UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period endedApril 1,September 30, 2023

OR

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

For the transition period from           to           .

Commission file number: 001-34198

SUNOPTA INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

CANADANot Applicable
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  
7078 Shady Oak Road
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 55344

(952) 820-2518
(Address of principal executive offices)(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☒No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☒No ☐

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

Large accelerated filer ☒Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐Smaller reporting company ☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Emerging growth company ☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐                                            No ☒


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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Shares

STKL

The Nasdaq Stock Market

Common Shares

SOY

The Toronto Stock Exchange

The number of the registrant's common shares outstanding as of May 5,November 3, 2023 was 115,419,623.115,652,157.


SUNOPTA INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended April 1,September 30, 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION 
Item 1.Financial Statements (unaudited) 
 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 20225
 Consolidated Balance Sheets as at April 1,September 30, 2023 and December 31, 20226
 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity as at and for the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 20227
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 202289
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements910
 
Item 2Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations1924
Item 3Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk3141
Item 4Controls and Procedures3141
 
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION 
PART IIItem 1OTHER INFORMATIONLegal Proceedings
Item 1Legal Proceedings4332
Item 1ARisk Factors3243
Item 6Exhibits3243

Basis of Presentation

Except where the context otherwise requires, all references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") to the "Company," "SunOpta," "we," "us," "our" or similar words and phrases are to SunOpta Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken together.

In this report, all currency amounts presented are expressed in thousands of United States ("U.S.") dollars ("$"), except per share amounts, unless otherwise stated. Other amounts may be presented in thousands of Canadian dollars ("C$") and Mexican pesos ("M$").

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "intend," "project," "potential," "predict," "continue," "believe," "expect," "can," "could," "would," "should," "may," "might," "plan," "will," "budget," "forecast," the negatives of such terms, and words and phrases of similar impact and include, but are not limited to, references to future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions; our expectations regarding the future profitability of our plant-based and fruit-based businesses, including anticipated results of operations, revenue trends, and gross margin profiles; the expected impact of the inflationary cost environment on our business, including raw material, packaging, labor, energy, fuel and transportation costs; the expected impact of pricing actions on sales volumes and gross margins; the expected impact of cost containment measures and productivity initiatives; our estimates for losses and related insurance recoveries associated with the recall of specific frozen fruit products in the second quarter of 2023; our expectations regarding customer demand, consumer preferences, competition, sales pricing, availability and pricing of raw material inputs, and timing and cost to complete capital expansion projects; our ability to successfully execute on our capital investment plans, and the viability of those plans; the adequacy of internally generated funds and existing sources of liquidity, such as the availability of bank financing; the anticipated sufficiency of future cash flows to enable the payments of interest and repayment of debt, working capital needs, planned capital expenditures; and our ability to obtain additional financing or issue additional debt or equity securities; our intentions related to the potential sale of selected businesses, operations, or assets; the outcome of litigation to which we may, from time to time, be a party; and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, expectations and analyses we make in light of our experience and our interpretation of current conditions, historical trends and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Whether actual results and developments will be consistent with and meet our expectations and predictions is subject to many risks and uncertainties, including those set forth under Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of this report, and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian Securities AdministratorsAdministrators.

SUNOPTA INC.3April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

All forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements, and our actual results or the developments we anticipate may not be realized. Our forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to us and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update our forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, after the date of this report for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report.

SUNOPTA INC.4April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
       
Revenues (note 13) 223,880  240,173 
Cost of goods sold 195,677  211,817 
       
Gross profit 28,203  28,356 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 25,430  22,210 
Intangible asset amortization 2,446  2,612 
Other expense, net 35  287 
Foreign exchange gain (2,211) (472)
       
Earnings from continuing operations before the following 2,503  3,719 
Interest expense, net 5,812  2,530 
       
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (3,309) 1,189 
Income tax expense (benefit) (note 9) (4,686) 187 
       
Earnings from continuing operations 1,377  1,002 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  3,566 
       
Net earnings 1,377  4,568 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (note 7) (704) (755)
       
Earnings attributable to common shareholders 673  3,813 
       
Basic and diluted earnings per share (note 10)      
Earnings from continuing operations 0.01  0.00 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  0.03 
Earnings attributable to common shareholders(1) 0.01  0.04 
       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s) (note 10)      
Basic 110,014  107,399 
Diluted 113,107  108,359 
 
   Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
   September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
   $  $  $  $ 
      (note 1)     (note 1) 
              
Revenues (note 15) 152,541  144,023  448,673  431,605 
Cost of goods sold 132,273  118,891  385,697  355,691 
             
Gross profit 20,268  25,132  62,976  75,914 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 18,377  17,866  58,403  58,864 
Intangible asset amortization 446  446  1,338  1,338 
Other expense (income), net -  451  (20) 1,408 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (37) (223) 44  (208)
             
Operating income 1,482  6,592  3,211  14,512 
Interest expense, net 7,162  3,901  19,391  8,844 
             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (5,680) 2,691  (16,180) 5,668 
Income tax expense (note 11) -  332  3,978  1,360 
             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (5,680) 2,359  (20,158) 4,308 
Loss from discontinued operations (note 2) (140,143) (14,293) (143,126) (10,203)
             
Net loss (145,823) (11,934) (163,284) (5,895)
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (note 9) (426) (764) (1,552) (2,279)
             
Loss attributable to common shareholders (146,249) (12,698) (164,836) (8,174)
              
Basic earnings (loss) per share (note 12)            
 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (0.05) 0.01  (0.19) 0.02 
 Loss from discontinued operations (1.21) (0.13) (1.26) (0.09)
 Loss attributable to common shareholders(1) (1.26) (0.12) (1.45) (0.08)
              
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (note 12)            
 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (0.05) 0.01  (0.19) 0.02 
 Loss from discontinued operations (1.21) (0.13) (1.26) (0.09)
 Loss attributable to common shareholders(1) (1.26) (0.12) (1.45) (0.08)
              
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s) (note 12)            
 Basic 115,616  107,752  113,700  107,566 
 Diluted 115,616  109,239  113,700  108,731 

(1) The sum of the individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

 
SUNOPTA INC.5

April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at April 1,September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

  April 1, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
       
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents 910  679 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $649 and $584, respectively 86,124  74,903 
Inventories (note 2) 200,557  207,047 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,239  15,688 
Income taxes recoverable 3,896  4,040 
Total current assets 306,726  302,357 
       
Property, plant and equipment, net 339,529  322,391 
Operating lease right-of-use assets (note 3) 81,097  82,564 
Intangible assets, net 133,200  135,646 
Goodwill 3,998  3,998 
Deferred income taxes 8,562  3,712 
Other assets 5,013  5,184 
Total assets 878,125  855,852 
       
LIABILITIES      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 4) 112,944  108,511 
Notes payable (note 5) 5,229   
Income taxes payable 404  957 
Current portion of long-term debt (note 6) 43,807  38,491 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities (note 3) 13,199  13,074 
Total current liabilities 175,583  161,033 
       
Long-term debt (note 6) 282,371  269,993 
Operating lease liabilities (note 3) 76,670  77,557 
Total liabilities 534,624  508,583 
       
Series B-1 preferred stock (note 7) 14,147  28,062 
       
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized,
115,379,620 shares issued (December 31, 2022 - 107,909,792)
 461,132  440,348 
Additional paid-in capital 21,874  33,184 
Accumulated deficit (155,015) (155,688)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,363  1,363 
Total shareholders' equity 329,354  319,207 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 878,125  855,852 

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
     (note 1) 
ASSETS      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents 348  679 
Restricted cash (note 3) 3,196  - 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $290 and $318, respectively 60,634  59,545 
Inventories (note 4) 84,332  74,439 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 20,011  15,535 
Income taxes recoverable 3,384  4,040 
Current assets held for sale (note 2) 142,070  148,119 
Total current assets 313,975  302,357 
       
Property, plant and equipment, net 316,500  292,306 
Operating lease right-of-use assets (note 5) 84,653  78,761 
Intangible assets, net 22,307  23,646 
Goodwill 3,998  3,998 
Deferred income taxes 696  3,712 
Other assets 4,522  5,184 
Non-current assets held for sale (note 2) -  145,888 
Total assets 746,651  855,852 
       
LIABILITIES      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 6) 89,993  95,879 
Notes payable (note 7) 44,446  - 
Income taxes payable 521  957 
Current portion of long-term debt (note 8) 46,695  38,491 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities (note 5) 13,488  12,499 
Current liabilities held for sale (note 2) 18,878  13,207 
Total current liabilities 214,021  161,033 
       
Long-term debt (note 8) 268,093  269,993 
Operating lease liabilities (note 5) 80,842  74,329 
Deferred income taxes 325  - 
Non-current liabilities held for sale (note 2) -  3,228 
Total liabilities 563,281  508,583 
       
Series B-1 preferred stock (note 9) 14,385  28,062 
       
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY      
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 115,651,168 shares issued (December 31, 2022 - 107,909,792) 462,630  440,348 
Additional paid-in capital 25,516  33,184 
Accumulated deficit (320,524) (155,688)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,363  1,363 
Total shareholders' equity 168,985  319,207 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 746,651  855,852 
       
Commitments and contingencies (note 14)      

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

SUNOPTA INC.6

April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity

As at and for the quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 
  Common shares  Additional
paid-in capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
  Total 
  000s  $  $  $  $  $ 
                   
Balance at July 1, 2023 115,580  462,290  22,715  (174,275) 1,363  312,093 
Share issuance costs -  (68) -  -  -  (68)
Employee stock purchase plan 42  154  -  -  -  154 
Stock incentive plan 29  254  (153) -  -  101 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards -  -  (114) -  -  (114)
Stock-based compensation -  -  3,068  -  -  3,068 
Net loss -  -  -  (145,823) -  (145,823)
Dividends on preferred stock -  -  -  (305) -  (305)
Accretion on preferred stock -  -  -  (121) -  (121)
Balance at September 30, 2023 115,651  462,630  25,516  (320,524) 1,363  168,985 
                   
  Common shares  Additional
paid-in capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
  Total 
  000s  $  $  $  $  $ 
                   
Balance at July 2, 2022 107,687  438,668  26,254  (143,214) 1,363  323,071 
Employee stock purchase plan 17  152  -  -  -  152 
Stock incentive plan 124  850  (390) -  -  460 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards -  -  (631) -  -  (631)
Stock-based compensation -  -  4,092  -  -  4,092 
Net loss -  -  -  (11,934) -  (11,934)
Dividends on preferred stock -  -  -  (609) -  (609)
Accretion on preferred stock -  -  -  (155) -  (155)
Balance at October 1, 2022 107,828  439,670  29,325  (155,912) 1,363  314,446 
SUNOPTA INC.7September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (continued)
As at and for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1,
2022
(Unaudited)
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

  Common shares  Additional
paid-in capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
  Total 
  000s  $  $  $  $  $ 
                   
Balance at December 31, 2022 107,910  440,348  33,184  (155,688) 1,363  319,207 
Exchange of Series B-1 preferred stock, net of share issuance costs of $87 (note 7) 6,089  14,019  -  -  -  14,019 
Employee stock purchase plan 25  160  -  -  -  160 
Stock incentive plan 1,356  6,605  (6,476) -  -  129 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards -  -  (8,726) -  -  (8,726)
Stock-based compensation -  -  3,892  -  -  3,892 
Net earnings -  -  -  1,377  -  1,377 
Dividends on preferred stock -  -  -  (514) -  (514)
Accretion on preferred stock -  -  -  (190) -  (190)
Balance at April 1, 2023 115,380  461,132  21,874  (155,015) 1,363  329,354 
  Common shares  Additional
paid-in capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
  Total 
  000s  $  $  $  $  $ 
                   
Balance at January 1, 2022 107,360  436,463  23,240  (147,738) 1,363  313,328 
Employee stock purchase plan 31  134  -  -  -  134 
Stock incentive plan 188  854  (738) -  -  116 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards -  -  (89) -  -  (89)
Stock-based compensation -  -  1,629  -  -  1,629 
Net earnings -  -  -  4,568  -  4,568 
Dividends on preferred stock -  -  -  (609) -  (609)
Accretion on preferred stock -  -  -  (146) -  (146)
Balance at April 2, 2022 107,579  437,451  24,042  (143,925) 1,363  318,931 

  Common shares  Additional
paid-in capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
  Total 
  000s  $  $  $  $  $ 
                   
Balance at December 31, 2022 107,910  440,348  33,184  (155,688) 1,363  319,207 
Exchange of Series B-1 preferred stock, net of                  
share issuance costs of $191 (note 9) 6,089  13,915  -  -  -  13,915 
Employee stock purchase plan 92  463  -  -  -  463 
Stock incentive plan 1,560  7,904  (7,536) -  -  368 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards -  -  (9,121) -  -  (9,121)
Stock-based compensation -  -  8,989  -  -  8,989 
Net loss -  -  -  (163,284) -  (163,284)
Dividends on preferred stock -  -  -  (1,123) -  (1,123)
Accretion on preferred stock -  -  -  (429) -  (429)
Balance at September 30, 2023 115,651  462,630  25,516  (320,524) 1,363  168,985 
                   
  Common shares  Additional
paid-in capital
  Accumulated
deficit
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
  Total 
  000s  $  $  $  $  $ 
                   
Balance at January 1, 2022 107,360  436,463  23,240  (147,738) 1,363  313,328 
Employee stock purchase plan 70  431  -  -  -  431 
Stock incentive plan 398  2,776  (2,004) -  -  772 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards -  -  (1,602) -  -  (1,602)
Stock-based compensation -  -  9,691  -  -  9,691 
Net loss -  -  -  (5,895) -  (5,895)
Dividends on preferred stock -  -  -  (1,827) -  (1,827)
Accretion on preferred stock -  -  -  (452) -  (452)
Balance at October 1, 2022 107,828  439,670  29,325  (155,912) 1,363  314,446 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

SUNOPTA INC.78

April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
       
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)      
       
Operating activities      
Net earnings 1,377  4,568 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  3,566 
Earnings from continuing operations 1,377  1,002 
Items not affecting cash:      
Depreciation and amortization 9,998  9,413 
Amortization of debt issuance costs 407  375 
Deferred income taxes (4,850) (178)
Stock-based compensation 3,892  1,629 
Other 603  111 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (note 11) (7,560) 3,191 
Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations 3,867  15,543 
       
Investing activities      
Additions to property, plant and equipment (25,842) (25,722)
Proceeds from sale of sunflower business (note 11) 385  - 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment -  1,204 
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations (25,457) (24,518)
       
Financing activities      
Increase (decrease) in borrowings under revolving credit facilities (note 6) 8,812  (10,305)
Borrowings of long-term debt (notes 3 and 6) 18,693  22,897 
Repayment of long-term debt (note 3) (10,048) (2,395)
Proceeds from notes payable (note 5) 10,662  - 
Repayment of notes payable (note 5) (5,433) - 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases 289  250 
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based awards (249) (89)
Payment of cash dividends on preferred stock (note 7) (818) (609)
Payment of share issuance costs (87) - 
Payment of debt issuance costs -  (506)
Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations 21,821  9,243 
       
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the period 231  268 
Cash and cash equivalent, beginning of the period 679  227 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of the period 910  495 
       
Non-cash investing and financing activities (notes 3 and 11)      
 
  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
  $  $  $  $ 
     (note 1)     (note 1) 
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)            
             
Operating activities            
Net loss (145,823) (11,934) (163,284) (5,895)
Loss from discontinued operations (140,143) (14,293) (143,126) (10,203)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (5,680) 2,359  (20,158) 4,308 
Items not affecting cash:            
Depreciation and amortization 7,983  5,837  22,873  16,828 
Amortization of debt issuance costs 298  413  1,093  1,184 
Deferred income taxes 282  7,590  4,260  11,237 
Stock-based compensation 3,068  4,092  8,989  9,691 
Other (96) (74) 410  1,822 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of divestitures (note 13) (31,708) (10,878) (25,852) (21,651)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations (25,853) 9,339  (8,385) 23,419 
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations 16,521  10,634  18,798  9,643 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (9,332) 19,973  10,413  33,062 
             
Investing activities            
Additions to property, plant and equipment (4,716) (37,371) (37,272) (98,742)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment -  90  -  4,182 
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations (4,716) (37,281) (37,272) (94,560)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations (127) 15,373  (1,085) 7,750 
Net cash used in investing activities (4,843) (21,908) (38,357) (86,810)
             
Financing activities            
Increase in borrowings under revolving credit facilities (note 8) 16,207  1,761  22,718  19,724 
Borrowings of long-term debt (notes 5 and 8) 507  33,094  19,840  74,197 
Repayment of long-term debt (note 5) (10,629) (6,172) (31,435) (13,557)
Proceeds from notes payable (note 7) 42,507  -  77,602  - 
Repayment of notes payable (note 7) (17,788) -  (33,156) - 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases 255  612  831  1,203 
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based awards (114) (631) (9,121) (1,602)
Payment of cash dividends on preferred stock (note 9) (304) (609) (1,427) (1,827)
Payment of share issuance costs (68) -  (191) - 
Payment of debt issuance costs -  (113) -  (672)
Net cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations 30,573  27,942  45,661  77,466 
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations (13,835) (26,101) (14,852) (23,486)
Net cash provided by financing activities 16,738  1,841  30,809  53,980 
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in the period 2,563  (94) 2,865  232 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the period 981  553  679  227 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of the period 3,544  459  3,544  459 
             
Non-cash investing and financing activities (notes 5 and 13)            
 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements)

SUNOPTA INC.89

April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q



SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022
(Unaudited)
(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These interim consolidated financial statements of SunOpta Inc. (the "Company" or "SunOpta") have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. Accordingly, these condensed interim consolidated financial statements do not include all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation have been included and all such adjustments are of a normal, recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 30, 2023 or for any other period. The interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the "2022 Form 10-K").

