Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS: CVGW), a global avocado-industry leader and an expanding provider of value-added fresh food, today reported record revenues for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter and full year. Despite sustained profitability, net income for the final quarter and fiscal 2011 were lower year-over-year due to a cyclically smaller supply of fresh avocados in the marketplace, as well as the resulting impact from higher Mexican fruit costs in the company's Calavo Foods business segment.

Operating results for the most-recent quarter include those of Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG), which became part of the company on June 1, 2011. RFG's results are included in the company's Calavo Foods business segment. For the three months ended Oct. 31, 2011, net income totaled $3.6 million, equal to $0.25 per diluted share. This compares to net income in the final quarter last year of $4.8 million, or $0.32 per diluted share. Fourth-quarter revenues advanced 37 percent to $147.3 million from $107.2 million in the final period of fiscal 2010. (RFG sales accounted for $33.9 million of the revenue increase.) Gross margin narrowed to $13.4 million, or 9.1 percent of total revenues, from $14.3 million, equal to 13.3 percent of total revenues, in last year's fourth quarter.

Net income for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2011 was $11.1 million, equal to $0.75 per diluted share, on a 31 percent increase in revenues to $522.5 million. This compares to net income of $17.8 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, on revenues of $398.4 million reported in fiscal 2010. Gross margin in the most-recent year declined to $42.9 million, or 8.2 percent of total revenues, from $51.5 million, or 12.9 percent of revenues, in fiscal 2010.

Chairman, President and CEO Lee E. Cole said: "Calavo confronted stiff operating headwinds throughout fiscal 2011, resulting from a unique set of factors that included a smaller available avocado supply in the marketplace, as well as a freeze that limited availability of fresh tomatoes. The diminished avocado supply had a two-fold impact: it sharply increased the cost of fruit used in our prepared avocado products and hindered the company's fresh avocado volumes impacting the company's unit-driven business model."

Cole continued: "Despite these challenges, Calavo completed arguably the most transformative year in its history with the accretive and strategic acquisition of RFG, while maintaining our strong leadership position in the growing avocado industry. Even given the tough yearly financial performance, Calavo continued to build a strong, successful long-term business focused on returning value to shareholders evidenced by the company distributing more than $8 million to shareholders in the form of our annual cash dividend.

"The most recent quarter represents the first full period of results including RFG, our largest transaction to date, and we are encouraged by the smooth integration with Calavo Foods and immediate accretion to net income. Through RFG, we substantially expand and accelerate the company's presence in the fast-growing refrigerated fresh packaged goods category through an array of retail product lines for produce, deli, meat and food service departments. RFG experienced rapid year-over-year revenue growth through a product lineup that complements Calavo Foods legacy offerings and favorably positions Calavo in the promising fresh refrigerated food industry through a platform that allows us to offer 'just-in-time' delivery to retailers nationwide. Furthermore, as indication of RFG's strong product-development capability, the fourth period saw the next-generation release of its already-successful Chef Essentials recipe-ready vegetables and introduction of the new Salad Essentials 'topper' innovation to the grocery trade."

In Calavo's Fresh business segment, fourth-quarter revenues totaled $102.3 million, an increase of nine percent from $93.8 million in the corresponding fiscal 2010 period, due primarily to significantly higher fresh avocado prices, as well as continued strong U.S. consumer demand. As a result principally of the aforementioned decline in available avocado supply, the company shipped approximately 3.0 million total Fresh units in the most recent quarter, a decrease of about 16 percent from 3.6 million units in last year's fourth period. Fourth-quarter gross margin as a percentage of Fresh segment revenues totaled $7.9 million, or 7.7 percent of sales, versus $11.1 million, equal to 11.9 percent of Fresh sales, in the like period one-year earlier.

