Skip to main content

PILGRIMS PRIDE CORP

For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 2, 2024.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 2, 2024

PPC$29.58+3.7%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.

See the whole filing, with its images and exhibits

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

  1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (referred to herein as “Pilgrim’s,” “PPC,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar terms) is one of the largest chicken producers in the world, with operations in the United States (“U.S.”), the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), Mexico, France, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. Pilgrim’s products are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entrée customers. The Company’s primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants throughout the countries listed above. Additionally, the Company exports chicken and pork products to over 100 countries. Our fresh products consist of refrigerated whole or cut-up chicken, selected chicken parts that are either marinated or non-marinated, primary pork cuts, added value pork, and pork ribs. The Company’s prepared products include fully cooked, ready-to-cook and individually frozen chicken parts, strips, nuggets and patties, processed sausages, bacon, smoked meat, gammon joints, pre-packed meats, sandwich and deli counter meats and meat balls. The Company’s other products include plant-based protein offerings, ready-to-eat meals, multi-protein frozen foods, vegetarian foods and desserts. The Company also provides direct-to-consumer meals and hot food to-go solutions in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. We operate feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants and distribution centers in the U.S., the U.K., Mexico, France, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. As of March 31, 2024, Pilgrim’s had approximately 61,600 employees and had the capacity to process approximately 41.3 million birds per 5-day work week. Approximately 4,450 contract growers supply chicken for the Company’s operations. As of March 31, 2024, PPC had the capacity to process approximately 42,750 pigs per 5-day work week and 220 contract growers supply pigs for the Company’s U.K. operations. As of March 31, 2024, JBS S.A., through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “JBS”), beneficially owned 82.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 29, 2024. 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 year ended December 31, 2023.

The Company operates on the basis of a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday falling on or before December 31. Any reference we make to a particular year (for example, 2024) in the notes to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year. The three months ended March 31, 2024 represents the period from January 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024. The three months ended March 26, 2023 represents the period from December 26, 2022 through March 26, 2023.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP using management’s best estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of the contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The estimates and judgments will also affect the reported amounts for certain revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments. Significant estimates made by the Company include the allowance for credit losses, reserves related to inventory obsolescence or valuation, useful lives of long-lived assets, goodwill, valuation of deferred tax assets, insurance accruals, valuation of pension and other postretirement benefits obligations, income tax accruals, certain derivative positions, certain litigation reserves and valuations of acquired businesses.

The functional currency of the Company’s U.S. and Mexico operations and certain holding-company subsidiaries in Luxembourg, the U.K., Malta and the Republic of Ireland is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of its U.K. operations is the British pound. The functional currency of the Company’s operations in France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland is the euro. For foreign currency-denominated entities other than the Company’s Mexico operations, translation from local currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for assets and liabilities using the exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are remeasured using average exchange rates for the period. Adjustments resulting from translation of these financial records are reflected as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive lossin the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the Company’s Mexico operations, remeasurement from the Mexican peso to U.S. dollars is performed for monetary assets and liabilities using the exchange rate in effect as of the balance sheet date. Remeasurement is performed for non-monetary assets using the historical exchange rate in effect on the date of each asset’s acquisition. Income and expense accounts are remeasured using average exchange rates for the period. Net adjustments resulting from remeasurement of these financial records, as well as foreign currency transaction gains and losses, are reflected in Foreign currency transaction lossesin the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents

The Company is required to maintain cash balances with a broker as collateral for exchange-traded futures contracts. These balances are classified as restricted cash as they are not available for use by the Company to fund daily operations. The balance of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents may also include investments in U.S. Treasury Bills that qualify as restricted cash equivalents, as required by the broker, to offset the obligation to return cash collateral.

The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$870,820$697,748
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents24,06333,475
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows$894,883$731,223

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted as of March 31, 2024

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires additional disclosures for reportable segments. The guidance requires disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker along with additional measures of segment profit that are regularly used by the chief operating decision maker in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The provisions of the new guidance will be effective for years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company plans to adopt this guidance for the annual reporting period of the current fiscal year and are still assessing the impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires additional disclosures for income taxes to enhance transparency and usefulness of income tax disclosures. The guidance requires additional disclosures for the tabular rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and the disaggregation of domestic, federal and state, and foreign components within income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations. The provisions of the new guidance will be effective for years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company plans to adopt this guidance as it becomes effective and are assessing the impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

  1. REVENUE RECOGNITION

The vast majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from contracts which are based upon a customer ordering our products. While there may be master agreements, the contract is only established when the customer’s order is accepted by the Company. The Company accounts for a contract, which may be verbal or written, when it is approved and committed by both parties, the rights of the parties are identified along with payment terms, the contract has commercial substance and collectability is probable.

The Company evaluates the transaction for distinct performance obligations, which are the sale of its products to customers. Since its products are commodity market-priced, the sales price is representative of the observable, standalone selling price. Each performance obligation is recognized based upon a pattern of recognition that reflects the transfer of control to the customer at a point in time, which is upon destination (customer location or port of destination), which faithfully depicts the transfer of control and recognition of revenue. There are instances of customer pick-up at the Company’s facility, in which case control transfers to the customer at that point and the Company recognizes revenue. The Company’s performance obligations are typically fulfilled within days to weeks of the acceptance of the order.

The Company makes judgments regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from revenue and cash flows with customers. Determination of a contract requires evaluation and judgment along with the estimation of the total contract value and if any of the contract value is constrained. Due to the nature of our business, there is minimal variable consideration, as the contract is established at the acceptance of the order from the customer. When applicable, variable consideration is estimated at contract inception and updated on a regular basis until the contract is completed. Allocating the transaction price to a specific performance obligation based upon the relative standalone selling prices includes estimating the standalone selling prices including discounts and variable consideration.

Disaggregated Revenue

Revenue has been disaggregated into the categories below to show how economic factors affect the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
(In thousands)
FreshPreparedExportOtherTotal
U.S.$2,113,623$268,990$108,798$87,921$2,579,332
Europe271,148844,996118,45133,3081,267,903
Mexico430,15255,520—29,027514,699
Total net sales$2,814,923$1,169,506$227,249$150,256$4,361,934
Three Months Ended March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
FreshPreparedExportOtherTotal
U.S.$1,943,786$244,801$128,275$115,706$2,432,568
Europe264,663831,729117,62125,2511,239,264
Mexico411,91946,356—35,521493,796
Total net sales$2,620,368$1,122,886$245,896$176,478$4,165,628

Contract Costs

The Company can incur incremental costs to obtain or fulfill a contract such as broker expenses that are not expected to be recovered. The amortization period for such expenses is less than one year; therefore, the costs are expensed as incurred.

