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Company registration number: 03173568







ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31 MAY 2025


MERCANTA LIMITED






































img014d.png                        

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
COMPANY INFORMATION


Directors
S L Hurst 
A D Falconer 
I A P Tweedy 




Registered number
03173568



Registered office
Magna House
18-32 London Road

Staines

Surrey

TW18 4BP




Independent auditor
Menzies LLP
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor

Magna House

18-32 London Road

Staines

Surrey

TW18 4BP





 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 



CONTENTS



Page
Group Strategic Report
1 - 2
Directors' Report
3 - 4
Independent Auditor's Report
5 - 8
Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings
9
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
10
Company Statement of Financial Position
11
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
12
Company Statement of Changes in Equity
13
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
14
Consolidated Analysis of Net Debt
15
Notes to the Financial Statements
16 - 33


 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Introduction
 
The principal activity of the group is the importation, distribution, and sale of speciality and premium grade raw / green / unroasted coffee beans to coffee roasting companies located in the UK and more than 50 other international sales destinations. Mercanta now operates a global distribution via a network of sales offices / coffee labs. These offices and coffee labs are located in Kingston upon Thames UK (Head Office), Glasgow Scotland, Seattle, Dubai, Singapore, Guatemala City and Berlin. Specialty raw coffee beans are imported and distributed, primarily via shipping containers inbound and pallets outbound. The warehouse distribution network is based out of Suffolk UK, Hamburg Germany, Dubai, Singapore, Seattle, New York / New Jersey, and Houston USA. We also own and operate a stand-alone training, education and consultancy business called London School of Coffee based in Wandsworth, South West London. In June 2021, we launched Mercanta Micro, a small volume, on-line, carton sale business.

Balanced and comprehensive review of the business
 
Financial year 2025 once again set a global sales record, at £12.43M (2024 - £10.76M).  An elevated price for raw coffee beans, weak GBP Sterling (coffee beans are traded in USD, weak GBP Sterling increases the unit price for this product), and strong domestic UK sales. In financial year 24/25 nearly 50% of group sales were generated in our ‘’home market’’.
Mercanta has a very well established ‘’brand name’’ in the UK market. Mercanta operates a genuine ability to supply speciality raw coffee beans to any place on the globe. We have speciality roaster clients in more than 50 countries and territories. A feature of Financial 2024/2025 sales was an increasing percentage of sales in our home domestic UK market.
Consolidated profit before tax was £538,623 (2024 – loss before tax of £1,074,641) while overheads stabilised at a relatively high level, not helped by financing costs being so high. A result of the high interest rates, and high outright price of the raw materials that we trade. 
Meanwhile North American business faced severe challenges of the impact of import tariffs, and the Asian market suffered perhaps worse than others at the hand of the highest raw materials prices of all time.
Rolled up into complex and fraught geopolitics and logistical challenges, we are also witnessing the highest raw coffee prices of all time. Starting in October 2024 from already elevated levels, the commodity market price for raw coffee started soaring, up to and including the highest price of all time achieved in February 2025. This raised the average price per container toward US$200,000, and over that in many cases. This of course, also raised our average sales price. If we combine high raw materials prices, high borrowing costs, high market volatility and relatively weak Sterling and Euro versus USD, we have a perfect storm of price drama for UK, European and Asian roaster clients, and even worse adding import tariffs, for USA roaster accounts.
Gross sales increased by almost £2m in 24/25 compared to prior year, with a positive gross profit margin of 25.5% this year as opposed to the gross profit last year due to the COS adjustment. The GPM was 25.5% (2024- 13.9%) which is in line with FY23 at 27.5%. In FY24 there was a stock in transit error that was carried forward from prior year and another cost of sales error found following a full ledger review. Both of these additions to cost of sales came to £1.4M and resulted in the highly reduced gross profit margin for 2024.  

Page 1

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 



GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Principal risks and uncertainties
 
Rising administrative expenses remain a high risk to the company and active measures are being put in place to reduce this. 
Forex risk are also identified as one of the key risk areas as Mercanta purchases green coffee beans from suppliers in USD. Measures such as forward purchases of USD with the banks and currency options contracts are used to mitigate this risk. 
Interest rates are another risk area with these increasing over the past 12 months. Given the high value of financing costs, we have measures in place to reduce our loans, and post year end activity has seen a substantial reduction in our loan facility total.
Access to funding; As part of the ECOM Group, we have easy access to funding, not to mention Mercanta’s own long standing funding facilities. 
Regulatory Environment; We are well aware of EU directives on deforestation and other corporate governance measures and are managing and preparing accordingly.

