 

(7,558)

64
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65

 
21.  Financial risk management (cont.)

Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

The Group’s main interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings. Borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest 
rate risk. Historically, the Group has used interest rate swaps as appropriate to manage interest rate risk. Due to a sustained low market interest 
rates, there were no interest rate swaps in place at 30 June 2019 or 2020 but the use of interest rate swaps is regularly monitored and reviewed 
as to their effectiveness by the Group. All borrowings were denominated in Australian dollars during 2020 and 2019.

As at the reporting date, the Group had the following interest bearing borrowings and assets outstanding:

Fixed rate instruments

Assets

Vat and supplier loans

Liabilities

Leases

Variable rate instruments

Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities

Bank overdrafts and loans

Net exposure to interest rate risk on variable rate instruments

An analysis by maturities is provided in (c) below.

Interest rate sensitivity

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

2019 
$’000

128 

(11,268)

180 

(13)

22,882 

28,760 

(247,260)

(224,378)

(316,058)

(287,298)

At 30 June 2020, if interest rates had changed by -/+ 100 basis points from the year end rates with all other variables held constant, the Group’s 
post-tax profit for the year would have been $2,082,000 higher/(lower) (2019: $3,171,000 higher/(lower)).

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65

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS21.  Financial risk management (cont.)

B.  Credit risk

Credit risk is managed on an entity basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments and deposits with 
banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to wholesale and retail customers, including outstanding receivables and committed 
transactions. For banks and financial institutions, only independently rated parties with a minimum rating of “AA” are accepted. For customers, 
the finance function assesses the credit quality of the customer, taking into account its financial position, past experience and other factors. 
Individual risk limits are set based on internal or external ratings in accordance with limits set by the Board. The compliance with credit limits by 
customers is regularly monitored by management.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying amount of the financial assets as summarised in note 8 and note 9. For 
some trade receivables, the Group may also obtain security in the form of guarantees, deeds of undertaking or letters of credit that can be called 
upon if the counterparty is in default under the terms of the agreement. In addition, the Group obtains credit insurance over export debtors and 
some Australian customers.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade receivables

Accrued revenue

Other receivables

Prepayments

Advances to farmers

Fair value derivatives

Total credit risk exposure

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

22,882 

30,906 

11,990 

23,731 

19,355

128 

1,309 

2019 
$’000

28,760 

89,124 

5,550 

35,345 

 32,785

180 

754 

110,301

192,498

There is considered to be limited credit risk in the balances of other receivables due to their nature as entities with which close commercial 
relationships are maintained, related parties or government agencies. The Group manages amounts payable by direct milk suppliers to the Group 
for supplier advances, loans or other prepayments for milk so as to mitigate any material exposure to default.

The ageing analysis of trade receivables is set out in the table below. The credit quality of financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired 
is assessed based on the application of the credit risk policies described above. The expected impairment loss calculation for trade receivables 
considers the impact of past events, and exercises judgment over the impact of current and future economic conditions when considering the 
recoverability of outstanding trade receivable balances at the reporting date. Subsequent changes in economic and market conditions may result 
in the provision for impairment losses increasing or decreasing in future periods.

Not past due

Past due 0-30 days

Past due over 30 days

Trade receivables at 30 June

C.  Liquidity risk

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

27,100

3,340

1,068

31,508 

2019 
$’000

74,469 

8,608 

6,128 

89,205 

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities and the availability of funding through committed 
credit facilities to meet obligations when due and to close out market positions. Due to the dynamic nature of the underlying businesses, the 
Group maintains flexibility in funding by maintaining availability under committed credit lines. The Group manages liquidity risk by continuously 
monitoring forecast and actual cash flows and matching maturity profiles of financial assets and liabilities.

66
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67

21.  Financial risk management (cont.)

D.  Financing arrangements

The Group had access to the following borrowing facilities at the end of the reporting period:

Undrawn facilities expiring within one year 

Undrawn facilities expiring beyond one year 

Drawn facilities

Total facilities

Total facilities are represented by:

Syndicated Facility - Revolving Cash Advance Facility maturing 31 August 2021

Syndicated Facility - Revolving Cash Advance Facility maturing 31 August 2021

Syndicated Facility - Revolving Cash Advance Facility maturing 30 September 2022

Syndicated Facility - Term Facility maturing 30 September 2022

Inventory Facility

Overdraft Facility

Total facilities

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

100,000 

168,500 

248,000 

516,500 

70,000 

140,000 

100,000 

100,000 

100,000 

6,500 

516,500 

2019 
$’000

100,000 

124,500 

317,000 

541,500 

70,000 

140,000 

125,000 

100,000 

100,000 

6,500 

541,500 

The  Group  financing  arrangements  include  a  syndicated  facility  funded  by  Coöperatieve  Rabobank  U.A.  (Australia  Branch)  (Rabobank)  and 
Westpac Banking Corporation (Westpac), (Syndicated Debt Facility). The Syndicated Debt Facility includes three revolving cash advance facilities 
totalling $310 million (with maturity dates between 31 August 2021 and 30 September 2022) and a term facility totalling $100 million (with a 
maturity date of 30 September 2022).

In addition to the Syndicated Debt Facility, the Group continues to operate a stand-alone Inventory Facility (matures on 30 March 2021) and is not 
subject to cross-charges or cross-guarantees, except as disclosed in note 23.

The Syndicated Debt Facility and Inventory Facility are secured by equitable mortgages and floating charges on the assets of Bega Cheese 
Limited, Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd and Peanut Company of Australia Pty Ltd.

Under the Syndicated Facilities, the Group is required to comply with the following covenants:

i. 

 the leverage ratio is not greater than 3.75 times for June 2020 to September 2020, reducing to 3.50 times for December 2020 and reducing 
to 3.00 times from March 2021 and beyond;

ii. 

the interest cover ratio must be equal or greater than 2.50 times; and

iii.  shareholder funds must be equal or greater than $450 million.

The Group has complied with these and previous covenants throughout the reporting period.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS21.  Financial risk management (cont.)

E.  Maturities of financial liabilities

The following table analyses the Group’s financial liabilities. The amounts disclosed in the table are contractual undiscounted cash flows:

Consolidated

At 30 June 2020

Non-derivatives

Lease liabilities

Secured bank loans

Trade and other payables

Derivatives

Inflows

Outflows

0-12 
months   
$'000 

(3,470)

(6,212)

(253,389)

43,999 

(42,863)

1-2 years  
$'000 

2-5 years   
 $’000

>5 years 
 $’000

Total 
contractual 
cash flows 
 $’000

Carrying 
amount  
 $’000

(3,153)

(53,346)

(5,580)

(201,294)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(418)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(12,621)

(260,852)

(253,389)

(11,268)

(247,260)

(253,389)

43,999 

(42,863)

-

(61)

Total financial liabilities

(261,935)

(56,499)

(206,874)

(418)

(525,726)

(511,978)

At 30 June 2019 (restated)

Non-derivatives

Lease liabilities

Secured bank loans

Trade and other payables

Derivatives

Inflows

Outflows

(13)

(32,642)

(274,877)

31,848 

(32,235)

 - 

 - 

(202,515)

(92,354)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

Total financial liabilities

(307,919)

(202,515)

(92,354)

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

 - 

(13)

(327,511)

(274,877)

(13)

(316,058)

(274,877)

31,848 

(32,235)

-

(572)

(602,788)

(591,520)

F.  Fair value estimation

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement or for disclosure purposes. The fair 
value of financial instruments traded in active markets (such as publicly traded derivatives, and trading and financial assets at fair value securities) 
is based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. The quoted market price used for financial assets held by the Group is the current 
bid price.

The Group uses a variety of methods and makes assumptions that are based on market conditions existing at each balance date. The fair value 
of forward exchange contracts is determined using forward exchange market rates at the reporting date. The carrying value less impairment 
provision of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of financial 
liabilities for disclosure purposes is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows at the current market interest rate that is available 
to the Group for similar financial instruments. The Directors consider that the carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities recorded 
at amortised cost in the financial statements approximates to their fair values. All fair value instruments are measured using quoted prices from 
active markets where available.

The fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities must be estimated for recognition and measurement or for disclosure purposes. AASB 7 
Financial Instruments: Disclosures requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level under the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

i.  Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

ii. 

