SunOpta Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 Financial Results

Revenue declined 6.5% (adjusted for the divested Sunflower business), despite double digit growth in oat milk and fruit snacks

Net Loss of $18.8 million, including tax expense of $8.8 million mainly due to the recognition of a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and $2.5 million of net expense related to the frozen fruit recall versus net earnings of $1.5 million in the prior year period

Adjusted EBITDA of $20.2 million, or 9.7% of revenue, compared to $22.3 million or 9.2% of revenue in the prior year. The second quarter of 2022 included a $2.4 million adjusted EBITDA contribution from the divested Sunflower business

Cash flow generated from operations was $15.9 million, an increase of $18.3 million versus the prior year

Full-year outlook revised to $880 - $900 million of revenue, and $87 - $91 million of Adjusted EBITDA

SunOpta Inc. (“SunOpta” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a U.S.-based global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based foods and beverages, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended July 1, 2023.

All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.

Second Quarter 2023 highlights:

• Revenues of $207.8 million compared to $222.2 million (excluding the divested sunflower business) in the year earlier period, or $243.5 million including sunflower. Excluding the impact of the sunflower business, which was divested in October 2022, total revenues were down 6.5% reflecting an 8.1% decline in Plant-Based and a 4.4% decline in Fruit-Based.
• Gross profit margin was 7.9% on a reported basis. Excluding start-up and product recall costs, gross margin was 12.1%, down 230 basis points from 14.4% as 90 basis points of margin expansion in Plant-Based was more than offset by a decline in Fruit-Based margin, including a 320-basis decline for direct costs related to the frozen fruit recall.
• Loss from continuing operations, including tax expense of $8.8 million mainly due to the recognition of a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and $2.5 million of net expense related to the frozen fruit recall, was $18.8 million compared to earnings from continuing operations of $2.3 million in the prior year period.
• Adjusted loss¹ attributable to common shareholders was $3.0 million or $0.03 per diluted common share, compared to adjusted earnings of $3.3 million or $0.03 per diluted common share in the prior year period.
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $20.2 million, or 9.7% of revenues, compared to $22.3 million and 9.2% of revenues in the prior year period. The prior year period included a $2.4 million contribution from the divested Sunflower business.

“While we were certainly not pleased with the quarter, the resiliency of our model to deliver high rates of profitability despite a more challenging environment was a key takeaway from our latest results,” said Joe Ennen, Chief Executive Officer. “Due to frozen fruit customer losses, slower ramp-up of new business, and current category softness, we are tempering our outlook for 2023. Demand for our oat-based offerings remains exceptionally strong, as volume growth drove a 59% increase in oat milk sales during the second quarter. Our fruit snack business also delivered another quarter of double-digit increases. In addition, we continue to make steady progress on our strategic growth initiatives including starting up our new ready-to-drink protein shake line in Midlothian, Texas and our capacity expansion project in Omak, Washington. Despite the short-term results, we remain committed to our long-term growth algorithm, and are well positioned for significant growth in our plant-based segment as we leverage our operational expertise and innovation across our expanding capabilities and production capacity to Fuel the Future of Food.”

Second Quarter 2023 Results

Revenues of $207.8 million for the second quarter of 2023 decreased 6.5% excluding the divested sunflower business. This was driven by an 8.1% decline in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages, excluding sunflower, and a 4.4% decline in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages. The decline, including sunflower, was 14.7% compared to the second quarter of 2022.

The Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment generated revenues of $114.5 million, a decrease of 8.1% excluding the impact of our sunflower business, which was divested in October 2022. Including the sunflower business, the decline was 21.5% compared with the second quarter of 2022. Pricing increased 3.2%, reflecting the wrap-around benefit of actions in 2022, partially offset by an unfavorable volume/mix, which was down 10.2%. Volume/mix reflected lower external sales of plant-based ingredients due to increased internal demand for oat base, lower demand for almond beverages, lower sales volumes of everyday broths, and lower tea volumes due to a customer’s inability to supply us with their raw material. Partially offsetting these factors was volume growth from oat milks and creamers as well as our newly introduced 330-milliliter protein shakes.

The Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment generated revenues of $93.3 million, a decrease of 4.4% compared to $97.6 million in the second quarter of 2022, reflecting an unfavorable volume/mix impact of 4.5% partially offset by a 0.3% increase in pricing. The volume/mix impact was driven by lower volumes of frozen fruit, due to decreased retail consumption trends, constraints on certain fruit varieties impacting blends, and lost foodservice volumes, partially offset by increased volumes of fruit snacks and smoothie bowls.

Gross profit was $16.4 million for the second quarter, compared to $34.9 million in the prior year period, as reported. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit margin was 7.9% compared to 14.3% in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 640 basis points, as reported.