Taxes

The Company excludes all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the entity from a customer (for example, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes) from the transaction price.

Contract Balances

The Company receives payment from customers based on terms established with the customer. Payments are typically due within 14 to 30 days of delivery. Revenue contract liabilities relate to payments received in advance of satisfying the performance under the customer contract. The revenue contract liabilities relate to customer prepayments and the advanced consideration, such as cash, received from governmental agency contracts for which performance obligations to the end customer have not been satisfied.

Changes in the revenue contract liabilities balance are as follows (in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2023$84,958
Revenue recognized(71,946)
Cash received, excluding amounts recognized as revenue during the period32,410
Balance as of March 31, 2024$45,422

Accounts Receivable

The Company records accounts receivable when revenue is recognized. We record an allowance for credit losses, reducing our receivables balance to an amount we estimate is collectible from our customers. Estimates used in determining the allowance for credit losses are based on historical collection experience, current trends, aging of accounts receivable and periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. We write off accounts receivable when it becomes apparent, based upon age or customer circumstances, that such amounts will not be collected. Generally, the Company does not require collateral for its accounts receivable.

  1. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company utilizes various raw materials in its operations, including corn, soybean meal, soybean oil, wheat, natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel, which are all considered commodities. The Company considers these raw materials generally available from a number of different sources and believes it can obtain them to meet its requirements. These commodities are subject to price fluctuations and related price risk due to factors beyond our control, such as economic and political conditions, supply and demand, weather, governmental regulation and other circumstances. Generally, the Company purchases derivative financial instruments, specifically exchange-traded futures and options, in an attempt to mitigate price risk related to its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for approximately the next twelve months. The Company may purchase longer-term derivative financial instruments on particular commodities if deemed appropriate.

The Company has operations in Mexico, the U.K., France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, it has exposure to translational foreign exchange risk when the financial results of those operations are remeasured in U.S. dollars. The Company has purchased foreign currency forward contracts to manage a portion of this foreign exchange risk.

The fair value of derivative assets is included in the line item Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets while the fair value of derivative liabilities is included in the line item Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the same statements. The Company’s counterparties require that it post collateral for changes in the net fair value of the derivative contracts. This cash collateral is reported in the line item Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Undesignated contracts may include contracts not designated as hedges or contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value of each of these derivatives is recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets within Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Changes in fair value of each derivative are recognized immediately in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income within Net sales, Cost of sales, Selling, general and administrative expense, or Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses depending on the risk the derivative is intended to mitigate. While management believes these instruments help mitigate various market risks, they are not designated and accounted for as hedges as a result of the extensive record keeping requirements.

The Company does not apply hedge accounting treatment to certain derivative financial instruments that it has purchased to mitigate commodity purchase exposures in the U.S. and Mexico or foreign currency transaction exposures on our Mexico operations. Therefore, the Company recognized changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments immediately in earnings. Gains or losses related to the commodity derivative financial instruments are included in the line item Cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains and losses related to cash flows are disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Cash provided by operating activities. Unrealized gains and losses related to cash flows are disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the line item Other operating assets and liabilities. Gains or losses related to the foreign currency derivative financial instruments are included in the line item Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company does apply hedge accounting treatment to certain derivative financial instruments related to its Europe reportable segment that it has purchased to mitigate foreign currency transaction exposures. Before the settlement date of the financial derivative instruments, the Company recognizes changes in the fair value of the cash flow hedge into accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). When the derivative financial instruments are settled, the amount in AOCI is then reclassified to earnings. Gains or losses related to these derivative financial instruments are included in the line item Net sales and Cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

We have generally applied the normal purchase and normal sale scope exception (“NPNS”) to our forward physical grain purchase contracts delivered by truck and to our forward physical natural gas and solar-generated power purchase contracts. NPNS contracts are accounted for using the accrual method of accounting; therefore, amounts payable under these contracts are recorded when we take delivery of the contracted product and no amounts were recorded for the fair value of these contracts in the condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Information regarding the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments and cash collateral posted with brokers is included in the following table:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Fair values:
Commodity derivative assets$3,952$1,202
Commodity derivative liabilities(8,836)(17,118)
Foreign currency derivative assets58175
Foreign currency derivative liabilities(1,181)(723)
Sales contract derivative assets3,055960
Cash collateral posted with brokers(a)24,06333,475
Derivatives coverage(b):
Corn9.7%10.9%
Soybean meal11.5%39.6%
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
CornMarch 2025July 2024
Soybean mealJanuary 2025March 2024

(a)Collateral posted with brokers consists primarily of cash, short-term treasury bills or other cash equivalents.

(b)Derivatives coverage is the percent of anticipated commodity needs covered by outstanding derivative instruments through a specified date.

The following table presents the gains and losses of each derivative instrument held by the Company not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments:

Three Months Ended
Gains (Losses) by Type of Contract (a)March 31, 2024March 26, 2023Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands)
Foreign currency derivatives$—$(19,104)Foreign currency transaction losses
Commodity derivatives(10,048)(16,534)Cost of sales
Sales contract derivative2,0954,164Net sales
Total$(7,953)$(31,474)

(a)Amounts represent income (expenses) related to results of operations.

The following tables present the components of the gain or loss on derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges:

Gains Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
Foreign currency derivatives$455$16
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2024Three Months Ended March 26, 2023
Net sales(a)Cost of sales(b)Interest expense, net of capitalized interest(b)Net sales(a)Cost of sales(b)Interest expense, net of capitalized interest(b)
(In thousands)
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in which the effects of cash flow hedges are recorded$4,361,934$3,978,025$41,243$4,165,628$3,992,581$42,662
Impact from cash flow hedging instruments:
Foreign currency derivatives1,041——12056—

(a) Amounts represent income (expenses) related to net sales.

(b) Amounts represent expenses (income) related to cost of sales and interest expense.

At March 31, 2024, there was a $1.1 million pre-tax deferred net gain on foreign currency derivatives recorded in AOCI that is expected to be reclassified to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income during the next twelve months. This expectation is based on the anticipated settlements on the hedged investments in foreign currencies that will occur over the next twelve months, at which time the Company will recognize the deferred gain to earnings.

