AGM Statement

Camellia PLC 07 June 2007 Camellia Plc Chairman's Statement at AGM 7 June 2007 I would now like to take this opportunity to bring shareholders up to date with developments in the current year. 2006 started with droughts in the majority of the countries in which we grow tea and prices rose in sympathy. 2007 has seen the complete reverse of this situation with good weather conditions and abundant crops but falling prices. The falling prices are made worse by the continuing decline in the value of the dollar particularly as against the Kenya Shilling. We are still experiencing delays in exporting our tea from Malawi due to logistical problems. This results in increased warehousing costs and delayed cash flow. The weakness of the dollar also has a detrimental impact on our other export operations, particularly macadamia and wine from South Africa, arable crops from Brazil and citrus and grapes from Chile. I cannot over-emphasise the negative effect of this dollar weakness on our sales income in the countries of origin and there is little that management can do to reduce costs in local currencies, although they will of course take advantage of any such opportunities. Our engineering companies remain busy but attracting new qualified operatives, particularly in Aberdeen, is still a problem. I regret that local planning considerations continue to delay the proposed development of our galvanising operation in Great Yarmouth. There has been a significant management re-organisation within Associated Cold Stores and Transport which will lead to further cost reductions and an increase in operating efficiency. The market however remains very competitive and new contracts are difficult to acquire at profitable rates. Duncan Lawrie has been busy absorbing the acquisition of Hill Martin who have now re-located into the Duncan Lawrie offices at Hobart Place. We remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects of the now enlarged banking group. The profits for 2007 received an early boost from the sale of our shareholding in Getaz-Romang resulting in a gain over book value of approximately £4.8 million. I am however unable to give any indication as to the results for the first half of the year. Further enquiries please contact Camellia Plc Malcolm Perkins 01622 746655 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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Camellia (CAM)
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