Seneca Foods Corp

Previous wording

We purchase raw materials, including raw produce, steel, ingredients and packaging materials from growers, commodity processors, steel producers and packaging suppliers. Raw materials and other input costs, such as labor, fuel, utilities and transportation, are subject to fluctuations in price attributable to a number of factors. Fluctuations in commodity prices can lead to retail price volatility and can influence consumer and trade buying patterns. The cost of raw materials, fuel, labor, distribution and other costs related to our operations can increase from time to time significantly and unexpectedly, the impact of which could increase our cost of products sold and reduce our profitability.

Current wording

We purchase raw materials, including raw produce, steel, ingredients and packaging materials from growers, commodity processors, steel producers and packaging suppliers. Raw materials and other input costs, such as labor, fuel, utilities and transportation, are subject to fluctuations in price attributable to a number of factors. Certain of our raw materials, namely steel, are subject to import tariffs and other restrictions, and the United States government may periodically impose new or revise existing duties, quotas, tariffs or other restrictions to which we are subject. Fluctuations in commodity prices can lead to retail price volatility and can influence consumer and trade buying patterns. The cost of raw materials, fuel, labor, distribution and other costs related to our operations can increase from time to time significantly and unexpectedly, the impact of which could increase our cost of products sold and reduce our profitability.

Previous wording

Net sales totaled $297.5 million for the three months ended June 28, 2025 as compared with $304.7 million for the three months ended June 29, 2024. The overall net sales decrease of $7.2 million, or 2.4%, was driven by lower sales volumes contributing a decrease of $13.6 million, partially offset by higher selling prices and the impact of product mix which contributed a favorable $6.4 million as compared to the prior year quarter.

Current wording

Net sales totaled $460.0 million for the three months ended September 27, 2025 as compared with $425.5 million for the three months ended September 28, 2024. The overall net sales increase of $34.5 million, or 8.1%, as compared to the prior year quarter was driven by higher sales volume contributing an increase of $33.8 million and a $0.7 million increase from the impact of selling prices and product mix.

Previous wording

Net sales of canned vegetables and frozen vegetables decreased by a combined $8.8 million over the prior year quarter. The categories experienced a decrease in sales volume equating to $14.2 million, which was partially offset by $5.4 million from higher pricing. Net sales in the fruit products category decreased $0.8 million largely driven by lower selling prices and product mix. The snack products category contributed a net sales increase of $0.7 million mainly due to higher sales volume. Lastly, net sales attributable to the other category increased $1.6 million as compared to the prior year quarter for seed, cans and ends, and outside revenue from aircraft operations, which are ancillary to the Company’s main operations.

Current wording

Net sales of canned vegetables and frozen vegetables increased by a combined $31.8 million over the prior year quarter. The categories experienced an increase in sales volume equating to $33.1 million, partially offset by a decrease of $1.3 million from the impact of pricing and product mix. Net sales in the fruit products category remained relatively consistent with a slight increase of $0.5 million largely driven by higher selling prices. The snack products category contributed a net sales increase of $0.9 million mainly due to higher sales volume. Lastly, net sales attributable to the other category increased $1.3 million as compared to the prior year quarter for seed, cans and ends, and outside revenue from aircraft operations, which are ancillary to the Company’s main operations.

Previous wording

Gross Margin: Gross margin for the three months ended June 28, 2025 was 14.1% as compared to 14.0% for the three months ended June 29, 2024. Gross margin was relatively flat when comparing the year-over-year quarterly periods because although the Company continues to experience elevated costs in fiscal year 2026, the current quarter benefited from a larger LIFO credit thereby reducing the cost of products sold. The Company’s LIFO credit for the three months ended June 28, 2025 was $11.8 million as compared to a LIFO credit of $2.9 million for the three months ended June 29, 2024. Finished goods sold by the Company during the current quarter consisted of products produced during the preceding year seasonal pack, which have a higher cost on a per unit basis as compared to finished goods sold during the prior year quarter. Refer to the business trends section above and the material cash requirements section below for additional discussion of the factors impacting the respective seasonal pack.

