Apex Frozen Foods Limited has fixed September 10, 2026 as the record date for determining shareholder eligibility for its final dividend of ₹2.50 per equity share for FY26. The Register of Members and Share Transfer Books will remain closed from September 11 to September 17, 2026. The payout is subject to approval by shareholders at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM). This intimation was issued pursuant to Regulation 42 of the SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.

Dividend details and payment timeline

The company confirmed that if the dividend is approved at the AGM scheduled for September 17, 2026, it will be paid on or before October 16, 2026. Applicable tax deductions at source will apply to the payment. The Board of Directors recommended the dividend on May 30, 2026.

Financial performance highlights

Apex Frozen Foods delivered robust financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026. Net revenue from operations grew by 14% year-on-year to ₹9,311 million (₹93,113.75 lakh), up from ₹8,136 million in the previous year. This growth was supported by firm global shrimp prices, stable farm-gate costs, and a favorable product mix with increased contribution from value-added offerings.

Profitability saw a significant expansion. EBITDA more than doubled to ₹729 million (₹7,286.98 lakh) from ₹297 million in FY25, resulting in an EBITDA margin expansion to 7.7% from 3.6%. Profit After Tax (PAT) surged by 902% to ₹388 million (₹3,884.76 lakh), compared to ₹39 million in the prior year. Earnings Per Share (EPS) stood at ₹12.43, a substantial increase from ₹1.24 in FY25.

What the Numbers Show

The dramatic improvement in PAT was largely operational, supported by a reduction in finance costs due to deleveraging. Total borrowings reduced significantly to approximately ₹57 million as of March 31, 2026, leading to a Debt-to-Equity ratio of just 0.01x, down from 0.15x in FY25. Additionally, non-U.S. markets emerged as the largest revenue contributor for the first time, with Europe accounting for 47% of sales, mitigating tariff-related uncertainties in the U.S. market.

AGM agenda and key resolutions

The meeting will take up three items of ordinary business. Members will be asked to adopt the audited financial statements for FY26, together with the reports of the Board of Directors and auditors. The Board has recommended a final dividend of ₹2.50 (25%) per equity share of face value ₹10 each for FY26, subject to shareholder approval at the AGM. The meeting will also consider the re-appointment of Karuturi Satyanarayana Murthy (DIN: 05107525), who retires by rotation and is eligible for re-appointment as a Director.

Key dates and record date

The following table summarises the critical dates associated with the AGM and dividend process:

Director seeking re-appointment

The following details pertain to the director proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming AGM:

Unclaimed dividends and IEPF transfer schedule

Shareholders are reminded that unclaimed dividends are due for transfer to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) as per the schedule below. Once transferred, no claim shall lie against the company for amounts unclaimed for a period of 7 years from the date they first became due for payment.

The unclaimed dividend for FY2018-19 is due for transfer to IEPF on or before November 24, 2026. Members who have not encashed their dividend warrants are requested to verify their records and submit claims before the respective due dates.

E-voting and participation details

Apex Frozen Foods has engaged Bigshare Services Private Limited to facilitate remote e-voting. Shareholders holding shares in demat form may vote through their CDSL or NSDL demat accounts. The company has appointed Smt. Durga Bhavani Agarwal and/or Mr. Arun Marepally, partners of M/s. A.S. Ramkumar & Associates, Company Secretaries, as scrutinizers to conduct the electronic voting process. The AGM notice and Annual Report 2025-26 are being dispatched electronically to members whose email addresses are registered with the company or depository participants. Members may access the notice and annual report on the company's website as well as on the websites of BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

Apex Frozen Foods reported a significant improvement in profitability for the first quarter of FY27, with profit after tax (PAT) rising 138% year-on-year to ₹217 Mn. The company’s net revenue remained flat at ₹2,565 Mn, supported by higher shrimp realizations due to improving global prices, sales of value-added products, and favorable currency movements.

The earnings call for the quarter was held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 11:30 AM IST. The conference was led by Karuturi Subrahmanya Chowdary, Managing Director & CFO, and P. Durga Prasad, Sr. Manager, Accounts. Pursuant to Regulation 30 and 46(2)(ao) of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the audio recording of the Investors' Conference Call is available on the Company's website.

Financial Performance

Despite the revenue stability, shrimp sales volume declined to 2,624 MT in Q1FY27 from 3,015 MT in the same period last year. Management attributed this drop to labor shortages and war-led transport disruptions, noting that volumes are likely to regain momentum in Q2FY27 subject to logistics availability. Gross margin expanded by 984 basis points to 41.9%, while EBITDA margin widened by 405 basis points to 12.7%. Average shrimp realization grew 15% YoY to nearly ₹930 per kilo.

Note: Net Revenue includes export benefits of ₹128 Mn for Q1FY27.

Geographical and Product Mix

The U.S.A. accounted for 70% of total shrimp sales in Q1FY27, up from 54% in Q1FY26. Shrimp sales to the U.S. increased 13% YoY and 121% QoQ, supported by softening tariff-related uncertainties. The EU and the U.K. together contributed 25% of total shrimp sales, down from 39% in Q1FY26, impacted by war-led transportation disruptions and regulatory testing requirements.

Value-added products, particularly Ready-to-Eat (RTE), constituted 16% of total volume in Q1FY27, up from 15% in the prior year. Management expects RTE sales to reach 18-20% of total volumes in FY27. RTE realization increased from $11.2 per kilo to $12.05 per kilo in Q1FY27.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The company maintains a lean balance sheet with total borrowings at ₹1,068 Mn as of March 2026. Net debt to equity stood at comfortable levels, with cash flow from operations remaining robust. Shareholder funds increased to ₹2,700 Mn, reflecting the company’s continued financial stability.

What the Numbers Show

The divergence between declining shrimp volumes (-13%) and rising PAT (+138%) highlights the impact of pricing power and mix shift towards value-added products. The expansion in gross margin by nearly 10 percentage points underscores the effectiveness of the company’s cost-efficiency measures amidst volatile input costs. Additionally, the shift in geographical mix towards the U.S., which has higher unit realizations due to antidumping and countervailing duties being part of pricing, contributed to overall margin expansion.

Earnings Call Details

Investors can access the audio recording of the conference call on the company's website. The event was facilitated by Stellar IR Advisors Pvt Ltd, with Mr. Suyash Samant and Mr. Hrithik Hattiangadi serving as primary contacts.