  1. TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for credit losses, consisted of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable$1,012,171$1,027,916
Notes receivable from third parties13,74651,168
Other receivables32,35759,435
Receivables, gross1,058,2741,138,519
Allowance for credit losses(8,864)(9,341)
Receivables, net$1,049,410$1,129,178
Accounts receivable from related parties(a)$2,146$1,778

(a) Additional information regarding accounts receivable from related parties is included in “Note 17. Related Party Transactions.”

Activity in the allowance for credit losses was as follows:

Three Months Ended
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period$(9,341)
Provision released to operating results775
Effect of exchange rate(298)
Balance, end of period$(8,864)

In June 2023, the Company and JBS USA Food Company (“JBS USA”) jointly entered into a receivables purchase agreement with a bank for an uncommitted facility with a maximum capacity of $415.0 million and no recourse to the Company or JBS USA. Under the facility, the Company may sell eligible trade receivables in exchange for cash. Transfers under the agreement are recorded as a sale under ASC 860, Broad Transactions – Transfers and Servicing. At the transfer date, the Company receives cash equal to the face value of the receivables sold less a fee based on the current Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus an applicable margin applied over the customer payment term. The fees are immaterial.

  1. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Raw materials and work-in-process$1,091,773$1,158,467
Finished products587,550642,028
Operating supplies73,45075,530
Maintenance materials and parts109,216109,374
Total inventories$1,861,989$1,985,399
  1. INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES

The Company recognizes investments in available-for-sale securities as cash equivalents, current investments or long-term investments depending upon each security’s length to maturity. The following table summarizes our investments in available-for-sale securities:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
CostFair ValueCostFair Value
(In thousands)
Cash equivalents:
Fixed income securities$381,487$381,540$324,808$324,947

Gross realized gains during the three months ended March 31, 2024 related to the Company’s available-for-sale securities were $8.0 million, while gross realized gains during the three months ended March 26, 2023 were $1.9 million. Proceeds received from the sale or maturity of available-for-sale securities investments are historically disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Net unrealized holding gains and losses on the Company’s available-for-sale securities recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023 that have been included in AOCI and the net amount of gains and losses reclassified out of AOCI to earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023 are disclosed in “Note 13. Stockholders’ Equity.”

  1. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The activity in goodwill by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:

December 31, 2023Currency TranslationMarch 31, 2024
(In thousands)
U.S.$41,936$—$41,936
Europe1,116,521(11,540)1,104,981
Mexico127,804—127,804
Total$1,286,261$(11,540)$1,274,721

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

December 31, 2023AmortizationCurrency TranslationMarch 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Cost:
Trade names not subject to amortization$580,473$—$(5,644)$574,829
Trade names subject to amortization112,681—(382)112,299
Customer relationships441,719—(3,316)438,403
Accumulated amortization:
Trade names(57,762)(970)52(58,680)
Customer relationships(223,128)(7,145)1,169(229,104)
Intangible assets, net$853,983$(8,115)$(8,121)$837,747

Intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

Customer relationships3-18 years
Trade names subject to amortization15-20 years

At March 31, 2024, the Company assessed if events or changes in circumstances indicated that the asset group-level carrying amounts of its intangible assets subject to amortization might not be recoverable. There were no indicators present that required the Company to test the recoverability of the asset group-level carrying amounts of its intangible assets subject to amortization at that date. The Company will perform its annual tests of recoverability of goodwill and trade names not subject to amortization in the fourth quarter of 2024, which if there were to be an impairment could be material.

  1. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”), net consisted of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Land$280,943$273,846
Buildings2,197,6192,170,716
Machinery and equipment4,015,8103,953,008
Autos and trucks99,93893,858
Finance lease assets4,7365,550
Construction-in-progress422,234458,146
PP&E, gross7,021,2806,955,124
Accumulated depreciation(3,869,496)(3,796,721)
PP&E, net$3,151,784$3,158,403

The Company recognized depreciation expense of $95.2 million and $90.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company incurred $99.1 million on capital projects and transferred $133.7 million of completed projects from construction-in-progress to depreciable assets. During the three months ended March 26, 2023, the Company incurred $131.7 million on capital projects and transferred $117.8 million of completed projects from construction-in-progress to depreciable assets. Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $37.6 million and $46.9 million, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company sold certain PP&E for $2.2 million in cash and recognized a net loss of $1.8 million on these sales. During the three months ended March 26, 2023, the Company sold a farm in Mexico and other miscellaneous equipment for cash of $12.6 million and recognized a net gain of $9.3 million on these sales.

The Company has closed or idled various facilities in the U.S. and in the U.K. The Board of Directors has not determined if it would be in the best interest of the Company to divest any of these idled assets. Management is therefore not certain that it can or will divest any of these assets within one year, is not actively marketing these assets and, accordingly, has not classified them as assets held for sale. The Company continues to depreciate these assets. As of March 31, 2024, the carrying amounts of these idled assets totaled $57.6 million based on depreciable value of $216.1 million and accumulated depreciation of $158.5 million. Idled asset values include those assets that are no longer in use as a result of the recent restructuring activities of our Europe segment.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company assessed if events or changes in circumstances indicated that the asset group-level carrying amounts of its PP&E held for use might not be recoverable. There were no indicators present that required the Company to test the recoverability of the asset group-level carrying amounts of its PP&E held for use at that date.

  1. CURRENT LIABILITIES

Current liabilities, other than income taxes and current maturities of long-term debt, consisted of the following components:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Accounts payable:
Trade accounts payable$1,182,283$1,294,830
Book overdrafts78,57090,612
Other payables35,05725,134
Total accounts payable1,295,9101,410,576
Accounts payable to related parties(a)13,52441,254
Revenue contract liabilities(b)45,42284,958
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Compensation and benefits226,668249,474
Litigation settlements(c)74,18073,330
Insurance and self-insured claims72,72676,287
Current maturities of operating lease liabilities66,33867,440
Taxes47,06537,635
Interest and debt-related fees54,54271,508
Accrued sales rebates128,096104,390
Derivative liabilities(d)10,01717,841
Other accrued expenses196,585228,822
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities876,217926,727
Total$2,231,073$2,463,515

(a) Additional information regarding accounts payable to related parties is included in “Note 17. Related Party Transactions.”

