Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. Price & Performance (FDP)

Which is available on our website. I would like to remind you that much of the information we will be speaking to today including the answers we give in response to your questions, may include forward looking statements within the Safe Harbor provisions of the federal securities laws. In today's press release and in our SEC filings, we detail risks that may cause our future results to differ materially from those forward looking statements. Our statements are as of today, February 24, 2024, and we have no obligation to update any forward looking statement we may make. During the call, we will provide a business update along with an overview of our fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2024 financial results followed by a question and answer session. With that, I will now turn today's call over to Mr. Mohammad Abu Ghazale, Please go ahead.

Thank you, Christine. Good morning, everyone. And thank you for joining us today Let me take you through the highlights of our full year 2024 Results. Our Fresh and value added products segment Fresh, fresh cut fruit and avocados, performed exceptionally well in 2024 driving growth and improving company gross margins. These categories remain core strength of our portfolio which we believe validates the direction we have taken to focus on higher margin products that align with market demands. While total net sales were 1% lower year over year at $4,280,000,000 Gross profit increased by 2% to $358,000,000 from the prior year period. And gross margins improved to 8.4 underscoring our progress in building a more profitable Furthermore, we achieved another reduction [indiscernible] cash flow and increased our quarterly dividend for the third consecutive year. Pineapples are the heart of who we are. And in 2024, we continue to solidify our position as the global leader in this category. Last year, we launched our latest innovation, the Ruby Glow pineapple. As global demand for our pineapples continue to exceed supply, we remain active in expanding our production and sourcing operations. We understand how important it is to ensure consistent and uninterrupted supply to consumers globally And for that, we have established a five year growth strategy that we believe will support our customers globally.

We believe in the next few years, we'll be a tremendous story for our Pineapple segment. Driven by our relentless focus on quality innovation and reaching more consumers around the world. Pineapples are central to our growth strategy. Driving every stage of our business. From whole fresh produce to fresh cut and value added products. Manufacturing with IQF and juice concentrates. And our newest biomass initiative which seeks to not monetize every part of the fruit and plant. We are also leveraging improvements across our Fresh cut facilities worldwide. In North America, the program is expanding particularly in club retail and e commerce channels. Where we have partnered with one of the world's largest In the fourth quarter, we introduced more at automation into our fresh cut facilities and other innovations that have enhanced efficiency and operational effectiveness. These investments align with our strategy to build our Fresh cut program profit center which we expect will enable us to deliver sustained growth in this category. Our avocado program, another core strength performed well in 2024, driving growth despite industry supply chain Challenges, expanding global sourcing remains a key focus on our growth strategy. While our state of the art packing operations and mix thing we are evaluating plans to diversify our sourcing through partnerships in Colombia, Guatemala, Uganda and Kenya.

We believe that we will be able to sustain the momentum expand our reach and deliver greater value to customers and consumers worldwide. Our banana business remains an important focus even though even as the market has become increasingly competitive over the past few years. To meet customer demand and insurance stable supply, we have taken steps to diversify sourcing and expand supply. A key initiative is our Somalia banana which was announced in February 23. Located in the heart of Somalia's historic banana belt. This project is revitalizing an industry that once thrived before the civil war of the 1990s. When Somalia was the leading banana exported to Europe and The Middle East. In quarter four twenty twenty four, three fifty were planted with plans to expand to 1,500 hectares by the end of 2025. We expect that this project will not only strengthen our supply chain and reduce transport times to key markets but will also position us to penetrate new banana markets. Additionally, we believe that this project plays a vital role in Somalia's economic recovery by creating jobs the local economy and establishing critical infrastructure. On the regulatory front, we believe we are ahead of the curve when it comes to fast two zero four compliance.

Positioning Fresh Del Monte as a leader in supply chain traceability This role, which requires enhanced flexibility for high risk food is one we have embraced early as we are well into the implementation and integration phase with several key suppliers. We are on track to achieve full compliance in time for the January 2026 deadline. With a dedicated team and robust system in place. We are strengthening our risk management framework and operational efficiency. We expect to be ready to continue servicing our customers and take on new whose current suppliers are unable to meet these requirements in time. Giving us a significant competitive advantage. By leading the way in FESPA-two zero four, compliance, we are aiming to ensure continued growth particularly in our fresh cut category and reinforcing our ability to deliver value to our cup partners.