Gross profit in the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment decreased 39.8% to $14.4 million, while gross margin decreased 380 basis points to 12.6%. Excluding the impact of start-up costs related to the new plant in Midlothian, Texas, adjusted gross margin for the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment was 17.5% in the second quarter of 2023, compared to 16.6% in the second quarter of 2022. The 90-basis point increase in adjusted gross margin reflected the benefit of pricing actions taken in 2022 to combat inflationary pressures, positive margin impacts resulting from the divestiture of the lower-margin sunflower commodity business, and a mix shift in the Company’s plant-based ingredient operations. These factors were partially offset by incremental depreciation of new production equipment for capital expansion projects, together with the negative impacts of higher input costs and lower production volumes and plant utilization within our plant-based operations.

Gross profit in the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment was $2.0 million, compared with $11.0 million in the prior year period, and gross margin decreased 910 basis points to 2.1%. In the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a reserve for unsaleable inventory associated with the frozen fruit product recall of $3.0 million (3.2% gross margin impact) and $0.2 million of start-up costs related to a new high-speed fruit snacks packaging line. Excluding the impact of these costs, adjusted gross margin for the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment was 5.6% in the second quarter of 2023, compared to 11.2% in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of 560 basis points. The decrease reflected higher manufacturing costs, unfavorable plant utilization driven by reduced volumes, a higher mix of lower margin bulk fruit sales to right-size inventories and improve working capital efficiency, and a higher cost of inventory from Mexico due to the impact of a strengthening Mexican peso (approximately $2.4 million or 2.6% gross margin impact).

Segment operating loss¹ was $3.3 million, or 1.6% of revenues in the second quarter of 2023, compared to segment operating income of $8.1 million, or 3.3% of revenues in the second quarter of 2022. The decrease in segment operating income was driven by lower gross profit, partially offset by a favorable $2.3 million foreign exchange impact and a $4.7 million decrease in SG&A as a result of lower employee incentive compensation accruals and lower stock-based compensation expense related to timing, partially offset by higher business development costs.

Loss attributable to common shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 was $19.3 million, or $0.17 per diluted common share, compared to income of $0.7 million, or $0.01 per diluted common share, during the second quarter of 2022. Loss attributable to common shareholders included tax expense of $8.8 million mainly due to the recognition of a full valuation allowance for deferred tax assets and $2.5 million of net expense related to the frozen fruit recall.

Adjusted loss¹ in the second quarter of 2023 was $3.0 million or $0.03 per common share, compared to adjusted earnings of $3.3 million or $0.03 per common share in the second quarter of 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $20.2 million or 9.7% of revenue in the second quarter of 2023, compared to $22.3 million or 9.2% of revenue in the second quarter of 2022.

Please refer to the discussion and table below under “Non-GAAP Measures”.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of July 1, 2023, SunOpta had total assets of $887.1 million and total debt of $316.1 million compared to total assets of $855.9 million and total debt of $308.5 million at year end fiscal 2022. During the second quarter of 2023, cash provided by operating activities was $15.9 million compared to cash used in operating activities of $2.5 million during the second quarter of 2022. Investing activities of continuing operations consumed $8.1 million of cash during the second quarter of 2023 versus $34.1 million in the prior year. The year-over-year decrease reflected the completion of certain major capital projects, including the construction of our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas.

Frozen Fruit Recall

On June 21, 2023, we announced that our subsidiary, Sunrise Growers Inc., had issued a voluntary recall of specific frozen fruit products linked to pineapple provided by a third-party supplier due to possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes. In July 2023, we began restocking each of the affected retail customers with replacement products produced with fruit sourced from a different supplier.

For the quarter ended July 1, 2023, we recognized net expenses of $2.5 million related to this recall, equal to the self-insured retention amount under our insurance policies, which included a reduction to revenues of $0.2 million for customer returns and a $3.0 million charge to cost of goods sold for unsaleable inventory, partially offset by estimated insurance recoveries of $0.7 million, recorded in other income. We expect to incur additional recall-related costs during the second half of 2023, which we expect will be generally covered under our insurance policies.

2023 Outlook²

For fiscal 2023, the Company revised its outlook:

Excluding $57.9 million of revenue in 2022 related to the divested Sunflower business, expected revenue growth rates in 2023 are between 0% - 3%.

Conference Call

SunOpta plans to host a conference call at 5:30 P.M. Eastern time on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, to discuss the second quarter financial results. After opening remarks, there will be a question-and-answer period. Investors interested in listening to the live webcast can access a link on SunOpta's website at www.sunopta.com under the "Investor Relations" section or directly here. A replay of the webcast will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days on the Company's website. This call may be accessed with the toll free dial-in number (888) 440-4182 or International dial-in number (646) 960-0653 using Conference ID: 8338433.

