Piccadily Agro Industries Limited (530305) Earnings Call Transcript & Summary
August 12, 2026
Earnings Call Speaker Segments
Operator
operatorLadies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to the Piccadily Agro Industries Limited Q1 FY '27 Earnings Conference Call being held on 12th August 2026 at 2:30 p.m. India Time. [Operator Instructions] Please note that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Sudhir Bhargava, Investor Relations for Piccadily Agro Industries Limited. Thank you, and over to you, sir.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveThank you. Good afternoon, everyone. I welcome you all to this earnings conference call. I hope you have reviewed our quarterly presentation that we uploaded yesterday at BSE and NSE. Today, we have with us a fair amount of our management team, including Mr. Natwar Aggarwal, who is the CFO; Mr. Praveen Malviya, who is the CEO of IMFL; Mr. Rakesh Vasishta, President, Sales; Mr. D.K. Batra, Director; Shalini Sharma, who heads Marketing; and other members of the team. Before we begin our presentation, I would like to remind you that some of the statements made in today's conference call may be forward-looking in nature and may involve risks and uncertainties. Kindly refer to the disclaimer slide of our earnings presentation for detail. To take you through where we are and what we have done, we are pleased to report a strong start to FY '27, building on the momentum established through FY '26, including completion of our expansions. Q1 FY '27 was a landmark quarter for Piccadily, marked by the highest quarter 1 volumes ever and revenue in the company's history. More importantly, we continue to see meaningful improvement in the quality and mix of our business with premiumization remaining the central driver of our performance. As you would have seen in the presentation, revenue from operations grew 8.1% [ 18.1% ] year-on-year to INR 270 crores, while the distillery business delivered an even stronger performance with revenue increasing 26.3% to nearly INR 206 crores. The most encouraging development was the continued acceleration of our branded alco-bev business. Our premium, super premium and luxury portfolio grew 47.3% to INR 82 crores, raising its contribution to 43.5% of distillery revenue compared with 37.8% in Q1 FY '26. And this is precisely the transformation we have been working on, shifting the business progressively towards higher value, higher margin and more differentiated products. Our growth continues to significantly outpace the broader industry within the premium and luxury segments in which we operate. We believe this reflects both the strength of our brands and the structural premiumization underway in the Indian alco-bev market as consumers increasingly trade upwards in terms of products that offer greater quality, authenticity, provenance and differentiated experience. This portfolio-led transformation is also translating into improved profitability. EBITDA increased 21% year-on-year to INR 47 crores, with EBITDA margin improving to 18.5% from 18.2% in the corresponding quarter last year. Profit after tax increased 15.4% to INR 22 crores, while EPS grew 10.5% to INR 2.21. What is particularly important to us is that this performance has been achieved while continuing to invest in the company's future growth. Our approach has remained consistent, build strong brands, expand distribution, improve product mix and invest ahead of demand, all while maintaining financial and operational discipline. So our portfolio today gives Piccadily a distinctive competitive position. We are focused entirely on the premium end of the market with ultra luxury and luxury single malts complemented by super premium rum and vodka. We have deliberately chosen not to build a legacy portfolio of low-margin brands. This is a strategic choice, not a limitation. It allows us to direct our capital, management bandwidth and marketing investments towards categories where we see significantly greater long-term value creation. So, our objective accordingly is not to compete on price. We intend to compete on product, quality, brand equity, authenticity and consumer experience. Our progress is visible not only in our financial performance, but also in our market expansion. During the quarter, we continued to broaden distribution of our luxury portfolio, strengthen our on-trade presence and build consumer advocacy through experiences and strategic partnerships. Our international business is also gaining momentum with new markets and international airports added to our distribution footprint. We view international expansion as a significant long-term opportunity to establish Piccadily's brand as globally recognized Indian premium. Am I audible?
Operator
operatorYou are audible sir.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveOkay. Operationally, we are entering an important phase of capacity-led growth. Following our recent expansions, capacity utilization at both our Indri and Chhattisgarh distilleries is steadily scaling up, providing operating platform to support our next phase of growth. A number of new products are planned for launch during this financial year, which will further strengthen and broaden our premium portfolio. Looking at FY '27, we remain confident in our growth trajectory. We expect our branded alco-bev business to grow approximately 60% to 70% for the full year, which is what we had indicated when we had done the Q4 call. With the second half expected to be the principal growth driver. In the last year, it contributed nearly 60% to 65% of the annual branded alco-bev revenue. At the company level, we continue to target approximately 60% revenue growth year-on-year. As the business scales, our focus will remain firmly on balancing growth, margins and investments. We remain confident in our ability to deliver a company level EBITDA margin in the range of 23% to 24% for FY '27, while continuing to invest behind our brand, new product launches, distribution capabilities and international expansion. The opportunity ahead of us is fairly substantial. We believe Piccadily is increasingly evolving from a distillery-led business into a high-end branded alcohol beverage company, one with a focused premium portfolio and expanding global presence and structurally attractive growth opportunities. To sum, our priorities remain clear: premiumize the portfolio, build globally relevant brands, expand distribution, utilize our new capacities efficiently and create sustainable long-term value for our shareholders. We are confident that the investments we are making today will build a significantly larger and stronger category in the years ahead. With that, I would now like to hand over the call to our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Natwar Aggarwal, who will take you through the financial and operational performance in greater detail. Thank you, everyone, and over to you, Natwar.