(b) Additional information regarding revenue contract liabilities is included in “Note 2. Revenue Recognition.”

(c) Additional information regarding litigation settlements is included in “Note 19. Commitments and Contingencies.”

(d) Additional information regarding derivative liabilities is included in “Note 3. Derivative Financial Instruments.”

  1. SUPPLIER FINANCE PROGRAMS

The Company maintains supplier finance programs, under which we agree to pay for confirmed invoices from participating suppliers to a financing entity. Maturity dates are generally between 65-120 days and we pay either the supplier or the financing entity depending on the supplier’s election. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the outstanding balance of confirmed invoices was $178.7 million and $192.7 million, respectively, and are included in Accounts payable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

  1. INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded income tax expense of $52.1 million, a 22.9% effective tax rate, for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to an income tax benefit of $8.8 million, a 275.5% effective tax rate, for the three months ended March 26, 2023. The change from an income tax benefit to an income tax expense in 2024 resulted primarily from the increase of profit before income taxes.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. As of March 31, 2024, the Company did not believe it had sufficient positive evidence to conclude that realization of a portion of its foreign net deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, there is a tax effect of $(1.1) million and $(0.6) million, respectively, reflected in other comprehensive income.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, there are immaterial tax effects reflected in income tax expense due to excess tax windfalls and shortfalls related to stock-based compensation.

The Company operates in the U.S. (including multiple state jurisdictions), Puerto Rico and several foreign locations including Mexico, the U.K., the Republic of Ireland, and continental Europe. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to examinations by taxing authorities for years prior to 2019 in U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions, for years prior to 2010 in Mexico, and for years prior to 2017 in the U.K.

  1. DEBT

Long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements, including current notes payable to banks, consisted of the following components:

MaturityMarch 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Senior notes payable, net of discount, at 6.875%2034$490,638$490,408
Senior notes payable, net of discount, at 6.25%2033993,762993,595
Senior notes payable at 3.50%2032900,000900,000
Senior notes payable, net of discount, at 4.25%2031992,961992,711
U.S. Credit Facility (defined below) at SOFR plus 1.35%2028——
Europe Credit Facility (defined below) with notes payable at SONIA plus 1.25%2027——
Mexico Credit Facility (defined below) with notes payable at TIIE plus 1.35%2026——
Finance lease obligationsVarious2,3342,486
Long-term debt3,379,6953,379,200
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt(650)(674)
Long-term debt, less current maturities3,379,0453,378,526
Less: Capitalized financing costs(36,381)(37,685)
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of capitalized financing costs$3,342,664$3,340,841

U.S. Credit Facility

On October 4, 2023 (the “Effective Date”), the Company and certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into a Revolving Syndicated Facility Agreement (the “U.S. Credit Facility”) with CoBank, ACB as administrative agent and the other lenders party thereto. The U.S. Credit Facility provides for a revolving loan commitment of up to $850.0 million. The loan commitment matures on October 4, 2028. The U.S. Credit Facility is unsecured and will be used for general corporate purposes. Outstanding borrowings under the U.S. Credit Facility bear interest at a per annum rate equal to either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or the prime rate plus applicable margins based on the Company’s credit ratings. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had outstanding letters of credit and available borrowings under the revolving credit commitment of $24.8 million and $825.2 million, respectively.

The U.S. Credit Facility requires customary financial and other covenants for transactions of this type, including limitations on 1) liens, 2) indebtedness, 3) sales and other dispositions of assets, 4) dividends, distributions, and other payments in respect of equity interest, 5) investments, and 6) voluntary prepayments, redemptions or repurchases of junior debt. In each case, clauses 1 to 6 are subject to certain exceptions which can be material and certain of such clauses only apply to the Company upon the occurrence of certain triggering events.

Europe Credit Facility

On June 24, 2022, Moy Park Holdings (Europe) Ltd. (“MPH(E)”) and other Pilgrim’s entities located in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland entered into an unsecured multicurrency revolving facility agreement (the “Europe Credit Facility”) with the Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland, as agent, and the other lenders party thereto. The Europe Credit Facility provides for a multicurrency revolving loan commitment of up to £150.0 million. The loan commitment matures on June 24, 2027. Outstanding borrowings bear interest at the current Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”) interest rate plus 1.25% (as defined in the Europe Credit Facility). All obligations under this agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2024, both the U.S. dollar-equivalent loan commitment and borrowing availability were $189.3 million and there wereno outstanding borrowings under this agreement.

The Europe Credit Facility contains representations and warranties, covenants, indemnities and conditions, in each case, that the Company believes are customary for transactions of this type. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company is required to meet certain financial and other restrictive covenants. Additionally, the Company is prohibited from taking certain actions without consent of the lenders, including, without limitation, incurring additional indebtedness, entering into certain mergers or other business combination transactions, permitting liens or other encumbrances on its assets and making restricted payments, including dividends, in each case, except as expressly permitted under the Europe Credit Facility. The Company is currently in compliance with the covenants under the Europe Credit Facility.

Mexico Credit Facility

On August 15, 2023, certain of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “Mexico Credit Facility”) with BBVA México as lender. The loan commitment under the Mexico Credit Facility is Mex$1.1 billion and can be borrowed on a revolving basis. Outstanding borrowings under the Mexico Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to The Interbank Equilibrium Interest (“TIIE”) rate plus 1.35%. The Mexico Credit Facility contains covenants and defaults that the Company believes are customary for transactions of this type. The Mexico Credit Facility will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Mexico Credit Facility will mature on August 15, 2026. As of March 31, 2024, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the loan commitment and borrowing availability was $67.0 million. As of March 31, 2024, there wereno outstanding borrowings under the Mexico Credit Facility. The Company is currently in compliance with the covenants under the Mexico Credit Facility.