Analysing Key Performance Indicators
 
Financial Key Performance indicators
Total group sales - 2025 - £12.43M (2024 - £10.76M)
Gross Profit Margin - 2025 -25.5 % (2024 - 13.9 %)
Total borrowed funding ratio – 2025 - 40%  (2024: 36%)
The value of our stock increased this year as the price of coffee increased even as we look to carry the same amount of inventory. Current cash levels are up on the end of the year given the seasonal nature of the business and the coffee crop cycle. We had a rise in creditors due to an increase in our working capital loan from parent company ECOM and also from some suppliers with whom we can negotiate longer credit terms
Other Key Performance indicators
Sales in more than 50 different nations and territories.
Future Developments
Post year-end market has seen a rise in coffee prices.


This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.



S L Hurst
Director

Date: 4 December 2025

Page 2

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025.

Directors' responsibilities statement

The directors are responsible for preparing the Group Strategic Report, the Directors' Report and the consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
 
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and the Group and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period.

 In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:


select suitable accounting policies for the Group's financial statements and then apply them consistently;

make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Results and dividends

The profit for the year, after taxation, amounted to £422,619 (2024 - loss £1,066,135).

A dividend of £399,948 was distributed in August 2024 in respect of the financial year ending 31 May 2024. The directors did not recommend payment of a dividend in respect of the year end 31 May 2025.

Directors

The directors who served during the year were:

S L Hurst 
A D Falconer 
I A P Tweedy 

Matters covered in the Group Strategic Report

The Group has chosen in accordance with Section 414C(11) of the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors'
Report) Regulations 2013 to set out within the company's Strategic Report the Company's Strategic Report Information
required by schedule 7 of the Large and Medium Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.
This includes information that would have been included in the business review and details of the principal risks and
uncertainties.

Page 3

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the persons who are directors at the time when this Directors' Report is approved has confirmed that:
 
so far as the director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company and the Group's auditor is unaware, and

the director has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a director in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company and the Group's auditor is aware of that information.

Post balance sheet events

There have been no significant events affecting the Group since the year end.

Auditor

Under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006Menzies LLP will be deemed to have been reappointed as auditor 28 days after these financial statements were sent to members or 28 days after the latest date prescribed for filing the accounts with the registrar, whichever is earlier.

This report was approved by the board and signed on its behalf.
 





S L Hurst
Director

Date: 4 December 2025

Page 4

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERCANTA LIMITED

Opinion


We have audited the financial statements of Mercanta Limited (the 'parent Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 31 May 2025, which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings, the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, the Company Statement of Financial Position, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policiesThe financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).


In our opinion the financial statements:


give a true and fair view of the state of the Group's and of the parent Company's affairs as at 31 May 2025 and of the Group's profit for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.


Basis for opinion


We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.


Conclusions relating to going concern


In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.


Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or the parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.


Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.


Other information


The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditor's Report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual ReportOur opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.


We have nothing to report in this regard.


Page 5

 


MERCANTA LIMITED


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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERCANTA LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
 

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:


the information given in the Group Strategic Report and the Directors' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Group Strategic Report and the Directors' Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.


Matters on which we are required to report by exception
 

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Group Strategic Report or the Directors' Report.


We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:


adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the parent Company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.


Responsibilities of directors
 

As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 3, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.


In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's and the parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or the parent Company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.


Page 6

 


MERCANTA LIMITED


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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERCANTA LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor's Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these Group financial statements.


Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

The Group and parent company is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the financial statements including financial reporting legislation. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant including UK Companies Act, employment law and tax legislation. We assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.
 
We understood how the Group and parent company is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks by, making inquiries to management, those responsible for legal and compliance procedures.
 
The engagement partner assessed whether the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The assessment did not identify any issues in this area.
 
We assessed the susceptibility of the Group and parent company's financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:
 
°Identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect fraud; 

°Understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process; and
 
°Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account combinations.
 
