SINGAPORE – Olam Group Limited announced today that it plans to list its majority-owned agri-business subsidiary, Olam Agri Holdings Pte. Ltd. (“OAHPL”), which holds the Olam Agri business, as early as H1 2023 (the “Olam Agri IPO”). Olam Agri is a food and agribusiness with a global origination and merchandising footprint, processing capabilities and an understanding of food and agricultural market needs built over 33 years.
With its presence across emerging markets and global capabilities, Olam Agri is positioned to serve and capitalise on meeting rising demand for food, feed and fibre, amid a greater global focus on food security.
On December 23, 2022, the Group announced a strategic partnership between Olam Agri and The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Company (“SALIC”) through the sale of a substantial minority stake in OAHPL for US$1.24 billion (“SALIC Transaction”) that was completed on December 23, 2022.
Following the SALIC Transaction, the Group is seeking a primary listing for OAHPL on the mainboard of the SGX, while exploring a concurrent listing on the Saudi Exchange, subject to market conditions. If the concurrent listing takes place, the Olam Agri IPO would be the first dual-listing for a company on these two bourses and the first ever listing in Saudi Arabia of a non-Gulf Cooperation Council incorporated business.
The decision to target an IPO for OAHPL as early as H1 2023 follows a thorough review in relation to maximising Olam Group’s long-term shareholder value. The decision also considers the global agri-business trends, rising food security concerns and OAHPL’s demonstrated growth and sound track record of performance.
Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Olam Group and CEO of Olam Agri, said:
“Olam Agri has demonstrated a consistent performance track record with operating profit¹ rising at a CAGR² of 40.1% over the last three years³, capitalising on its position in emerging markets even amidst challenging macroeconomic conditions and rising geo-political uncertainty. With the completion of the minority stake sale and strategic partnership with SALIC, Olam Agri is positioned to grow as a result of the demand for food, feed and fibre across end-consumption growth markets.
“We are exploring a dual-listing in Singapore and Saudi Arabia – which would be the first of its kind – to tap into our strong Singapore and global shareholder base whilst welcoming investors in the Middle East, a region we intend to grow further.
“Today’s announcement marks yet another milestone on our Re-organisation journey to maximise long-term value for Olam Group’s shareholders. Together with the planned ofi IPO, investors have an opportunity to diversify their portfolio while still participating in the unique investment prospects for Olam Agri and ofi individually. The planned listings would allow Olam Agri and ofi to capitalise on the key trends in their respective sectors and strengthen their respective balance sheets, improve access to capital markets, broaden their shareholder base, and allow them to be better understood and valued as standalone entities with very different business propositions as they both continue to develop their differentiated leadership positions in the global markets.”
Overview of the Olam Agri IPO
The Company has chosen SGX as its primary listing venue given the strong investor base for food and agri-business companies in Singapore, as well as the continued long-term support of its shareholders. The additional listing in Saudi Arabia is being considered given the importance of food security in the Gulf region, the large incremental investor base that would be able to participate in the IPO, and the new strategic partnership with SALIC, which will further enhance Olam Agri’s activities in the Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia, amongst other factors.
Although no final decision has been made on the Olam Agri IPO offer structure, the IPO may involve an offering in Singapore and globally via an issuance of new OAHPL shares as well as a sale of shares in OAHPL by the Olam Group. Concurrently, OAHPL will be demerged from the Group, via a distribution in specie of shares in OAHPL to Olam Group shareholders, at the point of demerger in conjunction with the Olam Agri IPO. Shareholders of the Company will not need to make any payment for shares in the newly listed OAHPL and will continue to retain their shares in the Company.
Approval for proposed transactions relating to the Olam Agri IPO and demerger to be undertaken by the Olam Group will be sought from shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting, details of which will be announced at a later date.
Continued progress on Re-organisation journey for Olam Group
Olam Agri was successfully carved out as the Group’s wholly-owned food, feed and fibre agri-business subsidiary on January 1, 2022, alongside ofi as the Group’s wholly-owned food ingredients subsidiary, following a Re-organisation to unlock and maximise Olam Group’s long-term value.
As announced on August 12, 2022, the Group stays committed and prepared for the proposed dual-listing of ofi concurrently on LSE and SGX. This is now expected to take place following the Olam Agri IPO, subject to prevailing market conditions. Further updates on the timing and progress will be provided in due course.
Should the IPOs for Olam Agri and ofi go through, Olam Group will remain listed on the SGX with its core businesses comprising Olam Global Holdco Pte. Ltd. (comprising gestating businesses and de-prioritised assets earmarked for exit), Olam Ventures Pte. Ltd. (comprising technology and sustainability-led new ventures), and MindSprint Pte. Ltd. (formerly known as Olam Technology and Business Services Pte. Ltd., comprising IT and digital services business).
Olam Group wishes to highlight that any listing and demerger, including the timing, venues and other terms thereof, are subject to inter alia prevailing market conditions, all requisite approvals and clearances from regulatory authorities, and relevant approvals of shareholders.
The Board of Directors of the Company may also decide not to proceed with the Olam Agri IPO and demerger, even if the said approvals and clearances have been obtained, if the Board deems it not in the interests of the Company to do so, having regard to the prevailing circumstances and relevant factors at the material time. Accordingly, shareholders should note that there is no certainty or assurance that the Olam Agri IPO and demerger will occur or occur in the form as described in this news release.
The Group will provide key updates on the Olam Agri IPO, ofi IPO and its Re-organisation as they progress.
These materials are not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia). These materials are not an offer of securities for sale into the United States, the United Kingdom, European Economic Area, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act), except pursuant to a registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.
¹ Earnings Before Interest and Tax
² Compound Annual Growth Rate
³ 2019-2021