 Level  2:  inputs  other  than  quoted  prices  included  within  level  1  that  are  observable  for  the  asset  or  liability,  either  directly  (as  prices)  or 
indirectly (derived from prices);

iii.  Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

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69

21.  Financial risk management (cont.)

The following table presents the Group’s assets and liabilities measured and recognised at fair value at the end of the reporting periods:

Consolidated

At 30 June 2020

Assets

Foreign currency forwards - cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forwards - fair value hedges

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive  
income (FVOCI) - unlisted equity securities

Total assets

Liabilities

Foreign currency forwards - cash flow hedges

Foreign currency forwards - fair value hedges

Total liabilities

At 30 June 2019

Assets

Foreign currency forwards - cash flow hedges

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive  
income (FVOCI) - unlisted equity securities

Total assets

Liabilities

Foreign currency forwards - cash flow hedges

Total liabilities

22. Capital risk management

Level 2
 $’000

Level 3   
 $’000

Total   
 $’000

824

485

 - 

1,309 

(48)

(13)

(61)

754 

 - 

754 

(175)

(175)

 - 

 - 

716 

716 

 - 

 -

 - 

 - 

716 

716 

 - 

 - 

824

485

716 

2,025 

(48)

(13)

(61)

754 

716 

1,470 

(175)

(175)

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to safeguard the ability to continue as a going concern and generate adequate returns to 
shareholders.

Consistent with others in the industry, the Group monitors its capital on the basis of net debt, total equity and gearing ratio.

Net debt: borrowings (excluding borrowing costs) net of cash at bank

Total equity

Net debt to equity ratio

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

236,386

814,039

Restated
2019 
$’000

288,240 

815,014

29%

35%

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69

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSGroup structure

23. Parent entity financial information

A.  Summary financial information

The individual financial statements for the parent entity show the following aggregate amounts:

Current assets

Total assets

Current liabilities

Total liabilities

Net assets

Shareholder's equity

Issued capital of parent entity

Reserves

Share-based payment reserve

Capital profits reserve

Hedging reserve

Retained earnings

Total equity

Profit after tax for the year

Total comprehensive income

BEGA CHEESE

2020 
$’000 

423,952

1,406,403

(507,386)

(805,260)

Restated
2019 
$’000

501,937 

1,475,796

(505,874)

(867,207)

601,143

608,589

481,077 

478,064 

416 

32,565

 - 

87,085

601,143

13,180

12,959

1,196 

32,565 

220 

96,544

608,589

67,607 

67,820 

Current assets and liabilities of Bega Cheese include intercompany loans.

B.  Guarantees entered into by parent entity

The parent entity has entered into a deed of cross guarantee in relation to the debts of its subsidiaries as described in note 25.

C.  Contingent liabilities of the parent entity

The parent entity did not have any contingent liabilities as at 30 June 2020 or 30 June 2019 except as disclosed in note 26.

D.  Contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant or equipment

As  at  30  June  2020,  the  parent  entity  had  contractual  commitments  for  the  acquisition  of  property,  plant  or  equipment  totalling  $3,797,000  
(2019: $23,803,000). These commitments are not recognised as liabilities as the relevant assets have not yet been received.

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24.  Subsidiaries and joint arrangements

Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd

Bega Cheese Investments Pty Ltd

Peanut Company of Australia Pty Ltd

180 Nutrition Pty Ltd

Bemore Partnership

Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd

Hummingbird Superfoods Pty Ltd

A.  Interest in joint operation

Bemore Partnership

Country of
incorporation

Nature of
relationship

2020 % of
ownership
interest

2019 % of
ownership
interest

Australia

Australia

Australia

Australia

Subsidiary

Subsidiary

Subsidiary

Subsidiary

Australia

Joint Operation

Australia

Australia

Joint Venture

Associate

100 

100 

100 

61 

-

25 

20 

100 

100 

100 

61 

50 

25 

 - 

The Company held a 50% interest in a joint arrangement called the Bemore Partnership. The partnership was wound up on 24 February 2020.  
Accounting policies applied for the Bemore Partnership are described in note 33b.

B.  Interest in joint venture

Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd (CCFA)

The principal activity of the joint venture is liquid milk and chilled food distribution. The Group financial statements include the following results of 
the joint venture:

Share of net profit of joint venture

Investments accounted for using the equity method

Accounting policies applied for the joint venture are described in note 33b.

25. Closed group disclosure

CCFA

2020 
$’000 

62 

1,403 

2019 
$’000

323 

1,341 

Bega Cheese, Tatura Milk, Bega Cheese Investments Pty Ltd (BCI) and Peanut Company of Australia Pty Ltd (PCA) are all party to a deed of cross 
guarantee under which each company guarantees the debts of the other. These companies represent a “closed Group” for the purposes of the 
Instrument, and as there are no other parties to the deed of cross guarantee that are controlled by Bega Cheese Limited, they also represent the 
“extended closed Group”. By entering into the deed, Tatura Milk, BCI and PCA have been relieved from the requirement to prepare a financial 
report and Directors’ report under Instrument 2016/785, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSUnrecognised items

26. Contingent liabilities

The Group enters into product supply agreements with ongoing requirements to reconcile to specific contractual terms (see note 13). Contingent 
liabilities may arise where completion of the reconciliation process subsequent to a reporting date results in a payable greater than the amount 
accrued. In addition, Bega Cheese is currently subject to separate legal actions by each of Kraft Heinz and Fonterra (refer to note 1), the outcome 
of which is uncertain at the date of this report. Based on all available information and professional advice, management considers there are no 
significant contingent liabilities at 30 June 2020. The Group has bank guarantees as at 30 June 2020 totalling $6,138,970 (2019: $5,872,000).

27.  Commitments

A.  Capital commitments

Capital expenditure contracted for at the reporting date but not recognised as liabilities is as follows:

Plant and equipment - payable within one year

Land and buildings - payable within one year

B.  Lease commitments

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

4,703

-

2019 
$’000

19,394 

6,482 

From 1 July 2019, the Group recognises lease commitments as lease liabilities under the new accounting standard AASB 16. Lease commitments 
as at 30 June 2019 have been reconciled to the opening lease liability adjustment. Refer to note 33a.

28. Subsequent events

The financial impact of the transactions set out below which occurred after 30 June 2020 has not been recognised in these financial statements.

A.  Dividend

On 27 August 2020, the Directors declared a final fully franked dividend of 5.0 cents per share, which represents a distribution of $10,722,000.

The  Group’s  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  (DRP)  will  be  activated  for  the  FY2020  final  fully  franked  dividend.  The  DRP  is  optional  and  offers 
ordinary shareholders in Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to acquire fully paid ordinary shares without transaction costs. Shares  allocated 
under the DRP will be derived from new issued ordinary shares. The shares issued rank pari passu with other ordinary shares already on issue. 
The allocation price will be determined in accordance with the DRP rules as the arithmetic average of the daily volume weighted average market 
price of all Bega Cheese Limited shares sold through a normal trade on the ASX trading system over the five business days commencing on the 
day of the record date.

A shareholder can elect to participate in or terminate their involvement in the DRP at any time. Election notices for participation in the DRP in 
relation to the FY2020 final fully franked dividend to be paid on 7 October 2020 must be recorded by the registry by 5:00 pm on 10 September 2020 
to be effective for that dividend.

B.  Restructure

During July 2020, the Group announced that following the ongoing organisation and process review, there would be 35 redundancies across the 
business. In addition, the Group intends to implement an optimisation strategy at our processed cheese making facilities at Strathmerton and 
Ridge Street Bega with a further 63 roles to become redundant during the period of August to October 2021. The Group expects the restructuring 
associated with the reduction in positions to cost approximately $5.1 million for FY2021. 

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73

Further details

29. Related party transactions

A.  Terms and conditions of related party transactions

Transactions between the Group and related parties are conducted on normal commercial terms and conditions.

B.  Related party transactions with group entities

Details of transactions between the Group and other related parties are disclosed below. 

During the period the Group had the following transactions with CCFA:

Sales made to CCFA

Rent paid by CCFA to Bega Cheese

Amounts payable by CCFA to Bega Cheese at period end

Further details of the joint venture are included in note 24.