As you can see, 2024 was a remarkable year for us. Further underscored by the pivotal launch of our biomass initiative. This initiative seeks to transform residues and byproducts into innovative solutions enhancing soil health, advancing wellness, and exploring new applications in textiles. While still in its early stages, the net re initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability and innovation creating value for both our business and the environment. To drive the growth of our biomass initiatives We recently completed hiring the core team that will lead this next phase. Further underscoring our leadership in sustainability, we were recently honored with the Seal Environment Initiative Award. Our fourth seal award in five years. This recognition celebrates our achievement in surpassing our emissions reduction targets an impressive seven years ahead of schedule. The Seal Business Sustainability Awards honor the most sustainable companies in the world. And this latest will reaffirms our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible business practices. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to our team members worldwide Their dedication and hard work made 2024 transmorphed transformative year for Fresh Del Monte. The progress we have achieved is a testament to their efforts. I would like to thank you at this time and move the call to Monica Bicente, our Chief Financial Officer, who will get to the financial results.

You, Mr. Evogoselli, and good morning and thank you for joining us on the call today. As Christine mentioned, our press release and our call today include non GAAP measures. Reconciliations of these non GAAP financial measures are set forth in the press release and earnings presentation which is available on our website. For the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four, net sales were compared with $109,000,000 dollars in the prior year.

The increase in net sales was driven by higher sales in our Fresh and Value Added segment primarily driven by higher per unit selling prices. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in net sales in our banana segment due to lower per unit selling prices and volume. For the full year of 2024, net sales were $4,280,000,000 compared with $4,321,000,000 in the prior year. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower sales and per unit selling prices in our Banana segment as well as the negative impact of exchange rate fluctuations, primarily the Japanese yen and Korean 1. Partially offset by higher per unit selling prices and sales volume in our Fresh and Value Added Products segment. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four was $69,000,000 compared with $63,000,000 in the prior year. The increase in gross profit was driven by higher net sales in our Fresh and Value Added Products segment partially offset by lower net sales in our Banana segment. As well as higher per unit production and procurement costs. Gross margin for the fourth quarter was 6.8% compared with 6.2% in the prior year. Adjusted gross profit for the fourth quarter was $69,000,000 compared with $56,000,000 in the prior year.

For the full year of 2024, gross profit was $358,000,000 compared with $351,000,000 last year. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher net sales in our Fresh and Value Added Products segment and lower ocean freight costs, partially offset by lower net sales in our Banana segment, higher production and procurement costs and the negative impact of fluctuations in exchange rates related to the [indiscernible] Gross margin for the full year increased to 8.4% compared with 8.1% in the prior year. Adjusted gross profit for the full year was $359,000,000 compared with $355,000,000 last Operating income for the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four was $30,000,000 compared with an operating loss of $113,000,000 last year. The notable change in operating income was due to $134,000,000 non cash impairment charge in 2023. Primarily relating to long lived assets in our man packing operations and goodwill in our Prepared Foods reporting unit. Adjusted operating income for the fourth quarter was $17,000,000 compared with $12,000,000 in the prior year. For the full year of 2024, operating income was $196,000,000 compared with $59,000,000 last year. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by lower asset impairment charges and higher gross profit.

Partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses compared to the prior year. Adjusted operating income for the year was 159,000,000 compared with $165,000,000 last year. The year over year decrease in adjusted operating income was driven by higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Other income expense, net, for the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four was a loss of $3,000,000 compared with a gain of $4,000,000 last year. The change was primarily due to foreign exchange losses in 2024 compared with foreign exchange gains last year. Other expense next for the full year of 2024 was $8,000,000 compared with $19,000,000 in 2023. The decrease in expense was mainly driven by gains from unconsolidated minority equity investments.

FDP net income for the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four was $20,000,000 compared with FDP net loss of $106,000,000 last year. Adjusted FDP net income for the fourth quarter was $12,000,000 which is at par with the fourth quarter of twenty twenty three. For the full year of 2024, FTP net income was $142,000,000 compared with a net loss of $11,000,000 last year. Adjusted FDP net income for the year was $116,000,000 compared with $102,000,000 in the prior year. Our diluted EPS in the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four was $0.42 per share compared with a loss of $2.22 per share in the prior year. Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.26 per share compared with $0.25 per share last year. For the full year of 2024, diluted EPS was $2.96 per share compared with a loss of $0.24 per share in the prior year period.

Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.42 per share compared with $2.12 last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of twenty twenty four was $35,000,000 dollars or 4% of net sales in line with the prior year. For the full year of 2024, adjusted EBITDA was $236,000,000 or 6% of sales also in line with the prior year. I'll now go more into detail on the full year performance for each of our segments beginning with our Fresh and value added products segment. Net sales for the full year of 2024 increased dollars compared with $2,478,000,000 in the prior year. The increase in net sales was primarily a result of higher per unit selling prices and sales volume in our avocado and pineapple product lines due to stronger demand as well as higher sales of volume in our Mylan product line.

The increase was partially offset by lower net sales in our Best and the unfavorable impact of fluctuations in exchange rates due to a weaker Japanese yen and Korean won. This performance exceeds the net sales guidance range of 3% to four that was previously provided Gross profit was $243,000,000 compared with $167,000,000 in the prior year. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher net sales and lower per unit production costs in our pineapple Fresh cut fruit and fresh cut vegetable product lines.

Partially offset by the negative impact of fluctuations in exchange rates due to a stronger Costa Rica cologne. Gross margin increased to 9.3% compared to 6.8% in the prior year. In line with the forecasted range of 9% to 10% for this segment that we previously shared with you. Moving to our Banana segment. Net sales for the full year of 2024 decreased to $100,000,001,476,000,000 compared with $1,638,000,000 dollars in the prior year. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven due to lower sales in North America driven by competitive market pressures lower sales volume in Asia due to decreased supply from The Philippines as a result of weather related events, and the negative impact of exchange rate fluctuations, primarily due to a weaker Japanese yen and Korean yen. Gross profit was $87,000,000 compared with $163,000,000 in the prior year. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower net sales, higher per unit production and procurement costs, and the negative impact of fluctuations in exchange from a stronger Costa Rica cologne, partially offset by lower per unit ocean freight and distribution costs. As a result of these factors, gross margin decreased to 5.9% compared with 10% in the prior year.

It's important to note that the full year 2023 gross margin was exceptionally strong for this segment. And outside our historical range.

Our full year 2024 gross margin for our Banana segment of 5.9% falls in line with the forecast range of 5% to 7% that we shared with you. Which is consistent with our long term historical trends. Lastly, our full year results for other products and services like Net sales for the full year of 2024 were $197,000,000 compared with $25,000,000 in the prior year. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to the sale of a partially offset by the higher net sales in our poultry and meat business driven by an increase in per unit selling prices. Gross profit was 28% compared with $20,000,000 I'm sorry, dollars 28,000,000 compared with $20,000,000 in the prior year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to our poultry and meat business. Partially offset by lower net sales in our third party ocean freight. Gross margin increased to 14.1% compared with 9.8% in the prior year. As a result, gross margin exceeded our expectations for this segment. Now moving to selected financial data for 2024. Income tax provision for the full year was $29,000,000 compared with $18,000,000 in the same period last year. The increase in income tax provision was primarily due to higher earnings in certain higher tax jurisdictions.

Our effective tax rate for the full year was 17% slightly below the 20% effective tax rate we had anticipated for 2024. Net cash provided by operating compared with $178,000,000 in the prior year. The increase was due to current year's working capital fluctuations primarily a result of higher levels of accounts payable and accrued expenses compared to last year due to timing of period end payments to suppliers. We ended the year with $244,000,000 of long term debt.

A $156,000,000 or 39% reduction from $400,000,000 at the end of twenty twenty three. By lowering our debt, our adjusted leverage ratio is now less than 1x EBITDA. Our full CapEx investment was 52,000,000 compared with $58,000,000 in the prior year.