As a result of the above procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the organisation for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in the following areas:
 
°Posting of unusual journals and complex transactions;
 
°Misappropriation and valuation of stock
 
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation


A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditor's Report.


Page 7

 


MERCANTA LIMITED


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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MERCANTA LIMITED (CONTINUED)

Use of our report
 

This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.





Sophie Said FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)
  
for and on behalf of
Menzies LLP
 
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
  
Magna House
18-32 London Road
Staines
Surrey
TW18 4BP

4 December 2025
Page 8

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

2025
2024
Note
£
£

  

Turnover
 4 
12,431,690
10,759,548

Cost of sales
  
(9,267,187)
(9,265,871)

Gross profit
  
3,164,503
1,493,677

Administrative expenses
  
(2,531,354)
(2,467,168)

Other operating income
 5 
47,071
48,344

Operating profit/(loss)
 6 
680,220
(925,147)

Interest payable and similar expenses
 10 
(141,597)
(149,494)

Profit/(loss) before tax
  
538,623
(1,074,641)

Tax on profit/(loss)
 11 
(116,004)
8,506

Profit/(loss) after tax
  
422,619
(1,066,135)

  

  

Retained earnings at the beginning of the year
  
4,426,628
6,047,747

  
4,426,628
6,047,747

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to the owners of the parent
  
422,619
(1,066,135)

Dividends declared and paid
  
(399,948)
(554,984)

Retained earnings at the end of the year
  
4,449,299
4,426,628

There were no recognised gains and losses for 2025 or 2024 other than those included in the consolidated statement of income and retained earnings.

The notes on pages 16 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

Page 9

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER:03173568



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MAY 2025

2025
2024
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Tangible assets
 12 
678,219
674,129

Investments
 13 
1
1

  
678,220
674,130

Current assets
  

Stocks
 14 
4,116,997
4,264,757

Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 15 
13,750
19,577

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 15 
1,320,577
1,388,664

Cash at bank and in hand
  
1,731,382
1,113,273

  
7,182,706
6,786,271

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 16 
(3,131,686)
(2,683,996)

Net current assets
  
 
 
4,051,020
 
 
4,102,275

Total assets less current liabilities
  
4,729,240
4,776,405

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 17 
(57,274)
(63,070)

Net assets
  
4,671,966
4,713,335


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 20 
112,344
112,344

Share premium account
 21 
128,111
128,111

Capital redemption reserve
 21 
18,231
18,231

Foreign exchange reserve
 21 
(36,019)
28,021

Profit and loss account
 21 
4,449,299
4,426,628

  
4,671,966
4,713,335


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by: 




S L Hurst
Director

Date: 4 December 2025

The notes on pages 16 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

Page 10

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER:03173568



COMPANY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 31 MAY 2025

2025
2024
Note
£
£

Fixed assets
  

Tangible assets
 12 
480,291
465,065

Investments
 13 
22,126
22,126

  
502,417
487,191

Current assets
  

Stocks
 14 
3,014,361
3,307,406

Debtors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 15 
8,792
18,792

Debtors: amounts falling due within one year
 15 
1,300,294
1,946,903

Cash at bank and in hand
  
1,274,731
573,601

  
5,598,178
5,846,702

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
 16 
(3,148,716)
(3,267,557)

Net current assets
  
 
 
2,449,462
 
 
2,579,145

Total assets less current liabilities
  
2,951,879
3,066,336

  

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
 17 
(57,274)
(63,070)

  

Net assets
  
2,894,605
3,003,266


Capital and reserves
  

Called up share capital 
 20 
112,345
112,345

Share premium account
 21 
128,111
128,111

Capital redemption reserve
 21 
18,231
18,231

Profit and loss account
 21 
2,635,918
2,744,579

  
2,894,605
3,003,266


The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf by: 
 


S L Hurst
Director

Date: 4 December 2025

The notes on pages 16 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

Page 11

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025


Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Foreign exchange reserve
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£
£
£
£


At 1 June 2023
112,344
128,111
18,231
11,974
6,047,747
6,318,407


Comprehensive income for the year

Loss for the year
-
-
-
-
(1,066,135)
(1,066,135)