C.  Key management personnel remuneration and transactions

Short-term employee benefits

Post-employment benefits

Other long-term employee benefits

Share-based payments

Total employee benefits

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ 

8,114,217

237,468

1,914,156

2019 
$

7,507,924 

233,736 

1,166,039 

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ 

2019 
$

2,879,082

2,631,717 

146,965 

107,975

 (193,881) 

2,940,141

129,394 

201,252 

62,856 

3,025,219 

During  the  year,  some  Directors  and  their  related  entities  had  transactions  with  the  Group  relating  to  the  supply  of  milk  (Supplier  Directors). 
In addition, the Group made available to all suppliers in the year the opportunity to participate in the Milk Supply Premium program, which all 
Supplier Directors have contracted to do. These transactions were on the same normal commercial terms as other suppliers and are summarised 
in the table below:

Payments made by the Group during the year

Amounts outstanding at year end

Further details of key management personnel remuneration are disclosed in the Remuneration Report.

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ 

8,440,785 

521,141 

2019 
$

7,150,526 

543,743 

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS30. Remuneration of auditors

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$ 

2019 
$

Audit services

PwC Australia - Audit and review of financial statements

870,261

917,500 

Non-audit services

PwC Australia - Other services

38,250

80,384 

From time to time the Group may engage PwC Australia on assignments additional to the statutory audit duties where their experiences with the 
Group is important, provided such assignments do not give rise to a potential conflict of interest. During the current and prior years PwC provided 
non-audit services relating to GST compliance, tax compliance and share schemes. 

31.  Share-based payments

Expenses arising from Bega Cheese Limited Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Long-term Incentive Plans (LTIs) are designed to provide long-term incentives to the CEO and executive team to deliver shareholder returns. 
Under the 2018-2020 LTI Plan (2020 Plan), the 2019-2020 LTI Plan (2021 Plan) and the 2020-2022 LTI Plan (2022 Plan), each member of the 
executive team is granted share rights which only vest if certain performance standards are met.

The total number of performance rights outstanding at 30 June 2020 were 349,081 (2019: 261,176). The 2020 Plan did not vest, resulting in a 
write-back of amounts expensed in previous years. 

Details of the movements in LTI performance rights are disclosed in the Remuneration Report.

Entitlements due under employee share schemes

(Benefit)/expense in relation to Long Term Incentive Plan

Total employee share scheme (benefit)/expense

CONSOLIDATED

2020 
$’000 

(780)

(780)

2019 
$’000

688

688

The movement on the share-based payment reserve is included in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.

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32. Restatements

In the 30 June 2019 financial statements, Bega did not appropriately calculate its costs of sales, resulting in an understatement of trade and other 
payables of $9.0 million, an overstatement of inventories of $1.5 million together with the related tax impact of $3.2 million at 30 June 2019.  
The error has been corrected by restating the 30 June 2019 trade and other payables and inventories balances within these financial statements 
and a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings. 

Consolidated balance sheet (extracts)

Inventories

Current tax assets

Trade and other payables

Net assets

Retained earnings*

Total equity

30 June 2019
(Previously 
stated) 
$’000

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
$’000

30 June 2019 
(Restated) 
$’000

274,146 

6,008 

265,866 

822,836 

322,032 

822,386 

(1,521)

3,160 

9,011 

(7,372)

(7,372)

(7,372)

272,625 

9,168 

274,877 

815,014 

314,660 

815,014 

The restatement does affect the Statement of Comprehensive Income for the 12 month period to 30 June 2019, resulting in an increase in cost 
of sales of $10.5 million to $1,140.2 million and a decrease in the current tax expense of $3.2 million to $3.9 million. 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income  
and segment information (extracts)

Revenue

Cost of sales

Gross profit

EBITDA

EBIT

Profit before income tax

Income tax expense

Profit for the period attributable to owners of Bega Cheese Limited

Basic earnings per share (cents)

Diluted earnings per share (cents)

30 June 2019
(Previously 
stated) 
$’000

1,419,952 

(1,129,674)

290,278 

89,465 

38,863 

18,911 

(7,092)

11,819 

5.7 

5.7 

Increase/ 
(Decrease) 
$’000

30 June 2019 
(Restated) 
$’000

 - 

1,419,952 

(10,532)

(10,532)

(10,532)

(10,532)

(10,532)

3,160 

(7,372)

(3.6)

(3.6)

(1,140,206)

279,746 

78,933 

28,331 

8,379 

(3,932)

4,447 

2.1 

2.1 

Basic and diluted EPS has been restated for 30 June 2019 in these financial statements. The amount of the correction for basic and diluted 
earnings per share was a decrease of 3.6 cents.

* The Group has reassessed certain deferred tax liabilities relating to acquired assets from business acquisitions in the year ending 30 June 2019 
and  prior  years  increasing  deferred  tax  liabilities  by  $14.5  million.  Due  to  the  profile  of  the  relevant  acquisitions,  part  of  the  adjustment 
($10.9 million) is reflected against goodwill relating to the acquisition in the year ending 30 June 2019, with the remainder ($3.6 million) through 
opening balance retained earnings as at 1 July 2018. There was no impact to the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS33. Summary of significant accounting policies

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial report are set out below. These policies have been consistently 
applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. The financial statements are for the consolidated entity consisting of Bega Cheese 
and the entities it controlled at year end or from time to time during the financial year. Bega Cheese is domiciled in New South Wales and is 
incorporated in Australia.

The financial statements were authorised for issue by the Directors on 27 August 2020. The Directors have the power to amend and re-issue the 
financial statements.

A.  Basis of preparation

These general-purpose financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations issued 
by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), and the Corporations Act 2001. Bega Cheese is a for-profit entity for the purpose of 
preparing the financial statements and is a company limited by shares.

Compliance with IFRS

The consolidated financial statements of Bega Cheese also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

Early adoption of standards

The Group has elected not to apply any pronouncements before their operative date in the annual reporting period beginning 1 July 2019. 

Adoption of new standards

On 1 July 2019, the Group adopted AASB 16 Leases. There are no other standards that are not yet effective and that would be expected to have 
a material impact on the Group in the current or future reporting periods and on foreseeable future transactions.

AASB 16 Leases

On adoption of this new leasing standard, the Group recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as 
‘operating leases’ under the principles of AASB 117 Leases. Under the new standard the Group is required to recognise a ‘right-of-use’ (ROU) 
asset  and  a  lease  liability  for  all  identified  leased  assets  in  the  balance  sheet.  Operating  lease  payments  were  replaced  by  a  straight-line 
depreciation charge on the ROU Asset and a finance charge calculated on the present value of the lease liability, over the lease term. The principal 
component of lease payments have been reclassified in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows from operating activities to financing activities.

Lease liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted using the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate 
as of 1 July 2019. The weighted average lessee’s incremental borrowing rate applied to the lease liabilities on 1 July 2019 was 6.55% for leases 
with greater than a 5-year term and 4.31% for all remaining leases.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the operating lease commitments disclosed in the 2019 Annual Report to the total lease liability 
recognised at 1 July 2019:

Lease Commitments as at 30 June 2019

Add: contracts reassessed as lease contracts

Add: amount lease liability >than PV of operating lease due to extended term recognised under new standard

(Less): short-term leases recognised on a straight-line basis as an expense

(Less): discounting

Lease liability recognised as at 1 July 2019

The associated right-of-use assets for leases were measured on a retrospective basis as if the new rules had always been applied.

$m

5.0

2.0

4.5

(0.7)

(1.4)

9.4

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77

33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The recognised right-of-use assets relate to the following types of assets:

Asset Type

Properties

Equipment

Motor Vehicles

Total right-of-use assets

Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets

Asset Type

Properties

Equipment

Motor Vehicles

Total right-of-use asset depreciation

1-Jul-19 
$m

30-Jun-20 
$m

4.8

0.9

1.2

6.9

6.6

1.2

1.0

8.8

2020 
$m

1.6

0.7

0.4

2.7

The Group adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective approach at the initial application (1 July 2019), without restating the 
comparative period. Upon initial application an adjustment for the difference between the right-of-use asset and lease liability was recognised in 
retained earnings. Adjustments in respect to deferred tax and deferred rent were also made on adoption. 

