Quarterlytics / Healthcare / Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic / Canopy Growth Corporation / FY2017 Annual Report

Canopy Growth Corporation
Annual Report 2017

CGC · NASDAQ Healthcare
Claim this profile
Ticker CGC
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Healthcare
Industry Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Employees 1029
← All annual reports
FY2017 Annual Report · Canopy Growth Corporation
Loading PDF…
C

o

s

t

a

G

r

o

u

p

H

o

l

d

i

n

g

s

L

i

m

i

t

e

d

–

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

2

0

1

7

Costa Group 
Holdings Limited

Strength in Diversity

Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contents

02  Chairman’s Report 

04  Managing Director’s Review

06  Company Profile

10  Harvest Calendar

12  Sustainability Report 

23  Directors’ Report

48  Auditor’s Independence Declaration

49  Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income

50  Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

51  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

52  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

53  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Report

91  Directors’ Declaration 

92 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

98  Shareholder Information 

100  Corporate Directory

Costa is Australia’s leading 
grower, packer and 
marketer of premium 
quality fresh fruit and 
vegetables.

Corporate Governance Statement
Costa Group’s 2017 Corporate Governance Statement is located at 
http://investors.costagroup.com.au/investor-centre/?page=corporate-governance

Costa Group Holdings Limited ABN 68 151 363 129

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  01

Chairman’s Report

Innovation in our production practices has 
been key to our ability to increase crop yields 
and achieve a more efficient return on our 
invested capital. 

Overview

The 2017 financial year saw Costa deliver a 
$60.7 million underlying Net Profit After Tax 
(NPAT-S before material items), a result which 
reflects the success of the growth strategy 
we have been pursuing and will continue 
to pursue over the coming years. This has 
included expanding our domestic and 
international berry growing footprint, 
investing in more efficient production 
methods such as substrate cultivation and 
adding to our protected cropping assets, 
including a new tomato glasshouse facility 
in FY2016. 

During the year the Board approved the 
acquisition of two avocado businesses in 
conjunction with the Macquarie Agricultural 
Management Fund, and the expansion of our 
South Australian mushroom facility, which 
when completed will double its production 
capacity and create an additional 200 jobs 
in the local community.

Avocados have been identified by the 
Company as a growth category and are 
the second fastest growing fresh produce 
category globally, only behind blueberries. 
The fact that we are the biggest blueberry 
grower in Australia providing year round 
supply to the major retailers and that we 
have embarked on a strategy to be the 
market leader in avocados, places Costa 
at the forefront of being able to capitalise 
on the volume and value growth that will 
be generated in these categories.

Avocados have been 
identified by the Company 
as a growth category and 
are the second fastest 
growing fresh produce 
category globally, only  
behind blueberries.

Our international segment is now making 
a meaningful contribution to our performance, 
with our African Blue business in Morocco 
supplying the growing UK and European 
markets. The UK berry market alone is worth 
more than £1 billion and the blueberry 
varieties that we grow in Morocco are 
primarily from genetics developed by 
Costa in Australia.

We now have operations in China presently 
across two farms located at Bailing and Manlai 
in southern China, producing blueberries and 
raspberries, with an initial small planting 
of blackberries completed during the year. 
The Chinese market offers considerable 
opportunities in the way product is sold to 
the consumer, and the market has shown 
a willingness to pay a premium value for 
large, high-quality, fresh blueberries.

Innovation in our production practices has 
been key to our ability to increase crop yields 
and achieve a more efficient return on our 
invested capital. We continue to explore 
more sustainable ways in which to apply this 
innovation. Costa has been a leader in the 
development and use of substrate, which 
involves the application of water and fertiliser 
in highly controlled doses through pumps and 
controllers requiring a reliable power supply, 
either through the mains power network or 
via diesel generators in remote locations. 

At our Corindi berry farm in northern 
New South Wales we have installed a more 
environmentally sustainable solution with  
the installation of solar panels. Roof-mounted 
solar panels coupled with a battery have  
been installed providing storage for 24 hour  
a day operation. This solar fertigation solution 
reduces the carbon footprint of the site  
by eliminating the use of grid power and 
the use of fossil fuels to run generators.

02  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Results

Full year revenue of $909.1 million saw a 
10.7% increase on our full year FY2016 result.

EBITDA before SGARA was up 29.3% on full 
year FY2016 to $115.2 million, while NPAT 
before SGARA and material items increased  
by 37.3% on the previous year to $60.7 million. 

 
Dividends

The Board declared a fully franked final 
dividend of 7.0 cents per share resulting in a full 
year fully franked dividend total of 11.0 cents 
per share in respect of FY2017. This was an 
increase of 22% over the previous year.

Our People

Our FTE workforce, of approximately 3,700, 
swells to more than 6,000 during peak harvest 
times. To illustrate just how extensive our 
regional employment footprint is, at our tomato 
glasshouses in northern New South Wales, 
we provide employment for 600 people. The 
workforce at our mushroom farm at Mernda 
in northern Melbourne also totals more than 
600 people and in the north-west of Tasmania 
during the peak of the harvest season, 
our labour requirements exceed more 
than 1,100 people.

As our Company continues to grow through 
acquisitions, investing in new plantings and 
increased production capacity, we now have 
operations across nearly 50 sites Australia- 
wide. This highlights not only the importance 
of Costa in its role as a major employer in 

regional Australia, but also the part we can 
and do play in these communities through 
the support we provide to local sporting clubs, 
schools and food charities. Just one example 
of this is the more than 100 kilograms of 
strawberries per week our Tasmanian berry 
farms donated to the ‘Produce for the People’ 
food charity during the harvest season. This 
equated to 650 serves of fruit per week for 
people in need.

Board

The Board welcomed Janette Kendall as 
a Non-Executive Independent Director. 
Janette brings extensive experience from 
marketing and operational roles across a 
diverse range of industries, including retail, 
and has a deep understanding of digital 
marketing as well as brand development, 
innovation and management. 

performance for the year but also putting the 
business on a firm footing so as to maximise 
the benefits that will come from future growth.

Outlook

Taking into account FY2017 results which 
have exceeded expectations, the Company 
currently expects to generate around a 
10% NPAT pre-SGARA and material items 
growth in FY2018.

The Company aims to drive future 
performance focused on generating long- 
term superior shareholder returns through 
targeting early double digit annual earnings 
growth across a three-to five-year horizon.

The Board and management remain focused 
on growing shareholder value, executing our 
strategy and continuing to earn the trust of 
our shareholders by getting long-term results. 
Our management team has done an excellent 
job in delivering not only a strong financial 

Neil Chatfield
Chairman

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  03

Managing Director’s Review

Costa Group has delivered a strong result this year 
underpinned by the strength in the diversity of our 
portfolio with all of our core produce categories 
delivering a solid performance.

Growth was a key theme with avocados 
becoming a fifth produce pillar through the 
acquisitions of Avocado Ridge and Lankester 
Avocados, the ongoing execution of our 
second berry growth plan, as well as continued 
expansion in Morocco, gathering momentum 
in China and the forthcoming expansion at  
our South Australian mushroom farm.

The Avocado Ridge and Lankester acquisitions 
are the first major steps in Costa’s strategy  
to vertically integrate our avocado category. 
Together with our existing plantings in the 
Riverland and marketing and ripening 
functions, the acquisitions have added 
significant production capacity to our 
business. Our aim is to make avocados a  
truly vertically integrated fifth produce pillar 
complementing our existing core produce 
categories by ultimately achieving a 52-week 
supply situation where Costa is the number  
one player in the Australian avocado market. 

Our domestic berry growth program is 
underpinned by all new and replacement 
blueberry plantings being undertaken in 
substrate. The benefit of growing in substrate 
over soil is that it delivers a significantly  
better yield and does so from the first year  
of production. Initial plantings of the new 
world-class Driscoll’s blackberry varieties  
are underway in Tasmania. Blackberries are 
expected to become a significant contributor 
from FY2019 and beyond.

The international segment which now 
encompasses operations in Morocco (African 
Blue), China and royalty income from our 
blueberry genetics used across the Americas 
and Africa is becoming an important part of 
our business and growth plans. Demand for 
blueberries in the United Kingdom and Europe 
continues to grow at impressive rates meaning 
African Blue is well positioned to capitalise on 
this due to the timing of the season and the 
quality of our berries. 

In China our farm at Bailing is producing 
blueberries and raspberries, while the second 
farm at Manlai continues to be planted, with 
land for further expansion having been 
secured and enabling the site to grow to 
100 hectares over the next 18 months. This 
farm has plantings of blueberries, raspberries 
and blackberries. Initial demand for our 
berries in the Chinese market has been  
very promising. 

04  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

In our mushroom category we announced a 
$65 million expansion of our Monarto, South 
Australia mushroom facility. This investment 
will increase production capacity from 120  
to 240 tonnes per week for the site, positioning 
Costa to meet projected mushroom demand 
growth over the coming years. The Monarto 
site is our most modern composting and 
growing facility and its central location to 
our network of farms means we can supply 
all states with mushrooms within one to two 
days of shipment.

Export markets continue to be our key focus  
in citrus, with strong demand from Japan,  
the US and China for our navel oranges and 
afourer mandarins. Free trade agreements  
with Japan, China and Korea will continue  
to see tariffs reduced in these markets over  
the coming years and Costa is well placed  
to capitalise on this improved market access. 
Investment in state of the art packing line 
technology has dramatically improved the 
efficiency of our packing process with the 
installation of fruit grading technology which 
utilises the latest optics and software to take 
hundreds of images of each piece of fruit in 
high resolution and then accurately sort this 
fruit by defect into grades. This technology  
has proven to be very accurate with respect  
to identifying colour and blemish. 

From our use of protected cropping and the 
development of a production footprint that 
enables year round production, Costa is now 
acknowledged as an agricultural company 
with an industrial and strong risk management 
focus which effectively mitigates much  
ofthe traditional volatility associated with 
agricultural operations. To this end water 
security continues to be a focus, with an 
expansion of 370ML to one of the dams 
at our main berry farm at Corindi to be 
operational by September 2017. Planned 
progressive expansion of a further 450ML 
capacity will also occur to future-proof the 
site’s water requirements.

During the year the Company entered into an 
agreement with Macquarie Agricultural Funds 
Management Limited to jointly investigate 
compelling acquisitions in farmland, biological 
assets, water and infrastructure assets. As a 
result, Macquarie purchased the land and 
biological assets associated with the Avocado 
Ridge and Lankester avocado farms with Costa 
entering into a 20-year lease to operate them.

FY2017 saw the Company also taking action 
to address energy security after conducting a 
survey of our sites and finding our mushroom 
facilities and hi-tech glasshouses at risk of 
power outages. In response to this, generators 
have been installed at our biggest mushroom 
facility located in Victoria to reduce the risk of 
blackouts, as well as our South Australian and 
Western Australian mushroom facilities. Both 
glasshouse complexes at Guyra are also now 
equipped with stand-by power. 

We are exploring options to install solar power 
at our Monarto mushroom farm to initially 
power the expansion and potentially the 
entire site. Further opportunities to install  
solar power at our other sites will continue 
to be investigated.

As we grow the business, the calibre and 
performance of our people becomes ever 
more important. They are not only responsible 
for the day-to-day operations of the business, 
they are also critical to the successful 
execution of our growth plans. I have full 
confidence in our workforce being able to not 
only rise to this challenge, but also successfully 
meet it. The passion and commitment they 
have shown to the success of our business 
is second to none and holds us in excellent 
stead for the future.

Harry Debney
Managing Director and CEO

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017 05

Company Profile

About Us
Costa is Australia’s leading horticulture company and is the largest fresh produce supplier to the 
major Australian food retailers, with total revenues of $909.1 million in FY2017 (2016: $821.7 million).

Costa’s operations include approximately 3,500 planted hectares of farmland, 30 hectares 
of glasshouse facilities and seven mushroom growing facilities across Australia. Costa also has 
strategic foreign interests, with joint ventures covering five blueberry farms in Morocco and two 
berry farms in China.

Business Model
The Costa business model is built on the 
optimisation of a portfolio of integrated 
farming, packing and marketing activities.

Costa’s portfolio aims to be broad enough to mitigate agricultural and 
market risks while maintaining a strategic focus on high-growth and 
high-value fresh produce categories. Costa practises proactive risk 

management through diversification of categories and geographies, 
growing in protected cropping environments, using market leading 
technology, targeting produce categories with 52-week production and 
supply windows, and maintaining strong hygiene standards, quality 
control systems and post-harvest protocols. 

Costa’s products are predominantly grown and sourced from Costa’s 
expansive footprint of domestic and international farms, while being 
supplemented through a diverse network of third-party growers.

Operational Structure
Costa operates across three reportable segments:

Produce
Operates principally in five core categories; 
berries, mushrooms, citrus, glasshouse-grown 
tomatoes and avocados;

International
Comprises licensing of proprietary blueberry 
varieties and expansion of berry farming in 
attractive international markets, such as 
Morocco and China; and

Costa Farms and Logistics (CF&L)
Incorporates interrelated logistics, 
wholesale and marketing operations. 

China

Bailang, 
Yunnan Province

Manlai, 
Yunnan Province

Where We Operate

Morocco

China

Western Australia
Berry Farm, Gingin
Mushroom Farm, Casuarina
Distribution Centre, Jandakot
Compost Facility, Mandurah

Queensland
Mushroom Farm, Glen Aplin
Mushroom Farm, North Maclean
Berry Farms, Tolga
Berry Farm, Atherton
Banana Farm, Walkamin
Banana Farm, Tully
Grape Farm, Mundubbera
Brisbane Market, Rocklea
Avocado Farm, Childers
Avocado Farm, Atherton
Berry Farm, Walkamin

New South Wales
Berry Farm, Corindi
Tomato Glasshouse, Guyra
Distribution Centre, Eastern Creek
Distribution Centre Grapes, Euston
Berry Farm, Tumbarumba
Berry Farm, Rosewood

Victoria
Mushroom Farm, Mernda 
Compost Facility, Nagambie
Melbourne Market, Epping
Distribution Centre, Derrimut
Business Support Centre, Ravenhall
Mushroom Farm, Yarrambat

South Australia
Mushroom Farm, South Monarto
Yandilla Citrus Farm and Packhouse, 
Renmark
Solora Citrus Farm, Loxton
Pike Creek Farm, Lyrup
Amaroo Citrus Farm, Murtho
Kangara Citrus Farm and Packhouse, 
Murtho
Adelaide Market, Pooraka

Tasmania
Berry Farm, Sulphur Creek
Berry Farm, Wesley Vale
Berry Farm, East Devonport
Berry Farm, Dunorlan
Devonport Distribution Centre, Quoiba
Berry Distribution Centre and Packhouse, 
Devonport
Mushroom Farm, Spreyton
Dulverton Compost Facility, La Trobe
Berry Farm, Lebrina

06  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Figure 1: Costa’s Operational Structure

Produce

Mushrooms

Berries

Tomatoes

Citrus

Avocados

International

Genetics Licensing

Morocco

China 

Costa Farms and 
Logistics (CF&L)

Wholesale

Logistics

Costa’s products are predominantly grown and sourced from Costa’s 
expansive footprint of domestic and international farms, while being 
supplemented through a diverse network of third-party growers.

Figure 2: Costa’s Business Performance by Segment for FY2017

Transacted Sales 1

EBITDA before SGARA1, 2

13%

3%

4%

12%

Produce

International

CF&L

Produce

International

CF&L

84%

84%

1.  Transacted Sales and EBITDA before SGARA are non-IFRS financial measures.

2.  EBITDA before SGARA is represented before material items.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  07

Company Profile continued

Summary of Financial Performance

Figure 3: Summary of Transacted Sales and Revenue 
FY2014 to FY2017

Figure 4: Summary of EBITDA-S and NPAT-S before material 
items FY2015 to FY2017

Transacted Sales 
($m)

CAGR 12%

.

9
7
4
8

4
1
0
2
Y
F

.

0
2
2
9

5
1
0
2
Y
F

.

2
9
7
1
1

,

Total Revenue 
($m)

CAGR 9%

.

9
0
1
7

.

0
6
3
7

.

1
9
0
9

.

7
1
2
8

.

5
2
4
0
1

,

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

4
1
0
2
Y
F

5
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

EBITDA-S Before Material 
Items ($m)

NPAT-S Before Material 
Items ($m)

CAGR 28%

CAGR 33%

.

2
5
1
1

7
1
0
2
Y
F

.

1
9
8

6
1
0
2
Y
F

.

1
0
7

5
1
0
2
Y
F

.

7
0
6

.

2
4
4

6
1
0
2
Y
F

7
1
0
2
Y
F

.

3
4
3

5
1
0
2
Y
F

08  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Strategy and Growth

Costa’s current position, operating platform and world-class 
practices provide it with multiple growth drivers in the Australian 
domestic market and in highly attractive international markets.

Costa’s corporate strategy involves a number 
of initiatives aimed at sustaining long-term 
growth, which include:

•  continuing to build Costa’s market position 

and expansion of farming footprints;

•  expanding global licensing of Costa’s 

blueberry varieties;

•  continuing to invest in and expand research 
and development (R&D) capabilities; and

•  developing new channels to market 
through product innovation, new 
customer development and expansion 
of export markets.

Costa maintains a prudent and disciplined 
approach to capital deployment and 
continues to invest in growth opportunities 
in the medium to long term that are expected 
to maximise value and return for shareholders.

Growth and Future Prospects

Costa aims to generate growth by investing 
in its core categories and strategically growing 
its offshore exposure in highly attractive 
international markets. During the year Costa 
continued to deliver on its growth initiatives 
through the following key activities:

•  completion of a further 70 hectares in new 
berry plantings across Australian farms; 

•  acquisition of existing avocado farms¹ 
resulting in the vertical integration of 
the avocado category as it becomes the 
fifth pillar complementing existing core 
produce categories; 

•  further expansion of African Blue berry 

operations in Morocco; and 

•  continued development of its Manlai 

berry farm in China. 

FY2018 will see continued execution of the domestic and 
international growth initiatives.

Australian Berry Expansion

•  Further expansion across FNQ, TAS, WA and NSW inclusive of 
10.8 hectares of blackberry varieties to be planted in FY2018.

•  31 hectares new blueberry plantings, 31 hectares blueberry 

substrate conversion, 18 hectares raspberry plantings.

Avocado Vertical Integration

•  Avocado Ridge farm acquired in 2017.¹

•  Lankester farm acquired July 2017¹ bringing Costa’s total farming 

footprint to approximately 500 hectares.

International – Morocco

•  Planning for a further 63 hectares to be planted in FY2018 will bring 

total plantings to 316 hectares.

•  New packing shed to be completed in time for the 2018 season 

to support new production from the northern farms.

International – China

•  A further 58 hectares to be planted in FY2018.

•  Local organisational capability established with addition of technical, 

farm management, safety and project management roles.

Mushroom Expansion

•  Monarto farm expansion announced February 2017 with intention of 
doubling current production capacity from 120 tonnes to 240 tonnes 
per week.

•  Additional production is expected to commence from December 

2018 reaching full capacity by July 2019.

Notes:
1.  Acquisition of Avocado Ridge and Lankester avocado orchards have been completed in conjunction with Macquarie Agriculture Funds Management (Macquarie). 
Under the agreement, Macquarie purchased the land, biological assets, water and infrastructure assets with Costa entering into a 20-year lease with Macquarie to 
operate the orchards. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  09

Harvest Calendar

Mushrooms Mushrooms Tomatoes  Tomatoes Tomatoes Oranges Oranges Oranges Grapefruit Grapefruit Lemons

Limes Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Persimmons Persimmons Tangelos

Browns

Whites

Truss

Cocktail

Snacking Valencia

Navels

Sweet 

Blood 
Orange

Marsh

Ruby Red

Satsuma Clementines

Daisy

Imperial

Afourer

Ellendale

Murcott Ortanique

Jiro

Fuyu

Honey 

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Avocados Avocados Avocados Avocados Avocados Avocados Bananas Bananas Raspberries Raspberries  Raspberries

Blackberries Blueberries Blueberries Blueberries Blueberries Blueberries Strawberries 

Grapes

Grapes

Grapes

Hass

Gwen

Reed

Shepard

Carmen Maluma Cavendish

Lady 
Fingers

Corindi

Gin Gin

TAS

TAS

Corindi

FNQ

WA

NSW

TAS

TAS

Flames

Menindee

Midnight 

and Sable

10  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Mushrooms Mushrooms Tomatoes  Tomatoes Tomatoes Oranges Oranges Oranges Grapefruit Grapefruit Lemons

Limes Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Mandarins Persimmons Persimmons Tangelos

Browns

Whites

Truss

Cocktail

Snacking Valencia

Navels

Marsh

Ruby Red

Satsuma Clementines

Daisy

Imperial

Afourer

Ellendale

Sweet 

Blood 

Orange

Honey 
Murcott Ortanique

Jiro

Fuyu

Avocados Avocados Avocados Avocados Avocados Avocados Bananas Bananas Raspberries Raspberries  Raspberries

Blackberries Blueberries Blueberries Blueberries Blueberries Blueberries Strawberries 

Grapes

Grapes

Grapes

Hass

Gwen

Reed

Shepard

Carmen Maluma Cavendish

Fingers

Corindi

Gin Gin

TAS

TAS

Corindi

FNQ

WA

NSW

TAS

TAS

Flames

Menindee

Lady 

Midnight 
and Sable

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  11

Sustainability Report

Introduction

In last year’s Annual Report we made a commitment to build on our sustainability reporting 
over the next two years through providing more material via our Annual Report, with the 
ultimate goal being the production of a stand-alone Sustainability Report. We are still on 
target to achieve this goal which becomes even more important as we continue to grow 
our business organically and through acquisitions.

This report focuses on our three core sustainability components of people, environment 
and community. 

Costa Sustainability Loop

People 
First

Community
Stakeholders

Sustainable
Innovative
Farming

Healthy 
Nutritional 
Food

People
We put our people first through our 
core values of passion, respect, sincerity, 
determination and accountability. We 
recognise that they deserve a workplace 
that is safe and healthy, provides them with 
every opportunity to succeed, and rewards 
effort for their contribution to our success.

The seasonal nature of the Costa business 
necessitates that our direct and indirect 
employee numbers will vary during the  
course of the year and in FY2017 our 
workforce comprised 3,698 full-time 
equivalent employees.

We recognise that they 
deserve a workplace that is 
safe and healthy, provides 
them with every opportunity 
to succeed, and rewards 
effort for their contribution  
to our success.

12  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

FY2017 Key People Data

Number of languages spoken 58

Full Time Equivalent Employees 3,698

Of 1,265 appointments made, 45.7% were female employees

Workforce gender composition - 45.2% females 54.8% males

35.7% of all manager promotions were awarded to female employees

Bryony has been with Costa for 11 years, 
originally starting out as a crop pruner then 
progressing through various supervisory and 
growing roles to her current position of 
Operations Manager with responsibility for 
600 workers. During this time, with the support 
of Costa, Bryony completed an agricultural 
degree at the University of New England.

Bryony is particularly proud of the strong 
safety culture she has instilled in her people 
and the improvements her site has achieved  
in both safety and quality. Safety is the priority 
in everything that Bryony and her team do, 
with health and safety being the first topic 
covered in all team meetings. 

Using the skills and knowledge she has 
acquired during her time with Costa, Bryony 
participated in the horticultural industry’s 
‘Growing Leaders’ program which aims to 
encourage and develop the next generation of 
industry leaders. On a regular basis Bryony also 
hosts site tours for local students who have an 
interest in pursuing a career in horticulture in 
which she seeks to promote the uniqueness of 
glasshouse horticulture and the many career 
opportunities there are in this innovative area.

Jessica Toth
Jessica Toth is Head Grower at Costa’s Western 
Australian mushroom farm. Jessica began her 
career with a Diploma in Horticulture and is 
currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce 
while being involved in all areas of Costa’s 
mushroom production. Looking after a team 
of nine direct reports, including six cadets 
being trained within the growing team, Jessica 
is responsible for ensuring that between 10 to 
16 tonnes of mushrooms are grown ready for 
harvest and packaging every day of the year.

Jessica’s biggest career achievement has 
been recognition of her hard work through 
her promotion to Head Grower for Western 
Australia. This is followed by her being selected 
for the Women and Leadership Executive 
Ready scholarship (a program designed to 
empower women in the workplace to reach 
full potential as successors and leaders within 
business) which, as both a personal and 
professional accomplishment, has strengthened 
her focus and passion within the Costa 
mushroom category. 

Jessica’s biggest career 
achievement has been 
recognition of her hard 
work through her promotion 
to Head Grower for 
Western Australia.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  13

Our People

Bryony Hackett 
As Operations Manager for the Costa tomato 
category Bryony Hackett is proud to have 
contributed to the recent 10 hectare expansion 
of Costa’s tomato operations at Guyra in the 
New England region of New South Wales. 
Bryony oversaw the growth of the total 
workforce from 400 to 600 people and  
was responsible for sourcing all of the new  
workers required for the expansion, while  
also restructuring her existing team to  
ensure that the business’s increased  
production from 20 hectares to 30 hectares 
went as smoothly as possible. 

Sustainability Report continued

Mushroom Cadetship Program
The Costa mushroom category has begun  
a Grower Cadetship program at its Casuarina 
farm in Western Australia. The four-year 
cadetship requires the participants to 
undertake Certificates II, III and IV in 
Horticulture, concluding with a Diploma  
of Horticulture. 

During their formal education, the cadets will 
rotate through the four major departments on 
the farm learning many facets of the business 
and putting their education into practice.

Some of the tasks they will be exposed to 
during their department rotations include:

•  Compost – Preparing compost, checking 

quality, making decisions based on moisture 
content.

•  Compost processing – Filling tunnels, 

assessing casing quality, estimating spawn 
and supplement requirements.

•  Growing – Planning watering schedules, 
checking growing rooms, making phase 
change decisions.

•  Harvesting – Grading by size and quality, 
using the Harvest Management System, 
allocating and despatching stock.

There are currently six cadets enrolled in the 
program, all living in the local area. They attend 
TAFE one day per week and the rest of the week 
work on the farm. The cadets also participate 
in relevant Costa-wide training such as Safety 
Leadership, Root Cause Analysis and The Costa 
Supervisor program. On completion, the cadets 
will be in a position to step into supervisory 
roles within the mushroom category or other 
business categories.

The mushroom category plans to roll out 
a similarly-structured program, with the 
addition of the Spawn laboratory and 
Pre-pack departments, at the Mernda 
farm in Victoria in late 2017.

Costa Awards

The Adrian Costa Scholarships are named 
in memory of Adrian Costa who along 
with his brothers Frank, Anthony, Kevin and 
Robert, played a key role in building the Costa 
business into a market leader in the Australian 
fruit and vegetable industry. The scholarships 
recognise and promote the development of 
our key talent as critically important to the 
future success of our organisation.

Eligibility for an Adrian Costa Scholarship 
is open to all Costa employees, regardless 
of their position in the organisation.

Berttina Aviu
Berttina Aviu works in the Costa citrus 
category as a finance and administrative 
officer at Costa’s corporate office in Ravenhall, 
Victoria. Beginning her career with Costa as a 
trainee at the age of 17, Berttina had already 
completed a Business and Administration 
Certificate III. In her first year at Costa, Berttina 
combined working and further study to 
complete a Certificate IV in Business and 
Administration.

As a result of gaining this further qualification, 
Berttina successfully obtained a full-time role 
with Costa in early 2017. As a local who lives in 
the nearby suburb of St Albans, Berttina is also 
putting her training and experience to good 
use in helping to motivate and train others 
who wish to pursue a career in finance and 
business administration. Berttina has attended 
local secondary colleges to talk directly to 
students who are interested in pursuing 
vocational education, while also speaking 
of her experiences in undertaking combined 
training and work with Costa.