Currency translation differences
-
-
-
16,047
-
16,047


Other comprehensive income for the year
-
-
-
16,047
-
16,047


Total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
-
16,047
(1,066,135)
(1,050,088)


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Dividends: Equity capital
-
-
-
-
(554,984)
(554,984)



At 1 June 2024
112,344
128,111
18,231
28,021
4,426,628
4,713,335


Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year
-
-
-
-
422,619
422,619

Currency translation differences
-
-
-
(64,040)
-
(64,040)


Other comprehensive income for the year
-
-
-
(64,040)
-
(64,040)


Total comprehensive income for the year
-
-
-
(64,040)
422,619
358,579


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Dividends: Equity capital
-
-
-
-
(399,948)
(399,948)


At 31 May 2025
112,344
128,111
18,231
(36,019)
4,449,299
4,671,966


Page 12

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 



COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025


Called up share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Profit and loss account
Total equity

£
£
£
£
£


At 1 June 2023
112,345
128,111
18,231
3,270,702
3,529,389


Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year
-
-
-
28,861
28,861


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Dividends: Equity capital
-
-
-
(554,984)
(554,984)



At 1 June 2024
112,345
128,111
18,231
2,744,579
3,003,266


Comprehensive income for the year

Profit for the year
-
-
-
291,287
291,287


Contributions by and distributions to owners

Dividends: Equity capital
-
-
-
(399,948)
(399,948)


At 31 May 2025
112,345
128,111
18,231
2,635,918
2,894,605


Page 13

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

2025
2024
£
£

Cash flows from operating activities

Profit/(loss) for the financial year
422,619
(1,066,135)

Adjustments for:

Depreciation of tangible assets
10,798
31,817

Interest paid
141,597
149,494

Taxation charge
116,004
(8,506)

Decrease in stocks
147,760
1,314,233

Decrease in debtors
21,164
370,687

Increase in creditors
337,865
19,333

Corporation tax (paid)
(63,254)
(76,592)

Foreign exchange
(52,954)
(6,159)

Net cash generated from operating activities

1,081,599
728,172


Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets
(25,974)
(6,516)

Net cash from investing activities

(25,974)
(6,516)

Cash flows from financing activities

Repayment of loans
(119,431)
(110,623)

New group loan
200,000
450,000

Repayment finance leases
23,460
(2,063)

Dividends paid
(399,948)
(554,984)

Interest paid
(141,597)
(149,494)

Net cash used in financing activities
(437,516)
(367,164)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
618,109
354,492

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
1,113,273
758,781

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year
1,731,382
1,113,273


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of year comprise:

Cash at bank and in hand
1,731,382
1,113,273

1,731,382
1,113,273


Page 14

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 



CONSOLIDATED ANALYSIS OF NET DEBT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025





At 1 June 2024
Cash flows
New finance leases
At 31 May 2025
£

£

£

£

Cash at bank and in hand

1,113,273

618,109

-

1,731,382

Debt due after 1 year

(63,070)

25,461

-

(37,609)

Debt due within 1 year

(1,824,113)

(106,030)

-

(1,930,143)

Finance leases

(7,792)

7,792

(31,252)

(31,252)


(781,702)
545,332
(31,252)
(267,622)

The notes on pages 16 to 33 form part of these financial statements.

Page 15

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

1.


General information

Mercanta Limited is a private company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in England & Wales. The address of its registered office is provided on the Company Information page of the financial statements. The address of its principal place of business is 2 Princeton Mews, 167 London Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 6PT.

2.Accounting policies

 
2.1

Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention unless otherwise specified within these accounting policies and in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and the Companies Act 2006.

The preparation of financial statements in compliance with FRS 102 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires Group management to exercise judgment in applying the Group's accounting policies (see note 3).

The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented its own Statement of Income and Retained Earnings in these financial statements.

The Company's functional and presentational currency is GBP.  

 
2.2

Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements present the results of the Company and its own subsidiaries ("the Group") as if they form a single entity. Intercompany transactions and balances between group companies are therefore eliminated in full.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the results of business combinations using the purchase method. In the Statement of Financial Position, the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are initially recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. The results of acquired operations are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings from the date on which control is obtained. They are deconsolidated from the date control ceases.