Natwar Aggarwal
executiveThank you, Sudhir, talking about the strategic vision of the organization. Good afternoon, everyone. Now I would like to talk about the financial performance for Q1. In Q1, our growth trajectory continued revenue from operations grew by 18.1% to now INR 270.5 crores. Within that, distillery grew much more, which is 26.3% to INR 205.7 crores. Revenue from distillery also -- the share of distillery also grew to 76% now versus 71% on a year-on-year basis. And our core brand business within distillery, revenue from alco-bev products grew by 47.3% on a year-on-year basis, which is now at INR 82.3 crores. Company level EBITDA increased 21% to INR 47.2 crores now. EBITDA margin also grew by 30 bps, which is 18.5% now versus 18.2% on a year-on-year basis. There is an increase in depreciation amount this quarter. This is mainly because of commissioning Chhattisgarh plant, which is commissioned now. Talking -- we have given last quarter update that we filed a demerger of our sugar division. Update on that. scheme was filed to stock exchange on 28th April 2026, and we are progressing well. And so the process has continued. With that, I would like to open the floor for questions. Thank you so much.
Operator
operator[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Ruchika Bhatia with Alchemy Capital.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystSo first question is this growth in the IMFL alco-bev branded alco-bev space of 47.3% growth, so INR 82.3 crores. So what has led to this growth? It's more -- if you can give some flavors like whether it's Indri or it's with expansion of Whistler or Camikara any mix would you like to share?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes, this is D.K. Batra here. So what we would like to say is that, yes, Indri has grown in high double digits, whereas Whistler has grown much more, more than 60% in this quarter with Camikara also entering CSD, numbers are also starting to flow in from there. So I think all the brands have kind of contributed to this growth. And going forward, with the season -- the winter season coming in, I think we'll see more brands contributing rather than being a single brand company, there will be multiple brands contributing with different margins, of course.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystOkay. So again, is that the reason why the EBITDA margin has just moved like 30 basis points? I mean this is also a positive number, but is it because of the mix or it's because of the ramp-up of Chhattisgarh factory?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo see, in the IMFL business, it will be the mix. Because Indri being the highest margin product that we have. And if we try and compare that it will always be the highest margin. If you are selling 100% Indri the margins will be the largest, but to grow, it'll have to be -- the portfolio will have to grow. And some of the brands might not have as large margins as Indri. So there might be a little fluctuation depending on numbers coming in. But be that as it may, we are -- all the products that we are selling are probably the highest margin products in the market today.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystOkay. Fair enough. Sir, also if you could touch upon the facilities, both the facilities, the utilization rates right now? Or if you could also help me with the sales breakup, like the distillery revenue, how much of that is contributed from Indri facility and Chhattisgarh facility?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo Chhattisgarh has just come online. So we only got about 15 days of production in from Chhattisgarh. So that has contributed a very miniscule about INR 5 crores in this quarter. So you won't see a lot of numbers. But yes, because the expenditures happened in the last 3 months, so the expenditure has been booked here. So Indri predominantly formed all the business that has come in. Whereas if you talk the malt capacity that we installed last year, the 30 KL, we are now at 80% capacity, and we are running consistently at that. The Indri distillery expansion, we are running that at about 60%. And Chhattisgarh expansion has happened, but we expect by the end of the year, we will be utilizing 50% capacity there. And a lot of that is also owed to -- there has been this court order from Chennai, where all the ethanol plants have been put to rest right now and only orders will start flowing in from next month probably, quarter 2 and quarter 3.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystThat will change our guidance like we had guided about INR 300 crores to INR 400 crores of revenue from Chhattisgarh facilities this year. So will that make any changes to this number?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveI don't think so we factored all that in. And of course, we -- if we're not selling one product, the other product would sell. Any guidance would change from their report.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystOkay. Sure. And one question on -- if you could help us understand opportunities that are in place with Portavadie and the FTA benefits coming in?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveFTA is giving us the opportunity to like a global player, Scotland products coming to India have gone down by half their prices [ 150% ] to 75%. That will definitely be favourable as we are setting up facilities there. And more than that, the Portavadie distillery will not be serving India alone, it will be a global brand serving Piccadily's interest globally. So that will plug into our international beachhead distillery that we are looking at. And whereas the FTA, we are not net importers of a lot of bulk scotch. So for us, we mature our products within the country, but that materially doesn't make a lot of difference to us.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystRight. It's only the Portavadie when it starts functioning and supplying, there'll be some amount of benefits over there.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThe Portavadie distillery is not going to make only single malt, which will probably come into the market 3 years from now. But Portavadie will also be blending and selling other scotch brands, which will be coming into the market sooner than that.
Ruchika Bhatia
analystWhen do we expect that to flow in sir?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo those are under works. So we will shortly announce something and we'll let you know about it.
Operator
operatorOur next question comes from the line of Rahil Dasani with MAPL.
Rahil Dasani
analystYes, am I audible?
Operator
operatorSir, audible, sir.
Rahil Dasani
analystGood to see a good set of numbers from the company. My first question is around how to think about the capacities of Indri especially considering the point that Indri requires a long time to age. Do we have enough casks, filled casks as of date to maintain the growth for this year and the next? Or can we see some slowdown in Indri up till FY '29 compared to a historically year on year growth of 40%, 50% volume?