As described in notes 1 and 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2022 Form 10-K, certain amounts previously reported for the quarter and three quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022 have been revised.

Discontinued Operations

As described in note 2, on October 12, 2023, the Company completed the divestiture of its frozen fruit business ("Frozen Fruit"). The divestiture of Frozen Fruit completes the Company's strategic optimization plan for its non-core, commodity-based businesses, which included the divestiture of its sunflower business ("Sunflower") in October 2022, in order to focus on value-add products in plant-based and healthy snack categories. As at September 30, 2023, Frozen Fruit met the held for sale criteria and, together with Sunflower, qualifies for reporting as discontinued operations beginning in the third quarter of 2023. As a result, the operating results and cash flows of Frozen Fruit for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022, together with the operating results and cash flows of Sunflower for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2022, have been reclassified as discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of operations and cash flows, and the assets and liabilities of the Frozen Fruit disposal group have been reclassified and reported as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets as at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. In addition, the information disclosed in these notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements is presented on a continuing operations basis, with comparative period information recast to reflect Frozen Fruit and Sunflower as discontinued operations.

Segment Information

In connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, the Company changed its internal organization and reporting structures in the third quarter of 2023 and began operating as one segment. These changes included the elimination of the roles and responsibilities of the former General Managers of the Company, who were previously identified as the segment managers of the Company's former Plant-Based and Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages operating and reportable segments. With these changes, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, who has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), manages operations on a company-wide basis, rather than at a product category or business unit level. The CODM is supported by a centralized management team based on functional area, including sales, marketing, supply chain, and research and development, as well as finance, IT and administration. Only the CODM has overall responsibility and accountability for the profitability and cash flows of the Company. Using financial information at the consolidated level, the CODM makes key operating decisions, including approving annual operating plans, expanding into new markets or product categories, pursuing business acquisitions or divestitures, and initiating major capital expenditure programs. In addition, the CODM determines the allocation of resources and capital investments to optimize operations and maximize opportunities for the Company as a whole, without regard to specific product categories or business units. The CODM also uses consolidated information to assess performance against the annual operating plan and to set company-wide incentive compensation targets. Following the divestiture of its commodity-based businesses, the majority of the Company's products are shelf-stable packaged food and beverage products and share similar customers and distribution. Refer to note 15 for a disaggregation of the Company's revenues by product category.

SUNOPTA INC.

10

September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal 2023 is a 52-week period ending on December 30, 2023, with quarterly periods ending on April 1, 2023, July 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023. Fiscal year 2022 was a 52-week period ending on December 31, 2022, with quarterly periods ending on April 2, 2022, July 2, 2022, and October 1, 2022.

2. Inventories

  April 1, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Raw materials and work-in-process 123,981  124,168 
Finished goods 84,527  90,381 
Inventory reserves (7,951) (7,502)
  200,557  207,047 

2. Discontinued Operations

Divestiture of Frozen Fruit

On October 12, 2023, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement ("APA") with Natures Touch Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Nature's Touch Frozen Fruits, LLC (the "Purchasers") to sell to the Purchasers certain assets and liabilities of Frozen Fruit for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $141 million, subject to closing working capital adjustments (the "Transaction"). On October 12, 2023 (the "Closing Date"), the Company completed the Transaction in accordance with the terms of the APA. The Transaction represents the Company's exit from the processing, packaging and selling of individually quick frozen fruit for retail, foodservice and industrial applications. Frozen Fruit was previously identified asa reporting unit within the Company's former Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages operating and reportable segment. Included with the Transaction are owned facilities of Frozen Fruit located in Edwardsville, Kansas, and Jacona, Mexico. A leased frozen fruit facility located in Oxnard, California and certain inventories of frozen fruit were not acquired by the Purchasers as part of the Transaction.

At the Closing Date, the estimated aggregate purchase price comprised cash consideration of $95.3 million; a short-term note receivable of $10.5 million, payable in five consecutive monthly installments of $2.1 million beginning 30 days following the Closing Date; secured seller promissory notes due in three years and with a stated principal amount of $20.0 million in the aggregate (the "Seller Promissory Notes"); and the assumption by the Purchasers of $15.7 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities of Frozen Fruit. At the Closing Date, $20.5 million of the cash consideration was used to make required repayments of certain bank loans and other liabilities of Frozen Fruit not assumed by the Purchasers. The Company utilized the remaining cash consideration of $74.8 million to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facilities (see note 8).

The estimated aggregate purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments based on the final net working capital to be determined as of the Closing Date. Any downward adjustment to the aggregate purchase price will be deducted from the principal amount of the Seller Promissory Notes in an amount up to $5.0 million in the aggregate, with any additional downward adjustment payable by the Company to the Purchasers in cash. The portion of any upward adjustment in the aggregate purchase price not paid to the Company by the Purchasers in cash will be added to the principal amount of the Seller Promissory Notes.

The Seller Promissory Notes bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate, determined quarterly in advance, plus a margin of 4.00% for the first year and 7.00% for the second and third years. Interest is payable quarterly in-kind. The Seller Promissory Notes mature on October 12, 2026, and outstanding principal and accrued and unpaid interest is payable on the maturity date.

On the Closing Date, the Company entered into post-closing transitional services agreements with the Purchasers to facilitate an orderly transfer of the business operations. The services provided under the agreements include, but are not limited to, IT and financial shared services, payroll and benefits administration, supply chain transition services, and contract manufacturing. These services terminate at various times up to nine months from the Closing Date and certain services may be extended up to an additional three months. Internal labor and third-party costs incurred by the Company to provide these services are recoverable from the Purchasers as incurred, including a mark-up on manufacturing services. Reverse transition services to be provided by the Purchasers include, but are not limited to, support for the sell-through of the frozen fruit inventory that was not acquired by the Purchasers, in exchange for a broker fee on sales of the retained inventory to third parties.

As at September 30, 2023, the Company determined that Frozen Fruit qualified for reporting as a discontinued operation held for sale. The Company recognized an estimated pre-tax loss on divestiture of $118.8 million to write down the carrying value of the net assets of the Transaction disposal group to fair value based on the estimated aggregate purchase price less estimated costs to sell. The estimated pre-tax loss on divestiture is recognized as part of the loss from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023. In addition, included in the assets held for sale as at September 30, 2023, are the carrying values of the Oxnard, California, facility and frozen fruit inventory that were not acquired by the Purchasers, as the Company’s plan for the divestiture of Frozen Fruit included the immediate liquidation of these assets, as they are not of use in the Company’s continuing operations.

SUNOPTA INC.

11

September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

The net assets of Frozen Fruit that have been reclassified and reported as held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets as at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, are as follows:

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Assets      
Accounts receivable 16,644  15,358 
Inventories 111,891  132,608 
Other current assets 764  153 
Property, plant and equipment, net 24,851  30,085 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 715  3,803 
Intangible assets, net 106,000  112,000 
Loss on divestiture (118,795) - 
Total assets held for sale 142,070  294,007 
       
Liabilities      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 15,375  12,632 
Operating lease liabilities 3,503  3,803 
Total liabilities held for sale 18,878  16,435 

The table below presents the major components of the results of discontinued operations reported in the consolidated statement of operations for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022. The results of operations for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2022 include the results of Sunflower, which prior to the divestiture of Frozen Fruit did not qualify on a quantitative basis for reporting as discontinued operations on a standalone basis.

SUNOPTA INC.

12

September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
  $  $  $  $ 
Revenues 58,614  85,642  194,171  281,764 
Cost of goods sold(1) 68,760  79,391  202,443  263,041 
Selling, general and administrative expenses(2) 2,370  2,788  7,347  8,304 
Intangible asset amortization 2,000  2,166  6,000  6,498 
Other expense (income), net(3) 5,885  (3,478) 5,713  (2,608)
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 912  696  (3,757) 82 
Interest expense(4) 840  441  1,392  1,160 
Earnings (loss) before loss on divestiture (22,153) 3,638  (24,967) 5,287 
Loss on divestiture(5) (118,795) (23,227) (118,795) (31,468)
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (140,948) (19,589) (143,762) (26,181)
Income tax benefit (805) (5,296) (636) (15,978)
Loss from discontinued operations (140,143) (14,293) (143,126) (10,203)

(1)Cost of goods sold for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023, includes a $11.0 million charge to write down the frozen fruit inventory that was not acquired by the Purchasers to its estimated net realizable value.

(2)For all periods presented, selling, general and administrative expenses exclude the allocation of corporate costs.

(3)Other expense for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023, includes a $6.9 million impairment charge related to the equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets of the Oxnard, California, facility that was not acquired by the Purchasers. Other income for the quarter and three quarters ended October 1, 2022, includes a $3.8 million gain on the sale of a former frozen fruit facility sold in August 2022.

(4)Interest expense reflects interest on bank loans and other interest-bearing liabilities directly attributable to Frozen Fruit.

(5)For the quarter ended October 1, 2022, reflects the pre-tax loss on divestiture of $23.2 million recognized in the third quarter of 2022 on the classification of Sunflower as held for sale, and, for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022, reflects the pre-tax loss on divestiture of Sunflower, together with a loss of $8.2 million on the settlement of the purchase price allocation related to the 2020 divestiture of the Company's global ingredients business, Tradin Organic.

3. Restricted Cash

Restricted cash relates to certain bank accounts in Mexico, which were retained following the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, that are subject to a judicial hold in connection with a litigation matter that the Company considers to be without merit. The Company has filed a motion with the Court to release the hold on the bank accounts.

4. Inventories

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Raw materials and work-in-process 53,907  46,723 
Finished goods 37,468  31,014 
Inventory reserves (7,043) (3,298)
  84,332  74,439 
SUNOPTA INC.

13

September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

5. Leases

The Company leases certain manufacturing plants, warehouses, offices, machinery and equipment, and vehicles. At the lease commencement date, the Company classifies a lease as a finance lease if it has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the right-of-use assets, otherwise the lease is classified as an operating lease.

The following tables present supplemental information related to leases:

  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
  $  $  $  $ 
Lease Costs            
Operating lease cost 4,003  3,527  10,939  9,007 
Finance lease cost:            

Depreciation of right-of-use assets

 2,863  2,445  10,885  6,844 

Interest on lease liabilities

 2,317  1,675  7,246  3,493 
Net lease cost 9,183  7,647  29,070  19,344 

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Balance Sheet Classification      
Operating leases:      

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 84,653  78,761 
       

Current portion of operating lease liabilities

 13,488  12,499 

Operating lease liabilities

 80,842  74,329 

Total operating lease liabilities

 94,330  86,828 
       
Finance leases:      

Property, plant and equipment, gross

 170,180  153,976 

Accumulated depreciation

 (28,680) (18,168)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 141,500  135,808 
       

Current portion of long-term debt

 38,547  33,283 

Long-term debt

 74,791  90,796 

Total finance lease liabilities

 113,338  124,079 
SUNOPTA INC.

914

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

The following tables present supplemental information related to leases:

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
Lease Costs      
Operating lease cost 3,410  3,211 
Finance lease cost:      
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 3,760  1,888 
Interest on lease liabilities 2,421  773 
Net lease cost 9,591  5,872 
  April 1, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Balance Sheet Classification      
Operating leases:      
Operating lease right-of-use assets 81,097  82,564 
       
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 13,199  13,074 
Operating lease liabilities 76,670  77,557 
Total operating lease liabilities 89,869  90,631 
       
Finance leases:      
Property, plant and equipment, gross 168,663  157,801 
Accumulated depreciation (24,254) (20,494)
Property, plant and equipment, net 144,409  137,307 
       
Current portion of long-term debt 35,756  33,283 
Long-term debt 84,361  90,796 
Total finance lease liabilities 120,117  124,079 
 
  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
Cash Flow Information      
Cash paid (received) for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:      
Operating cash flows from operating leases 3,405  3,082 
Operating cash flows from finance leases 2,421  773 
Financing cash flows from finance leases:      
Cash paid under finance leases(1) 9,369  2,394 
Cash received under finance leases(2) (5,407) (18,723)
       
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:      
Operating leases 226  399 
Finance leases -  14,680 
       
Right-of-use assets and liabilities reduced through lease terminations or modifications:      
Operating leases -  (1,949)
SUNOPTA INC.

10

April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
  $  $  $  $ 
Cash Flow Information            
Cash paid (received) for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:            

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 3,530  3,449  10,029  8,519 

Operating cash flows from finance leases

 2,317  1,675  7,246  3,493 

Financing cash flows from finance leases:

            

Cash paid under finance leases(1)

 8,591  6,171  26,681  13,556 

Cash received under finance leases(2)

 (508) (15,101) (6,554) (48,378)
             
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:            

Operating leases

 935  41,778  12,372  42,338 

Finance leases

 6,689  7,217  9,651  24,643 
             
Right-of-use assets and liabilities reduced through lease terminations or modifications:            

Operating leases

 (914) (277) (914) (2,226)

(1) Represents repayments under finance leases recorded as a reduction of the lease liability and reported in repayment of long-term debt and net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

(2) Represents cash advances received by the Company under finance leases for the construction of right-of-use assets controlled by the Company, which related to the buildout of the Company's new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, in the first three quarters of 2023 and 2022, as well as the buildout of the Company's executive office and innovation center located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, in the first quarterthree quarters of 2022. Cash received under finance leases is reported in borrowings of long-term debt on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 April 1, 2023 December 31, 2022  September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 
Other Information  
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):  
Operating leases 12.6  12.8  12.1  12.9 
Finance leases 3.5  3.5  3.1  3.5 
            
Weighted-average discount rate:            
Operating leases 8.7%  8.7%  8.7%  8.8% 
Finance leases 8.2%  8.2%  8.1%  8.2% 
  Operating leases  Finance leases 
  $  $ 
Maturities of Lease Liabilities      
Remainder of 2023 10,326  29,259 
2024 12,461  43,851 
2025 11,679  37,851 
2026 10,754  24,900 
2027 9,727  3,566 
Thereafter 152,740  - 
Total lease payments 207,687  139,427 
Less: imputed interest (117,818) (19,310)
Total lease liabilities 89,869  120,117 
SUNOPTA INC.