Having always had a passion for business 
administration and now achieving her goal of 
working in this area, Berttina has settled well 
into her new role and is putting her skills and 
knowledge to good use, enjoying the variety 
that comes with her role and also being able 
to support her family. Family is an important 
value in Berttina’s life as well as happiness.

Berttina was also nominated for the Victorian 
Trainee of the Year Award in recognition for 
having been outstanding in all aspects of 
her training.

Education and Training

Emma Nightingale
The inaugural recipient of the University 
of Tasmania Costa Honours Scholarship 
in Agricultural Science, Emma Nightingale 
completed her studies in 2016 achieving 
first class honours for her work on an 
independent research project which 
investigated the impact of mirids (insects) 
on Costa’s Wesley Vale and Dunorlan 
raspberry farms in Tasmania.

Emma investigated two main aspects as part 
of her research, including identification of the 
species of mirids that were present on the 
farms and conducting field trials to determine 
what impact there was on berry quality. The 
results of Emma’s research are now being 
used in the design of future pest management 
programs for raspberry farming.

As a local from the north-west of Tasmania, 
Emma’s interest in pursuing agricultural 
science studies was sparked after participating 
in a local industry run field excursion in which 
she experienced practical and field-based 
learning with a focus on horticulture and 
entomology. From there Emma went on 
to undertake agricultural science studies 
at the University of Tasmania. 

Emma enjoys the diversity of the horticulture 
industry and the opportunities that this 
brings. Since completing her studies Emma 
has commenced in the role of Horticulture 
Technical Assistant working across the Costa 
berry category’s Tasmanian farms. Emma is 
particularly pleased that she is able to pursue 
a career in horticulture while continuing to 
live and work in the beautiful north-west 
region of Tasmania. 

The results of Emma’s 
research are now being 
used in the design of 
future pest management 
programs for raspberry 
farming.

14  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Kylie travelled to 
Canada and the 
Netherlands in July 
2017 on a study tour 
where she visited 
glasshouses and seed 
companies to observe 
firsthand the latest 
technologies being 
used internationally.

Individuals demonstrating the key Costa 
values of determination and passion in 
their respective duties are nominated for 
consideration. If successful, they are given 
a valuable opportunity to pursue a wide range 
of personal or professional development 
activities that not only benefits the individual 
but also contributes to the growth of the 
Costa business.

Peter Vu
Peter Vu is a Project Manager at Costa’s 
Victorian Mernda mushroom facility and was 
awarded an Adrian Costa Scholarship in 2016. 
Since beginning work on the grading line seven 
years ago, Peter has worked in various roles 
across the site, providing him with a detailed 
understanding of the business. One of the first 
projects he worked on as a then Business 
Improvement Analyst was the national ‘Speed 
to Fridge’ quality improvement project, which 
received a Costa Chairman’s Award.

Since taking on the role of Project Manager, 
Peter has worked on many and varied projects 
including the installation of power generators, 
a waste water recycling plant and pre-packing 
upgrades. Peter brings to his role a keen eye 
for detail and the ability to quickly grasp the 
commercial imperatives of the capital projects 
that he has responsibility for. 

Peter plans to utilise his scholarship to 
complete the ‘Lean Six Sigma Black Belt’ 
course, which he believes will greatly assist 
him to continue to improve his effectiveness 
and project management skills.

Kylie McKnight
Costa tomato category Marketing Manager 
Kylie McKnight was an Adrian Costa Scholarship 
winner in 2016. During that year, the tomato 
business faced some challenging market 
conditions but Kylie stayed focused on the 
need for a strong marketing presence and was 
able to respond with a number of initiatives 
aimed at growing both volume and value.

Having now been with the Costa business for 
close to three years, Kylie is keen to continue 
working in her hands-on marketing role as she 
believes the business is at an exciting stage 
with so many opportunities to grow both the 
Tomato category and her own role. Kylie takes 
great pride in her work promoting the ‘Blush’ 
tomato brand, which has included the 
development and implementation of a 
targeted social media presence. Kylie enjoys 
working in a business promoting ‘good for you’ 
fresh produce with a great Australian story 
to tell around farmers and healthy produce.

Kylie travelled to Canada and the Netherlands 
in July 2017 on a study tour where she visited 
glasshouses and seed companies to observe 
firsthand the latest technologies being used 
internationally. Kylie also found out which 
new tomato varieties have the potential to 
excite Australian consumers, while learning 
about the range of packaging used, marketing 
methods and point of sale promotions 
in these countries. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  15

Sustainability Report continued

  Based on our Skytrust reporting system, 
there was a correlation between the 
commencement of this program and a 
demonstrable increase in the reporting of 
incidents, near misses and hazards. Safety 
theory and logic dictates that continued 
improvement in reporting of such leading 
indicators will impact positively on Lost 
Time Injuries (LTI), Medically Treated 
Injuries (MTI) and First-aid Treated Injuries 
(FTI) (lagging indicators). This was also 
demonstrated in the correlation between 
the commencement of the CSLP and 
the reduction in the Total Recordable 
Frequency Rate (TRIFR).

•  The final year of Costa’s three-year 

WHS Strategic Plan was successfully 
completed with a number of key initiatives 
implemented to support the 3 Pillars of 
Safety. We were able to build on previous 
years by improving accountability and 
providing tools to manage the health 
and safety of our workplace. This included 
developing health and wellbeing initiatives 
(both physical and mental).

•  The requirement that all employees must 
follow safe work procedures and continue 
to standardise work practices was reinforced 
through regular communication. Further to 
this the requirement to report all injuries, 
incidents and near misses as part of our 
Group-wide procedures was also reiterated.

•  Costa invested in new plant and equipment 

to not only improve the efficiency of 
operations but also to reduce a number 
of potential health and safety hazards 
associated with particular tasks. Our 
commitment to be a leader in our 
industry with plant and equipment 
improvements ensures we continue 
to strive to be an employer of choice.

Health and Safety

Our Focus

Our Approach
Costa’s 3 Pillars of Safety model is an effective 
Work Health Safety (WHS) vision supporting 
our strategy to work towards zero injury.

•  To protect

•  To improve culture

•  To be the best

During FY2017, the following WHS outcomes 
were achieved:

•  The Costa Safety Leadership (CSLP) program 

was successfully delivered to 610 of our 
managers, supervisors, team leaders and 
high-potential staff during 40 sessions 
held nationally. The two-day program was 
designed to clarify behaviours of a leader 
relating to health and safety. It challenged 
current beliefs and values about safety 
and empowered employees to make a 
difference by influencing others to make 
safer choices, participate in decision 
making and change their mindset.

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Near Misses Reported (in Skytrust)

CSLP commenced 
Apil 2016

4
1
u
J

l

4
1
g
u
A

4
1
p
e
S

4
1
t
c
O

4
1
v
o
N

4
1
c
e
D

5
1
n
a
J

5
1
b
e
F

5
1
r
a
M

5
1
r
p
A

5
1
y
a
M

5
1
n
u
J

5
1
u
J

l

5
1
g
u
A

5
1
p
e
S

5
1
t
c
O

5
1
v
o
N

5
1
c
e
D

6
1
n
a
J

6
1
b
e
F

6
1
r
a
M

6
1
r
p
A

6
1
y
a
M

6
1
n
u
J

6
1
u
J

l

6
1
g
u
A

6
1
p
e
S

6
1
t
c
O

6
1
v
o
N

6
1
c
e
D

7
1
n
a
J

7
1
b
e
F

7
1
r
a
M

6
5
6

7
1
0
2
Y
F

6
1
1

5
1
0
2
Y
F

3
7
2

6
1
0
2
Y
F

16  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Recordable Frequency Rate 
(12 month rolling av.)

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate 
(12 month rolling av.)

%
2
7
0
3

.

%
6
0
9
2

.

Target FY2017 = 24.3

%
4
4
5
2

.

%
8
8
8
1

.

%
2
5
5

.

%
8
2
5

.

%
7
4

.

%
7
0
4

.

50

40

30

20

10

0

FY2014

FY2015

FY2016

FY2017

FY2014

FY2015

FY2016

FY2017

Workers Compensation New Claims Frequency Rate (NCFR)

%
7
1
4
1

.

%
0
3
4
1

.

%
2
1
4
1

.

%
0
9
3
1

.

%
9
8
1
1

.

%
7
0
1
1

.

%
0
4
9

.

%
7
5
9

.

%
8
6
8

.

%
6
7
8

.

%
9
6
8

.

%
3
3
8

.

%
0
7
8

.

FY16 Jul16 Aug16 Sep 16 Oct 16 Nov 16 Dec 16 Jan17 Feb 17 Mar 17 Apr 17 May 17 Jun 17

50

40

30

20

10

0

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
Total Scope 12 and 23
Scope 1
Scope 2

Unit
tonnes CO2-e
tonnes CO2-e
tonnes CO2-e

2014–15
110,639
44,742
65,897

2015–161
118,340
53,308
65,032

1.  Most recent reporting period – National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting – s.19 Energy and Emissions Report.
2.  Scope 1emissions include combustion of fossil fuels (for example, natural gas, fuel oil, propane, etc.), combustion of fossil 

fuels (for example, gasoline, diesel) used in the operation of vehicles or other forms of mobile transportation and 
unintentional release of GHG from sources including refrigerant systems and natural gas distribution.

3.  Scope 2 emission included indirect GHG emissions from consumption of purchased electricity, heat or steam.

Energy Consumption
Total energy consumption
Total energy produced
Energy consumed net

Unit
GJ
GJ
GJ

2014–15
798,374
-
798,374

2015–16
937,554
-
937,554

Our Safety Performance

Costa continued our commitment to ensure 
our workers return home from work safely, 
without injury or illness. The Total Recordable 
Injury Frequency rate (TRIFR) fell by 26% 
during the year, with action outcomes from 
the WHS Strategic Plan reflected in the 
reduction in TRIFR as well as initiatives such as 
the CSLP. The success of Costa’s safety program 
in FY2017 has allowed for a resetting of targets 
to ensure continuous improvement in health 
and safety outcomes across the Group.

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) 
fell by 23% over FY2017. This reduction is 
testament to the ongoing support from 
senior management through supporting 
initiatives and providing resources to the 
business to be proactive in identifying and 
correcting near misses and hazards. 

The New Claims Frequency Rate (NCFR) 
correlates with improvement in safety 
performance and is a contributing factor 
in better injury management through early 
intervention. The NCFR was reduced by 
39% in comparison to the previous year 
and despite an increase in claims costs, 
this correlates with reductions in overall 
workers compensation premiums.

Environment
We are committed to investing in farming 
practices that are innovative, promote 
sustainable horticulture and focusing on 
the need for responsible environmental 
stewardship with respect to our use of 
natural resources.

Costa is required to report under the National 
Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 
(CW). This includes reporting and publishing 
data relating to greenhouse gas emissions, 
energy consumption and production for the 
period 1 July through 30 June each year.

An increase in total scope 1 and 2 emissions 
over the 2014/15 to 2015/16 years is reflective 
of the Company’s increased production 
footprint, including the expansion of existing 
sites and the acquisition and establishment  
of new sites.

As is evidenced by the initiatives highlighted 
in this report, Costa is continually looking 
at ways in which it can utilise more efficient 
forms of energy and those energy sources 
which offer the greatest security of supply.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  17

Sustainability Report continued

and compostable corn starch-based plastic or 
P.L.A. (polylactide polymer). This proved highly 
successful and by 2013–14 the glasshouse at 
Guyra had fully replaced polypropylene twine 
across 20 hectares. This was extended to 
the initial planting of the new 10 hectare 
glasshouse 3 in 2015 resulting in the largest 
successful implementation and use of 
bio twine in glasshouses worldwide.

Intelligent LED lighting maximises lighting 
performance and efficiency using integrated 
intelligence such as daylight harvesting, 
occupancy sensing, full range dimming and 
power monitoring. A cloud-based intelligence 
platform combining connected lighting, 
sensors and software was also installed which 
will provide the facility with the capabilities 
of a next-generation smart building.

Thanks to the bio twine, the waste stream 
of plant vines removed at Guyra is now fully 
compostable and approximately 900 tonnes of 
plant matter is no longer disposed of to landfill.

The bio twine material has been tested 
independently in compost trials by the 
Armidale Regional Council and has proven 
that it is fully compostable within 12 weeks. 
In practice the bio twine actually broke down 
in six weeks at a minimum temperature of 
60oC using the fermentation composting 
system that was developed by the Council for 
their green recycling project. The cooperation 
and partnering with Council has provided 
a win-win outcome both in terms of finding 
an environmentally sustainable solution and 
financial savings from reduced waste being 
disposed of to landfill.

Smart Lighting Solutions
Our Eastern Creek Costa Farms and Logistics 
Distribution Centre in Sydney have moved 
from traditional highbay lighting to a smart 
LED solution. The benefits of this change are 
both environmental and economic, with up 
to a 90% reduction in energy use and 
maintenance costs. 

This year, the lighting across the Mernda 
mushroom facility was upgraded to energy-
efficient LED light fittings and globes. Over a 
period of six months, a total of 3,800 lights were 
upgraded on the site, including the installation 
of daylight sensors which automatically turn 
lighting off in the carpark and amenity areas 
when not in use.

The main result has been improved lighting, 
especially in the growing sheds, plus a 
reduction in servicing and replacement costs. 
In addition, the new lighting produces more 
light at approximately half the previous power 
usage. In the pre-packing room and the 
finished goods warehouse, the metal halide 
450 watt globes were replaced with 150 watt 
LED globes which have not only significantly 
reduced power usage but have avoided the 
issue of the globes generating excessive heat 
and not being able to be switched on and off 
instantly.

Other benefits have been the removal of 
glass from the growing rooms as the new 
light fittings are plastic plus the life of the 
LED lights are much longer, with the outdoor 
lights lasting up to five years.

Biodegradable Twine
When production of Costa’s glasshouse 
tomatoes began in Guyra in the mid 2000s, 
up to 26 million plastic clips were used 
annually to support and train the plants to 
grow vertically. These clips were inorganic 
and therefore not biodegradable. A change 
to polypropylene twine removed the problem 
of how to dispose of the clips; however the 
twine was also inorganic. The Costa team 
looked for alternatives and a trial was 
commenced to replace the twine with bio 
twine manufactured from fully biodegradable 

Thanks to the bio twine, 
the waste stream of plant 
vines removed at Guyra is 
now fully compostable and 
approximately 900 tonnes 
of plant matter is no longer 
disposed of to landfill.

18  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

fuels to run generators on a daily basis. 
This project will be used as a test case 
to assess the viability of adopting these 
systems across other sites and farms. 

Energy Efficiency and Security
During the year Costa completed a 
comprehensive energy security survey of our 
sites and found that our mushroom facilities 
and glasshouses were at risk of power outages.

As a result $2 million was spent on installing 
five back-up generators at the Mernda 
mushroom farm in Victoria to reduce the risk 
of blackouts, which could destroy up to seven 
weeks’ worth of crops. The glasshouses at 
Guyra and mushroom facilities in South 
Australia and Western Australia have also 
installed back-up generators.

Work has also been under way to investigate 
the installation of a solar plant to power the 
Monarto mushroom farm expansion and 
possibly the entire site. Depending on this 
outcome, Costa may also consider building 
similar plants at our other sites. 

Food Safety and Quality

Citrus Grading Goes Hi-tech
Costa has invested in world’s best practice 
technology for the sorting and packing of  
our citrus crops.

Fruit grading technology utilises the latest 
optics and software to take images of each 
piece of fruit in high resolution and then 
accurately sort this fruit by defect into grades. 
The fruit rotates under the camera, meaning 
that the entire fruit skin is examined for 
blemishes. 

Solar-powered Fertigation
Costa has led the way in developing 
fertigation systems which manage the delivery 
of fertilisers through pumps and controllers 
to the field in the irrigation water supply 
system. These components require a reliable 
power supply which is typically delivered 
by connections to the power network – or, 
in remote locations, via diesel generators. 

A 1.3 hectare extension to the Costa Corindi 
blueberry research and development area 
in northern New South Wales provided an 
opportunity to install a solar and battery 
solution in preference to a diesel generator 
running for 12 hours per day. The main power 
requirements were from a 2.2kW fertigation 
pump which runs during daylight hours in 
addition to 24 hour a day power required for 
the system controllers. The 20m2 of roof-
mounted solar panels represent a 5.4kW 
capacity system that generates 22kWh per 
day. The solar panels are coupled with a 5kWh 
battery providing storage for a 24 hour a 
day operation. A small petrol generator is 
available as an emergency back-up provision 
for extended periods of cloudy weather.

The solar fertigation solution reduces the 
carbon footprint of the site by eliminating  
the use of grid power and the use of fossil 

Photos are taken in three different light 
spectrums and the operator sets the 
parameters for what is a blemish and what 
is not. The cameras then store this data and 
use it to refine the grading of the fruit.

There are eight lanes to sort the citrus with 
a total of nine cameras per lane. Each camera 
takes between 35 and 50 images per piece 
of fruit. Allowing for seven pieces of fruit per 
second going through each lane, the total 
images being taken and analysed is between 
17,000 and 25,000 per second. During the peak 
season these machines run for up to 20 hours 
per day, six days per week.

This technology has proved to be very accurate 
with respect to colour and blemish. This is 
crucial for export markets, such as Japan where 
the optics and look of the fruit is a key part of 
consumer preference. It also refines the margin 
of error with respect to grading of fruit, 
resulting in less fruit being discarded for juicing.

Minimising Food Waste Through 
Packing
Across some of our produce categories, 
including the mushroom category, we pack 
directly into the container for sale, such as a 
cardboard box (bulk) or a punnet (whole 
pre-pack). In this way, the produce is touched 
only once to maximise quality and minimise 
waste. Products are graded by size and/or 
quality with different specifications for 
produce mushrooms and any that may be out 
of specification or deemed to be of a lower 
grade in shape, colour and/or size are sliced 
and sold in bags or punnets (sliced pre-pack) 
or in cardboard boxes (bulk/industrial).

Part of the mushroom packing process involves 
measurement and tracking of ‘Speed to Fridge’ 
from harvesting through weighing, grading and 
moving into refrigerated storage. The target is 
60 minutes. The faster the product moves from 
the growing rooms at approximately 18-20oC 
to refrigeration at 4oC, the longer the quality 
will be maintained and the shelf life will be 
maximised for the end consumer. 

Tomato Quality Gets the Greenlight
Greenlight™ Quality Control (QC) is a 
cloud-based platform that makes all aspects 
of quality accessible in one centralised 
location, allowing all stakeholders to access, 
update and share information easily and 
instantly through tablet devices and iPhones. 
It provides complete visibility of the quality 
control performance of sites, suppliers and 
products in real time.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  19

Sustainability Report continued

Costa’s Guyra-based tomato glasshouses 
began using the Greenlight™ QC system in 
December 2016. Supporting the technology 
is a daily quality stand-up action board which 
includes metrics on incoming fruit quality 
and post grading results verifying actions 
taken for the fruit to meet customer 
requirements. Results are emailed as soon 
as the assessment is completed to the 
Operations and Technical teams. 

The combination of Greenlight™ QC 
reporting and the action board has 
dramatically improved the effectiveness 
of communication, problem solving and 
responsiveness to quality issues. 

The implementation of Greenlight™ QC has 
driven consistency and accuracy through 
centralised management of specifications 
including fruit quality, labelling and on screen 
guidance and instructions for QC staff.

The system provides immediate notification 
of batches or consignments found to not 
meet specification and also provides detailed 
information about the quality issue, including 
photos. This allows for an immediate response 
to the issue and staff can make informed 
decisions on those corrective actions required 
for batches or consignments found to be out 
of specification.

Accuracy the Key to Avocado Quality
Costa’s recent acquisition of avocado farms 
in Queensland means we are now building 
our production footprint and we are focused 
on producing premium quality avocados. 
Our packing facility at Childers in Central 
Queensland operates a QC program that 
utilises state -of the-art grading equipment 
to grade each individual piece of fruit, relying 
on specialised calibrated cameras that use a 
range of the colour and infrared spectrum and 
highly sensitive scales. In addition, point-of-
pack labelling ensures accurate labelling of 
every tray, capable of tracing the product back 
to individual blocks they are picked from.

Once the avocados are packed, samples are 
also taken to further check that the grading is 
accurate, which includes weighing and visually 
assessing the quality. Photographic images are 
taken, stored and used to prepare QC Check 
Reports for our retail partners, growing staff 
and third-party growers. If the fruit has been 
downgraded, the reasons are listed in the 
report, such as blemishes, sun bleach, nutrient 
deficiency or insect stings. The growers are 
then able to use this information to target 
appropriate remedies on the farm to 
reduce the incidence of downgrades 
and improve quality.

This all occurs prior to the ripening process and 
ensures only the most suitable fruit is being 
ripened and then sold to the end customer.

Community
We are actively involved in supporting 
the social fabric of the many regional 
communities in which we operate. Our 
footprint requires us to not only act and 
behave as a responsible corporate citizen, 
but to also work closely with communities 
so that they can benefit in ways both 
economically and socially. 

Burnie

Produce to the People
During the year Costa partnered with a local 
community group in North West Tasmania to 
deliver fresh fruit to people in need. 
‘Produce to the People’ is a not-for-profit 
organisation which has been operating in 
Burnie, North West Tasmania for the past six 
years with minimal government funding. 
Penelope Dodd the founder of ‘Produce to the 
People’ describes it as a food hub, distributing 
‘fresh food to those who need it with love and 
respect’. Of the people accessing food through 
the hub, approximately 60% are pensioners, 
20% are unemployed and 8% are carers. The 
majority of these people (99%) live on incomes 
of less than $25,000.

Not only do ‘Produce to the People’ grow fresh 
produce on their two-acre farm, they gather 
fresh, locally grown produce that might be 
going to waste. In 2016/17 for the first time 
Costa was pleased to donate up to 100kg of 
seconds strawberries to the hub per week 
from our main strawberry farm in the north- 
west of Tasmania (during the November to 
April harvest period). In this way, those 
strawberries which may not look quite right 
but are still edible and nutritious are not 
wasted. More importantly they can be eaten 
and enjoyed by local people who may not 
have regular access to fresh produce.

Strawberries are nutritious with more Vitamin 
C than an orange1,2 and one cup of fresh 
strawberries (approximately 150g) is 
considered to be equal to one serve of fruit.3 
This means that a donation of 100kg of 
strawberries is equivalent to over 650 serves of 
fruit for the week or about 95 serves per day.

Strawberries are nutritious 
with more Vitamin C than 
an orange.

People’ and the ‘grow, gather, give’ work they do, see their website: https://producetothepeopletasmania.wordpress.com/.
Sources:
1.  www.driscolls.com.au/health-nutrition
2.  www.google.com.au/search?q=how+much+vitamin+c+in+144g+of+strawberries
3.  livelighter.com.au/Top-Tips/Go-For-2-Fruit-and-5-Veg

20  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Mernda

Promoting Healthy Living Through 
Learning and Activity Programs
Costa’s Victorian mushroom facility located 
at Mernda north of Melbourne is supporting 
its local community through developing 
relationships with three schools located in 
the City of Whittlesea.

Hazel Glen College is a state school located 
in the heart of northern Melbourne’s rapidly 
growing suburbs of Doreen and Mernda. 
The College currently offers year levels from 
early learning through to Year 9. With Costa’s 
Mernda mushroom farm located nearby, 
local State MP Danielle Green facilitated 
an introduction between Costa’s Victorian 
mushroom category Manager Jose Cambon 
and Hazel Glen Principal Darryl Furze, to 
identify practical ways in which Costa could 
work with the College to benefit both students 
and the community. 

The result was a $100,000 donation from 
Costa toward the installation of a commercial 
kitchen which is now being used to teach 
students cooking skills and nutrition. The 
College is planning to operate a community 
café on the school grounds with the 
commercial kitchen being utilised to train 
students in hospitality and cooking. The 
kitchen could also serve the broader 
community as a venue for educating 
people about healthy eating and living.

Danielle, Darryl and Assistant Principal 
Anthony Stockwell are also exploring other 
opportunities for Hazel Glen and Costa to work 
together. This includes working to motivate 
students to pursue a suitable career pathway, 
such as in horticulture, leading to education 
and employment outcomes.

The relationship between Costa and the 
College will continue to grow as the school 
and the surrounding suburbs develop. This 
will only be strengthened over time, further 
entrenching Costa as an important member 
of the local community.

In May 2017 Costa employees paid a visit to 
Mill Park Heights Primary School where they 
presented a cheque for $1,500 and delivered 
over 1,000 bananas (1,000 serves of fruit) to 
the children. School Principal Deborah 
Patterson, said that the money donated will be 
used to assist the school to run their Learning 
and Teaching programs. The school currently 
runs programs called The Breakfast Club and 
The Lunchtime Club. The aim of these clubs 
is to introduce students to many new skills 
outside of the general curriculum, such as 
Robotics and Coding, Chess, Lego, Gardening, 
Sewing and Calligraphy. 

Having opened its doors in 2017 and with an 
initial student population of 95, the Principal 
of Mernda Park Primary School Mary Ryan 
was keen to involve the children in health 
and sporting initiatives such as the YMCA 
active program. Mary also wants to sign the 
school up to programs through the Whittlesea 
Council, including Pet Therapy and Scarecrow. 
The Mernda mushroom farm donated $4,500 
to the school this year so that all students 
will be able to participate in these programs. 
Costa will also donate wooden trays filled with 
mushroom compost for an instant portable 
garden for the school to aid in their healthy 
living classes, including teaching the children 
about fresh produce and cooking.

Renmark

Support for Regional Sporting Clubs 
and a Healthy Lifestyle
Costa’s citrus category operates in the 
Riverland region of South Australia and is 
one of the largest employers in the area with 
up to 1,300 workers at peak harvest times. 
Costa supports a range of local sporting and 
community clubs in the region, including the 
Riverland Junior Football Club (RJFC) and the 
Vitor Renmark Amateur Swimming Club. 

Costa has sponsored the RFJC for the past few 
seasons and this year donated $4,500 to enable 
the team to fund their interleague program and 
purchase match footballs, medals and uniforms 
for players and club officials.

One of the longest running partnerships 
Costa has with any sporting and community 
organisation is the Vitor Renmark Amateur 
Swimming Club.

Costa’s association with the swimming club 
commenced in 1991, at which time the club 
adopted the name ‘Vitor’, which is Costa’s 
premium citrus marketing brand. Having 
donated many thousands of dollars to the 
club over more than 25 years, this ongoing 
support has allowed the club to fund a 
number of projects, including upgrading the 
club’s laptops and software, painting the club’s 
facilities and subsidising club uniforms. For the 
upcoming season, the club is planning to use 
Costa’s donation to replace lane ropes.

Membership of the club has grown to 
142 active members allowing the club 
to participate in local and regional open 
swimming meets throughout the season. 
This year the club hosted the Vitor Renmark 
Country Championships, which is a major 
regional swimming carnival, where 553 
swimmers took part from across the state.

Costa is committed to supporting junior 
sporting clubs in regional areas as we 
believe the clubs play a substantial role in 
encouraging young people to not only 
participate in and play sport, but to also pursue 
a healthy and active lifestyle. Studies by health 
professionals have shown that people living in 
regional and remote areas of Australia are more 
likely to be overweight or obese, so providing 
young people in particular with opportunities 
to learn and develop healthy lifestyle habits  
is crucial to reducing the incidence of 
preventative diseases, including obesity  
and type 2 diabetes.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  21

22  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017
22  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Report

The Directors of Costa Group Holdings Ltd and its controlled entities (‘the Group’) present their report together with the financial report  
of the Group for the financial year ended 25 June 2017.

1. Directors

The Directors of the Company at any time during or since the end of the financial year are:

Neil Chatfield M.Bus, FCPA, FAICD 
Chairman and Independent Non-Executive Director

Director since 7 October 2011 and Chairman since 24 June 2015. Member of the Remuneration Committee and 
Nomination Committee. Neil ceased to be a member of the Audit and Risk Committee on 17 November 2016.

