SHINECO, INC. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 001-37776

SHINECO, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Room 1001, Building T5, DaZu Square,
Daxing District, Beijing

People’s Republic of China 100176
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(+86) 10-87227366

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Sec. 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

As of May 15, 2019, the registrant had 22,871,772 shares of common stock outstanding.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

SHINECO, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

SHINECO, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

SHINECO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

SHINECO, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

SHINECO, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Shineco, Inc. (“Shineco” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on August 20, 1997. The Company is a holding company whose primary purpose is to develop business opportunities in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC” or “China”).

On December 30, 2004, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Beijing Tenet-Jove Technological Development Co., Ltd. (“Tenet-Jove”), a PRC company, in exchange for restricted shares of the Company’s common stock, and the sole operating business of the Company became that of its subsidiary, Tenet-Jove. Tenet-Jove was incorporated on December 15, 2003 under the laws of China. Consequently, Tenet-Jove became a 100% owned subsidiary of Shineco and was officially granted the status of a Wholly Foreign-Owned Entity (“WFOE”) by Chinese authorities on July 14, 2006. This transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization. Tenet-Jove owns 90% interest of Tianjin Tenet Huatai Technological Development Co., Ltd. (“Tenet Huatai”).

On December 31, 2008, June 11, 2011 and May 24, 2012, Tenet-Jove entered into a series of contractual agreements including an Executive Business Cooperation Agreement, a Timely Reporting Agreement, an Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and Executive Option Agreement (collectively, the “VIE Agreements”), with each one of the following entities, Ankang Longevity Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (“Ankang Longevity Group”), Yantai Zhisheng International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. (“Zhisheng Freight”), Yantai Zhisheng International Trade Co., Ltd. (“Zhisheng Trade”), Yantai Mouping District Zhisheng Agricultural Produce Cooperative (“Zhisheng Agricultural”) and Qingdao Zhihesheng Agricultural Produce Services., Ltd. (“Qingdao Zhihesheng”). On February 24, 2014, Tenet-Jove entered into the same series of contractual agreements with Shineco Zhisheng (Beijing) Bio-Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhisheng Bio-Tech”), which was incorporated in 2014. Zhisheng Bio-Tech, Zhisheng Freight, Zhisheng Trade, Zhisheng Agricultural, and Qingdao Zhihesheng are collectively referred to herein as the “Zhisheng Group”.

Pursuant to the VIE Agreements, Tenet-Jove has the exclusive right to provide to the Zhisheng  Group and Ankang Longevity Group consulting services related to their business operations and management. All the above contractual agreements obligate Tenet-Jove to absorb a majority of the risk of loss from the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group’s activities and entitle Tenet-Jove to receive a majority of their residual returns. In essence, Tenet-Jove has gained effective control over the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group. Therefore, the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group are treated as Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 “Consolidation”. Accordingly, the accounts of these entities are consolidated with those of Tenet-Jove.

Since Shineco is effectively controlled by the majority shareholders of the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group, Shineco owns 100% of Tenet-Jove. Accordingly, Shineco, Tenet-Jove, and its VIEs, the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group are effectively controlled by the same majority shareholders. Therefore, Shineco, Tenet-Jove and its VIEs are considered under common control. The consolidation of Tenet-Jove and its VIEs into Shineco was accounted for at historical cost and prepared on the basis as if the aforementioned exclusive contractual agreements between Tenet-Jove and its VIEs had become effective as of the beginning of the first period presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On April 19, 2017, Tenet-Jove established Xinjiang Tiankunrunze Biological Engineering Co., Ltd. (“Tiankunrunze”) with registered capital of RMB 50.0 million (US$ 7,262,000) and owns 65% interest of Tiankunrunze. On April 28, 2017, Tiankunrunze established Xinjiang Tianzhuo Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianzhuo”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,450,233). On May 22, 2017, Tiankunrunze established Xinjiang Tianhuihechuang Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianhuihechuang”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,452,294). On May 23, 2017, Tiankunrunze established Xinjiang Tianxintongye Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianxintongye”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,451,615). Therefore, Tenet-Jove controls Tiankunrunze and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

On May 2, 2017, the Company entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Beijing Zhongke Biorefinery Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. (“Biorefinery”), a leading high-tech biomass refining company financially backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Process Engineering, to establish the Institute of Chinese Apocynum Industrial Technology Research (“ICAITR”). Pursuant to the Strategic Cooperation Agreement the two parties agreed to establish the ICAITR, the Company and Biorefinery own 80% and 20% of the equity interests of ICAITR, respectively. Shineco invested RMB 5.0 million (US$ 737,745) as the registered capital, and Biorefinery will invest a technology patent named “Steam Explosion Degumming”.

On September 30, 2017, Tenet-Jove established Xinjiang Shineco Taihe Agriculture Technology Ltd. (“Xinjiang Taihe”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,502,650). On September 30, 2017, Tenet-Jove established Xinjiang Tianyi Runze Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (“Runze”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,502,650). Xinjiang Taihe and Runze became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tenet-Jove.

On December 10, 2016, Tenet-Jove entered into a purchase agreement with Tianjin Tajite E-Commerce Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Tajite”), an online e-commerce company based in Tianjin, China, specializing in distributing Luobuma related products and branded products of Daiso 100-yen shops, pursuant to which Tenet-Jove would acquire a 51% equity interest in Tianjin Tajite for cash consideration of RMB 14,000,000 (approximately US$ 2.1 million). On December 25, 2016, the Company paid the full amount as the deposit to secure the deal. In May, 2017, the Company amended the agreement that required Tianjin Tajite to satisfy certain preconditions related to product introductions into China. On October 26, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition for 51% of the shares in Tianjin Tajite.

On October 27, 2017, the Company, through its subsidiary Tianjin Tajite E-Commerce Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Tajite”), obtained contractual rights to distribute branded products of Daiso Industries Co., Ltd. (“Daiso”), a large franchise of 100-yen shops founded in Japan, via JD.com (“JD”), one of the largest e-commerce companies and one of the largest retailers in China. On November 3, 2017, the Company further developed the cooperation with Daiso by entering into a supply and purchase agreement (the “Daiso Agreement”) for the purpose of establishing a continuous supply and sale of Daiso’s products in China. Pursuant to the Daiso Agreement, the Company planned to purchase Daiso Products in the amount of approximately RMB 20 million by August, 2018 and add orders as circumstance requires. The term of the Daiso Agreement is for one year, and it renews for an additional one-year at the end of each term unless terminated by written notice by either Tianjin Tajite or Daiso. Due to the policy of China Customs, many of the bestselling products of Daiso are not allowed to be imported through the general form of trade model, but only through cross-border e-commence business model. As a result, the Company and Daiso agreed to suspend the cooperation temporarily and wait for the opening of the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Zone.

On November 1, 2017, the Company established an Apocynum Industrial Park in Xinjiang, China. The industrial park is focusing on planting and purchasing Bluish Dogbane, processing and distributing Bluish Dogbane preliminary products.

On March 13, 2019, Tenet-Jove established Beijing Tenjove Newhemp Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“TNB”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,502,650). TNB became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tenet-Jove.

The Company, its subsidiaries, its VIEs and its VIEs’ subsidiaries (collectively the “Group”) operate three main business segments: 1) Tenet-Jove is engaged in manufacturing and selling of Bluish Dogbane and related products, also known in Chinese as “Luobuma”, including therapeutic clothing and textile products made from Luobuma; 2) Zhisheng Group is engaged in the business of planting, processing and distributing of green agricultural produce as well as providing domestic and international logistic services for agricultural products (“Agricultural Products”); and, 3) Ankang Longevity Group manufactures traditional Chinese medicinal herbal products as well as other retail pharmaceutical products. These different business activities and products can potentially be integrated and benefit from one another.

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information pursuant to the rules of the SEC and have been consistently applied. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, which was filed on October 15, 2018.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company reflect the principal activities of the Company, its subsidiaries, its VIEs and its VIEs’ subsidiaries. The non-controlling interest represents the minority shareholders’ interest in the Company’s majority owned subsidiaries and VIEs. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

VIEs are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision making ability. All VIEs and their subsidiaries with which the Company is involved must be evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary of the risks and rewards of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE for financial reporting purposes.