15

September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

  Operating leases  Finance leases 
  $  $ 
Maturities of Lease Liabilities      
Remainder of 2023 3,539  8,681 
2024 13,562  46,105 
2025 12,800  40,105 
2026 11,896  27,154 
2027 10,842  5,895 
Thereafter 158,273  1,398 
Total lease payments 210,912  129,338 
Less: imputed interest (116,582) (16,000)
Total lease liabilities 94,330  113,338 

4.6. Accounts Payable

The Company is party to a supplier finance program with a third-party financial institution, which is offered to certain of the Company's major suppliers. Under this arrangement, the Company agrees with a supplier on the contractual payment terms for the goods the Company procures regardless of whether the supplier elects to participate in the program. If a supplier does participate in the program, the supplier determines, at its own discretion, which invoices, if any, it wants to sell to the financial institution in order to be paid earlier than the contractual payment terms provide. A supplier's voluntary inclusion of an invoice in the program has no bearing on the Company's payment terms, which remain the original due date of the supplier invoice, or the amounts it pays the financial institution, and the Company has no economic interest in a supplier's decision to participate in the program. In addition, the Company has not pledged any assets to the financial institution as it relates to the program. Amounts due to suppliers that elected to participate in the program are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. As at April 1,September 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding payment obligations to these suppliers of $19.6$0.4 million confirmed under the program. Payments of obligations associated with the program are reported as operating cash flows on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.

5.7. Notes Payable

Commencing in the first quarter of 2023, the Company is financing certain purchases of trade goods and services through a third-party extended payables facility.facilities. Under this facility, athese facilities, third-party intermediary advancesintermediaries advance the amount of the scheduled payment to the supplier based on the invoice due date and issuesissue a short-term note payable to the Company for the face amount of the supplier invoice. Interest accrues on the note payable from the contractual payment date of the supplier invoice to the extended due date of the note payable, as specified by the negotiated terms of theeach facility. The Company does not maintain any form of security with the third-party intermediary.intermediaries. As at April 1,September 30, 2023, the Company had outstanding principal payment obligations to the third-party intermediaryintermediaries of $5.2$44.4 million in the aggregate, which is recorded as notes payable on the Company’sCompany's consolidated balance sheet. Proceeds from, and repayments of the notes payable associated with, this facilitythese facilities are reported as financing cash flows on the Company’sCompany's consolidated statements of cash flows.

SUNOPTA INC.

1116

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

6. Long-Term Debt

  April 1, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Asset-based credit facilities:      
Revolving credit facilities 142,921  137,253 
Term loan facility 56,356  43,748 
Total asset-based credit facilities 199,277  181,001 
Finance lease liabilities (see note 3) 120,117  124,079 
Other 6,784  3,404 
Total debt 326,178  308,484 
Less: current portion 43,807  38,491 
Total long-term debt 282,371  269,993 

8. Long-Term Debt

  September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Asset-based credit facilities:      

Revolving credit facilities

 139,931  137,253 

Term loan facility

 52,282  43,748 

Total asset-based credit facilities

 192,213  181,001 
Finance lease liabilities (see note 5) 113,338  124,079 
Other(1) 9,237  3,404 
Total debt 314,788  308,484 
Less: current portion 46,695  38,491 
Total long-term debt 268,093  269,993 

(1)Other long-term debt represents outstanding bank loans of the Mexican operations of Frozen Fruit, which were repaid on October 12, 2023, in connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit (see note 2).

Asset-Based Credit Facilities

On December 31, 2020, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of April 15, 2021, the Second Amendment, dated as of July 2, 2021, the Third Amendment, dated as of February 25, 2022, and the Fourth Amendment, dated as of September 2, 2022, among the Company, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods"), the other borrowers and guarantors party thereto, and the lenders party thereto (the "Lenders"). As part of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders provided a five-year, $230 million asset-based revolving credit facility, subject to borrowing base capacity (the "Tranche A Subfacility"), a two-year, $20 million first-in-last-out tranche, subject to a separate borrowing base applicable to certain eligible accounts receivable and inventory with advance rates separate from the Tranche A Subfacility (the "Tranche B Subfacility", and together with the Tranche A Subfacility, the "Revolving Credit Facilities"), and a five-year, up to $75 million delayed draw term loan facility which could be used for borrowings on or prior to March 31, 2023 (the "Term Loan Facility," and together with the Revolving Credit Facilities, the "Asset-Based Credit Facilities"), to finance certain capital expenditures. The Tranche A Subfacility includes borrowing capacity for letters of credit and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans.

As described in note 2, on October 12, 2023, the Company repaid $74.8 million of the outstanding Tranche A Subfacility borrowings with proceeds from the divestiture of Frozen Fruit.

The Tranche A Subfacility and Term Loan Facility mature on December 31, 2025. Commencing in March 2023, the Term Loan Facility is repayablebeing repaid in monthly installments equal to 1/84th of the principal amount of the Term Loan Facility outstanding as at March 31, 2023, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof. The Tranche B Subfacility matures on April 15, 2024, with amortization payments of $2.5 million, payable at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the first quarter of 2023, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof. Each repayment of Tranche B Subfacility loans results in an increase of the Lenders' commitments under the Tranche A Subfacility, provided that such increases will not cause the aggregate Lenders' commitments under the Tranche A Subfacility to exceed $250 million.

Borrowings under the Asset-Based Credit Facilities bear interest based on various reference rates, including the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, plus applicable margins, which are set quarterly based on average borrowing availability for the preceding fiscal quarter. For the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, the weighted-average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings under the Asset-Based Credit Facilities was 6.95% (April 2,7.21% (October 1, 2022 - 2.42%3.83%).

As at April 1,September 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Agreement.

SUNOPTA INC.

1217

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

7.9. Series B-1 Preferred Stock

On April 15, 2020, the Company and SunOpta Foods entered into a subscription agreement (the "Series B Subscription Agreement") with Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. (collectively, "Oaktree") and Engaged Capital, LLC, Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP and Engaged Capital Co-Invest IV-A, LP (collectively, "Engaged"). On April 24, 2020, pursuant to the Series B Subscription Agreement, SunOpta Foods issued 15,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock to each of Oaktree and Engaged for aggregate consideration of $30.0 million and 30,000 shares total (the "Series B-1 Preferred Stock"). Preferred dividends accrue daily on the Series B-1 preferred stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference prior to September 30, 2029, and 10.0% of the liquidation preference thereafter. For the second quarter of 2020, SunOpta Foods elected to pay dividends on the Series B-1 preferred stock in kind and, as a result, the aggregate liquidation preference increased to $30.4 million, or approximately $1,015 per share.

On March 3, 2023, Engaged exercised their right to exchange all of their shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock for 6,089,331 shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Shares") at an exchange price of $2.50, together with a cash payment to adjust for fractional Common Shares, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.asdividends as of the date of exchange. The Common Shares exchanged represented approximately 5.3% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares on a post-exchange basis. After the exchange, the exchanged shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock previously held by Engaged were cancelled and SunOpta Foods is no longer required to pay dividends on those shares. In addition, in connection with the exchange of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the Company redeemed all Special Shares, Series 2 of the Company that were held by Engaged. Upon the exchange, the Company derecognized the $14.1 million carrying amount of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock previously held by Engaged, net of $1.1 million of unamortized issuance costs, and recognized a corresponding amount for the Common Shares issued on exchange, less common share issuance costs of $0.1$0.2 million.

In connection with the exchange of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the Company redeemed all Special Shares, Series 2, par value $0.00001 per share, of the Company that were held by Engaged. The Special Shares, Series 2 serve as a mechanism for attaching exchanged voting rights to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and entitle the holder thereof to one vote per Special Share, Series 2 on all matters submitted to a vote of the holder of the Common Shares, voting together as a single class, subject to certain exemptions.

As at April 1,September 30, 2023, SunOpta Foods had 15,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding to Oaktree. At any time, Oaktree may exchange the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal to, per share of Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the quotient of the liquidation preference divided by the exchange price of $2.50. On or after April 24, 2023, SunOpta Foods may cause Oaktree to exchange all of their shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock if the volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the exchange price then in effect. In addition, at any time on or after April 24, 2025, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock for an amount per share equal to the value of the liquidation preference at such time, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.

On May 19, 2023, the Company issued 2,932,453 Special Shares, Series 2 to Oaktree. As a result of a permanent voting cap, the number of Special Shares, Series 2 issued to Oaktree at any time, when taken together with any other voting securities Oaktree then controls, cannot exceed 19.99% of the votes eligible to be cast by all security holders of the Company.

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company paid cash dividends on the Series B-1 Preferred Stock of $0.6 million in the aggregate to Oaktree and Engaged related to the fourth quarter of 2022, together with a cash dividend $0.2 million paid to Engaged for the period from January 1, 2023 to March 3, 2023. AsIn each of the second and third quarters of 2023, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3 million to Oaktree on the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, and, as at April 1,September 30, 2023, the Company accrued unpaid dividends to Oaktree of $0.3 million for the firstthird quarter of 2023, which are recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The carrying value of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, net of unamortized issuance costs, is being accreted to the redemption value through charges to accumulated deficit, which amounted to $0.2$0.4 million for the quarterthree quarters ended AprilSeptember 30, 2023 (October 1, 2023 (April 2, 2022 - $0.1$0.5 million).

8.10. Stock-Based Compensation

During the second quarter endedof 2023, the Company granted 1,107,650 performance share units ("PSUs") to selected employees under the Company's 2023 Short-Term Incentive Plan ("STIP"), which vest subject to the Company achieving a predetermined measure of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for fiscal 2023 and subject to the employee's continued employment with the Company through April 1, 2024 (the requisite service period) (the "EBITDA PSUs"). The grant-date fair value of each EBITDA PSU was estimated to be $6.99 based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the date of grant. For the period from the grant date to September 30, 2023, the Company recognized compensation expense of $1.4 million related to the grant-date fair value of the one-half of the PSUs granted that are currently expected to vest based on performance measure, with the remaining compensation cost not yet recognized as an expense determined to be $2.4 million as at September 30, 2023, which will be amortized over the remaining requisite service period.

SUNOPTA INC.

18

September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company issued 1,242,659 Common Shares, net of 1,057,041 Common Shares withheld for taxes, in connection with the vesting of 2,299,700 performance share units ("PSUs")EBITDA PSUs previously granted to selected employees. The total intrinsic value of these vested EBITDA PSUs was $18.0 million.

The following table summarizes all EBITDA PSU activity for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023:

     Weighted- 
     average grant- 
  EBITDA PSUs  date fair value 
Non-vested, beginning of period 2,355,431 $4.80 
Granted 1,109,309  6.99 
Vested (2,299,700) 4.78 
Cancelled (70,193) 6.48 
Non-vested, end of period 1,094,847 $6.95 

On July 10, 2023, the Company granted 186,906 restricted stock units ("RSUs"), 384,330 PSUs and 498,299 stock options to selected employees under the Company's 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). The RSUs vest in three equal annual installments beginning on July 10, 2024, and each vested RSU entitles the employee to receive one Common Share without payment of additional consideration. The vesting of thesethe PSUs wasis dependent on the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") performance relative to food and beverage companies in a designated index during the three-year period commencing January 1, 2023 and continuing through December 31, 2025, and subject to the Company achieving a predetermined measure of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") for fiscal 2022 and subject to each employee's continued employment with the Company through April 15, 2026. The TSR for the respective vesting dates (the "EBITDA PSUs").Company and each of the companies in the designated index will be calculated using a 20-trading day average closing price as of December 31, 2025. The percentage of vested PSUs may range from 0% to 200% based on the Company's achievement of predetermined TSR thresholds. Each vested PSU entitles the employee to receive one Common Share without payment of additional consideration. The stock options vest ratably on each of the first through third anniversaries of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. Each vested stock option entitles the employee to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $6.35, which was the closing price of the Common Shares on July 10, 2023.

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of each RSU was estimated to be $6.35 based on the closing price of the Common Shares on the date of grant. A grant-date fair value of $7.00 was estimated for each TSR PSU using a Monte Carlo valuation model, and a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $3.90 was estimated for each stock option using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to determine the fair values of the TSR PSUs and stock options granted under the 2023 LTIP.

  TSR PSUs  Stock options 
Grant-date stock price$6.35 $6.35 
Exercise price NA $6.35 
Dividend yield 0%  0% 
Expected volatility(a) 55.5%  63.2% 
Risk-free interest rate(b) 4.7%  4.2% 
Expected life (in years)(c) 2.5  6.0 
SUNOPTA INC.

1319

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(a)Determined based on the historical volatility of the Common Shares over the performance period of the PSUs and expected life of the stock options.

(b)Determined based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term equal to the performance period of the PSUs and expected life of the stock options.

(c)Determined based on the performance period of the PSUs and the mid-point of vesting (three years) and expiration (ten years) for the stock options.

The following table summarizes EBITDA PSU activity for the quarter ended April 1, 2023:

     Weighted- 
     average grant- 
  EBITDA PSUs  date fair value 
Non-vested, beginning of period 2,355,431 $4.80 
Granted 1,659  9.37 
Vested (2,299,700) 4.78 
Cancelled (57,390) 5.52 
Non-vested, end of period - $- 

The total intrinsicaggregate grant-date fair value of the EBITDARSUs, PSUs that vested inand stock options granted under the first quarter of 2023 LTIP was $18.0 million.

9. Income Taxes

In determining its quarterly provision for income taxes,determined to be $5.8 million, which will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate of approximately 25%, which is based on expected annual earnings and statutory tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability on the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter, including excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. In addition, the Company's effective tax rate may change from period-to-period based on recurring and non-recurring factors including the jurisdictional mix of earnings between countries and between states within the U.S., enacted tax legislation, and tax audit settlements, as well as the impact of limitations on the deductibility of executive and stock-based compensation. The effective tax rate recognizedrequisite service period ending April 15, 2026 for the quarter ended April 1, 2023 was 141.6%, compared with 15.7%PSUs and July 10, 2026 for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. The variation in the interim effective tax rates from the annual effective tax rate was mainly due to the impact of stock-based compensation included in pre-tax earnings in the respective periods,RSUs and the recognition of excess tax benefits related to the vesting of stock-based awards in the first quarter of 2023 (see note 8).stock options.

10.11. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates recognized for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023 were 0.0% (October 1, 2022 - 12.3%) and (24.6)% (October 1, 2022 - 24.0%), respectively. The effective tax rates for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023, compared with the corresponding periods of 2022, reflected the recognition of a full valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets beginning in the second quarter of 2023, based on the Company's assessment that the related tax benefits were no longer more likely than not to be realized in the future.

12. Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were calculated as follows (shares in thousands):

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
Basic Earnings Per Share      
Numerator for basic earnings per share:      
Earnings from continuing operations$1,377 $1,002 
Less: dividends and accretion on preferred stock (704) (755)

Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

 673  247 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  3,566 
Earnings attributable to common shareholders$673 $3,813 
       
Denominator for basic earnings per share:      
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 110,014  107,399 
       
Basic earnings per share:      
Earnings from continuing operations$0.01 $0.00 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  0.03 
Earnings attributable to common shareholders(1)$0.01 $0.04 
  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share            
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share:            
   Earnings (loss) from continuing operations$(5,680)$2,359 $(20,158)$4,308 
   Less: dividends and accretion on preferred stock (426) (764) (1,552) (2,279)
   Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable
      to common shareholders
 (6,106) 1,595  (21,710) 2,029 
   Loss from discontinued operations (140,143) (14,293) (143,126) (10,203)
   Loss attributable to common shareholders$(146,249)$(12,698)$(164,836)$(8,174)
             
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share:            
   Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 115,616  107,752  113,700  107,566 
             
Basic earnings (loss) per share:            
   Earnings (loss) from continuing operations$(0.05)$0.01 $(0.19)$0.02 
   Loss from discontinued operations (1.21) (0.13) (1.26) (0.09)
   Loss attributable to common shareholders(1)$(1.26)$(0.12)$(1.45)$(0.08)

SUNOPTA INC.

1420

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

  Quarter Ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
Diluted Earnings Per Share      
Numerator for diluted earnings per share:      
Earnings from continuing operations$1,377 $1,002 
Less: dividends and accretion on preferred stock (704) (755)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders 673  247 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  3,566 
Earnings attributable to common shareholders$673 $3,813 
       
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:      
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 110,014  107,399 
Dilutive effect of the following:      
Stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units(2) 3,093  960 
Series B-1 Preferred Stock(3) -  - 
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 113,107  108,359 
       
Diluted earnings per share:      
Earnings from continuing operations$0.01 $0.00 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  0.03 
Earnings attributable to common shareholders(1)$0.01 $0.04 
  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share            
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:            
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations$(5,680)$2,359 $(20,158)$4,308 
Less: dividends and accretion on preferred stock (426) (764) (1,552) (2,279)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders (6,106) 1,595  (21,710) 2,029 
Loss from discontinued operations (140,143) (14,293) (143,126) (10,203)
Loss attributable to common shareholders$(146,249)$(12,698)$(164,836)$(8,174)
             
Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share:            
Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 115,616  107,752  113,700  107,566 
Dilutive effect of the following:            
Stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units(2) -  1,487  -  1,165 
Series B-1 Preferred Stock(3) -  -  -  - 
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 115,616  109,239  113,700  108,731 
             
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:            
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations$(0.05)$0.01 $(0.19)$0.02 
Loss from discontinued operations (1.21) (0.13) (1.26) (0.09)
Loss attributable to common shareholders(1)$(1.26)$(0.12)$(1.45)$(0.08)

(1) The sum of the individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding.

(2) For the quarter and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, 535,747 and 1,454,775 potential common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their effect of reducing the loss per share from continuing operations. Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options, RSUs, and certain contingently issuable PSUs. For the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023, stock options and RSUs to purchase or receive 2,243,349 (April 2,3,181,357 (October 1, 2022 - 1,122,466)339,798) and 2,779,778 (October 1, 2022 - 2,440,184) potential common shares, respectively, were anti-dilutive because the assumed proceeds exceeded the average market price of the Common Shares for the respective periods.

(3) For the quarter and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022, it was more dilutive to assume the Series B-1 Preferred Stock was not converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator of the diluted earnings per share calculation was not adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Series B-1 Preferred Stock and the denominator was not adjusted to include the 6,089,333 and 12,178,667 Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis as at April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022, respectively.

SUNOPTA INC.

1521

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

11.13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 Quarter ended  Quarter ended Three quarters ended 
 April 1, 2023 April 2, 2022  September 30,
2023
 October 1,
2022
 September 30,
2023
 October 1,
2022
 
 $ $  $ $ $ $ 
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities 
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of Divestitures 
Accounts receivable (11,606) (15,435) (7,930) 1,094  (405) (3,651)
Inventories 6,490  1,803  1,043  (3,542) (9,893) (22,100)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,587) 13,815  (18,586) (14,350) (11,362) 1,896 
Other operating assets and liabilities 143  3,008  

(6,235

)

 5,920  

(4,192

)

 2,204 
 (7,560) 3,191  (31,708) (10,878) (25,852) (21,651)
                  
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities                  
Change in additions to property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (1,152) (5,776) (266) 421  (1,058) (5,131)
Change in accrued withholding taxes on stock-based awards included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 8,477  - 
Change in accrued dividends on preferred stock included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (305) -  -  -  (304) - 
Change in proceeds receivable from sale of sunflower business(1) 385  - 
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to discontinued operations -  6,324 
Change in proceeds receivable from sale of Sunflower(1) -  -  385  - 

(1) On October 11, 2022, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the assets and liabilities of its sunflower business and related roasted snacks operations for net proceeds of $8.2 million, of which $0.4 million was related toReflect the settlement of the final working capital adjustment related to the divestiture of Sunflower, which was receivedis included in investing activities of discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the first quarterthree quarters of 2023.

12.14. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

Various current and potential claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business are pending against the Company. The Company believes it has established adequate accruals for liabilities that are probable and reasonably estimable that may be incurred in connection with any such currently pending matter. In the Company's opinion, the eventual resolution of such matters, either individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable and resolutions or dispositions of claims or lawsuits by settlement or otherwise could have an adverse impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the reporting period in which any such resolution or disposition occurs.

Product Recall

On June 21, 2023, the Company announced its 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. Sunrise Growers Inc. is a component of the operations of Frozen Fruit. For the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized a reduction to revenues of $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for customer returns of the recalled products, and, for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized a $3.0 million reserve for inventory on-hand at the time of the recall, which was charged to cost of goods sold. In addition, the Company recorded charges of $1.7 million to other expense in the third quarter of 2023, for the reimbursement of customer lost profits and consumer refunds related to the recall. The Company is seeking to recover a portion of the recall-related costs through its insurance coverage, and such recoveries are recorded in the period in which the recoveries are determined to be probable of realization. For the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized estimated insurance recoveries, net of deductibles, of $2.5 million and $3.2 million, respectively, in other income. In connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, the recall-related costs and estimated insurance recoveries are included in the loss from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the quarter and three quarters ended September 30, 2023. As at September 30, 2023, estimated insurance recoveries of $3.2 million are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
SUNOPTA INC.

1622

April 1September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters and three quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

The Company expects to incur additional costs related to the recall during the fourth quarter of 2023, including product warehousing, transportation and destruction costs, as well as administrative costs. In addition, the Company may be subject to additional claims for damages from customers and consumers related to the recall. The Company expects that these additional costs and potential claims will be generally covered under its insurance policies; however, as of the date of this filing, the Company cannot be certain of its ability to recover recall-related costs through its insurance coverage or the extent of any such recovery.

13. Segment Information15. Disaggregation of Revenue

The composition ofprincipal products that comprise the Company's operating and reportable segments isproduct categories are as follows:

  • Plant-Based Foods and Beverages includes plant-based beverages and liquid and powder ingredients, utilizing oat, almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other bases, as well as broths, teas, and nutritional beverages. In addition, the sunflower business, which packaged dry- and oil-roasted inshell sunflower and sunflower kernels and processed raw sunflower inshell and kernel for food and feed applications, was part of this segment until it was divested on October 11, 2022.
  • Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages includes individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruit for retail, including strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, and other berries and blends, and IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice, including toppings, purées, and smoothies. In addition, Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages includes fruit snacks, including bars, twists, ropes, and bite-sized varieties, and fruit smoothie bowls.

Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury, and administration services to each of the Company's operating segments.

When reviewing the operating results of the Company's operating segments, management uses segment revenues from external customers and segment operating income/loss to assess performance and allocate resources. Total segment operating income/loss includes general and administrative expenses incurred by Corporate Services and excludes other income/expense items. In addition, interest on corporate debt and income taxes are not allocated to the operating segments.

Segment Revenues and Operating Income

Operating segment results for the quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022 were as follows:

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
Revenues from external customers      
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 129,350  135,511 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 94,530  104,662 
Total revenues from external customers 223,880  240,173 
       
Segment operating income (loss)      
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 8,277  8,461 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 1,785  784 
Corporate Services (7,524) (5,239)
Total segment operating income 2,538  4,006 
       
Other expense, net (35) (287)
Interest expense, net (5,812) (2,530)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (3,309) 1,189 
SUNOPTA INC.

17Category

Principal Products

Beverages and broths

April 1Plant-based beverages utilizing oat, almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other bases, including Dream® and West Life™ brands; oat-based creamers, including SOWN® brand; ready-to-drink protein shakes; packaged teas and concentrates; meat and vegetable broths and stocks.,

Fruit snacks

Ready-to-eat fruit snacks made from apple purée and juice concentrate in bar, bit, twist, strip and sandwich formats; cold pressed fruit bars.

Smoothie bowls

Ready-to-eat fruit smoothie and chia bowls topped with frozen fruit.

Ingredients

Liquid and powder ingredients utilizing oat, soy and hemp bases.

Revenue disaggregated by product category is as follows:

  Quarter ended  Three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
  $  $  $  $ 
Product Category            
Beverages and broths 122,886  112,785  363,154  336,305 
Fruit snacks 24,315  20,832  70,853  61,988 
Smoothie bowls 3,497  2,774  9,249  6,242 
Ingredients 1,843  7,632  5,417  27,070 
Total revenues 152,541  144,023  448,673  431,605 
SUNOPTA INC.23September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q


SunOpta Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022

(Unaudited)

(All tabular amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents a disaggregation of revenues by operating segment based on categories used by the Company to evaluate sales performance:

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages      
Beverages and broths 127,319  108,622 
Plant-based ingredients 2,031  9,726 
Sunflower and roasted snacks(1) -  17,163 
Total Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 129,350  135,511 
       
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages      
Frozen fruit and fruit-based ingredients 68,911  83,493 
Fruit snacks and smoothie bowls 25,619  21,169 
Total Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 94,530  104,662 
       
Total revenues 223,880  240,173 

(1) Reflects revenues of the Company's former sunflower business and related roasted snacks operations, which were sold on October 11, 2022.

Segment Assets

Total assets by operating segment as at April 1, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:

  April 1, 2023  December 31, 2022 
  $  $ 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 402,763  384,507 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 349,654  347,678 
Corporate Services 125,708  123,667 
Total assets 878,125  855,852 

Segment Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization by operating segment for the quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022 was as follows:

  Quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
  $  $ 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 5,440  4,434 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 3,216  3,681 
Corporate Services 1,342  1,298 
Total depreciation and amortization 9,998  9,413 
SUNOPTA INC.18April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Financial Information

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, for the quarter ended April 1,September 30, 2023 contained under Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements, and notes thereto, contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (the "Form 10-K"). Unless otherwise indicated herein, the discussion and analysis contained in this MD&A includes information available to May 10,November 9, 2023.

Certain statements contained in this MD&A may constitute forward-looking statements as defined under securities laws. Forward-looking statements may relate to our future outlook and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, litigation, projected costs, capital expenditures, financial results, taxes, plans and objectives. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as "anticipate," "estimate," "target," "intend," "project," "potential," "predict," "continue," "believe," "expect," "can," "could," "would," "should," "may," "might," "plan," "will," "budget," "forecast," or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts, or the negative of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements; however, the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. To the extent any forward-looking statements contain future-oriented financial information or financial outlooks, such information is being provided to enable a reader to assess our financial condition, material changes in our financial condition, our results of operations, and our liquidity and capital resources. Readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose, including investment decisions.

Forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding expected growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. While we consider these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. These factors are more fully described in the "Risk Factors" section at Item 1A of the Form 10-K and Item 1A of Part II of this report.

Forward-looking statements contained in this commentary are based on our current estimates, expectations, and projections, which we believe are reasonable as of the date of this report. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. Other than as required under securities laws, we do not undertake to update any forward-looking information at any particular time. Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of these forward-looking statements, and we hereby qualify all our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Unless otherwise noted herein, all currency amounts in this MD&A are expressed in U.S. dollars. All tabular dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts.

Overview

We procure, process,operate as a manufacturer for leading natural and packageprivate label brands and also produce our own brands, including SOWN®, Dream® and West LifeTM. Our consumer product portfolio includes plant-based beverages and fruit-basedcreamers, protein shakes, teas, and broths packaged in shelf-stable formats, together with fruit snacks and smoothie bowls, which are sold through retail and foodservice channels. We also produce liquid and dry ingredients for internal use and for sale to other food and beverage manufacturers.

Recent Developments

Divestiture of Frozen Fruit

On October 12, 2023, we completed the sale of certain assets and liabilities of our frozen fruit business ("Frozen Fruit") for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $141 million, subject to closing working capital adjustments. This transaction represents our exit from the processing, packaging and selling of individually quick frozen fruit for retail, foodservice and industrial applications. The divestiture of Frozen Fruit completes our strategic optimization plan for our non-core, commodity-based businesses, which included the divestiture of our sunflower business ("Sunflower") in October 2022, in order to focus on value-add products in plant-based and healthy snack categories. As at September 30, 2023, Frozen Fruit met the held for sale criteria and, together with Sunflower, qualifies for reporting as discontinued operations beginning in the third quarter of 2023. As a result, the information in this MD&A is presented on a continuing operations basis, with all periods presented recast to retailers, foodservice operators, branded food companies,reflect the reporting of Frozen Fruit and food manufacturers. The compositionSunflower as discontinued operations. For further information regarding the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and discontinued operations, see note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

SUNOPTA INC.24September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Segment Change

In connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and the management changes described below, we changed our internal organization and reporting structures in the third quarter of 2023 and began operating as one segment. As a result, the information in this MD&A is presented on a consolidated basis for all periods presented. For further information regarding the change in our segment structure, see note 1 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Management Changes

Effective October 9, 2023 and reportable segments is as follows:

  • October 13, 2023, respectively, Michael Buick, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Plant-Based Foods and Beverages - We offer a full line and Scott Huckins, Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") and General Manager of plant-based beverages and liquid and powder ingredients, utilizing oat, almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other bases, as well as broths, teas, and nutritional beverages. In addition, our former sunflower business, which packaged dry- and oil-roasted inshell sunflower and sunflower kernels and processed raw sunflower inshell and kernel for food and feed applications, was part of this segment until it was divested on October 11, 2022.

  • Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages - We offer individually quick frozen ("IQF") fruit for retail, including strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, left the Company. With their departures, we have eliminated the position of General Manager and other berrieshave adopted a centralized functional structure reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

    Effective October 13, 2023, Greg Gaba, our former Vice President Corporate Finance and blends, and IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice, including toppings, purées, and smoothies. In addition, we offer fruit snacks, including bars, twists, ropes, and bite-sized varieties, as well as fruit smoothie bowls.Deputy CFO, was appointed CFO of the Company.

SUNOPTA INC.19April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

Global Economic Conditions and Inflationary Cost Environment

Our businesses continue to be exposed to the effects of the current global macroeconomic environment, including elevated inflation, higher interest rates, and shifts in consumer demand.