The Group has applied practical expedients on transition as permitted by the standard for non-lease components, low-value and short-term 
exemptions applied to the remaining term, portfolios formed for forklifts and motor vehicles by location with similar remaining lease term and the 
weighted average incremental borrowing rate applied to portfolio of leases. 

Historical cost convention

These  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention,  as  modified  by  the  revaluation  of  financial  assets  and 
liabilities (including derivative instruments).

Critical accounting estimates

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  Australian  Accounting  Standards  requires  the  use  of  certain  critical  accounting 
estimates.  It  also  requires  management  to  exercise  its  judgement  in  the  process  of  applying  the  Group’s  accounting  policies.  Areas  where 
assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements are disclosed in note 20. Certain items in the Consolidated Statement of 
Cash Flows have been reclassified in the prior period to better reflect their nature as investing activities rather than operating activities.

Prior year comparative

The presentation of rental revenue has been changed in the current year to better reflect their nature as rental income in other income. The prior 
year comparatives have been restated to reflect consistent presentation with the current year.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

B.  Principles of consolidation

Subsidiaries

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets and liabilities of all subsidiaries of Bega Cheese (Company or parent entity) as at  
30 June 2020 and the results of all subsidiaries for the year then ended. Bega Cheese and the entities it controlled together are referred to in this 
financial report as the ‘Group’ and the ‘consolidated entity’.

Subsidiaries are all entities over which the Group has control. The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable 
returns  from  its  involvement  with  the  entity  and  has  the  ability  to  affect  those  returns  through  its  power  to  direct  the  activities  of  the  entity. 
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group.

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for business combinations by the Group. Intercompany transactions, balances and 
unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides 
evidence  of  the  impairment  of  the  asset  transferred.  Accounting  policies  of  subsidiaries  have  been  changed  where  necessary  to  ensure 
consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

Joint operation

A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations 
for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement.

The Group recognises its direct right to the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of joint operations and its share of any jointly held or incurred 
assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These have been incorporated in the financial statements under the appropriate headings.

When the Group transacts with a joint operation as a joint operator (such as through a sale or contribution of assets), the Group is considered to 
be conducting the transaction with the other parties to the joint operation, and gains and losses resulting from the transactions are recognised in 
the Group’s consolidated financial statements only to the extent of other parties’ interests in the joint operation.

Details relating to the joint operation are set out in note 24.

Joint venture

Interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method, after initially being recognised at cost in the consolidated balance sheet. 

The interest in the joint venture investment is accounted for using the equity method after initially being recognised at cost in the consolidated 
balance  sheet.  Under  the  equity  method  of  accounting,  the  joint  venture  is  initially  recognised  at  cost  and  adjusted  thereafter  to  recognise  
the  Group’s  share  of  post-acquisition  profits  or  losses  of  the  joint  venture  in  profit  or  loss,  and  the  Group’s  share  of  movements  in  other 
comprehensive  income  of  the  joint  venture  in  other  comprehensive  income.  Distributions  received  or  receivable  from  the  joint  venture  are 
recognised as a reduction in the carrying amount of the investment.

Details relating to the joint venture are set out in note 24.

C.  Segment reporting

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with internal reporting provided to the Chief Operating Decision Makers. The Chief 
Operating  Decision  Makers,  who  are  responsible  for  allocating  resources  and  assessing  performance  of  the  operating  segments,  are  the 
Executive Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. 

D.  Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements are presented in Australian dollars, which is Bega Cheese and its subsidiaries’ functional and presentation 
currency.

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. 
Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year end exchange rates of 
monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss, except when they are deferred in equity as 
qualifying cash flow hedges.

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33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

E.  Revenue recognition

Revenue is recognised to the extent that the Group satisfies a performance obligation where control of the goods or services passes to the 
customer, and the transaction price can be readily identified. Revenue is measured at the agreed price being the amount to which the entity 
expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and services. Amounts disclosed as revenue are net of returns, trade allowances, rebates and 
amounts collected on behalf of third parties.

Judgement is used in assessing revenue from customers under product supply contracts that require a periodic reconciliation to specific terms 
of those contracts. From time to time there may be differences of opinion between the Group and the customer as to the amount receivable under 
the contracts. Such differences are usually resolved amicably between the parties having regard to the relevant contract.

Advertising of Bega-owned retail brands in conjunction with certain customers where the Group has some control over the way the money is 
invested, and a similar service could be provided by another party, the cost of this activity has been recognised separately as an advertising 
expense, consistent with prior periods.

The Group does not have any contracts where the period between the transfer of the promised product or services to the customer and payment 
by the customer exceeds one year. Consequently, the Group does not adjust any of the transaction prices for the time value of money.

Revenue is recognised for the major business activities as follows:

Sale of goods and disposal of assets

Revenue from the sale of goods and disposal of other assets is recognised at a point in time when the Group has passed control of promised 
goods or assets to the customer. Transfer of control to the customer occurs when the product has been shipped to the location specified by the 
customer and the customer accepts the product. The delivery terms include cost and freight (CFR) and cost, insurance and freight (CIF). These 
terms mean the Group is responsible for providing shipping services up until the date at which control of the goods passes to the customer.  
The Group assesses these sales at December and June reporting period and adjusts for those where control has not transferred to the customer.

Rebates  and  sale  incentives  to  customers  that  have  variable  consideration  are  only  included  in  revenue  when  it  is  highly  probable  that  the 
inclusion will not result in significant adjustments in the future.

The Group procures some ingredients from customers which are used to produce finished goods sold to the same customers. Payments for 
these ingredients are offset against the revenue earned from those customers where the payments are not deemed to be for distinct goods or 
services as defined in the standard. The Group has not recognised the ingredients purchased from customers as inventory, instead recognising 
the items in other assets.

Services

Revenue from services relating to certain production agreements with customers is recognised over time in the reporting period in which the 
performance obligation is met.

Royalties and rental revenue

Revenue is recognised overtime on an accruals basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreement. Royalties and licence fees for 
use of its brand names with customers is recognised at the later of when the sales or usage occurs, and the performance obligation is satisfied 
(for the use of intellectual property).

Interest income

Interest income is recognised on a time proportion basis using the effective interest method.

Dividends

Dividends are recognised as revenue when the right to receive payment is established.

F.  Government grants

Grants from the government are recognised at their fair value where there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received, and the Group 
will comply with all attached conditions.

Government grants relating to costs are deferred and recognised in profit or loss over the period necessary to match them with the costs that 
they are intended to compensate.

Government grants relating to the purchase of property, plant and equipment are deducted from the cost of the asset and are credited to profit 
or loss on a straight-line basis over the expected lives of the related assets.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

G.  Income tax

The income tax expense or revenue for the period is the tax payable on the current period’s taxable income based on the applicable income tax 
rate adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to temporary differences and to unused tax losses.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Management  periodically  evaluates  positions  taken  in  tax  returns  with  respect  to  situations  in  which  applicable  tax  regulation  is  subject  
to interpretation. It establishes provisions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities 
and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, the deferred income tax is not recognised if it arises from initial 
recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting 
nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the 
reporting date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses only if it is probable that future taxable amounts 
will be available to utilise those temporary differences and losses.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities. Current tax assets 
and tax liabilities are offset where the entity has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the 
asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Current and deferred tax is recognised in profit or loss, except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or 
directly in equity. In this case, the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

H.  Leases

As a result of adopting AASB 16, the Group’s lease accounting policy from 1 July 2019 has been revised.

All leases except for short term or low value leases are recognised on the balance sheet; as a right-of-use lease asset and a corresponding lease 
liability. Short term (12 months or less) and low value leases will continue to be recognised in the profit or loss as a lease expense.

Right-of-use lease assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement 
of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use lease assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease 
payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentive received. Right-of-use lease assets are depreciated on a straight 
line basis in the profit or loss over the lease term.

Lease liabilities are recognised by the Group at the commencement date of the lease and are measured at the present value of lease payments 
to be made over the lease term. Lease payments include fixed payments and variable lease payments that depend on an index or rate.

I.  Business combinations

The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for all business combinations, regardless of whether equity instruments or other assets 
are acquired. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary comprises the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities 
incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred also includes the fair value of any contingent consideration 
arrangement and the fair value of any pre-existing equity interest in the subsidiary.

Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business 
combination are, with limited exceptions, measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the 
Group recognises any non-controlling interest in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest’s proportionate share of the 
acquiree’s net identifiable assets.