  1. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables provide information regarding the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Losses Related to Foreign Currency TranslationLosses on Derivative Financial Instruments Classified as Cash Flow HedgesLosses Related to Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsLosses on Available-for-Sale SecuritiesTotal
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period$(114,850)$(1,914)$(59,714)$(5)$(176,483)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(32,490)4553,020—(29,015)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain) to net income—(1,041)106(6)(941)
Currency translation—1065—75
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)(32,490)(576)3,191(6)(29,881)
Balance, end of period$(147,340)$(2,490)$(56,523)$(11)$(206,364)
Three Months Ended March 26, 2023
Losses Related to Foreign Currency TranslationLosses on Derivative Financial Instruments Classified as Cash Flow HedgesLosses Related to Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsGains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale SecuritiesTotal
(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period$(269,825)$(1,162)$(65,447)$(14)$(336,448)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications42,644163,6523046,342
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (gain) to net income—(64)139(13)62
Currency translation—2——2
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)42,644(46)3,7911746,406
Balance, end of period$(227,181)$(1,208)$(61,656)$3$(290,042)
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss(a)
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ComponentsThree Months Ended March 31, 2024Three Months Ended March 26, 2023Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In thousands)
Realized gains on settlement of foreign currency derivatives classified as cash flow hedges$1,041$120Net sales
Realized losses on settlement of foreign currency derivatives classified as cash flow hedges—(56)Cost of sales
Realized gains on sale of securities8—Interest income
Realized gains on settlement of interest rate swap derivatives classified as cash flow hedges—18Interest expense, net of capitalized interest
Amortization of pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses(b)(140)(182)Miscellaneous, net
Total before tax909(100)
Tax benefit3238
Total reclassification for the period$941$(62)

(a) Positive amounts represent income to the results of operations while amounts in parentheses represent expenses to the results of operations.

(b) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See “Note 14. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.”

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 50,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock, althoughno shares have been issued andno shares are outstanding.

Restrictions on Dividends

The U.S. Credit Facility and the indentures governing the Company’s senior notes restrict, but do not prohibit, the Company from declaring dividends. Additionally, the Europe Credit Facility prohibits MPH(E) and other Pilgrim’s entities located in the U.K. and Republic of Ireland to, among other things, make payments and distributions to the Company.

  1. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company sponsors programs that provide retirement benefits to most of its employees. These programs include qualified defined benefit pension plans such as the Pilgrim’s Pride Retirement Plan for Union Employees (the “Union Plan”), the Pilgrim’s Pride Pension Plan for Legacy Gold Kist Employees (the “GK Pension Plan”), the Tulip Limited Pension Plan (the “Tulip Plan”) and the Geo Adams Group Pension Fund (the “Geo Adams Plan”), nonqualified defined benefit retirement plans, a defined benefit postretirement life insurance plan and defined contribution retirement savings plan. Expenses recognized under all retirement plans totaled $11.2 million and $7.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, respectively.

Defined Benefit Plans Obligations and Assets

The change in benefit obligation, change in fair value of plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the defined benefit plans were as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of period$237,508$1,160$236,147$1,169
Interest cost2,26692,3149
Actuarial gain(7,050)(6)(3,134)(15)
Benefits paid(3,759)(47)(3,838)(29)
Currency translation gain(817)—(1,082)—
Projected benefit obligation, end of period$228,148$1,116$230,407$1,134
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of period$225,451$—$210,133$—
Actual return on plan assets1,935—3,357—
Contributions by employer2,161472,10929
Benefits paid(3,759)(47)(3,838)(29)
Expenses paid from assets(60)—(94)—
Currency translation loss(783)—(1,012)—
Fair value of plan assets, end of period$224,945$—$210,655$—
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Funded status:
Unfunded benefit obligation, end of period$(3,203)$(1,116)$(12,057)$(1,160)
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Amounts recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at end of period:
Noncurrent asset$1,393$—$—$—
Current liability(237)(186)(7,717)(187)
Long-term liability(4,359)(930)(4,340)(973)
Net financial position$(3,203)$(1,116)$(12,057)$(1,160)
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period:
Net actuarial loss (gain)$33,382$(93)$40,487$(87)

The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company’s defined benefit pension plans was $228.1 million and $237.5 million at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Each of the Company’s defined benefit pension plans had accumulated benefit obligations that exceeded the fair value of plan assets at both March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

Net Periodic Benefit Costs

Net defined benefit pension and other postretirement costs included the following components:

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Interest cost$2,266$9$2,314$9
Estimated return on plan assets(2,447)—(2,222)—
Expenses paid from assets60—94—
Amortization of net loss136—179—
Amortization of past service cost4—4—
Net costs(a)$19$9$369$9

(a) Net costs are included in the line item Miscellaneous, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Economic Assumptions

The weighted average assumptions used in determining pension and other postretirement plan information were as follows:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
Assumptions used to measure benefit obligation at end of period:
Discount rate5.15%5.27%4.81%5.06%
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
Assumptions used to measure net pension and other postretirement cost:
Discount rate4.81%5.06%5.04%5.16%
Expected return on plan assets5.05%NA4.97%NA

Unrecognized Benefit Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss that were not recognized as components of net periodic benefits cost and the changes in those amounts are as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
Pension BenefitsOther BenefitsPension BenefitsOther Benefits
(In thousands)
Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of period$40,487$(87)$48,121$(66)
Amortization(140)—(183)—
Actuarial gain(7,050)(6)(3,134)(15)
Asset loss (gain)511—(1,136)—
Currency translation gain(426)—(83)—
Net actuarial loss (gain), end of period$33,382$(93)$43,585$(81)

Remeasurement

The Company remeasures both plan assets and obligations on a quarterly basis.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company sponsorstwo defined contribution retirement savings plans in the U.S. reportable segment for eligible U.S. and Puerto Rico employees. The Company maintains three postretirement plans for eligible employees in the Mexico reportable segment, as required by Mexico law, which primarily cover termination benefits. The Company maintains seven defined contribution retirement savings plans in the Europe reportable segment for eligible U.K. and Europe employees, as required by U.K. and Europe law. The Company’s expenses related to its defined contribution plans totaled $9.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2024.

  1. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value must be categorized into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation:

Level 1Unadjusted quoted prices available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date;
Level 2Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or
Level 3Unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.

The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company held derivative assets and liabilities that were required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Derivative assets and liabilities consist of long and short positions on exchange-traded commodity futures instruments, commodity options instruments, sales contracts instruments, foreign currency instruments to manage translation and remeasurement risk.

The following items were measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Level 1Level 2TotalLevel 1Level 2Total
(In thousands)
Assets:
Fixed income securities$381,540$—$381,540$324,947$—$324,947
Commodity derivative assets3,952—3,9521,202—1,202
Foreign currency derivative assets58—58175—175
Sales contract derivative assets—3,0553,055—960960
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative liabilities(8,836)—(8,836)(17,118)—(17,118)
Foreign currency derivative liabilities(1,181)—(1,181)(723)—(723)

See “Note 3. Derivative Financial Instruments” for additional information.