  • Inflation - Inflation in the first quarterthree quarters of 2023 declined from the highs in 2022 but remainsremained elevated. We expect this inflationary environment to continue throughout the remainder of 2023. We believe that we will be able to continue to mitigate the impact of inflationary costs increases for raw materials, packaging, labor, energy, fuel, and transportation through pricing actions we have taken with our customers to date and further pricing actions that we may implement as needed. However, the effect of our customers passing on higher prices to the end consumers has impacted and may continue to impact the level of consumption of our products.
  • Interest Rates - Loans under our credit agreement bear interest at a variable rate, and the interest rate on our outstanding indebtedness has increased as market interest rates have risen, starting in the second half of 2022. These higher interest rates, together with a higher outstanding debt balance related to capital investments, have led to an increase in our interest expense in the first three quarters of 2023, which we expect will continue.
  • Consumer Demand - RecentCurrent economic conditions have reduced household savings and resulted in changes in consumer spending patterns, with a shift to lower-cost retailers and product alternatives, together with a streamlining of purchases. As a result, some of the categories we serve have experienced a softening of demand, which has negatively impacted on our sales volumes and mix.mix in the first three quarters of 2023. These consumption trends may continue to have an impact on our business.
SUNOPTA INC.25September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022

  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022  Change  Change 
For the quarter ended $  $  $  % 
             
Revenues            
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 129,350  135,511  (6,161) -4.5% 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 94,530  104,662  (10,132) -9.7% 
Total revenues 223,880  240,173  (16,293) -6.8% 
             
Gross Profit            
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 20,165  20,345  (180) -0.9% 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 8,038  8,011  27  0.3% 
Total gross profit 28,203  28,356  (153) -0.5% 
             
Gross Margin(1)            
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 15.6%  15.0%     0.6% 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 8.5%  7.7%     0.8% 
Total gross margin 12.6%  11.8%     0.8% 
             
Segment operating income (loss)(2)            
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 8,277  8,461  (184) -2.2% 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 1,785  784  1,001  127.7% 
Corporate Services (7,524) (5,239) (2,285) -43.6% 
Total segment operating income 2,538  4,006  (1,468) -36.6% 
             
Other expense, net 35  287  (252) -87.8% 
Earnings from continuing operations before the following 2,503  3,719  (1,216) -32.7% 
Interest expense, net 5,812  2,530  3,282  129.7% 
Income tax expense (benefit) (4,686) 187  (4,873) -2605.9% 
Earnings from continuing operations 1,377  1,002  375  37.4% 
Earnings from discontinued operations -  3,566  (3,566) - 
Net earnings(3),(4) 1,377  4,568  (3,191) -69.9% 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (704) (755) 51  6.8% 
             
Earnings attributable to common shareholders(5) 673  3,813  (3,140) -82.3% 
 
SUNOPTA INC.20April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  Change  Change 
For the quarter ended $  $  $  % 
             
Revenues 152,541  144,023  8,518  5.9% 
Cost of goods sold 132,273  118,891  13,382  11.3% 
             
Gross profit 20,268  25,132  (4,864) -19.4% 
             
Gross margin(1) 13.3%  17.4%     -4.1% 
             
Operating expenses            
Selling, general and administrative expenses 18,377  17,866  511  2.9% 
Intangible asset amortization 446  446  -  0.0% 
Other expense (income), net -  451  (451) -100.0% 
Foreign exchange gain (37) (223) 186  83.4% 
Total operating expenses 18,786  18,540  246  1.3% 
             
Operating income 1,482  6,592  (5,110) -77.5% 
             
Interest expense, net 7,162  3,901  3,261  83.6% 
             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (5,680) 2,691  (8,371) * 
Income tax expense -  332  (332) -100.0% 
             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (5,680) 2,359  (8,039) * 
Loss from discontinued operations (140,143) (14,293) (125,850) -880.5% 
             
Net loss(2),(3) (145,823) (11,934) (133,889) -1121.9% 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (426) (764) 338  44.2% 
             
Loss attributable to common shareholders(4) (146,249) (12,698) (133,551) -1051.7% 

* Percentage not meaningful due to figures being positive and negative.

(1) Gross margin is a measure of gross profit (equal to revenues less cost of goods sold) as a percentage of revenues. We use a measure of adjusted gross margin that excludes non-capitalizable start-up costs included in cost of goods sold that are incurred in connection with capital expansion projects. We are completing the largest capital expansion in our company's history, including the construction of our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, which officially opened in February 2023, together with other major capital expansion and productivity enhancement projects currently underway. Start-up costs related to these projects have had, and are expected to continue to have, a significant impact on the comparability of reported gross margins, which may obscure trends in our margin performance. As a result, we

We use thisthe measure of adjusted gross margin to evaluate the underlying profitability of our revenue-generating activities within each reporting period. We believe that disclosing this non-GAAP measure provides investors with a meaningful, consistent comparison of our profitability measure for the periods presented. However, the non-GAAP measure of adjusted gross margin should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross margin calculated based on gross profit determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin from reported gross margin calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
 Plant-Based Fruit-Based   Plant-Based Fruit-Based 
 Foods and Foods and Foods and Foods and 
For the quarter ended Beverages Beverages Consolidated  Beverages Beverages Consolidated  September 30,
2023
 October 1,
2022
 
Reported gross margin 15.6%  8.5%  12.6%  15.0%  7.7%  11.8%  13.3%  17.4% 
Start-up costs(a) 4.4%  0.0%  2.6%  0.3%  0.0%  0.2%  3.1%  0.4% 
Adjusted gross margin 20.0%  8.5%  15.2%  15.3%  7.7%  12.0%  16.4%  17.8% 

(a) Represents incremental direct costs incurred in connection with plant expansion projects and new product introductions before the project or product reaches normal production levels, including costs for the hiring and training of additional personnel, fees for outside services, travel costs, and plant- and production-related expenses. For the firstthird quarter of 2023, start-up costs mainlyincluded in cost of goods sold related to the ramp-up of production at our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas.Texas, and the start-up of a new extrusion line at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington. For the third quarter of 2022, start-up costs mainlyincluded in cost of goods sold related to the hiring and training of new employees for the Midlothian facility, together with the integration of the acquired Dream and West Life brands.facility.

(2)When assessing the financial performance of our operating segments, we use an internal measure of operating income/loss that excludes other income/expense items determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is the basis on which management, including the CEO, assesses the underlying performance of our operating segments. We believe that disclosing this non-GAAP measure assists investors in comparing financial performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of our operating performance. However, the non-GAAP measure of operating income/loss should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of segment operating income/loss to "earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following" on the consolidated statements of operations, which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

  Plant-Based  Fruit-Based       
  Foods and  Foods and  Corporate    
  Beverages  Beverages  Services  Consolidated 
For the quarter ended $  $  $  $ 
April 1, 2023            
Segment operating income (loss) 8,277  1,785  (7,524) 2,538 
Other income (expense), net -  7  (42) (35)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following 8,277  1,792  (7,566) 2,503 
             
April 2, 2022            
Segment operating income (loss) 8,461  784  (5,239) 4,006 
Other expense, net (43) (10) (234) (287)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following 8,418  774  (5,473) 3,719 
 
SUNOPTA INC.2126April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

We believe that investors' understanding of our financial performance is enhanced by disclosing the specific items that we exclude from segment operating income (loss). However, any measure of segment operating income (loss) excluding any or all of these items is not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for operating income (loss) prepared under U.S. GAAP. These items are presented solely to allow investors to more fully understand how we assess financial performance.

(3)(2) When assessing our financial performance, we use an internal measure of adjusted earningsearnings/loss that excludes specific items recognized in other income or expense, and other unusual items that are identified and evaluated on an individual basis, which due to their nature or size, we would not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis. We believe that the identification of these excluded items enhances the analysis of the financial performance of our business when comparing those operating results between periods, as we do not consider these items to be reflective of normal business operations. The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) from net earnings from continuing operations,(loss), which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. In addition, we have prepared this table in columnar format to present the effects of discontinued operations on our consolidated results for the periods presented. We believe this presentation assists investors in assessing the financial performance of our continuing operations.

  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
     Per Share     Per Share 
For the quarter ended $  $  $  $ 
Earnings from continuing operations 1,377     1,002    
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (704)    (755)   
Earnings attributable to common shareholders 673  0.01  247  0.00 
Adjusted for:            
Start-up costs(a) 6,425     440    
Business development costs(b) 731     183    
Other expense, net 35     287    
Net income tax effect(c) (1,873)    (239)   
Adjusted earnings 5,991  0.05  918  0.01 
  Continuing  Discontinued       
  Operations  Operations  Consolidated 
     Per Share     Per Share     Per Share 
For the quarter ended $  $  $  $  $  $ 
September 30, 2023                  
Net loss (5,680)    (140,143)    (145,823)   
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (426)    -     (426)   
Loss attributable to common shareholders (6,106) (0.05) (140,143) (1.21) (146,249) (1.26)
Adjusted for:                  
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -     118,795     118,795    
Inventory reserves and impairment charges(b) -     17,864     17,864    
Start-up costs(c) 4,733     -     4,733    
Business development costs(d) 928     -     928    
Severance costs(e) 897     -     897    
Other(f) -     21     21    
Net income tax on adjusting items(g) -     -     -    
Adjusted earnings (loss) 452  0.00  (3,463) (0.03) (3,011) (0.03)
                   
October 1, 2022                  
Net earnings (loss) 2,359     (14,293)    (11,934)   
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (764)    -     (764)   
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders 1,595  0.01  (14,293) (0.13) (12,698) (0.12)
Adjusted for:                  
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -     23,227     23,227    
Sale of frozen fruit processing facility(h) -     (3,460)    (3,460)   
Start-up costs(c) 608     -     608    
Exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(i) 206     -     206    
Business development costs(d) 75     -     75    
Other(f) 245     (18)    227    
Net income tax on adjusting items(g) (299)    (5,192)    (5,491)   
Adjusted earnings 2,430  0.02  264  0.00  2,694  0.02 

(a)(a)Reflects the estimated pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Frozen Fruit in the third quarter of 2023 and the pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Sunflower in the third quarter of 2022, which are recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

(b) For the firstthird quarter of 2023, reflects inventory reserves and impairment charges on equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets recognized in connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, which are recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

(c)For the third quarter of 2023, start-up costs mainly related toincluded the ramp-up of production at our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, and the start-up of a new extrusion line at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington, which wereare recorded in cost of goods sold ($5.8 million) and SG&A expenses ($0.6 million).sold. For the firstthird quarter of 2022, start-up costs mainly related toincluded the hiring and training of new employees for the Midlothian facility, together with the integration of the Dream and West Life brands, which wereare recorded in cost of goods sold ($0.5 million) and SG&A expenses.expenses ($0.1 million).

SUNOPTA INC.27September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

(b)(d) Represents third-party costs associated with business development activities, includingwhich are inclusive of costs related to the evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and divestitures, internal expansion projects, and other strategic initiatives. For the firstthird quarters of 2023 and 2022, thesebusiness development costs wererelated to the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and are recorded in SG&A expenses.

(e)For the third quarter of 2023, reflects employee severance costs accrued in connection with the consolidation of our continuing operations following the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, which are recorded in SG&A expenses.

(f)(c)Other includes reserves for legal settlements and gains and loss on the disposal of assets, which are recorded in other income/expense and loss from discontinued operations.

(g) Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings calculated based on the statutory tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying adjustment.adjustment, net of deferred tax valuation allowances.

(h)For the third quarter of 2022, reflects the gain on sale in August 2022 of a previously owned frozen fruit processing facility, net of exit costs, which is recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

(i)For the third quarter of 2022, reflects exit costs related to a former fruit ingredient processing facility, which are recorded in other expense.

We believe that investors' understanding of our financial performance is enhanced by disclosing the specific items that we exclude to compute adjusted earnings.earnings (loss). However, adjusted earnings (loss) is not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for net earnings from continuing operations(loss) prepared under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted earnings (loss) is presented solely to allow investors to more fully understand how we assess our financial performance.

(4)(3) We use a measure of adjusted EBITDA when assessing the performance of our operations, which we believe is useful to investors' understanding of our operating profitability because it excludes non-operating expenses, such as interest and income taxes, and non-cash expenses, such as depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation, as well as other unusual items that affect the comparability of operating performance. We also use this measure to assess operating performance in connection with our employee incentive programs. We define adjusted EBITDA as segment operatingnet earnings (loss) before interest, income plustaxes, depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation, and excluding other unusual items as identified in the determination of adjusted earnings (loss) (refer above to footnote (3)(2)). The following table presents a reconciliation of segment operating income and adjusted EBITDA from net earnings from continuing operations,(loss), which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. In addition, as described above in footnote (2), we have prepared this table in columnar format to present the effects of discontinued operations on our consolidated results for the periods presented. We believe this presentation assists investors in assessing the financial performance of our continuing operations.

  Continuing  Discontinued    
  Operations  Operations  Consolidated 
For the quarter ended $  $  $ 
September 30, 2023         
Net loss (5,680) (140,143) (145,823)
Income tax benefit -  (805) (805)
Interest expense, net 7,162  840  8,002 
Depreciation and amortization 7,983  2,966  10,949 
Stock-based compensation 3,068  -  3,068 
Adjusted for:         
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -  118,795  118,795 
Inventory reserves and impairment charges(b) -  17,864  17,864 
Start-up costs(c) 4,733  -  4,733 
Business development costs(d) 928  -  928 
Severance costs(e) 897  -  897 
Other -  21  21 
Adjusted EBITDA 19,091  (462) 18,629 
SUNOPTA INC.2228April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022 
For the quarter ended $  $ 
Earnings from continuing operations 1,377  1,002 
Income tax expense (benefit) (4,686) 187 
Interest expense, net 5,812  2,530 
Other expense, net 35  287 
Total segment operating income 2,538  4,006 
Depreciation and amortization 9,998  9,413 
Stock-based compensation 3,892  1,629 
Start-up costs(a) 6,425  440 
Business development costs(b) 731  183 
Adjusted EBITDA 23,584  15,671 

  Continuing  Discontinued    
  Operations  Operations  Consolidated 
For the quarter ended $  $  $ 
October 1, 2022         
Net earnings (loss) 2,359  (14,293) (11,934)
Income tax expense (benefit) 332  (5,296) (4,964)
Interest expense, net 3,901  441  4,342 
Depreciation and amortization 5,837  3,893  9,730 
Stock-based compensation 4,092  -  4,092 
Adjusted for:         
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -  23,227  23,227 
Sale of frozen fruit processing facility(h) -  (3,460) (3,460)
Start-up costs(c) 608  -  608 
Exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(i) 206  -  206 
Business development costs(d) 75  -  75 
Other 245  (18) 227 
Adjusted EBITDA 17,655  4,494  22,149 

(a)For the first quarter of 2023, start-up costs mainly related-(i) Refer to the ramp-up of production at our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($5.8 million) and SG&A expenses ($0.6 million). For the first quarter of 2022, start-up costs mainly related to the hiring and training of new employees for the Midlothian facility, together with the integration of the Dream and West Life brands, which were recorded in cost of goods sold and SG&A expenses.footnote (2) above.

(b)For the first quarters of 2023 and 2022, business development costs were recorded in SG&A expenses.

Although we use adjusted EBITDA as a measure to assess the performance of our business and for the other purposes set forth above, this measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for an analysis of our results of operations as reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

  • adjusted EBITDA does not reflect interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest payments on our indebtedness;
  • adjusted EBITDA does not include the recovery/payment or recovery of income taxes, which is a necessary element of our operations;
  • although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and
  • adjusted EBITDA does not include non-cash stock-based compensation, which is an important component of our total compensation program for employees and directors.

Because of these limitations, adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Management compensates for these limitations by not viewing adjusted EBITDA in isolation, and specifically by using other U.S. GAAP and non-GAAP measures, such as revenues, gross profit, segment operating income, (loss), net earnings,earnings/loss, and adjusted earningsearnings/loss to measure our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to our results of operations or cash flows from operations determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the calculation of a similarly titled measure reported by other companies.

(5)(4) In order to evaluate our results of operations, we use certain non-GAAP measures that we believe enhance an investor's ability to derive meaningful period-over-period comparisons and trends from our results of operations. For example, as described above under footnote (1), we evaluate our adjusted gross margins on a basis that excludes the impact of start-up costs. In addition, we exclude specific items from our reported results that due to their nature or size, we do not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis. These items are identified above under footnote (3)(2), and in the discussion of our results of operations below. These non-GAAP measures are presented solely to allow investors to more fully assess our results of operations and should not be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP.