The excess of the consideration transferred and the amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net identifiable 
assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. If the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired exceeds the consideration transferred this amount 
is recognised immediately as a gain on bargain purchase in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Where settlement of any part of cash consideration is deferred, the amounts payable in the future are discounted to their present value as at the 
date of exchange. The discount rate used is the entity’s incremental borrowing rate, being the rate at which a similar borrowing could be obtained 
from an independent financier under comparable terms and conditions.

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33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

J. 

Impairment of assets

For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows that are 
largely independent of the cash flows from other assets or groups of assets or cash generating units (CGUs).

The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future 
cash flows are discounted to their present value using a post-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the asset. Fair value measurement is covered by AASB 13 and defines fair value of an asset as the price that would 
be received to sell the asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Group uses a discounted cash 
flow model to assess the fair value less costs of disposal for impairment testing purposes of the Bega Foods and Koroit CGUs.

The Group uses discounted cash flow modelling to assess the fair value less cost of disposal for impairment testing. The estimated future cash 
flows are based on reasonable underlying financial and operational assumptions at the time including having regard to each of:

recent actual historical performance

• 
•  business plans, budgets and other forecasts reflecting the short to medium-term outlook

•  strategic plans defining the longer-term outlook and strategy approved for the business and related identifiable intangible assets.

The future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate reflecting the appropriate weighted average cost of capital based 
on capital market conditions, risk free rates, underlying growth rates and the risks specific to the asset at the time of the assessment. Key cash 
flow and discount rate assumptions are based on management judgement and also refer to external data and input from independent experts 
as required.

Non-financial  assets  other  than  goodwill  that  suffered  an  impairment  are  reviewed  for  possible  reversal  of  the  impairment  at  each  reporting 
period.

K.  Cash and cash equivalents

For the purpose of presentation in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and deposits 
held at call with financial institutions. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities in the balance sheet.

L.  Trade receivables

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less 
provision for impairment. Trade receivables are generally due for settlement within 30 days.

Collectability of trade receivables is reviewed on an on-going basis. Debts that are known to be uncollectible are written off by reducing the 
carrying amount directly. 

A  loss  allowance  provision  (allowance  for  impairment  of  trade  receivables)  is  recognised  for  the  lifetime  expected  credit  losses  from  trade 
receivables. The loss allowance considers the impact of past events including historical loss rates, and exercises judgment over the impact of 
current  and  future  economic  conditions  when  considering  the  recoverability  of  outstanding  trade  receivable  balances  at  the  reporting  date. 
Subsequent changes in economic and market conditions may result in the loss allowance provision increasing or decreasing in future periods. 

Significant financial difficulties of the debtor, probability that the debtor will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganisation, and default or delinquency 
in payments are considered indicators that the trade receivable is impaired. The amount of the impairment allowance is the difference between 
the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective interest rate. Cash flows 
relating to short-term receivables are not discounted if the effect of discounting is immaterial.

The amount of the impairment loss is recognised in profit or loss within administration expense. When a trade receivable for which an impairment 
allowance  had  been  recognised  becomes  uncollectible  in  a  subsequent  period,  it  is  written  off  against  the  allowance  account.  Subsequent 
recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against administration expense in profit or loss.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Derecognition

A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is derecognised when:

•  The rights to receive cash flows from the asset have expired

•  The Group transferred its rights to receive cash flows from the asset or has assumed an obligation to pay the received cash flows in full without 
material delay to a third party under a “pass through” arrangement; and either (a) the Group transferred substantially all the risk and rewards 
of the asset, or (b) the Group has neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risk and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control 
of the asset.

When the Group transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if and to 
what extent it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership.

When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the asset 
is recognised to the extent of the Group’s continuing involvement in the asset. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability.

The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.

M.  Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Costs are assigned to individual items of inventory on hand by the method 
most appropriate to each particular class of inventory, with the majority being valued on a first in first out basis. Milk is valued at average annual 
cost, including committed price increases in respect of the reporting period.

Cost comprises direct materials, direct labour and an appropriate proportion of variable and fixed overhead expenditure, the latter being allocated 
on the basis of normal operating capacity or other appropriate cost allocation apportionments.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated 
costs necessary to make the sale.

N.  Other assets 

Other debtors

The Group procures some ingredients from customers which are used to produce finished goods sold to the same customers. Payments for 
these ingredients are offset against the revenue earned from those customers where the payments are not deemed to be for distinct goods or 
services as defined in the standard.

The Group has not recognised the ingredients purchased from customers as inventory, instead recognising the items in other assets.

Prepayments

The Group recognises upfront payments to suppliers for exclusive supply as a prepayment on the balance sheet. The prepayments are amortised 
on a straight-line basis over the period of exclusive supply. The Group mitigates the credit risk of direct milk suppliers through management of 
payables to the suppliers.

O.  Investments and other financial assets

Loans and receivables

The Group classifies its investments in the following categories: loans and receivables and financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive 
income  financial  assets.  The  classification  depends  on  the  purpose  for  which  the  investments  were  acquired.  Management  determines  the 
classification of its investments at initial recognition.

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are 
included in current assets, except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the reporting date that are classified as non-current 
assets. Loans and receivables are included in trade and other receivables (note 8) in the balance sheet.

Loans and receivables are initially recognised at fair value plus transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial 
asset. They are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method. They are derecognised when the rights to receive 
cash flows from them have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership.

The Group assesses on a forward-looking basis the expected credit losses associated with its debt instruments carried at amortised cost and 
FVOCI. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk. For trade receivables, the 
group applies the simplified approach permitted by AASB 9, which requires expected lifetime losses to be recognised from initial recognition of 
the receivables, see note 12c for further details.

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33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

The amount of the loss is measured as the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows 
(excluding future credit losses that have not been incurred) discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. The carrying amount of the 
asset is reduced and the amount of the loss is recognised in profit or loss.

If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after 
the impairment was recognised (such as an improvement in the debtor’s credit rating), the reversal of the previously recognised impairment loss 
is recognised in profit or loss.

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI)

Certain shares held by the Group are classified as being financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI) and are stated 
at fair value. Fair value is determined in the manner described in note 21. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised 
through other comprehensive income with the exception of impairment losses that are recognised directly in profit or loss. Where the investment 
is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in reserves is included in profit or loss for  
the period.

P.  Derivatives and hedging activities

The Group enters into a variety of derivative financial instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk, including 
forward  foreign  exchange  contracts  and  interest  rate  swaps.  The  Group  does  not  enter  into  derivative  financial  instruments  for  speculative 
purposes.

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value 
at the end of each reporting period. The accounting for subsequent changes in fair value assumes that the derivative is designated as a hedging 
instrument and depends on the nature of the item being hedged.

At the inception of the hedge relationship the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, along 
with its risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and 
on an on-going basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument that is used in a hedging relationship is highly effective in offsetting 
changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.

The fair values of various derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes are disclosed in note 21. Movements in the hedging reserve 
in shareholders’ equity are shown in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity. The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a 
non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is more than 12 months and otherwise as a current asset or liability.

Cash flow hedge

The  effective  portion  of  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  derivatives  that  are  designated  and  qualify  as  cash  flow  hedges  is  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income and accumulated in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss 
within other income or administration expenses.

Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item affects profit or loss (for instance, when the 
forecast sale that is hedged takes place). The gain or loss relating to the effective portion of forward foreign exchange contracts hedging export 
sales is recognised in profit or loss within “revenue”. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-
financial asset (for example, inventory or fixed assets) the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are transferred from equity and included 
in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset. The deferred amounts are ultimately recognised in profit or loss as cost of goods sold in the 
case of inventory, or as depreciation in the case of fixed assets.

When a hedging instrument expires or is sold or terminated, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative 
gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognised when the forecast transaction is ultimately recognised in profit or 
loss. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is immediately reclassified 
to profit or loss.

Fair value hedge

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in profit or loss, together with any 
changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the  hedged  items  that  are  attributable  to  the  hedged  risk.  The  gain  or  loss  relating  to  the  ineffective  portion  is 
recognised in profit or loss within other income or administration expenses.

