# Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO) FY 2021 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from Mission Produce, Inc.'s 10-K for fiscal year 2021.

SEC filing source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1802974/000180297421000049/avo-20211031.htm
Accession: 0001802974-21-000049
Filing date: 2021-12-22
Report date: 2021-10-31
Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary.
Confidence: high

Company profile: /company/AVO/
All MD&A years: /company/AVO/mda/
Next year: /company/AVO/mda/fy2022/ (FY 2022)

Item 7.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based upon our current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Please refer to the section of this report under the heading “Forward Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a world leader in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh avocados, serving retail, wholesale and foodservice customers. We source, produce, pack and distribute avocados to our customers and provide value-added services including ripening, bagging, custom packing and logistical management. In addition, we provide our customers with merchandising and promotional support, insights on market trends and training designed to increase their retail avocado sales.

We have two operating segments, which are also reporting segments. These reporting segments are Marketing and Distribution and International Farming. Our Marketing and Distribution reporting segment primarily sources fruit from growers and then distributes the fruit through our global distribution network. Our International Farming segment owns and operates orchards from which substantially all fruit produced is sold to our Marketing and Distribution segment. The segment’s farming activities range from cultivating early-stage plantings to harvesting from mature trees. The segment also earns service revenues for packing and processing for producers of other crops during the avocado off-harvest season. The International Farming segment is principally located in Peru, with smaller operations emerging in other areas of Latin America.

Recent developments

In fiscal 2021, we completed one of our major capital projects, a new mega-distribution center in Laredo, Texas. Serving as a major hub for avocados coming from Mexico into the United States, the 262,000-square-foot facility is positioned to funnel product into the rest of the distribution centers in Mission’s advanced network. The facility is designed with state-of-the-art refrigeration, ripening rooms and pallet cooling capabilities, and has the capability to provide logistics support and transportation services, in addition to cold storage, bagging operations and packing for external enterprises, which we anticipate will generate additional revenue and value for the Company. Mission’s Laredo mega center is positioned to strengthen the Company’s advantage in the avocado sector and is expected to increase its third-party storage and distribution

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capabilities for others in the produce industry, improve ability to efficiently distribute Mexican avocados throughout North America and expedite transportation times.

In our International Farming segment, we have made significant investments this year in orchard development and land improvements in Guatemala and Peru. Our expansion into Guatemala will diversify our sourcing mix on owned fruit. After planting, our avocado trees begin to produce avocados in approximately three years and reach full production in approximately five to seven years, depending on location.

Results of Operations

The operating results of our businesses are significantly impacted by the price and volume of avocados we farm, source and distribute. In addition, our results have been, and will continue to be, affected by quarterly and annual fluctuations due to a number of factors, including but not limited to pests and disease, weather patterns, changes in demand by consumers, food safety advisories, the timing of the receipt, reduction, or cancellation of significant customer orders, the gain or loss of significant customers, the availability, quality and price of raw materials, the utilization of capacity at our various locations and general economic conditions.

Our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of substantially all of our subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar and substantially all of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. A significant portion of our purchases of avocados are denominated in the Mexican Peso and a significant portion of our growing and harvesting costs are denominated in Peruvian Soles. Fluctuations in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and these local currencies usually do not have a significant impact on our gross margin because the impact affects our pricing by comparable amounts. Our margin exposure to exchange rate fluctuations is short-term in nature, as our sales price commitments are generally limited to less than one month and orders can primarily be serviced with procured inventory. Over longer periods of time, we believe that the impact exchange rate fluctuations will have on our cost of goods sold will largely be passed on to our customers in the form of higher or lower prices.

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Net sales

Our net sales are generated predominantly from the shipment of fresh avocados to retail, wholesale and foodservice customers worldwide. Our net sales are affected by numerous factors, including mainly the balance between the supply of and demand for our produce and competition from other fresh produce companies. Our net sales are also dependent on our ability to supply a consistent volume and quality of fresh produce to the markets we serve.