  
2.3

Disclosure exemptions

The parent company satisfies the criteria of being a qualifying entity as defined in FRS 102. As such, advantage has been taken of the following reduced disclosures available under FRS 102:
a) No cash flow statement has been presented for the company.
b) Disclosures in respect of financial instruments have not been presented.
c) No disclosure has been given for the aggregate remuneration of key management personnel.

 
2.4

Revenue

Turnover is recognised to the extent that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Group and the turnover can be reliably measured. Turnover is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts, rebates, value added tax and other sales taxes.

Revenue from the sales of goods is recognised upon the delivery or collection of goods. The entity considers this to be the point at which the significant risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the buyer and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably.

  
2.5

Other operating income

Other operating income includes a recharge to group companies owned by the ultimate parent company in respect of costs incurred. 

Page 16

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.6

Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

Transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the spot exchange rates at the dates of the transactions.

At each period end foreign currency monetary items are translated using the closing rate. Non-monetary items measured at historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction and non-monetary items measured at fair value are measured using the exchange rate when fair value was determined.

Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of transactions and from the translation at period-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in profit or loss except when deferred in other comprehensive income as qualifying cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange gains and losses that relate to cash and cash equivalents are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Income and Retained Earnings within 'finance income or costs'. All other foreign exchange gains and losses are presented in profit or loss within 'other operating income'.

On consolidation, the results of overseas operations are translated into Sterling at rates approximating to those ruling when the transactions took place. All assets and liabilities of overseas operations are translated at the rate ruling at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising on translating the opening net assets at opening rate and the results of overseas operations at actual rate are recognised in other comprehensive income.

 
2.7

Leasing and hire purchase

Assets obtained under hire purchase contracts and finance leases are capitalised as tangible fixed assets. Assets acquired by finance lease are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their useful lives. Assets acquired by hire purchase are depreciated over their useful lives. Finance leases are those where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership are assumed by the company. Obligations under such agreements are included in creditors net of the finance charge allocated to future periods. The finance element of the rental payment is charged to profit or loss so as to produce a constant periodic rate of charge on the net obligation outstanding in each period.

 
2.8

Finance costs

Finance costs are charged to profit or loss over the term of the debt using the effective interest method so that the amount charged is at a constant rate on the carrying amount. Issue costs are initially recognised as a reduction in the proceeds of the associated capital instrument.

Page 17

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.9

Pensions

Defined contribution pension plan

The Group operates a defined contribution plan for its employees. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group pays fixed contributions into a separate entity. Once the contributions have been paid the Group has no further payment obligations.

The contributions are recognised as an expense in profit or loss when they fall due. Amounts not paid are shown in accruals as a liability in the Statement of Financial Position. The assets of the plan are held separately from the Group in independently administered funds.

 
2.10

Taxation

Tax is recognised in profit or loss except that a charge attributable to an item of income and expense recognised as other comprehensive income or to an item recognised directly in equity is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date in the countries where the Company and the Group operate and generate income.


 
2.11

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets under the cost model are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management.

Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, using the straight-line method.

Depreciation is provided on the following basis:

Freehold property
-
2% Straight Line
Leasehold property
-
10% Straight Line
Motor vehicles
-
33% Straight Line
Furniture and equipment
-
10-33% Straight Line

The assets' residual values, useful lives and depreciation methods are reviewed, and adjusted prospectively if appropriate, or if there is an indication of a significant change since the last reporting date.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing the proceeds with the carrying amount and are recognised in profit or loss.

  
2.12

Valuation of investments

Investments in subsidiaries are measured at cost less accumulated impairment.

Page 18

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

2.Accounting policies (continued)

 
2.13

Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value, being the estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a weighted average basis. Included in the cost of stock is the price of the coffee beans along with the costs in relation to transport and handling, any import duties and other irrecoverable taxes and any other directly attributable costs.

At each reporting date, stocks are assessed for impairment. If stock is impaired, the carrying amount is reduced to its selling price less costs to complete and sell. The impairment loss is recognised immediately in profit or loss.