SUNOPTA INC.29September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Inclusive of the impact of the divestiture of our sunflower business in the fourth quarter of 2022, total revenuesRevenues for the quarter ended April 1,September 30, 2023 decreasedincreased by 6.8%5.9% to $223.9$152.5 million from $240.2$144.0 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022, reflecting a 4.5% revenue decline in the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment and a 9.7% revenue decline in the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment.October 1, 2022. The change in revenues from the firstthird quarter of 2022 to the firstthird quarter of 2023 was due to the following:

SUNOPTA INC.23April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

 Plant-Based Fruit-Based 
 Foods and Beverages Foods and Beverages Consolidated 
 $ %  $ %  $ %  $ % 
2022 revenues 135,511     104,662     240,173     144,023    
Volume/Mix 7,921  5.5% 
Price 12,064  8.9%  1,339  1.3%  13,403  5.6%  597  0.4% 
Volume/Mix (1,062) -0.8%  (11,471) -11.0%  (12,533) -5.2% 
Divestiture of sunflower business (17,163) -12.7%  -  -  (17,163) -7.1% 
2023 revenues 129,350  -4.5%  94,530  -9.7%  223,880  -6.8%  152,541  5.9% 

Note: percentages may not add due to rounding.

For the quarter ended April 1,September 30, 2023, the 4.5% decrease5.9% increase in revenues for the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment reflected a 12.7% revenue loss related to the divestiture of the sunflower business, together with an unfavorablefavorable volume/mix impact of 0.8%, partially offset by an 8.9%5.5% and a 0.4% overall increase in pricing. The unfavorablefavorable volume/mix was mainly due toreflected sales volume growth for oat milks and creamers, 330-milliliter protein shakes, and teas, together with higher sales volumes for fruit snacks, partially offset by lower external sales of plant-based ingredients due to a customer transferring part of its business to a second-source supplier and increased internal demand for oat base, (a $7.9 million decrease to revenues). On the other hand, we saw strong year-over-year growth in our plant-based beverage portfolio, mainly from oat milks and creamers, and coconut and soy milks, alongtogether with strong growth in teas, partially offset by lower volumes of everyday broths (a $6.8 million net increase to revenues).softer demand for almond beverages. The increase in pricing mainly reflectsreflected the wrap-around benefit of pricing actions taken with customers in 2022 to offset inflationary cost increases.

For the quarter ended April 1, 2023, the 9.7% decrease in revenues for the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment reflected an unfavorable volume/mix impact of 11.0%, partially offset by a 1.3% increase in pricing. The volume/mix impact reflected lower volumes of frozen fruit, as retail customers manage inventories in response to softer consumer demand and foodservice customers experiencing slower traffic in light of current economic conditions, together with the impact of one-time incremental volumes from a frozen fruit customer in the first quarter of 2022 that did not recur, partially offset by strong demand for fruit snacks and new business for our line of smoothie bowls. The increase in pricing mainly reflected pricing actions taken with customers in 2022 to offset commodity inflation incurred on fruit inventories and other inflationary cost increases.

Consolidated grossGross profit decreased $0.2$4.8 million, or 0.5%19.4%, to $28.2 million for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared with $28.4 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. Consolidated gross margin for the quarter ended April 1, 2023 was 12.6% compared to 11.8% for the quarter ended April 2, 2022, an increase of 80 basis points. Adjusted gross margin on a consolidated basis for the quarter ended April 1, 2023 was 15.2% compared to 12.0% for the quarter ended April 2, 2022, an increase of 320 basis points.

Gross profit for the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment decreased $0.1 million to $20.2 million for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared with $20.3 million for the quarter ended April 2,September 30, 2023, compared with $25.1 million for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. Gross margin for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was 13.3% compared to 17.4% for the quarter ended October 1, 2022, while gross margin increased 60a decrease of 410 basis points to 15.6% in the first quarter of 2023 from 15.0% in the first quarter of 2022. points.

In the firstthird quarter of 2023, we incurred start-up costs included in cost of $5.8goods sold of $4.7 million (4.4%(3.1% gross margin impact) related to our new plant in Midlothian, Texas, and new extrusion line at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington, compared with $0.4$0.5 million (0.3%(0.4% gross margin impact) of start-up costs incurred in the firstthird quarter of 2022. Excluding the impact of these costs, adjusted gross margin for the Plant-Based Food and Beverages segmentquarter ended September 30, 2023 was 20.0% in the first quarter of 2023,16.4% compared to 15.3%17.8% for the quarter ended October 1, 2022, a decrease of 140 basis points. See footnote (1) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table for a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin from gross margin calculated in the first quarter of 2022. accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The 470-basis140-basis point increasedecrease in adjusted gross margin reflected the impact of incremental depreciation of new production equipment for capital expansion projects ($2.3 million or 1.5% gross margin impact) and higher manufacturing costs, partially offset by a favorable mix shift in our plant-based ingredient operations, with increased internal use of oat base to support our beverage business and lower external sales.

Operating income decreased $5.1 million to $1.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared with $6.6 million for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. The decrease in operating income reflected lower gross profit, as described above, together with higher business development and employee severance costs in connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and related consolidation of our continuing operations, partially offset by lower employee incentive compensation accruals and variable stock-based compensation expense based on performance.

(Further details on the changes in revenue, gross profit and operating income are provided in the rollforward tables below.)

Net interest expense increased by $3.3 million to $7.2 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared with $3.9 million for the quarter ended October 1, 2022, resulting from an approximately 170-basis point improvementincrease in outstanding debt to finance capital expansion projects, together with the impact of higher interest rates.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, we recognized a full valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets arising in the third quarter of 2023, based on our assessment that the related tax benefits were no longer more likely than not to be realized in the future, resulting in no income tax expense/benefit recognized for the period. For the quarter ended October 1, 2022, we recognized income tax expense of $0.3 million on pre-tax earnings of $2.7 million, reflecting an effective tax rate of 12.3%.

Loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $5.7 million, compared with earnings of $2.4 million for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders (after dividends and accretion on preferred stock) was $0.05 for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared with a diluted earnings per share of $0.01 for the quarter ended October 1, 2022.

We recognized a loss from discontinued operations of $140.1 million (diluted loss per share of $1.21) for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared with $14.3 million (diluted loss per share of $0.13) for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. The increase in the loss from discontinued operations reflected the estimated pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Frozen Fruit of $118.8 million recognized in the third quarter of 2023, compared with a pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Sunflower of $23.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2022. In addition, the increase in the loss from discontinued operations reflected a period-over-period decrease in the gross profit of Frozen Fruit prior to the divestiture due to lower sales and production volumes as a result of softer retail consumption trends and lost foodservice distribution, together with inventory reserves recognized in connection with the divestiture.

SUNOPTA INC.30September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

We realized a loss attributable to common shareholders of $146.2 million (diluted loss per share of $1.26) for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared with a loss attributable to common shareholders of $12.7 million (diluted loss per share of $0.12) for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. Loss attributable to common shareholders included dividends and accretion on our Series B-1 preferred stock of $0.4 million and $0.8 million in the third quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

On a consolidated basis, adjusted loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 was $3.0 million, or $0.03 loss per diluted share, compared with adjusted earnings of $2.7 million, or $0.02 earnings per diluted share, for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. For the quarter ended September 30, 2023, adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $0.5 million, or $0.00 earnings per diluted share, compared with adjusted earnings of $2.4 million, or $0.02 earnings per diluted share, for the quarter ended October 1, 2022.

On a consolidated basis, adjusted EBITDA decreased $3.5 million, or 15.9%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 to $18.6 million, compared with $22.1 million for the quarter ended October 1, 2022. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased $1.4 million, or 8.1%, to $19.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, compared with $17.7 million for the quarter ended October 1, 2022.

Adjusted earnings (loss) and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See footnotes (2) and (3) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table for a reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) and adjusted EBITDA from net earnings (loss), which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Rollforward of Revenue, Gross Profit and Operating Income

For the quarter ended September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  Change  % Change 
             
Revenues$152,541 $144,023 $8,518  5.9% 
Gross profit 20,268  25,132  (4,864) -19.4% 
Gross margin 13.3%  17.4%     -4.1% 
             
Operating income$1,482 $6,592 $(5,110) -77.5% 
Operating margin 1.0%  4.6%     -3.6% 

Revenues

The table below explains the $8.5 million increase in revenues from $144.0 million for the third quarter of 2022 to $152.5 million for the third quarter of 2023:

Revenues for the quarter ended October 1, 2022$144,023
Sales volume growth for oat milks and creamers, 330-milliliter protein shakes, and teas, partially offset by softer demand for almond beverages10,101
Higher sales volumes for fruit snacks and smoothie bowls4,206
Lower external sales of plant-based ingredients due to a customer transferring part of its business to a second-source supplier and increased internal demand for oat base(5,789)
Revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2023$152,541
SUNOPTA INC.31September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Gross Profit

The table below explains the $4.8 million decrease in gross profit of from $25.1 million for the third quarter of 2022 to $20.3 million for the third quarter of 2023:

Gross profit for the quarter ended October 1, 2022$25,132
Increase in start-up costs related to capital expansion projects(4,195)
Incremental depreciation related to capital expansion projects(2,307)
Impact of sales volume growth and increased internal use of oat base to support our beverage business, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs1,638
Gross profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2023$20,268

Operating Income

The table below explains the $5.1 million decrease in operating income from $6.6 million for the third quarter of 2022 to $1.5 million for the third quarter of 2023:

Operating income for the quarter ended October 1, 2022$6,592
Decrease in gross profit, as explained above($4,864)
Higher business development and employee severance costs in connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and related consolidation of our continuing operations, partially offset by lower employee incentive compensation accruals based on performance(1,270)
Lower variable stock-based compensation expense based on performance1,024
Operating income for the quarter ended September 30, 2023$1,482

Outlook for the Fourth Quarter of 2023

We expect sequential and year-over-year revenue growth from our continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2023 as we continue to ramp-up production of protein shakes and teas at our Midlothian, Texas, facility, and deliver on new business. In addition, we expect to be producing at near to full capacity on our new fruit snack extrusion line by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023 in order to address unfilled category demand. We anticipate sequential and year-over-year improvements in the gross margin profile of our continuing operations in the fourth quarter of 2023, with higher production volumes and improved plant utilization more than offsetting manufacturing cost increases. The statements in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Various factors could adversely impact our ability to meet these forward-looking expectations, including the impact of current economic conditions on consumer buying behavior and demand for our products; our ability to successfully ramp up production at our Midlothian, Texas facility and on our new fruit snacks extrusion line; our ability to successfully commercialize new business; and other factors described above under "Forward-Looking Statements."

SUNOPTA INC.32September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022

  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  Change  Change 
For the three quarters ended $  $  $  % 
             
Revenues 448,673  431,605  17,068  4.0% 
Cost of goods sold 385,697  355,691  30,006  8.4% 
             
Gross profit 62,976  75,914  (12,938) -17.0% 
             
Gross margin(1) 14.0%  17.6%     -3.6% 
             
Operating expenses            
Selling, general and administrative expenses 58,403  58,864  (461) -0.8% 
Intangible asset amortization 1,338  1,338  -  0.0% 
Other expense (income), net (20) 1,408  (1,428) * 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 44  (208) 252  * 
Total operating expenses 59,765  61,402  (1,637) -2.7% 
             
Operating income 3,211  14,512  (11,301) -77.9% 
             
Interest expense, net 19,391  8,844  10,547  119.3% 
             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (16,180) 5,668  (21,848) * 
Income tax expense 3,978  1,360  2,618  192.5% 
             
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (20,158) 4,308  (24,466) * 
Loss from discontinued operations (143,126) (10,203) (132,923) -1302.8% 
             
Net loss(2),(3) (163,284) (5,895) (157,389) -2669.9% 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (1,552) (2,279) 727  31.9% 
             
Loss attributable to common shareholders(4) (164,836) (8,174) (156,662) -1916.6% 

* Percentage not meaningful due to figures being positive and negative.

(1)The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin from reported gross margin calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP (refer to footnote (1) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table regarding the use of this non-GAAP measure).

For the three quarters ended September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
 
Reported gross margin 14.0%  17.6% 
Start-up costs(a) 3.6%  0.3% 
Adjusted gross margin 17.7%  17.9% 

Note: percentages may not add due to rounding.

(a)Represents incremental direct costs incurred in connection with plant expansion projects and new product introductions before the project or product reaches normal production levels, including costs for the hiring and training of additional personnel, fees for outside services, travel costs, and plant- and production-related expenses. For the first three quarters of 2023, start-up costs included in cost of goods sold related to the ramp-up of production at our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, and the start-up of new extrusion and high-speed packaging lines at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington. For the third quarter of 2022, start-up costs included in cost of goods sold related to the hiring and training of new employees for the Midlothian facility, together with the integration of the acquired Dream and West Life brands.

(2)The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) from net earnings (loss), which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure (refer to footnote (2) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table regarding the use of this non-GAAP measure).

SUNOPTA INC.33September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

 
  Continuing  Discontinued       
  Operations  Operations  Consolidated 
     Per Share     Per Share     Per Share 
For the three quarters ended $  $  $  $  $  $ 
September 30, 2023                  
Net loss (20,158)    (143,126)    (163,284)   
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (1,552)    -     (1,552)   
Loss attributable to common shareholders (21,710) (0.19) (143,126) (1.26) (164,836) (1.45)
Adjusted for:                  
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -     118,795     118,795    
Inventory reserves and impairment charges(b) -     17,864     17,864    
Start-up costs(c) 17,855     -     17,855    
Product recall costs, net of insurance recoveries(d) -     2,500     2,500    
Business development costs(e) 2,390     -     2,390    
Severance costs(f) 897     -     897    
Other(g) (20)    519     499    
Net income tax on adjusting items(h) -     -     -    
Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets(i) 3,978     -     3,978    
Adjusted earnings (loss) 3,390  0.03  (3,448) (0.03) (58) (0.00)
                   
October 1, 2022                  
Net earnings (loss) 4,308     (10,203)    (5,895)   
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (2,279)    -     (2,279)   
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders 2,029  0.02  (10,203) (0.09) (8,174) (0.08)
Adjusted for:                  
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -     31,468     31,468    
Sale of frozen fruit processing facility(j) -     (2,544)    (2,544)   
Start-up costs(c) 1,329     -     1,329    
Business development costs(e) 874     -     874    
Exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(k) 577     -     577    
Other(g) 831     (64)    767    
Net income tax on adjusting items(h) (949)    (16,414)    (17,363)   
Adjusted earnings 4,691  0.04  2,243  0.02  6,934  0.06 

(a)For the first three quarters of 2023, reflects the estimated pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Frozen Fruit which is recorded in loss from discontinued operations. For the first three quarters of 2022, reflects the pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Sunflower of $23.2 million, together with a loss of $8.2 million on the settlement of the purchase price allocation related to the 2020 divestiture of our global ingredients business, Tradin Organic, which are recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

(b)For the first three quarters of 2023, reflects inventory reserves and impairment charges on equipment and operating lease right-of-use assets recognized in connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, which are recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

(c)For the first three quarters of 2023, start-up costs included the ramp-up of production at our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, the start-up of new extrusion and high-speed packaging lines at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington, and professional fees related to productivity initiatives within our manufacturing operations, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($16.3 million) and SG&A expenses ($1.5 million). For the first three quarters of 2022, start-up costs mainly related to the hiring and training of new employees for the Midlothian facility, and the integration of the Dream and West Life brands, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($1.2 million) and SG&A expenses ($0.1 million).

(d)Reflects the self-insured retention amount under our insurance policies related to the recall of specific frozen fruit products initiated in the second quarter of 2023, which is recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

SUNOPTA INC.34September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

(e)Represents third-party costs associated with business development activities, which are inclusive of costs related to the evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and divestitures, internal expansion projects, and other strategic initiatives. For the first three quarters of 2023, business development costs related to the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, and, for the first three quarters of 2022, these costs related to the divestitures of Frozen Fruit and Sunflower, together with our inaugural Investor Day held in June 2022. These costs were recorded in SG&A expenses.