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Net sales increased $29.4 million or 3% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily due to a 5% increase in avocado volume sold, partially offset by a 2% decrease in average per-unit avocado sales prices, both of which were driven by increased supply from Mexico and Peru. Higher volumes and lower pricing were concentrated in the first half of the fiscal year when Mexico was the country of origin for the majority of the fruit sold.

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Net sales decreased $21.0 million or 2% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to a 12% decrease in average per unit sales prices partially offset by an 11% increase in volume. Average price decreases were concentrated in the second half of fiscal year 2020 primarily due to strong industry supply relative to prior year in California and Peru related to weather conditions.

Gross profit

Cost of sales is composed primarily of avocado procurement costs from independent growers and packers, logistics costs, packaging costs, labor, costs associated with cultivation (the cost of growing crops), harvesting and depreciation. Avocado procurement costs from third-party suppliers can vary significantly between and within fiscal years and correlate closely with market prices for avocados. While we have long-standing relationships with our growers and packers, we predominantly purchase fruit on a daily basis at market rates. As such, the cost to procure products from independent growers can have a significant impact on our costs.

Logistics costs include land and sea transportation and expenses related to port facilities and distribution centers. Land transportation costs consist primarily of third-party trucking services to support North American distribution, while sea transportation cost consists primarily of third-party shipping of refrigerated containers from supply markets in South and Central America to demand markets in North America, Europe and Asia. Variations in containerboard prices, which affect the cost of boxes and other packaging materials, and fuel prices can have an impact on our product cost and our profit margins. Variations in the production yields, and other input costs also affect our cost of sales.

In general, changes in our volume of products sold can have a disproportionate effect on our gross profit. Within any particular year, a significant portion of our cost of products are fixed, particularly in our International Farming segment. Accordingly, higher volumes processed through packing and distribution facilities or produced on company-owned farms directly reduce the average cost per pound of fruit grown on company owned orchards, while lower volumes directly increase the average cost per pound of fruit grown on company owned orchards.

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Gross profit was nearly flat in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020 at $124.5 million, and gross profit percentage decreased by 40 basis points to 14.0% of revenue. The declines were due to lower per-unit margins related to sourcing of Californian and Mexican fruit, which were exacerbated by lower industry volumes from the California market as well as smaller fruit sizes from the Mexican market. Additionally, gross margin was impacted by incremental infrastructure costs related to our new Laredo facility within the Marketing & Distribution segment, which is still in the process of ramping up utilization. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by widespread port delays in the fourth quarter, which created quality issues related to the extended age of inventory on late-season fruit which impacted sales returns. These impacts were substantially offset by higher volume of avocados sold from Company-owned farms within our International Farming segment compared to prior year, which had lower per-unit cost than fruit purchased from third-party growers. Gross profit percentage will fluctuate based upon per-unit sales price levels.

Gross profit decreased fiscal year 2020 over fiscal year 2019 as a result of lower gross margin percentage partially offset by higher sales volumes. Our gross margin percentage decreased 310 basis points primarily due to higher third-party fruit costs during first quarter of fiscal year 2020 compared to the same period of last year. The market conditions experienced during the early part of fiscal year 2019 were non-recurring in nature, as customer prices remained steady despite significant declines in fruit costs incurred due to the instability of supply from Mexico. In addition, gross profit in the International Farming segment was negatively impacted by lower sales pricing during the second half of fiscal year 2020 due to larger industry volumes from California and Peru relative to prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include the costs associated with selling, professional fees, general corporate overhead and other related administrative functions.

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.4 million or 13% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020 due primarily to higher professional fees and higher liability insurance premiums associated with being a public company and the change in SEC filer status from an emerging growth company to a large accelerated filer on October 31, 2021. Other factors included an increase in rent expense in conjunction with our move to our new corporate headquarters in February 2021, and a legal settlement contingency of $0.8 million, partially offset by a $0.9 million gain from an insurance settlement, net of asset impairment and disposals.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $8.0 million or 17% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to higher stock-based compensation expense due to an award that vested during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 in connection with the successful completion of our IPO.