The valuation of financial assets and liabilities classified in Level 1 is based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. The valuation of financial assets and liabilities in Level 2 is determined using a market approach based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. The valuation of financial assets in Level 3 is determined using an income approach based on unobservable inputs such as discounted cash flow models or valuations. For each class of assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets but for which fair value is disclosed, the Company is not required to provide the quantitative disclosure about significant unobservable inputs used in fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

In addition to the fair value disclosure requirements related to financial instruments carried at fair value, accounting standards require interim disclosures regarding the fair value of all of the Company’s financial instruments. The methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments and any changes in methods or significant assumptions from prior periods are also required to be disclosed.

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our debt obligations recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Carrying AmountFair ValueCarrying AmountFair Value
(In thousands)
Fixed-rate senior notes payable at 3.50%, at Level 2 inputs$(900,000)$(764,658)$(900,000)$(760,203)
Fixed-rate senior notes payable at 4.25%, at Level 2 inputs(992,962)(901,410)(992,711)(902,650)
Fixed-rate senior notes payable at 6.25%, at Level 2 inputs(993,763)(1,024,370)(993,595)(1,029,020)
Fixed-rate senior notes payable at 6.875%, at Level 2 inputs(490,638)(534,085)(490,408)(540,230)

See “Note 12. Debt” for additional information.

The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and certain other liabilities approximate their fair values due to their relatively short maturities. Derivative assets were recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in the line item Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative liabilities were recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in the line item Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the Company’s Level 2 fixed-rate debt obligations was based on the quoted market price at March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023, as applicable.

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges when required by U.S. GAAP. There were no significant fair value measurement losses recognized for such assets and liabilities in the periods reported.

  1. RESTRUCTURING-RELATED ACTIVITIES

In 2022, the Company began restructuring initiatives to phase out and reduce processing volumes at multiple production facilities throughout the Europe reportable segment. Implementation of these initiatives is expected to result in total pre-tax charges of approxim ately$74.9 million, and approximately$49.1 million of these charges are estimated to result in cash outlays. These activities were initiated in the fourth quarter of 2022 and were substantially completed by the end of 2023.

In 2023, the Company began a restructuring initiative to phase out and reduce processing volumes at a production facility in the Europe reportable segment. Implementation of this initiative is expected to result in total pre-tax charges of approximately $3.0 million, and all of these charges are estimated to result in cash outlays. This activity was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023 and was substantially completed by the end of the first quarter of 2024.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company began a restructuring initiative to integrate central operations in the Europe reportable segment. Implementation of this initiative is expected to result in total pre-tax charges of approximately $14.5 million, and all of these charges are estimated to result in cash outlays. This activity was initiated in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2024.

The following table provides a summary of our estimates of costs associated with these restructuring initiatives by major type of cost:

Moy ParkPilgrim’s Pride Ltd.Pilgrim’s Food Masters 2022Pilgrim’s Food Masters 2023Pilgrim’s Europe CentralTotal
(In thousands)
Earliest implementation date · October 2022 · November 2022 · December 2022 · October 2023 · January 2024
Expected predominant completion date · June 2023 · July 2023 · July 2023 · March 2024 · December 2024
Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:
Employee-related costs$11,103$20,098$14,490$3,027$13,926$62,644
Asset impairment costs3,4763,0464,141——10,663
Contract termination costs248————248
Other exit and disposal costs (a)6,2455,7636,330—52418,862
Total exit and disposal costs$21,072$28,907$24,961$3,027$14,450$92,417
Cost incurred since earliest implementation date:
Employee-related costs$11,103$20,098$14,490$3,027$13,926$62,644
Asset impairment costs3,476—4,141——7,617
Contract termination costs248————248
Other exit and disposal costs (a)6,2455,7636,330—52418,862
Total exit and disposal costs$21,072$25,861$24,961$3,027$14,450$89,371

(a)Comprised of other costs directly related to the restructuring initiatives including Moy Park flock depletion, the write-off of Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd. prepaid maintenance costs and Pilgrim’s Food Masters consulting fees.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recognized the following expenses and paid the following cash related to each restructuring initiative:

ExpensesCash Outlays
(In thousands)
Moy Park$—$—
Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd.109318
Pilgrim’s Food Masters 2022—2,909
Pilgrim’s Food Masters 2023——
Pilgrim’s Europe Central14,4506,703
$14,559$9,930

These expenses are reported in the line item Restructuring activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following table reconciles liabilities and reserves associated with each restructuring initiative from its respective inception to March 31, 2024. Ending liability balances for employee termination benefits and other charges are reported in the line item Accrued expenses and other current liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ending reserve balance for inventory adjustments is reported in the line item Inventories in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The ending reserve balance for asset impairments is reported in the line item Property, plant and equipment, net in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Moy Park
Liability or reserve as of December 31, 2023Restructuring charges incurredCash payments and disposalsCurrency translationLiability or reserve as of March 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Other charges$2,644$—$—$(24)$2,620
Contract termination144——(1)143
Total$2,788$—$—$(25)$2,763
Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd.
Liability or reserve as of December 31, 2023Restructuring charges incurredCash payments and disposalsCurrency translationLiability or reserve as of March 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Employee retention benefits$35$—$—$—$35
Severance734—(318)(5)411
Inventory adjustments294——(3)291
Lease termination164109—(1)272
Other charges752——(8)744
Total$1,979$109$(318)$(17)$1,753
Pilgrim’s Food Masters 2022
Liability or reserve as of December 31, 2023Restructuring charges incurredCash payments and disposalsCurrency translationLiability or reserve as of March 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Severance$1,281$—$(1,276)$(5)$—
Inventory adjustments65——(2)63
Lease termination1,289—(1,284)(5)—
Other charges685—(349)(4)332
Total$3,320$—$(2,909)$(16)$395
Pilgrim’s Food Masters 2023
Liability or reserve as of December 31, 2023Restructuring charges incurredCash payments and disposalsCurrency translationLiability or reserve as of March 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Employee retention benefits$522$—$—$(5)$517
Severance1,636——(13)1,623
Total$2,158$—$—$(18)$2,140
Pilgrim’s Europe Central
Liability or reserve as of December 31, 2023Restructuring charges incurredCash payments and disposalsCurrency translationLiability or reserve as of March 31, 2024
(In thousands)
Employee retention benefits$—$12$—$—$12
Severance—13,914(6,703)(66)7,145
Lease termination—8——8
Other charges—516—(4)512
Total$—$14,450$(6,703)$(70)$7,677
  1. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Pilgrim’s has been and, in some cases, continues to be a party to certain transactions with affiliated companies.