Neil is an established executive and Non-Executive Director with extensive experience across all facets of company 
management, and with specific expertise in financial management, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and risk 
management. 

Neil is currently the Chair and Non-Executive Director of Seek Limited. Neil is also a Non-Executive Director of 
Transurban Ltd, Iron Mountain Inc and Launch Housing, a not-for-profit organisation. He was previously a Non-
Executive Director of Recall Holdings Ltd (to May 2016), Chair and Non-Executive Director of Virgin Australia Holdings 
Ltd (to May 2015) and Non-Executive Director of Grange Resources Ltd (to April 2014).

Neil previously served as an Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of Toll Holdings Ltd (from 1997–2008). 

Frank Costa AO OAM
Non-Executive Director

Director since 8 June 2011. Member of the Remuneration Committee and Nomination Committee.

Frank has been at the forefront of developing and building the Costa Group into a major horticultural and logistics 
company for more than 50 years. He has previously served as President of the Geelong Football Club (1998 - 2010) and 
tirelessly promotes the development of the City of Geelong and surrounding community. Frank has been honoured 
with an Order of Australia Medal for his services to youth and the community.

During the past four years, Frank has not served as a Director of any other listed company. 

Harry Debney BAppSc (Hons)
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer

Director since 5 January 2012 and Managing Director since 24 July 2015.

Since his appointment as CEO in 2010, Harry has overseen the transition of the business from a privately owned 
company to its listing on the Australian Securities Exchange. Prior to joining Costa, Harry spent 24 years at Visy 
Industries, including eight years as Chief Executive Officer. During this time, he substantially grew the Visy business, 
both organically and through acquisitions. 

Harry is currently a Non-Executive Director of Kogan.com Ltd. 

Kevin Schwartz BSc (Accountancy)
Non-Executive Director

Director since 7 October 2011. Member of the Nomination Committee.

Kevin is the Chief Executive Officer of Paine Schwartz Partners (since February 2017) which he co-founded in 2006. 
He was a Managing Director at the predecessor firm, Fox Paine & Company, which he joined in 2002. 

Kevin serves on the Boards of Directors of AgBiTech, Global ID, Verdesian Life Sciences, and Wawona Delaware 
Holdings, LLC (since April 2017). He is also a member of the Rush Associates Board of the Rush University Medical 
Center. Kevin has previously served as a Director of Advanta, Seminis, Inc., Sunrise Holdings (Delaware), Inc. and 
on the Board of United American Energy Corp.

During the past four years, Kevin has not served as a Director of any other listed company. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  23

Directors’ Report continued

Peter Margin BSc (Hons), MBA
Independent Non-Executive Director 

Director since 24 June 2015. Chair of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit and Risk Committee, and 
Nomination Committee.

Peter has many years of leadership experience in major Australian and international food companies, including Chief 
Executive of Goodman Fielder Ltd and before that Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of National Foods Ltd. 
Peter has also held senior executive roles in Simplot Australia Pty Ltd, Pacific Brands Ltd, East Asiatic Company and HJ 
Heinz Company Australia Ltd and is currently Executive Chairman of Asahi Beverages ANZ.

Peter currently serves as a Non-Executive Director of PACT Group Holdings Ltd, Nufarm Ltd and Bega Cheese Ltd. Peter 
was previously a Non-Executive Director of the NSX-listed company Ricegrowers Ltd (to August 2015), Chairman and 
Non-Executive Director of Huon Aquaculture Ltd (to August 2016), and a Non-Executive Director of PMP Ltd (to August 
2016).

Tiffany Fuller B.Com, GAICD, ACA
Independent Non-Executive Director 

Director since 1 October 2015. Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and member of the Nomination Committee.

Tiffany has held various accounting, corporate finance, financial advisory and management consulting positions with 
Arthur Anderson in Australia, the United States and in England and subsequently held roles in investment banking 
and private equity with Rothschild Australia. Tiffany is an experienced public company Director with broad expertise 
in finance, strategy, M&A, risk and governance.

Tiffany currently serves as Non-Executive Director of Computershare Ltd and Smart Parking Ltd and is the Chair of the 
Audit and Risk Committee of both companies.

Janette Kendall B.Bus (Marketing), FAICD
Independent Non-Executive Director 

Director since 11 October 2016. Member of the Audit and Risk Committee (from 17 November 2016), and Nomination 
Committee.

Janette has held various senior management roles in her career including Senior Vice President of Marketing at Galaxy 
Entertainment Group in Macau, China; Executive General Manager of Marketing at Crown Melbourne; General 
Manager, Pacific Brands; Managing Director of emitch Limited; and Managing Director of Clemenger Digital and 
Clemenger Proximity. 

Janette is currently a Non-Executive Director of Wellcom Group (ASX: WLL), Nine Entertainment (ASX: NEC) and the 
Melbourne Theatre Company.

2. Company Secretary

David Thomas LLB, BSc (Hons)
Mr Thomas joined the Company as General Counsel in July 2012 and was appointed to the position of Company Secretary in October 2012. In 
addition to being the Company Secretary, Mr Thomas oversees the Group’s legal department and advises the Group on legal, risk and compliance 
matters. Prior to joining the Company, Mr Thomas was a Partner of Middletons (now K&L Gates), practising in corporate and commercial law. He has 
over 24 years’ experience in legal practice.

3. Officers Who Were Previously Partners of the Audit Firm 

There are no officers of the Company during the financial year that were previously partners of the current audit firm, KPMG, at a time when KPMG 
undertook an audit of the Group.

24  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

4. Directors’ Meetings

The number of Directors’ meetings (including meetings of committees of Directors) and number of meetings attended by each of the Directors of 
the Company during the financial year are:

Board Meetings

Director
Neil Chatfield 1
Frank Costa
Harry Debney
Kevin Schwartz
Peter Margin
Tiffany Fuller
Janette Kendall ²

Held
7
7
7
7
7
7
4

Attended
7
7
7
5
7
7
4

Audit and Risk  
Committee Meetings
Held
4
-
-
-
7
7
4

Attended
4
-
-
-
6
7
4

Remuneration  
Committee Meetings
Held
3
3
-
-
3
-
-

Attended
3
3
-
-
3
-
-

Nomination  
Committee Meetings
Held
2
2
-
2
2
2
2

Attended
2
2
-
2
2
2
2

1.  Mr Chatfield was a member of the Audit and Risk Committee until 17 November 2016.
2.  Ms Kendall joined the Audit and Risk Committee on 17 November 2016.

5. Principal Activities

Costa Group is Australia’s leading horticulture group and is the largest fresh produce supplier to the major Australian food retailers. The Group’s 
principal activities during the year were:

•  the growing of mushrooms, blueberries, raspberries, glasshouse grown tomatoes, citrus, avocados and other selected fruits within Australia;

•  the packing, marketing and distribution of fruit and vegetables within Australia and to export markets; 

•  provision of chilled logistics warehousing and services within Australia; and

• 

licensing of proprietary blueberry varieties and berry farming in international markets.

No significant change in the nature of these activities occurred during the year.

6. Significant Changes in State of Affairs During the Year 

During the year, the Group entered into a strategic relationship with Macquarie Agriculture Funds Management (Macquarie) to jointly investigate 
compelling M&A projects in farmland, biological assets, water and infrastructure assets to enable Costa to extend its capacity to gain significant 
economic benefit for its shareholders. 

Under the agreement, Macquarie will purchase the assets and enter into a 20-year lease with Costa to operate them, with an option for Costa  
to extend a further 10 years. Costa maintains the full horticultural income from these assets. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  25

Directors’ Report continued

7. Operating and Financial Review

Results for the Financial Year Ended 25 June 2017

Summary of Group Performance

Revenue
EBITDA before SGARA
NPAT-S

FY2017 
(AUD$m)
909.1
115.2
60.7

 vs FY2016
(%)
10.6
29.4
37.2

•  Revenue, EBITDA-S and NPAT-S up on FY2016.

•  Strong FY2017 trading outcome, with all Produce categories exceeding target.

•  Continued earnings growth contribution from the International segment.

Table 1: Summary of Results for FY2017 Compared to Prior Year

Consolidated Income Statement 
(AUD$m)
Revenue
Other revenue 
Total revenue
Raw materials, consumables and third-party purchases
Employee benefits expense
Other operating expense
Share of associates profit
EBITDA-S
EBITDA-S margin
Fair value movements in biological assets
EBITDA
Depreciation and amortisation
Profit/(loss) on sale of assets
EBIT
Net interest expense 
Net profit/(loss) before tax
Income tax expense
NPAT (before material items)
Material items (before tax)
Tax on material items
Non-controlling interest
Net profit after tax attributable to shareholders

Transacted Sales ¹
NPAT-S²

FY2017
895.3
13.7
909.1
(336.0)
(300.4)
(173.6)
16.2
115.2
12.7%
5.9
121.1
(27.8)
0.3
93.6
(5.3)
88.3
(23.6)
64.7
(8.1)
0.9
0.1
57.7

1,179.2
60.7

FY2016
809.0
12.7
821.7
(311.8)
(276.4)
(159.0)
14.4
89.1
10.8%
4.3
93.4
(22.5)
(1.0)
69.9
(5.2)
64.7
(17.4)
47.3
(29.0)
7.0
-
25.3

1,042.5
44.2

Change $
86.3
1.0
87.3
(24.2)
(24.1)
(14.6)
1.8
26.1
-
1.5
27.7
(5.3)
1.3
23.7
(0.0)
23.7
(6.2)
17.5
20.9
(6.0)
0.1
32.4

136.7
16.5

Change %
10.7
7.8
10.6
7.8
8.7
9.2
12.2
29.4
1.8ppts
35.2
29.6
23.5
(131.1)
33.9
0.5
36.6
35.6
36.9
(72.2)
(86.4)
nm
128.4

13.1
37.2

1. Transacted Sales is a non-IFRS operating measure. See Table 9 for a reconciliation of Transacted Sales to revenue. Further details on Transacted Sales are provided in Table 8.
2. Net profit attributable to shareholders before material items and SGARA.

26  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Financial highlights

Revenue
Revenue increased by $87.3 million from the prior year with all reportable segments achieving growth. The Produce segment recorded strong 
growth with notable contributions from the berry and avocado categories. 

Operating Expenses
Raw materials, consumables and third-party purchases and employee benefits expenses increased in line with the growth across the domestic  
and international businesses. 

Other operating expenses increased $14.6 million. This includes a $5 million onerous lease provision taken up for the Eastern Creek DC.

Share of Associates Profit
Profits from joint ventures grew by $1.8 million driven by increased contribution from the African Blue and Driscoll’s JVs. This was partially offset 
by a reduction in the Polar Fresh earnings contribution following the exit from the Parkinson and Eastern Creek sites.

EBITDA Before SGARA
EBITDA before SGARA increased by $26.1 million from prior year driven by the Produce and International segments. The increase in Produce was 
predominantly led by strong growth in the berry category, excellent citrus performance and recovery in the tomato category from the challenging 
2016 market conditions. This was partially offset by the $5 million onerous lease provision recognised in the CF&L segment.

Fair Value Movements in Biological Assets
SGARA movement was $5.9 million largely driven by the strong yields and pricing for the 2017 season citrus crop together with crop timing.

Depreciation and Amortisation
Depreciation and amortisation increased by $5.3 million in line with increased capital expenditure on the berry domestic growth projects  
as well as the China farming operations. 

Net Interest Expense
Net finance cost up $0.1 million from FY2016, primarily due to write-off of capitalised borrowing costs as the Group refinanced its banking  
facilities in June 2017.

Tax Expense 
Higher tax expense due to increased earnings. Effective tax rate of 26.7%, down from 26.9% in FY2016. This was due to higher contribution from  
the International segment (as Costa’s foreign operations yield a lower effective tax rate than the domestic business), offset partially by higher 
non-deductible expenditure in FY2017.

Material Items
Material items for FY2017 were $8.1 million which related to the wind-up of the Polar Fresh joint venture and finalisation of pre-IPO site closure 
provisions. 

NPAT-S
NPAT-S increased by $16.5 million from prior year due to factors described above. Higher EBITDA-S was offset by an increase in depreciation  
and amortisation expense. 

Dividends
The Board declared a final dividend of 7.0 cents per share on 23 August 2017. This brings the total dividend payment for FY2017 to 11.0 cents  
per share which equates to approximately 58% of NPAT-S before material items. Dividends are expected to be fully franked.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  27

Directors’ Report continued

Segment Information

Produce

Highlights of financial results:

Transacted Sales
Revenue
EBITDA-S

FY2017 
(AUD$m)
1,028.5
786.2
96.7

 vs FY2016
(%)
12.6
9.4
38.6

Figure 1: Revenue, Transacted Sales and EBITDA before SGARA Results

69.8m

96.7m

EBITDA
before
SGARA

Revenue

Transacted
Sales

718.9m

786.2m

913.6m

1,028.5m

FY2016 

FY2017

Table 2: Selected Financial Information for the Produce Segment

Produce 
AUD$m
Transacted Sales
Revenue
EBTIDA-S
EBITDA-S margin

FY2017
1,028.5
786.2
96.7
12.3%

FY2016
913.6
718.9
69.8
9.7%

Change
115.0
67.3
26.9
2.6%

Produce revenue increased by $67.3 million on FY2016. The drivers for the increase include:

%
3

•  strong growth in the berry category driven by expanded planted area and strong blueberry performance, partially offset by a raspberry season 

impacted by cooler weather resulting in lower than expected yields;

•  contribution from the avocado category with the addition of the Childers farm  

acquired in January 2017¹; and

•  market recovery in tomatoes from a poor 2016 season and improved sales mix  

with better correlation of growing areas with demand.

This was partially offset by lower citrus category revenue due to the calendar 2016 
season being an ‘off-year’ cycle with lower volume of production.

EBITDA before SGARA increased by $26.9 million against FY2016. This was 
predominantly driven by revenue growth in the berry, tomato and avocado categories 
as well as strong export demand in the citrus category.

1.  Acquisition of the Childers avocado orchards has been completed in conjunction with Macquarie Agriculture 

Funds Management (Macquarie). Under the agreement, Macquarie purchased  
the land, biological assets, water and infrastructure assets with Costa entering into a 20-year lease with Macquarie 
to operate the orchards.

Revenue Growth % on FY2016

30%

20%

10%

0.0%

-10.0%

%
5
5
2

.

%
8
6
2

.

%
2
2

.

%
4
3
1

.

Mushroom

Berry

Tomato Citrus Avocado

%
0
4
-

.

28  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Costa Farms and Logistics

Highlights of financial results:

Transacted Sales
Revenue
EBITDA-S

FY2017 
(AUD$m)
151.0
151.6
4.3

 vs FY2016
(%)
0.1
2.4
60.6

Figure 2: Revenue, Transacted Sales and EBITDA before SGARA Results

11.0m

4.3m

EBITDA
before
SGARA

Revenue

Transacted
Sales

148.0m

151.6m

150.9m

151.0m

FY2016 

FY2017

Table 3: Selected Financial Information for the CF&L Segment

Costa Farms and Logistics 
AUD$m
Transacted Sales
Revenue
EBTIDA-S
EBITDA-S margin

FY2017
151.0
151.6
4.3
2.9%

FY2016
150.9
148.0
11.0
7.4%

Change
0.1
3.6
(6.7)
(4.6%)

Revenue up $3.6 million compared to prior year with higher volume of bananas and avocados  
traded across the wholesale markets, offset by lower mushroom volumes with produce supply  
diverted to retail segment. 

EBITDA before SGARA decreased by $6.6 million. This was caused by:

Revenue Growth % on FY2016

•  a $5 million onerous lease provision recognised for the Eastern Creek DC; and

• 

 lower contribution from Polar Fresh due to the wind down of the joint venture.

3.0%

2.5%

2.0%

1.5%

1.0%

0.5%

0.0%

%
3

%
1

Costa Farms

Logistics

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  29

Directors’ Report continued

International

Highlights of financial results:

Transacted Sales
Revenue
EBITDA-S

FY2017 
(AUD$m)
40.4
11.9
14.2

 vs FY2016
(%)
47.2
181.9
70.5

Figure 3: Revenue, Transacted Sales and EBITDA before SGARA results

EBITDA
before
SGARA

8.3m

14.2m

Revenue

4.2m

11.9m

Transacted
Sales

27.4m

40.4m

FY2016 

FY2017

Table 4: Selected Financial Information for the International Segment

International 
AUD$m
Transacted Sales
Revenue
EBTIDA-S
EBITDA-S margin

Transacted sales increased by $13.0 million compared to prior year. This was primarily driven by:

•  a productive year from African Blue with increased sales volumes;

•  China achieving a modest profit in its first full year of farming operations; and

•  royalty income.

EBITDA before SGARA growth was $5.9 million, or 78.1%, against FY2016 driven by the  
factors noted above.

30  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

FY2017
40.4
11.9
14.2
nm

FY2016
27.4
4.2
8.3
nm

Change
13.0
7.7
5.9
nm

Transacted Sales Growth % on FY2016

25.0%

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

5.0%

0.0%

%
7
2
2

.

%
8
3
1

.

African
Blue

Royalities

China
JV (n/m)

Balance Sheet

Table 5: Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet for the Year Ended 25 June 2017

Selected Balance Sheet
AUD$m
As at 25 June 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Biological assets
Equity accounted investments
Other assets
Total assets
Payables
Provisions
Borrowings
Other liabilities
Total liabilities
Net assets

FY2017
22.6
87.4
18.1
281.9
143.1
46.0
32.4
16.7
648.2
102.7
25.0
106.8
17.6
252.1
396.2

FY2016
4.0
72.8
17.9
249.3
142.8
37.4
33.7
10.6
568.5
81.6
17.4
103.8
6.1
208.9
359.6

Change
18.6
14.6
0.2
32.6
0.3
8.6
(1.3)
6.1
79.7
21.1
7.6
3.0
11.4
43.1
36.6

Net Working Capital
Net working capital¹ decreased by $13.9 million driven by:

• 

• 

increase in payables of $21.1 million primarily due to the avocado farming and marketing expansion and citrus and berry seasonal harvests; and

increase in provisions with the recognition of $5 million onerous lease for the Eastern Creek DC.

This was partially offset by an increase in receivables of $14.6 million due to the same drivers as identified for payables above.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment increased by $32.6 million reflecting capital expenditure incurred on the berry growth plan, China joint venture  
and the acquisition of Childers avocado farm plant and equipment.

Biological Assets
Biological assets increased $8.6 million to $46.0 million in FY2017 resulting from the fair value increase on the 2017 citrus hanging crop and  
the acquisition of the Childers avocado farm hanging crop.

Equity Accounted Investments
Equity accounted investment decreased by $1.3 million resulting from the impairment provisions recognised on the Polar Fresh joint venture, 
partially offset by strong earnings contributions from the African Blue and Driscoll’s joint ventures.

Other Assets and Liabilities
Other assets increased $6.1 million for the year. This included a $3.8 million prepayment for capital expenditure on the Monarto expansion project. 

Other liabilities increased by $11.4 million primarily driven by higher income tax accruals for the year.

1. Net working capital comprises of receivables, inventory, payables and provisions.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  31

Directors’ Report continued

Net Debt

Table 6: Consolidated Net Debt as at 25 June 2017

Net Debt
AUD$m
As at 25 June 2017
Bank loans
Capitalised loan establishment fees included in borrowings
Gross debt
Less: Cash and cash equivalents
Net debt

FY2017
108.0
(1.2)
106.8
(22.6)
84.2

FY2016
104.5
(0.7)
103.8
(4.0)
99.8

Net debt as at 25 June 2017 was $84.2 million and consisted of $22.6 million in cash and $108.0 million of borrowings. Net debt decreased  
by $15.6 million during the year with strong cash generation. 

The Group successfully refinanced its debt increasing available facilities to $350 million comprising of:

•  Facility A – $175 million with a three-year maturity; and

•  Facility B – $175 million with a four-year maturity.

Under the existing banking facilities in place during the year, the Group was required to meet set covenant compliance ratios which included  
total leverage ratio (TLR) and interest coverage ratio (ICR). All covenants were comfortably met.

Cash Flow

Table 7: Cash Flow Before Financing, Tax, Dividends and Material Items

Consolidated Cash Flow
AUD$m
EBITDAS before material items
Less: Share of profit of JVs
Dividends from JVs
Non-cash items in EBITDAS
Change in working capital
Net cash flow from operating activities before interest, tax and material items
Maintenance capital expenditure
Free cash flow
Productivity and growth capital expenditure
Payments for business acquisitions
Repayment of loans from investments
Proceeds from sale of investments
Disposal of property, plant and equipment
Net cash flow before financing, tax, dividends and material items
Cash conversion ratio¹

1. Defined as free cash flow divided by EBITDA before SGARA.

FY2017
115.2
(16.2)
9.2
1.0
(0.4)
108.8
(18.0)
90.8
(39.2)
(3.8)
-
3.6
0.1
51.5
79%

FY2016
89.1
(14.4)
8.1
0.7
(3.3)
80.1
(12.1)
68.0
(36.6)
(5.3)
1.9
-
0.3
28.3
76%

Change
26.1
(1.8)
1.0
0.3
3.0
28.7
(5.9)
22.8
(2.5)
1.5
(1.9)
3.6
(0.3)
23.2

Dividends from Joint Venture
Dividends from JVs increased by $1.0 million on FY2016 resulting from increased contributions from African Blue and Driscoll’s joint ventures, offset 
by a reduction from Polar Fresh.

Working Capital
Working capital decreased by $0.4 million in FY2017. This was primarily due to prepayment of a deposit for capital expenditure relating to the 
Monarto mushroom expansion project. This was offset by benefit due to timing of calendar month-end vendor payments and a $5 million onerous 
lease provision recognised for the Eastern Creek DC.

32  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
Capital Expenditure
Operating capital expenditure increased by $5.9 million against FY2016. This includes investment in back-up generators and part payment  
for the Murtho citrus pack-house upgrade. 

Productivity and growth capital expenditure was $46.1 million for the year and comprises of:

•  $3.0 million plant and equipment for the Childers avocado farm;

•  $8.7 million for China including the asset transfer from Driscoll’s; and

•  domestic berry expansion projects. 

Other Material Items in Cash Flow
Payments for business acquisitions comprises of a purchase of a small berry farm in Tasmania. Proceeds from sale of investments relates  
to the sale of the River Rain irrigation business (non-core asset).

Material Business Risks

The material business risks faced by the Company that are likely to have an effect on the financial prospects of the Company are:

•  Production risks: Changes in weather, climate or water availability can cause price and yield volatility for Costa. Prices can also be negatively 

impacted by excess supply. Costa partially mitigates against weather risk by investing in weather protective growing environments and 
equipment. Approximately 75% of Costa’s produce-related EBITDA before SGARA is derived from crops currently grown under cover indoors  
or under permanent tunnels. While protected cropping reduces the risk of disease, this risk is still apparent. If Costa’s existing water rights are 
reduced by regulatory changes or if Costa is unable to secure sufficient water for the implementation of its growth projects, this could negatively 
impact on Costa’s operational and financial performance.

•  Brand risk: Quality issues, product recall, contamination, public health issues, disputes or adverse media coverage could damage Costa’s brands  

or their image which could adversely impact Costa’s financial performance. 

•  Customer risk: Costa’s top three customers comprised approximately 70% of FY2016 produce sales. Most customer arrangements are 

uncontracted and supplied at market prices which are subject to fluctuation. Any contractual agreements have supply periods typically  
for one season or one to two years. 

•  Regulatory changes: Costa is a significant beneficiary of the import restrictions in place for fresh fruits and vegetables including mushrooms, 
bananas, tomatoes and berries. Any changes to these import restrictions could have an adverse impact on margins and volumes. However, the 
perishable nature of certain produce also acts as a natural barrier against imports. As Costa operates in the food sector, it is also required to  
comply with a wide range of other laws and regulations which include food standards, labelling and packaging, fair trading and consumer 
protection, environment, quarantine rules, customs, etc. Any change to the rules could adversely impact Costa’s operations in the form of higher 
costs and lower margins for the business. 

•  Competition from new market entrants: While Costa’s operations currently benefit from scale and access to superior genetics, this competitive 

landscape may change over time. If one or more competitors or new market entrants obtained access to favourable genetic varieties which 
compete in the same categories as those of Costa, or if they achieve greater scale, this could have a material adverse impact on the financial 
performance and prospects of Costa.

•  Foreign exchange risk: Costa is exposed to foreign exchange risk from a number of sources, namely from the export of produce to various 

countries including Japan and the United States, and through the earnings it generates from its international operations, including the African 
Blue and China joint ventures. Unfavourable movements in the foreign exchange rates between the Australian dollar and other currencies such  
as the US dollar, Japanese yen and Moroccan dirham can have a material adverse impact on the overall financial performance of Costa. 

•  Sovereign risk associated with foreign operations: Costa has significant interests in the African Blue JV in Morocco and its joint venture with 
Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates Inc. in China. A change in the laws, regulations, policies, government or political and legal system in Morocco or 
China could materially and adversely impact Costa’s net assets or profitability. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  33

Directors’ Report continued

Non-IFRS Measures

Throughout this report, Costa has included certain non-IFRS financial information, including EBITDA before SGARA and Transacted Sales. Costa 
believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to recipients for measuring the underlying operating performance of Costa’s 
business. Non-IFRS measures have not been subject to audit.

The table below provides details of the operating and financial non-IFRS measures used in this report. 

Table 8: Non-IFRS Measures

EBIT
EBITDA
EBITDA before SGARA (EBITDA-S)

NPAT before SGARA (NPAT-S)
Non-IFRS Operating Measures
Transacted Sales

Earnings before interest and tax
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
EBITDA adjusted for fair value movements in biological assets. For horticultural companies, EBITDA is 
typically adjusted for fair value movements in biological assets due to the growing and harvesting cycles  
for fruit and vegetables, and the accounting treatment of live produce and picked produce. The fair value 
movement in self-generating or regenerating assets (SGARA) is non-cash; therefore, EBITDA before SGARA  
is used in preference to EBITDA for Costa.
Net profit attributable to members of Costa before fair value movements in biological assets and material items.

Transacted Sales are used by management as a key measure to assess Costa’s sales and marketing 
performance and market share. Transacted Sales represent the aggregate volume of sales in which Costa  
is involved in various capacities (including sales of third-party-grown produce marketed by Costa under 
agency arrangements), as well as royalty income. Transacted Sales are not considered by Costa to be  
a revenue measure. There are material differences between the calculation of Transacted Sales and  
the way in which revenue is determined under Australian Accounting Standards (AAS).

Transacted Sales comprise: 

•  statutory revenue; 

•  gross invoiced value of agency sales of third-party produce; 

•  Costa’s proportionate share of joint venture sales relating to the African Blue and Polar Fresh joint 

ventures; 

•  royalty income from the licensing of Costa blueberry varieties in Australia, the Americas and Africa; and

•  100% of Driscoll’s JV sales after eliminating Costa produce sales to the Driscoll’s JV. Prior to the formation 
of Driscoll’s JV in 2010, all of Costa’s domestic sales and marketing activities for the berry category were 
managed by Costa.

Table 9: Reconciliation of Transacted Sales to Revenue

Reconciliation of Transacted Sales
AUD$m
Transacted Sales
Agency revenue adjustments
Joint venture adjustments
Driscoll's Australia Partnership consolidation adjustments
Other revenue
Total revenue

Notes

1
2
3
4

FY2017
1,179.2
(41.1)
(31.3)
(206.6)
8.9
909.1

FY2016
1,042.5
(31.9)
(27.6)
(169.7)
8.5
821.7

1. Under AAS, the invoiced value of agency sales is excluded from revenue with only the commission associated with the agency sales recognised. 
2.  Costa’s proportionate share of joint venture sales relating to the African Blue and Polar Fresh joint ventures, of 49% and 50% respectively. Under AAS, joint ventures are accounted for under  

the equity method, with only Costa’s share of joint venture NPAT recognised in profit or loss.