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Interest expense

Interest expense consists primarily of interest on borrowings under working capital facilities that we maintain and interest on other long-term debt used to make capital and equity investments.

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Interest expense decreased $3.0 million or 45% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020 due to a combination of lower interest rates and lower average principal balances. A substantial portion of our debt has variable interest rates that are based on LIBOR, which has declined significantly since the first half of fiscal year 2020.

Interest expense decreased $3.6 million or 35% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 due to a combination of lower interest rates and lower average debt balances. A substantial portion of our debt has variable interest rates that are based on LIBOR, which has declined significantly since fiscal year 2019. Average debt balances were lower reflecting principal payments of existing long-term debt as well as prepayments of term debt that were made in fiscal year 2019.

Equity method income

Our material equity method investees include Henry Avocado (“HAC”), Mr. Avocado, Moruga, and Copaltas.

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Equity method income increased $3.5 million or 88% in in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, driven by higher earnings from investments in Moruga and HAC. Moruga’s earnings increased due to higher blueberry volume attributed to improved yields and better pricing returns. HAC’s earnings increased due to higher per-unit margins. The impact of COVID-19 related stay at-home orders that went into effect in March 2020 were more profound to HAC due to their heavier concentration of foodservice customers.

Equity method income increased $0.6 million or 18% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 due to earnings increases from Moruga due to the timing of blueberry harvests in Peru, partially offset by a decrease in earnings from Henry Avocado.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, industry wide production information regarding the 2019-2020 blueberry harvest in Peru became available, indicating that there is greater competition and expansion by competitors than what we were previously expecting. We believed that the increase in supply due to expansion would result in a reduction in pricing over the long-term. As a result of this factor, among others, we lowered our long-term revenue and profitability forecasts of Moruga during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, and concluded that the reduction in the forecasted revenues was an indicator of impairment. As a result, we tested our investment in Moruga for impairment and concluded that the estimated fair value of the investment in Moruga was less than the carrying value of the investment. Due to the change in long-term pricing and revenue expectations, we concluded that the impairment is other-than-temporary. We recorded an impairment charge of $21.2 million to reduce the carrying balance of the investment to its estimated fair value of $22.2 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net consists of interest income, currency exchange gains or losses, interest rate derivative gains or losses and other miscellaneous income and expense items.

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Other income in fiscal year 2021 was $1.3 million, compared to other expense of $0.7 million in fiscal year 2020. The $2.0 million change was primarily due to losses on interest rate swaps in the prior year, driven by market movements in short-term interest rates, partially offset by the effect of foreign currency loss in the current year compared to gains in the previous year. The significant weakening of the Mexican peso relative to the U.S. dollar and the substantial reduction in LIBOR in fiscal 2020 were correlated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other expense decreased $2.9 million or 81% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to foreign currency gains resulting from the weakening of the Mexican peso exchange rate relative to the US dollar and higher interest income due to higher average cash balances, partially offset by higher losses on interest rate contracts driven by market movements in short-term interest rates during fiscal year 2020.

20

Provision for income taxes

The provision for income taxes consists of the consolidation of tax provisions, computed on a separate entity basis, in each country in which we have operations. We recognize the effects of tax legislation in the period in which the law is enacted. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years we estimate the related temporary differences to reverse. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, the timing and amount of which are uncertain.

We recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized within provision for income taxes.

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The provision for income taxes increased $6.1 million or 41% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily due to remeasurement of our deferred tax balances in Peru due to the enactment of tax rate changes for future years. The effective tax rate decreased by 2.2% in fiscal year 2021 over fiscal year 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the nondeductible impairment of Moruga in fiscal year 2020, partially offset by increases in the Peruvian tax rates. On December 30, 2020, Peru enacted tax law repealing current tax law which provided benefits to agribusiness entities. The new law will subject us to higher Peruvian corporate income tax rates than our current rate of 15% as follows: 20% for calendar years 2023 to 2024, 25% for calendar years 2025 to 2027, and 29.5% thereafter. We remeasured our deferred tax balances based on the applicable tax rate in the year the deferred balances are expected to reverse. The increase to the net deferred tax liability for the change in Peruvian tax rate resulted in a $5.4 million increase to tax expense in fiscal year 2021.