Calavo Foods business segment revenues grew 235 percent to $45.0 million from $13.4 million in last year's fourth quarter. The revenue increase, equal to $31.6 million, is primarily attributable to the acquisition of RFG. Excluding sales contribution from the recently acquired company, Calavo Foods fourth-quarter revenues totaled $11.1 million, a decrease of $2.3 million from last year, owing primarily to the discontinuance of certain low-margin prepared avocado accounts. Segment gross margin dollars in the most recent quarter benefited from contribution by RFG, rising to $5.6 million, or 12.3 percent of Calavo Foods revenues, offset by lower prepared avocado sales and higher fruit costs. This compares with gross margin of $3.2 million, equal to 23.5 percent of Calavo Foods segment revenues, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expense in the most-recent quarter equaled $7.0 million, which includes $1.9 million attributable directly to RFG operations. Excluding that figure, Calavo SG&A totaled $5.1 million, a decrease of 26 percent from $7.0 million in the fiscal 2010 final quarter. SG&A as a percentage of total revenues approximated 4.8 percent in the most recent quarter, a decrease of approximately 180 basis points from 6.6 percent in the fourth period of fiscal 2010. Fourth quarter SG&A as a percentage of gross margin totaled 52 percent versus 49 percent in the corresponding period last year.

The Outlook Ahead

With respect to fiscal 2012, CEO Cole said: "Calavo begins the year with considerable momentum behind it and the company's respective business segments. We expect to benefit across the board from an expanding supply of fresh avocados, sharply improving gross margin in our fresh refrigerated guacamole products, a fast-growing RFG subsidiary and increasing unit volumes in diversified produce. As a result, I am extremely confident that in fiscal 2012 Calavo will surpass its existing full-year record for earnings per share of $1.22.

"Our core fresh avocado operations will see a larger available fruit supply driven by expanding crops from key sources including California, Mexico and Chile, as well as the addition of a new source from Peru. We forecast consumption this year to be approximately 1.4 billion pounds, up from the 1.2 billion pounds consumed in fiscal year 2011. We also continue to view the U.S. avocado market as early in its expansion phase owing to demographic shifts, increasing awareness of the healthful benefits of fresh avocados and approximately $45 million per year currently spent by the industry for promotion.

"Coupled with expected recovery in fresh tomato supply and paced by an expansion of sourcing programs, the diversified operations are anticipated to demonstrate a meaningful increase in gross margin as compared to fiscal 2011. Our business model will continue to realize gains from more produce moving through the company's fixed-cost infrastructure," Cole said.

Turning to the Calavo Foods segment, Cole stated that the company's legacy portion, mainly its prepared avocado business which has been hamstrung in recent quarters by high fruit costs that have suppressed margins, will be a principal beneficiary of the anticipated large available supply in fiscal 2012. "With the projected ample fruit supply, we expect that gross margins in the prepared avocado product category will return to, if not surpass, historic levels," the Calavo CEO said.

Cole continued: "RFG's acquisition substantially reshaped our Calavo Foods business segment into a more complete fresh packaged foods enterprise. In the coming year, we expect to see continued fast growth of the recently introduced products, as well as continued expansion in RFG's other offerings. In addition, we have already begun to see growth in Calavo Food's legacy product portfolio by unlocking RFG's just-in-time fulfillment capabilities to gain new customer placement.

"As point of note, Calavo is now a leader in three of the fastest-growing categories in the grocery store: avocados, fresh dips and fresh packaged foods. In combination with Calavo's solid financial position, considerable operating resources, expertise and demonstrated achievement expanding its businesses, I am highly optimistic about the company's prospects in fiscal 2012 and beyond," Cole concluded.

About Calavo

Calavo Growers, Inc. is a global avocado-industry leader. The company also procures and markets diversified fresh produce items, ranging from tomatoes to tropical produce. An expanding provider of value-added fresh food, the company's Calavo Foods business segment manufactures and distributes guacamole, guacamole hummus, salsa and tortilla chips under the respected Calavo brand name. Calavo's wholly owned subsidiary, Renaissance Food Group, LLC, creates, markets and distributes a portfolio of healthy, high-quality lifestyle products for consumers through fast-growing brands that include Garden Highway and Chef Essentials. Founded in 1924, Calavo serves food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarket retailers and restaurant chains worldwide.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements relating to future events and results of Calavo (including certain projections and business trends) that are "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and events may differ from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: increased competition, conducting substantial amounts of business internationally, pricing pressures on agricultural products, adverse weather and growing conditions confronting avocado growers, new governmental regulations, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, without limitation, the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2010. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

               

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

 

October 31,

2011           2010
 
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,774 $ 1,064

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,285 (2011) and $1,372 (2010)