As previously announced, our Board of Directors declared an increase in our quarterly dividend from $0.25 to $0.3 per share per quarter reaffirming our commitment to our shareholders. The dividend is payable on 03/28/2025 to shareholders of record on 03/10/2025. Additionally, as part of our broader capital allocation framework, our Board has approved a $150,000,000 share repurchase program. We plan to execute this program opportunistically over time allowing us to take advantage of market dynamics while maintaining financial flexibility for our business needs. Before we turn to the outlook, I'd like to take a moment to discuss a few key challenges we have faced in the first quarter of twenty twenty five and also give you an update on our man packing business. As we closed out 2024, we faced a tight supply of both bananas and pineapples. Entering 2025, parts of The U. S. Experienced unprecedented weather conditions, particularly in January which also affected the Southern Region Of The United States and influenced the climate in Central America. With colder than normal temperatures and above average rainy season. Further reducing production volumes of both bananas and While industry wide production remains tight, we are just beginning to see improvements in volume across our sourcing regions.

In addition to these weather related challenges, earlier this month, the current administration announced potential international tariffs on imports from key trade partners, including markets we trade we actively trade with. While none of these have taken effect yet, the risk remains that they could be implemented or expanded at any time adding to global trade volatility. Given the nature of our products, sourcing from alternative sources may take time. As Mr. Abuboselli mentioned, we are expanding our global sourcing footprint and have a growth strategy for avocados, bananas and pineapples. While these efforts position us well for the future, we remain cautious and are prepared to adapt as necessary in response to any tariff developments. Now I would like to update you on man packing operations. Last quarter, we shared with you our decision to consolidate three facilities into one, discontinue several product lines and sell certain assets of fresh leaf farms, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mann Packing. The sale closed in November 2024 for $18,000,000 We remain optimistic about the future of this operation and look forward to seeing the positive changes reflected in our financials as the year progresses. Let's turn to our outlook for the full year of 2025 for our business segments as well as for key financial priorities, including SG and A, capital expenditures and cash flows.

Our guidance that I will share reflects our baseline expectations and does not incorporate potential risks or adjustments that could arise from changes in tariffs, or significant shifts in the economic environment. We project net sales for the year to be 2% higher than prior year from higher sales of avocado, pineapple, fresh cut fruit and bananas, partially offset by lower net sales in our fresh cut vegetable, and vegetable product lines resulting from the rest And as far as gross margin by segment, in our Fresh and Value Added segment, gross margin is expected to be in the range of 10% to 11%. Driven by higher per unit selling prices as well as the impact of man packing consolidation to one facility. In our Banana segment, gross margin is expected to be in the of 5% to 7%. For our other products and services segment, gross margin is expected to be between 1214% supported by an increase in rates for our third party ocean freight services. Turning to other key financial metrics. For the full year of 2025. Our selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to be in the range of $2.00 $5,000,000 to $210,000,000 primarily due to increased employee related costs as we invest in human capital to support our growth plans.

Our projected capital expenditures for the full fiscal year of 2025 is expected to be in the range of $80,000,000 to $90,000,000 The funds will primarily be allocated towards expansion of our pineapple growing and packing operations banana farm renovations, efficiency and cost saving projects, as well as facility upgrades. For the full fiscal year 2025, we anticipate delivering net cash provided by operating activities in the range of $190,000,000 to $200,000,000 This concludes our financial review. We can now turn the call over to Q and A. Louella?

Your first question comes from the line of Mitch Panaro with Citibank and Company. Please go ahead.

Yes, good morning. Good morning, [indiscernible] some of the detailed guidance for next year, very helpful. Especially in the businesses that can be as volatile as yours. So thank you for that. I guess I wanted to start with just so you talk about your core focus pineapples, fresh cut fruit and avocados. And I was wondering if you could provide a little bit further Color. So with pineapples you're increasing supply like as fast as you can. Are you constrained even more because of the weather operations? Does that push up prices? I mean, can you get a gross margin on the pine [indiscernible] Same with fresh cut fruit, Are we going to see a steady improvement in your fixed cost leverage or will there be some seasonality And then finally, in the You've seen some pretty good improvement there and I was wondering I guess, if there were tariffs in Mexico imports Do you expect demand to see is there elastic demand there or do you think it would have a meaningful impact on your business? Thank you, Mitch.

Listen, as far as pineapple is concerned, yes, we are expanding our plantation in Costa Rica. This is as we speak. And we have already started as well replanting our fields in Brazil We used to to plant pineapple in Brazil about I would say, twenty years ago. And for a certain disease We were hit and we stopped planting then. During these years, we have worked very diligently to create a new variety that will be resistant to this disease. And we have started this is the first time that we we disclose this. These numerities that we have developed, which comes from the gold It's not something new, but we have created a variety that is resistant to the Fissorium disease in Brazil. Which will be the only one in the world actually that is anti resistant to Fusarium.