The provision for income taxes decreased $9.3 million or 38% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. The effective tax rate increased by 8.9% in fiscal year 2020 over fiscal year 2019. The higher effective tax rate was primarily due to the (i) nondeductible impairment of Moruga in fiscal year 2020, (ii) nondeductible executive compensation incurred as a result of the IPO in fiscal year 2020, and (iii) tax benefit related to net operating loss (“NOL”) carryback provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES Act”) enacted in March 2020. The NOL carryback provisions allow the Company to carryback its fiscal year 2018 NOL to offset taxable income on a previously filed tax return. The result is a revaluation of deferred tax assets due to the utilization of NOLs at a higher tax rate in the carryback period.

Segment Results of Operations

Our CEO evaluates and monitors segment performance primarily through segment sales and segment adjusted earnings before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization (“adjusted EBITDA”). We believe that adjusted EBITDA by segment provides useful information for analyzing the underlying business results as well as allowing investors a means to evaluate the financial results of each reportable segment in relation to the Company as a whole. These measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for or superior to, the comparable GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted EBITDA refers to net income (loss), before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, other income (expense), and income (loss) from equity method investees, further adjusted by asset impairment and disposals, net of insurance recoveries, legal settlement, farming costs for nonproductive orchards (which represents land lease costs), and any special, non-recurring, or one-time items such as impairments that are excluded from the results the CEO reviews uses to assess segment performance and results.

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Net sales

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Adjusted EBITDA

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Marketing and Distribution

Net sales in our Marketing and Distribution segment increased $25.1 million or 3% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, due to the same drivers impacting consolidated revenue.

Segment adjusted EBITDA decreased $16.8 million or 25% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020 due to lower gross margins and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Gross margin was impacted by tighter per-unit margins related to the sourcing of Californian and Mexican fruit, which were exacerbated by smaller industry volumes within the California market as well as smaller fruit sizes within the Mexican market. Additionally, gross margin was pressured by incremental infrastructure costs related to our new Laredo facility, which is still in the process of ramping up utilization. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased due to the same factors as described above.

Net sales decreased $26.8 million or 3% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to a 12% decrease in average per unit sales prices partially offset by an 11% increase in volume. Average price decreases were concentrated in the second half of fiscal year 2020 primarily due to strong industry supply in California and Peru, relative to prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $19.8 million or 23% in fiscal year 2020 over fiscal year 2019 primarily due to lower gross profit per pound of avocados sold. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to the benefit of lower third-party fruit costs during the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The market conditions experienced in the prior year period were non-recurring in nature, as customer prices remained steady despite significant declines in fruit costs due to the instability of supply from Mexico.

International Farming

Substantially all sales of fruit from our International Farming segment are to the Marketing and Distribution segment, with the remainder of revenue largely derived from services provided to third parties. Affiliated sales are concentrated in the second half of the fiscal year in alignment with the Peruvian avocado harvest season, which typically runs from April through August of each year. As a result, adjusted EBITDA for International Farming is generally concentrated in the third and fourth quarters of the fiscal year in alignment with sales.

Total segment sales in our International Farming segment increased $22.8 million or 28% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, due to a 33% increase in fruit volumes resulting from improved harvest yields at our maturing orchards, partially offset by a 3% decrease in average

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sales prices. Net sales increased $4.3 million or 28% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily due to higher packing and processing service revenue for third-party growers.

Segment adjusted EBITDA increased $10.6 million or 45% in fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the revenue drivers noted above.