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
Sales to related parties
JBS USA Food Company(a)$5,374$7,512
JBS Chile Ltd.1,187946
Other related parties570877
Total sales to related parties$7,131$9,335
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
Cost of goods purchased from related parties
JBS USA Food Company(a)$40,324$49,905
Seara Meat B.V.5,3954,999
Penasul UK LTD3,5304,187
Other related parties1,3611,808
Total cost of goods purchased from related parties$50,610$60,899
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
Expenditures paid by related parties
JBS USA Food Company(b)$17,771$14,022
Total expenditures paid by related parties$17,771$14,022
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
Expenditures paid on behalf of related parties
JBS USA Food Company(b)$2,689$3,380
Other related parties—4
Total expenditures paid on behalf of related parties$2,689$3,384
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Accounts receivable from related parties
JBS USA Food Company(a)$1,053$967
JBS Chile Ltda.971—
Other related parties122811
Total accounts receivable from related parties$2,146$1,778
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Accounts payable to related parties
JBS USA Food Company(a)$6,482$34,038
Seara Meats B.V.3,1232,252
JBS Asia Co Limited2,3302,254
Other related parties1,5892,710
Total accounts payable to related parties$13,524$41,254

(a)The Company routinely executes transactions to both purchase products from JBS USA Food Company (“JBS USA”) and sell products to them. As of March 31, 2024, approximately $1.1 million of goods from JBS USA were in transit and not reflected on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(b)The Company has an agreement with JBS USA to allocate costs associated with JBS USA’s procurement of SAP licenses and maintenance services for both companies. Under this agreement, the fees associated with procuring SAP licenses and maintenance services are allocated between the Company and JBS USA in proportion to the percentage of licenses used by each company. The agreement expires on the date of expiration, or earlier termination, of the underlying SAP license agreement. The Company also has an agreement with JBS USA to allocate the costs of supporting the business operations by one consolidated corporate team, which have historically been supported by their respective corporate teams. Expenditures paid by JBS USA on behalf of the Company will be reimbursed by the Company and expenditures paid by the Company on behalf of JBS USA will be reimbursed by JBS USA. This agreement expires on December 31, 2025.

  1. REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

The Company operates inthree reportable segments: U.S., Europe (formerly known as “U.K. and Europe”), and Mexico. The Company measures segment profit as operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated to the Mexico and Europe reportable segments based upon various apportionment methods for specific expenditures incurred related thereto with the remaining amounts allocated to the U.S. reportable segment.

We conduct separate operations in the continental U.S. and in Puerto Rico. For segment reporting purposes, the Puerto Rico operations are included in the U.S. reportable segment. The chicken products processed by the U.S. reportable segment are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entrée customers. The segment’s primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants.

The Europe reportable segment processes primarily fresh chicken, pork products, specialty meats, ready meals and other prepared foods that are sold to foodservice, retail and direct to consumer customers. The segment’s primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants.

The chicken products processed by the Mexico reportable segment are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entrée customers. The segment’s primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants.

Additional information regarding reportable segments is as follows:

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024(a)March 26, 2023(b)
(In thousands)
Net sales
U.S.$2,579,332$2,432,568
Europe1,267,9031,239,264
Mexico514,699493,796
Total$4,361,934$4,165,628

(a)In addition to the above third party sales, for the three months ended March 31, 2024, the U.S. reportable segment had intercompany sales to the Mexico reportable segment of $47.9 million. These sales consisted of fresh products, prepared products and grain.

(b)In addition to the above third party sales, for the three months ended March 26, 2023, the U.S. reportable segment had intercompany sales to the Mexico reportable segment of $31.0 million. These sales consisted of fresh products, prepared products and grain.

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2024March 26, 2023
(In thousands)
Operating income (loss)
U.S.$179,417$(28,106)
Europe31,11625,261
Mexico39,74134,175
Eliminations—13
Total operating income250,27431,343
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest41,24342,662
Interest income(10,346)(3,600)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)(4,337)18,143
Miscellaneous, net(3,286)(22,653)
Income (loss) before income taxes227,000(3,209)
Income tax expense (benefit)52,062(8,840)
Net income$174,938$5,631
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Total assets
U.S.$6,931,645$7,012,211
Europe4,277,5104,299,985
Mexico1,634,5001,684,711
Eliminations(3,075,315)(3,186,546)
Total assets$9,768,340$9,810,361
March 31, 2024December 31, 2023
(In thousands)
Long-lived assets(a)
U.S.$2,095,619$2,085,222
Europe1,038,8841,041,857
Mexico300,274301,919
Eliminations(3,888)(3,888)
Total long-lived assets$3,430,889$3,425,110

(a)For this disclosure, we exclude financial instruments, deferred tax assets and intangible assets in accordance with ASC 280-10-50-41, Segment Reporting. Long-lived assets, as used in ASC 280-10-50-41, implies hard assets that cannot be readily removed.

  1. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

General

The Company is a party to many routine contracts in which it provides general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. Among other considerations, the Company has not recorded a liability for any of these indemnities because, based upon the likelihood of payment, the fair value of such indemnities would not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Financial Instruments

The Company’s loan agreements generally obligate the Company to reimburse the applicable lender for incremental increased costs due to a change in law that imposes (1) any reserve or special deposit requirement against assets of, deposits with or credit extended by such lender related to the loan, (2) any tax, duty or other charge with respect to the loan (except standard income tax) or (3) capital adequacy requirements. In addition, some of the Company’s loan agreements contain a withholding tax provision that requires the Company to pay additional amounts to the applicable lender or other financing party, generally if withholding taxes are imposed on such lender or other financing party as a result of a change in the applicable tax law. These increased cost and withholding tax provisions continue for the entire term of the applicable transaction and there is no limitation on the maximum additional amounts the Company could be obligated to pay under such provisions. Any failure to pay amounts due under such provisions generally would trigger an event of default and, in a secured financing transaction, would entitle the lender to foreclose upon the collateral to realize the amount due.