3. Costa owns 50% of the equity of Driscoll’s JV. Transacted Sales includes 100% of Driscoll’s JV sales, after eliminating Costa produce sales to the Driscoll’s JV.
4. Other revenue (with the exception of royalty income) not included in Transacted Sales. 

8. Dividends

Costa Group Holdings Ltd declared and paid a fully franked interim dividend of 4.0 cents per share during the year ended 25 June 2017. 

The Board has approved a final dividend of 7.0 cents per share with record date of 14 September 2017 and payment date of 5 October 2017.  
This dividend will be fully franked. As this dividend was approved after year end, it has not been accrued for as at 25 June 2017. 

This brings the total dividend payment for FY2017 to 11.0 cents per share. FY2018 dividends will be balanced against the Company’s need  
to fund growth objectives.

34  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
9. Likely Developments

The Group will continue to explore opportunities that meet the Group’s long-term growth and development goals. The goal is to provide a superior 
sustainable increase in profits. 

Further information about likely developments in the operations of the Group and the expected results of those operations in future financial years 
has not been included in this report because disclosure of the information would be likely to result in unreasonable prejudice to the Group.

10. Environmental Regulation 

The Group is committed to conducting business activities and investing in farming practices that are innovative, cost-efficient, promote sustainable 
horticulture and focus on the need for responsible environmental stewardship with respect to its use of natural resources, while continuing to meet 
expectations of shareholders, employees, customers and suppliers. 

The Group publishes an annual Sustainability Report currently contained within the Annual Report in which it reports on initiatives that are aimed 
at improving environmental performance. 

The Group is subject to environmental regulations under various federal, state and local laws relating predominately to water use and air and noise 
emission levels.

The Group is committed to achieving a level of environmental performance that meets or exceeds federal, state and local requirements.

11. Directors’ Interests

The relevant interest of each Director in the shares and options issued by Costa Group Holdings Ltd, as notified by the Directors to the ASX in 
accordance with S205G(1) of the Corporations Act 2001, at the date of this report is as follows:

Neil Chatfield 
Frank Costa ¹
Harry Debney
Kevin Schwartz ²
Peter Margin
Tiffany Fuller
Janette Kendall

Ordinary Shares
372,222
10,432,099
632,078
-
24,988
10,000
10,000

Options Over 
Ordinary Shares
-
-
2,499,882
-
-
-

1.  Frank Costa’s interests represent an indirect interest in approximately 31.67% of the ordinary shares held by Costa AFR Pty Ltd as trustee for the Costa AFR Unit Trust as a result of his 

shareholding in a series of other entities.

2.  The Company had previously notified that Kevin Schwartz had an indirect interest in P&P COS Holdings B.V.’s shareholding in the Company as a result of his shareholding in a series of other 

entities. The Company has been informed that while Mr Schwartz continues to have an economic interest of approximately 0.1% in a fund which is the ultimate shareholder in P&P COS 
Holdings B.V., Mr Schwartz’s indirect interest in the Company’s shares held by P&P COS Holdings B.V is not a notifiable interest under the ASX Listing Rules. 

12. Share Options

Unissued Ordinary Shares Under Options
Unissued ordinary shares of Costa Group Holdings Ltd under option at the date of this report are as follows:

Number of Unissued Ordinary Shares Under Option
50,000
1,621,4281
2,063,4692
1,891,944

Issue Price of Shares
$1.45
$2.25
$2.78
$2.81

Expiry Date of the Options
October 2024
June 2020
December 2021
August 2019

1.   These options represent options granted to management during FY2016 under the Group’s LTI plan, including 282,738 options issued to Linda Kow and 407,738 options issued 

to George Haggar, as KMP of the Company, and 61,905 options issued to David Thomas, the Company Secretary of the Company.

2.    These options represent options granted to management during FY2017 under the Group’s LTI plan, including 260,468 options issued to Linda Kow and 125,191 options issued 

to and retained by George Haggar, as KMP of the Company, and 71,328 options issued to David Thomas, the Company Secretary of the Company. 

All unissued shares are ordinary shares in the Company, or will be converted into ordinary shares immediately after exercise of the relevant option.

No option holder has any right under the options to participate in any other share issue of the Group.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  35

Directors’ Report continued

12. Share Options continued

Shares Issued on Exercise of Options
During the financial year, the Company issued 400,000 C class shares to Neil Chatfield as a result of the exercise of legacy LTI options described in 
section 6.3.3.2 of the Company’s prospectus dated 25 June 2015, which shares were immediately converted to ordinary shares pursuant to the terms 
of the options. 

13. Indemnification and Insurance of Directors and Officers 

Pursuant to its constitution, the Company may indemnify Directors and officers, past and present, against liabilities that arise from their position  
as a Director or officer allowed under law. The Company has entered into deeds of indemnity, insurance and access with its existing and past Directors,  
its Company Secretary and the Directors of the Company’s subsidiaries. Under the deeds of indemnity, insurance and access, the Company 
indemnifies each Director or officer against all liabilities to another person that may arise from their position as a Director or officer of the Company  
or its subsidiaries, to the extent permitted by law. The deeds stipulate that the Company will meet the full amount of any such liabilities, including 
reasonable legal costs and expenses.

During the financial year, the Group paid premiums to insure all Directors and officers against certain liabilities as contemplated under the 
Company’s constitution. Disclosure of the total amount of the premiums paid under this insurance policy is not permitted under the provisions  
of the insurance contract.

Further disclosure required under section 300(9) of the Corporations Act 2001 is prohibited under the terms of the contract.

14. Indemnification and Insurance of Auditors

No indemnities have been given or insurance premiums paid, during or since the end of the year, for any person who is or has been an auditor  
of the Group.

15. Non-audit Services

During the year KPMG, the Group’s auditors, has performed certain other services in addition to the audit and review of the financial statements.

The Board has considered the non-audit services provided during the year by the auditor and is satisfied that the provision of those non-audit services 
during the year by the auditor is compatible with, and did not compromise, the auditor’s independence requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 for  
the following reasons:

•  all non-audit services were subject to the corporate governance procedures adopted by the Group and have been reviewed by the Audit and Risk 

Committee to ensure they do not impact the integrity and objectivity of the auditor; and

•  the non-audit services provided do not undermine the general principles relating to auditor independence as set out in APES 110 Code of Ethics 
for Professional Accountants, as they did not involve reviewing or auditing the auditor’s own work, acting in a management or decision making 
capacity for the Group, acting as an advocate for the Group or jointly sharing risks and rewards.

Details of the amounts paid to the auditor of the Group, KPMG, and its network firms for audit and non-audit services provided during the year are 
set out below.

AUD$
Other services provided by KPMG
Taxation compliance and other taxation advisory services (including R&D)
Other assurance services (including IPO services)
Other services (including IPO services)

 2017

2016

2015

245,700
- 
10,000
255,700

 175,000
-
21,000 
196,000 

277,030 
785,000 
575,230 
1,637,260 

16. Rounding Off

The financial report is presented in Australian dollars with all values rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated, in accordance with 
ASIC Corporations Instrument 2016/191.

17. Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration

The lead auditor’s independence declaration is set out on page 48 and forms part of the Directors’ Report for the financial year ended 25 June 2017.

36  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Remuneration Report (Audited) 
1. Introduction 

The Directors are pleased to present the FY2017 Remuneration Report, outlining the Board’s approach to the remuneration for key management 
personnel (KMP). 

KMP are individuals who have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly,  
and comprise the Directors and the senior executives of the Group, as listed below. 

Name
Directors
Neil Chatfield 
Frank Costa
Kevin Schwartz
Peter Margin 
Tiffany Fuller
Janette Kendall
Harry Debney

Executives
Linda Kow
George Haggar

Position Held

Chairman Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive director
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director 
Non-Executive Director (Appointed 11 October 2016)
Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director

Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operating Officer

The information in this report has been audited as required by section 308(3C) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). 

2. Corporate Governance 

2.1 Remuneration and Human Resources Committee
The Group has established a Remuneration and Human Resources Committee that is comprised of Non-Executive Directors, the majority of whom  
are independent in accordance with the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee Charter.

The Remuneration and Human Resources Committee is responsible for assisting and advising the Board on: 

•  remuneration policies and practices for executives and employees of the Group;

• 

incentive schemes and equity-based remuneration plans; 

•  diversity;

•  human resources practices; and

•  shareholder and other stakeholder engagement in relation to the Group’s remuneration policies and practices. 

A full charter outlining the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee’s responsibilities is available at: http://investors.costagroup.com.au/
investor-centre/?page=corporate-governance.

2.2 Use of Remuneration Consultants
The Remuneration and Human Resources Committee can engage remuneration consultants to provide it with information on current market 
practice, and other matters to assist the Committee in the performance of its duties. The Remuneration and Human Resources Committee engaged  
Ernst & Young to undertake a review of the Long Term Incentive Plan (‘LTIP’) for FY2017. The objectives in the review included benchmarking  
and market positioning of the LTIP to align participant performance with the long-term growth and business strategy delivering shareholder  
value. During 2017 the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee engaged Ernst & Young specifically to undertake market data analysis 
benchmarking executive remuneration. The Remuneration and Human Resources Committee sought market data from the consultants from 
appropriate comparator groups within Australia.

The Remuneration and Human Resources Committee is satisfied that no remuneration recommendations (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001) 
were provided by Ernst & Young. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  37

Directors’ Report continued

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
2.3 Associated Policies
The Group has established a number of policies to support a strong governance framework, including a Whistleblower Policy, Anti-Bribery and 
Anti-Corruption Policy, Diversity Policy, Disclosure Policy and Securities Trading Policy. These policies and procedures have been implemented to 
uphold ethical behaviour and responsible decision making. Further information on the Group’s policies is available at: http://investors.costagroup.
com.au/investor-centre/?page=corporate-governance.

3. Executive Remuneration 

3.1 Remuneration Framework
The remuneration framework adopted by the Board is designed to attract and retain key talent, reward the achievement of strategic objectives  
and align reward with the creation of shareholder wealth. The key principles supporting the Group’s remuneration framework are: 

Principle
Competitive Remuneration

Objective
Reward employees fairly and competitively for 
their contributions to the Group’s success.

Application
•  Total remuneration is set having regard to 

the individual’s capabilities and experience. 

Performance Driven

Executives are rewarded for achieving strategic goals 
that create sustainable growth in shareholder wealth.

•  Remuneration is set with regard to an appropriate 

comparator group of companies within the 
consumer discretionary and consumer staples 
sectors of the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index.

•  The Board may at times obtain independent  

advice on the appropriateness of total 
remuneration package. 

•  Significant ‘at risk’ reward ensures executive’s 
interests remain aligned with creation of 
shareholder value. Equity is used as a key 
element of the variable remuneration to align 
executives and shareholders. 

•  At-risk rewards are driven by the Group’s short and 
long-term performance incentives. Performance 
measures are designed to ensure a focus on 
long-term sustainable growth.

•  Equity is used as a key element of the variable 

remuneration to align executives and shareholders.

3.1.1 Remuneration Overview for FY2017 
The FY2017 remuneration for the CEO, CFO and COO (‘Executive KMP’) included a combination of fixed remuneration, short-term incentives and 
long-term incentives in the form of options over shares. 

38  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
3.1.2 Remuneration Mix for FY2017
Total remuneration for the Executive KMP includes both fixed and ‘at risk’ reward components. ‘At risk’ reward includes short and long-term 
incentives, which are based on individual and Group performance outcomes. In FY2017, the Executive KMP received fixed remuneration, together 
with the following ‘at risk’ components: 

•  short-term incentives, as outlined in section 3.2.2; and 

• 

long-term incentives, as outlined in section 3.3,

as further outlined in Section 7 – Directors’ and Executive Officers’ Remuneration.

The mix of fixed versus variable ‘at risk’1 remuneration payable in respect of FY2017 for the Executive KMP was as follows: 

CEO

CFO

COO

50%

56%

53%

Fixed

At risk

50%

44%

47%

1. Includes cash and deferred equity component of FY2017 STI plan (section 3.2.2) and share-based payments associated with the FY2017 LTI arrangements (section 3.3).

3.2 Remuneration Components

3.2.1 Fixed Remuneration
Total fixed remuneration (‘TFR’) is comprised of cash salary, superannuation contributions, and other non-monetary benefits such as car leasing 
arrangements and additional superannuation contributions. TFR is reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee with regard to individual 
and Group performance. The Committee’s review of TFR has consideration for the Executive KMP’s total remuneration package. 

3.2.2 Short Term Incentive (STI) Plan 

FY2017 STI Plan Overview
The STI Plan enables Executive KMP and other members of senior management to receive an incentive payment calculated as a percentage of total 
fixed remuneration (TFR) conditional on achieving EBIT hurdles as set out below. Solely for the purposes of this section 3.2.2 all references to ‘EBIT’ 
means management EBIT-S, that is, statutory EBIT before the impact of the movement in SGARA. 

• 

If the Group achieves less than 90% of budget EBIT for the year, no STI will be paid. 

•  Target STI is paid to a participant on the Group achieving 100% of budget EBIT and the participant satisfying their other STI performance 

measures, with pro rata payments if EBIT is between 90% and 100% of budget EBIT. 

•  Stretch STI is payable if the Group achieves over 100% of budget EBIT, with the maximum STI being payable at 110% of budget EBIT (and the 
participant meets expectations of their individual performance STI measures). The stretch STI component is measured solely on EBIT and is 
calculated on a straight-line basis between 100% and 110% of budget EBIT. 

The EBIT hurdle was selected on the basis that it has a direct correlation to the financial performance of the Group.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  39

Directors’ Report continued

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
2017 Short Term Incentive Plan Features
The table below outlines the key features of the FY2017 STI Plan, as it applied to the Executive KMP and other members of senior management: 

Objective
Participants
Performance Period
Opportunity

Performance Measures

Payment Method

To reward participants for achieving goals directly linked with the Group’s business strategy
All Executive KMP and selected senior management 
Financial year ending 25 June 2017
•  CEO – Target STI is 45% of TFR, with a maximum opportunity of 70% TFR for exceeding stretch 

targets. 

•  CFO, COO – Target STI is 35% of TFR, with a maximum opportunity of 60% TFR for exceeding 

stretch targets.

Consistent with FY2016, STI was assessed against both financial and non-financial measures,  
and was weighted as follows:
Measure
EBIT
Cash Flow
Individual Performance
Individual Performance was measured against KPIs appropriate for the Executive’s role and 
included key business measures such as safety, project execution, innovation, quality, customer 
satisfaction and people.

Weighting
50%
30%
20%

Cash Flow is based on EBITDA-S cash conversion, which includes EBITDA-S adjusted for joint 
ventures, operational working capital movements, and operating capex.
•  Cash – Two-thirds will be paid in cash following the end of the performance year; and

•  Deferred – One-third of the STI benefit payable will be delivered in the form of performance 
rights. No dividends or voting rights are attached to performance rights, but cash payments 
equivalent to dividends will be paid to holders of performance rights. A participant’s 
performance rights will vest on 1 September 2018 and the participant will receive an 
equivalent number of shares, if the participant remains employed by the Group at that time 
(or has ceased employment in circumstances where they are regarded as a ‘good leaver’). 

Calculation Methodology

The STI incentive is assessed annually at the end of the financial year. 

Calculations

The stretch opportunity is based on the overachievement against the Group EBIT only, with the 
opportunity capped at 25% of the participant’s TFR. Every 1% of Actual Group EBIT over Budget 
increases the incentive by 2.5%. 

The stretch STI component is measured solely on EBIT and is calculated on a straight-line basis 
between 100% and 110% of budgeted EBIT.
Each of the three measures EBIT, Cash flow and Individual Performance has been evaluated. 

Each of the participants has been determined to have met the requirements of the performance 
measure.

Group EBIT before SGARA:
Budgeted Group EBIT before SGARA for FY2017 was $72.0 million. The actual Group EBIT before 
SGARA for FY2017 was $79.7 million including material items, which is greater than the 10% 
hurdle enabling the full STI stretch opportunity to be exercised.

40  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
The performance against the key targets identified under the STI Plan resulted in each KMP receiving an incentive as follows:

KMP
CEO
CFO
COO

Target STI
$437,715
$170,184
$245,375

% of target STI Achieved in the Year
156%
171%
171%

3.3 LTIP for FY2017
The FY2017 LTIP is designed to reward the Executive KMP (including the CEO) and other senior executives for long-term performance and long-term 
value creation for shareholders. 

Term
Eligibility
Consideration for grant
Instrument
Number of options granted

Exercise price

Performance period

Performance measure (GEPS)

Performance measure (Growth)

Entitlements 

Description
CEO, CFO, COO and selected members of the senior management team
Nil
Options to acquire ordinary shares in Costa Group Holdings Limited
The number of options was determined based on a set percentage of the participant’s TFR (‘LTI 
Incentive Amount’), being 35% for the CEO and 30% for each of the CFO and COO. The options 
were indicatively valued by an independent external valuer (Ernst & Young), prior to seeking 
shareholder approval for the issue of options to the CEO. The number of options issued to 
each participant was determined by dividing that participant’s LTI Incentive Amount by the 
indicative value per option as determined by the independent valuer. The final fair value of the 
options was determined on the grant date following shareholder approval of the issuance of 
options to the CEO. 
$2.78 per share, being the volume weighted average price of an ordinary fully paid share in the 
capital of the Company recorded on the ASX over 10 ASX trading days ending on 30 June 2016. 
The FY2017 LTI performance period will be the three-year period commencing on 27 June 2016 
and ending on 30 June 2019
75% of the options (‘EPS Options’) will be subject to a performance hurdle based on the 
Company’s Earnings Per Share (basic) compound annual growth rate (‘CAGR’) over the 
performance period, with performance and vesting outcomes as follows:

Company’s EPS CAGR over performance period

Less than 8% 
8%
Between 8% and 11% (inclusive)
Above 11%

Percentage of LTIP Options (subject 
to the EPS hurdle) that will vest
0%
50%
50% –100%, on a straight-line sliding scale
100%

The Board retains discretion to adjust the calculation of EPS (for example, to exclude the impact 
of significant events that may occur during the performance period).
The Board will continue to assess the appropriateness of this metric over time. 
25% of the options (‘Growth Target Options’) will be subject to a performance hurdle based 
on geographic and category diversification and growth designed to support sustainable long- 
term value creation. Diversification includes two new geographic locations, which may include 
domestic and/or international locations and one new major category pillar. Growth includes 
the scaling up of the avocado category from its establishment position as well as continuing 
the China and Morocco Joint Ventures growth trajectory. In addition to the performance 
hurdles the Company investment hurdles will be applied.

The number of growth target options that vest will be determined by the Board (with the 
Managing Director not voting) based on an assessment of the Company’s performance during 
the performance period against the growth and diversification targets set by the Board.

The Company considers the performance targets for this hurdle to be commercially sensitive, 
with the result that publication of that information prior to the end of the Performance Period 
may be prejudicial to the interests of the Company. Accordingly, complete details regarding 
the outcomes of vesting will be disclosed at the end of the performance period in the 2019 
Remuneration Report. 
Options will not carry rights to dividends or voting rights prior to vesting.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  41

Directors’ Report continued

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued

Term
Option exercise

Restrictions on dealing

Service conditions 

Description
Vested options must be exercised within five years from the grant date of the options (‘expiry 
date’). Prior to the expiry date, an optionholder can exercise by either:

•  providing the Company with an exercise notice that specifies the number of options to  
be exercised, together with the exercise price in respect of those exercised options; or

•  electing a cashless exercise in respect of some or all of his options.

If an optionholder provides the exercise price, he/she will be issued with one share per 
exercised option. If an optionholder elects a cashless exercise, he/she will be issued with  
a lower number of shares, calculated in accordance with the following formula:

(A minus B) divided by C, where:

A =  Number of shares to which each vested option relates (ie. 1) x number of vested options 

exercised x market price per share

B = Number of vested options exercised x exercise price per option

C =  Market price per share, being an amount equal to the volume weighted average price of  
a share recorded on the ASX over 10 ASX trading days immediately preceding the date on 
which the market price is to be calculated or, if no sale occurred during such period, the last 
sale price of a share recorded on the ASX.

Participants must not sell, transfer, encumber, hedge or otherwise deal with their options granted 
under the LTIP.

Shares delivered on the exercise of 50% of the options will be subject to a restriction period 
(during which the shares cannot be sold or otherwise dealt with) for 12 months following vesting.
Any unvested options granted under the LTIP will be forfeited where the participant is 
dismissed during the performance period, or resigns in circumstances where they are not 
considered to be a ‘good leaver’. Where the participant is considered a ‘good leaver’ (which 
includes death, disability or redundancy), the unvested options and/or performance rights  
will remain on foot subject to Board discretion and be tested at the end of the original  
vesting date against the relevant performance conditions.

4 Executive Remuneration Disclosure 

4.1 Executives’ Contract Terms
A summary of the key terms of employment for executives as at 25 June 2017 is presented in the below table:

Executive
Harry Debney
Linda Kow
George Haggar1

Role
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer 
Chief Operating Officer

Notice by the Group
6 Months
3 Months
3 Months

Notice on Resignation
6 Months
3 Months
3 Months

1. George Haggar resigned during the reporting period and ceased to be employed after 25 June 2017. His replacement will commence employment with the Group during FY2018.

42  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
5. Non-Executive Directors 

The details of fees paid to Non-Executive Directors in FY2017 are included in Section 7 of this report. Non-Executive Directors’ fees were fixed and 
they did not receive any performance-based remuneration.

The table below outlines the fee structure for Non-Executive Directors in FY2017. The annual aggregate fee pool for Non-Executive Directors is 
$1,200,000. Board and committee fees, which are inclusive of statutory superannuation contributions, are included in this aggregate fee pool. 

Board/Committee
Board base fee
Audit and Risk Committee
Remuneration and Human Resources Committee
Nomination Committee

Chairman Fee ($)
235,290 (inclusive of committee fees)
20,460
15,345
-

Member Fee ($)
102,300 
10,230
7,673
-

6. Relationship Between Remuneration Policy and Group Performance

Key Performance Indicator
Revenue ($’000)
Statutory EBIT-S ($’000)
EBIT-S before material items ($’000)
NPAT-S before material items ($’000)
Dividend paid or declared to ordinary shareholders (cents per ordinary share)

FY2015¹
736,231
22,289
49,911
34,349
Nil

FY2016
821,861
46,128
65,558
44,230
9.0

FY2017
909,108
79,651
87,711
60,713
11.0

1.  FY2015 has been restated as a result of the early adoption of the amendments made to Accounting Standards AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment and AASB 141 Agriculture in relation to 

bearer plants. The FY2015 EBIT-S before material items and NPAT-S before material items results have not been subject to audit.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  43

Directors’ Report continued

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
7. Directors’ and Executive Officers’ Remuneration 

Details of the nature and amount of each major element of remuneration of each Director of the Company, and other KMP of the consolidated  
entity are:

Non-Executive Directors1

Neil Chatfield 

Frank Costa 

Kevin Schwartz

Peter Margin 

Tiffany Fuller

Janette Kendall

Managing Director and Executive Officers

Harry Debney

Linda Kow

George Haggar

Salary and Fees
$

STI (cash)
$

Short-Term
Non-
Monetary 
Benefits
$

Other 
Monetary 
Benefits
$

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

215,674

210,321

100,431

98,173

100,000

100,000

116,781

108,947

112,110

82,192

67,673

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

953,011

453,927

931,217

312,770

466,549

194,496

455,692

124,718

681,379

280,428

665,692

179,857

-

-

167

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,677

-

3,062

-

4,415

-

Total
$

215,674

210,321

100,431

98,340

100,000

100,000

116,781

108,947

112,110

82,192

67,673

-

1,414,615

1,243,987

664,107

580,410

966,222

845,549

Note in relation to the table of Directors’ and Executive officers’ remuneration: 
1. Reasonable travel, accommodation and other costs incurred by Directors in the course of their duties are reimbursed to Directors, in addition to the remuneration noted above.

Post-employment

Long-Term Benefits

Termination

Share-Based Payments

Total

Superannuation  

Benefits

Long Service Leave

Termination  

Benefits

$

$

19,616

19,679

9,541

9,327

-

-

-

11,094

11,053

10,650

7,808

6,429

19,616

19,308

19,616

19,308

19,616

19,308

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

13,164

15,547

8,767

11,295

17,984

15,990

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

508,168

272,275

194,014

75,071

364,778

108,260

$

235,290

230,000

109,972

107,667

100,000

100,000

127,875

120,000

122,760

90,000

74,102

-

1,955,563

1,551,117

886,504

686,084

1,368,600

989,107

44  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Remuneration Report (Audited) continued

7. Directors’ and Executive Officers’ Remuneration 

Details of the nature and amount of each major element of remuneration of each Director of the Company, and other KMP of the consolidated  

entity are:

Non-Executive Directors1

Neil Chatfield 

Frank Costa 

Kevin Schwartz

Peter Margin 

Tiffany Fuller

Janette Kendall

Harry Debney

Linda Kow

George Haggar

Managing Director and Executive Officers

Salary and Fees

STI (cash)

Short-Term

Non-

Monetary 

Benefits

Other 

Monetary 

Benefits

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

2017

2016

$

215,674

210,321

100,431

98,173

100,000

100,000

116,781

108,947

112,110

82,192

67,673

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

953,011

453,927

931,217

312,770

466,549

194,496

455,692

124,718

681,379

280,428

665,692

179,857

$

-

-

167

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

7,677

3,062

4,415

Total

$

215,674

210,321

100,431

98,340

100,000

100,000

116,781

108,947

112,110

82,192

67,673

-

1,414,615

1,243,987

664,107

580,410

966,222

845,549

Note in relation to the table of Directors’ and Executive officers’ remuneration: 

1. Reasonable travel, accommodation and other costs incurred by Directors in the course of their duties are reimbursed to Directors, in addition to the remuneration noted above.

Post-employment

Long-Term Benefits

Termination

Share-Based Payments

Total

Superannuation  
Benefits
$

Long Service Leave
$

Termination  
Benefits
$

19,616

19,679

9,541

9,327

-

-

11,094

11,053

10,650

7,808

6,429

-

19,616

19,308

19,616

19,308

19,616

19,308

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

13,164

15,547

8,767

11,295

17,984

15,990

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

$

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

508,168

272,275

194,014

75,071

364,778

108,260

$

235,290

230,000

109,972

107,667

100,000

100,000

127,875

120,000

122,760

90,000

74,102

-

1,955,563

1,551,117

886,504

686,084

1,368,600

989,107

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ Report continued

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued
8. Equity Instruments 

8.1 Movements in Shares 
The movement during the reporting period in the number of ordinary shares in Costa Group Holdings Ltd held, directly, indirectly or beneficially, by 
each key management person, together with shares held by their close family members, is set out below:

Neil Chatfield (directly and indirectly held)
Neil Chatfield (close family members)
Peter Margin (indirectly held)
Tiffany Fuller (directly held)
Frank Costa1
Kevin Schwartz 2
Janette Kendall
Harry Debney (directly and indirectly held)
Linda Kow (directly held)
George Haggar (directly and indirectly held)

Held at
26 June 2016
22,222
14,000
14,350
10,000
10,432,099
-

1,032,078
213,404
327,336

Shares
Acquired
-
-
10,638
-
-
-
10,000
-
-
-

Shares
Sold
50,000
-
-
-
-
-

400,000
-
155,000

Other
Changes3
400,000
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
-

Held at
25 June 2017
372,222
14,000
24,988
10,000
10,432,099
-
10,000
632,078
213,404
172,336

Notes in relation to Table 8.1 (Movement in shares)
1.  Frank Costa‘s interests represent an indirect interest in approximately 31.67% of the ordinary shares held by Costa AFR Pty Ltd as trustee for the Costa AFR Unit Trust as a result of his 

shareholding in a series of other entities.