Dharmendra Batra
executive2 parts to this question. One is that we have seen a 100% growth and 50% growth on Indri. But you have to realize that those growths are from base, which was very small. So the percentage will not justify. So being the 13th largest single malt in the world, our base is now large. So universally, single malts are growing at 2% or 3%. That is low single-digit numbers. Indri is growing at a high digit double-digit number. We are growing between 18% and 20% year-on-year. And that, I think, is the only company growing at that pace. And to be able to match that pace, we have enough stock for your question. We have 87,000 barrels of malt filled as on date. That is the largest in the country. And we do not see any constraints coming in from supply side. And in fact, there will be more products, not just Indri, more malt-based and other products coming from our portfolio very soon.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. So just to confirm, you are saying you have enough capacity and aged casks to grow 18%, 20% in this year as well as the next, right?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Rahil Dasani
analystGot it. My next question is when we say that we want to grow 60%, 70% in FY '27. And like you said, Indri which is the biggest brand for us in the alco-bev segment and you are saying that will only grow 18%, 20%. So would it be right to say that this growth will be primarily ethanol and country liquor led and not as much premium products because as we know, Cashmir, Camikara and Whistler are much smaller in scale, maybe INR 50 crores, INR 60 crores, INR 70 crores in totality.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveNo, but they will grow. And if you look at Cashmir and Camikara, so again, they are super luxury brands in that segment, which is being discovered now high yield and margins. So I consider them also marquee products within our portfolio. And also the new products that we are talking about will also be in this premium and super premium segment. So we are not dealing in the prestige and below segment anyway. So we will have a lot of growth coming in with high margins. So there will be some growth coming in from Chhattisgarh, that will reflect, but that will not be predominantly where we gain most of our traction. The numbers from IMFL will lead the charge.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. So you are saying the IMFL segment would be leading and causing the 60%, 70% would not be ethanol part, just to be clear.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Rahil Dasani
analystGot it...
Dharmendra Batra
executiveAnd just one clarity, which I think this question has come a couple of times. So the capacities that we talk about in Chhattisgarh and in Indri, which we've expanded, when we talk about ethanol or ENA, those are stopgap arrangements. So the end game is not to sell ethanol. The end game is not to sell ENA. It is a buildup for capacity so that we have back-end support of these products when we are selling -- like we're looking at selling 1 million cases in 3 years for Whistler and other products. So we have the back end to supply that demand. So this is predominantly just a stop gap for maybe a year or 2 years, which we do not want to carry forward in a long term.
Rahil Dasani
analystFair enough. And just another thing just to continue on what you shared right now, you said that IMFL will be leading the growth. So will it be our existing 3 brands that which Whistler, Cashmir and Camikara? Or will it be the new brands that you're talking about and you also talked about last quarter that we will be introducing more brands in Q1.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveNew brands will come in, but new brands, it will be unfair to predict them and their sales as of now because once they hit the market, the alcohol industry is very atypical and the success of a brand is very subjective and depends on a lot of external factors as well. So although we do hope that they will give us also impetus of numbers. But yes, we will be focusing more on the products that we have. And the newer products will probably be delivering more robust results by next year.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveThis is Sudhir here. If you see our presentation that we uploaded on Slide 29, we have tried to allude to the 2, 3 products that we have planned.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. Yes, I can see that. Yes. Got it. And just one last question around the margins before I get back in the queue. Even after such strong growth in our premium alco-beverage portfolio, much higher than our non-premium portfolio, that being ethanol and the country liquor, our margins didn't increase year-on-year. Even if I see the segmental margins in distillery, they have reduced. So is it because Whistler has picked up and that's maybe a much lower margin than what we do in Indri? Or is there some other reason?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThat's part of that. But also, if you see the -- in the IMFL our margins have improved. But if you see the distillery division, there have been some cost pressures because of the war and internally as grain prices and fuel prices have been surging. So there's been some pressure being felt across the country because of that as well.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveJust to add here, just to fuel the growth in coming quarters, we also invested in the -- increasing the distribution cost and people and also investment into the brands. So I think because we are looking at percentage -- so in absolute terms, obviously, it has increased. In percentage terms, it's looking lower because we are -- we are skewed towards H2. As the absolute revenue will increase, the percentage will increase. So as we said earlier that our overall EBITDA margin in a full year basis will be on the same level or slightly better than the last year.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. Got it. Maybe I misheard, but during the introduction, we were saying that this year, maybe the margins will increase to 23%, 24%. Did I hear that right or what?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveYes, that is on an overall basis, which includes sugar. So we have 2 segments, as you know. We have distillery and sugar.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveLast year, it was again 23%. The guidance is around there this year as well because we expect by the end of the year only that the distillery division will be hived off into another company.
Operator
operator[Operator Instructions] Our next question is from the line of Himanshu Bisani with PinpointX Capital.
Himanshu Bisani
analystCongratulations on a good set. Sir, I wanted to understand that our employee cost, power fuel costs and other expenses grew this quarter significantly. And as you mentioned to the last participant that it was more of an investment in people and some marketing spend. So just wanted to understand how much of that could be -- if we can break this cost down into the ramp-up of the Chhattisgarh start-up cost and how much of that would be marketing and investments? And how should we think about it going forward?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo, as you said, the cost increase is on account of people and brand investment. So the people cost is majorly -- so we have only 1 month June operation in Chhattisgarh. So the people cost is mainly towards the Indri business, the other business. And it's an investment, as we said, as we increase the revenue towards the H2, the overall percentages will come down as a percentage. And the brand investment is on the new brands and for the growth of the coming quarters.
Himanshu Bisani
analystSo this cost could obviously distribute across next quarters and when the top line comes, so this would be more of a reduce in the percentage of top line?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveRight. That's correct. So that is there. The EBITDA margins will come back to the last year or slightly better as we increase -- 2 things will happen. One, there will be growth in overall revenue and about 60% to 65% our revenue will come from H2 as we drive a seasonal business. And secondly, our brand business will also grow. So combining both, we will have an improved EBITDA margins towards the year-end.