Current wording

Gross Margin: Gross margin for the three months ended September 27, 2025 was 13.4% as compared to 10.1% for the three months ended September 28, 2024. Gross margin was higher for the current quarter, primarily driven by a LIFO credit that decreased the cost of products sold on a GAAP basis year-over-year. Therefore, although FIFO per unit costs increased at a higher rate than selling prices compared to the prior year quarter, the LIFO credit caused the increase in net sales to outpace the increase in cost of products sold, thus increasing gross margin. Refer to the business trends section above and the material cash requirements section below for additional discussion of the factors impacting the respective seasonal pack.

Previous wording

Selling, General, and Administrative: Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended June 28, 2025 increased $1.3 million from the three months ended June 29, 2024. Selling, general, and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended June 28, 2025, was 6.3% as compared with 5.7% for the prior year quarter. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales was mainly driven by the decrease in net sales and the fixed nature of certain expenses.

Current wording

Selling, General, and Administrative: Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended September 27, 2025 increased $2.5 million from the three months ended September 28, 2024. Selling, general, and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended September 27, 2025, was 4.5% as compared with 4.2% for the prior year quarter. The percentage remained relatively flat on a comparative basis as net sales increased and selling, general, and administrative expense increased mostly driven by routine workforce related costs.

Previous wording

Interest Expense, net: Interest expense as a percentage of net sales was 1.8% for the three months ended June 28, 2025, as compared to 3.4% for the three months ended June 29, 2024. Interest expense decreased from $10.3 million in the prior year quarter to $5.4 million in the current quarter primarily driven by lower average borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and a lower weighted average interest rate as compared to the prior year quarter.

Current wording

Interest Expense, net: Interest expense as a percentage of net sales was 1.0% for the three months ended September 27, 2025, as compared to 2.1% for the three months ended September 28, 2024. Interest expense decreased from $9.0 million in the prior year quarter to $4.7 million in the current quarter primarily driven by lower average borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility and a lower weighted average interest rate as compared to the prior year quarter.

Previous wording

Other Operating Income, net: The Company had net other operating income of $0.1 million during the three months ended June 28, 2025, which was driven primarily by the sale of various spare equipment. During the three months ended June 29, 2024, the Company had net other operating income of $0.2 million, which was driven primarily by the sale of a small portion of land in the Midwest.

Current wording

Other Operating Income, net: The Company had net other operating income of $0.3 million during the six months ended September 27, 2025, which was driven primarily by the sale of various spare equipment. During the six months ended September 28, 2024, the Company had net other operating income of $0.1 million, which was driven primarily by the sale of a small portion of land in the Midwest and partially offset by minimal restructuring charges attributable to equipment moves for the Northeast trucking fleet.

Previous wording

The Company’s effective tax rate was 24.5% and 23.3% for the three months ended June 28, 2025 and June 29, 2024, respectively. The effective tax rate increased in the current quarter partially driven by the impact of lower federal credits and higher earnings before income taxes as compared to the prior year quarter which increased the effective rate by 0.4%. The prior year quarter also benefited from interest received on a federal income tax refund, which resulted in a 0.7% increase in the current quarter effective rate on a comparative basis. The effective tax rate was further increased in the current quarter by additional state tax filings and partially offset by a decrease in the valuation allowance related to the usage of state tax credits.

Current wording

The Company’s effective tax rate was 23.6% and 22.7% for the six months ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024, respectively. The increase in the current six-month period is primarily driven by the impact of lower federal credits and higher earnings before income taxes as compared to the prior year six-month period, resulting in an increase of 1.4% to the effective tax rate. Additionally, the prior year six-month period benefited from interest received on a federal income tax refund, which resulted in a 0.3% increase in the current six-month period effective tax rate on a comparative basis. Offsetting those increases, there was a 0.8% decrease to the effective tax rate because of statute expiration for certain uncertain tax benefits during the current six-month period.

Previous wording

Material Cash Requirements**:**The Company’s primary liquidity requirements include debt service, capital expenditures and working capital needs. The Company may also seek strategic acquisitions to leverage existing capabilities and further build upon its existing business. Liquidity requirements are funded primarily through cash generated from operations and external sources of financing, including the revolving credit facility.