2.  The Company had previously notified that Kevin Schwartz had an indirect interest in P&P COS Holdings B.V.’s shareholding in the Company as a result of his shareholding in a series of other 

entities. The Company has been informed that while Mr Schwartz continues to have an economic interest of approximately 0.1% in a fund which is the ultimate shareholder in P&P COS 
Holdings B.V., Mr Schwartz’s indirect interest in the Company’s shares held by P&P COS Holdings B.V is not a notifiable interest under the ASX Listing Rules. 

3.  Other changes represent the issue of C class shares that were issued on the exercise of legacy LTI options, that were then immediately converted into ordinary shares as described in section 

6.3.3.2 of the Company’s prospectus dated 25 June 2015.

8.2 Options Over Equity Instruments Granted as Compensation 
The movement during the reporting period, in the number of options over ordinary shares granted as compensation to KMP, is as follows: 

Number of 
Options Granted 
During 2017
607,938
260,486
375,573

Grant Date
6 December 2016
6 December 2016
6 December 2016

Fair Value Per 
Option $
0.670
0.670
0.670

Exercise Price  
Per Option $
2.78
2.78
2.78

Expiry Date
5 December 2021
5 December 2021
5 December 2021

Number of 
Options Vested 
During 2017
-
-
-

Harry Debney
Linda Kow
George Haggar

8.3 Details of Equity Incentives Affecting Current and Future Remuneration 
The table below outlines each KMP’s unvested options and performance rights at the end of the reporting period. Details of vesting profiles of the 
options and performance rights held by each KMP are detailed below: 

Harry Debney

Linda Kow

George Haggar

Instrument
Options
Performance rights
Options
Options
Performance rights
Options
Options
Performance rights
Options

Number
1,891,944
53,740
607,938
282,738
21,429
260,486
407,738
30,903
375,573

Grant Date % Vested in Year % Forfeited in Year
-
15 July 2015
-
1 September 2016
-
6 December 2016
-
26 October 2015
-
1 September 2016
-
6 December 2016
-
26 October 2015
-
1 September 2016
-
6 December 2016

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Financial Year in  
Which Grant Vests
2018
2018
2019
2018
2018
2019
2018
2018
2019

1.  George Haggar resigned during the reporting period and ceased to be employed by the Group with effect from 3 July 2017. As he was categorised by the Board as a ‘Good Leaver’, he has 

retained the proportion of his options that represented his time employed by the Group during the performance period , with the balance of the options issued during the reporting period 
being forfeited.

8.4 LTI Grants and Movement During the Year
The movement during the reporting period, of options over ordinary shares held, directly, indirectly or beneficially, by each KMP, including their 
related parties, is as follows: 

46  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Remuneration Report (Audited) continued

Neil Chatfield
Harry Debney
Linda Kow
George Haggar

Held at
26 June 2016
400,000
1,891,944
282,738
407,738

Granted as 
Compensation
-
607,938
260,486
375,573

Exercised
400,000
-
-
-

Held at
25 June 2017
-
2,499,882
543,224
783,3111

Vested During 
the Year
-
-
-
-

Vested and Exercised 
or Disposed of at  
25 June 2017
400,000
-
-
-

Vested and 
Exercisable  
25 June 2017
-
-
-
-

1.  George Haggar resigned during the reporting period and ceased to be employed by the Group with effect from 3 July 2017. As he was categorised by the Board as a ‘Good Leaver’, he has retained 
the proportion of his options that represented his time employed by the Group during the performance period, with the balance of the options issued during the reporting period being forfeited.

8.5 Key Management Personnel Transactions 
Mr Frank Costa (Director) 

Payment of rent by Costa’s Pty Ltd to Frank Costa for the lease of 1111 Aviation Road, Werribee of AUD$1 (2016: AUD$1). This property is leased  
to Costa’s Pty Ltd until 2076 at AUD$1 per annum and is subleased to an unrelated third party on standard commercial terms, with an arm’s-length 
commercial rent payable to Costa’s Pty Ltd. The Board considers this arrangement to be beneficial, given that it generates revenue greater than  
the expenses that are incurred in respect of the property.

8.6 Director Independence
The Board regularly monitors and assesses the independence of each Director by considering whether the Director is allied with management or a 
substantial securityholder or other stakeholder and whether the Director is free of any other interest, position, association or relationship that might 
influence, or reasonably be perceived to influence, in a material respect his or her capacity to bring an independent judgement to bear on issues 
before the Board and to act in the best interests of the entity and its securityholders generally. The Board considers numerous factors as part of this 
process, including those identified by the ASX Corporate Governance Council, namely whether the Director:

• 

• 

• 

• 

is, or recently has been, employed by the Group in an executive capacity;

is or recently has been, a director, partner or senior employee of a provider of material professional services to the Business;

is, or recently has been (or is associated with someone who is or recently has been), in a material business relationship with the Group; 

is, or is associated with, as substantial security holder of the Company;

•  has a material contractual relationship with the Group;

•  has close family ties with someone who falls within the above categories; or

•  has been a Director for such a period that his or her independence may have been compromised.

On this basis the Board has made the following assessments in respect of the Company’s Directors:

• 

Independent: Neil Chatfield, Peter Margin, Tiffany Fuller, Janette Kendall. Specifically, it is noted that none of these Directors is a related party of any 
substantial shareholder of the Company (or any entities associated with substantial shareholders), nor have they provided any services to the 
Company (other than in their capacity as Director) nor been an employee or officer of any such service provider. At the date of the Company’s 
listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, the Company’s governing documents provided that Directors could only be appointed to the Company’s 
Board if they were nominated by one of those shareholders and, accordingly, Neil Chatfield’s appointment was a result of his nomination by Costa AFR. 
As disclosed in the 2015 Annual Report, Neil was engaged by State Logistics and Costa Asset Management in relation to that nominee directorship. 
The Company’s governing documents were amended at the time of the Company’s listing on the Australian Securities Exchange and Neil Chatfield 
ceased at that time to be a nominee of Costa AFR and since that time has had no direct or indirect relationship with Costa AFR, Costa Asset 
Management and State Logistics, or any other company controlled by members of the Costa family (including Table Grape Growers of Australia). 
Neil Chatfield was subsequently appointed as a Director by the Company’s shareholders at the Company’s 2015 Annual General Meeting. 

•  Not independent: Frank Costa (due to shares held by Costa AFR), Kevin Schwartz (due to shares held by P&P COS Holdings BV, Harry Debney (due to 
his executive role). Specifically, it is noted that Frank Costa has no interest in properties occupied by the Group other than the lease referred to in 
section 8.5. As at the date of the Company’s listing on the Australian Securities Exchange, Frank Costa had an indirect interest in Vitalharvest Pty Ltd (a 
company from which the Group leases various berry and citrus properties) solely by virtue of holding a convertible note issued by Vitalharvest Pty Ltd. 
That convertible note was repaid in August 2015 and since that time Frank Costa has had no legal or beneficial interest in Vitalharvest Pty Ltd or its 
parent company Costa Asset Management Pty Ltd (or the Costa Asset Management Unit Trust), nor has he been employed by or an officer of either of 
those companies. Non-dependant family members of Frank Costa are Directors of Costa Asset Management Pty Ltd and collectively have a significant 
interest in the Costa Asset Management Unit Trust, but Frank has no control over, and does not seek to exert any influence over, the decisions made  
by them in relation to the leases between the Company and either Vitalharvest or Costa Asset Management. Notwithstanding that he is not a related 
party of Vitalharvest or Costa Asset Management, Frank Costa intends to abstain from voting on any significant decisions that are to be made in 
relation to the Company’s dealings with Vitalharvest or Costa Asset Management.

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

Neil Chatfield
Chairman
Dated at Melbourne 23 August 2017

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  47

 
Auditor’s Independence Declaration

Lead Auditor’s Independence Declaration under 
Section 307C of the Corporations Act 2001 

To the Directors of Costa Group Holdings Limited 

I declare that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, in relation to the audit of Costa Group Holdings 
Limited for the financial year ended 25 June 2017 there have been: 

i.

ii.

KPMG 

no contraventions of the auditor independence requirements as set out in the 
Corporations Act 2001 in relation to the audit; and 

no contraventions of any applicable code of professional conduct in relation to the audit. 

Paul J McDonald 

Partner 

Melbourne 

23 August 2017 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under 
Professional Standards Legislation.

34 

48  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Profit and Loss  
and Other Comprehensive Income
For the Financial Year Ended 25 June 2017

Revenue 
Sales revenue
Other revenue

Less: expenses 
Raw materials, consumables and third-party purchases
Depreciation and amortisation expenses
Employee benefits expenses
Occupancy expenses
Finance costs
Profit on sale of assets
Freight and cartage
Leasing expenses
Gain on fair value adjustments – biological assets
Gain/(loss) on fair value of derivatives
Other expenses

Share of net profits of associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method
Profit before income tax expense 
Income tax expense
Profit for the period

Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period
Foreign currency translation differences
Total other comprehensive income/(loss) for the period

Total comprehensive income for the period

Profit/(loss) attributable to:
Owners of Costa Group Holdings Ltd
Non-controlling interests

Total comprehensive profit/(loss) attributable to:
Owners of Costa Group Holdings Ltd
Non-controlling interests

Notes

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

A2
A2

A2

A2

A2

D1

E2

895,341
13,767
909,108

(335,991)
(27,793)
(300,434)
(53,867)
(5,321)
1,107
(47,483)
(15,269)
5,878
512
(65,430)
(844,091)
15,245
80,262
(22,620)
57,642

809,027
12,834
821,861

(311,761)
(22,507)
(276,376)
(52,716)
(14,283)
1,387
(49,346)
(9,117)
4,349
(870)
(69,382)
(800,622)
14,442
35,681
(10,423)
25,258

(435)
(435)

-
-

57,207

25,258

57,713
(71)
57,642

57,278
(71)
57,207

2017 
$ ‘000

18.09
18.02

25,258
-
25,258

25,258
-
25,258

2016 
$ ‘000

8.04
7.96

Earnings per share for profit attributable to ordinary equity holders:
Basic earnings per share 
Diluted earnings per share 

Notes

A4
A4

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

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  49

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
As at 25 June 2017

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Biological assets
Derivative financial assets
Other assets
Total current assets

Non-current assets
Other financial assets
Equity accounted investments
Intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Property, plant and equipment
Total non-current assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Payables
Provisions
Derivative financial liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Provisions
Total non-current liabilities
Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Share capital
Profit reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Foreign currency translation reserve
Accumulated losses
Equity attributable to owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
TOTAL EQUITY

Notes

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

B1
B2
B3
B6
C7
B5

E5
D1(b)
B8
E2
B7

B4
B9
C7
E2

C1
B9

C2
C3
E1

22,582
87,434
18,076
46,042
270
12,579
186,983

327
32,354
143,101
3,517
281,949
461,248
648,231

102,733
15,761
-
17,561
136,055

106,775
9,223
115,998
252,053

4,002
72,807
17,904
37,408
-
5,333
137,454

327
33,665
142,782
4,957
249,324
431,055
568,509

81,638
13,217
242
5,879
100,976

103,766
4,172
107,938
208,914

396,178

359,595

399,902
45,802
2,501
(435)
(56,621)
391,149
5,029
396,178

395,688
20,005
523
-
(56,621)
359,595
-
359,595

The above Consolidated Statement of Financial Position should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

50  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
As at 25 June 2017

Share  
Based 
Payment 
Reserve
$ '000

Foreign 
Currency 
Translation 
Reserve
$ '000

Accumulated 
Losses
$ '000

Profit 
 Reserve
$ '000

Total
$ '000

Non-
Controlling 
Interests
$ '000

Total  
Equity
$ '000

Consolidated

Balance as at 29 June 2015
Profit for year
Transfer to profit reserve
Total comprehensive income for the year

Share 
Capital
$ '000

238,564
-

1,759
-

-

-

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners: 
Options granted/vested during the year 
Conversion of redeemable preference shares
Issue of ordinary shares net of transaction costs
Dividend paid on redeemable preference shares
Dividend paid on ordinary shares 
Disposal of share options
Settlement of share-based payments 
Balance as at 26 June 2016

-
1,126
166,200
-
-
(11,884)
1,682
395,688

Balance as at 27 June 2016
Profit for the year
Other comprehensive income/(loss)
Transfer to profit reserve
Total comprehensive income for the year 

395,688
-
-
-
-

Transactions with owners in their capacity as owners:

Options granted during the year 
Performance rights granted during the year
Share options exercised
Settlement of share-based payments
Dividend paid on ordinary shares
Tax effect on legacy share options
Sale of subsidiary with non-controlling interest
Balance as at 25 June 2017

-
-
580
68
-
3,566
-
399,902

446
-
-
-
-
-
(1,682)
523

523
-
-
-
-

1,090
956
-
(68)
-
-
-
2,501

-
-
-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

-
-
(435)
-
(435)

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(435)

(47,199)
25,258
(25,258)
-

4,313 197,437
25,258
-
25,258

-
25,258
25,258

-
-
-
(9,422)
-
-
-
(56,621)

446
-
-
1,126
- 166,200
(9,422)
-
(9,566)
(9,566)
(11,884)
-
-
-
20,005 359,595

(56,621)
57,713
-
(57,713)
-

20,005 359,595
57,713
(435)
-
57,278

-
57,713
57,713

-
-
-
-
-
-
- 
(56,621)

-
-
-
-

1,090
956
580
-
(31,916) (31,916)
3,566
-
45,802 391,149

-
- 

- 197,437
25,258
-
-
-
25,258
-

446
-
-
1,126
- 166,200
(9,422)
-
(9,566)
-
(11,884)
-
-
-
- 359,595

- 359,595
(71) 57,642
(435)
-
(71) 57,207

-
-

1,090
-
956
-
580
-
-
-
(31,916)
-
3,566
-
5,100
5,100
5,029 396,178

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

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  51

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended 25 June 2017

Cash flow from operating activities 

Receipts from customers 
Payments to suppliers and employees 
Interest received 
Interest paid
Dividends received
Income taxes paid
Net cash provided by operating activities 

Cash flow from investing activities 

Payments for property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of investments
Dividends from equity accounted investments
Payment for intangible assets 
Acquisition of business (net of cash acquired)
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Net cash used in investing activities 

Cash flow from financing activities 

Proceeds from share issue, net of transaction costs
Acquisition of shares
Proceeds from exercise of share options
Proceeds from loans from related party associates
Dividend payments on ordinary shares
Dividend payments on redeemable preference shares
Sale of non-controlling interests
Redemption of options
Settlement of derivatives
Proceeds from borrowings
Repayment of borrowings
Net cash used in financing activities 

Reconciliation of cash 
Cash at beginning of the financial year
Net increase/(decrease) in cash held 
Effect of movement in foreign exchange rate
Cash at end of financial year 

Notes

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

898,945
(799,476)
54
(4,655)
170
(5,962)
89,076

(57,147)
3,579
9,156
-
(3,815)
-
880
(47,347)

-
-
580
-
(31,916)
-
5,100
-
-
206,500
(203,000)
(22,736)

4,002
18,993
(413)
22,582

815,709
(743,863)
115
(6,774)
113
(2,523)
62,777

(48,433)
150
8,109
(249)
(5,272)
3,772
2,725
(39,198)

518,730
(377,370)
-
1,884
(9,566)
(9,422)
-
(11,884)
(3,957)
539,006
(676,502)
(29,081)

9,504
(5,502)
-
4,002

B1(a)

B1

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

52  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Index to Notes

Overview
Reporting Entity 
Basis of Preparation of the Financial Report 
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements 

Note Index
A.   Group Performance 
A1.   Segment Performance  
A2.   Revenue and Expenses 
A3.   Material Items 
A4.   Earnings Per Share 
A5.   Subsequent Events 

B.   Operating Assets and Liabilities 
B1.   Cash and Cash Equivalents  
B2.   Receivables  
B3.  
Inventories  
B4.   Payables 
B5.   Other Assets 
B6.   Biological Assets 
B7.   Property, Plant and Equipment 
B8.  
B9.   Provisions  
B10.  Contingent Liabilities 

Intangible Assets 

54
54
56

 56
 56
 58
 60
 60
 61

 61
 61
 62
 62
 62
 63
 63
 65
 67
 70
 71

C.   Capital Structure and Financing 
C1.   Borrowings 
C2.   Share Capital 
C3.   Profit Reserve 
C4.   Dividends 
C5.   Capital and Risk Management 
C6.   Capital and Leasing Commitments 
C7.   Derivative Financial Instruments 

D.   Group Structure 
D1.   Joint Ventures And Associates 
D2.   List of Subsidiaries  
D3.   Related Party Disclosures 
D4.   Parent Entity Disclosures 
D5.   Deed of Cross Guarantee  

E.   Other 
E1.   Share-based Payments 
E2.   Taxation  
E3.   New Accounting Standards 
E4.   Auditor’s Remuneration 
E5.   Other Financial Assets 
E6.   Other Accounting Policies 

 72
 72
 72
 73
 73
 73
 79
 79

 80
 80
 81
 82
 83
 83

 85
 85
 86
 88
 89
 89
 90

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  53

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Overview 
Reporting Entity 

The financial report is for Costa Group Holdings Ltd and its controlled entities (the ‘Group’). Costa Group Holdings Ltd (the ‘Company’) is a company 
limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in Australia. Costa Group Holdings Ltd is a for profit entity for the purpose of preparing the financial 
statements.

The Group’s registered office is Unit 1, 275 Robinsons Road, Ravenhall, VIC, Australia, 3023.

The financial report is a general purpose financial report which has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards (AASBs) 
adopted by the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) and the Corporations Act 2001. The financial report complies with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The financial report was authorised for issue by the Directors as at 23 August 2017.

Basis of Preparation of the Financial Report

The notes to the financial report include additional information required to understand the Group’s financial statements that is material and relevant 
to its operations, financial position and performance. Information is considered material and relevant if the amount in question is significant because 
of its size or nature or it helps to explain the impact of significant changes in the business, for example, acquisitions and asset write-downs.
The notes are organised into the following sections:

Group Performance: focuses on the Group’s financial results and performance. It provides disclosures relating to income, expenses, segment 
information, material items and earnings per share.

Operating assets and liabilities: provides information regarding the physical assets and non-physical assets used by the Group to generate revenues 
and profits. This section also explains the accounting policies applied and specific judgements and estimates made by management in arriving at  
the value of these assets and liabilities.

Capital structure and financing: provides information about capital management practices. Particularly, how much capital is raised from shareholders 
(equity) and how much is borrowed from financial institutions (debt) in order to finance our activities both now and in the future.

Group structure: explains aspects of the Group’s structure.

Other: provides information on other items relevant to the financial report.

Historical Cost Convention
The financial report has been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for revaluations to fair value for certain classes of assets  
and liabilities as described in the accounting policies.

Rounding
The financial report is presented in Australian dollars with all values rounded to the nearest thousand unless otherwise stated, in accordance  
with ASIC Corporations Instrument 2016/191. 

Going Concern
The financial report has been prepared on a going concern basis.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) 
Revenues, expenses, liabilities and assets are recognised net of the amount of GST, except where the amount of GST incurred is not recoverable  
from the Tax Office. In these circumstances the GST is recognised as part of the cost of acquisition of the asset or as part of an item of the expense. 
Receivables and payables in the statement of financial position are shown inclusive of GST. 

Cash flows are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows on a gross basis.

54  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Basis of Consolidation

Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it 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 over the entity. The financial statements of subsidiaries  
are included in the financial report from the date that control commences until the date that control ceases.

Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (Equity Accounted Investments)
Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over the financial and operating policies. 
Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds between 20 and 50 per cent of the voting power of another entity. Joint ventures  
are those entities over whose activities the Group has joint control established by contractual agreement and requiring unanimous consent for 
strategic, financial and operating activities.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method and are initially recognised at cost. The cost of the 
investment includes transaction costs. The financial report includes the Group’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income  
of equity accounted investments after adjustments to align the accounting policies with those of the Group, from the date that significant  
influence commences until the date that significant influence ceases.

Transactions Eliminated on Consolidation
Intercompany balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and expenses arising from intercompany transactions, are eliminated in 
preparing the financial report. Unrealised gains arising from transactions with equity accounted investments are eliminated against the investment 
to the extent of the Group’s interest in the investments. Unrealised losses are eliminated in the same way as unrealised gains, but only to the extent 
that there is no evidence of impairment.

Foreign Currency Translations and Balances

Functional and Presentation Currency
The financial statements of each entity within the Group are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which that entity 
operates (the functional currency). The financial report is presented in Australian dollars which is the Group’s functional and presentation currency.

Transactions and Balances
Transactions in foreign currencies of entities within the consolidated Group are translated into functional currency at the applicable exchange rate  
at the date of the transaction.

Foreign currency monetary items that are outstanding at the reporting date (other than monetary items arising under foreign currency contracts 
where the exchange rate for that monetary item is fixed in the contract) are translated using the spot rate at the end of the reporting period.

All resulting exchange differences arising on settlement or restatement are recognised as revenues and expenses for the reporting period.

Entities that have a functional currency different from the presentation currency are translated as follows:

•  assets and liabilities are translated at reporting period end exchange rates prevailing at that reporting date; 

• 

income and expenses are translated at actual exchange rates or average exchange rates for the reporting period, where appropriate; and

•  all resulting exchange differences are recognised as a separate component of equity. 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  55

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements 

The preparation of the financial report requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application  
of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period  
in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Information about assumptions and estimation uncertainties that have a significant risk of resulting in a material adjustment within  
the next financial year can be found in the following notes:

Accounting Estimates and Judgements
Valuation of biological assets
Recoverability of goodwill
Recoverability of non-financial assets other than goodwill
Fair value measurement
Income tax

Note
B6. Biological assets
B8. Intangible assets 
C5. Capital and risk management
C5. Capital and risk management
E2. Taxation

Page
63
67
73
73
86

A. Group Performance

A1. Segment Performance 

Segment information is reported in a manner consistent with internal reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating 
decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

(a) Basis for Segmentation
The reportable segments are based on the aggregation of operating segments determined by the similarity of the nature of products, the 
production process, types of customers and the method used to distribute the products. 

The Group has three reportable segments, as described below, based on the internal reports that are reviewed and used by the CEO in assessing 
performance and in determining the allocation of resources. The following summary describes the operations in each of the Group’s reportable 
segments:

Produce
The Produce segment operates in five core categories: berries, mushrooms, glasshouse grown tomatoes, citrus and avocados. These operations are 
vertically integrated in terms of farming, packing and marketing, with the primary domestic sales channel being the major Australian food retailers.

Costa Farms and Logistics (‘CF&L’)
The CF&L segment incorporates interrelated logistics, wholesale, and marketing operations within Australia. These categories share common 
infrastructure, such as warehousing and ripening facilities, and are trading and services focused.

International
The International segment comprises royalty income from licensing of Costa’s blueberry varietals in Australia, the Americas, China and Africa,  
and international berry farming operations in Morocco and China.

56  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

(b) Information About Reportable Segments
Performance is measured based on segment EBITDA before SGARA, as included in the internal management reports that are reviewed by the CEO. 
Group financing costs and income taxes are managed at the Group level and are not allocated to operating segments. The information presented  
to the CEO does not report on segment assets and liabilities and as such is not presented in this report. It is the Group’s policy that business support 
costs that are not directly attributable to a specific segment are allocated to the Produce segment, which is the Group’s largest reportable segment, 
on the basis that it utilises the majority of these resources. Inter-segment revenue is eliminated on consolidation, however, is shown within the 
segment revenue to reflect segment level performance. Inter-segment transactions are on commercial terms. Information regarding the results  
of each reportable segment is included below. 

2017 
$ ‘000
Revenue
External customers
Inter-segment
Total revenue

Produce

CF&L

International

Adjustments and 
Eliminations

750,960
35,304
786,264

146,225
5,394
151,619

11,923
-
11,923

-
(40,698)
(40,698)

Total

909,108
-
909,108

EBITDA before SGARA

96,686

4,332

14,179

-

115,197

2016* 
$ ‘000
Revenue
External customers
Inter-segment
Total revenue

Produce
675,451
43,576
719,027

CF&L
142,180
5,868
148,048

International
4,230
-
4,230

Adjustments and 
Eliminations
-
(49,444)
(49,444)

Total
821,861
-
821,861

EBITDA before SGARA

69,753

10,982

8,316

-

89,051

* FY2016 segment results have been restated for:
(a) the transfer of the avocado (and banana) categories from the CF&L segment to Produce; and
(b) the allocation of costs from the Produce segment to International. 

The Group principally supplies fresh produce to the major supermarkets in Australia, including Coles, Woolworths and ALDI, which collectively 
comprise approximately 73% of the Group’s Australian-based produce sales in the FY2017 (2016: 70%).

(c) Reconciliation of Segment EBITDA Before SGARA to Profit After Tax

EBITDA before SGARA for reportable segments
IPO transaction costs
Fair value movements in biological assets
Depreciation and amortisation
Provisions associated with Polar Fresh joint venture
Profit on sale of assets
Interest income
Finance costs
Loss on fair value of derivatives
Income tax expense
Profit after tax

(i) IPO transaction costs have not been allocated to reportable segments (refer Note A3).
(ii) Provisions associated with the wind down of the Polar Fresh joint venture taken up as a material item (refer Note A3).
(iii) Fair value movements on derivatives relating to the pre-IPO finance facility.

Notes

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

2017 
$ ‘000
115,197
-
5,878
(27,793)
(8,860)
1,107
54
(5,321)
-
(22,620)
57,642

2016 
$ ‘000
89,051
(21,803)
4,349
(22,507)
-
1,387
115
(14,283)
(628)
(10,423)
25,258

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

A2. Revenue and Expenses

Revenue

Sales revenue
Sale of goods and commissions received
Rebates and discounts provided 
Rendering of services 
Total sales revenue

Total other revenue

Total revenue

Recognition and Measurement 

2017 
$ ‘000

873,595
(14,244)
35,990
895,341

2016 
$ ‘000

781,477
(13,308)
40,858
809,027

13,767

12,834

909,108

821,861

Sale of Goods and Commissions Received
Revenue from sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer and the costs 
incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. Revenue is usually recognised when goods are despatched or at  
the time of delivery of the goods to the customer when the title is transferred.

Certain sales undertaken by the Group are performed in their capacity as an agent, and not merchant relationship. In these instances, the revenue 
recognised is the commissions payable to the Group.

Rendering of Services
Revenue from the rendering of services is recognised upon the delivery of the service to the customers. 

Dividends
Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive a dividend has been established. Dividends received from associates and joint ventures  
are accounted for in accordance with the equity method of accounting.

Interest Income
Interest income is recognised when it becomes receivable on a proportional basis taking into account the interest rates applicable to the financial assets.

Rental Income
Rental income is recognised on a straight-line basis over the rental term.

Royalty Income
Royalty income is recognised on an accrual basis in accordance with the substance of the relevant agreements. Royalty income is recognised in 
relation to rights provided to entities external to the Group to sell plants and produce that arise from the Group’s operations.

Commission Income
Commission income is recognised by the Group for sale of goods undertaken by the Group in its capacity as an agent of the transaction. In respect  
of commissions, management considers that the following factor indicates that the Group acts as an agent:

•  the Group neither takes title to nor is exposed to inventory risk related to the goods, and has no significant responsibility in respect of the goods sold;

All revenue is stated net of the amount of goods and services tax (GST). 

58  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses

Finance costs 
Bank charges 
Interest expense on borrowings
Amortisation/write-off of borrowing costs*
Interest expense on redeemable preference shares

2017 
$ ‘000

98
4,121
1,102
- 
5,321

2016 
$ ‘000

92
5,642
8,542
7
14,283

*In FY2016, the Group refinanced its borrowings under a new banking facility and wrote off its loan establishment costs in relation to the previous facility.