Total segment sales decreased $8.5 million or 9% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to lower per unit sales pricing on the sale of avocados. Average sales prices declined by 24%, driven by strong industry supply during the harvest window which was concentrated in the second half of the fiscal year. The impact of lower sales pricing was partially offset by a 20% increase in volume harvested during fiscal year 2020. Volume increases were driven by improved production yields resulting from maturity of our avocado orchards. Net sales in our International Farming segment increased $5.8 million or 60% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to higher packing and processing service revenues provided to third-party growers driven by their higher volumes.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $11.7 million or 33% in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 primarily due to lower sales which was driven by lower pricing during the second half of fiscal year 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for International Farming is generally concentrated in the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year in alignment with the harvest season for avocados in Peru.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating activities

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $31.9 million for fiscal year 2021 compared to fiscal year 2020, reflecting unfavorable net change in working capital. Within working capital, unfavorable changes in accounts receivable and inventory, were partially offset by favorable changes in grower payables. Accounts receivable increases were due to rising per-unit sales prices during the year. Changes in inventory were driven by a combination of higher farm related inventory in Peru, as well as higher per-unit cost of Mexican fruit on-hand compared to prior year. The increases in farm related inventory were due primarily to growth in productive acreage and higher on-hand quantities of fruit at the end of the year due to the extension of the harvest season combined with port delays. Favorable changes in grower payables were correlated with the pricing increases experienced with Mexican inventory.

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $13.7 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019, reflecting lower net income, favorable net change in working capital, and higher stock-based compensation expense. Within working capital, favorable changes in inventory and trade accounts receivables were partially offset by unfavorable changes in grower payables and miscellaneous receivables. The decrease in pricing on third-party fruit during the second half of fiscal year 2020 resulted in lower revenue and lower cost-basis, resulting in lower trade accounts receivable and inventory balances, as well as lower grower payables balances as of October 31, 2020. Changes in miscellaneous receivables were largely due to change in value-added tax (“VAT”) receivable, which is correlated with the timing of material purchases and claim activity. We also experienced an increase in other assets attributable to implementation costs associated with cloud-based computing software solutions.

23

Investing activities

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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Property, plant and equipment

In both fiscal years 2021 and 2020, capital expenditures were primarily for the construction of the Laredo facility, which was completed in mid-fiscal 2021, and land improvements and orchard development in Peru and Guatemala.

In both fiscal years 2021 and 2020, proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment were primarily from the sale of multi-unit housing properties in California that had been used for housing seasonal avocado labor contractors.

In fiscal year 2021, we received insurance proceeds for property, plant and equipment damage sustained in our Dallas facility from a cold weather storm in February 2021. The proceeds have been invested in the rebuilding of the equipment.

Equity method investees

In fiscal years 2021 and 2020, capital contributions to equity method investees were to our joint venture, Copaltas S.A.S., to support the purchase of additional farmland in Colombia. In fiscal year 2021, we issued $2.0 million in loans to Copaltas to support the working capital needs of the entity. In addition, we received an installment payment of $1.5 million on our outstanding loan to Moruga during fiscal year 2021.

Financing activities

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

IPO

Net proceeds from our IPO in October 2020 were $78.1 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and issuance costs. We intend to use the proceeds for growth-related capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness, and funding future acquisitions (if any).

Borrowings and repayments of debt

We utilize a revolving line of credit for short-term working capital purposes. Principal payments on our term loans and other notes payable are made in accordance with debt maturity schedules. During the year ended October 31, 2021, we repaid outstanding principal of $3.0 million on a note payable earlier than its scheduled maturity.

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Shareholders’ equity

No dividends were paid in fiscal year 2021. We paid dividends of $0.21 per share in fiscal year 2020 compared to $0.09 per share in fiscal year 2019.

Capital resources

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","October 31,"],["(In millions)","2021","","2020"],["Cash and cash equivalents","$","84.5","","","$","124.0"],["Working capital","157.9","","","170.2"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Capital resources include cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and debt financing.

We have a syndicated credit facility with Bank of America, N.A., comprised of two term loans and a revolving credit facility (“revolver”) that provides up to $100 million in borrowings that will expire in October 2023. The credit facility also includes a swing line facility and an accordion feature which allows us to increase the borrowings by up to $125 million, with bank approval. We did not have any outstanding borrowings under the revolver as of October 31, 2021 and 2020. Interest on the revolver bears rates at a spread over LIBOR that varies with our leverage ratio. As of October 31, 2021 and 2020, interest rates on the revolver were 1.84% and 1.90%, respectively.