Current wording

Material Cash Requirements**:**The Company’s primary liquidity requirements include debt service, capital expenditures and working capital needs. The Company may also seek strategic acquisitions to leverage existing capabilities and further build upon its existing business. Liquidity requirements are funded primarily through cash generated from operations and external sources of financing, including the revolving credit facility. The Company may also utilize its Receivables Purchase Program to manage short-term liquidity and provide working capital flexibility, as needed.

Previous wording

During the preceding fiscal years, working capital needs trended higher than previously experienced by the Company in part because of larger annual pack sizes needed to replenish the Company’s post-pandemic inventory levels to meet customer demand, and because of supply chain challenges and inflationary pressure in the steel industry which impacted can manufacturing operations. To successfully navigate the uncertainty driven by inflation and import tariffs, and a desire to diversify its steel supply, the Company employed a strategic approach during those fiscal years and increased steel coil purchases to better position itself for subsequent years. The higher cost of steel coil raw materials translated into an elevated container cost and ultimately resulted in an increased cost per unit for the associated finished good product. Working capital was likewise unfavorably impacted during the preceding fiscal years as the Company experienced material cost increases implemented by suppliers affecting various other production inputs aside from steel. These economic conditions contributed to higher cash outflows and an increased cost per unit for the associated finished good product.

Current wording

During the preceding fiscal years, working capital needs trended higher than previously experienced by the Company in part because of larger annual pack sizes needed to replenish the Company’s post-pandemic inventory levels to meet customer demand, and because of supply chain challenges and inflationary pressure in the steel industry which impacted can manufacturing operations. To successfully navigate the uncertainty driven by inflation and import tariffs, and a desire to diversify its steel supply, the Company employed a strategic approach during those fiscal years and increased steel coil purchases to better position itself for subsequent years. The higher cost of steel coil raw materials translated into an elevated container cost and ultimately resulted in an increased cost per unit for the associated finished good product. Working capital was likewise unfavorably impacted as the Company experienced material cost increases implemented by suppliers affecting various other production inputs aside from steel. These economic conditions contributed to higher cash outflows and an increased cost per unit for the associated finished good product.

Previous wording

During fiscal year 2025, the Company experienced an easing of working capital needs driven by the factors previously mentioned. However, adverse weather conditions during the planting and harvesting seasons had a notable impact, especially in the upper Midwest where the Company has its primary growing region. Challenging growing conditions and reduced crop yields resulted in a seasonal pack lower than originally planned. This in turn resulted in a higher-cost seasonal pack on a per unit basis for fiscal year 2025; however, the overall costs from a cash requirements perspective are favorable as compared to the preceding fiscal years.

Current wording

During fiscal year 2025, the Company experienced an easing of working capital needs. However, adverse weather conditions during the planting and harvesting seasons had a notable impact, especially in the upper Midwest where the Company has its primary growing region. Challenging growing conditions and reduced crop yields resulted in a seasonal pack smaller than originally planned. This in turn resulted in a higher-cost seasonal pack on a per unit basis for fiscal year 2025; although, the overall cash requirements were favorable as compared to the preceding fiscal years.

Previous wording

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities**:** For the three months ended June 28, 2025, cash provided by operating activities was $53.7 million, which consisted of $38.9 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities, coupled with net earnings of $14.9 million and partially offset by non-cash charges of $0.1 million. The non-cash charges were mainly comprised of $11.1 million of depreciation and amortization and $0.9 million of non-cash lease expense, largely offset by a $11.8 million LIFO credit. The change in operating assets and liabilities was mainly impacted by inventories being a use of cash as the early stages of the Company’s seasonal pack commenced during the quarter.

Current wording

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities**:** For the six months ended September 27, 2025, cash provided by operating activities was $83.0 million, which consisted of $28.8 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities, coupled with net earnings of $44.6 million and non-cash charges of $9.6 million. The non-cash charges were mainly comprised of $22.5 million of depreciation and amortization, a $5.8 million impact for deferred taxes, and $1.9 million of lease expense, largely offset by a $19.5 million LIFO credit. The change in operating assets and liabilities was largely impacted by working capital needs as the six-month period covered the primary months of the Company’s seasonal pack. Cash utilized for inventories and higher accounts payable activity were the main drivers.