Himanshu Bisani
analystGot it. Sir, also previously discussed that the majority of the volume growth that came for this year in IMFL was backed by Whistler. Just want to understand how Camikara and Cashmir are doing. And as they grew, what is the blended margins that we can look at because Indri would obviously has a base effect and Whistler grew 60% this year. So how are you looking at that growth for Camikara and Cashmir? And how should we look at it from a blended margin perspective?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveCamikara and Cashmir this year, I'm expecting -- because see, the base is small. So they are going to see probably triple-digit numbers grow. But again, I wouldn't put big numbers there because, again, the base is small. In 2 years' time, when the bases are large and they are doing high 2-digit numbers, I'd be happier then. But yes, we'll be growing in 3 digits on both the brands.
Himanshu Bisani
analystUnderstood. Understood, sir. Sir, lastly, in the previous call, we have guided that we want to take Indri to a top 5 global spirit. And in my limited understanding, I think the top 5, top 6 players do north of 400,000, 500,000 cases. So is that understanding correct? And if yes, so how -- what would that translate to our top line for Indri if we are able to do that?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo you're absolutely right. The number -- the fifth single malt in the world sells about 0.5 million cases. And we are -- maybe we need to double a little more than that our sales to get there. And we've kept a runway of 4 to 5 years for that. And at that point in time, we should be doing a top line of about INR 1,200 crores on Indri.
Himanshu Bisani
analystAt current prices?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveAt current prices without any additional price increases.
Himanshu Bisani
analystSo sir, continuing on that, I think in last conference, you mentioned that we want to increase our export percentage. And obviously, when we go global for this kind of volume, our realization naturally should go up, right, because these would be higher premium segments that we would be targeting.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo that's not always true. The international market is far more competitive, and margins would remain the same. I wouldn't say they would come down, but to expect the margins to greatly go up may not be true. But when you go to the other markets and geographies, there is a lot of brands already available there. And you are a new entrant. So yes, you will have to fight your way up. And -- but yes, opening new geographies is the way to go. And that's what we've been working on. And we will -- that's why we are putting a lot of our effort, and you will see in the coming years, a lot of new countries, airports and duty free is being opened by Piccadily and not only with Indri with all our products.
Himanshu Bisani
analystUnderstood. Sir, lastly, on the 500,000 cases that we want to achieve in the next 3 to 5 years, does our current does our current barrel capacity and pipeline actually support getting there? Or we would need more CapEx to....
Dharmendra Batra
executiveOkay. If I will give you a quick number, then you can easily calculate this. So we manufacture -- we've got a 30,000 liter capacity today. So if you make 30,000 liters a day, you end up making between 80 lakh liters and 90 lakh liters of malt every year at about 62%. And if you were to divide that with 42.8%, I'm just giving you a calculation. So for keeps, you can always calculate what we are saying. So we'll be able to make about 8 lakh, 8.5 lakh cases of Indri, if we have to use all of it into making Indri. So yes, we are building towards that, and we are conscious of what numbers we need to kind of manufacture to be able to reach that number.
Operator
operatorOur next question comes from the line of Arpan Kothari with NINE15 FINTECH SERVICES LLP.
Arpan Kothari
analystYes. Am I audible, sir?
Operator
operatorYou are audible, sir. You may proceed.
Arpan Kothari
analystYou said that we'll be growing by around 60% to 65%. Based on the previous year's numbers, our top line should be around INR 1,600 crores to INR 1,700 crores. So is it safe to assume that the run rate for the next 3 quarters would be around INR 400 crores to INR 500 crores each quarter?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo your numbers looks more or less in line. It's just that we maintain a trajectory. So you will see better numbers in Q2, much better in Q3 and so on. So we follow our trajectory in seasonal business. So we see growth each quarter.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo as we said earlier, I think 60%, 65% of our business kind of comes in H2 because we are very heavily North Indian company and most of our sales come in right in the second quarter festive season and just after New Year's. So you will see a much bigger number there. But yes, we will see a marked improvement in Q2 as well.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveAnd also just to add, we just started at Chhattisgarh plant revenue in June. So you will see Chhattisgarh distillery contribution also in coming quarters.
Arpan Kothari
analystOkay. Fine. And one more question is on the other operating revenue. Last quarter, it was around INR 87 lakh ton. This quarter, it's around INR 2.97 crores. What is included in the operating revenue, if I may know?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveThis is mainly your gain on foreign exchange and some scrap share. So as the currency has -- the INR has strengthened, so we have got some gains there.
Arpan Kothari
analystOkay. And one final question. What will be the CapEx for this year, sir?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThere's no large CapEx planned this year. Yes, in the ordinary course, the CapEx, which goes into improving facilities and upgradation, only that will be there. Mostly all the heavy CapEx has already been executed.
Arpan Kothari
analystOkay. That CapEx also does it include the barrels purchase, which would be around 1 lakh by the end of the year?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveNo, that is an ongoing expense that will carry on.
Operator
operatorOur next question comes from the line of Varun Arora with Sheth Family Office.
Unknown Analyst
analystMy first question is regarding employee costs. It's kind of a follow-up to earlier question. So there was a significant increase Q-on-Q from INR 17 crores to INR 22 crores. And I understand there were a lot of senior hires from reputable firms and there could be some element of wage hike, ESOP, some due to Chhattisgarh. But should we now expect the senior hires to be kind of more or less complete and will grow more sustainably on this base of INR 22 crores going forward?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes, that's what we are hoping, and I hope all of them are hearing what you're saying.