As of October 31, 2021, we were required to comply with the following financial covenants: (a) a quarterly consolidated leverage ratio of not more than 2.75 to 1.00 and (b) a quarterly consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1.00. As of October 31, 2021, our consolidated leverage ratio was 1.26 to 1.00 and our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.52 to 1.00 and we were in compliance with all such covenants of the credit facility. The loans are secured by real property, personal property and the capital stock of our subsidiaries. We pay fees on unused commitments on the credit facility.

Material cash requirements

Capital expenditures

We have various capital projects in progress for farming expansion and facility improvements which we intend to fund through our operating cash flow as well as cash and cash equivalents on hand.

Leases

We are party to various operating leases for facilities, land, and equipment. As of October 31, 2021, our undiscounted cash liabilities for operating leases were $74.9 million, with maturities ranging up through fiscal 2048. We also have a small number of finance leases, with undiscounted cash liabilities of $3.9 million, due up through 2024. See Note 6 “Leases,” to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

Long-term Debt

As of October 31, 2021, remaining maturities on our term loans and notes were $164.3 million. See Note 5 “Debt,” to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. U.S. 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Additionally, we frequently engage third party valuation experts to assist us with estimates described below. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investments. We maintain investments in other fruit growers, packers and distributors. These investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting when we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence generally exists when we have an ownership interest representing between 20% and 50% of the voting stock of the investee. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and our proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions. We review our investments for other-than temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) on a quarterly basis, or earlier if indicators of impairment arise. If an impairment of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, we would record OTTI sufficient to reduce the investment’s carrying value to its fair value, which results in a new cost basis in the investment. The primary factors we consider in our determination of whether declines in fair value are other-than-temporary are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below our carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of

25

the investee. In addition, we consider the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or investee specific; and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. As our assessment of the fair value of our investments and any resulting impairment losses and the timing of when to recognize such charges requires judgment and includes estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ materially from our estimates and assumptions.

Goodwill. Our goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of business combinations over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill impairment testing requires significant judgment and management estimates, including, but not limited to, the determination of (i) the number of reporting units, (ii) the goodwill and other assets and liabilities to be allocated to the reporting units and (iii) the fair values of the reporting units. The estimates and assumptions described above, along with other factors such as discount rates, will significantly affect the outcome of the impairment tests and the amounts of any resulting impairment losses. We perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter of each year, and between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If qualitative factors were to indicate that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we would then perform a quantitative assessment, which would consist primarily of a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) analysis to determine the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. To the extent the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s allocated goodwill exceeds the unit’s fair value, we recognize an impairment of goodwill for the excess up to the amount of goodwill of that reporting unit.

Income taxes. As a multinational corporation, we are subject to taxation in many jurisdictions, and the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in various taxing jurisdictions. If we ultimately determine that the payment of these liabilities will be unnecessary, the liability will be reversed, and we will recognize a tax benefit during the period in which it is determined the liability no longer applies. Conversely, we record additional tax charges in a period in which it is determined that a recorded tax liability is less than the ultimate assessment is expected to be.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized within provision for income taxes.

The application of tax laws and regulations is subject to legal and factual interpretation, judgment and uncertainty. Tax laws and regulations themselves are subject to change as a result of changes in fiscal policy, changes in legislation, the evolution of regulations and court rulings. Therefore, the actual liability for U.S. or foreign taxes may be materially different from management’s estimates, which could result in the need to record additional tax liabilities or potentially reverse previously recorded tax liabilities.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included herein for information on recently issued accounting standards.

JOBS Act

The Company previously qualified as an emerging growth company (“EGC”) until October 31, 2021, when it no longer qualified based on its status as a Large Accelerated Filer and accordingly, must comply with all financial disclosure and governance requirements applicable to Large Accelerated Filers.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During the periods presented we did not have, nor do we currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under SEC rules.