Previous wording

For the three months ended June 29, 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $50.3 million, which consisted of $28.3 million for operating assets and liabilities, coupled with net earnings of $12.7 million and non-cash charges of $9.3 million. The non-cash charges were largely driven by $10.8 million of depreciation and amortization and $1.6 million of non-cash lease expense, partially offset by a $2.9 million LIFO credit. The change in operating assets and liabilities was due to inventories contributing favorably as the strategic approach discussed above within the material cash requirements section resulted in lower working capital needs, especially for steel, during the prior year three-month period.

Current wording

For the six months ended September 28, 2024, cash provided by operating activities was $125.9 million, which consisted of $66.4 million from changes in operating assets and liabilities, coupled with net earnings of $26.0 million and non-cash charges of $33.5 million. The non-cash charges were largely driven by $22.0 million of depreciation and amortization, $2.9 million of lease expense, and a $12.1 million LIFO charge. The change in operating assets and liabilities was largely due to working capital needs as the prior six-month period covered the primary seasonal pack harvest months.

Previous wording

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities**:**Net cash used in investing activities was $11.2 million for the three months ended June 28, 2025, and consisted of cash used for capital expenditures of $11.3 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets totaling $0.1 million.

Current wording

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities**:**Net cash used in investing activities was $18.6 million for the six months ended September 27, 2025, and consisted of cash used for capital expenditures of $18.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets totaling $0.2 million.

Previous wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $13.4 million for the three months ended June 29, 2024, and consisted of cash used for capital expenditures of $12.1 million and $1.7 million paid as deposits to vendors for a new can manufacturing line. Partially offsetting those amounts, the Company received proceeds from the sale of assets totaling $0.4 million.

Current wording

Net cash used in investing activities was $19.9 million for the six months ended September 27, 2024, and consisted of cash used for capital expenditures of $17.6 million and $2.7 million paid as deposits to vendors for a can manufacturing line. Partially offsetting those amounts, the Company received proceeds from the sale of assets totaling $0.4 million.

Previous wording

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities**:** Net cash used in financing activities was $80.8 million for the three months ended June 28, 2025, driven primarily by payments of $85.4 million on its term loans and finance obligation. This included full payment of $81.0 million for the Term Loan A-1 upon maturity during the current quarter. The Company also used cash of $3.8 million to purchase treasury stock and made payments of $1.0 million on finance leases. Partially offsetting the cash outflows, the Company had net borrowings of $9.4 million on its revolving credit facility.

Current wording

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities**:** Net cash used in financing activities was $96.7 million for the six months ended September 27, 2025, driven primarily by payments of $89.8 million on its term loans and finance obligation. This included full payment of $81.0 million for the Term Loan A-1 upon maturity during the current six-month interim period. The Company also used cash of $4.9 million to purchase treasury stock and made payments of $2.0 million on finance leases. The Company utilized its revolving credit facility, although borrowings and repayments both equated to $48.2 million during the six-month period, thereby resulting in no change to the ending balance as compared to the beginning of the fiscal year.

Previous wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $35.8 million for the three months ended June 29, 2024, driven primarily by a net paydown on the Company’s revolving credit facility of $28.0 million and term loan payments of $4.8 million during the quarter. Additionally, the Company used cash of $6.6 million to purchase treasury stock and made payments of $1.4 million on finance leases. Partially offsetting the payments was a $5.0 million increase in the note payable borrowings associated with the Company’s new can manufacturing line.

Current wording

Net cash used in financing activities was $100.7 million for the six months ended September 28, 2024, driven primarily by a net paydown on the Company’s revolving credit facility of $90.8 million and term loan payments of $9.5 million during the prior six-month interim period. Additionally, the Company used cash of $10.0 million to purchase treasury stock and made payments of $2.8 million on finance leases. Partially offsetting the outflows was a $12.4 million increase in note payable borrowings made by the Company for a can manufacturing line.

Previous wording

A description of the Company's critical accounting estimates is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. There were no material changes to the Company's critical accounting policies or estimates during the three months ended June 28, 2025.

Current wording

A description of the Company's critical accounting estimates is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. There were no material changes to the Company's critical accounting policies or estimates during the six months ended September 27, 2025.