 
2.14

Financial instruments

The Group only enters into basic financial instrument transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other debtors and creditors, loans from banks and other third parties,    loans to related parties and investments in ordinary shares.
Debt instruments (other than those wholly repayable or receivable within one year), including loans and other accounts receivable and payable, are initially measured at present value of the future cash flows and subsequently at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Debt instruments that are payable or receivable within one year, typically trade debtors and creditors, are measured, initially and subsequently, at the undiscounted amount of the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received. However, if the arrangements of a short-term instrument constitute a financing transaction, like the payment of a trade debt deferred beyond normal business terms or in case of an out-right short-term loan that is not at market rate,   the financial asset or liability is measured, initially at the present value of future cash flows discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument and subsequently at amortised cost, unless it qualifies as   a loan from a director in the case of a small company, or a public benefit entity concessionary loan.
Derivatives, including interest rate swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts, are not basic financial instruments. Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognised    in profit or loss in finance costs or income as appropriate. The company does not currently apply hedge accounting for interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives.

 
2.15

Dividends

Equity dividends are recognised when they become legally payable. Interim equity dividends are recognised when paid. Final equity dividends are recognised when approved by the shareholders at an annual general meeting.


3.


Judgments in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

When preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions which affect reported income, expenses, assets and liabilities. Use of available information and application of judgement are inherent in the formation of estimates, together with past experience and expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results in the future could differ from such estimates.
Stock valuation 
The company allocates carriage inwards and other directly attributable costs incurred on stock purchases using a  percentage uplift which has been arrived at based on historical knowledge on costs incurred in bringing stocks to their present location. This is updated and reviewed on a regular basis.

Page 19

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

4.


Turnover

An analysis of turnover by class of business is as follows:


2025
2024
£
£

Coffee Sales
12,431,690
10,759,548

12,431,690
10,759,548


Analysis of turnover by country of destination:

2025
2024
£
£

United Kingdom
6,617,789
4,936,180

Europe
1,116,799
828,596

Rest of the world
4,697,102
4,994,772

12,431,690
10,759,548



5.


Other operating income

2025
2024
£
£

Recharge income
12,657
48,344

Sundry income
34,414
-

47,071
48,344



6.


Operating profit/(loss)

The operating profit/(loss) is stated after charging:

2025
2024
£
£

Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
10,943
31,817

Exchange differences
31,672
40,972

Amounts payable under operating leases
195,663
166,492

Page 20

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

7.


Auditor's remuneration

During the year, the Group obtained the following services from the Company's auditor:


2025
2024
£
£

Fees payable to the Company's auditor for the audit of the consolidated and parent Company's financial statements
38,750
35,500


8.


Employees

Staff costs, including directors' remuneration, were as follows:


Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£


Staff wages and salaries
1,258,542
1,249,346
901,333
876,105

Directors remuneration
137,641
139,356
137,641
139,356

Social security costs
102,635
90,395
102,635
90,395

Cost of defined contribution scheme
73,178
58,936
73,178
58,936

1,571,996
1,538,033
1,214,787
1,164,792


The average monthly number of employees, including the directors, during the year was as follows:



Group
Group
Company
Company
        2025
        2024
        2025
        2024
            No.
            No.
            No.
            No.









Employees
23
25
19
19



Directors
3
3
3
3

26
28
22
22

Page 21

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

9.


Directors' remuneration

2025
2024
£
£

Directors' emoluments
157,210
164,024

Group contributions to defined contribution pension schemes
48,000
36,000

205,210
200,024


During the year retirement benefits were accruing to 1 director (2024 - 1) in respect of defined contribution pension schemes.

The highest paid director received remuneration of £157,210 (2024 - £164,024).

The value of the Group's contributions paid to a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the highest paid director amounted to £48,000 (2024 - £36,000).

The total accrued pension provision of the highest paid director at 31 May 2025 amounted to £NIL (2024 - £NIL).


10.


Interest payable and similar expenses

2025
2024
£
£


Bank interest payable
8,335
19,665

Group interest payable
133,262
129,829

141,597
149,494

Page 22

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

11.