The carrying amount of the VIEs and their subsidiaries’ consolidated assets and liabilities are as follows:

Non-controlling Interests

US GAAP requires that non-controlling interests in subsidiaries and affiliates be reported in the equity section of a company’s balance sheet. In addition, the amounts attributable to the non-controlling interests in the net income (loss) of these entities are reported separately in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Risks and Uncertainties

The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environment in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy. The Company’s operations in the PRC are subject to special considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks associated with, among other factors, the political, economic and legal environment and foreign currency exchange. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in the political, regulatory and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies or interpretations with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion, remittances abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things. Although the Company has not experienced losses from these situations and believes that it is in compliance with existing laws and regulations, changes could affect the Company’s interest in these entities and its operations in the PRC.

Members of the current management team own controlling interests in the Company and are also the owners of the VIEs in the PRC. The Company only controls the VIEs through contractual arrangements which obligate it to absorb the risk of loss and to receive the residual expected returns. As such, the controlling shareholders of the Company and the VIEs could cancel these agreements or permit them to expire at the end of the agreement terms, as a result of which the Company would not retain control of the VIEs. In addition, should these agreements be challenged or litigated, they would also be subject to the laws and courts of the PRC legal system which could make enforcing the Company’s rights difficult.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates required to be made by management include, but are not limited to, useful lives of property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets, the recoverability of long-lived assets and the valuation of accounts receivable, deferred taxes and inventory reserves. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company previously recognized revenue from sales of Luobuma products, Chinese medicinal herbal products and agricultural products, as well as providing logistic services and other processing services to external customers. The Company recognized revenue when all of the following have occurred: (i) there was persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a customer; (ii) delivery had occurred or services had been rendered; (iii) the sales price was fixed or determinable; and (iv) the Company’s collection of such fees was reasonably assured. These criteria, as related to the Company’s revenue, were considered to have been met as follows:

Sales of products: The Company recognized revenue from the sale of products when the goods were delivered and title to the goods passed to the customer provided that there were no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed; the sales price was fixed or determinable; and collectability was deemed probable.

Revenue from the rendering of services: Revenue from international freight forwarding, domestic air and overland freight forwarding services was recognized upon the performance of services as stipulated in the underlying contract or when commodities were being released from the customer’s warehouse; the service price was fixed or determinable; and collectability was deemed probable.

With the adoption of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” revenue is recognized when all of the following five steps are met: (i) identify the contract(s) with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; (v) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company adopted the new revenue standard beginning July 1, 2018, and adopted a modified retrospective approach upon adoption. The Company believes that its previous revenue recognition policies are generally consistent with the new revenue recognition standards set forth in ASC 606. Potential adjustments to input measures are not expected to be pervasive to the majority of the Company’s contracts. There is no significant impact upon adoption of the new guidance.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, cash on deposit and other highly liquid investments which are unrestricted as to withdrawal or use, and which have original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company maintains cash with various financial institutions mainly in the PRC. As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the Company had no cash equivalents.

Under PRC law, it is generally required that a commercial bank in the PRC that holds third party cash deposits protect the depositors’ rights over and interests in their deposited money. PRC banks are subject to a series of risk control regulatory standards, and PRC bank regulatory authorities are empowered to take over the operation and management of any PRC bank that faces a material credit crisis. The Company monitors the banks utilized and has not experienced any problems. 

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value consisting of the carrying amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts, as necessary. The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, the customers’ historical payment history, their current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. The fair value of long-term receivables is determined using a present value technique by discounting the future expected contractual cash flows using current rates at which similar instruments would be issued at the measurement date. As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the allowance for doubtful accounts was US$ 4,166,315 and US$ 232,355, respectively. Accounts are written off against the allowance after efforts at collection prove unsuccessful.

Inventories

Inventories, which are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, consist of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods related to the Company’s products. Cost is determined using the first in first out (“FIFO”) method.  Agricultural products that the Company farms are recorded at cost, which includes direct costs such as seed selection, fertilizer, labor cost and contract fees that are spent in growing agricultural products on the leased farmland, and indirect costs which include amortization of prepayments of farmland leases and farmland development costs. All the costs are accumulated until the time of harvest and then allocated to the harvested crops costs when they are sold. The Company periodically evaluates its inventory and records an inventory reserve for certain inventories that may not be saleable or whose cost exceeds net realizable value.

Advances to Suppliers

Advances to suppliers consist of payments to suppliers for materials that have not been received. Advances to suppliers are reviewed periodically to determine whether their carrying value has become impaired. As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the Company had an allowance for uncollectible advances to suppliers of US$ 131,711 and US$ 13,819, respectively.

Business Acquisitions

Business acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method. The acquisition method requires the reporting entity to identify the acquirer, determine the acquisition date, recognize and measure the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity, and recognize and measure goodwill or a bargain gain from the purchase. The acquiree’s results are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values on the date acquired and the excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill, or if the fair value of the net assets acquired exceeds the purchase price consideration, a bargain purchase gain is recorded. Adjustments to fair value assessments are generally recorded to goodwill over the measurement period (not longer than twelve months). The acquisition method also requires that acquisition-related transaction and post-acquisition restructuring costs be charged to expense as committed, and requires the Company to recognize and measure certain assets and liabilities including those arising from contingencies and contingent consideration in a business combination.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired. The goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit would be considered impaired. To measure the amount of the impairment loss, the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. For each of these tests, the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is determined using a combination of valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow methodology. To corroborate the discounted cash flow analysis performed at each reporting unit, a market approach is utilized using observable market data such as comparable companies in similar lines of business that are publicly traded or which are part of a public or private transaction (to the extent available).

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized, and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis, less estimated residual value, if any, over an asset’s estimated useful life. Farmland leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of lease term or estimated useful lives of the underlying assets. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s property and equipment are as follows:

Land Use Rights

According to Chinese laws and regulations regarding land use rights, land in urban districts is owned by the State, while land in the rural areas and suburban areas, except otherwise provided for by the State, is collectively owned by individuals designated as resident farmers by the State. In accordance with the legal principle that land ownership is separate from the right to the use of the land, the government grants individuals and companies the rights to use parcels of land for a specified period of time. Land use rights, which are usually prepaid, are stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided over the life of the land use rights, using the straight-line method. The useful life is 50 years, based on the term of the land use rights.

Long-lived Assets

Finite-lived assets and intangibles are reviewed for impairment testing when circumstances require. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, when undiscounted future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover an asset’s carrying amount, the asset is written down to its fair value. The long-lived assets of the Company that are subject to evaluation consist primarily of property, plant and equipment, land use rights, investments and long-term prepaid leases. For the nine and three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not recognize any impairment of its long-lived assets.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs, other than quoted prices in level,  that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the asset or liability.

The carrying value of financial instruments included in current assets and liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. 

The provisions of ASC 740-10-25, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” prescribe a more-likely-than-not threshold for consolidated financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. This ASC also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and related disclosures. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018. The Company has not provided deferred taxes for undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries at March 31, 2019, as it is the Company’s policy to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in non-U.S. operations. Quantification of the deferred tax liability, if any, associated with indefinitely reinvested earnings is not practicable.

The statute of limitations for the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns and certain state income tax returns remains open for tax year 2015 and thereafter. As of March 31, 2019, the tax years ended June 30, 2013 through June 30, 2018 for the Company’s People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) subsidiaries remain open for statutory examination by PRC tax authorities.

On December 22, 2017, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (“The Act”) was enacted. Under the provisions of The Act, the U.S. corporate tax rate decreased from 35% to 21%. As the Company has a June 30 fiscal year end, the lower corporate income tax rate will be phased in, resulting in a U.S. statutory federal rate of approximately 28% for our fiscal year ended June 30, 2018, and 21% for subsequent fiscal years. Additionally, The Act imposes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of historical earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and future foreign earnings are subject to U.S. taxation. The change in rate has caused us to re-measure the Company’s income tax liability and record an estimated income tax expense of US$ 744,766 for the year ended June 30, 2018. On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. In accordance with SAB 118, additional work is necessary to do a more detailed analysis of the Act as well as potential correlative adjustments. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in fiscal 2019 when the analysis is complete. The Company elects to pay the transition tax over an eight-year period using specified percentages (eight percent per year for the first five years, 15 percent in year six, 20 percent in year seven, and 25 percent in year eight).