(f)For the first three quarters of 2023, reflects employee severance costs accrued in connection with the consolidation of our continuing operations following the divestiture of Frozen Fruit, which are recorded in SG&A expenses.

(g)Other includes reserves for legal settlements and gains and loss on the disposal of assets, which are recorded in other income/expense and loss from discontinued operations.

(h)Reflects the tax effect of the preceding adjustments to earnings calculated based on the statutory tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying adjustment, net of deferred tax valuation allowances. In addition, for the first three quarters of 2022, reflects $11.0 million of tax benefits resulting from the settlement of the purchase price allocation related to the divestiture of Tradin Organic.

(i)For the first three quarters, reflects an increase to the valuation allowance for U.S. deferred tax assets recognized in the second quarter of 2023, based on an assessment of the future realizability of the related tax benefits.

(j)For the first three quarters of 2022, reflects the gain on sale in August 2022 of a previously owned frozen fruit processing facility, net of exit costs, which is recorded in loss from discontinued operations.

(k)For the first three quarters of 2022, reflects exit costs related to a former fruit ingredient processing facility, which are recorded in other expense.

(3)The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA from net earnings (loss), which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure (refer to footnote (3) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table regarding the use of this non-GAAP measure).

  Continuing  Discontinued    
  Operations  Operations  Consolidated 
For the three quarters ended $  $  $ 
September 30, 2023         
Net loss (20,158) (143,126) (163,284)
Income tax expense (benefit) 3,978  (636) 3,342 
Interest expense, net 19,391  1,392  20,783 
Depreciation and amortization 22,873  8,861  31,734 
Stock-based compensation 8,989  -  8,989 
Adjusted for:         
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -  118,795  118,795 
Inventory reserves and impairment charges(b) -  17,864  17,864 
Start-up costs(c) 17,855  -  17,855 
Product recall costs, net of insurance recoveries(d) -  2,500  2,500 
Business development costs(e) 2,390  -  2,390 
Severance costs(f) 897  -  897 
Other(g) (20) 519  499 
Adjusted EBITDA 56,195  6,169  62,364 
SUNOPTA INC.35September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

          
  Continuing  Discontinued    
  Operations  Operations  Consolidated 
For the three quarters ended $  $  $ 
October 1, 2022         
Net earnings (loss) 4,308  (10,203) (5,895)
Income tax expense (benefit) 1,360  (15,978) (14,618)
Interest expense, net 8,844  1,160  10,004 
Depreciation and amortization 16,828  11,687  28,515 
Stock-based compensation 9,691  -  9,691 
Adjusted for:         
Loss on divestiture of discontinued operations(a) -  31,468  31,468 
Sale of frozen fruit processing facility(j) -  (2,544) (2,544)
Start-up costs(c) 1,329  -  1,329 
Business development costs(e) 874  -  874 
Exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(k) 577  -  577 
Other(g) 831  (64) 767 
Adjusted EBITDA 44,642  15,526  60,168 

(a)-(k) Refer to footnote (2) above.

(4)Refer to footnote (4) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table regarding the use of certain other non-GAAP measures in the discussion of our lower-margin sunflower commodityresults of operations below.

Revenues for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023 increased by 4.0% to $448.7 million from $431.6 million for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022. The change in revenues from the first three quarters of 2022 to the first three quarters of 2023 was due to the following:

  $  % 
2022 revenues 431,605    
Price 19,558  4.5% 
Volume/Mix (2,490) -0.6% 
2023 revenues 448,673  4.0% 

Note: percentages may not add due to rounding.

For the three quarters ended September 30, 2023, the 4.0% increase in revenues reflected a 4.5% increase in pricing mainly reflecting the wrap-around benefit of pricing actions taken with customers in 2022 to offset inflationary cost increases, partially offset by an unfavorable volume/mix impact of 0.6%. The unfavorable volume/mix reflected lower external sales of plant-based ingredients due to a customer transferring part of its business to a second-source supplier and increased internal demand for oat base, together with softer demand for almond beverages and lower sales volumes of everyday broths, partially offset by sales volume growth for oat milks and creamers, 330-milliliter protein shakes, and teas, together with higher sales volumes for fruit snacks.

Gross profit decreased $12.9 million, or 17.0%, to $63.0 million for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023, compared with $75.9 million for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022. Gross margin for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023 was 14.0% compared to 17.6% for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022, a decrease of 360 basis points.

In the first three quarters of 2023, we incurred start-up costs included in cost of goods sold of $16.3 million (3.6% gross margin impact) related to our new plant in Midlothian, Texas, and new extrusion and high-speed packaging lines at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington, compared with $1.2 million (0.3% gross margin impact) of start-up costs incurred in the first three quarters of 2022. Excluding the impact of these costs, adjusted gross margin for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023 was 17.7% compared to 17.9% for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022, a decrease of 20 basis points. See footnote (1) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table for a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin from gross margin calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

SUNOPTA INC.36September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

The 20-basis point decrease in adjusted gross margin reflected the impact of incremental depreciation of new production equipment for capital expansion projects ($6.4 million or 1.7% gross margin impact), together with the negative impacts of higher manufacturing costs and lower production volumes and plant utilization, largely offset by the wrap-around benefit of pricing actions taken in 2022 to recover input cost inflation, and the positive gross margin impact oftogether with a favorable mix shift in our plant-based ingredient operations, with increased internal use of oat base to support our beverage business and lower external sales.

Gross profit for the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment was $8.0Operating income decreased $11.3 million for each of the quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022, while gross margin increased to 8.5% in the first quarter of 2023 from 7.7% in the first quarter of 2022. The 80-basis point improvement in gross margin reflected the strong sales and production performance of our fruit snacks business, together with improved pricing and reduced inventory losses within our frozen fruit operations due to improved handling processes. These factors were partially offset by a higher mix of lower margin bulk fruit sales to right-size frozen fruit inventories and improve working capital efficiency, together with manufacturing inefficiencies and inventory losses related to smoothie bowl production.

For the quarter ended April 1, 2023, we realized total segment operating income of $2.5 million, compared with $4.0$3.2 million for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,September 30, 2023, compared with $14.5 million for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022. The $1.5 million decrease in total segment operating income reflected a $3.2 million increase in SG&A expenses, together with slightly lower gross profit, as described above. The increaseabove, together with higher business development and employee severance costs in SG&A expenses was mainly due to higherconnection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and related consolidation of our continuing operations, partially offset by lower employee incentive compensation costs, includingaccruals and variable stock-based compensation expense based on performance, and higher business development costs. These factors were partially offset by a favorable year-over-year foreign exchange impact related to our Mexican operations of $1.7 million.performance.

SUNOPTA INC.24April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

(Further details on the changes in revenue, gross profit and segment operating income/loss variancesincome are provided below under "Operating Segment Information."in the rollforward tables below.)

Net interest expense increased by $3.3$10.6 million to $5.8$19.4 million for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, compared with $2.5$8.8 million for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022, resulting from an increase in outstanding debt to finance capital expansion projects, together with the impact of higher interest rates.Interest expense capitalized as part of the construction cost of property, plant and equipment was $0.3 million and $0.1 million in the first quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

WeFor the three quarters ended September 30, 2023, we recognized an income tax benefitexpense of $4.7$4.0 million on a pre-tax loss of $3.3$16.2 million, forreflecting the recognition of a full valuation allowance against U.S. deferred tax assets in the second quarter of 2023, based on our assessment that the related tax benefits were no longer more likely than not to be realized in the future. For the three quarters ended AprilOctober 1, 2023, compared with an2022, we recognized income tax provisionexpense of $0.2$1.4 million on pre-tax earnings of $1.2$5.7 million, for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. Excluding the impact of non-deductible executive and stock-based compensation and the recognition of excess tax benefits related to the vesting of stock-based awards in the first quarter of 2023, ourreflecting an effective tax rate was approximately 25% in each of the first quarters of 2023 and 2022.24.0%.

EarningsLoss from continuing operations for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023 were $1.4was $20.2 million, compared with earnings of $1.0$4.3 million for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022. Diluted earningsloss per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders (after dividends and accretion on preferred stock) was $0.01$0.19 for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, compared with a diluted earnings per share of $0.00$0.02 for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022.

EarningsWe recognized a loss from discontinued operations of $3.6$143.1 million (diluted earningsloss per share of $0.03)$1.26) for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023, compared with $10.2 million (diluted loss per share of $0.09) for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022. The increase in the loss from discontinued operations reflected the estimated pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Frozen Fruit of $118.8 million recognized in the third quarter ended April 2,of 2023, compared with a pre-tax loss on the divestiture of Sunflower of $23.2 million recorded in the third quarter of 2022, were related totogether with an $8.2 million loss on the settlement of the purchase price allocation and other post-closing matters in connection withrelated to the 2020 divestiture of our global ingredients business, Tradin Organic. In addition, the increase in the loss from discontinued operations reflected a period-over-period decrease in the gross profit of Frozen Fruit prior to the divestiture due to lower sales and production volumes as a result of softer retail consumption trends and lost foodservice distribution, together with inventory reserves recognized in connection with the divestiture.

We realized earningsa loss attributable to common shareholders of $0.7$164.8 million (diluted earningsloss per share of $0.01)$1.45) for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, compared with earningsa loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.8$8.2 million (diluted earningsloss per share of $0.04)$0.08) for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022. EarningsLoss attributable to common shareholders included dividends and accretion on our Series B-1 preferred stock of $0.7$1.6 million and $0.8$2.3 million in the first three quarters of 2023 and 2022, respectively.

On a consolidated basis, adjusted loss for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023 was $0.1 million, or $0.00 loss per diluted share, compared with adjusted earnings of $6.9 million, or $0.06 earnings per diluted share, for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022. For the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, adjusted earnings from continuing operations were $6.0$3.4 million, or $0.05$0.03 earnings per diluted share, compared with adjusted earnings of $0.9$4.7 million, or $0.01$0.04 earnings per diluted share, for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022.

On a consolidated basis, adjusted EBITDA increased $2.2 million, or 3.6%, for the three quarters ended September 30, 2023 to $62.4 million, compared with $60.2 million for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations increased $7.9$11.6 million, or 50.5%25.9%, for the quarter ended April 1, 2023 to $23.6 million, compared with $15.7$56.2 million for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,September 30, 2023, compared with $44.6 million for the three quarters ended October 1, 2022.

SUNOPTA INC.37September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Adjusted earnings (loss) and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See footnotes (3)(2) and (4)(3) to the "Consolidated Results of Operations for the Three Quarters Ended September 30, 2023 and October 1, 2022" table above for a reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) and adjusted EBITDA from net earnings from continuing operations,(loss), which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Rollforward of Revenue, Gross Profit and Operating Segment InformationIncome

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages            
For the quarter ended April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022  Change  % Change 
             
Revenues$129,350 $135,511 $(6,161) -4.5% 
Gross profit 20,165  20,345  (180) -0.9% 
Gross margin 15.6%  15.0%     0.6% 
             
Operating income$8,277 $8,461 $(184) -2.2% 
Operating margin 6.4%  6.2%     0.2% 
 
SUNOPTA INC.25April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

For the three quarters ended September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  Change  % Change 
             
Revenues$448,673 $431,605 $17,068  4.0% 
Gross profit 62,976  75,914  (12,938) -17.0% 
Gross margin 14.0%  17.6%     -3.6% 
             
Operating income$3,211 $14,512 $(11,301) -77.9% 
Operating margin 0.7%  3.4%     -2.7% 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages contributed $129.4 million in revenues for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared to $135.5 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022, a decrease of $6.1 million, or 4.5%. Revenues

The table below explains the decrease$17.1 million increase in revenues:revenues from $431.6 million for the first three quarters of 2022 to $448.7 million for the first three quarters of 2023:

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Revenue Changes
Revenues for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022$135,511431,605
ImpactWrap-around benefit of the divestiturepricing actions taken in 2022 to offset input cost inflation, together with sales volume growth for oat milks and creamers, 330-milliliter protein shakes and teas, partially offset by softer demand for almond beverages and lower sales volumes of the sunflower business in the fourth quarter of 2022everyday broths(17,163)26,849
Higher sales volumes for fruit snacks and smoothie bowls11,872
Lower external sales of plant-based ingredients due to a customer transferring part of its business to a second-source supplier and increased internal demand for oat base(7,695)
Wrap-around benefit of pricing actions taken in 2022 to offset inflationary cost increases, together with sales volume growth for oat milks and creamers, coconut and soy milks, and teas, partially offset by lower volumes of everyday broths18,697(21,653)
Revenues for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023$129,350448,673

Gross profit in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages decreased by $0.1 million to $20.2 million for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared to $20.3 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. Profit

The table below explains the $12.9 million decrease in gross profit:profit of from $75.9 million for the first three quarters of 2022 to $63.0 million for the first three quarters of 2023:

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Gross Profit Changes
Gross profit for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022$20,34575,914
Increase in start-up costs related to our new plant in Midlothian, Texascapital expansion projects(5,354)(15,156)
Impact of the divestiture of the sunflower businessIncremental depreciation related to capital expansion projects(239)(6,396)
Higher volumessales pricing and pricing for plant-based beverages, together with increased internal use of oat base to support our beverage business, partially offset by higher inputmanufacturing costs, increased inventory reserves,together with the impact of lower production volumes and incremental depreciation of new production equipment for capital expansion projectsplant utilization5,4138,614
Gross profit for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023$20,16562,976
SUNOPTA INC.38September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Operating income in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages decreased by $0.2 million to $8.3 million for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared to $8.5 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. Income

The table below explains the $11.3 million decrease in operating income:income from $14.5 million for the first three quarters of 2022 to $3.2 million for the first three quarters of 2023:

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Operating Income Changes
Operating income for the quarterthree quarters ended April 2,October 1, 2022$8,46114,512
Increase in corporate cost allocation(510)
Decrease in gross profit, as explained above(180)($12,938)
Lower employee incentive compensation costs,accruals based on performance, partially offset by higher research andbusiness development and salesemployee severance costs in connection with the divestiture of Frozen Fruit and marketing expensesrelated consolidation of our continuing operations506935
Lower variable stock-based compensation expense based on performance702
Operating income for the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023$8,2773,211

Despite the revenue headwind of lower external sales volumes of plant-based ingredients and the impact of the divestiture of the sunflower business in 2022, we anticipate year-over-year revenue growth for our Plant-Based Foods and Beverages operating segment for fiscal 2023, compared with fiscal 2022. Revenue growth is expected in the second half of 2023 with capacity gains across our aseptic network, including the commencement of commercial production on the 330-milliliter packaging line at our Midlothian, Texas, facility, together with the start-up of other capacity expansion projects at our other aseptic facilities. In addition, we expect the wrap-around benefit of pricing actions taken in 2022, and potential pricing actions in 2023 as needed, will effectively offset input cost inflation. We expect these pricing actions, together with improved plant utilization and the divestiture of the lower-margin sunflower commodity business, to drive year-over-year gross margin improvements in our plant-based operations in 2023, excluding the impact of start-up costs related to the Midlothian facility, as well as other capacity expansion projects expected to come online in 2023. The statements in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Various factors could adversely impact our ability to meet these forward-looking expectations, including the extent and duration of inflation headwinds; our ability to continue to pass through price increases to our customers to offset inflationary pressures; the impact of price inflation on consumer buying behavior and demand for plant-based beverages; our ability to successfully execute on our capital expansion projects, including the ramp-up of commercial production at our Midlothian facility, and the viability of those projects; and other factors described above under "Forward-Looking Statements."