Unknown Analyst
analystRight. And the other question was on Cashmir and Camikara. Even before Indri success, we tried a lot of brands, and there is kind of -- usually for blockbuster brands, the hit rate is kind of low. So what -- at what point or what is that threshold which will kind of give you the confidence that we've cracked Cashmir and Camikara. It's a good start, but these are still young products, young brands. And so if you could -- and I understand the positioning of these brands is also kind of premium slightly differentiated from what is out there in the market. But if you could give an idea like when do you really like -- is there a revenue number when you hit a certain level you kind of get more confidence that this is on its way to being a blockbuster brand?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveEspecially about Camikara, if I were to explain -- if you were to explain the brand and the philosophy that the company had behind it was that all the products that are out there from the Piccadily stable, yes, we've made -- we've come out with other brands, but the philosophy that we are following now is that we are leading with whatever is the global standard of any product, we do not deviate from that. And Camikara being that product where we are the only one in the market. So we don't have anybody we are competing with. We don't have anybody that we have to look up to or look down upon. It is creating a category. And creating a category does take a little time because of awareness. And that is where most of our emphasis on Camikara is that we are leading our charge with making people aware of what is the product, it's a pure cane juice product made with 0 additives, no sugar, no added color. So it is a product which is not there in the market. When we say 3 years age, the minimum age of the product, the youngest product going in is 3 years. So it's a product that I think will lead the charge with people gaining more accessibility of information. They want to drink less maybe, but they want to drink better. And yes, we have legacy brands, which people do like to indulge into. But going forward, I think the way forward for the younger generation is quality over quantity, and that's what we are betting our chips.
Unknown Analyst
analystBut I mean, you won't kind of put a number out there like once it starts selling a particular number.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveI don't think they should -- there can be a number, but see, usually, when we talk about alcoholic brands, you talk about percentages, that how much percentage of the market share have you gained. So if you were at 2% market share of 3%, you kind of have arrived in that segment. But that's what I said, this category doesn't exist. So in this category, our percentage will be high, but that doesn't mean that we are happy with what's happening, but we can't put a number here. Again, in the luxury, India doesn't have any luxury vodkas in the space that we are in. So therefore, again, to put a number there is very difficult. But maybe we'll also realize by the end of this year, what a reasonable number to achieve should be on both these products.
Unknown Analyst
analystSure. Another question is on Chhattisgarh plant. I know sales was earlier supposed to start from May and there could have been some delays related to approvals. And I think so sales now, I believe, started in June. So just curious like if the sales were to kind of start as per our original plan, which was May, what could have been our distillery revenue growth, if you can give an idea on that?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo we gave a guidance in Q4 where we said that between, I think, INR 300 crores to INR 400 crores will be the revenue of Chhattisgarh this year. And I think we are well on the road. We will be able to achieve that guidance definitely.
Unknown Analyst
analystOkay. And from Indri INR 250 crores, I'm just picking the lower end of the range, again, you gave INR 250 crores to INR 300 crores incremental sales from Indri. That is also on track.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo just to -- I mean, we maintain -- as we said, we maintain the guidance which we have given last quarter to about 60% to 70% growth over the last year last year -- last financial year.
Operator
operator[Operator Instructions] Our next question is a follow-up from Rahil Dasani with MAPL.
Rahil Dasani
analystMy question was around the new brands. If you can give us a bit more insight as to when do we plan to launch this, maybe a quarter or which month? And will they be significant or sizable for us in '27 or it's more of a '28 thing, FY '28?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo without disclosing what brands are coming, we can definitely say that you will see some launches within this quarter and some in quarter 3 as well. And of course, this year we'll be trimming up and next year would definitely be showing the results for these brands.
Rahil Dasani
analystGot it. And since we have said that the growth in this year will be led by IMFL and in IMFL also brands other than Indri, where the margins are, as we know, lower and for some brands even much lower like Whistler. So how do we still expect the margins to continue and maybe improve for 24% with that mix changing? What do you think is changing and leading to that?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveWe see that the margins should not contract because all the other IMFL brands, if we are to take the sugar unit out of the mix, our distillery division margins are much higher than the 23%, 24% that we are talking about. So...
Rahil Dasani
analystOf course I was asking about the consol margins.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveYes. So what will happen is that we will have our IMFL division, alco-bev division also grow. And we will have Chhattisgarh new products coming in. So the margin in Chhattisgarh is also on a higher side than the Indri distillery. So keeping in the mix, looking at the growth of alco-bev brand, adding Chhattisgarh branded revenue there. So that mix will give us the blended margins as we have kind of given the outlook.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. And from Chhattisgarh, the guidance that we have for INR 300 crores to INR 400 crores in FY '27, what is the split between ethanol sales and alco-beverage sales.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveI think too early to give you a number there. Maybe by Q3, we'll be able to give you more solid numbers on that one.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveWhat we can say is that we'll be achieving that number with the right mix and with the right kind of EBITDA margin.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThe reason for that is because, see, a lot of -- if you talk about ethanol, the policy is very -- it's guided by the government and the courts right now. So to give a number there would be unfair because that's not in our control at all. So we are working harder on our IMFL products and other things there to be able to match the guidance that we gave earlier.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveThis is Sudhir. If you see our presentation, we have said we are looking to launch branded alco-bev products from Chhattisgarh too. So that's also in the plans. So if there is anything on ethanol, we'll mitigate with some branded products, and that's where the growth will be there and the margin mix will be there.
Rahil Dasani
analystGot it. And could you share what margins do we make in country liquor and ethanol?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSee, ethanol usually across the board, it's 10% for everybody, give or take a bit depending on the prices. And country liquor, again, is very, very dependent on prices of grain fuel, so anywhere between 15% to 18%.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. In country liquor, you said 16% to 18%.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveCorrect.