Value Added Tax

Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of a Value-Added Tax (“VAT”). Before May 1, 2018, all of the Company’s products that were sold in the PRC were subject to a Chinese value-added tax at a rate of 17% of the gross sales price, and after May 1, 2018, the Company subject a tax rate of 16% based on the new Chinese tax law. This VAT may be offset by VAT paid by the Company is on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing finished products or acquiring finished products. The Company records a VAT payable or VAT receivable in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company uses the United States dollar (“U.S. dollars”, “USD” or “US$”) for financial reporting purposes. The Company’s subsidiaries and VIEs maintain their books and records in their functional currency of Renminbi (“RMB”), the currency of the PRC. 

In general, for consolidation purposes, the Company translates the assets and liabilities of its subsidiaries and VIEs into U.S. dollars using the applicable exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date, and the statements of income and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the reporting periods. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet. Equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation of the financial statements of the subsidiaries and VIEs are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

The balance sheet amounts, with the exception of equity, at March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018 were translated at 1 RMB to 0.1490 USD and at 1 RMB to 0.1511 USD, respectively. The average translation rates applied to the income and cash flow statement amounts for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were at 1 RMB to 0.1482 USD and at 1 RMB to 0.1527 USD, respectively. The average translation rates applied to income and cash flow statement amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were at 1 RMB to 0.1482 USD and at 1 RMB to 0.1573 USD, respectively.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of two components, net income and other comprehensive income (loss). The foreign currency translation gain or loss resulting from translation of the financial statements expressed in RMB to USD is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. 

Equity Investment

An investment in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, but does not have a controlling interest, is accounted for using the equity method. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock between 20% and 50%, and other factors, such as representation on the Board of Directors, voting rights and the impact of commercial arrangements, are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate.

Earnings per Share

The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share” (“ASC 260”). ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., outstanding convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. There is no anti-dilutive effect for the nine and three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-13, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Leases (Topic 842). The main objective of this pronouncement is to clarify the effective date of the adoption of ASC Topic 606 and ASC Topic 842 and the definition of public business entity as stipulated in ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-02. ASU 2014-09 provides that a public business entity and certain other specified entities adopt ASC Topic 606 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. All other entities are required to adopt ASC Topic 606 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. ASU 2016-12 requires that “a public business entity and certain other specified entities adopt ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities are required to adopt ASC Topic 842 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020”. ASU 2017-13 clarifies that the SEC would not object to certain public business entities electing to use the non-public business entities effective dates for applying ASC 606 and ASC 842. ASU 2017-13, however, limits such election to certain public business entities that “otherwise would not meet the definition of a public business entity except for a requirement to include or inclusion of its financial statements or financial information in another entity’s filings with the SEC”. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements. 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). The amendments in this update allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Consequently, the amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. However, because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The amendments in this update also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted, including interim periods within those years. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” or ASU 2018-07. ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting for share-based payments made to nonemployees so the accounting for such payments is substantially the same as those made to employees. Under this ASU, share based awards to nonemployees will be measured at fair value on the grant date of the awards, entities will need to assess the probability of satisfying performance conditions if any are present, and awards will continue to be classified according to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718 upon vesting which eliminates the need to reassess classification upon vesting, consistent with awards granted to employees. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases,” which clarifies how to apply certain aspects of the new leases standard. This ASU addresses the rate implicit in the lease, impairment of the net investment in the lease, lessee reassessment of lease classification, lessor reassessment of lease term and purchase options, variable payments that depend on an index or rate and certain transition adjustments. This ASU has the same effective date and transition requirements as the new leases standard, which is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements” which provides a new transition method and a practical expedient for separating components of a contract. This ASU is intended to reduce costs and ease the implementation of the new leasing standard for financial statement preparers. The effective date and transition requirements for the amendments related to separating components of a contract are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in ASU 2016-02. In December 2018 FASB issued ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic) 842: Narrow-scope Improvements for Lessors which provides for certain policy elections and changes lessor accounting for sales and similar taxes and certain lessor costs. In March 2019 the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, Leases Codification Improvements Codification improvements to Topic 842 (leases), which provides narrow amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new lease standard. The Company has evaluated the impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements and the guidance does not have a material impact on the Company. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements. 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement,” to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to financial statements related to recurring or nonrecurring fair value measurements by removing amounts and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, policies for timing of transfers between different levels for fair value measurements, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The new standard requires disclosure of the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract," (ASU 2018-15), to align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs relating to internal-use software. The update requires entities in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset and which costs to expense. ASU 2018-15 is effective for the Corporation on January 1, 2020 and may be applied using either the retrospective or prospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815).” ASU 2018-16 amends guidance to permit the use of the Overnight Index Swap rate based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815. The standard became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-17, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities". The new standard changes how entities evaluate decision-making fees under the variable interest entity guidance. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period after issuance. The standard should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings at the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.” ASU 2018-19 clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its financial statements.

The Company believes that other recent accounting pronouncement updates will not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed unaudited consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3 – INVENTORIES

The inventories consist of the following:

Work-in-process includes direct costs such as seed selection, fertilizer, labor cost and subcontractor fees that are spent in growing agricultural products on the leased farmland, and indirect costs which include amortization of the prepayment of the farmland lease fees and farmland development costs. All the costs are accumulated until the time of harvest and then allocated to harvested crop costs when they are sold.

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following:

Depreciation and amortization expense charged to operations was US$ 439,807 and US$ 460,146 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense charged to operations was US$ 132,035 and US$ 183,708 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Farmland leasehold improvements consist of following:

NOTE 5 - LAND USE RIGHTS

Land use rights are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. According to the Chinese laws and regulations regarding land use rights, land in urban districts is owned by the State, while land in the rural areas and suburban areas, except otherwise provided for by the State, is collectively owned by individuals designated as resident farmers by the State. However, in accordance with the legal principle that land ownership is separate from the right to the use of the land, the government grants the user a “land use right” (the “Right”) to use the land. The Company has the Right to use the land for 50 years and amortizes the rights on a straight-line basis over the period of 50 years.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized amortization expense of US$ 29,164 and US$ 29,689, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized amortization expense of US$ 10,092 and US$ 10,295, respectively.

The estimated future amortization expenses are as follows:

NOTE 6 – DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

The Company acquired distribution rights to distribute branded products of Daiso 100-yen shops through the acquisition of Tianjin Tajite. As this distribution right is difficult to acquire and will contribute significant revenue to Tianjin Tajite, such distribution rights were identified and valued as an intangible asset in the acquisition of Tianjin Tajite. The distribution rights, which have no expiration date, have been determined to have an indefinite life. Since the distribution rights have an indefinite life, the Company will evaluate them for impairment at least annually or earlier if determined necessary. As of March 31, 2019, the distribution rights were evaluated at RMB 7,380,000 (US$ 1,099,669).  

NOTE 7 – INVESTMENTS

Ankang Longevity Group entered into two equity investment agreements with Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group Pai’ang Medicine Co. Ltd. (“Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group”), a Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical enterprise to invest a total of RMB 6.8 million (approximately US$ 1.0 million) for a 49% equity interest in a pharmacy retail company called Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Sunsimiao Drugstores Ankang Retail Chain Co., Ltd. (“Sunsimiao Drugstores”), and a 49% equity interest in a pharmaceutical wholesale distribution company named Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Holding Group Longevity Pharmacy Co., Ltd. (“Shaanxi Longevity Pharmacy”). These two equity investments were formed as new business entities to collaborate with Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group to expand sales to regional hospitals and clinics and to establish the presence of retail pharmacies under the Brand name “Sunsimiao”. The investments are accounted for using the equity method because Ankang Longevity Group has significant influence, but no control of these two entities. Ankang Longevity Group recorded income of US$ 421,115 and US$ 550,759 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively and recorded income of US$ 132,238 and US$ 200,107 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from the investments, which was included in “Income from equity method investments” in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income (see Note 11).