If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective 
interest method is used is amortised to profit or loss over the period to maturity using a recalculated effective interest rate.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Q.  Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less depreciation. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to 
the acquisition of the items. Cost may also include any gains/losses on qualifying cash flow hedges of foreign currency purchases of property, 
plant and equipment.

Subsequent  costs  are  included  in  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  or  recognised  as  a  separate  asset,  as  appropriate,  only  when  it  is  probable  
that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. The carrying 
amount of any replaced part is derecognised. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to profit or loss during the reporting period in which 
they are incurred.

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate their cost or revalued amounts,  
net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

•  buildings, 10 to 40 years

•  plant and equipment, 2 to 20 years.

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if appropriate, at the end of each reporting period.

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the assets carrying amount is greater than its estimated 
recoverable amount.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with the carrying amount. These are included in profit or loss.

R.  Intangible assets

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired 
subsidiary at the date of acquisition. Goodwill on acquisition of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets.

Goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be 
impaired and is carried at cost less accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount 
of goodwill related to that entity.

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units or 
groups of cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose.

Brands and other identifiable intangible assets

Brands and other identifiable intangible assets purchased by the Group are initially recognised at cost, or at their fair value if acquired as part of 
a business combination.

These identifiable intangible assets are subsequently measured:

• 

• 

if they have a finite life, at cost less amortisation, and

if they have an indefinite life, at cost less accumulated impairment losses.

Finite  life  brands  or  other  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  amortised  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  shorter  of  their  contractual  or  useful 
economic life, being three to 25 years. They are also tested for impairment when an indicator of impairment may exist.

Indefinite  life  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  not  amortised  but  are  instead  tested  for  impairment  annually,  or  more  frequently  if  there  is  an 
indicator  of  impairment.  Brands  or  other  identifiable  intangible  assets  are  determined  to  have  an  indefinite  life  where  there  is  an  intention  to 
maintain and support the brand or other intangible asset for an indefinite period.

Such assets are tested for impairment in accordance with the policy stated in note 33j.

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33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Development costs that are directly attributable to the design and testing of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group 
are recognised as intangible assets when the following criteria are met:

it is technically feasible to complete the software so that it will be available for use

• 
•  management intends to complete the software and use it
• 
• 
•  adequate technical, financial and other resources to complete the development and to use the software are available, and

there is an ability to use the software
it can be demonstrated how the software will generate probable future economic benefits

• 

the expenditure attributable to the software during its development can be reliably measured.

Directly attributable costs that are capitalised as part of the software include employee costs and an appropriate portion of relevant overheads.

Capitalised development costs are recorded as intangible assets and will be amortised from the point at which the asset is ready for use using 
the straight line method over its estimated useful life, being three to 10 years.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognised separately from goodwill are initially recognised at their fair value at the 
acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost).

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible asset acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortisation and 
accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

S.  Trade and other payables

These amounts represent liabilities for goods and services provided to the Group prior to the end of the financial year that are unpaid. Trade and 
other payables are presented as current liabilities unless payment is not due within 12 months from the reporting date. They are recognised initially 
at their fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

T.  Borrowings

Establishment fees are capitalised against borrowings and amortised over the period of the facility to which it relates. Should it be probable that 
the facility will not be fully utilised, the related establishment fees are written off to profit and loss as soon as the underutilisation has been identified.

Borrowings are classified as current liabilities unless the Group has an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least 12 months 
after the reporting date.

Borrowing costs are expensed as incurred unless they relate to significant qualifying assets.

U.  Provisions

Provisions for legal claims, warranties and make good obligations are recognised when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation 
as a result of past events, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and the amount has been reliably 
estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likelihood that an outflow will be required in settlement is determined by considering the class 
of obligations as a whole. A provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow with respect to any one item included in the same class of 
obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of management’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation at the 
reporting date. The discount rate used to determine the present value reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the 
risks specific to the liability. The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as interest expense.

V.  Employee benefits

Short-term obligations

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and vesting sick leave that are expected to be settled within 12 months after 
the end of the period in which the employees render the related service are recognised in respect of employees’ services up to the end of the 
reporting period and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled. The liability for accumulating sick leave 
and  annual  leave  is  recognised  in  the  provision  for  employee  benefits.  All  other  short-term  employee  benefit  obligations  are  presented  
as payables.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Other long-term employee benefit obligations

The liability for long service leave and annual leave which is not expected to be settled within 12 months after the end of the period in which the 
employees render the related service is recognised in the provision for employee benefits and measured as the present value of expected future 
payments to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to the end of the reporting period. Consideration is given to expected 
future wage and salary levels, experience of employee departures and periods of service.

Expected future payments are discounted using market yields at the end of the reporting period on high quality corporate bonds with terms to 
maturity that match, as closely as possible, the estimated future cash outflows.

The obligations are presented as current liabilities in the balance sheet if the entity does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement for at 
least twelve months after the reporting date, regardless of when the actual settlement is expected to occur.

Retirement benefit obligations

All employees of the Group are entitled to benefits from the Group’s superannuation plan on retirement, disability or death. All employees receive 
fixed contributions from the Group and the Group’s legal or constructive obligation is limited to these contributions.

Share-based payments

The fair value of rights granted under the Bega Cheese Limited Long-Term Incentive Plan is recognised as an employee benefit expense with a 
corresponding  increase  in  equity.  The  total  amount  to  be  expensed  is  determined  by  reference  to  the  fair  value  of  the  rights  granted  at  the 
beginning of the scheme, which includes any market performance conditions and the impact of any non-vesting conditions.

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of performance rights that are expected to vest. The total expense 
is recognised over the vesting period, which is the period over which all of the specified vesting conditions are to be satisfied. At the end of each 
period,  the  entity  revises  its  estimates  of  the  number  of  performance  rights  that  are  expected  to  vest  based  on  the  non-marketing  vesting 
conditions. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in profit or loss, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

Profit-sharing and bonus plans

The  Group  recognises  a  liability  and  an  expense  for  bonuses  and  profit  sharing  based  on  a  formula  that  takes  into  consideration  the  profit 
attributable to the Company’s shareholders after certain adjustments. The Group recognises a liability where contractually obliged or where there 
is a past practice that has created a constructive obligation.

W.  Contributed equity

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares are shown in equity as a deduction, 
net of tax, from the proceeds.

X.  Dividends

Provision is made for the amount of any dividend declared, being appropriately authorised and no longer at the discretion of the entity, on or 
before the end of the reporting period but not distributed at the end of the reporting period.

Y.  Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to owners of the Company by the weighted average number of ordinary 
shares outstanding during the financial year.

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share to take into account:

• 

• 

the after income tax effect of interest and other financing costs associated with dilutive potential ordinary shares

the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential 
ordinary shares.

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33. Summary of significant accounting policies (cont.)

Z.  Research and development costs

Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense in the period in which it is incurred. Where no internally-generated intangible asset 
can be recognised, development expenditure is recognised as an expense in the period as incurred.

AA. Goods and Services Tax (GST)

Revenues,  expenses  and  assets  are  recognised  net  of  the  amount  of  associated  GST,  unless  the  GST  incurred  is  not  recoverable  from  the 
taxation authority. In this case it is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of the expense. Receivables and payables 
are stated inclusive of the amount of GST receivable or payable. The net amount of GST recoverable from, or payable to, the taxation authority is 
included with other receivables or payables in the balance sheet. Cash flows are presented on a gross basis. The GST components of cash flows 
arising from investing or financing activities which are recoverable from, or payable to the taxation authority, are presented as operating cash flows.

AB. Rounding of amounts

The Company is of a kind referred to in Instrument 2016/191, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, relating to the 
‘rounding  off’  of  amounts  in  the  financial  statements.  Amounts  in  the  financial  statements  have  been  rounded  off  in  accordance  with  that 
Instrument to the nearest thousand dollars, or in certain cases, the nearest dollar.

AC. Parent entity financial information

The financial information for the parent entity, Bega Cheese, disclosed in note 23 has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated 
financial statements, except as set out below:

i. 

Investments in subsidiaries and joint venture entities

 Investments in subsidiaries and joint venture entities are accounted for at cost in the financial statements of Bega Cheese.

ii.  Dividend income

Dividends receivable from subsidiaries and joint venture entities are included in Bega Cheese’s income statement.