Taxation


2025
2024
£
£

Corporation tax


Current tax on profits for the year
104,799
10,498


104,799
10,498

Foreign tax


Foreign tax on income for the year
11,205
-

Foreign tax in respect of prior periods
-
(19,004)

11,205
(19,004)

Total current tax
116,004
(8,506)

Deferred tax

Total deferred tax
-
-


Tax on profit/(loss)
116,004
(8,506)
Page 23

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
 
11.Taxation (continued)


Factors affecting tax charge for the year

The tax assessed for the year is the same as (2024 - the same as) the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2024 - 25%) as set out below:

2025
2024
£
£


Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before tax
554,383
(1,074,641)


Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 25% (2024 - 25%)
138,596
(268,943)

Effects of:


Expenses not deductible for tax purposes, other than goodwill amortisation and impairment
4,418
4,576

Fixed asset timing differences
-
1,458

Adjustments to tax charge in respect of prior periods
-
(19,004)

Non-taxable income
(19)
(6,697)

Movement in deferred tax not recognised
(29,375)
241,518

Effects of overseas tax
2,384
38,586

Total tax charge for the year
116,004
(8,506)

On 11 July 2023, the UK Finance (No. 2) Act 2023, enacted the Pillar Two income taxes legislation effective from 1 January 2024 and affects periods commencing from this date. Under the legislation an entity may be required to pay, in the United Kingdom, top-up tax on profits of its subsidiaries located in territories located outside the United Kingdom that are taxed at an effective tax rate of less than 15%. The Group is in scope of the enacted legislation and has performed an assessment of its potential exposure to Pillar Two income taxes. Based on preliminary assessment, the Pillar Two effective tax rate in the United Kingdom is above 15% and the Group does not expect any exposure to Pillar Two income taxes.

Page 24

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

12.


Tangible fixed assets

Group






Freehold property
Long-term leasehold property
Motor vehicles
Office equipment
Computer equipment
Total

£
£
£
£
£
£



Cost or valuation


At 1 June 2024
797,689
73,652
94,103
216,450
2,970
1,184,864


Additions
-
-
25,974
-
-
25,974


Exchange adjustments
(12,460)
-
-
(151)
-
(12,611)



At 31 May 2025

785,229
73,652
120,077
216,299
2,970
1,198,227



Depreciation


At 1 June 2024
150,075
73,652
87,868
198,551
589
510,735


Charge for the year on owned assets
-
-
5,953
4,492
498
10,943


Exchange adjustments
(60)
-
(1,542)
(68)
-
(1,670)



At 31 May 2025

150,015
73,652
92,279
202,975
1,087
520,008



Net book value



At 31 May 2025
635,214
-
27,798
13,324
1,883
678,219



At 31 May 2024
647,614
-
6,235
17,899
2,381
674,129

Page 25

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

           12.Tangible fixed assets (continued)


Company






Freehold property
Long-term leasehold property
Motor vehicles
Office equipment
Computer equipment
Total

£
£
£
£
£
£

Cost or valuation


At 1 June 2024
563,794
73,652
70,197
204,955
2,970
915,568


Additions
-
-
25,974
-
-
25,974



At 31 May 2025

563,794
73,652
96,171
204,955
2,970
941,542



Depreciation


At 1 June 2024
125,049
73,652
63,962
187,251
589
450,503


Charge for the year on owned assets
-
-
5,953
4,297
498
10,748



At 31 May 2025

125,049
73,652
69,915
191,548
1,087
461,251



Net book value



At 31 May 2025
438,745
-
26,256
13,407
1,883
480,291



At 31 May 2024
438,745
-
6,235
17,704
2,381
465,065






Included in both the Company and Group above are assets held under hire purchase arrangements with a net book value of £31,252 (2024 - £8,713).





Page 26

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

13.


Fixed asset investments

Group





Investments in subsidiary companies

£



Cost or valuation


At 1 June 2024
1



At 31 May 2025
1




The investment relates to a dormant subsidiary which has not been consolidated as it is not material. 

Company





Investments in subsidiary companies

£



Cost or valuation


At 1 June 2024
22,126



At 31 May 2025
22,126





Subsidiary undertakings


The following were subsidiary undertakings of the Company:

Name

Registered office

Principal activity

Class of shares

Holding

Mercanta GmbH
Germany
Coffee trade
Ordinary
100%
Mercanta North America LLC
United States of America
Coffee trade
Ordinary
100%
London School of Coffee Limited
UK
Dormant
Ordinary
100%
Coffee Hunter Limited
UK
Dormant
Ordinary
100%

Page 27

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

14.