Borrowing Costs
Borrowing costs can include interest, amortisation of discounts or premiums relating to borrowings, ancillary costs incurred in connection with 
arrangement of borrowings and foreign exchange losses net of hedged amounts on borrowings.

Borrowing costs are expensed as incurred, except for borrowing costs incurred as part of the cost of the construction of a qualifying asset which  
are capitalised until the asset is ready for its intended use or sale.

Loan establishment costs have been capitalised and amortised over the life of the loan facility. Establishment costs relating to loans extinguished 
during the reporting period have been expensed. 

Employee expenses 
Salaries, contractors and wages (including on costs) 
Superannuation costs 
Leave entitlements
Share-based payments expense
Other employee expenses 

Other expenses
Repair and maintenance expenses 
Legal and consulting expenditure 1 
Insurance
Other 2

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

270,711
15,525
9,623
1,518
3,057
300,434

16,941
7,472
6,340
34,677
65,430

250,086
14,455
7,998
446
3,391
276,376

15,225
24,271
6,787
23,099
69,382

1. In FY2016, legal and consulting expenditure includes $19.6 million of costs associated with the IPO. 
2.  Other expenses include telecommunications, marketing, information technology and general administration expenditure. In FY2017, this also includes $7.9 million of provisions associated 

with the wind down of the Polar Fresh joint venture. Refer to Note A3 for more information.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

A3. Material Items

Individual material items included in profit before income tax:
Initial public offering transaction costs¹
Interest expense adjustment²
Site closures ³
Polar Fresh closure provisions 4
Total material items (before tax)
Tax effect of material items
Total material items (after tax)

2017 
$ ‘000

- 
- 
800
(8,860)
(8,060)
945
(7,115)

2016 
$ ‘000

(21,803)
(9,556)
2,373
- 
(28,986)
6,970
(22,016)

1.  An adjustment has been made to remove the costs associated with the IPO process in FY2016, including adviser fees, break costs associated with the old banking facilities and share-based 

payment expense relating to the exercise of legacy share options held by Costa Directors and management.

2. Interest expense has been adjusted to reflect the terms of the banking facility post completion of the IPO.
3. These adjustments represent the removal of gain/loss on disposal of closed sites and divested businesses.
4.  Costs associated with the wind down of the Polar Fresh joint venture. This includes impairment in the Polar Fresh investment, closure expenses arising from the exit of the three facilities 

previously operated by Polar Fresh. $7.9 million of these costs has been included in other expenses (refer to note A2), and the remainder forms part of share of net profits of associates and 
joint ventures. 

A4. Earnings Per Share

2017
Cents Per 
Share

2016
Cents Per 
Share

18.09

8.04

18.02

7.96

2017
Number  
(‘000)

2016
Number  
(‘000)

319,102

310,345

- 
1,140
320,242

2017
$ ‘000

57,713
- 
57,713

57,713
- 
57,713

3,091
200
313,636

2016
$ ‘000

25,258
(294)
24,964

24,964
7
24,971

Basic EPS
Basic EPS (cents) based on net profit attributable to members of Costa Group Holdings Limited

Diluted EPS
Diluted EPS (cents) based on net profit attributable to members of Costa Group Holdings Limited

Weighted average number of shares
Weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue used in the calculation of basic EPS

Effect of potentially dilutive securities
Redeemable preference shares
Equity-settled share options
Weighted average number of ordinary shares on issue used in the calculation of diluted EPS 

Earnings reconciliation
Basic EPS
Net profit attributable to owners of Costa Group Holdings Limited
Dividends on redeemable preference shares
Adjusted profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of Costa

Diluted EPS
Earnings used in calculating basic EPS
Interest expense on redeemable preference shares (net of tax)
Net profit attributable to owners of Costa Group Holdings Limited (diluted)

60  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share is the amount of post-tax profit attributable to each share. Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average 
number of shares outstanding during the period. 

Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect  
of share options outstanding during the period. 

A5. Subsequent Events 

Acquisition of Lankester
In July 2017, the Group signed an agreement for the purchase of the Lankester avocado orchards and packing operations located in the Atherton 
region of Far North Queensland, with total plantings of 130 hectares across three farms. The acquisition agreement was entered into in conjunction 
with Macquarie Agriculture Funds Management (MAFM) under which MAFM has purchased the farms and entered into a 20-year lease with the 
Group to operate them. The acquisition was completed by the end of July 2017.

B. Operating Assets and Liabilities 

B1. Cash and Cash Equivalents 

Cash on hand 
Cash at bank 
Cash on deposit 

All cash on deposit has maturing terms of less than 90 days.

(a) Reconciliation of Profit After Tax to Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Profit for the year
Non-cash adjustments to reconcile profit before tax to net cash flows:
Depreciation and amortisation
Profit on sale of assets
Borrowing costs written-off/amortised
Impairment losses
Gain on fair value adjustments – biological assets
(Gain)/loss on fair value of derivatives
Share-based payments expense
Transaction costs on issuance of shares
Share of profit of equity accounted investees, net of tax
Impairment provisions on equity accounted investment

Change in working capital and tax balances:
Increase in inventories
Increase in receivables
Increase in biological assets
(Increase)/decrease in other assets
Decrease in interest payable
Increase in payables
Increase in provisions
Decrease in deferred taxes
Increase in current tax payables
Net cash generated from operating activities

2017 
$ ‘000
22
22,512
48
22,582

2017 
$ ‘000
57,642

27,793
(1,107)
734
-
(5,878)
(512)
1,518
-
(15,245)
7,400
72,345

(644)
(16,832)
(2,740)
(7,618)
(67)
20,111
7,937
4,902
11,682
89,076

2016 
$ ‘000
25
3,927
50
4,002

2016 
$ ‘000
25,258

22,507
(1,387)
8,373
- 
(4,349)
870
446
21,803
(14,442)
-
59,079

(1,762)
(10,256)
(804)
1,184
(873)
7,693
616
3,584
4,316
62,777

Recognition and Measurement 
Cash comprises cash on hand and demand deposits. Cash equivalents comprise short-term and highly liquid cash deposits that are readily 
convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value. For the purposes of the Statement  
of Cash Flows, cash includes cash on hand, demand deposits and cash equivalents. All cash on deposit has maturing terms of less than 90 days.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  61

 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

B2. Receivables

CURRENT 
Trade debtors 
Less: Allowance for impairment losses on trade receivables

Other receivables 1

1. Other receivables comprise GST receivable and accrued income.

2017 
$ ‘000

76,920
(538)
76,382

11,052
87,434

2016 
$ ‘000

65,939
(419)
65,520

7,287
72,807

Recognition and Measurement
Trade receivables are recognised initially at invoice value (fair value) and subsequently measured at amortised cost, less allowance for doubtful debts.

Credit terms are generally between 15–60 days depending on the nature of the transaction. An allowance for doubtful debt is raised to reduce the 
carrying amount of trade receivables based on a review of outstanding amounts at reporting date where there is credit risk.

B3. Inventories 

CURRENT 
At cost 
Raw materials 
Finished goods 

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

11,449
6,627
18,076

12,003
5,901
17,904

Recognition and Measurement
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition are accounted for as follows:

•  Raw materials and consumables: purchase cost on a first in, first out basis and weighted average; and

•  Finished goods and work in progress: cost of direct material and labour and a proportion of manufacturing overheads based on normal  

operating capacity.

Raw materials and consumables include packaging, supplies and other materials not consumed in the production or growing processes. Finished 
goods include purchased agricultural produce and own farm fruit held for sale and other stock held for sale.

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

B4. Payables

CURRENT 
Unsecured liabilities 
Trade creditors 
Sundry creditors and accruals 

62  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

53,409
49,324
102,733

37,237
44,401
81,638

 
 
 
Recognition and Measurement
Trade and other payables including accruals are recorded as future payments required to be made as a result of purchases of goods or services. Trade 
and other payables are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation (if applicable). 

B5. Other Assets 

CURRENT 
Prepayments 

B6. Biological Assets

CURRENT 
Produce at fair value 
Produce – at cost 
Total biological assets

Reconciliation of Changes in Carrying Amount of Biological Assets
Opening balance 
Gain arising from changes in fair value 
Increase due to purchases
Decreases due to harvest
Increase resulting from acquisitions
Closing balance 

2017 
$ ‘000

12,579
12,579

2017 
$ ‘000

40,164
5,878
46,042

2016 
$ ‘000

5,333
5,333

2016 
$ ‘000

31,650
5,758
37,408

37,408
5,878
204,994
(204,451)
2,213
46,042

31,571
4,349
155,834
(155,030)
 684 
37,408

Recognition and Measurement
Biological assets are measured at their fair value less costs to sell at each reporting date. The fair value is determined as the net present value of cash 
flows expected to be generated by these crops (including a risk adjustment factor). Where fair value cannot be measured reliably, biological assets 
are measured at cost. 

Net increments and decrements in the fair value of the growing assets are recognised as income or expense in the statement of profit/loss and  
other comprehensive income, determined as:

•  The difference between the total fair value of the biological assets recognised at the beginning of the reporting period and the total fair value  

of the biological assets recognised at reporting date.

•  Costs incurred in maintaining or enhancing the biological assets recognised at the beginning of the reporting period and the total fair value  

of the biological assets recognised at the reporting date. 

•  The market value of the produce picked during the reporting period is measured at their fair value less estimated costs to be incurred up until  

the time of picking. Market price is determined based on underlying market prices of the product.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  63

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Measurement of Fair Values

Fair Value Hierarchy 
The fair value measurements for the Group’s hanging crop have been categorised as Level 3 fair values based on the inputs to the valuation 
techniques used, which are not based on observable market data.

Valuation Techniques and Significant Unobservable Inputs
The following table provides a description of the various biological asset types, shows the valuation techniques used in measuring Level 3 fair values, 
as well as the significant unobservable inputs used. Refer to note C5 for further detail on Level 3 fair value measurement. 

Type
Hanging crop 
(citrus, grapes, 
avocados, 
tomatoes, 
blueberries, 
raspberries  
and bananas).

Description
These are crops  
from trees and 
bushes that  
have an annual  
crop production  
cycle and a 
reasonably stable 
development  
cycle.

Valuation Technique
Discounted cash flows:

Significant Unobservable Inputs
Inclusive of:

•  Estimated future crop prices.

•  Estimated cash inflows based  

on forecasted sales.

•  Estimated yields per hectare.

•  Estimated remaining farming, 

harvest and transportation costs.

•  Risk adjustment factor.

The valuation model 
considers the present 
value of the net cash 
flows expected to  
be generated by the 
plantation. The cash  
flow projections include 
specific estimates for 
one year. The expected 
net cash flows are 
discounted using a 
risk-adjustment factor  
to factor in volatility  
for weather, production 
and pricing and future 
farming costs.

Inter-Relationship Between  
Key Unobservable Inputs and  
Fair Value Measurement
The estimated fair value would increase 
(decrease) if:

•  the estimated fruit prices were 

higher (lower);

•  the estimated yields per hectare 

were higher (lower);

•  the estimated harvest and 

transportation costs were lower 
(higher); or

• 

 the risk-adjusted discount rates 
were lower (higher). 

Measurement of Biological Assets at Cost
Short lived crops (mushrooms) are measured at cost. These crops typically have a short term development cycle of less than three months.  
The calculation of market value for these crops is based on total cost due to the inherent difficulty in accurately determining the biological  
advancement percentage of the crop. As such, the cost approach takes into account actual costs for preparation and cultivation.

Risk Management Strategy Related to Biological Activities

Regulatory and Environmental Risks
The Group is subject to laws and regulations in the various locations in which it operates. The Group has established environmental policies  
and procedures aimed at compliance with local environmental and other laws.

Supply and Demand Risk
The Group is exposed to risks arising from fluctuations in the price and sales volume of all its fruit and vegetables. Management performs regular 
industry trend analysis to project harvest volumes and pricing. Where possible, the Group manages this risk by aligning its harvest volume to market 
supply and demand. 

Climate and Other Risks
The Group’s biological assets are exposed to the risk of damage from climatic changes, diseases and other natural forces. The Group has extensive 
processes in place aimed at monitoring and mitigating these risks, including protected cropping techniques across most crops, and geographical 
diversification. 

Critical Accounting Estimate and Judgement

Valuation of Biological Assets
The valuation takes into account expected sales prices, yields, growth profile, picked fruit quality and expected direct costs related to the production 
and sale of the assets and management must make a judgement as to the trend in these factors. 

64  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

B7. Property, Plant and Equipment

Land and buildings at cost 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Assets under construction at cost 

Plant and equipment at cost 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Leased plant and equipment at cost 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Improvements at cost 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

Bearer plants at cost 
Accumulated depreciation and impairment

2017 
$ ‘000
156,143
(44,849)
111,294

2016 
$ ‘000
149,114
(42,501)
106,613

17,426

13,996

231,704
(104,610)
127,094

202,015
(95,166)
106,849

-
-
-

22,915
(6,144)
16,771

15,917
(6,553)
9,364

1,728
(1,728)
-

20,133
(5,047)
15,086

11,346
(4,566)
6,780

Total property, plant and equipment 

281,949

249,324

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

(a) Reconciliations
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of property, plant and equipment at the beginning and end of the current financial year.

Land and buildings 
Opening carrying amount 
Additions 
Disposals 
Depreciation expense 
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing carrying amount 

Assets under construction
Opening carrying amount 
Additions 
Disposals 
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing carrying amount 

Plant and equipment 
Opening carrying amount 
Additions 
Disposals 
Depreciation expense 
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing carrying amount 

Leased plant and equipment 
Opening carrying amount 
Depreciation expense 
Closing carrying amount 

Leasehold Improvements 
Opening carrying amount 
Additions 
Disposals 
Depreciation expense 
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing carrying amount 

Bearer plants
Opening carrying amount 
Additions 
Disposals 
Depreciation expense 
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing carrying amount 

Total property, plant and equipment 
Opening carrying amount 
Additions 
Disposals 
Depreciation expense 
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing carrying amount 

66  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

2017 
$ ‘000

106,613
9,232
141
(5,238)
546
111,294

13,996
26,623
-
(23,193)
17,426

106,849
18,302
(982)
(17,600)
20,525
127,094

-
-
-

15,086
1,363
(1)
(1,096)
1,419
16,771

6,780
4,819
(17)
(2,196)
(22)
9,364

249,324
60,339
(859)
(26,130)
(725)
281,949

2016 
$ ‘000

71,748
1,936
-
(4,863)
37,792
106,613

58,959
38,474
(276)
(83,161)
13,996

76,092
4,875
(598)
(13,684)
40,164
106,849

14
(14)
-

9,246
1,515
(199)
(882)
5,406
15,086

3,928
4,660
-
(1,808)
-
6,780

219,987
51,460
(1,073)
(21,251)
201
249,324

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recognition and Measurement 
Each class of property, plant and equipment is carried at cost less, where applicable, any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated  
impairment losses.

Depreciation
The depreciable amount of all fixed assets is depreciated over their estimated useful lives commencing from the time the asset is held ready for use. 
Land owned by the Group is freehold land and accordingly is not depreciated.

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of either the unexpired period of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the 
improvements.

Class of Fixed Asset
Land and buildings at cost 
Plant and equipment at cost 
Leased plant and equipment at cost 
Bearer plants at cost

Depreciation Rates
3% – 10%
5% – 33%
10% – 20%
4% – 25%

Depreciation Basis
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line
Straight line

Assets under construction are measured at cost and not depreciated until the assets are ready for use.

Capital Commitments
As at 25 June 2017, the Group has capital commitments amounting to $24,939,230 (2016: $673,306) in relation to the purchase of property, plant  
and equipment, which are contracted for but not provided for.

B8. Intangible Assets

Goodwill at cost 

Capitalised software costs 
Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

Brand names at cost 

Lease premiums at cost 
Accumulated amortisation and impairment 

Water rights at cost 

Total intangible assets 

2017 
$ ‘000
133,007

8,724
(4,123)
4,601

2016 
$ ‘000
131,495

8,697
(2,883)
5,814

1,730

1,730

1,022
-
1,022

1,665
(643)
1,022

2,741

2,721

143,101

142,782

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Reconciliations
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of intangible assets at the beginning and end of the current financial year.

Goodwill
Opening balance 
Additions
Closing balance 

Capitalised software costs 
Opening balance 
Additions 
Amortisation expense 
Disposals
Transfers, reclassifications and adjustments
Closing balance 

Brand names 
Opening balance / closing balance

Lease premiums 
Opening balance / closing balance 

Water rights 
Opening balance 
Additions 
Closing balance 

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

131,495
1,512
133,007

131,285
210
131,495

5,814
-
(1,354)
(311)
452
4,601

6,821
249
(1,255)
-
(1)
5,814

1,730

1,730

1,022

1,022

2,721
20
2,741

1,007
1,714
2,721

Amortisation expense in relation to intangible assets is included within depreciation and amortisation expenses in the statement of profit or loss  
and other comprehensive income.

Recognition and Measurement 

Goodwill
Goodwill is recognised initially as the excess over the aggregate of the consideration transferred, the fair value of the non-controlling interest, and 
the acquisition date fair value of the acquirer’s previously held equity interest (in case of step acquisition), less the fair value of the identifiable assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed.

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.

Brand Names
Brand names are measured initially at their cost of acquisition. Brand names are an indefinite useful life intangible asset as there is no expiry date 
associated with the underlying assets in terms of its generation of future economic benefits to the Group, and are therefore tested for impairment 
annually. The carrying amount of brand names is supported by a value in use calculation. 

Lease Premiums
The value of market lease premiums is recorded in the financial report at cost. Market lease premiums are an indefinite life intangible asset as there  
is no expiry date associated with the underlying assets in terms of its generation of future economic benefits to the Group, and are therefore tested 
for impairment annually. The carrying amount of market lease premiums is supported by a value in use calculation.

68  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Water Rights
Water rights are measured initially at their cost of acquisition. Water rights are an indefinite life intangible asset as there is no expiry date associated 
with the underlying assets in terms of its generation of future economic benefits to the Group, and are therefore tested for impairment annually.  
The carrying amount of water rights is supported by a value in use calculation. 

Software
Software is measured initially at the cost of acquisition and amortised over the useful life of the software. Expenditure on software development 
activities is capitalised only when it is expected that future benefits will exceed the deferred costs, and these benefits can be reliably measured. 
Capitalised development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation. Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method  
to allocate the cost of the intangible asset over its estimated useful life (not exceeding seven years) commencing when the intangible asset  
is available for use. Other development expenditure is recognised as an expense when incurred.

Acquisitions
Intangible assets acquired separately are capitalised at cost. Intangible assets acquired through a business combination are capitalised at fair  
value as at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortisation and any 
accumulated impairment losses. 

Internally generated intangible assets are capitalised when the Group is certain that there are future economic benefits that will arise from these 
assets. Other internally generated intangible assets that do not fit this recognition criteria are charged against the statement of comprehensive 
income in the reporting period in which the expenditure is incurred.

The useful lives of intangible assets are assessed to be either finite or indefinite. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortised over the useful  
life and assessed for impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The amortisation period and the 
amortisation method for an intangible asset with a finite useful life are reviewed at least at each financial year end. Changes in the expected  
useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the 
amortisation period or method, as appropriate, which is a change in accounting estimate. The amortisation expense on intangible assets with  
finite lives is recognised in the statement of comprehensive income in the expense category consistent with the nature of the intangible asset.

Allocation of Goodwill
The allocation of goodwill across the Group’s reportable segments is provided below:

Goodwill
Carrying amount at start of year
Transfers between segments*
Additions for the year 
Carrying amount at end of year

Goodwill
Carrying amount at start of year
Impairment losses for the year
Carrying amount at end of year

Produce
2017
$ ‘000

127,654
2,167
1,512
131,333

Produce
2016
$ ‘000

127,444
210
127,654

CF&L
2017
$ ‘000

3,841
(2,167)
-
1,674

CF&L
2016
$ ‘000

3,841
-
3,841

International
2017
$ ‘000

-
-
-
-

International
2016
$ ‘000

-
-
-

Total
2017
$ ‘000

131,495
-
1,512
133,007

Total
2016
$ ‘000

131,285
210
131,495

* Goodwill relating to the Avocado CGU has been transferred to the Produce segment as the Avocado category now forms part of Produce.

Impairment Testing 
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment annually either individually or at the cash generating unit (CGU) level.  
Such intangibles are not amortised. The useful life of an intangible asset with an indefinite life is reviewed each reporting period to determine 
whether indefinite life assessment continues to be supportable. If not, the change in useful life assessment from indefinite to finite is accounted  
for as a change in an accounting estimate and is thus accounted for on a prospective basis. 

In FY2017, the recoverable amount of our CGUs exceeds their carrying values and as a result no impairment loss has been recognised  
(2016: Nil impairment). 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  69

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Critical Accounting Estimate and Judgement

Projected Cash Flows
Goodwill is allocated to CGUs according to applicable business operations. The recoverable amount of a CGU is based on value in use calculations 
that are based on the board approved budget covering a one-year period together with management prepared cash flow through to FY2020. For 
FY2021 onwards, the Group assumes a long-term growth rate to allow for organic growth on the existing asset base. Management’s determination  
of cash flow projections and gross margins are based on past performance and its expectation for the future. 

Long-term Growth Rate
An average growth rate of 2.5% (2016: 2.5%) has been used for cash flows for FY2021 onwards with a terminal value growth rate of 3.0% (2016: 3.0%).

Discount Rate
A post-tax discount rate to post-tax cash flows has been applied as the valuation calculated using this method closely approximates applying pre-tax 
discount rates to pre-tax cash flows. The Group used a pre-tax discount rate of 10.0% to 13.0% for FY2017 (2016: 13.0% to 14.0%).

Sensitivity Analysis 
Other than as discussed below, the Group believes that for all CGUs, any reasonable possible change in the key assumptions would not cause  
the carrying value of the CGUs to exceed their recoverable amount.

For the tomato CGU included within the Produce segment, a reasonable possible change in the price of truss tomatoes could result in the carrying 
value of the CGU exceeding its recoverable amount. The tomato category posted a strong recovery in FY2017 after a challenging FY2016 in which 
price deflation impacted earnings. The recovery was mainly driven by strong truss pricing and an improved focus on sales mix. The cash flow 
projections used in the valuation of recoverable amount assumes that record low truss prices experienced in FY2016 will not be repeated. Should  
this happen, absent any changes in other assumptions the carrying value of the CGU could exceed its recoverable amount.

For the mushroom CGU included within the Produce segment, a reasonable possible change in the sales price of mushroom could result in the 
carrying value of the CGU exceeding its recoverable amount. If the cost base of the category increased by 2–3% per annum over the next three  
years with no corresponding increase in sales price over the same period, the mushroom CGU could incur an impairment charge. Based on  
current economic conditions and CGU performance, no other reasonably possible changes in key assumptions would result in impairment.

B9. Provisions

CURRENT 
Employee benefits 
Onerous leases
Other

NON-CURRENT 
Employee benefits
Onerous lease
Other

(a) Aggregate employee benefits liability
These consist of provisions for annual leave and long service leave.

(a)
(b)
(c)

(a)
(b)
(c)

2017 
$ ‘000

14,185
1,500
76
15,761

5,343
3,500
380
9,223

2016 
$ ‘000

13,217
-
-
13,217

4,042
-
130
4,172

19,528

17,259

(b) Onerous leases
The Group currently holds a long-term lease for the Eastern Creek warehouse in New South Wales. The lease expires in FY2026. A provision has been 
recognised for the fact that the unavoidable lease expenses are higher than the economic benefits available from the site. The obligation for the 
discounted future payments, net of expected economic benefits, has been provided for.

(c) Other provisions
This relates to provision for warranty and lease make good.

70  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d) Reconciliations
Reconciliation of the carrying amounts of provisions at the beginning and end of the current financial year:

Employee benefits
Opening balance 
Amounts used 
Additional amounts recognised 
Closing balance 

Onerous leases
Opening balance 
Amounts used 
Additional amounts recognised 
Closing balance 

Other provisions
Opening balance 
Amounts used 
Additional amounts recognised 
Closing balance 

2017 
$ ‘000

17,259
(5,824)
8,093
19,528

-
-
5,000
5,000

130
-
326
456

2016 
$ ‘000

15,742
(5,313)
6,830
17,259

908
(908)
-
-

123
(172)
179
130

Recognition and Measurement
Provisions are recognised if, as a result of a past event, the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation that can be estimated reliably, and  
it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. Provisions are determined by discounting the expected 
future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. When 
discounting is used, the increase in the provision due to the passage of time is recognised as a finance cost.

Where the Group expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised  
as a separate asset but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to any provision is presented in the statement of 
comprehensive income net of any reimbursement.

Short-term Employee Benefit Obligations
Liabilities arising in respect of wages and salaries, annual leave, long service leave and any other employee benefits expected to be settled within  
12 months of the reporting date are measured at their nominal amounts based on remuneration rates which are expected to be paid when  
the liability is settled. The expected cost of short-term employee benefits in the form of compensated absences such as annual leave is recognised  
in the provision for employee benefits. All other short-term employee benefit obligations are presented as payables.

Long-term Employee Benefit Obligations
Liabilities arising in respect of long service leave and annual leave which is not expected to be settled within 12 months of the reporting  
date are measured at the present value of the estimated future cash outflow to be made in respect of services provided by employees up to  
the reporting date.

Termination Benefits
Termination benefits are payable when employment of an employee or group of employees is terminated before the normal retirement date,  
or when the Group provides termination benefits as a result of an offer made and accepted in order to encourage voluntary redundancy. The Group 
recognises a provision for termination benefits when the entity can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits, or if earlier, when the termination 
benefits are included in a formal restructuring plan that has been announced to those affected by it. 

B10. Contingent Liabilities 

From time to time the Group is party to claims from customers and suppliers arising from operations in the ordinary course of business. At the  
date of this report there are no claims or contingent liabilities that are expected to materially impact, either individually or in aggregate, the Group’s 
financial position or results from operations.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  71

 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

C. Capital Structure and Financing

C1. Borrowings

Unsecured liabilities 
Bank loans 

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

106,775

103,766

Terms and Conditions Relating to the Above Financial Instruments
The Group refinanced its banking facility on 22 June 2017. The new facility will be drawn down on 9 August 2017. The key terms of the new facility are:

•  Facility A – $175 million facility that can be drawn upon as required. This facility matures three years from August 2017.

•  Facility B – $175 million facility that can be drawn upon as required. This facility matures four years from August 2017.

•  The nominal rate for each facility consists of a floating cash rate plus a margin dependant on the amount of leverage.

•  Lending covenants for both facilities include Interest Cover Ratio and Total Gearing Ratio. 

• 

It is noted that the banking facility is unsecured. 

The Group has financial guarantees to other persons of $11.6 million that could be called up at any time in the event of a breach of our financial 
obligations. We do not expect any payments will eventuate under these financial guarantees as we expect to meet our respective obligations to  
the beneficiaries of these guarantees. The financial guarantees are applied against the available draw down limit for Facility A as detailed above. 

Recognition and Measurement
Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value of the consideration received, net of directly attributable costs. 

After initial recognition, borrowings are measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method. Amortised cost is calculated by taking 
into account any issue costs, and any discount or premium on issuance. Gains and losses are recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income if borrowings are derecognised. The fair value approximates carrying value as borrowings are fully variable.

Borrowings are presented net of capitalised loan establishment costs. 