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSDirectors’ Declaration

In the Directors’ opinion

a. 

 the financial statements and notes set out on pages 40 to 87 are 
in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including

i. 

ii. 

 complying  with  Accounting  Standards, 
the  Corporations 
Regulations  2001  and  other  mandatory  professional  reporting 
requirements; and

 giving  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  consolidated  entity’s  financial 
position as at 30 June 2020 and of its performance for the financial 
year ended on that date; and

b. 

 there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Group will be able 
to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable, and

c. 

 at  the  date  of  this  declaration,  there  are  reasonable  grounds  to 
believe that the members of the extended closed Group identified 
in note 25 will be able to meet any obligations or liabilities to which 
they are, or may become, subject by virtue of the deed of cross 
guarantee described in note 25.

Note  33a  confirms  that  the  financial  statements  also  comply  with 
International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as 
issued  by  the 
International Accounting Standards Board.

The Directors have been given the declarations by the Chief Executive 
Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  required  by  section  295A  of  the 
Corporations Act 2001.

This  declaration  is  made  in  accordance  with  a  resolution  of  the 
Directors.

Barry Irvin
Executive Chairman 
Bega

Raelene Murphy
Independent Director
Melbourne

27 August 2020

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Independent Auditor’s Report

Independent auditor’s report 
To the members of Bega Cheese Limited 
Independent auditor’s report 
Report on the audit of the financial report 
To the members of Bega Cheese Limited 
Our opinion 
Report on the audit of the financial report 
In our opinion: 

performance for the year then ended  

performance for the year then ended  

The accompanying financial report of Bega Cheese Limited (the Company) and its controlled entities 
Our opinion 
(together the Group) is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 
In our opinion: 
(a)  giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of its financial 
The accompanying financial report of Bega Cheese Limited (the Company) and its controlled entities 
(together the Group) is in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001, including: 
(b)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 
(a)  giving a true and fair view of the Group's financial position as at 30 June 2020 and of its financial 
What we have audited 
The Group financial report comprises: 
(b)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001. 
● 
What we have audited 
● 
The Group financial report comprises: 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
● 
Basis for opinion 
● 
● 
We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 
Basis for opinion 
section of our report. 

the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2020 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended 
the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended 
the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2020 
the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended 
the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended 
the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies 
the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended 
the directors’ declaration. 
the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended 
the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary of significant accounting policies 
the directors’ declaration. 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. Our responsibilities under 
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 
our opinion. 
section of our report. 

Independence 
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for 
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the 
our opinion. 
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical 
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence 
Independence 
Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also 
We are independent of the Group in accordance with the auditor independence requirements of the 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. 
Corporations Act 2001 and the ethical requirements of the Accounting Professional and Ethical 
Standards Board’s APES 110 Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (including Independence 
Standards) (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the financial report in Australia. We have also 
fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. 

PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
One International Towers Sydney, Watermans Quay, Barangaroo, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY  NSW  2001 
T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au 
Level 11, 1PSQ, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, PO Box 1155 Parramatta NSW 2124 
PricewaterhouseCoopers, ABN 52 780 433 757 
T: +61 2 9659 2476, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au 
One International Towers Sydney, Watermans Quay, Barangaroo, GPO BOX 2650, SYDNEY  NSW  2001 
T: +61 2 8266 0000, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au 
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 
Level 11, 1PSQ, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta NSW 2150, PO Box 1155 Parramatta NSW 2124 
T: +61 2 9659 2476, F: +61 2 8266 9999, www.pwc.com.au 

▲

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

89

 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
Our audit approach 

An audit is designed to provide reasonable assurance about whether the financial report is free from 
material misstatement. Misstatements may arise due to fraud or error. They are considered material if 
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of the financial report. 

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed enough work to be able to give an opinion 
on the financial report as a whole, taking into account the geographic and management structure of the 
Group, its accounting processes and controls and the industry in which it operates. 

Materiality 

●  For the purpose of our audit, we used overall Group materiality of $2.2 million, which represents 
approximately 2.5% of the Group's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.  

●  We applied this threshold, together with qualitative considerations, to determine the scope of our audit and 
the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements on the 
financial report as a whole. 

●  We chose Group earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation because, in our view, it is the 

benchmark against which the performance of the Group is most commonly measured.  

●  We utilised a 2.5% threshold based on our professional judgement, noting it is within the range of commonly 

acceptable thresholds.  

Audit Scope 

●  Our audit focused on where the Group made subjective judgements; for example, significant accounting 

estimates involving assumptions and inherently uncertain future events. 

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Key audit matters 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our 
audit of the financial report for the current period. The key audit matters were addressed in the context of 
our audit of the financial report as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a 
separate opinion on these matters. Further, any commentary on the outcomes of a particular audit 
procedure is made in that context. We communicated the key audit matters to the Audit and Risk 
Committee. 

Key audit matter 

How our audit addressed the key audit matter 

The carrying value of goodwill and other 
indefinite lived intangible assets - Bega Foods 
& Koroit 
(Refer to note 12) $487 million 

At the year end, the Group recognised goodwill and 
indefinite lived intangible assets in relation to the Bega 
Foods and Koroit cash generating units (CGUs) of $487 
million. The Group assesses goodwill and other 
indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment 
annually at the CGU level. 

The carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite 
lived intangibles was a key audit matter due to:

● The magnitude of the goodwill and indefinite 

lived intangible asset balances.

● The accounting judgement in determining the 
Group’s CGUs following recent acquisitions.

● The judgements required by the Group in 
assessing whether an impairment was 
required. Key judgements are made in the 
Group’s “fair value less costs to dispose” 
models (the models used to determine the 
recoverable amount of each CGU).

We performed the following procedures amongst 
others: 

● We obtained the Group’s models for the Bega
Foods and Koroit CGUs and checked the
mathematical accuracy of the calculations.

● We considered whether the Group’s

determination of CGUs was consistent with
our understanding of the nature of the
Group’s operations and internal Group
reporting.

● We evaluated the Group’s cash flow forecasts

and the process by which they were
developed, with reference to the historical
performance of the businesses.

● We compared the forecasts in the models to

the Board approved budgets.

● We were assisted by PwC valuation experts in
assessing the methodologies and the main
assumptions included in the models. In
particular, we compared the discount and long
term growth rates used in the models with
rates generally observed in the industry.
● We assessed key growth assumptions within
the models with specific focus on forecast
revenue, profit margins and milk intake
against historical performance, future
strategic plans and other market
information.

● We assessed the sensitivity of the calculations
by varying the key assumptions, using a range
of possible rates.

We considered the accounting policies and disclosures 
in note 12 and in note 33 for consistency with 
Australian Accounting Standards.      

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BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORTInventory valuation 
(Refer to note 10) $257.4 million 

This was a key audit matter because:

Amongst other procedures we:

● The inventory provisioning process is complex

and there are different approaches across the
Group due to the nature of the inventory.
● Provisioning for quality and obsolescence

issues requires judgement around the likely
sales volumes, expected future sales and level
of quality provisioning required.

● Recent volatility in global commodity prices
increases the risk of inventory cost being in
excess of its net realisable value.

Restatement 
(Refer to note 32) $10.5 million 

In the 30 June 2019 financial statements, the cost of 
sales was not appropriately calculated, resulting in a 
$9.0 million understatement of trade and other 
payables and a $1.5 million overstatement of inventory, 
together with a related tax impact of $3.2 million at 30 
June 2019.  This error has been corrected by restating 
the 30 June 2019 trade and other payables, inventories 
and current tax asset balances within these financial 
statements and a corresponding adjustment to retained 
earnings. 

This was considered a key audit matter due to the 
financial significance of the restatement.      

● Read the minutes of Board meetings to

identify potential quality issues.

● Discussed quality issues with management
and feasibility of plans for re-processing or
disposal of inventory.

● Discussed quality claims from customers with
management and analysed credit notes and
other sales adjustments processed after year
end.

● Scanned inventory listings for unusual items,

including aged inventory items.
● Analysed a sample of inventory sold

subsequent to year-end for evidence of
potential net realisable value concerns.

● Considered the adequacy of provisions against
inventory in light of the procedures performed
above.