SUNOPTA INC.26April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages            
For the quarter ended April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022  Change  % Change 
             
Revenues$94,530 $104,662 $(10,132) -9.7% 
Gross profit 8,038  8,011  27  0.3% 
Gross margin 8.5%  7.7%     0.8% 
             
Operating income (loss)$1,785 $784 $1,001  127.7% 
Operating margin 1.9%  0.7%     1.2% 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages contributed $94.5 million in revenues for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared to $104.7 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022, a decrease of $10.2 million, or 9.7%. The table below explains the decrease in revenues:

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Revenue Changes
Revenues for the quarter ended April 2, 2022$104,662
Lower sales volumes of frozen fruit to retail and foodservice customers, together with the impact of one-time incremental volumes from a frozen fruit customer in the first quarter of 2022 that did not recur, partially offset by increased bulk fruit sales(14,582)
Higher sales volumes and pricing for fruit snacks and incremental volumes of smoothie bowls4,450
Revenues for the quarter ended April 1, 2023$94,530

Gross profit in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages was $8.0 million for each of the quarters ended April 1, 2023 and April 2, 2022. The table below explains the slight increase in gross profit:

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Gross Profit Changes
Gross profit for the quarter ended April 2, 2022$8,011
Higher sales volumes and pricing for fruit snacks, together with increased production volumes and plant efficiencies in our fruit snack operations, partially offset by manufacturing inefficiencies and inventory losses related to the ramp-up of smoothie bowl production251
Lower sales and production volumes of frozen fruit for retail and foodservice customers, together with a higher mix of lower margin bulk fruit sales, partially offset by improved pricing and reduced inventory losses due to excess spoilage during handling(224)
Gross profit for the quarter ended April 1, 2023$8,038
SUNOPTA INC.27April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

Operating income in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages increased by $1.0 million to $1.8 million for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared to $0.8 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. The table below explains the increase in operating income:

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Operating Income Changes
Operating income for the quarter ended April 2, 2022$784
Favorable foreign exchange impact within our frozen fruit operations in Mexico, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses1,628
Increase in gross profit, as explained above27
Increase in corporate cost allocation(654)
Operating income for the quarter ended April 1, 2023$1,785

While we experienced a softening of demand for retail frozen fruit in the first quarter of 2023, we anticipate higher revenues and gross profit for our Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages operating segment for fiscal 2023, compared with fiscal 2022, driven by the expected completion of capacity expansion projects in our fruit snacks operations in the second half of 2023 to meet unfilled demand, together with overall stable frozen fruit volumes. The statements in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" above. Various factors could adversely impact our ability to meet these forward-looking expectations, including the extent and duration of inflation headwinds, and the impact on consumer buying behavior and overall demand for our fruit-based products; our ability to successfully execute on our capital expansion projects, and the viability of those projects; our ability to successfully migrate our smoothie bowl production and achieve anticipated volume gains and cost savings; and other factors described above under "Forward-Looking Statements."

Corporate Services            
For the quarter ended April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022  Change  % Change 
             
Operating loss$(7,524)$(5,239)$(2,285) -43.6% 

Operating loss at Corporate Services increased by $2.3 million to $7.5 million for the quarter ended April 1, 2023, compared to a loss of $5.2 million for the quarter ended April 2, 2022. The table below explains the increase in operating loss:

Corporate Services Operating Loss Changes
Operating loss for the quarter ended April 2, 2022$(5,239)
Higher variable stock-based compensation, based on improved performance(2,263)
Higher employee compensation and business development costs(1,186)
Increase in corporate cost allocations, mainly related to headcount and salary increases1,164
Operating loss for the quarter ended April 1, 2023$(7,524)

Corporate cost allocations mainly consist of salaries of corporate personnel who directly support the operating segments, as well as costs related to our enterprise resource management system. These expenses are allocated to the operating segments based on (1) specific identification of allocable costs that represent a service provided to each segment and (2) a proportionate distribution of costs based on a weighting of factors such as revenue contribution and the number of people employed within each segment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

From time to time, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve working capital efficiency, we utilize, at our sole discretion, supplier finance programs offered by some of our major customers that allow us to sell our receivables from the customers to such customers' financial institutions, on a non-recourse basis, in order to be paid earlier than our payment terms with the customer provide at a discount rate that leverages those customers' favorable credit ratings. Utilizing these programs reduces our accounts receivable balances, improves our cash flows, and reduces the cost of servicing these receivables with our revolving credit facility.

SUNOPTA INC.28April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

In connection with our efforts to extend payment terms with our major suppliers to enhance cash flows, we facilitate our own voluntary supplier finance program through a third-party financial institution, by which a participating supplier may elect to sell an invoice to the financial institution in order to be paid earlier than the contractual payment terms provide (see note 46 to the unaudited consolidated financings statements included in this report.) Additionally, we are financing certain other purchases of goods and services through an extended payables facility,facilities, by which a third-party intermediary settlesintermediaries settle the supplier invoice on the contractual due date, and we pay the intermediaryintermediaries the face amount of the invoice, together with interest, at a later date (see note 57 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.)

On December 31, 2020, we entered into a five-year credit agreement, as amended, for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $250 million, subject to borrowing base capacity. As at April 1,September 30, 2023, we had outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $142.9$139.9 million (December 31, 2022 - $137.3 million), including a $17.5$12.5 million FILOfirst-in-last-out ("FILO") term loan (December 31, 2022 - $20.0 million), and available borrowing capacity of approximately $41$39 million (January 1, 2022 - $50 million). Commencing inwith the first quarter of 2023, we are making amortization payments on the principal amount of the FILO term loan of $2.5 million each quarter, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof on April 15, 2024.

In October 2023, we utilized a portion of the cash proceeds from the divestiture of Frozen Fruit to reduce the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility by $74.7 million, which increased our available borrowing capacity to approximately $52 million.

The credit agreement also provided a five-year, up to $75 million delayed draw term loan, to be used for capital expenditures, which could be drawn upon up to March 31, 2023. As at March 31, 2023, we had utilized $57.0 million on the term loan facility to partially finance the purchase of equipment for our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, as well as certain other equipment purchases. Commencing in March 2023, we are repaying the term loan facility in monthly installments of $0.7 million, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof on December 31, 2025. As at April 1,September 30, 2023, the principal amount outstanding under the term loan facility was $56.4$52.3 million (December 31, 2022 - $43.7 million).

For the quarterthree quarters ended April 1,September 30, 2023, the weighted-average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings under our asset-based credit facilities was 6.95% (April 2,7.21% (October 1, 2022 - 2.42%3.83%), reflecting increases in short-term interest rates.


For more information on our asset-based credit facilities, see note 68 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

SUNOPTA INC.39September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

As at September 30, 2023, we had outstanding finance lease liabilities of $113.3 million (December 31, 2022 - $124.1 million), with a weighted-average implicit interest rate of 8.05% and a weighted-average remaining lease term of 3.1 years. Additions to finance leases in the first three quarters of 2023 were related to the final buildout of our Midlothian, Texas, facility, and the additions of new extrusion and high-speed packaging lines at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington. For more information on our operating and finance lease obligations, including maturity dates, see note 5 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

As at April 1, 2023, we had outstanding finance lease liabilities of $120.1 million (December 31, 2022 - $124.1 million), with a weighted-average implicit interest rate of 8.25% and a weighted-average remaining lease term of 3.5 years. Additions to finance leases in the first quarter of 2023 were related to the final buildout of our Midlothian, Texas, facility. For more information on our operating and finance lease obligations, including maturity dates, see note 3 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

As at April 1,September 30, 2023, our subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc. ("SunOpta Foods") had 15,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock issued and outstanding. The Series B-1 preferred stock currently has a liquidation preference of approximately $1,015 per share and is exchangeable into shares of our common stock at an exchange price of $2.50 per share, which presently equates to approximately 6,089,333 common shares. Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Series B-1 preferred stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference, which equates to quarterly dividend distributions of approximately $0.3 million. At any time, the holders of the Series B-1 preferred stock may elect to exchange their shares of Series B-1 preferred stock into shares of our common stock. In addition, since April 24, 2023, SunOpta Foods may cause the holders of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock to exchange all of their shares of Series B-1 preferred stock into shares of our common stock if the volume-weighted average trading price of our common shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the $2.50 exchange price per share.

For more information on the Series B-1 preferred stock, see note 79 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report.

We estimate cash expenditures of $35 million toapproximately $45 million on identified capital projects in fiscal 2023, including $25.8$38.7 million spent in the first quarterthree quarters of 2023 (including $1.5 million related to discontinued operations). Cash expenditures on continuing operations mainly related to the completion of our Midlothian, Texas, facility. We funded our cash capital expenditures in the first quarterthree quarters of 2023 using our term loan facility, together with cash advances under finance leases and our revolving credit facility. In addition, we estimate approximately $20$9.7 million of non-cash capital investmentsfinance leases commenced in the first three quarters of 2023, consisting of capitalized finance lease right-of-use assets.related to the new extrusion and high-speed packaging lines at our fruit snacks facility in Omak, Washington.

We believe that our operating cash flows, including the selective use of supplier finance programs and the extended payables facility to improve payment terms, together with our revolving credit facility, and access to lease financing, will be adequate to meet our operating, investing, and financing needs for the foreseeable future, including the 12-month period following the fiscal period end of our financial statements included in this report. However, in order to finance significant investments in our existing businesses, or significant business acquisitions, if any, that may arise in the future, we may need additional sources of cash that we could attempt to obtain through a combination of additional bank or subordinated financing, a private or public offering of debt or equity securities, or the issuance of common stock. There can be no assurance that these types of financing would be available at all or, if so, on terms that are acceptable to us. In addition, we may explore the sale of selected operations or assets from time to time to improve our profitability, reduce our indebtedness, and/or improve our position to obtain additional financing.

SUNOPTA INC.29April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

Cash Flows

Summarized cash flow information for the periods ended April 1,September 30, 2023 and April 2,October 1, 2022 is as follows:

  For the quarter ended 
  April 1, 2023  April 2, 2022  Change 
  $  $  $ 
Net cash flows provided by (used in):         
Operating activities of continuing operations 3,867  15,543  (11,676)
Investing activities of continuing operations (25,457) (24,518) (939)
Financing activities of continuing operations 21,821  9,243  12,578 
  For the quarter ended  For the three quarters ended 
  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  Change  September 30,
2023
  October 1,
2022
  Change 
  $  $  $  $  $  $ 
Net cash flows provided by (used in):                  
Continuing operations:                  
Operating activities (25,853) 9,339  (35,192) (8,385) 23,419  (31,804)
Investing activities (4,716) (37,281) 32,565  (37,272) (94,560) 57,288 
Financing activities 30,573  27,942  2,631  45,661  77,466  (31,805)
Discontinued operations 2,559  (94) 2,653  2,861  (6,093) 8,954 
SUNOPTA INC.40September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Operating Activities of Continuing Operations

Cash provided byused in operating activities decreased $11.7of continuing operations increased $35.2 million and $31.8 million from the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2022 to the first quartercomparable periods of 2023. The decreaseincreases in cash providedused mainly reflected an unfavorable working capital change of $10.8 million, together with the impact in the first quarter of 2023 of start-up costs related to our Midlothian, Texas, facility, and higher cash interest expense on borrowings to finance capital expenditures.expenditures, together with increases in working capital in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2023, mainly due to the timing of receivables and payables, partially offset by higher inventory purchases in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022 to support our fruit snacks operations.

Investing Activities of Continuing Operations

Cash used in investing activities increased $0.9of continuing operations decreased $32.6 million and $57.3 million from the third quarter and first quarterthree quarters of 2022 to the first quartercomparable periods of 2023. InvestingThe year-over-year decreases in investing cash flows mainlyoutflows reflected additions to property, plant and equipment,the completion of certain major capital projects, including the construction of our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas.

Financing Activities of Continuing Operations

Cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations increased $12.6$2.6 million from the firstthird quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, and decreased $31.8 million from the first quarterthree quarters of 2022 to the first three quarters of 2023. The increaseyear-over-year movements in financing cash providedflows mainly reflected an increased level of borrowings under our revolving credit facilityfacilities to fund changes in working capital and capital expenditures in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2023, together with net proceeds from notes payable associated with theour use of extended payables facility to fund changes in working capital in the first quarter of 2023, partiallyfacilities, offset by a reduced level of borrowingsnet repayments of long-term debt as capital projects are completed and repayments commence on the related term loan and lease financing.completed.

Discontinued Operations

Net cash provided by discontinued operations increased $2.7 million and $9.0 million in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2023, respectively, which reflected lower period-over-period purchases of frozen fruit inventory to align with demand. In addition, in the third quarter and first three quarters of 2022, cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations included net proceeds of $16.1 million received on the sale of a frozen fruit processing facility, partially offset in the first three quarters of 2022 by a $6.3 million payment in settlement of the purchase price allocation and other post-closing matters related to the 2020 divestiture of Tradin Organic.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related revenues and expenses, and disclosure of gain and loss contingencies at the date of the financial statements. The estimates and assumptions made require us to exercise our judgment and are based on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We continually evaluate the information that forms the basis of our estimates and assumptions as our business and the business environment generally changes.

There have been no material changes to the critical accounting estimates disclosed under the heading "Critical Accounting Estimates" in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of the Form 10-K.

SUNOPTA INC.30April 1, 2023 Form 10-Q

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of the Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to our exposures to market risks since December 31, 2022.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Such disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

SUNOPTA INC.41September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. As a result of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting identified and described in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of April 1,September 30, 2023.

Notwithstanding the identified material weaknesses, management has concluded that the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly represent in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows at and for the periods presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Remediation Plan for Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company is in the process of improving its policies and procedures relating to the preparation and review of the consolidated income tax provision and recognition of deferred tax assets related to stock-based compensation. Management plans to enhance its internal controls by adding controls to ensure proper review and assessment of business activities impacting the provision and completeness and accuracy of data used in preparing the consolidated tax provision and deferred tax assets.

The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. As a result of the material weakness relating to the annual consolidated income tax provision and recognition of deferred tax assets, we believe the remediation will occur in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and will strengthen our internal control over financial reporting and will prevent a reoccurrence of the material weaknesses described in Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Other than the actions taken under "Remediation Plan for Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting" discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended April 1,September 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

SUNOPTA INC.3142April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

For a discussion of legal proceedings, see note 1214 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Certain risks associated with our operations are discussed in Item 1A "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. There have been no material changes to the previously reported risk factors as of the date of this quarterly report. Our previously reported risk factors should be carefully reviewed in connection with an evaluation of our Company.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

See note 7 to our financial statements under Item 1 of Part I above for a description of our March 3, 2023 issuance of 6,089,331 common shares in exchange for shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock of SunOpta Foods Inc. The issuance was exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 506(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, because all the of the purchasers were accredited investors.

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are included as part of this report.

ExhibitDescription
2.1Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 12, 2023, among SunOpta Inc., Sunrise Growers Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., SunOpta Mx, S.A. de C.V., Sunrise Growers, Inc., Nature's Touch Frozen Fruits, LLC and Natures Touch Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2023).
10.1†Executive Employment Agreement made as of October 11, 2023 between Greg Gaba and SunOpta Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 17, 2023).
  
31.1*Certification by Joseph D. Ennen, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  
31.2*Certification by Scott Huckins,Greg Gaba, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  
32*Certifications by Joseph D. Ennen, Chief Executive Officer, and Scott Huckins,Greg Gaba, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
  
101.INS*Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File as its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
  
101.SCH*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101.CAL*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEF*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LAB*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PRE*Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
  
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

† Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

* Filed herewith.

SUNOPTA INC.3243April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

SUNOPTA INC.

Date: May 10,November 9, 2023

/s/ Scott HuckinsGreg Gaba

Scott HuckinsGreg Gaba

Chief Financial Officer

(Authorized Signatory and Principal Financial Officer)

SUNOPTA INC.3344April 1,September 30, 2023 Form 10-Q