36,101 31,743
Inventories, net 17,787 14,831
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,220 8,424
Advances to suppliers 3,349 1,598
Income taxes receivable 3,111 1,816
Deferred income taxes   2,136   2,336
Total current assets 71,478 61,812
Property, plant, and equipment, net 47,091 41,059
Investment in Limoneira Company 29,991 34,986
Investment in unconsolidated entities 2,292 2,016
Goodwill 18,349 4,085
Other assets   16,122   6,240
$ 185,323 $ 150,198
Liabilities and shareholders' equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to growers $ 5,082 $ 11,208
Trade accounts payable 7,038 2,839
Accrued expenses 19,285 15,353
Short-term borrowings 17,860 8,150
Dividend payable 8,123 8,092
Current portion of long-term obligations   5,448   1,369
Total current liabilities 62,836 47,011
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term obligations, less current portion 18,244 6,089
Deferred income taxes   8,002   8,266
Total long-term liabilities 26,246 14,355
Commitments and contingencies
Noncontrolling interest 461 575
Total shareholders' equity   95,780   88,257
$ 185,323 $ 150,198
 
 
               

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three months ended

October 31,

Year ended

October 31,

2011       20102011       2010
 
Net sales $ 147,349 $ 107,234 $ 522,529 $ 398,351
Cost of sales   133,917     92,940     479,668     346,821  
Gross margin 13,432 14,294 42,861 51,530
Selling, general and administrative   7,033     7,035     24,527     23,168  
Operating income 6,399 7,259 18,334 28,362
Interest expense (297 ) (190 ) (1,016 ) (834 )
Other income, net   26     359     885     1,453  
Income before provision for income taxes 6,128 7,428 18,203 28,981
Provision for income taxes   2,540     2,733     7,249     11,341  
Net income 3,588 4,695 10,954 17,640
Add: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest   52     55     114     124  
Net income attributable to Calavo Growers, Inc. $ 3,640   $ 4,750   $ 11,068   $ 17,764  
 
Calavo Growers, Inc.'s net income per share:
Basic $ 0.25   $ 0.32   $ 0.75   $ 1.22  
Diluted $ 0.25   $ 0.32   $ 0.75   $ 1.22  

Calavo Growers, Inc.'s shares used in per share computation:

Basic   14,769     14,710     14,743     14,610  
Diluted   14,781     14,722     14,751     14,619  
 
 
                         

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NET SALES AND GROSS MARGIN BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Fresh

products

Calavo

Foods(1)

Total

 

(All amounts are presented in thousands)

Year ended October 31, 2011(1)
Net sales $ 420,658 $ 101,871 $ 522,529
Cost of sales   388,820   90,848   479,668
Gross margin $ 31,838 $ 11,023 $ 42,861
 
Year ended October 31, 2010
Net sales $ 348,052 $ 50,299 $ 398,351
Cost of sales   309,609   37,212   346,821
Gross margin $ 38,443 $ 13,087 $ 51,530
 

(1)

   

Includes net sales and gross margin of $56.7 million and $4.3 million related to the recently acquired business RFG.

 

For fiscal years 2011, and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Fresh products totaling $15.8 million, and $11.7 million were eliminated. For fiscal years 2011, and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Calavo Foods totaling $34.3 million, and $9.4 million were eliminated.

                         

 

Fresh

products

Calavo

Foods(1)

Total

 

(All amounts are presented in thousands)

Three months ended October 31, 2011(1)
Net sales $ 102,317 $ 45,032 $ 147,349
Cost of sales   94,436   39,481   133,917
Gross margin $ 7,881 $ 5,551 $ 13,432
 
Three months ended October 31, 2010
Net sales $ 93,787 $ 13,447 $ 107,234
Cost of sales   82,649   10,291   92,940
 
Gross margin $ 11,138 $ 3,156 $ 14,294

(1)

   

Includes net sales and gross margin of $33.9 million and $2.9 million related to the recently acquired business RFG.

 

For the three months ended October 31, 2011, and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Fresh products totaling $4.1 million, and $2.1 million were eliminated. For fiscal years 2011, and 2010, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Calavo Foods totaling $16.3 million, and $2.5 million were eliminated.

Calavo Growers, Inc.
Lee E. Cole
Chairman, President and CEO
(805) 525-1245