Rahil Dasani
analystGot it. And just to confirm it again, sorry if I'm repeating myself, but you said since IMFL will be leading the growth, so the whole IMFL portfolio, excluding the country liquor, the 3, 4 brands that we have, they will be growing at maybe 70%, 80% by leading their own and ethanol and country liquor will maybe grow 50%, 60%. Of course, the mix may change, but this is more or less right, right?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Rahil Dasani
analystGot it. And yes, you were saying something?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveNo, no, go ahead, please.
Rahil Dasani
analystYes. On the debt reduction part, now that our CapEx cycle is completed, how are we thinking about that part?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo in this quarter, we have reduced the debt about INR 10 crores. But as you would understand that our growth trajectory continues, right? So we plan to not increase the debt this year. And all the cash from operations will be reinvested into growth and the gap.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveWe will see a lot of debt being reduced from the next year because also, yes, CapEx has happened, but the investment in liquid and barrels, which is a long-term investment which we're looking at as a broader spectrum will carry on. So a lot of profits will be ploughed into investments within that segment.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveThis is, Sudhir. If you look at the inventory, there are 2 parts. One is liquid under maturation. And as the barrels grow, the quantity will grow. That's what we were referring to.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveWe've given a guidance of 100,000 barrels by the end of this year, financial year, that's March 2027. And it looks like we'll be crossing that by 18%, 20%. We'll be having more than 115,000 to 120,000 barrels by that time. That are filled barrels. These are barrels under maturation.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. Great. Understood. Very clear. Just since we are on the inventory part, just to continue on the working capital part of it. Last quarter, I believe there were a few queries around the receivables part, whereby we said in March, we have done a sales of INR 100 crores, and we have a 70, 80-day cycle post that. Has that cleared up in Q1? And right now, if you can share what will be the status of the receivables?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo it has reduced from March. The current receivable days would be around 100 now.
Rahil Dasani
analystOkay. But can you share the quantum? How much work?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo our branded business account receivable would be about INR 170 crores.
Rahil Dasani
analystINR 170 crores. That's quite a big reduction. Sure, okay...
Operator
operatorThank you. Please go ahead sir. Our next question...
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThat number includes excise is what I was trying to mention because we have to recover and deposit. And then we deposit and then we recover fine.
Operator
operatorSir, the current participant has dropped from the queue. Shall we proceed to the next question, sir?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Operator
operatorOur next question comes from the line of Ishan with HDFC Securities.
Unknown Analyst
analystSo my question is related to the export. So you currently export to 31 countries, as you have mentioned in your presentation. So could you help us understand the geographic concentration within these markets like where the majority export...
Dharmendra Batra
executivePlease, repeat, we can't hear you clearly. Can you please repeat the question.
Unknown Analyst
analystAm I audible now?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Unknown Analyst
analystSo my question is related to the export market. So you mentioned in your presentation that you are export to 31 countries. So could you help us understand the geographic concentration within these markets, like where the majority of export revenue is coming from?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveNorth America is the #1 market that we currently service.
Unknown Analyst
analystSo are we planning to enter new geographies or like deepen into the existing key markets?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes, there is emphasis on the markets because they are very large markets there, and we are actively working on opening new markets as well, expanding our footprint.
Unknown Analyst
analystAnd like given the rising global acceptance of single -- Indian single malts, so how does the company view the total addressable market for Indian malts globally? And based on your current traction in international markets, how do you see your brand, especially Indri scaling export-led growth over the next few years?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo we ultimately want to have 70% export and 30% domestic. But that goal will -- is a few years away, but we are actively working on opening new geographies. And as you understand, the windows of each country start with the duty free in the airports. So our main focus area is there right now.
Operator
operatorOur next question comes from the line of Aman Vij with Astute Investment Management.
Aman Vij
analystMy questions are on the branded side of the business. So on the Indri side, last 2 years, we were very constrained in terms of supply. But now given the increased malt capacity, do you think this year and next year because last 2 year's growth was lower than our historical very fast average, but can we grow like 30% to 40% in terms of number of cases for Indri?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveI think I would say, [Foreign Language] yes, even if we achieve a 20% growth, I'd be happy with that because as I mentioned earlier, our base has grown quite substantially. And from this base, to grow at high double-digit numbers in the -- like 18%, 20% is, I would say that is commendable. And we feel that 40% will be very ambitious. Although we could get there, we'd be more than happy.
Aman Vij
analystSure, sir. Second question on this Indri itself was that for, say, as of today, I think our domestic mix of Indri might be contributing. I'm just giving -- throwing some numbers, 75%, 80% and export is only 15%. But for us to double our -- double or triple our revenue or the number of cases in Indri, I believe export has to grow much faster compared to domestic. First of all, is the understanding correct? And if yes, then how are we planning to increase the number of countries, number of duty free stores? What is it -- what is the planned addition in FY '28, FY '27? Because we are in 30 countries, but the biggest country. So there's a big gap. What is our plan of increasing the export penetration and the growth for Indri in export markets for next 1, 2 years, 3 years?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveOur export is not that low. It's between -- it's almost 25% of our entire sales, and it is growing year-on-year, and the target to grow that is there. But opening new geographies is not just we land up in a country and open it. There is a set of rules, there's a set of people you require, there's manpower. So you have to invest in every geography to be able to -- your product to be available and accepted. So we do not want to be overambitious, spread thin and kind of be not accepted in that geography. So we -- wherever we are sure footed, we do enter. And we also realize that, yes, export and opening new geographies will help us. But as and when the time is correct, that is what we want to do.
Aman Vij
analystAnd sir, on the export growth versus domestic, is the understanding correct that if overall, we are, say, targeting 20% kind of growth for Indri export on a small base has to grow at 30%, 40%?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveCorrect.