C2. Share Capital 

Issued and paid-up capital
Ordinary shares
Transaction costs directly transferred to equity (net of tax)
Tax effect on legacy share options
Settlement of share-based payments

(a) Ordinary shares
Opening balance 
Ordinary shares issued
Conversion of redeemable preference shares to ordinary shares
Settlement of share based payment
Disposal of share options
Issue of new shares on disposal of options
Transactions costs incurred in respect of initial public offering (net of tax)
Tax effect on legacy share options
At reporting date 

(b) Redeemable preference shares
Opening balance 
Redeemable preference shares liability converted to equity
Conversion of redeemable preference shares to ordinary shares
At reporting date 

2017 
$ ‘000

401,673
(7,087) 
3,566
1,750
399,902

2016 
$ ‘000

401,093
(7,087)
-
1,682
395,688

2017

2016

Number '000

$ '000

Number '000

$ '000

318,880
400
-
-
-
-
-
-
319,280

-
-
-
-

395,688
580
-
68
-
-
-
3,566
399,902

-
-
-
-

194,600
77,017
45,000
-
-
2,263
-
-
318,880

45,000
-
(45,000)
-

194,600
173,287
45,090
1,682
(11,884)
-
(7,087)
-
395,688

43,964
1,126
(45,090)
-

Total share capital

319,280

399,902

318,880

395,688

72  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
Ordinary Shares 
Ordinary shares participate in dividends and the proceeds on winding up of the parent entity in proportion to the number of shares held.
At shareholders meetings, each ordinary share is entitled to one vote when a poll is called; otherwise each shareholder has one vote on a  
show of hands.

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares are recognised as a deduction  
from equity, net of any tax effects.

C3. Profit Reserve

The profit reserve comprises the transfer of net profit for the year and characterises profits available for distribution as dividends in future years.  
The profit reserve balance as at balance sheet date (in thousands) is $45,802 (2016: $20,005).

C4. Dividends

Dividends declared and paid: 
Fully franked dividend paid upon completion of the IPO on 24 July 2015  
on redeemable preference shares (equity component)
Fully franked interim dividend at 4.0 cents per share (2016: 3.0 cents)

Dividends declared after balance date:
Since the end of the year, the Directors have declared a fully franked final dividend of 7.0 cents per 
share (2016: 6.0 cents). The dividend is expected to be paid on 5 October 2017. This dividend has 
not been recognised as a liability as at 25 June 2017.

C5. Capital and Risk Management

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

-
12,771

9,422
9,566

22,350

19,145

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, including their levels in the fair value 
hierarchy. It does not include fair value information for financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair value if the carrying amount is a reasonable 
approximation of fair value.

Fair Value 
Hierarchy

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

Financial assets
Loans and receivables
Current receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Loans to related party associates

Available-for-sale
Shares in other corporations

Designated at fair value
Forward exchange contracts

Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities not measured at fair value
Payables
Bank loans

Designated at fair value
Forward exchange contracts

-
-
-

87,434
22,582
80
110,096

247
247

270
270

72,807
4,002
80
76,889

247
247

-
-

102,733
106,775
209,508

81,638
103,766
185,404

-
-

242
242

Level 2

Level 2

-
Level 2

Level 2

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Classification
The Group classifies its financial assets into the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit and loss, loans and receivables and 
available-for-sale financial assets. The classification depends on the purpose for which the instruments were acquired. Management determines  
the classification of its financial instruments at initial recognition.

Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivatives are recognised initially at fair value; any directly attributable transaction costs are recognised in statement of comprehensive income  
as they are incurred. Subsequent to initial recognition, derivatives are measured at fair value, and changes therein are generally recognised in the 
statement of comprehensive income.

Foreign Exchange Contracts
The Group enters into foreign exchange contracts to hedge its exposure against foreign currency risk in line with the Group’s risk management strategy.

Non-derivative Financial Instruments
Non-derivative financial instruments consist of investments in equity securities, trade and other receivables, cash and cash equivalents, borrowings, 
and trade and other payables.

Non-derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value, plus directly attributable transaction costs (if any). After initial recognition, 
non-derivative financial instruments are measured as described below.

Loans and Receivables
Loans and receivables are measured at fair value at inception and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest rate method. Loan and 
receivables include trade receivables.

Available-for-sale
Available-for-sale financial assets include any financial assets not included in the above categories and are measured at fair value. Unrealised gains 
and losses arising from changes in fair value, other than impairment losses, are recognised in other comprehensive income and presented in equity. 
The cumulative gain or loss is held in equity until the financial asset is disposed of, at which time the cumulative gain or loss held in equity is 
recognised in profit and loss.

Financial Liabilities
Financial liabilities include trade payables, other creditors and loans from third parties and loans from or other amounts due to related entities.

Non-derivative financial liabilities are recognised at amortised cost, comprising original debt less principal payments and amortisation.

Financial liabilities 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 period.

Impairment

Non-derivative Financial Assets

Financial Assets Measured at Amortised Cost
The Group considers evidence of impairment for financial assets measured at amortised cost (loans and receivables) at both a specific asset 
and collective level. All individually significant assets are assessed for specific impairment. Those found not to be specifically impaired are then 
collectively assessed for any impairment that has been incurred but not yet identified. Assets that are not individually significant are collectively 
assessed for impairment by grouping together assets with similar risk characteristics.

In assessing collective impairment, the Group uses historical trends of the probability of default, timing of recoveries and the amount of loss incurred, 
adjusted for management’s judgement as to whether current economic and credit conditions are such that the actual losses are likely to be greater 
or lesser than suggested by historical trends.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortised cost is calculated as the difference between its carrying amount and the 
present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. Losses are recognised in the statement  
of comprehensive income and reflected in an allowance account against loans and receivables. Interest on the impaired asset continues to be 
recognised. When an event occurring after the impairment was recognised causing the amount of the impairment loss to decrease, the decrease  
in impairment loss is reversed through the statement of comprehensive income.

74  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Non-financial Assets
The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-financial assets, other than biological assets, equity accounted investments, inventories and deferred tax 
assets, are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If any such indication exists, then the asset’s 
recoverable amount is estimated. Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are tested annually for impairment. An impairment loss is recognised 
if the carrying amount of an asset or cash-generating unit (CGU) exceeds its recoverable amount.

The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use and its fair value less costs to sell. In assessing value in use, the estimated 
future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the asset or CGU. For impairment testing, assets are grouped together into the smallest group of assets that generates 
cash inflows from continuing use that are largely independent of the cash inflows or other assets or CGUs. Subject to an operating segment ceiling 
test, CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated are aggregated so that the level at which impairment testing is performed reflects the lowest level 
at which goodwill is monitored for internal reporting purposes.

Impairment losses are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income. Impairment losses recognised in respect of CGUs are allocated first  
to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the CGU (group of CGUs), and then to reduce the carrying amounts of the other assets  
in the CGU (group of CGUs) on a pro rata basis.

An impairment loss in respect of goodwill is not reversed. For other assets, an impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s  
carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment  
loss has been recognised.

The Group’s financial risk management objective is to minimise the potential adverse effects of financial performance arising from changes 
in financial risk. Financial risks are managed centrally by the Group’s finance team under the direction of the Directors and the Board’s Risk 
and Audit Committee. Management regularly monitors the Group’s exposure to any of these financial risks and reports to the Board.

The Group’s activities expose it to a number of financial risks, including market risk (interest rate risk and foreign currency risk), liquidity risk 
and credit risk.

The Group does not enter into or trade financial instruments, including derivative financial instruments, for speculative purposes.

(a) Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices will affect the Group’s income  
or the value of its holdings of financial instruments.

Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial asset or financial liability will change as a result of changes in market 
interest rates. The Group’s exposure to market interest rate risk relates primarily to its borrowings. The Group has historically managed its cash flow 
interest rate risk by using floating to fixed interest rate swaps for a portion of variable rate borrowings. Such interest rate swaps have the economic 
effect of converting borrowings from floating rates to fixed rates. 

As at reporting date, the Group had the following financial assets and liabilities exposed to variable interest rate risk:

Variable rate instruments
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents

Liabilities
Bank loans

Net financial liabilities

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

22,582
22,582

108,000
108,000

4,002
4,002

104,500
104,500

85,418

100,498

Sensitivity Analysis for Variable Rate Instruments
At 25 June 2017, if interest rates had changed by -/+ 100 basis points from the year end rates with all other variables held constant, profit or loss 
would have increased/(decreased) by:

Increase of 100 basis points in interest rate
Decrease of 100 basis points in interest rate

2017 
$ ‘000
(854)
854

2016 
$ ‘000
(1,005)
1,005

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Foreign Currency Risk
The Group’s exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchanges rates relates to the Group’s operating activities and investments in foreign joint 
ventures. The Group imports and exports produce and is exposed to foreign exchange risk, primarily movements in exchange rates of US dollar (USD) 
and Japanese Yen (JPY). In addition, it is also exposed to exchange rate movements in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) and Chinese Yuan (CNY) through  
its investment in the African Blue joint venture and China subsidiaries. The Group also makes purchases and capital expenditure that expose it to 
movements in exchange rates of USD, Euro (EUR), British Pound (GPB) and New Zealand dollar (NZD). The Group enters into forward contracts to 
hedge some of its exposure against foreign currency risk.

The Group’s exposure to foreign exchange risk at the end of the reporting period, expressed in Australian dollars, was as follows:

2017
Cash
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)
Net exposure

2016
Cash
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial assets/(liabilities)
Net exposure

USD 
$ ‘000
1,619
6,077
(92)
123
7,727

USD 
$ ‘000
1,130
4,610
(3)
13
5,750

JPY 
$ ‘000
1,342
4,461
-
152
5,955

JPY 
$ ‘000
298
4,231
-
(255)
4,274

EUR 
$ ‘000
-
-
(6)
(5)
(11)

EUR 
$ ‘000
-
-
(7)
-
(7)

CNY 
$ ‘000
6,194
842
(452)
-
6,584

CNY 
$ ‘000
-
-
-
-
-

GBP 
$ ‘000
-
-
(10)
-
(10)

GBP 
$ ‘000
-
-
-
-
-

NZD 
$ ‘000
-
-
(20)
-
(20)

NZD 
$ ‘000
-
-
-
-
-

Sensitivity Analysis 
At 25 June 2017, had the Australian dollar weakened/strengthened by 10% against these currencies with all other variables held constant, the impact 
to profit or loss and equity would be an increase/(decrease) of:

Australian dollar weakened by 10%
Australian dollar strengthened by 10%

(b) Liquidity Risk

USD 
$ ‘000
773
(773)

JPY 
$ ‘000
596
(596)

EUR 
$ ‘000
(1)
1

CNY 
$ ‘000
658
(658)

GBP 
$ ‘000
(1)
1

NZD 
$ ‘000
(2)
2

MAD
$ ‘000
815
(815)

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by 
delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group’s approach to managing liquidity risk is to ensure it always has sufficient liquidity to meet its 
liabilities when due without incurring unacceptable losses or risking damage to the Group’s reputation. 

The Group manages its liquidity risk using a recurring planning tool, and maintaining, at all times, an appropriate minimum level of liquidity, 
comprising committed, unused bank facilities and cash resources, to meet the Group’s financial obligations as and when they fall due. 

The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining sufficient cash reserves, banking facilities and standby borrowing facilities and by monitoring 
forecast and actual cash flows. As at reporting date, unused credit facilities net of bank guarantees of the Group were $130.4 million. In addition,  
the Group maintains an overdraft facility of $3.0 million.

The Group is in compliance with all undertakings under its various financial arrangements.

76  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

The following are the remaining contractual maturities at the end of the reporting period of financial liabilities, including estimated interest 
payments and excluding the impact of netting agreements. 

2017
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bank loans*
Trade payables

Less Than 6 Months

6 – 12 Months

1 – 5 Years Over 5 Years

Total

108,000
102,733
210,733

-
-
-

-
-
-

-
-
-

108,000
102,733
210,733

*  Bank loans consist of commercial bills. The Group expects to and has the discretion to refinance or roll over the bank loans for at least 12 months after the end of the reporting period under the 

existing banking facility. Refer to note C1 for details of terms and conditions on bank loans.

2016
Non-derivative financial liabilities
Bank loans*
Finance lease liabilities
Trade payables

Derivative financial liabilities
Forward exchange contracts

(c) Credit Risk

Less Than 6 Months

6 – 12 Months

1 – 5 Years Over 5 Years

Total

104,500
1 
81,638
186,139

242
242

- 
- 
- 
- 

 - 
 - 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 

104,500
1
81,638
186,139

242
242

Credit risk refers to the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations, resulting in financial loss to the Group.

The Group is exposed to counterparty credit risk arising from its operating activities, primarily from trade receivables. Trade receivable balances are 
monitored on a weekly basis. 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 and regularly monitored by management.

The maximum exposure to credit risk is as follows:

Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Forward exchange contracts

2017 
$ ‘000
22,582
87,434
270
110,286

2016 
$ ‘000
4,002
72,807
- 
76,809

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.

Neither past due nor impaired
Past due 1 – 30 days
Past due 31 – 60 days
Past due over 60 days

2017 
$ ‘000
61,239
14,378
1,108
195
76,920

2016 
$ ‘000
54,427
9,829
939
744
65,939

Management believes that the unimpaired amounts that are past due by more than 30 days are still collectible in full, based on historical payment 
behaviour and extensive analysis of customer credit risk, including underlying customers’ credit ratings if they are available. Major Australian 
supermarkets, including Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA comprise approximately 51% of the Group’s trade debtors at 25 June 2017.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  77

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Impairment Losses on Trade Receivables
Trade receivables are non-interest bearing with credit terms generally between 15 and 60 day terms. An impairment loss is recognised when there is 
objective evidence that an individual trade receivable is impaired. The impairment losses have been included within other expenses in the statement 
of profit or loss and other comprehensive income. All trade receivables that are not impaired are expected to be received within credit terms.

Movements in the accumulated impairment losses were:

Opening balance at 27 June 2016
Impairment loss (recognised)/reversed
Amounts written-off 
Closing balance at 25 June 2017

(d) Capital Management

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

(419)
(204)
85
(538)

(1,009)
518
72
(419)

The primary objective of the Group’s capital management is to maintain investor, creditor and market confidence and a strong credit rating and 
healthy capital ratios to support its business and maximise shareholder value. Capital includes equity attributable to the equity holders of the parent.

The Group manages its capital structure and makes adjustments to it in light of changes in economic conditions. To maintain or adjust the capital 
structure, the Group may adjust the dividend payment to shareholders, return capital to shareholders or issue new shares.

Various financial ratios and internal targets are assessed and reported to the Board on a regular basis by management to monitor and support the 
key objectives as set out above. These ratios and targets include; 

•  an earnings to net interest expense ratio;

•  a total net indebtedness to earnings ratio; and

•  adjusted earnings to interest expense ratio.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgements

Recoverability of Non-Financial Assets Other than Goodwill
All assets are assessed for impairment at each reporting date by evaluating whether indicators of impairment exist in relation to the continued use  
of the asset by the consolidated entity. Impairment triggers include declining product or manufacturing performance, technology changes, adverse 
changes in the economic or political environment or future product expectations. If an indicator of impairment exists the recoverable amount of the 
asset is determined.

Fair Value Measurement
The Group measures certain financial instruments, including derivatives, and certain biological assets, at fair value at each balance sheet date.

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants in its 
principal or most advantageous market at the measurement date. It is measured using the assumptions that market participants would use when 
pricing the asset of liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest. A fair value measurement of a non-financial item 
assumes it is put to its highest and best use.

The Group utilises valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available to measure fair value, 
maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs.

Accounting standards prescribe a fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value 
measurement as a whole:

•  Level 1: Quoted (unadjusted) market prices in active markets for identical assets of liabilities.

•  Level 2:  Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly 

(i.e. derived by prices) observable.

•  Level 3: Valuation techniques for which the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is unobservable.

78  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
C6. Capital and Leasing Commitments

(a) Operating Lease Commitments
Non cancellable operating leases contracted for but not capitalised in the financial statements:

Payable 
– not later than one year 
– later than one year and not later than five years 
– later than five years 

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

36,094
133,989
149,215
319,298

31,006
110,995
101,807
243,808

Operating lease commitments are in relation to property rentals and various rentals of plant and equipment.

The increase in operating lease commitments in FY2017 predominantly relates to the acquisition of the Avocado Ridge orchards in conjunction 
with Macquarie Agriculture Funds Management (Macquarie). Under the agreement, Macquarie purchased the land, biological assets, water and 
infrastructure assets with Costa entering into a 20-year lease with Macquarie to operate the orchards. 

(b) Bank Guarantees
The Group maintains bank guarantees of $11,623,007 (2016: $12,171,871).

In addition to the above, bank guarantees of $2.5 million are committed in relation to an overdraft facility for the Driscoll’s joint venture. 

(c) Leases
Leases are classified at their inception as either operating or finance leases based on the economic substance of the agreement so as to reflect 
the risks and benefits incidental to ownership.

Finance Leases
Leases of fixed assets, where substantially all the risks and benefits incidental to the ownership of the asset, but not the legal ownership, are 
transferred to the Group are classified as finance leases. Finance leases are capitalised, recording an asset and a liability equal to the present value 
of the minimum lease payments, including any guaranteed residual values. The interest expense is calculated using the interest rate implicit in 
the lease and is included in finance costs in the statement of profit and loss and other comprehensive income. Leased assets are depreciated 
on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives where it is likely that the Group will obtain ownership of the asset, or over the term of 
the lease. Lease payments are allocated between the reduction of the lease liability and the lease interest expense for the period.

Operating Leases
Lease payments for operating leases, where substantially all the risks and benefits remain with the lessor, are recognised as an expense on a 
straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Lease incentives received under operating leases are recognised as a liability and amortised on a basis over the life of the lease term.

C7. Derivative Financial Instruments 

CURRENT
Forward exchange contract receivable/(payable)

2017 
$ ‘000

270
270

2016 
$ ‘000

(242)
(242)

Measurement of Fair Values
The fair value of the financial assets and financial liabilities is the amount at which the asset could be sold or the liability transferred in a current 
transaction between market participants, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. The financial liabilities above are the only financials assets and 
liabilities of the Group that are measured at fair value. The carrying amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value are  
a reasonable approximation of fair value.

Fair Value Hierarchy
When measuring the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, the Group uses market observable data for identical assets or liabilities, 
which are Level 2 with reference to the AASB 13 Fair Value Hierarchy. The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are based on mark-to-
market valuations.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  79

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

D. Group Structure 

D1. Joint Ventures and Associates 

(a) Details of Associates and Joint Ventures

Equity 
Instrument

Ownership 
Interest
2017%

Ownership 
Interest
2016%

Measurement 
Basis

Principal Place of Business and 
Country of Incorporation

Associates
African Blue SA

Ordinary shares

Polar Fresh Partnership

Ordinary shares

Joint Ventures
Driscoll’s Australia Partnership

Ordinary shares

49

50

50

(b) Summarised Financial Information for Associates and Joint Ventures

Reconciliation of carrying amount in joint ventures and associates:
Opening balance at 27 June 2016
Total share of profit
Impairment
Dividends paid
Closing balance at 25 June 2017

49

Equity accounted

Moulay-Bousselham, Morocco

50

Equity accounted

Victoria, Australia

50

Equity accounted

Victoria, Australia

Africa Blue 
SA 
$ ‘000

Polar Fresh 
Partnership 
$ ‘000

Driscoll’s 
Australia 
Partnership 
$ ‘000

17,544
8,150
-
(2,785)
22,909

8,472
884
(7,400)
(1,371)
585

7,649
6,211
-
(5,000)
8,860

Total 
$ ‘000 

33,665
15,245
(7,400)
(9,156)
32,354

(a) African Blue SA
In 2007, the Group entered into a joint venture to establish African Blue, a Moroccan-based grower and marketer of blueberries. The African Blue joint 
venture holds an exclusive licence to grow Costa blueberry varieties in Morocco for sale worldwide (excluding Americas). In FY2017, sales revenue for 
African Blue was $58,082,081 (2016: $47,339,352), and net assets were $39,330,932 (2016: $30,137,457).

(b) Polar Fresh Partnership
The Polar Fresh Partnership is a provider of cold storage, warehousing and distribution solutions. Polar Fresh Partnership currently operates one cold 
storage site throughout Australia. In FY2017, sales revenue for the Polar Fresh Partnership was $5,486,569 (2016: $8,714,674), and net assets were 
$1,307,332 (2016: $2,145,569).

During the year, a decision was made to wind down the Polar Fresh JV following Coles’ decision not to renew the Parkinson and Eastern Creek 
contract. As such, the carrying value of the investment in Polar Fresh has been impaired by $7.4 million. Refer to Note A3 for further information. 

(c) Driscoll’s Australia Partnership 
In 2010, the Group entered into a partnership with Driscoll’s Strawberry Associates Inc. to form Driscoll’s Australia Partnership, which is an Australian 
berry marketing business. The majority of the Group’s berries grown are marketed in Australia through the Driscoll’s brand. In FY2017, sales revenue 
for the Driscoll’s Australia Partnership was $99,629,160 (2016: $78,160,839), and net assets were $18,068,876 (2016: $15,640,287).

Recognition and Measurement

Investments in Joint Ventures
Investments in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Investments in Associates
Investments in entities over which the Group has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity 
method of accounting. The investment in associates is carried at cost plus post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the associates’ net assets, 
less any impairment in value.

80  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

D2. List of Subsidiaries

The following are the Group’s significant subsidiaries:

Subsidiaries of Costa Group Holdings Ltd

Country of Incorporation

Costa Group Holdings (Finance) Pty Ltd
Costa's Pty Ltd
ACN 151 702 251 Pty Ltd
Costa Exchange Holdings Pty Ltd
Costa Asia Pty Ltd (formerly ACN 125 158 741 Pty Ltd)
Grape Exchange Management Euston Pty Ltd
North Fresh Pty Ltd
Vinefresh Pty Ltd
Costa Berry International Pty Ltd (formerly Southern Cross Overseas Pty Ltd)
CostaExchange Pty Ltd (formerly CostaExchange Ltd)
Costa Berry Holdings Pty Ltd
Costa Berry Pty Ltd
Blueberry Investments Morocco Pty Ltd
Raspberry Fresh Pty Ltd
CBSP Pty Ltd
FruitExpress Pty Ltd
ACN 057 689 246 Pty Ltd
Exchange Innisfail Pty Ltd
FreshExchange Pty Ltd
Yandilla Park Pty Ltd
East African Coffee Plantations Pty Ltd
AgriExchange Pty Ltd
Vitor Marketing Pty Ltd
AgriExchange Farm Management Pty Ltd
Mushroom Holdings Exchange Pty Ltd
Mushroom Exchange Pty Ltd
Costa Fresh Logistics Pty Ltd
Tomato Exchange Pty Ltd
Grape Exchange Farming Pty Ltd
Grape Exchange Farming Mundubbera Pty Ltd
Grape Exchange Pty Ltd
Costa Group Finance Pty Ltd
Costa Farms Pty Ltd
Costa Logistics Pty Ltd
AgriExchange Murtho Pty Ltd
Hillston Investments Pty Ltd
Banana Exchange Pty Ltd
Innisfail Holdings Pty Ltd
Exchange Brisbane Pty Ltd
Costa Asia Ltd
Costa China (Hong Kong) Ltd*
– Costa (Honghe) Fruit Planting Co. Ltd
– Costa (Yunnan) Agricultural Development Co. Ltd

Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
China
China

Ownership Interest 
Held by the Group
2016 
%
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
-
-

2017 
%
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
70
70
70

*  During the year, the Group formalised its China joint venture with Driscoll’s resulting in the sale of a 30% non-controlling interest in the joint venture holding company, Costa China (Hong 

Kong) Limited.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  81

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

D3. Related Party Disclosures
(a) Transactions with Associates and Joint Ventures
The Group transacted with jointly controlled entities during the 2017 financial period as follows:

•  African Blue SA – Accrual of royalty income on blueberry sales of $1,627,993 (2016: $1,247,250).

•  African Blue SA – Dividends received amounting to $2,785,467 (2016: $1,648,773).

•  African Blue SA – Other costs charged of $127,311 (2016: $173,705).

•  Polar Fresh Partnership – Dividends received amounting to $1,370,958 (2016: $3,460,029) and $104,000 (2016: $125,000) for transactional  

and management services provided.

•  Polar Fresh Partnership – Receivable of $3,819 (2016: $19,097) for management fees.

•  Driscoll’s Australia Partnership – Commission paid on sale of berries $22,118,278 (2016: $17,903,083).

•  Driscoll’s Australia Partnership – Sales of produce $173,480,884 (2016: $136,592,526).

•  Driscoll’s Australia Partnership – Receivable of $6,011,073 (2016: $6,376,880) for sale of produce.

•  Driscoll’s Australia Partnership – Dividends received amounting to $5,000,000 (2016: $3,000,000).

The Group has a loan to African Blue (Joint Venture). This is to fund working capital and was established in a prior period. The balance as at  
25 June 2017 is AUD$80,230 (2016: AUD$80,230). 

(b) Transactions with Key Management Personnel of the Entity or its Parent and their Personally Related Entities
Mr Frank Costa (Director)

•  Payment of leasing fee to Frank Costa paid by Costa’s Pty Ltd for 111 Aviation Road, Werribee of AUD$1 (2016: AUD$1).

Compensation received by key management personnel of the Group:
– Short-term employee benefits
– Post-employment benefits
– Other monetary benefits
– Long-term employee benefits
– Share-based payment benefits

2017 
$ ‘000

3,742
116
15
40
1,067
4,980

2016 
$ ‘000

3,591
106
-
43
301
4,041

82  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

D4. Parent Entity Disclosures

(a) Summarised Presentation of the Parent Entity, Costa Group Holdings Ltd

Assets 

Current assets 
Non-current assets
Total assets 

Liabilities 

Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities
Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Equity 

Contributed equity 
Profit reserve 
Share based payment reserve
Accumulated losses 
Total equity 

(b) Summarised Statement of Comprehensive Income
Profit/(loss) for the period 
Total comprehensive profit/(loss) for the year 

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

2,306
455,857
458,163

28
414,649
414,677

17,558
43,697 
61,255

5,879
43,879
49,758

396,908

364,919

399,902
45,802 
2,501
(51,297)
396,908

395,688
20,005 
523
(51,297)
364,919

(23,556)
(23,556)

(4,882)
(4,882)

(c) Parent Entity Guarantees in Respect of Debts of its Subsidiaries
The parent entity has entered into a Deed of Cross Guarantee with the effect that the Company guarantees debts in respect of certain subsidiaries. 
Further details of the Deed of Cross Guarantee and the subsidiaries subject to the Deed are disclosed in Note D5.

D5. Deed of Cross Guarantee

The wholly owned subsidiaries listed in Note D2 (excluding Hillston Investments Pty Ltd and Innisfail Holdings Pty Ltd) are parties to a deed of cross 
guarantee under which each company guarantees the debts of the others. These parties to the deed of cross guarantee consist of only the Australian 
wholly owned subsidiaries.

Pursuant to ASIC Class Order 98/1418 (as amended), these wholly owned subsidiaries listed in Note D2 (excluding Hillston Investments Pty Ltd and 
Innisfail Holdings Pty Ltd) are relieved from the Corporations Act requirements to prepare a financial report and Director’s report. 

A consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income and a consolidated statement of financial position for the year ended  
25 June 2017, comprising the above listed parties to the deed which represent the closed group,  are set out below:

(a) Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income of the Closed Group
Revenue 
Less: Expense 
Profit before income tax expense 

Income tax expense

Total comprehensive income for the year

2017 
$ ‘000
901,997
(837,635)
64,362

2016 
$ ‘000
821,861
(800,622)
21,239

(22,611)

(10,423)

41,751

10,816

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

(b) Consolidated Statement of Financial Position of the Closed Group

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

16,387
86,180
17,705
45,958
270
10,012
176,512

12,374
32,354
143,101
3,517
273,863
465,209
641,721

100,999
15,761
-
17,557
134,317

106,775
9,223
115,998
250,315

4,002
72,458
17,904
37,408
-
5,333
137,105

327
33,665
142,782
4,957
249,324
431,055
568,160

81,638
13,217
242
5,879
100,976

103,766
4,172
107,938
208,914

391,406

359,246

388,313
45,972
2,501
(45,380)
391,406

384,098
20,005
523
(45,380)
359,246

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables
Inventories
Biological assets
Derivative financial assets
Other assets
Total current assets

Non-current assets
Other financial assets
Equity accounted investments
Intangible assets
Deferred tax assets
Property, plant and equipment
Total non-current assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Payables
Provisions
Derivative financial liabilities
Current tax liabilities
Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Borrowings
Provisions
Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities

NET ASSETS

EQUITY
Share capital
Profit reserve
Share-based payment reserve
Accumulated losses
Total equity

84  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
E. Other

E1. Share-based Payments

Share-based payments reserve

2017 
$ ‘000
2,501

2016 
$ ‘000
523

The share-based payments reserve is used to record the fair value of shares or equity-settled share-based payment options issued to employees. 

