AMCL (Pran), one of the biggest agro-based companies in the country, continued to witness steady business growth over the years.
The company, which got listed on Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) in 1996, disbursed cash dividend at a rate of 32 per cent each for the last three consecutive years.
"We are committed to our stakeholders, consumers and shareholders, and disbursements of 32 per cent cash dividend each in 2015, 2016 and 2017 is a testament to that unfeigned commitment," an official of AMCL (Pran) told the FE recently.
The company earned a net profit of Tk 54.94 million in 2017.
The net profits of 2016 and 2015 were Tk 53.00 million and Tk 55.58 million respectively.
With the paid-up capital of Tk 80 million, the company's stock price hovered between the range of Tk 205.10 and Tk 246.90 each in the last 52 weeks.
As on Wednesday, the share price of AMCL Pran closed at Tk 217.20 each against the face value of Tk 10.
The market capitalisation of the company rose to Tk 1.74 billion as on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the company has already started collection of mangoes and pulping activities. This year's collection began on May 28 and it will continue until the end of supply period of the fruit.
A programme was arranged recently at PRAN Agro Ltd factory in Natore on the occasion of the inauguration of pulping activities.
Hazrat Ali, General Manager of PRAN Agro Limited Factory, said PRAN would collect a large quantity of mangoes directly from the contract farmers from Rajshahi, Natore, Chapai Nawabganj, Naogaon, Dinajpur, Meherpur and Satkhira. This year, PRAN sets target to purchase 60,000 metric tonnes of mangoes this season.
"We receive the mangoes at the factory after testing through quality control system. Later, we check whether the mangoes are ripe, lean or rotten. Then, those mangoes are sent to laboratory for necessary tests, including formalin and PH. We also check the weight of the collected mangoes," said Mr. Ali.
After passing the laboratory test, the mangoes are sent to factory for processing. Pulp is collected and then preserved following aseptic technology. The advantages of this technology are to preserve the pulps for one year maintaining its taste and freshness without freezing.
"From the pulp, various kinds of mango drinks, mango bars and other food items, including jelly, are produced in different factories of PRAN Group. Besides pickles are made from green mangoes," said Mr. Ali.
He further said that the factory currently employs 7,000 people. Moreover, employment opportunities for two to three thousands of people have been created during the mango season, of which 90 per cent are women.
Md. Kamruzzaman, Senior Manager, Contract Farming Department of PRAN Agro Business Limited, said "PRAN collects mangoes from its 16,000 contract farmers. The farmers get necessary assistance from the company, including training of using fertiliser and pesticides. As a result, we get good outcome and the farmers are getting guarantee to sell their mangoes."
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