Aman Vij
analystOkay. Next set of question is on the other 2 brands, Camikara and Cashmir. So you talked about next 2, 3 years, we'll grow fast, like maybe triple digit until we reach a base. And my understanding is that base might be, say, for example, 50,000 combined cases. So is the understanding correct? And in, say, next 4, 5 years, do you think we can achieve 1 lakh, 1.5 lakh cases like we do for Indri roughly today. Is that possible in next 4, 5 years...
Dharmendra Batra
executiveI think it should be more than possible. It should be more than that. The numbers you're talking about, we are trying to achieve this year. So we should be surpassing that definitely after that.
Aman Vij
analystNo, no, I'm not including Whistler, sir. On Camikara.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveNo, no, I'm not including Whistler at all. No, no I'm not including Whistler. You're talking about Camikara and Cashmir and we are there only.
Aman Vij
analystSo you're saying we are selling 1 lakh plus cases already.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveNo, no, no, no. You said you expect a substantial number to be 50,000 for Cashmir and Camikara to be a substantial number. And then within the next 2, 3 years to grow to 1.5 lakhs. So I said that, yes, those are numbers that look to be achievable within this year and the coming years, definitely.
Aman Vij
analystOkay. Okay. That makes sense. Finally, I believe we have a gap in terms of, say, there are a lot of newer products that is available in market. For example, gin is doing well. And there are other 2, 3 newer areas as well as the premium whiskey portion blended one, maybe we don't have any presence. So do we expect these 2, 3 gaps to be filled this year itself? Or do you think some of them will be launched only next year only?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSome of them will be happening in the coming quarters and some next year. It will be ongoing process, but you will see some new products coming in definitely this year.
Operator
operatorOur next question comes from the line of Shirish Pardeshi with Motilal Oswal.
Shirish Pardeshi
analystSir, my first question, on Slide 12, you have given that our top 4 brands has grown 56%. Can you split -- or can you help me to understand what is the volume like-to-like, which we have delivered and maybe split Whistler separately?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThat number is difficult to give. Those are numbers which we cannot, because of the trade, give you a breakup of this. So that's why we talk about percentages and overall numbers.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo just to -- I mean, our growth is about -- in branded business is about 46% -- and all our brands have grown in the double digits or high double digit. We generally don't talk about the volumes and brand-wise, but we talk about at the portfolio level.
Shirish Pardeshi
analystOkay. So you have mentioned that Whistler is also part of these 4 brands. So can you split out Whistler growth? Is it more than 56% or lower than 56%?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSee, Whistler last year grew almost 100% year-on-year. And the composition between Indri, Camikara, Cashmir and Whistler varies. Whistler would have grown at a faster pace given the way it is positioned, its price point and the potential outlets and demand.
Shirish Pardeshi
analystOkay. Got it. Second question on Chhattisgarh, this 420 KLPD, what is the operational capacity we can utilize or in the Phase 1, you have already started using?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSorry, sorry, go ahead. I interrupted you.
Shirish Pardeshi
analystNo, no. This Chhattisgarh capacity, which has started -- you have started using. So I'm just asking what is the operational capacity which is available at the first phase? And maybe by year-end, what capacity utilization we will be having in Chhattisgarh?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveWe have a capacity of 210 KLPD. And as we progress, by the year-end, we plan to use the more than 90%.
Shirish Pardeshi
analystOkay. And...
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSorry, just to correct you, it would be around 50% by end of this financial year.
Shirish Pardeshi
analystYes, accurate. That was I was expecting. But anyway, thanks for the clarification. The third part, if you can give me what is the inflation which we are seeing at this time? And have we taken any price changes? Or is there any inflation which is hitting us on the margin front?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes, inflation and price pressures are there, but we are not in that really thin margin segment, so to say. So our distillery operations minus the branded will have some pressures on pricing. But on the branded side, we do not feel any pressures because the margins there are better.
Operator
operatorThe next question is from the line of Samarth Pachchigar with GSV.
Samarth Pachchigar
analystSo sir, my first question is that we are projecting to grow at a pace of 60% to 70% and that too from an IMFL segment, right? And we are seeing double-digit or higher double-digit growth for Whistler as a segment. I just -- and Indri also, we are looking for a rapid growth. I want to understand that do we have the backup of malt capacity because in the last con call, we had mentioned that we have around INR 100 crores of inventory for malt. So how long that is sustainable, if you can answer? Yes.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes. For the last 3 years, since we felt that the volumes are growing faster than the malt capacity that we had built, we have been working on this. And today, as we mentioned earlier, as we speak, we -- in the last quarter, we are sitting on 87,000 barrels of a minimum size of 200 liters each. So we have barrels varying from 200 to 500 liters. And we are sitting on that capacity already. That is 1.6 crore liters of malt maturing as we speak. So we feel that the coming year and the years after that, the malt constraint should not be there. And with keeping that in mind, we are planning not only Indri, but other products, which also will have contribution from the malts that we are maturing.
Samarth Pachchigar
analystOkay. Sir, there is one more question that I have is that when we say that we have sufficient malt capacity that we have, sir, in the new capacity that we have increased from 12 KLPD to 30 KLPD, what's the usual time that it takes for malt maturation for us?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThe minimum age prescribed by IMWA, we are a member of Indian Malt Whisky Association, and we are the first adopters of the authentication mark of IMWA and the guidelines which are prescribed are that the minimum age of malt that goes into any product has to be 3 years. And all our products are more than that, whereas Indri and other products are much -- the age on that is much more than 3 years. Those are formulations which we cannot disclose. But any product that will come out as a single malt or a malt from us stable will not be less than 3 years old. So a 3-year maturation period is the minimum that anybody will have to mature malt to call it a single malt in India, and that is the norm.
