VILLAGE FARMS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands of United States dollars, except per share amounts and unless otherwise noted)
Critical accounting estimates and judgments
i) Estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment
Management estimates the useful lives of property, plant and equipment based on the period during which the assets are expected to be available for use. The amounts and timing of recorded expenses for depreciation of property, plant and equipment for any period are affected by these estimated useful lives. The estimates are reviewed at least annually and are updated if expectations change as a result of physical wear and tear, technical or commercial obsolescence and legal or other limits to use. It is possible that changes in these factors may cause significant changes in the estimated useful lives of the Company’s property, plant and equipment in the future.
ii) Financial instruments
The Company’s over-the-counter derivative includes an interest rate swap used to economically hedge exposure to variable cash flows associated with interest payments on the Company’s borrowings. Management utilizes a third party to value the derivative at each reporting period; the estimates and assumptions used by the third party are based on available market data which includes market yields and counterparty credit spreads.
iii) Biological asset
The fair value of the biological asset is derived using a discounted cash flow model. Management estimates the sales price of produce on the vine by utilizing actual sales prices for the first six weeks of the next year, and estimates the costs to sell and complete by projecting yields and crop, packaging, and transportation costs. The estimated costs are subject to fluctuations based on the timing of prevailing growing conditions and market conditions.
iv) Inventories and cost of sales
Cost of sales is based upon incurred costs, and estimated costs to be incurred, of each crop allocated to both actual and estimated future yields over each crop cycle. The estimates of future yields are reviewed at each reporting period for accuracy. However, numerous factors such as weather, diseases and prevailing market conditions can impact the estimation of pricing, costs, and future yields. The estimated costs to be incurred are based on references to historical costs and updated for discussions with suppliers and senior management. Inventories include the actual cost of the crop not yet defined as a biological asset, packaging supplies, and purchased produce, less the amounts that have been expensed in cost of sales.
v) Income taxes and deferred income tax assets or liabilities
Management uses judgment and estimates in determining the appropriate rates and amounts in recording deferred taxes, giving consideration to timing and probability. Actual taxes could vary significantly from these estimates as a result of future events, including changes in income tax law or the outcome of reviews by tax authorities and related appeals. The resolution of these uncertainties and the associated final taxes may result in adjustment to the Company’s tax assets and tax liabilities. The recognition of deferred income tax assets is subject to judgment and estimation over whether these amounts can be realized. Management estimates, at this time, that the hail storm insurance proceeds received are not currently taxable, but if certain conditions are not met, a portion could become taxable in the future.
4 | CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The IASB periodically issues new standards and amendments or interpretations to existing standards. The new pronouncements listed below are those policy changes that management considers relevant to the Company now or in the future. This is not intended to be a complete list of new pronouncements made during the year.
IFRS 9, Financial Instruments, addresses classification and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities, and replaces the multiple category and measurement models in IAS 39, Financial Instruments-Recognition and Measurement. The new Standard limits the number of categories for classification of financial assets to two: amortized cost and fair value through profit or loss. The requirements for financial liabilities are largely in line with IAS 39. IFRS 9 also replaces the models for measuring equity instruments. Equity instruments are either recognized at fair value through profit or loss or at fair value through other comprehensive income. The ability to recognize unquoted equity instruments at cost under IAS 39 is eliminated. The standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. IFRS 9 is not expected to have a material impact on amounts recorded on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
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