Ankang Longevity Group entered into a supplemental agreement with Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group. According to the supplemental agreement, new 49% equity investment companies established by Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group and Ankang Longevity Group are required to exclusively purchase certain raw materials and drug products from Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group. In return, Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group has agreed to compensate Ankang Longevity Group with a purchase rebate of 7% of the total purchases made from Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group. For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, a total of US$ 812,137 and US$ 1,191,011 was recognized by Ankang Longevity Group from this supplemental agreement in addition to its 49% share of the income from the equity investment companies, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, total income of US$ 294,511 was recognized by Ankang Longevity Group from this supplemental agreement, compared to US$ 411,076 in the same period in 2018.

On October 21, 2013, the Company, through its controlled subsidiaries, Zhisheng Freight and Zhisheng Agricultural, entered into an agreement with an unrelated third party, Zhejiang Zhen’Ai Network Warehousing Services Co., Ltd. (“Zhen’Ai Network”), and invested RMB 14.5 million (approximately US$ 2.2 million) into Tiancang Systematic Warehousing project (“Tiancang Project”) operated by Zhen’Ai Network. The Tiancang Project is an online platform established to provide comprehensive warehousing and logistic solutions to companies involved in E-commerce. The Company is entitled to 29% of Tiancang Project’s after-tax net income annually, less 30% statutory reserve and a 10 % employee welfare fund contribution. When the amount of the accumulated statutory reserve reaches 30% of the total investment for the Tiancang Project, no additional appropriation to the statutory reserve is required. For the nine and three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company didn’t record any investment income distribution from Zhen’Ai Network. And for the nine and three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded investment income distributions of US$ 152,694 from Zhen’Ai Network.

On November 21, 2016, the Company (the “Investor”) entered into an agreement with Original Lab Inc., a California corporation (the “Investee”), and made a payment of US$ 200,000 in exchange for the right to acquire certain shares of the Investee’s common and preferred stock. For the nine and three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company did not record investment income from this investment.

The Company’s investments in unconsolidated entities consist of the following:

Summarized financial information of unconsolidated entities is as follows:

NOTE 8 - PREPAID LEASES

One of the Company’s controlled subsidiaries, Zhisheng Group entered into several farmland lease contracts with farmer cooperatives to lease farmland in order to plant and grow organic vegetables, fruit and Chinese yew trees. The lease terms vary from 5 years to 24 years. The aggregate prepaid lease payments on these leases was approximately RMB 36.7 million (approximately US$ 5.4 million). Zhisheng Group was required to prepay the leases plus transfer fees at the beginning of the lease.

These leases are accounted for as operating leases and will be amortized each year on a straight-line basis over the lease terms. The amortization expense is initially recorded as work in process in the inventory account during the growing period and then transferred to harvested crops costs at the time of harvest and then allocated to cost of sales when they are sold.

Future amortization expense will be recognized as follows:

NOTE 9 - SHORT-TERM LOANS

Short-term loans consist of the following:

The loans outstanding were guaranteed by the following properties, entities or individuals: 

The Company recorded interest expense of US$ 83,851 and US$ 98,017 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The annual weighted average interest rates are 5.50% and 5.79% for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The Company recorded interest expense of US$ 52,479 and US$ 28,519 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The annual weighted average interest rates are 5.15% and 5.85% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

NOTE 10 – ACQUISITION

On December 12, 2016, the Company entered into a merger and acquisition agreement with Tianjin Tajite E-Commerce Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Tajite”), a professional e-commerce company distributing Luobuma fabric commodities and branded products of Daiso 100-yen shops, based in Tianjin, China, to acquire a 51 % equity interest of Tianjin Tajite.

Pursuant to the agreement, the Company made a payment of RMB 14,000,000 (approximately US$ 2.1 million) at the end of December, 2016 as the total consideration for the acquisition of Tianjin Tajite.

On October 26, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Tianjin Tajite. The acquisition provides a unique opportunity for the Company to enter the market of Luobuma fabric commodities and branded products of Daiso 100-yen shops.

The transaction was accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC 805-10, Business Combinations. The Company retained independent appraisers to advise management in the determination of the fair value of the various assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The values assigned in these financial statements represent management’s best estimate of fair values as of the Acquisition Date.

As required by ASC 805-20, Business Combinations—Identifiable Assets and Liabilities, and Any Noncontrolling Interest, management conducted a review to reassess whether they identified all the assets acquired and all the liabilities assumed, and followed ASC 805-20’s measurement procedures for recognition of the fair value of net assets acquired.

The following table summarizes the allocation of estimated fair values of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value of assets acquired was allocated to goodwill. The results of operations of Tianjin Tajite have been included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations from the date of acquisition.

In June 2018, the management performed evaluation on the impairment of goodwill. Due to the lower than expected revenue and profit, and unfavorable business environment, the management fully recorded an impairment loss on goodwill of Tianjin Tajite.  

The fair value of distribution rights and its estimated useful lives is as follows:

Under ASC 805-10, acquisition-related costs (i.e., advisory, legal, valuation and other professional fees) are not included as a component of consideration transferred, but are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. Acquisition-related costs were nil in the nine months ended March 31, 2019.

NOTE 11 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

DUE FROM RELATED PARTIES

The Company had previously made temporary advances to certain shareholders of the Company and to other entities that are either owned by family members of those shareholders or to other entities that the Company has investments in. Those advances are due on demand, non-interest bearing.

As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the outstanding amounts due from related parties consist of the following:

DUE TO RELATED PARTIES

As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the Company had related party payables of US$ 228,022 and US$ 197,617, respectively, mainly due to the principal shareholders or certain relatives of the shareholders of the Company who lend funds for the Company’s operations. The payables are unsecured, non-interest bearing and due on demand.

SALES TO RELATED PARTIES

For the nine and three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded sales to Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group, a related party (see Note 7), of US$ 2,579,117 and US$ 777,330, respectively. For the nine and three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded sales to Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group, a related party, of US$ 2,388,488 and US$ 786,854, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the balance of accounts receivable due from Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group was US$ 2,058,320 and US$ 1,526,351, respectively.

NOTE 12 - TAXES

(a) Corporate Income Taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes on an entity basis on income arising in or derived from the location in which each entity is domiciled.

Shineco is incorporated in the United States and has no operating activities. Tenet-Jove and its VIEs entities are governed by the Income Tax Laws of the PRC, and are currently subject to tax at a statutory rate of 25% on taxable income. Two VIE entities and Xinjiang Taihe receive a full income tax exemption from the local tax authority of the PRC as agricultural enterprises as long as the favorable tax policy remains unchanged.

On December 22, 2017, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (“The Act”) was enacted, The Act imposes a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation of historical earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and future foreign earnings are subject to U.S. taxation. The change in rate has caused us to re-measure the Company’s income tax liability and record an estimated income tax expense of US$ 744,766 for the year ended June 30, 2018. In accordance with SAB 118, additional work is necessary to do a more detailed analysis of the Act as well as potential correlative adjustments. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in fiscal 2019 when the analysis is complete. The Company elects to pay the transition tax over an eight year period using specified percentages (eight percent per year for the first five years, 15 percent in year six, 20 percent in year seven, and 25 percent in year eight).

Movement of the valuation allowance:

(b) Value Added Tax

The Company is subject to a value added tax (“VAT”) for selling merchandise. The applicable VAT rate is 17% before May 1, 2018 for products sold in the PRC and decreased to 16% thereafter. The amount of VAT liability is determined by applying the applicable tax rate to the invoiced amount of goods sold (output VAT) less VAT paid on purchases made with the relevant supporting invoices (input VAT). Under commercial practice in the PRC, the Company pays VAT based on tax invoices issued. The tax invoices may be issued subsequent to the date on which revenue is recognized, and there may be a considerable delay between the date on which the revenue is recognized and the date on which the tax invoice is issued.

In the event that the PRC tax authorities dispute the date on which revenue is recognized for tax purposes, the PRC tax office has the right to assess a penalty based on the amount of the taxes which are determined to be late or deficient, and will be expensed in the period if and when a determination is made by the tax authorities. There were no assessed penalties during the nine and three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018.