Share-based Payment Plan – Employee Share Option Plan
The Group continued to offer equity-settled share-based payments via employee participation in long term and incentive schemes  
as part of the remuneration packages for the key management personnel and executives of the Company. 

During FY2017, 2,313,852 (2016: 3,513,372) options have been granted to key management personnel and the executive team under new option plans. 

The Group also granted 181,885 (2016: Nil) performance rights to key management personnel and the executive team during FY2017. 

Recognition and Measurement 
The Group provides benefits to its employees and Directors in the form of share-based payment transactions, whereby services are rendered  
in exchange for shares or options (‘equity-settled transactions’).

The fair value of options and performance rights is recognised as an expense with the corresponding increase in equity (share-based payments 
reserve). The fair value is measured at grant date and recognised over the period during which the holder becomes unconditionally entitled to  
the options and performance rights.

Measurement of Fair Values
The fair value of the options issued under this Option Plan was measured on using a Black-Scholes pricing model. The inputs used in the 
measurement of the fair values at grant date of the options were as follows: 

Employee Share Option Programs

Number issued
Fair value at grant date
Share price at grant date
Exercise price
Expected volatility
Expected dividend yield
Risk-free rate

2017
KMP and Executives 
(Excluding CEO)
1,705,913 
$0.67
$3.06
$2.78
30.00%
3.80%
2.07%

CEO
607,938 
$0.67
$3.06
$2.78
30.00%
3.80%
2.07%

2016

CEO
1,891,944 
$0.23
$2.16
$2.81
27.00%
3.75%
1.98%

KMP and Executives 
(Excluding CEO)
1,621,428 
$0.39
$2.30
$2.25
27.00%
3.75%
1.81%

The expected volatility has been based on an evaluation of the historical volatility using comparable companies to the Group. The Group has 
accounted for the options as equity-settled share-based payments.

The fair value of the performance rights issued under this STI plan was based on the five-day market volume weighted average price of the shares  
of Costa Group Holdings Ltd ending on 24 August 2016. Details are as follows:

Employee Performance Right Program

Number issued
Fair value at grant date

2017
KMP and Executives 
(Excluding CEO)
181,885
$2.91 

2016
KMP and Executives 
(Excluding CEO)
-
- 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  85

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Reconciliation of Outstanding Share Options
The number and weighted average exercise prices of options under the employee share option program are as follows:

Opening balance
Disposed for cash or settled for shares during the year 
Granted during the year
Closing balance
Exercisable at year end

Number of  
Options 2017
3,963,372 
(400,000)
2,313,851 
5,877,223 
50,000

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price 2017
$2.39
$1.45
$2.78
$2.63
$1.45

Number of  
Options 2016
21,671,752 
(21,221,752)
3,513,372 
3,963,372 
450,000 

Weighted Average 
Exercise Price 2016
$1.45
$1.45
$2.51
$2.39
$1.45

The options outstanding as at 25 June 2017, which have not been vested, have an average exercise price of $2.64 (2016: $2.51).

E2. Taxation

(a) Components of Tax Expense
Current tax 
Deferred tax 
Under/(over) provision in prior years

(b) Prima Facie Tax Payable
The prima facie tax payable on profit before income tax is reconciled to the income tax expense as follows: 

Profit before income tax

Prima facie income tax expense on profit before income tax at 30.0%
Add tax effect of: 
– non-deductible expenses
– deferred tax asset not recognised
– impairment of Polar Fresh carrying value
– share-based payments expense
– different tax rates in foreign jurisdictions
– other assessable items

Less tax effect of: 
– research and development tax credits
– utilisation of deferred tax asset not recognised
– non-assessable income
– over provision in prior years

2017 
$ ‘000

20,932
2,456
(768)
22,620

2016 
$ ‘000

7,387
3,101
(65)
10,423

80,262

35,681

24,078

10,704

159
-
2,220
568
9
-
2,956

434
307
2,905
768
4,414

174
1,726
-
134
- 
44
2,078

750
-
1,544
65
2,359

Income tax expense attributable to profit

22,620

10,423

(c) Current Tax
Current tax relates to the following: 
Current tax liabilities/(assets) 
Opening balance 
Current year tax expense
Tax refunds/(payments)
Foreign withholding tax credits received
Under/(over) provisions
Closing balance

86  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

5,879
20,932
(5,787)
(238)
(3,225)
17,561

1,563
7,387
(2,389)
(207)
(475)
5,879

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d) Deferred Tax
Deferred tax relates to the following: 
Deferred tax assets 
The balance comprises: 

Property, plant and equipment 
Provisions 
Trade and other payables 
Capital (black hole) deductions (section 40 880) 
Borrowings
Equity accounted investments
Other financial liabilities

Deferred tax liabilities
The balance comprises: 
Biological assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Trade and other receivables
Other financial assets

Net deferred tax assets 

(e) Deferred Tax Expense Included in Income Tax Comprises
Increase in deferred tax assets 
Increase in deferred tax liabilities 

(f ) Deferred Tax Movement
Opening balance – net deferred tax asset
Under/(over) provision in prior years
Decrease in DTA recognised in P&L
Decrease in DTA as a result of sale of business
Increase in DTA recognised in equity
Closing balance – net deferred tax asset

The Group’s franking account balance as at 25 June 2017 is $3,434,435 (2016: $11,270,836).

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

157
7,657
3,195
6,463
131
636
-
18,239

12,024
-
1,856
762
80
14,722
3,517

(357)
2,813
2,456

4,957
1,119
(2,456)
(103)
-
3,517

-
5,343
2,973
8,534
-
760
73
17,683

9,495
1,362
1,609
260
-
12,726
4,957

(650)
3,751
3,101

5,504
(483)
(3,101)
- 
3,037
4,957

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  87

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

Recognition and Measurement 
Current income tax expense or benefit is the tax payable or receivable on the current period’s taxable income based on the applicable income tax 
rate adjusted by changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognised for temporary differences at the applicable tax rates when the assets are expected to be recovered 
or liabilities are settled. No deferred tax asset or liability is recognised in relation to temporary differences if they arose in a transaction, other than  
a business combination, that at the time of the transaction did not affect either accounting profit or taxable profit or loss.

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.

Current and deferred tax balances attributable to amounts recognised directly in equity are also recognised directly in equity.

Tax Consolidation
The parent entity Costa Group Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries have implemented the tax consolidation legislation and have formed a tax 
consolidated Group. The parent entity and subsidiaries in the tax consolidated Group have entered into a tax funding agreement such that each 
entity in the tax consolidated Group recognises the assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues in relation to its own transactions, events and balances 
only. This means that:

•  the parent entity recognises all current and deferred tax amounts relating to its own transactions, events and balances only;

•  the subsidiaries recognise current or deferred tax amounts arising in respect of their own transactions, events and balances; and

•  current tax liabilities and deferred tax assets arising in respect of tax losses are transferred from the subsidiary to the head entity as inter-company 

payables or receivables.

The tax consolidated Group also has a tax sharing agreement in place to limit the liability of subsidiaries in the tax consolidated Group arising under 
the joint and several liability requirements of the tax consolidation system, in the event of default by the parent entity to meet its payment obligations.

Critical Accounting Estimate and Judgement

Income Tax
Income tax benefits are based on the assumption that no adverse change will occur in the income tax legislation and the anticipation that the Group 
will derive sufficient future assessable income to enable the benefit to be realised and comply with the conditions of deductibility imposed by the law.

Deferred tax assets are recognised for deductible temporary differences as management considers that it is probable that future taxable profits will 
be available to utilise those temporary differences.

E3. New Accounting Standards

Recently Issued or Amended Accounting Standards 
The following relevant Australian Accounting Standards and Interpretations have been issued or amended but are not yet effective and the Group 
has not yet adopted them:

•  AASB 16 Leases 

•  AASB 9 Financial Instruments 

•  AASB 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

•  AASB 2014-10 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture

•  AAB 2016-5 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions

•  AASB 2017-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Transfers of Investment Property, Annual Improvements 2014–2016 Cycle and 

Other Amendments

• 

Interpretation 22 Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration

•  AASB 2016-6 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Applying AASB 9 Financial Instruments with AASB 4 Insurance Contracts

•  AASB 2016-1 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses

•  AASB 2016-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Disclosure Initiative: Amendments to AASB 107

•  AASB 2017-2 Amendments to Australian Accounting Standards – Further Annual Improvements 2014–2016 Cycle

The Group is currently assessing the impact of these standards on its financial position and performance.

88  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

AASB 16 Leases
AASB 16 Leases will replace the current standard on lease accounting, AASB 117. AASB 16 introduces a single lessee accounting model and requires 
the lessee to recognise assets and liabilities of all leases with a term of more than 12 months, unless the underlying asset is of low value. A lessee is 
required to recognise a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying leased asset and a lease liability representing its obligations to 
make lease payments. This standard will require the Group to bring all material leases with lease terms greater than one year on to the balance sheet 
(refer note C6 for further details of the Group’s operating lease commitments as at 25 June 2017). The Group has not yet determined the potential 
effect of this standard on its future financial report. The standard is mandatory for financial years commencing on or after 1 January 2019 and the 
Group expects to adopt the standard at the start of FY2020. 

AASB 15 Revenue
AASB 15 is based on the principle that revenue is recognised when control of a good or service transfers to a customer – so the notion of control 
replaces the existing notion of risks and rewards. The standard is not applicable until 1 January 2018 but is available for early adoption. The Group has 
not yet determined the potential effect of this standard on its future financial report. The Group expects to adopt the standard at the start of FY2019. 

E4. Auditor’s Remuneration

Audit and review services
Services provided by KPMG Australia
Services provided by associate firms of KPMG Australia

Other services provided by KPMG Australia
Taxation compliance and other taxation advisory services (including R&D)
Other services

Total remuneration of KPMG

E5. Other Financial Assets

NON-CURRENT 
Loans to related party associates

Available-for-sale financial assets 
Shares in other corporations 

* Refer to Note C7 for disclosure on fair valuation technique of this asset.

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

394,756
17,422
412,178

245,700
10,000
255,700

340,700
-
340,700

175,000
21,000
196,000

667,878

536,700

2017 
$ ‘000

2016 
$ ‘000

80

247
327

80

247
327

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements continued

E6. Other Accounting Policies

Research and Development Expenditure
Expenditure on research activities is recognised as an expense when incurred.

Expenditure on development activities is capitalised only when technical feasibility studies demonstrate that the project will deliver future economic 
benefits and these benefits can be measured reliably. Capitalised development expenditure is stated at cost less accumulated amortisation. 
Amortisation is calculated using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of its estimated useful life commencing when the intangible asset  
is available for use.

Other development expenditure is recognised as an expense when incurred.

Bonus Plan
The Group recognises a provision when a bonus is payable in accordance with the employee’s contract of employment, and the amount can be 
reliably measured.

Government Grants
Government grants are initially recognised as deferred income at fair value when there is reasonable assurance that they will be received and that 
the Group will comply with the conditions associated with the grant. Subsequently, they are recognised in the statement of comprehensive income 
to offset the applicable expenses incurred by the Group as stated in the provisions of the government grant.

90  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Directors’ Declaration

1.   In the opinion of the Directors of Costa Group Holdings Ltd (‘the Company’):

(a) 

 the consolidated financial report and notes A1 to E6 and the Remuneration Report in the Directors’ Report, are in accordance with  
the Corporations Act 2001, including:

(i) 

 giving a true and fair view of the Group’s financial position as at 25 June 2017 and of its performance, for the financial year ended  
on that date; and

(ii)  complying with Australian Accounting Standards and the Corporations Regulations 2001; and

(b)  there are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company will be able to pay its debts as and when they become due and payable.

2.    There are reasonable grounds to believe that the Company and the Group entities identified in Note D5 will be able to meet any obligations  
or liabilities to which they are or may become subject to by virtue of the Deed of Cross Guarantee between the Company and the Group  
entities pursuant to ASIC Class Order 98/1418.

3.    The Directors have been given the declarations required by Section 295A of the Corporations Act 2001 from the Chief Executive Officer  

and Chief Financial Officer for the financial year ended 25 June 2017.

4.    The Directors draw attention to the ‘Overview’ section of the consolidated financial report, which includes a statement of compliance  

with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Signed in accordance with a resolution of the Directors:

Dated at Melbourne 23rd day of August 2017.

Harry Debney
Managing Director and CEO

Neil Chatfield
Chairman

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  91

 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report

This is the original version of the audit report over the financial statements signed by the Directors on 23 August 2017. Page 
references should be read as follows to reflect the correct references now that the financial statements have been presented 
in the context of the annual report in its entirety:
– the Remuneration Report is now set out on pages 37 to 47 as opposed to pages 21 to 33 below.

Independent Auditor’s Report 

To the members of Costa Group Holdings Limited 

Report on the audit of the Financial Report 

Opinion 

We have audited the Financial Report of Costa 
Group Holdings Limited (the Company). 

In our opinion, the accompanying Financial 
Report of the Company is in accordance with 
the Corporations Act 2001, including: 

• giving a true and fair view of the Group's 
financial position as at 25 June 2017 and of its 
financial performance for the financial year 
ended on that date; and 

• complying with Australian Accounting 
Standards and the Corporations Regulations 
2001. 

The Financial Report comprises: 

• Consolidated statement of financial position as at 
25 June 2017 

• Consolidated statement of profit or loss and other 
comprehensive income, Consolidated statement of 
changes in equity, and Consolidated statement of 
cash flows for the financial year then ended 

• Notes including a summary of significant accounting 
policies  

• Directors' Declaration. 

The Group consists of the Company and the entities 
it controlled at the year end or from time to time 
during the financial year. 

Basis for opinion 

We conducted our audit in accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. We believe that the audit 
evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. 

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 are independent of the Group in accordance with 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 (the Code) that are relevant to our audit of the Financial Report in Australia. We 
have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with the Code. 

KPMG, an Australian partnership and a member firm of the KPMG 
network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG 
International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under 
Professional Standards Legislation.

88 

92  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Key Audit Matters 

The Key Audit Matters we identified 
are: 

• Valuation of biological assets  

• Recoverability of goodwill  

• Presentation of sales revenue 

Key Audit Matters are those matters that, in our 
professional judgement, were of most significance in our 
audit of the Financial Report of the current period. 

These 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. 

Valuation of biological assets ($46m) 

Refer to Note B6 to the Financial Report.

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

fair 

Biological  assets  consist  of  un-harvested 
agricultural  produce  and  are  recorded  at 
value,  which  entails  an 
their 
assessment  of  expected 
future  cash 
outflows  and  inflows.  This  is  a  key  audit 
matter due to the judgment required by us 
the  complexities  and 
in  considering 
assumptions  adopted  by  management  in 
the  Group’s  biological  assets  valuation 
model.  

In  addressing  this  key  audit  matter,  we 
involved experienced audit team members 
who had an understanding of the Group’s 
key product categories, their development 
cycles,  yield,  pricing  and  other  external 
factors including market conditions. 

that 

The  areas 
involved  significant 
judgment by us in evaluating and assessing 
management’s assumptions included: 

•

•

unique 

yield  expectations:  the  Group  has  a  
portfolio  of  product  categories  each 
with 
agricultural 
characteristics  bringing  a  variety  of 
factors  relating  to  growth  patterns 
and 
into 
consideration; 

hectare 

yield 

per 

extent of biological advancement: the 
crops  are  seasonal  in  nature  and  at 
valuation  date,  are  at  various  stages 
in the development cycle; 

the  key  assumptions  adopted  by 
We  challenged 
management  in  the  Group’s  biological  asset  valuation 
model,  such  as  future  market  pricing,  seasonality, 
predicted yield per hectare and biological advancement by: 

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

comparing  the  assumptions  to  historical  and  current 
trends  and,  where  possible,  actual  outcomes  in 
subsequent periods; 

performing  site  visits,  on  a  sample  basis,  to  inspect 
the  actual  biological  advancement  and  compare  this 
to the assumption  in the model; 

enquiring  of  farm  managers,  senior  site  and  head 
office management for corroborative evidence of key 
assumptions;  

analysing  expected  pricing  in  comparison  with  prior 
periods and using our knowledge of the business and 
market conditions;  

assessing  previous  forecasting  accuracy  to  consider 
the  precision  of  management’s  forecasting  and 
identifying  particular  areas  where  there  may  be  a 
higher risk of inaccuracies or bias; 

evaluating  the  consistency  of  key  assumptions 
applied  to  the  biological  asset  valuation  models  to 
those applied in the goodwill impairment testing; 

performing sensitivity analyses by making reasonably 
possible  changes  in  judgemental  assumptions  such 
as  biological  advancement  rates,  and  comparing 
outcomes  to  management’s  fair  value  to  identify 
areas of further testing; and 

89 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report continued

•

in addition to other procedures, we assessed the 
specific disclosures required for biological assets in 
the financial report by considering the requirements 
of relevant accounting standards and industry 
practice. 

•

•

expectations of future market pricing: 
pricing  for  each  product  category 
fluctuates  based  on  quality  and 
supply  and  are  negotiated  when  the 
produce is ready for sale, which may 
be  some  time  from  valuation  date; 
and 

environmental  factors:  the  Group’s 
crops are  subject in various  degrees 
to  climatic  conditions  and  weather 
events,  which  creates 
inherent 
uncertainty around yield per hectare, 
prices, quality and timing of harvest, 
which  must  be  factored  into  the 
assessment of fair value. 

Recoverability of goodwill ($133m) 

Refer to Note B8 to the Financial Report.

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

The key procedures we performed included: 

• we  critically  evaluated  management’s  determination 
of the Group’s CGU’s using on our understanding of 
the Group’s business and internal reporting structure, 
including  how  costs  are  allocated  and  results  are 
monitored and reported. 

• we  challenged  the  key  assumptions  used  in  the 
Group’s impairment model such as future pricing and 
yields, by performing the following:   

o we compared these assumptions to historical 
prices  and  yields  as  well  as  current  market 
prices;   

the  discount 

o we  worked  with  our  valuation  specialists  to 
evaluate 
rates  used  by 
management  in  the  impairment  model  as 
well  as  the  appropriateness  of  the  VIU 
models 
standard 
requirements; 

accounting 

against 

o we performed sensitivity analysis on the key 
assumptions including the future pricing and 
yields and discount rate, to assess the impact 
on the level of headroom and focus our work 
to the most sensitive assumptions; and 

o we  assessed  the  accuracy  of  previous 
forecasts of the Group to inform the areas on 
which to focus in the current financial year; 

90 

This  is  a  key  audit  matter  due  to  the 
significant  audit  judgement  involved  in 
by 
evaluating 
used 
assumptions 
management  when  considering 
the 
valuation  of 
the  Group’s  goodwill 
balances  (the  impairment  model)  which 
have  been  allocated  to  each  product 
includes 
category.  This 
management’s 
of 
Operating Segments into individual Cash 
Generating 
This 
necessitated  our  consideration  of  the 
Group’s determination of CGUs, based on 
the smallest group of assets to generate 
largely independent cash inflows. 

judgement 
disaggregation 

(CGUs). 

Units 

We focussed on: 

•

the subjective assumptions including 
future  pricing,  yield  and  discount 
rates.    The  assumptions  are  also 
discussed  in  greater  detail  in  the 
“Valuation of biological assets  at  fair 
value” key audit matter above; and 

94  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•

the  impact  of  the  expansion  of  the 
business, 
additional 
including 
investment  in  the  Berry  category  to 
management’s  estimates  of  future 
cash flows. 

• we  assessed  the  disclosures  in  the  financial  report 
using  our  understanding  of  the  issue  obtained  from 
our  testing  and  against  the  requirements  of  the 
accounting standards. 

Presentation of sales revenue ($895.3m) 

Refer to Note A2 to the Financial Report. 

The key audit matter 

How the matter was addressed in our audit 

The key procedures we performed included the following: 

•

for a sample of sales that involved external  growers: 

o

o

o

identifying  the  amount  subject  to  agency 
commissions; 

comparing the agency commission applied to 
the underlying grower contract; and 

recalculating  the  agency  commission  and 
comparing  it  to  the  amount  presented  as 
agency income. 

• we also compared the overall agency commissions 
with our understanding of current commission 
arrangements and previous commission amounts to 
identify areas of further testing. 

For certain produce  categories, the Group 
enters  into  arrangements  with  external 
growers,  whereby  it  acts  as  an  agent  on 
behalf  of  the  external  growers  for  sales 
transactions  and  earns  a  commission  on 
these transactions.  The recognition of the 
agency commission income is a key audit 
matter for us due to:  

•

•

the  existence  of 
arrangements 
product categories; and 

these  agency 
across  multiple 

some  categories  having  multiple 
arrangements  whereby  a  proportion 
of the total sales are sourced from the 
Group’s  farms  and  the  remainder 
sourced from external growers under 
agency arrangements;  

Other Information 

Other Information is financial and non-financial information in Costa Group Holdings Limited’s annual 
reporting which is provided in addition to the Financial Report and the Auditor’s Report. The Directors are 
responsible for the Other Information.  

The Other Information we obtained prior to the date of this Auditor’s Report was the Directors’ Report 
including the Operating and Financial Review and Remuneration Report. The Chairman’s Report, Managing 
Director’s Review, Sustainability Report, Company Profile, Harvest Calendar, Shareholder Information and 
Corporate Directory are expected to be made available to us after the date of the Auditor's Report. 

Our opinion on the Financial Report does not cover the Other Information and, accordingly, we do not and 
will not express an audit opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon, with the exception of the 
Remuneration Report. 

In connection with our audit of the Financial Report, our responsibility is to read the Other Information. In 
doing so, we 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. 

We are required to report if we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this Other Information, 
and based on the work we have performed on the Other Information that we obtained prior to the date of 
this Auditor’s Report we have nothing to report. 

91 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  95

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report continued

Responsibilities of the Directors for the Financial Report 

The Directors are responsible for: 

• preparing the Financial Report that gives a true and fair view in accordance with Australian Accounting 
Standards and the Corporations Act 2001 

• implementing necessary internal control to enable the preparation of a Financial Report that gives a true 
and fair view and is free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error 

• assessing the Group and Company's ability to continue as a going concern. This includes disclosing, as 
applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless they 
either intend to liquidate the Group and Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative 
but to do so. 

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the Financial Report 

Our objective is:  

• 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 Australian Auditing Standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. 

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error. They 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 this 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: http://www.auasb.gov.au/auditors_files/ar2.pdf. This 
description forms part of our Auditor’s Report. 

92 

96  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report on the Remuneration Report 

Opinion 

Directors’ responsibilities 

In our opinion, the Remuneration 
Report of Costa Group Holdings 
Limited for the financial year ended 25 
June 2017, complies with Section 
300A of the Corporations Act 2001. 

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 responsibilities 

We have audited the Remuneration Report included in pages 
21 to 33 of the Directors’ report for the financial year ended  
25 June 2017.  

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Remuneration Report, based on our audit conducted in 
accordance with Australian Auditing Standards. 

KPMG 

Paul J McDonald 

Partner 

Melbourne 

23 August 2017 

93 

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Information

Twenty Largest Registered Shareholders (as at 30 August 2017)

Rank Name of Shareholder
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
J P Morgan Nominees Australia Limited 
Costa AFR Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Costa AFR Unit Trust
National Nominees Limited 
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 
Citicorp Nominees Pty Limited 
UBS Nominees Pty Ltd 
AMP Life Limited 
Warbont Nominees Pty Ltd 
Marich Nominees Pty Ltd 
RBC Investor Services Australia Nominees Pty Ltd
Mr Harry Debney 
HSBC Custody Nominees (Australia) Limited 
BNP Paribas Nominees Pty Ltd 
Mirrabooka Investments Limited 
Mr John Paterson 
Netwealth Investments Limited 
UBS Nominees Pty Ltd

Number of Shares
82,489,746
54,874,507
44,587,566
32,940,002
22,123,208
4,315,589
2,688,925
2,162,008
1,140,000
1,131,691
975,900
894,152
617,776
609,037
534,320
504,863
500,000
500,000
412,532
392,467

% of Issued Capital
25.84
17.19
13.97
10.32
6.93
1.35
0.84
0.68
0.36
0.35
0.31
0.28
0.19
0.19
0.17
0.16
0.16
0.16
0.13
0.12

98  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Distribution of Holdings (as at 30 August 2017)

Range
100,001 and over
10,001 to 100,000
5,001 to 10,000
1,001 to 5,000
1 to 1,000
Total

Number of holders
69
1,422
1,491
3,743
1,642
8,367

Number of Shares
263,192,303
33,268,035
11,170,573
10,708,023
941,503
319,280,437

% of Issued Capital
82.43
10.42
3.50
3.35
0.29
100

The number of shareholders holding less than a marketable parcel of shares (as at 30 August 2017) is 75 and they hold 344 shares. 

Substantial Shareholders (as Disclosed in Substantial Holder Notices Given to the Company at 30 August 2017)

Shareholder
Costa AFR Pty Ltd as trustee for the Costa AFR Unit Trust
P&P COS Cooperatief UA
Mondrian Investment Partners Ltd
Bennelong Funds Management Group Pty Ltd

Escrow Shares

As at 30 August 2017, there are no shares subject to voluntary escrow arrangements.

Unquoted Securities

Number of Shares
32,940,002
26,044,236
24,582,278
19,405,093

% of Issued Capital
10.32
8.17
7.70
6.08

As at 30 August 2017, there were 5,626,841 options over unissued shares of Costa Group Holdings Ltd, as described in item 12 of the Directors’ 
Report. These options were held by 11 current and former members of management (including the CEO) and a former director of the Company.  
All of the unissued shares which are the subject of these options are ordinary shares in the Company, or will be converted into ordinary shares 
immediately after exercise of the relevant option.

Shares and Voting Rights

All issued shares in the Company are ordinary shares. Voting rights for ordinary shares are:

•  on a show of hands, one vote for each shareholder; and

•  on a poll, one vote for each fully paid ordinary share.

There is no current on-market buy-back.

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  99

Corporate Directory

Share Registry

Auditor

Link Market Services Limited
Level 12, 680 George Street, Sydney
NSW 2000

Locked Bag A14, Sydney South
NSW 1235

T  +61 1300 554 474 (toll free within Australia)
F  +61 2 9287 0303
F  +61 2 9287 0309 (for proxy voting)
E  registrars@linkmarketservices.com.au

www.linkmarketservices.com.au

KPMG
Tower Two, Collins Square 
727 Collins Street Melbourne
Victoria 3008
Australia

Stock Exchange

Costa Group Holdings Limited shares are 
quoted on the Australian Securities Exchange 
(ASX code: CGC)

Directors

Neil Chatfield (Chairman)
Harry Debney (CEO)
Frank Costa
Kevin Schwartz
Peter Margin
Tiffany Fuller
Janette Kendall

Company Secretary

David Thomas

Registered Office

Unit 1, 275 Robinsons Road Ravenhall
Victoria 3023
Australia
T  +613 8363 9000
E  investors@costagroup.com.au

100  Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017

Costa Group Holdings Limited – Annual Report 2017  101

C

o

s

t

a

G

r

o

u

p

H

o

l

d

i

n

g

s

L

i

m

i

t

e

d

–

A

n

n

u

a

l

R

e

p

o

r

t

2

0

1

7