Litigation

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the Company’s opinion, it has made appropriate and adequate accruals for claims where necessary; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if significantly different than the amounts accrued, the ultimate outcome could have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. The Company cannot predict the outcome of the litigation matters or other actions nor when they will be resolved. The consequences of the pending litigation matters are inherently uncertain, and settlements, adverse actions, or adverse judgments in some or all of these matters, including investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) or the Attorneys General, may result in monetary damages, fines, penalties, or injunctive relief against the Company, which could be material and could adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations. Any claims or litigation, even if fully indemnified or insured, could damage the Company’s reputation and make it more difficult to compete effectively or to obtain adequate insurance in the future. In addition, the U.S. government’s recent focus on market dynamics in the meat processing industry could expose the Company to additional costs and risks.

Tax Claims and Proceedings

During 2014 and 2015, the Mexican Tax Administration Service (“SAT”) opened a review of Avícola Pilgrim’s Pride de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (“Avícola”) with regard to tax years 2009 and 2010. In both instances, the SAT claims that controlled company status did not exist for certain subsidiaries because Avícola did not own 50% of the shares in voting rights of Incubadora Hidalgo, S. de R.L de C.V. and Comercializadora de Carnes de México S. de R.L de C.V. (both in 2009) and Pilgrim’s Pride, S. de R.L. de C.V. (in 2010). Avícola appealed the opinion, and on January 31, 2023, the appeal as to tax year 2009 was dismissed by the Mexico Supreme Court. Accordingly, PPC paid $25.9 million for tax year 2009. The opinion for tax year 2010 is still under appeal. Accordingly, the Company has an accrual of $17.6 million as of March 31, 2024 with regard to the tax year 2010.

On May 12, 2022, the SAT issued tax assessments against Pilgrim’s Pride, S. de R.L. de C.V. and Provemex Holdings, LLC in connection with PPC’s acquisition of Tyson de México. Following the acquisition, PPC re-domiciled Provemex Holdings, LLC from the U.S. to Mexico. The tax authorities claim that Provemex Holdings, LLC was a Mexican entity at the time of the acquisition and, as a result, was obligated to pay taxes on the sale. The Mexican subsidiaries of PPC filed a petition to nullify these assessments, which is still pending. Amounts under appeal are approximately $298.2 million for each of thetwo tax assessments. No provision has been recorded for these amounts at this time.

U.S. Litigation

Between September 2, 2016 and October 13, 2016, a series of federal class action lawsuits were filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (“Illinois Court”) against PPC and other defendants by and on behalf of direct and indirect purchasers of broiler chickens alleging violations of antitrust and unfair competition laws and styled as In re Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 1:16-cv-08637 (the “Broiler Antitrust Litigation”). The complaints seek, among other relief, treble damages for an alleged conspiracy among defendants to reduce output and increase prices of broiler chickens from the period of January 2008 to the present. PPC has entered into agreements to settle all claims made by the three certified classes for an aggregate total of $195.5 million, each of which has received final approval from the Illinois Court. PPC continues to defend itself against the direct-action plaintiffs as well as parties that have opted out of the class settlements (collectively, the “Broiler Opt Outs”). PPC will seek reasonable settlements where they are available. To date, we have accrued $537.4 million to cover settlements with various Broiler Opt Outs. We have recognized these settlement expenses within Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Between August 30, 2019 and October 16, 2019, a series of purported class action lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (“Maryland Court”) against PPC and a number of other chicken producers, as well as

Webber, Meng, Sahl & Company and Agri Stats, styled as Jien, et al. v. Perdue Farms, Inc., et al., No.19-cv-02521. The plaintiffs are a putative class of poultry processing plant production and maintenance workers (“Poultry Workers Class”) and allege that the defendants conspired to fix and depress the compensation paid to Poultry Workers Class in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. PPC entered into an agreement to settle all claims made by the Poultry Workers Class for $29.0 million, though the agreement is still subject to final approval by the Maryland Court. We have recognized these settlement expenses within SG&A expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

On January 27, 2017, a purported class action on behalf of broiler chicken farmers was brought against PPC and other chicken producers in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma (the “Oklahoma Court”) alleging, among other things, a conspiracy to reduce competition for grower services and depress the price paid to growers. The complaint was consolidated with several subsequently filed consolidated amended class action complaints and styled as In re Broiler Chicken Grower Litigation, Case No. CIV-17-033. PPC continues to litigate against the putative class plaintiffs.

On October 20, 2016, Patrick Hogan, acting on behalf of himself and a putative class of certain PPC stockholders, filed a class action complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado (“Colorado Court”) against PPC and its named executive officers styled as Hogan v. Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, et al., No. 16-CV-02611 (“Hogan Litigation”). The complaint alleges, among other things, that PPC’s SEC filings contained statements that were rendered materially false and misleading. PPC continues to litigate against the putative class plaintiffs.

U.S. State Matters

From February 21, 2017 through May 4, 2021, the Attorneys General for multiple U.S. states have issued civil investigative demands (“CIDs”). The CIDs request, among other things, data and information related to the acquisition and processing of broiler chickens and the sale of chicken products. PPC is cooperating with the Attorneys General in these states in producing documents pursuant to the CIDs.

On September 1, 2020, February 22, 2021, and October 28, 2021, the Attorneys General in New Mexico (State of New Mexico v. Koch Foods, et al., D-101-CV-2020-01891), Alaska (State of Alaska v. Agri Stats, Inc., et al., 3AN-21-04632), and Washington (State of Washington v. Tyson Foods Inc., et al., 21-2-14174-5), respectively, filed complaints against PPC and others based on allegations similar to those asserted in the Broiler Antitrust Litigation. PPC will seek reasonable settlements where they are available. To date, we have recognized $17.2 million to cover settlements with these states in SG&A expense in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The State of Washington claim was paid in the second quarter of 2023, leaving an accrual of$6.2 millionas of March 31, 2024 for remaining state claims.

U.S. Federal Matters

On February 9, 2022, PPC learned that the DOJ opened a civil investigation into human resources antitrust matters, and on October 6, 2022, PPC learned that the DOJ opened a civil investigation into grower contracts and payment practices and on October 2, 2023, received a CID requesting information from PPC. PPC is cooperating with the DOJ in its investigations and CID. The DOJ has informed the Company that it is likely to file a civil complaint pursuant to at least one of these investigations.

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.