Net Income (Loss)
Net Income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017 improved by $5,805 to a net income of $3,822 from a net loss of ($1,983) for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase is a result of a gain on assets partially offset by the decrease in income from operations, and an increase in the provision for income taxes.
EBITDA
EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased by ($2,022) to $7,363 from $9,385 for the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to a decrease in the selling price of the Company’s produce products. See the EBITDA calculation in “Non-IFRS Measures—Reconciliation of Net Earnings to EBITDA”.
Fourth Quarter 2017 Operational Discussion:
(in thousands of U.S. Dollars unless otherwise indicated)
Sales
Sales for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased by ($444), or (1%), to $36,864 from $37,308 for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in sales is primarily due to a decrease in the Company’s supply partner product volume which was partially offset by an increase in the Company’s facilities production volume of 3%. The decrease in supply partner product volume is due to the transition from one primary Mexican supply partner to a new primary Mexican supply partner who is in the process of expanding its operations.
The average selling price for tomatoes remained flat for the three months ended December 31, 2017 versus the three months ended December 31, 2016. Cucumber pricing increased by 9% and pepper pricing decreased by (3%) in the fourth quarter of 2017 versus the comparable quarter in 2016.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was essentially flat at $31,908 from $31,891 for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The Company lowered its cost per pound at its facilities during the quarter by 2% versus the same quarter in 2016. The decrease was due to an increase in the lower cost non-specialty tomato varieties.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $171, or (4%), to $4,019 for three months ended December 31, 2017 from $3,848 for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The increase is due to higher sales and marketing costs.
Stock Compensation Expense
Stock compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was $959 from $46 for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The increase was related to stock grants in the fourth quarter of 2017 to executive officers related to the creation of the cannabis joint venture.
Change in Biological Asset
The net change in fair value of the biological asset for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased by $1,239 to $1,082 from ($157) for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The increase is due to a lower starting biological asset value at October 1, 2017 versus October 1, 2016. The fair value of the biological asset as at December 31, 2017 was $4,405 as compared to $4,446 as at December 31, 2016 due to lower production, offset by higher selling price in January 2018 versus January 2017.
Income from Operations
Income from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2017 decreased ($306) to $1,060 from $1,366 for the three months ended December 31, 2016. The decrease is due to an increase in stock compensation expense, an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses offset by a higher net change in fair value of the biological asset for three months ended December 31, 2017 versus the three months ended December 31, 2016.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net, for the three months ended December 31, 2017 increased by $69, to $679 from $610 for the three months ended December 31, 2016.