(c) Taxes Payable

Taxes payable consists of the following:

NOTE 13 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Initial Public Offering

On September 28, 2016, the Company completed its initial public offering of 1,713,190 shares of common stock at a price of US$ 4.50 per share for gross proceeds of US$ 7.7 million and net proceeds of approximately US$ 5.4 million. The Company’s common shares began trading on September 28, 2016 on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “TYHT.” 

Statutory Reserve

The Company is required to make appropriations to reserve funds, comprising the statutory surplus reserve and discretionary surplus reserve, based on after-tax net income determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the PRC (“PRC GAAP”).

Appropriations to the statutory surplus reserve are required to be at least 10% of the after tax net income determined in accordance with PRC GAAP until the reserve is equal to 50% of the entities’ registered capital. Appropriations to the discretionary surplus reserve are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. As of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, the balance of the required statutory reserves were US$ 4,181,381 and US$ 4,085,819, respectively.

On January 23, 2018, Shineco, Inc. entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) with IFG Opportunity Fund LLC (“IFG Fund”) whereby, upon the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations set forth therein, the Company had the right, from time to time in its sole discretion during the 24-month term of the Purchase Agreement, to direct IFG Fund to purchase up to a total of US$ 15,000,000 worth of shares of common stock. As consideration for IFG Fund to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to issue 200,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Commitment Shares”) to IFG Fund. The Purchase Shares were offered in an indirect primary offering consisting of an equity line of credit, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement. The total number of Purchase Shares would not exceed 4,000,000. On January 23, 2018, the Company issued the Commitment Shares to IFG Fund. On July 3, 2018, the Company and IFG Fund entered into a termination agreement, dated July 3, 2018 (the “Termination Agreement”) effective as of July 3, 2018, to terminate the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. IFG retained the 200,000 commitment shares which were valued at US$ 434,000 and written off during the three months ended September 30, 2018.

On September 27, 2018, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with selected investors whereby the Company agreed to sell up to 1,637,700 of common stock at a purchase price of US$ 1 per share, for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$ 1,637,700 (the “2018 Offering”). After deducting the offering cost, the net proceeds the Company received was US$ 1,589,892. The 2018 Offering closed on September 28, 2018. The 2018 Offering was made pursuant to the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-221711) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a prospectus supplement thereunder.

NOTE 14 - CONCENTRATIONS AND RISKS

The Company maintains principally all bank accounts in the PRC. The cash balance held in the PRC bank accounts was US$ 34,010,354 and US$ 31,423,686 as of March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2018, respectively.

During the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, almost 100% of the Company’s assets were located in the PRC and 100% of the Company’s revenues were derived from its subsidiaries and VIEs located in the PRC.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, five customers accounted for approximately 13%, 11%, 11%, 10% and 10% of the Company’s total sales, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, two customers accounted for approximately 12% and 12% of the Company’s total sales, respectively. At March 31, 2019, five customers accounted for approximately 71% of the Company’s accounts receivable.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2018, three customers accounted for approximately 23%, 10% and 10% of the Company’s total sales, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, one customer accounted for approximately 40% of the Company’s total sales.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, three vendors accounted for approximately 38%, 14% and 10% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively. For the nine months ended March 31, 2018, two vendors accounted for approximately 40% and 18% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, one vendor accounted for approximately 13% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, two vendors accounted for approximately 30% and 30% of the Company’s total purchases, respectively.

NOTE 15 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTIGENCIES

Lease Commitments

The Company leases four main office spaces under non-cancelable operating lease agreements through April 30, 2021. The Company also leases farmland under a non-cancelable operating lease agreement through April 26, 2041. Most of those operating lease payments are scheduled on a quarterly basis. The future minimum rental payments are as follows:

Rent expense totaled US$ 469,789 and US$ 409,669 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Rent expense totaled US$ 145,446 and US$ 140,647 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In addition, the Company sublets the above-mentioned farmland to a third party under a non-cancelable operating lease agreement through May 31, 2020. The future minimum sublease rental income to be received is as follows:

Sublease rental income totaled US$ 160,085 and US$ 164,909 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Sublease rental income totaled US$ 54,970 and US$ 56,501 for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Legal Contingencies

On May 16, 2017, Bonwick Capital Partners, LLC (“Plaintiff”) commenced a lawsuit (Case No. 1:17-cv-03681-PGG) against the Company in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Plaintiff alleges that the Company entered into an agreement with Plaintiff (the “Agreement”), pursuant to which Plaintiff was to provide the Company with financial advisory services in connection with the Company’s initial public offering in the United States. Plaintiff alleges that the Company breached the Agreement and seeks money damages up to US$ 6 million. The Company believes that these claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend its position.

NOTE 16 - SEGMENT REPORTING

ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Group’s internal organizational management structure as well as information about geographical areas, business segments and major customers in for details on the Group’s business segments.

The Company’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer who reviews the financial information of separate operating segments when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Group. Based on management’s assessment, the Company has determined that it has three operating segments according to its major products and locations as follows:

The operating companies of this segment, namely Tenet-Jove and Tenet Huatai, specialize in Luobuma growing, development and manufacturing of relevant products, as well as purchasing Luobuma raw materials processing.

This segment’s operations are focused in the north region of Mainland China, mostly carried out in Beijing, Tianjin and Xinjiang City.

The operating companies of this segment, namely AnKang Longevity Group and its subsidiaries, process more than 600 kinds of Chinese medicinal herbal products with an established domestic sales and distribution network.

Ankang Longevity Group is also engaged in the retail pharmacy business and the operating revenue, which is not material, is also included in this segment.

The operating companies of this segment, the Zhisheng Group, is engaged in the business of growing and distributing green and organic vegetables and fruits as well as providing logistics services for distributing agricultural products. This segment has been focusing its efforts on the growing and cultivating of Chinese yew trees (formally known as “taxus media”), a small evergreen tree whose branches can be used for the production of medications believed to be anti-cancer and the tree itself can be used as an ornamental indoor bonsai tree, which are known to have the effect of purifying air quality.

The operations of this segment are located in the East and North regions of Mainland China, mostly carried out in Shandong Province and in Beijing where the Zhisheng Group has newly developed over 100 acres of modern greenhouses for cultivating yew trees and other plants.

The following table presents summarized information by segment for the nine months ended March 31, 2019: 

The following table presents summarized information by segment for the nine months ended March 31, 2018:

The following table presents summarized information by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2019: 

The following table presents summarized information by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

Total Assets as of

NOTE 17 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were approved by management and available for issuance on May 15, 2019, and the Company has evaluated subsequent events through this date. No subsequent events required adjustments to or disclosure in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The following discussion and analysis of the results of our operations and financial condition for the nine months and three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the notes to those unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements that are included elsewhere in this Report and our annual report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, including the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. All monetary figures are presented in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements in this discussion that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections The words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “estimate,” “continue,” the negative forms thereof, or similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements are identified by those words or expressions. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond our control. Actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements depending on a variety of important factors, including, but not limited to, weather, local, regional, national and global Luobuma and herbal medicines price fluctuations, availability of financing and interest rates, competition, changes in, or failure to comply with, government regulations, costs, uncertainties and other effects of legal and other administrative proceedings, and other risks and uncertainties. Actual results and the timing of the events may differ materially from those contained in these forward looking statements due to many factors, including those discussed in the “Forward-Looking Statements” set forth elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. We are not undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Business Overview and Corporate Structure

Shineco, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on August 20, 1997. On December 30, 2004, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Beijing Tenet-Jove Technological Development Co., Ltd. (“Tenet-Jove”), a PRC company, in exchange for our restricted shares of common stock. Consequently, Tenet-Jove became our 100% owned subsidiary and its operating business became that of the Company. Tenet-Jove was incorporated on December 15, 2003 under the laws of China and was officially granted the status of a Wholly Foreign-Owned Entity (“WFOE”) by Chinese authorities on July 14, 2006. This transaction was accounted for as a recapitalization. Tenet-Jove owns a 90% interest of Tianjin Tenet Huatai Technological Development Co., Ltd. (“Tenet Huatai”).

