GlobeNewswire Inc | Aug 11, 2021 04:15PM EDT

August 11, 2021

MARION, N.Y., Aug. 11, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seneca Foods Corporation (NASDAQ: SENEA, SENEB) today announced financial results for the three months ended July 3, 2021.

Highlights (vs. year-ago, year-to-date results):

-- Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 totaled $235.0million compared to $288.2 million for the prior quarter. The year-over-year decrease in sales resulted from a $24.2 million decrease due to the divesture of our prepared foods business, a $28.5 million decrease from a volume variance and a $0.5 million decrease from a pricing/mix variance. -- Gross margin as a percentage of net sales is 14.3% in 2022 as compared to 16.9% in 2021.

Overall, the first quarter of 2022 was as we expected. A comparison to prior year is difficult as COVID-driven panic buying commenced last year. However, for the first quarter of 2022 we achieved very respectable earnings per common share of $1.56. With the exception of last year, this is our highest first quarter earnings per common share in many years, said Paul Palmby, Chief Executive Officer of Seneca Foods.

About Seneca Foods Corporation

Seneca Foods is one of North Americas leading providers of packaged fruits and vegetables, with facilities located throughout the United States. Its high quality products are primarily sourced from over 1,600 American farms. Seneca holds the largest share of the retail private label, food service, and export canned vegetable markets, distributing to over 90 countries. Products are also sold under the highly regarded brands of Libbys, Aunt Nellies, Green Valley, CherryMan, READ, and Seneca labels, including Seneca snack chips. Senecas common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbols SENEA and SENEB. SENEA is included in the S&P SmallCap 600, Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 indices.

Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresOperating Income Excluding LIFO and Plant Restructuring Impact, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA

Operating income excluding LIFO and plant restructuring, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide a basis for comparison to companies that do not use LIFO or have plant restructuring to enhance the understanding of the Companys historical operating performance. The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported Operating Income excluding LIFO and plant restructuring.

Three Months Ended July 3, June 27, 2021 2020 (In thousands) Operating income, as reported: $ 17,727 $ 30,299 LIFO charge (credit) 2,837 (2,141 ) Plant restructuring charge 66 263 Operating income, excluding LIFO and plant $ 20,630 $ 28,421 restructuring impact

Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported net earnings to EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, non-cash charges and credits related to the LIFO inventory valuation method). The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Three Months EndedEBITDA and FIFO EBITDA: July 3, 2021 June 27, 2020 (In thousands) Net earnings $ 14,136 $ 20,706 Income tax expense 4,469 6,335 Interest expense, net of interest income 1,342 1,651 Depreciation and amortization 8,581 7,881 Interest amortization (60 ) (69 )EBITDA 28,468 36,504 LIFO charge (credit) 2,837 (2,141 )FIFO EBITDA $ 31,305 $ 34,363

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained in this release contains, or may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers (including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words believes, expects, anticipates or similar expressions) with respect to various matters.

Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are:

-- general economic and business conditions; -- cost and availability of commodities and other raw materials such as vegetables, steel and packaging materials; -- transportation costs; -- climate and weather affecting growing conditions and crop yields; -- availability of financing; -- leverage and the Companys ability to service and reduce its debt; -- potential impact of COVID-19 related issues at our facilities; -- foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations; -- effectiveness of the Companys marketing and trade promotion programs; -- changing consumer preferences; -- competition; -- product liability claims; -- the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers; -- changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, United States, foreign and local governmental regulations, including environmental and health and safety regulations; and -- other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the filing of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Contact: Timothy J. Benjamin, Chief Financial Officer315-926-8100

Seneca Foods CorporationUnaudited Selected Financial Data For the Periods Ended July 3, 2021 and June 27, 2020(In thousands of dollars, except share data) Three Months Ended July 3, 2021 June 27, 2020 Net sales $ 235,042 $ 288,165 Plant restructuring expense (note 2) $ 66 $ 263 Other operating income, net (note 3) $ 1,444 $ 145 Operating income (note 1) $ 17,727 $ 30,299Loss from equity investment 156 676Other (income) loss (2,376 ) 931Interest expense, net 1,342 1,651Earnings before income taxes $ 18,605 $ 27,041 Income tax expense 4,469 6,335 Net earnings $ 14,136 $ 20,706 Basic earnings per common share $ 1.56 $ 2.26Diluted earnings per common share $ 1.55 $ 2.24

The effect of the LIFO inventory valuation method on first quarterNote pre-tax results decreased operating earnings by$2,837,000 for the1: three month period ended July 3, 2021 and increased operating earnings by $2,141,000 for thethree month period ended June 27, 2020. The three month period ended July 3, 2021 included a restructuring charge of $66,000 mostly related to health cost from a closed plant.Note The three month period ended June 27, 2020 included a restructuring2: charge of $263,000 related to closing plants in the Northwest of which $219,000 was related to severance and $44,000 was for lease impairments. During the three months ended July 3, 2021, the Company recorded a gain from the sale of an aircraft of $1,194,000, a gain from debtNote forgiveness of $500,000 on an economic development loan and a charge of3: $276,000 for a supplemental early retirement plan. During the three months ended June 27, 2020 the Company recorded a gain on the sale of unused fixed assets of $534,000. The Company also recorded a loss of $389,000 on the disposal of equipment from a sold Northwest plant.Note The Company uses the "two-class" method for basic earnings per share by4: dividing the earnings attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period.