Stocks

Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Stock in transit
1,020,807
687,872
800,216
620,062

Finished goods and goods for resale
3,096,190
3,576,885
2,214,145
2,687,344

4,116,997
4,264,757
3,014,361
3,307,406



15.


Debtors

Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Due after more than one year

Other debtors
13,750
19,577
8,792
18,792

13,750
19,577
8,792
18,792


Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Due within one year

Trade debtors
1,180,700
1,183,697
705,685
642,524

Amounts owed by group undertakings
12,434
2,177
534,430
1,161,270

Other debtors
111,143
180,378
49,762
123,323

Prepayments and accrued income
16,300
22,412
10,417
19,786

1,320,577
1,388,664
1,300,294
1,946,903


Page 28

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

16.


Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Bank loans
30,143
124,113
30,143
124,113

Trade creditors
561,992
316,934
544,958
275,898

Amounts owed to group undertakings
2,276,693
2,044,564
2,353,446
2,688,829

Other taxation and social security
25,252
19,676
23,294
19,676

Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts
11,587
7,792
11,587
7,792

Other creditors
12,469
4,699
12,195
6,066

Accruals and deferred income
213,550
166,218
173,093
145,183

3,131,686
2,683,996
3,148,716
3,267,557


Included within amounts owed to group companies is a loan of £1,900,000 (2024 - £1,700,000) owed to the ultimate parent company ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd. Interest is charged based on the parent company's cost of debt and in the period was 6.5%.


17.


Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Bank loans
37,609
63,070
37,609
63,070

Net obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts
19,665
-
19,665
-

57,274
63,070
57,274
63,070




Page 29

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

18.


Loans


Analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:


Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Amounts falling due within one year

Bank loans
30,143
124,113
30,143
124,113

Group loans
1,900,000
1,700,000
1,900,000
1,700,000


1,930,143
1,824,113
1,930,143
1,824,113

Amounts falling due 1-2 years

Bank loans
26,364
25,461
26,364
25,461


26,364
25,461
26,364
25,461

Amounts falling due 2-5 years

Bank loans
11,245
37,609
11,245
37,609


11,245
37,609
11,245
37,609


1,967,752
1,887,183
1,967,752
1,887,183


Bank loans outstanding at the reporting date include instalments due after more than 5 years of £nil (2024: £nil).
The bank loans are secured against the company's freehold and leasehold properties.


19.


Hire purchase and finance leases


Minimum lease payments under hire purchase fall due as follows:

Group
Group
2025
2024
£
£

Within one year
11,587
8,713

Between 1-5 years
19,665
-

31,252
8,713

Page 30

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

20.


Share capital

2025
2024
£
£
Allotted, called up and fully paid



112,344 (2024 - 112,344) Ordinary shares of £1.00 each
112,344
112,344

The company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income.



21.


Reserves

Share premium account

This reserve records the amount above the nominal value received for shares sold, less transaction costs. 

Capital redemption reserve

The capital redemption reserve is held in respect of historic share transactions. 

Foreign exchange reserve

The foreign exchange reserve represents cumulative gains and losses on translation of foreign subsidiaries. 

Profit and loss account

This reserve records retained earnings and accumulated losses. 


22.


Commitments under operating leases

At 31 May 2025 the Group and the Company had future minimum lease payments due under non-cancellable operating leases for each of the following periods:


Group
Group
Company
Company
2025
2024
2025
2024
£
£
£
£

Not later than 1 year
90,428
104,806
89,212
91,229

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years
158,689
80,592
158,689
80,592

249,117
185,398
247,901
171,821

Page 31

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

23.


Related party transactions

Balances and transactions between the parent company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the parent company, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note. Details of transactions between the Group and other related parties are disclosed below. 
A related party of key management personnel received remuneration of £51,106 (2024 - £58,620).
Total dividends paid during the period were £399,948. The directors did not declare dividends in respect of the financial period. 
Trading transactions
During the year, group entities entered into the following trading transactions between the wider Group and other related parties:

ole11af.png

The following transactions were outstanding at the end of the reporting period:

ole0f8b.png

Page 32

 


MERCANTA LIMITED
 


 
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

24.


Controlling party

Mulcord Trading LLC is the immediate parent company.  ECOM Agroindustrial Corp. Ltd. is the ultimate controlling party by way of majority shareholding. 

 
Page 33