On December 31, 2008, June 11, 2011 and May 24, 2012, Tenet-Jove entered into a series of contractual agreements including an Executive Business Cooperation Agreement, a Timely Reporting Agreement, an Equity Interest Pledge Agreement and Executive Option Agreement (collectively, the “VIE Agreements”), with each one of the following entities, Ankang Longevity Pharmaceutical (Group) Co., Ltd. (“Ankang Longevity Group”), Yantai Zhisheng International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd. (“Zhisheng Freight”), Yantai Zhisheng International Trade Co., Ltd. (“Zhisheng Trade”), Yantai Mouping District Zhisheng Agricultural Produce Cooperative (“Zhisheng Agricultural”) and Qingdao Zhihesheng Agricultural Produce Services., Ltd. (“Qingdao Zhihesheng”). On February 24, 2014, Tenet-Jove entered into the same series of contractual agreements with Shineco Zhisheng (Beijing) Bio-Technology Co., Ltd. (“Zhisheng Bio-Tech”), which was incorporated in 2014. Zhisheng Bio-Tech, Zhisheng Freight, Zhisheng Trade, Zhisheng Agricultural, and Qingdao Zhihesheng are collectively referred to herein as the “Zhisheng Group.” Zhisheng Agricultural has not had any significant business activities and thus we have deregistered it in 2017. We have transferred all assets, rights and liabilities to an affiliated entity, Zhisheng Freight. 

Pursuant to the VIE Agreements, Tenet-Jove has the exclusive right to provide to each of the Zhisheng Group entities and Ankang Longevity Group consulting services related to their business operations and management. All these contractual agreements obligate Tenet-Jove to absorb a majority of the risk of loss from each of the Zhisheng Group entities and Ankang Longevity Group’s activities and entitle Tenet-Jove to receive a majority of their residual returns. In essence, Tenet-Jove has gained effective control over each of the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group. Based on these contractual arrangements, the Zhisheng Group and Ankang Longevity Group are treated as Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 “Consolidation”. Accordingly, the accounts of each of the Zhisheng Group entities and Ankang Longevity Group are consolidated with those of Tenet-Jove. Ankang Longevity Group has several subsidiaries. We carry out all of our business in China through our PRC subsidiaries, our VIEs and their subsidiaries.

On April 19, 2017, Tenet-Jove established Xinjiang Tiankunrunze Biological Engineering Co., Ltd. (“Tiankunrunze”) with registered capital of RMB 50.0 million (US$ 7,262,000) and owns 65% interest of Tiankunrunze. On April 28, 2017, Tiankunrunze established Xinjiang Tianzhuo Technology Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianzhuo”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,450,233). On May 22, 2017, Tiankunrunze established Xinjiang Tianhuihechuang Agriculture Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianhuihechuang”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,452,294). On May 23, 2017, Tiankunrunze established Xinjiang Tianxintongye Biotechnology Development Co., Ltd. (“Tianxintongye”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,451,615). Therefore, Tenet-Jove controls Tiankunrunze and its wholly owned subsidiaries.

On May 2, 2017, the Company entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with Beijing Zhongke Biorefinery Engineering Technology Co., Ltd. (“Biorefinery”), a leading high-tech biomass refining company financially backed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Institute of Process Engineering, to establish the Institute of Chinese Apocynum Industrial Technology Research (“ICAITR”). Pursuant to the Strategic Cooperation Agreement the two parties agreed to establish the ICAITR, the Company and Biorefinery own 80% and 20% of the equity interests of ICAITR, respectively. Shineco invested RMB 5.0 million (US$ 737,745) as the registered capital, and Biorefinery will invest a technology patent for “Steam Explosion Degumming”.

On September 21, 2017, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Tenet-Jove, entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Mr. Jianjun Wang, who is experienced in apocynum planting, manufacturing and knowledgeable in apocynum market and administration procedures with relevant authorities in apocynum industry in China, to establish an Apocynum Industrial Park in Xinjiang, China. Pursuant to the Agreement entered into on September 21, 2017, both parties have agreed to establish a new company, namely, Xinjiang Shineco Taihe Agriculture Technology Ltd. to hold and operate the Apocynum Industrial Park, with a total investment of RMB 50 million (approximately US$ 7.57 million), of which the Company will invest RMB 47.5 million and Mr. Wang will invest RMB 2.5 million. Upon the closing of the Agreement, Shineco owns 95% of the equity interest of Xinjiang Taihe.

On September 30, 2017, Tenet-Jove established Xinjiang Shineco Taihe Agriculture Technology Ltd. (“Xinjiang Taihe”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,502,650). On September 30, 2017, Tenet-Jove established Xinjiang Tianyi Runze Bioengineering Co., Ltd. (“Runze”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,502,650). Xinjiang Taihe and Runze became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tenet-Jove.

On December 10, 2016, Tenet-Jove entered into a purchase agreement with Tianjin Tajite, an online e-commerce company based in Tianjin, China, specializing in distributing Luobuma related products and branded products of Daiso 100-yen shops, pursuant to which Tenet-Jove would acquire a 51% equity interest in Tianjin Tajite E-Commerce Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Tajite”), a professional e-commerce company distributing Luobuma fabric commodities and branded products of Daiso 100-yen shops, based in Tianjin, China, for cash consideration of RMB 14,000,000 (approximately US$ 2.1 million). On December 25, 2016, the Company paid the full amount as the deposit to secure the deal. In May, 2017, the Company amended the agreement that required Tianjin Tajite to satisfy certain preconditions related to product introductions into China. On October 26, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition for 51% of the equity interest in Tianjin Tajite. 

On October 27, 2017, the Company, through its subsidiary Tianjin Tajite E-Commerce Co., Ltd. (“Tianjin Tajite”), obtained contractual rights to distribute branded products of Daiso Industries Co., Ltd. (“Daiso”), a large franchise of 100-yen shops founded in Japan, via JD.com (“JD”), one of the largest e-commerce companies and one of the largest retailers in China. On November 3, 2017, the Company further developed the cooperation with Daiso by entering into a supply and purchase agreement (the “Daiso Agreement”) for the purpose of establishing a continuous supply and sale of Daiso’s products in China. Pursuant to the Daiso Agreement, the Company planned to purchase Daiso Products in the amount of approximately RMB 20 million by August, 2018 and add orders as circumstance requires. The term of the Daiso Agreement is for one year, and it renews for an additional one-year at the end of each term unless terminated by written notice by either Tianjin Tajite or Daiso. Due to the policy of China Customs, many of the bestselling products of Daiso are not allowed to be imported through the general form of trade model, but only through cross-border e-commence business model. As a result, the Company and Daiso agreed to suspend the cooperation temporarily and waits for the opening of the China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Zone.

On November 1, 2017, the Company established the Apocynum Industrial Park in Xinjiang, China.

We ceased the business operation of Tenet-Jove Xuzhou branch in November 2017.

On March 13, 2019, Tenet-Jove established Beijing Tenjove Newhemp Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (“TNB”) with registered capital of RMB 10.0 million (US$ 1,502,650). TNB became wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.

The Company, through its subsidiary, Xinjiang Taihe has entered into a definitive Share Exchange and Acquisition Agreement (the “Xinjiang Tiansheng Agreement”) with Western Xinjiang Tiansheng Agricultural Development Co., Ltd (“Xinjiang Tiansheng”). Pursuant to the Xinjiang Tiansheng Agreement, Xinjiang Taihe will receive 51% equity ownership in Xinjiang Tiansheng for further investment in apocynum business expansion in Xinjiang, China, in exchange for a combination of 14% equity ownership in Xinjiang Taihe and cash payments in three separate installments (the “Acquisition Consideration”). The first installment in the amount of RMB 810,000 (approximately US$ 117,933) was paid to Xinjiang Tiansheng (the “Xinjiang Tiansheng Deposit”). The Acquisition Consideration in the aggregate is valued at RMB 23.8 million (approximately US$ 3.5 million) contingent upon certain milestones in the next years. The Company and Xinjiang Tiansheng terminated the Xinjiang Tiansheng Agreement on July 10, 2018 and Xinjiang Tiansheng returned the full Xinjiang Tiansheng Deposit following such termination by the end of July 2018.