We obtained the Group’s calculation of the restatement 
and performed the following procedures, amongst 
others: 

● Tested the mathematical accuracy and 

assessed the adequacy of the methodology of 
the calculations used by the Group to identify 
and quantify the error.

● Agreed a sample of inputs to the calculation of 

the error to underlying evidence.

● Obtained account reconciliations for a sample 
of accounts across the Group as at 30 June 
2019 and 31 December 2019 and evaluated 
whether each reconciliation had been 
adequately performed.

We considered the adequacy of the disclosure in note 
32 in the light of the requirements of Australian 
Accounting Standards. 

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Other information 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information 
included in the annual report for the year ended 30 June 2020, but does not include the financial report 
and our auditor’s report thereon. 

Our opinion on the financial report does not cover the other information and accordingly we do not 
express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. 

In connection with our audit of the financial report, our responsibility is to read the other information 
and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial 
report or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. 

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of 
this auditor’s report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are 
required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. 

Responsibilities of the directors for the financial report 

The directors of the Company  are responsible for the preparation of the financial report that gives a true 
and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 and for 
such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of the financial 
report that gives a true and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error. 

In preparing the financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the ability of the Group to 
continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the 
going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease 
operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial report 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial report as a whole is free 
from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes 
our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit 
conducted in accordance with the Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material 
misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, 
individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of 
users taken on the basis of the financial report. 

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial report is located at the Auditing 
and Assurance Standards Board website at:  
https://www.auasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/ar1_2020.pdf 
This description forms part of our auditor's report. 

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93

BEGA CHEESE LIMITED 2020  |  INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 
Report on the remuneration report 

Our opinion on the remuneration report 

We have audited the remuneration report included in pages 17 to 27 of the directors’ report for the year 
ended 30 June 2020. 

In our opinion, the remuneration report of Bega Cheese Limited for the year ended 30 June 2020 
complies with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

Responsibilities 

The directors of the Company are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the remuneration 
report in accordance with section 300A of the Corporations Act 2001. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on the remuneration report, based on our audit conducted in accordance with Australian 
Auditing Standards.  

PricewaterhouseCoopers 

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Paddy Carney 
Partner 

Paddy Carney
Partner 

Sydney 
27 August 2020 

Sydney
27 August 2020

94

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The shareholder information set out below was applicable as at 30 June 2020:

Distribution of Equity Securities

Holding

1 – 1,000

1,001 – 5,000

5,001 – 10,000

10,001 – 100,000

100,001 and over

Number

5,491

4,623

1,305

 899

161

12,479

There were 933 holders of less than a marketable parcel of ordinary shares.

Equity Security Holders

The names of the twenty largest holders of quoted equity securities are listed below:

Investor Name

Number of Shares % of Total Shares on Issue

1 Ethical Partners Funds Management Pty Limited

2 Perpetual Limited

3 Vinva Investment Management Limited

4 Dimensional Fund Advisors Limited

5 Spheria Asset Management Pty Limited

6 The Vanguard Group, Inc

7 Vanguard Investments Australia Limited

8 BlackRock Investments, LLC

9 Argo Investments Limited

10 Messrs Roy A & Anthony P Medich

11 Realindex Investments Pty Limited

12 Jerang Pty Limited*

13 IFM Investors Pty Limited

14 AMP Capital Investors Limited

15 JL & KD Kimber

16 BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited

17 State Street Global Advisors Australia Limited

18 Mr Richard E Platts

19 Aljo Pastoral Pty Limited*

20 Norges Bank Investment Management

17,866,877 

16,179,058 

8,787,619 

7,465,328 

7,027,618 

6,155,175 

5,478,410 

4,063,737 

3,568,294 

2,742,360 

2,708,415 

2,668,995 

2,203,699 

2,196,695 

2,142,923 

2,042,102 

2,027,678 

2,020,000 

2,007,841 

1,918,812 

8.3 

7.5 

4.1 

3.5 

3.3 

2.9 

2.6 

1.9 

1.7 

1.3 

1.3 

1.2 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

0.9 

0.9 

0.9 

0.9 

Total

101,271,636 

47.2 

*Shareholdings related to KMP including Directors are detailed in the Remuneration Report.

Substantial holders

Voting rights

No  shareholder  holds  more  than  15%  of  the  issued  capital  of  the 
Company. Under the Company’s constitution a shareholder limit of 15% 
is  in  place  until  16  August  2021.  In  accordance  with  Rule  3.10  of  the 
Bega Cheese Limited Constitution, at the 2015 Annual General Meeting 
the  shareholders  voted  to  increase  the  shareholder  limit  to  15%  for  a 
further five years from 17 August 2016, after which time it will be removed.

On a show of hands every member present at a meeting in person or by 
proxy shall have one vote and upon a poll each share shall have one vote.

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95

Shareholder InformationCorporate Directory

Advisors

Auditor

PricewaterhouseCoopers
One International Towers Sydney
Watermans Quay
Barangaroo NSW 2000

Solicitors

Addisons
Level 12, 60 Carrington Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Bankers

Rabobank Australia Limited
Level 16, Darling Park Tower 3
201 Sussex Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Westpac Banking Corporation 
360 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
192-194 Carp Street
Bega NSW 2550

Stock Exchange Listing

Bega Cheese Limited shares are listed 
on the Australian Securities Exchange
(ASX) – Code BGA

Entity Information

Bega Cheese Limited

Trading as “Bega Cheese” 

ABN 81 008 358 503

Directors &  
Company Secretaries

Directors

Barry Irvin
Executive Chairman

Richard Cross
Director

Patria Mann
Independent Director

Raelene Murphy
Independent Director

Terry O’Brien
Independent Director

Richard Parbery
Director

Company Secretaries

Brett Kelly
Colin Griffin

The  Annual  Report  includes  the  results  of  Bega  Cheese  Limited  (Bega  Cheese, 
Company  or  parent  entity)  and  the  results  of  the  subsidiaries,  joint  venture  and  joint 
operation.  Bega  Cheese  and  its  subsidiaries  together  are  referred  to  in  this  financial 
report as the Bega Cheese Group (Group or consolidated entity).

Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd

Tatura Milk Industries Pty Ltd (Tatura Milk) is a 100% subsidiary of Bega Cheese.

Peanut Company of Australia Pty Ltd

Peanut Company of Australia Pty Ltd (PCA) is a 100% subsidiary of Bega Cheese.

Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd

Capitol Chilled Foods (Australia) Pty Ltd (joint venture or CCFA) is the 25% joint venture 
of Bega Cheese.

180 Nutrition Pty Ltd

180 Nutrition Pty Ltd (180 Nutrition) is a 61% subsidiary of Bega Cheese.

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Executive Team

Paul van Heerwaarden
Chief Executive Officer

Peter Findlay
Chief Financial Officer

Colin Griffin
Executive General Manager Contract 
Manufacturing

Mark McDonald
Executive General Manager Dairy Ingredients

David McKinnon
Executive General Manager Human 
Resources

Adam McNamara
Executive General Manager Bega Foods

Stephen Rae
Executive General Manager Strategy

Hamish Reid
Executive General Manager Nutritionals

Antonietta Timms
Executive General Manager Operational 
Excellence

Principal Registered Office

23 Ridge Street
Bega NSW 2550
T: 02 6491 7777
E: admin@bega.com.au
W: www.begacheese.com.au

Share Registry

Link Market Services Limited 
Tower 4, 727 Collins Street
Docklands VIC 3008
T: 1300 554 474

Reporting Period

This Annual Report is for the year 
ended 30 June 2020 and is referred 
to as FY2020

Our Sites

QLD

NSW

VIC

TOLGA
12 Tostevin Street  
Tolga QLD 4882 Australia

KINGAROY
133 Haly Street 
Kingaroy QLD 4610 Australia 

BEGA CHEESE MANUFACTURE
11-13 Lagoon Street 
Bega NSW 2550 Australia

BEGA HEAD OFFICE AND 
PROCESSING & PACKAGING PLANT
23-45 Ridge Street  
Bega NSW 2550 Australia

TATURA
236 Hogan Street  
Tatura VIC 3616 Australia

STRATHMERTON
Murray Valley Highway  
Strathmerton VIC 3641 Australia

KOROIT
41 Commercial Road 
Koroit VIC 3282 Australia

PORT MELBOURNE
1 Vegemite Way 
Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Australia

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