¹ See discussion of non-GAAP measures

² The Company has included certain forward-looking statements about the future financial performance that include non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA. These non–GAAP financial measures are derived by excluding certain amounts, expenses or income, from the corresponding financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The determination of the amounts that are excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures is a matter of management judgment and depends upon, among other factors, the nature of the underlying expense or income amounts recognized in a given period. We are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of the aforementioned forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measures because management cannot reliably predict all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures. Historically, management has excluded the following items from certain of these non-GAAP measures, and such items may also be excluded in future periods and could be significant amounts:

• Expenses related to the acquisition or divestiture of a business, including business development costs, impairment of assets, integration costs, severance, retention costs and transaction costs;
• Start-up costs of new facilities and equipment;
• Frozen fruit product recall-related costs, net of insurance recoveries;
• Charges associated with restructuring and cost saving initiatives, including but not limited to asset impairments, accelerated depreciation, severance costs and lease abandonment charges;
• Asset impairment charges and facility closure costs;
• Legal settlements or awards; and
• The tax effect of the above items.

About SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) is a U.S.-based, global pioneer fueling the future of sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based food and beverages. Founded nearly 50 years ago, SunOpta manufactures natural, organic and specialty products sold through retail and foodservice channels. SunOpta operates as a manufacturer for leading natural and private label brands, and also proudly produces its own brands, including SOWN ^®, Dream^®, West Life^™ and Sunrise Growers^®. For more information, visit www.sunopta.com, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our adjusted outlook for 2023, our belief that we are well positioned for significant growth in our plant-based segment and our expectation that we will incur additional recall-related costs during the second half of 2023 which will be generally covered under our insurance policy. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as “expect,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimates,” “can,” “will,” “target,” "should,” "would,” "plans,” "becoming,” "intend,” "confident,” "may,” "project,” "potential,” "intention,” "might,” "predict,” “budget,” “forecast” or other similar terms and phrases intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available to the Company on the date of this release and are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments including, but not limited to, the Company’s actual financial results; uninterrupted operations and service levels to our customers; current customer demand for the Company’s products; general economic conditions; continued consumer interest in health and wellness; the Company’s ability to maintain product pricing levels; planned facility and operational expansions, closures and divestitures; cost rationalization and product development initiatives; alternative potential uses for the Company’s capital resources; portfolio optimization and productivity efforts; the sustainability of the Company’s sales pipeline; the Company’s expectations regarding commodity pricing, margins and hedging results; improved availability and field prices for fruit; procurement and logistics savings; freight lane cost reductions; yield and throughput enhancements; the cost of the frozen fruit recall; labor cost reductions; and the terms of our insurance policies. Whether actual timing and results will agree with expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, potential loss of suppliers and customers as well as the possibility of supply chain, logistics and other disruptions; unexpected issues or delays with the Company’s structural improvements and automation investments; failure or inability to implement portfolio changes, process improvements, go-to-market improvements and process sustainability strategies in a timely manner; changes in the level of capital investment; local and global political and economic conditions; consumer spending patterns and changes in market trends; decreases in customer demand; delayed or unsuccessful product development efforts; potential product recalls; potential additional costs associated with the frozen fruit recall; working capital management; availability and pricing of raw materials and supplies; potential covenant breaches under the Company’s credit facilities; and other risks described from time to time under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov). Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly correct or update the forward-looking statements in this document, in other documents, or on its website to reflect future events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides additional information about its operating results regarding segment operating income/loss, adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted earnings/loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), which are not measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that segment operating income/loss, adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted EBITDA assist investors in comparing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that management believes are not indicative of its operating performance. The non-GAAP measures of segment operating income/loss, adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

In order to evaluate its results of operations, the Company uses certain other non-GAAP measures that it believes enhance an investor’s ability to derive meaningful period-over-period comparisons and trends from the results of operations. In particular, the Company excludes specific items from its reported results that due to their nature or size, it does not expect to occur as part of its normal business on a regular basis. These items are identified in the tables below. These non-GAAP measures are presented solely to allow investors to more fully assess the Company’s results of operations and should not be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for, an analysis of the Company’s results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

Adjusted Earnings/Loss

When assessing its financial performance, the Company uses an internal measure that excludes charges and gains that it believes are not reflective of normal operations. This information is provided to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company’s operating performance between periods and to view the Company’s business from the same perspective as the Company’s management. Adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted earnings/loss per diluted share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a tabular presentation of adjusted earnings/loss and adjusted earnings/loss per diluted share, including a reconciliation from earnings/loss from continuing operations, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

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