Currently, we have three main business segments: (i) Tenet-Jove is engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling of Bluish Dogbane and related products, also known in Chinese as “Luobuma,” including therapeutic clothing and textile products made from Luobuma , as well as purchasing Luoboma raw materials processing; (ii) Zhisheng Group is engaged in the business of planting, processing and distributing of green agricultural produce as well as providing domestic and international logistic services for agricultural products (“Agricultural Products”); and, (iii) Ankang Longevity manufactures traditional Chinese medicinal herbal products as well as other retail pharmaceutical products. These different business activities and products can potentially be integrated and benefit from one another.

Financing Activities

On January 23, 2018, the Company entered into a Common Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with IFG OPPORTUNITY FUND LLC (“IFG Fund”) whereby, the Company had the right, from time to time in its sole discretion during the 24-month term of the Purchase Agreement, to direct IFG Fund to purchase up to a total of US$ 15,000,000 of shares of Common Stock and an additional 200,000 shares of Common Stock (the “Commitment Shares”) as consideration for IFG to enter into the Purchase Agreement. The Company and IFG Fund, on January 23, 2018, entered into a Registration Rights Agreement for certain registration rights in connection with the Purchase Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The IFG Fund offering was made pursuant to a prospectus supplement dated and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 26, 2018 (the “Prospectus Supplement”) and an accompanying prospectus dated November 21, 2017, under the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 declared effective by the SEC on December 19, 2017 (File No. 333-221711) (the “Registration Statement”). On January 23, 2018, the Company issued the Commitment Shares to IFG Fund. On July 3, 2018, the Company and IFG Fund entered into a termination agreement, dated July 3, 2018 (the “Termination Agreement”) effective as of July 3, 2018, to terminate the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. IFG retained the 200,000 commitment shares which were valued at US$ 434,000 and written off during the nine months ended March 31, 2019.

On September 27, 2018, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with select investors pursuant to which the Company sold 1,637,700 shares of common stock at a purchase price of US$1 per share, for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately US$1,637,700 (the “2018 Offering”). After deducting the offering expenses, the net proceeds that the Company received was US$1,589,892. The 2018 Offering closed on September 28, 2018. The 2018 Offering was made pursuant to the Company’s effective registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement No. 333-221711) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and a prospectus supplement thereunder.

Factors Affecting Financial Performance

We believe that the following factors will affect our financial performance:

Increasing demand for our products - The increasing demand for our agricultural products will have a positive impact on our financial position. We plan to develop new products and expand our distribution network as well as to grow our business through possible mergers and acquisitions of similar or synergetic businesses, all aimed at increasing awareness of our brand, developing customer loyalty, meeting customer demands in various markets and providing solid foundations for our continuous growth. As of the date of this Report however, we do not have any agreements, undertakings or understandings to acquire any such entities and there can be no guarantee that we ever will.

Expansion of our sources of supply, production capacity and sales network - To meet the increasing demand for our products, we need to expand our sources of supply and production capacity. We plan to make capital improvements in our existing production facilities which would improve both their efficiency and capacity. In the short-run, we intend to increase our investment in our reliable supply network, personnel training, information technology applications and logistic system upgrades. We also participate in two non-equity investment opportunities through a VIE, both of which we expect to provide us with new networks and platforms.

Maintaining effective control of our costs and expenses - Successful cost control depends upon our ability to obtain and maintain adequate material supplies as required by our operations at competitive prices. We will focus on improving our long-term cost control strategies including establishing long-term alliances with certain suppliers to ensure adequate supply is maintained. We will carry forward the economies of scale and advantages from our nationwide distribution network and diversified offerings. Moreover, we will step up our efforts in higher value added products of Luobuma by using an exclusive and patented technology, to optimize quality management, procurement processes and cost control, and give full play to the strong production capacity and trustworthy sales teams to maximize our profit and bring better long-term return for our shareholders.

Economic and Political Risks

Our operations are conducted primarily in the PRC. Accordingly, our business, financial conditions and results may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environment in the PRC, and by the general state of the PRC economy.

Our operations in the PRC are subject to special considerations and significant risks not typically associated with companies in North America and Western Europe. These include risks with, among others, the political, economic and legal environment and foreign currency exchange. Our Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in the political and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversions, remittances abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that may be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and that have a material impact on financial condition or operating performance. While we base our estimates and judgments on our experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements require significant judgments and estimates. For additional information relating to these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In accordance with accounting standards regarding consolidation of VIEs, VIEs are generally entities that lack sufficient equity to finance their activities without additional financial support from other parties or whose equity holders lack adequate decision-making ability. All VIEs and their subsidiaries with which the Company is involved must be evaluated to determine the primary beneficiary of the risks and rewards of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the VIE for financial reporting purposes.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates required to be made by management include, but are not limited to, useful lives of property, plant, and equipment, and intangible assets, the recoverability of long-lived assets and the valuation of accounts receivable, deferred taxes and inventory reserves. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value consisting of the carrying amount less an allowance for uncollectible accounts, as necessary. The Company reviews the accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, the customers’ historical payment history, their current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. The fair value of long-term receivables is determined using a present value technique by discounting the future expected contractual cash flows using current rates at which similar instruments would be issued at the measurement date. Accounts are written off against the allowance after efforts at collection prove unsuccessful.

Inventories

Inventories, which are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, consist of raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods related to the Company’s products. Cost is determined using the first in first out (“FIFO”) method. Agricultural products that the Company farms are recorded at cost, which includes direct costs such as seed selection, fertilizer, labor cost and contract fees that are spent in growing agricultural products on the leased farmland, and indirect costs which include amortization of prepayments of farmland leases and farmland development costs. All the costs are accumulated until the time of harvest and then allocated to the harvested crops costs when they are sold. The Company periodically evaluates its inventory and records an inventory reserve for certain inventories that may not be saleable or whose cost exceeds net realizable value.  

Revenue Recognition

The Company previously recognized revenue from sales of Luobuma products, Chinese medicinal herbal products and agricultural products, as well as providing logistic services and other processing services to external customers. The Company recognized revenue when all of the following have occurred: (i) there was persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a customer; (ii) delivery had occurred or services had been rendered; (iii) the sales price was fixed or determinable; and (iv) the Company’s collection of such fees was reasonably assured. These criteria, as related to the Company’s revenue, were considered to have been met as follows:

Sales of products: The Company recognized revenue from the sale of products when the goods were delivered and title to the goods passed to the customer provided that there were no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed; the sales price was fixed or determinable; and collectability was deemed probable.

Revenue from the rendering of services: Revenue from international freight forwarding, domestic air and overland freight forwarding services was recognized upon the performance of services as stipulated in the underlying contract or when commodities were being released from the customer’s warehouse; the service price was fixed or determinable; and collectability was deemed probable.

With the adoption of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” revenue is recognized when all of the following five steps are met: (i) identify the contract(s) with the customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; (v) recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company adopted the new revenue standard beginning July 1, 2018, and adopted a modified retrospective approach upon adoption. The Company believes that its previous revenue recognition policies are generally consistent with the new revenue recognition standards set forth in ASC 606. Potential adjustments to input measures are not expected to be pervasive to the majority of the Company’s contracts. There is no significant impact upon adoption of the new guidance.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are inputs, other than quoted prices in level, that are observable for the asset or liability such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.

Level 3 applies to assets or liabilities for which there are unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the asset or liability.

The carrying value of financial instruments included in current assets and liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

Overview

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

Revenue

Currently, we have three revenue streams derived from our three major business segments. First, developing, manufacturing and distributing specialized fabrics, textiles and other by-products derived from an indigenous Chinese plant Apocynum Venetum, known in Chinese as “Luobuma” or “Bluish Dogbane”, as well as Luoboma raw materials processing, this segment is channeled through our wholly owned subsidiary, Tenet-Jove. Second, processing and distributing traditional Chinese medicinal herbal products as well as other pharmaceutical products; this segment is conducted via our VIE, Ankang Longevity Group and its subsidiaries. Third, planting, processing and distributing green and organic agricultural produce as well as growing and cultivation of yew trees; this segment is conducted through our VIEs, the Zhisheng Group.