And we have patented this and we started actually as we speak created a tissue culture operation in Brazil and we are now accelerating the seedlings to start planting commercially Hopefully within the next years we will have kind of meaningful production there. So the De Monte will be producing in four continents the only company in the world that will be producing fresh pineapples in four continents, Central America, in South America as well as Brazil, Kenya and Philippines. And that's when we talk about expanding our sourcing capabilities. And that's only one of the we are working on other as well sourcing opportunities, but are these the ones the major ones that we have. As far as avocado is concerned, we are just one out of several importers. It exporters out of Mexico and we just have to wait and see what will be the outcome about the tariffs and if they really take effect on avocado, Avocado might be excluded or maybe farm products, we don't know. But if it does and if there is any tariffs, unfortunately, this will have to be kind of passed to the buyers because this is something that we cannot control.

And we will see how this will really impact demand in the market. But it's maybe premature to assume anything at this stage. So we don't want to speculate a little bit.

And on the pineapple pricing, we are confident that our pricing on pineapple will be just as strong or stronger than last year. So yes, the pineapple pricing should be very strong. And so we feel confident with that. And then you also [indiscernible] expanding your global sourcing as a core strategy. But some of the other areas outside of Mexico and California, the quality isn't really what is expected probably in the North American markets Would that be is the expanded sourcing for other export markets or is it more of a foodservice kind of strategy?

Actually, I mean, it was a perception that the next best kind of quality. But I do believe that and I'm sure that they want to come from Chile or Peru or Colombia are just as good and equal to the quality of of Mexico sources. So So we are working on diversifying and increasing our volumes from some of these countries. Including Dominican Republic, but of course, volume wise, nothing can compensate for the Mexico, let's say, source. So we need to to do the best that we can to really tried to to deemphasize or the dependence 100% on Mexico as a source of supply. This will take time. It's not going to happen overnight. But that's our target, that's our objective. Okay.

And then just another question on bananas. I understand, obviously, it's not your growth focus, but [indiscernible] Is there so as you have production growing in Somalia, is growing I don't know what you in Brazil, you might be growing some bananas maybe in addition to the pineapple. I'm not sure. But is that does that take pressure off of like the Costa Rica operations In terms of bananas, like in Focus Costa Rica, away from bananas and not chase demand or can you talk a little bit about maybe your strategy there Listen, banana is the banana and the banana business business has been going for same kind of momentum for the last I would say, twenty plus years.

And what we are trying to rationalize our business in terms of when it comes to bananas. Because it's a low margin business. And it's large volumes. And it definitely is a core part of our business and we are not going to underscore or neglect banana business. However, what you just said is correct. We are producing bananas in Brazil and actually we have been expanding our acreage in Brazil recently to supply The local market, which has been very kind of rewarding as well as the European market. So that would be geared towards European market destination. Somalia will become, in my opinion, a very, very important source of supply for our Middle Eastern as well as some Southern Europe countries. And this will be once it is in full gear and maturity, which probably would take another couple of years, The proximity of the of the source to the markets is very close. It's not like I mean in The Middle East, it's probably going to be two to three days Fresh source to market. Unlike what we are doing right now about forty days if we are lucky to get the fruit from Central America or Ecuador to to The Middle East.

The same thing would be for Europe, it will be probably around eight, nine days to go from Somalia to let's say Italy or Greece unlike today could be from eighteen to thirty days depending on the ship and the conditions the weather conditions. So there is a lot of opportunities there. It's not going to happen tomorrow. But I can see it in a proximity of, let's say, between eighteen to twenty four months this will become a very important source of supply to us and it definitely will change the picture. In terms of volume as well as in terms of gross margins as well. [indiscernible] thank you for the answers.

Thank you, Mitch. I will now turn the call back over to Mr. Mohammad Abu Ghazali, for closing remarks. Please go ahead, sir.

I would like to thank everyone today for joining us on this call and I hope that I will update you on whatever happens the next few months on our next call. And have a good day.

Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's call. Thank you all for joining.

You may now disconnect.