Samarth Pachchigar
analystOkay. And sir, additionally, if I can ask you one more question is that when we say that we have 87,000 of barrels with us that we have already kept ready, right? Now since you are projecting to grow at 60%, 70%, you would have volume growth as well. So -- and we are taking 3 years for maturation on a minimum basis. So is this number of barrels sufficient to support our growth till the new malt maturation comes online? Or how does that work? Can you clarify?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveThere is enough going on from this year to ahead, we will have enough malt matured malt with us because this 87,000 is something which has built up capacity over the years. So within this, there will be different ages of malt. And every year, we add about 70 -- for the last 2 years, we've been adding about 60 lakh to 70 lakh liters. And so there should be enough capacity going forward. We don't see a constraint in that segment.
Samarth Pachchigar
analystOkay, sir. Okay. And sir, one more thing that when we say that Whistler is growing and that has -- if my understanding is right, that has a lower margin compared to Indri as a brand. And still we are having a similar -- we are guiding for an upward EBITDA margin. So can you walk me through the math behind that, if you can?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo math is that, as I said that it's not only about Whistler. We have Cashmir, we have Camikara, Indri will grow and we have upcoming products also. We will grow, and we have upcoming products also. So we look at that from a portfolio perspective. So overall portfolio will grow. And as we increase the overall branded business percentage contribution in the entire sales, -- so the mix will drive the margins.
Samarth Pachchigar
analystOkay. And can you guide me or you can clarify on the individual margin that we have, like a range bound that what we make on Cashmir, Camikara and Indri, if you can?
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo as we said, generally, we would like to talk on a portfolio level, not on each brand level. So we talk only on a portfolio level.
Samarth Pachchigar
analystOkay. And sir, last question on the distribution front. Still, there are many parts of the country, domestic market, where we are sort of expanding also. So can you throw some light how we are doing it and proceeding on that front?
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveSo that's for our marketing and our sales team to decipher. So with higher-priced products and premium luxury products, we -- our WOD is not 100% of the universe that is there. So usually, it would target about 30%, 35% of the universe, which is relevant to us. And those are the target markets that we target. So we do not go to markets where we do not see that the sale or movement of product will be there. So we identify the market, then we see that market and develop it.
Operator
operatorOur next question is from the line of Aman Vij with Astute Investment Management.
Aman Vij
analystMy question is on the advertising and promotion spend. If you look at, say, last year on average, I think we spent INR 50 crores, INR 55 crores, which is roughly, say, 15% of our branded portfolio value. So going forward, if we scale this INR 400 crores, INR 450 crores to say, INR 1,000 crores, do you see this going back to, say, 10% kind of level? Or will this remain at 15% kind of level for us even if we scale in the next, say, 2, 3 years to INR 1,000 crores kind of portfolio?
Rakesh Vasishta
executiveMy name is Rakesh. And see, different brands are at different stages in terms of grabbing market share and growth rates. So investment, whether in terms of manpower or advertising or other promotions will be subject to kind of the end result is to maximize profits and depending on where we can do work. we take individual calls on brands.
Aman Vij
analystGoing forward, as the sales increase and the volumes increase, margin of percentage margin of spend will definitely come down.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveSo this is just the first quarter. As you said, that these are the investments which we have made on the current products and the new upcoming products. As we increase and monetize all this investment in coming quarters, the percentages will come down. This is not normal percentage. Percentages will come.
Aman Vij
analystSure, sir. Second question is when we talk about 3 years of minimum age of maturation, this is the -- this is not equivalent to actual 3 years, right? This is equivalent to 3 cycles, which might be 1, 1.5 years in terms of Indian weather and all those things. Is the understanding correct?
Dharmendra Batra
executive3 years means 3 years. The day you put in the liquid, you have a date stamp there. The [ size ] signs off when you barreled your liquid. And after 3 years are over, exactly 3 years, you are able to degorge it and use it as a single malt or as a 3-year-old product.
Aman Vij
analystOkay. Sir, it is irrespective of the location, say, if there are more weather cycles, say, in India versus, say, Scotland, the 3 years will remain actual date 3 years.
Dharmendra Batra
executive3 years will remain 3 years, whereas we say that our 1 year is equal to 3 years in Scotland. When we say we are a 3-year-old malt, we are actually a 9-year-old malt in Scottish terms. So that is why Indian whisky picked up. The quality of a 3-year-old malt will be a 10-, 12-year-old scotch. So that is why -- that is the reason why Indian single malts, all of them, not just us, but all of them have been received very well across the globe.
Aman Vij
analystMakes sense, sir. And on this part only, if we talk at the Camikara portfolio, so we have shortage of the higher version, right, the higher years one. When do you expect that shortage to be over? Because I think we only launched initially the highest years one, but now only 3 years or the other version is available, not.
Rakesh Vasishta
executiveWe do come out with those versions periodically during the year. However, looking at rum as a category, where it's a price-sensitive category in India, we feel that the 3-year-old is the most apt to introduce people to a superior product. Once this category is more evolved, we will definitely be coming out with higher age statements.
Aman Vij
analystOkay. So if demand is there, we can supply the higher category also because maturation and all those things are taken care of.
Dharmendra Batra
executiveYes.
Operator
operatorWe have no further questions, ladies and gentlemen. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Sudhir Bhargava for closing comments. Over to you, sir.
Sudhir Bhargava
executiveThank you, everyone, for sparing time and interacting with us. Have a good day. Bye-bye.
Operator
operatorThank you. On behalf of Piccadily Agro Industries Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you all for joining us. You may now disconnect your lines.
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