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our revenue for each of our three segments, for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, revenue from sales of Luobuma products was US$ 641,877 and US$ 10,411,292, respectively, which represented a decrease of US$9,769,415 or 93.83%. The decrease of revenue from this segment was mainly due to the decrease in revenue from Xinjiang Taihe of US$ 7,906,936. In Xinjiang province, Apocynum Venetum plant grows in the wild field. In order to conduct large-scale harvesting, the Company is required to obtain a permit from local authority. However, the Company only managed to obtain the permit in the end of December 2018. As a result, there was a delay in harvesting the Apocynum Venetum plant and hence no revenue was generated by Xinjiang Taihe during the nine months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease was also due to the decrease in revenue from Tenet-Jove Xuzhou branch of US$ 1,292,672 as the business operation of this branch ceased in November 2017.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, revenue from sales of Chinese medicinal herbal products was US$ 10,050,987 and US$ 10,231,923, respectively, representing a slight decrease of US$ 180,936 or 1.77%. The sales of Chinese medicinal herbal products was comparatively stable during the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease was due to the depreciation of RMB against US$. The average translation rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were at 1 RMB to 0.1482 USD and at 1 RMB to 0.1506 USD, respectively, which represented a decrease of 1.59%.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, revenue from sales of other agricultural products was US$ 12,980,747 and US$ 14,639,762, respectively, representing a decrease of US$ 1,659,015 or 11.33%. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in sales volume of yew trees for nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The main reason of the decrease was that the Company sold US$ 2,240,431 in November 2017 to fulfill a one-time large order from one of the Company’s customers, Qingdao Ship Owners Association.

Cost of Revenue and related tax

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the Company’s cost of revenue for each of our three segments, for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, cost of revenue from sales of our Luobuma products was US$ 310,248 and US$ 4,805,701, respectively, representing a decrease of US$ 4,495,453 or 93.54%. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in cost of revenue from Xinjiang Taihe as no revenue was generate during the nine months ended March 31, 2019. The decrease was also due to the decreased cost of revenue from Tenet-Jove Xuzhou branch, as the business operation of this branch ceased in November 2017. The percentage of decrease in cost of revenue was proportional to the percentage of the decrease in sales. 

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, cost of revenue from sales of Chinese medicinal herbal products was US$ 7,563,420 and US$ 7,894,122, respectively, representing a slight decrease of US$ 330,702 or 4.19%. The decrease was due to the depreciation of RMB against US$. The average translation rate for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were at 1 RMB to 0.1482 USD and at 1 RMB to 0.1506 USD, respectively, which represented a decrease of 1.59%. The decrease was also attributable to the lower purchase price of the traditional Chinese medical raw materials.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, cost of revenue from sales of other agricultural products was US$ 8,875,911 and US$ 10,359,506, respectively, representing a decrease of US$ 1,483,595 or 14.32%. The decrease was mainly due to we sold less yew trees for the nine months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018. The percentage of decrease in cost of revenue was proportional to the percentage of the decrease in sales.

Gross Profit

The following table sets forth the breakdown of the Company’s gross profit for each of our three segments, for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

Gross profit from Luobuma product sales decreased by US$ 5,262,669 and gross profit contribution percentage decreased by 94.14% for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. As mentioned above, the decrease in gross profit was primarily due to the decrease in revenue from Xinjiang Taihe and Tenet-Jove Xuzhou branch for the nine months ended March 31, 2019. The percentage of the variance in gross profit was proportional to the percentage of the variance in revenue due to the stable gross margin of our products.

Gross profit from sales of Chinese medicinal herbal products increased by US$ 151,101 or 6.58% for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The percentage of the variance in gross profit was due to the decrease in cost of revenues were higher than the decreases in revenues as discussed above.

Gross profit from sales of other agricultural products decreased by US$ 188,587 or 4.41% for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. As mentioned above, the decrease was mainly due to the decrease in sales volume of yew trees for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The percentage of the variance in gross profit was proportional to the percentage of the variance in revenue due to the stable gross margin of our products.

Expenses

The following table sets forth the breakdown of our operating expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

General and Administrative Expenses

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, our general and administrative expenses were US$ 6,668,461, representing an increase of US$ 3,847,772 or 136.41%, as compared to the same period in 2018. The increase in general and administrative expenses was mainly due to increased bad debt expense of US$ 3,862,356 as well as an offering cost write-off of US$ 434,000. The US$ 434,000 was the valuation of the Commitment Shares retained by IFG Fund upon termination of the Purchase Agreement and Registration Rights Agreement.

Selling Expenses

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, our selling and distribution expenses were US$ 644,095 representing a decrease of US$ 588,618, or 47.75%, as compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in selling expenses from Tenet-Jove Xuzhou branch of US$ 249,892, as the business operation of this branch ceased in November 2017. The decrease was also due to the decrease in advertising expenses and salary expenses from Tenet-Jove of US$ 110,676 and US$ 64,350 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019.

Income from Equity Method Investments

We are 49% owners in two equity investment companies with Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group Pai’ang Medicine Co. Ltd. (“Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group”): Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Sunsimiao Drugstores Ankang Retail Chain Co., Ltd. (“Sunsimiao Drugstores”), and Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Holding Group Longevity Pharmacy Co., Ltd. (“Shaanxi Longevity Pharmacy”). We recorded net income of US$ 421,115 and US$ 550,759 from these equity method investments for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in net income was primarily due to lower net profit in the two 49% equity investment companies in the current period.

We invested RMB 14.5 million (approximately US$ 2.2 million) into Tiancang Systematic Warehousing project (“Tiancang Project”) operated by Zhen’Ai Network. The Tiancang Project is currently operational. For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded investment income distributions of nil and US$ 152,694 from Zhen’Ai Network, respectively. 

Purchase Rebate Income

We are party to a supplemental agreement with Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group. According to the supplemental agreement, the participants in the 49% equity investment companies established by Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group and Ankang Longevity Group are required to purchase certain raw materials and drug products exclusively from Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group. In return, Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group has agreed to compensate Ankang Longevity Group with a purchase rebate of 7% of the total purchases made from Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Group. For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, total income of US$ 812,137 was recognized by Ankang Longevity Group from this supplemental agreement, compared to US$ 1,191,011 in the same period in 2018 due to the decrease in purchases in the current period.

Interest Expense, net

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, our net interest expense was US$ 6,780 as compared to net interest expense of US$ 41,684 in the same period in 2018. The decrease in net interest expense was primarily attributable to decreased average balance of short-term bank loans for nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease was also due to the increased interest income as there was an increased average amount of cash deposits we maintained during the nine months ended March 31, 2019.

Other Income

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019, our other income was US$ 159,677 representing a decrease of US$ 60,593, or 27.51%, as compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in rental income received by Tenet-Jove, as the Company decided to use the premise as its own office since June 2018.

Provision for Income Taxes

For the nine months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s provision for income taxes decreased by US$ 216,142 or 25.90% to US$ 618,505 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 from US$ 834,647 for the nine months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease in the Company’s provision for income taxes was primarily due to decreased taxable income of Tenet-Jove and Ankang Longevity Group for the nine months ended March 31, 2019.

Net Income

Our net income decreased by US$ 9,030,068 or 96.55% for the nine months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. The decrease in net income was primarily a result of the decrease in gross profit and increase in general and administrative expenses, offset by the decrease in selling expenses.

Comprehensive Income (loss)

The comprehensive loss was US$ 706,764 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of US$ 15,774,106 from comprehensive income of US$ 15,067,342 for the nine months ended March 31, 2018. After deduction of non-controlling interest, the comprehensive loss attributable to the Company was US$ 740,662 for the nine months ended March 31, 2019, compared to comprehensive income attributable to the Company of US$ 15,036,196 for the nine months ended March 31, 2018. The reason of the significant increase of comprehensive loss was due to the increase in other comprehensive loss due to the increase in the recorded loss of foreign currency translation where the financial statements denominated in RMB were translated to the USD denomination, and the decrease in net income as mentioned above.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

Overview

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018: