Farm Fresh is eyeing a share in the lucrative chocolate malt beverage market worth RM1bil.
PETALING JAYA: Farm Fresh Bhd
’s growth prospects remain robust, underpinned by its increasing market presence.
Also working in the company’s favour are easing raw material prices and favourable foreign-exchange (forex) rates, which contribute to stronger profitability and operational resilience.
RHB Research has reiterated its “buy” recommendation for Farm Fresh, raising its target price to RM2.11 per share from RM1.88 previously.
This followed the brokerage’s upward revision of its earnings forecasts for Farm Fresh by 5% each for financial year ending March 31, 2026 (FY26), and FY27 to account for revised in-house forex assumptions and higher minimum wage.
“We believe Farm Fresh will continue to leverage on its established brand equity to penetrate more markets, thereby fuelling the relentless top-line growth.
“Meanwhile, easing raw material prices and favourable forex will translate to more margin expansion,” RHB Research wrote in its report yesterday.
“Our positive stance is premised on the visible and long runway for growth, more consistent earnings delivery, and management’s ambitious vision, which should warrant a valuation premium,” it added.
Farm Fresh recently launched its in-house consumer-packaged goods (CPG) ice cream brand – Cream Hauz.
RHB Research pointed out that its ground checks suggest the initial reception had been positive.
“With more products in the pipeline, the group aims to capture a 5% share in CPG ice cream market worth more than RM1.2bil by 2025.
“Its strategy to diversify offerings in the dairy product market (by leveraging on its brand equity and healthier option value) could bear significant fruit once again,” the brokerage explained.
Concurrently, Farm Fresh is also eyeing a share in the lucrative chocolate malt beverage market worth RM1bil.
It launched a powder variant in July and has plans to roll out ready-to-drink products in 2025, RHB Research noted.
Additionally, it plans to sustain its hotel, restaurant and café/catering (Horeca) segment’s strong sales growth by offering new butter products.
Outside Malaysia, Farm Fresh recently commenced production in the Philippines after establishing a presence and brand- building via imports earlier.
RHB Research said with Farm Fresh’s gross profit margin staying above 30% in the last three quarters, there could be more upside for the company, going forward.
“This is as the lower-priced whole milk powder and raw milk are reflected in subsequent quarters,” it said.
Farm Fresh’s earnings jumped four-fold to RM26mil in the first quarter ended June 30, 2024, from RM6.4mil in the corresponding quarter last year.
Its earnings per share increased to 1.39 sen from 0.34 sen previously.
The increase in earnings was mainly attributable to higher revenue and lower raw material prices.
During the quarter under review, the group’s revenue rose 30.3% year-on-year to RM241.7mil on sales contribution from new products, higher sales from the Horeca distribution channel, as well as full-quarter contribution from The Inside Scoop Sdn Bhd and Sin Wah Ice Cream Sdn Bhd.
