MFI Maple Leaf Foods Inc

TSX: MFI
www.mapleleaffoods.com

Meat Protein posts sequential Adjusted EBITDA Margin improvement to 11.4% in the quarter

Plant Protein progressing toward Adjusted EBITDA target of neutral by end of 2023

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. ("Maple Leaf Foods" or the "Company") (TSX: MFI) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

"For the third consecutive quarter, we delivered sequential improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin in our Meat Protein business, while also making meaningful strides toward achieving our Adjusted EBITDA neutral goal in our Plant Protein business," said Curtis Frank, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods.  "Delivering 11.4% Adjusted EBITDA margin in our Meat Protein business in the face of improving, but still challenging market conditions, demonstrates clear momentum in our core business."

"Looking ahead, we will continue to build on this momentum by remaining firmly focused on delivering the benefits from our capital investments, executing our strategic Blueprint, and deleveraging our balance sheet," continued Mr. Frank. "We have already started to see some benefits in our results from our two largest capital projects, London Poultry and the Bacon Centre of Excellence, and we expect to exit the year with an annualized run rate of about $130 million in Adjusted EBITDA contribution from these projects.  At the same time, we are forecasting lower capital spend as we wrap up these large-scale organic projects."

"Based on the strength of our assets, the power of our leading brands and product innovation, and the passion of our people, we are confident that we are poised to achieve our goal of 14-16% Adjusted EBITDA margin in our Meat Protein business when markets normalize," concluded Mr. Frank.

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

• Total Company sales grew 1.1% to $1,245.0 million, with an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA")⁽ⁱ⁾ Margin of 10.4%.

• Meat Protein Group sales grew to $1,211.0 million, an increase of 1.4% year over year. Adjusted EBITDA was $138.4 million, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin was 11.4%, an improvement of 290 basis points compared to the same period last year, and 210 basis points from the second quarter of 2023.

• Plant Protein Group sales were $36.4 million. Plant Protein Group Adjusted EBITDA improved by 61.3% year over year to a loss of $9.4 million, en route to an Adjusted EBITDA target of neutral by the end of 2023.

• Capital expenditures were $50.5 million.

• The London Poultry facility transition is progressing on schedule. Three legacy facilities have fully transitioned their production volumes, and the transition from the fourth facility will begin shortly. The Company expects London Poultry to be fully ramped up by the end of 2023.

Outlook

• Meat Protein: Expect mid-single digit sales growth in 2023, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion to achieve a target range of 14% - 16% when markets normalize.
  
  
• Plant Protein: On track to deliver Adjusted EBITDA neutral by the end of 2023.
  
  
• Capital expenditure: For 2023 is expected to be roughly $200 million, down from prior guidance of less than $250 million. Approximately half of the spend will be attributable to Maintenance Capital⁽ⁱ⁾ and the balance attributable to Growth Capital⁽ⁱ⁾.

Financial Highlights

Sales for the third quarter of 2023 were $1,245.0 million compared to $1,231.9 million last year, an increase of 1.1%. Sales growth in the Meat Protein Group was mostly offset by a 16.4% sales decline in the Plant Protein Group. For more details on sales performance by operating segment, please refer to Operating Review.

Year-to-date sales for 2023 were $3,689.6 million compared to $3,553.5 million last year, an increase of 3.8%. Meat Protein Group sales grew 4.3% which more than offset the 14.5% decline in the Plant Protein Group during the same period.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2023 was $4.3 million ($0.04 loss per basic share) compared to a loss of $229.5 million ($1.86 loss per basic share) last year. The prior year net loss included a $190.9 million one-time non-cash impairment charge related to the Plant Protein Group, as well as a $31.5 million decrease in the fair value of biological assets compared to a $0.3 million increase in 2023.The Meat Protein Group showed improved commercial results and pork market conditions, partly offset by cost inflation, along with increased start up costs. The Plant Protein Group delivered improved margins along with lower Selling, General, and Administrative ("SG&A") spending as the segment continues to reduce costs as part of its short term strategy. In addition, current year results were negatively impacted by higher interest expense with increased rates and higher debt largely to fund strategic capital expenditures, and by income tax expenses, which were a recovery in the prior year.

Year-to-date net loss for 2023 was $115.7 million ($0.95 loss per basic share) compared to loss of $270.4 million ($2.18 loss per basic share) last year due to similar factors as noted above, with the exception of increased pork market headwinds for the year to date.

Adjusted Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2023 were $70.5 million compared to $24.1 million last year, and Adjusted Earnings per Share for the third quarter of 2023 was $0.13 compared to loss of $0.01 last year. The increase was a result of improved commercial results and pork market conditions, partly offset by cost inflation.

Year-to-date Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2023 were $135.7 million compared to $63.9 million last year, and Adjusted Earnings per Share for 2023 were a loss of $0.01 compared to earnings of $0.02 last year due to similar factors as noted above, with the exception of increased pork market headwinds for the year to date.

Adjusted Earnings Before Taxes ("Adjusted EBT") for the third quarter of 2023 were $25.1 million compared to $8.4 million last year. Adjusted EBT was driven by improved commercial performance and pork market conditions, partly offset by cost inflation in the Meat Protein Group, as well as improved margins in the Plant Protein group. This was partly offset by higher interest expense with increased rates and higher debt largely to fund strategic capital expenditures.

Year-to-date Adjusted EBT for 2023 were a loss of $17.8 million compared to earnings of $26.2 million last year due to similar factors as noted above with the exception of increased pork market headwinds for the year to date.

For further discussion on key metrics and a discussion of results by operating segment, refer to the section titled Operating Review.

Operating Review

The Company has two reportable segments. These segments offer different products, with separate organizational structures, brands, and financial and marketing strategies. The Company's chief operating decision makers regularly review internal reports for these businesses. Performance of the Meat Protein Group is based on profitable revenue growth, Adjusted Operating Earnings,  Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBT while the performance of the Plant Protein Group in the short term is focused on obtaining Adjusted EBITDA neutral results.  

The following table summarizes the Company's sales, gross profit (loss), SG&A, Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted EBT by operating segment for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

The following table summarizes the Company's sales, gross profit (loss), SG&A, Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Adjusted EBT by operating segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

Meat Protein Group 

The Meat Protein Group is comprised of prepared meats, ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve meals, snack kits, value-added fresh pork and poultry products that are sold to retail, foodservice and industrial channels, and agricultural operations in pork and poultry. The Meat Protein Group includes leading brands such as Maple Leaf^®, Maple Leaf Prime^®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections^®, Schneiders^®, Schneiders^® Country Naturals^®, Mina^®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.^®, and other leading regional brands.

Sales for the third quarter of 2023 increased 1.4% to $1,211.0 million compared to $1,194.5 million last year. Sales growth was driven by pricing action implemented in prior quarters to reflect higher input costs, mix-shift and favourable foreign exchange. These factors were partly offset by lower volumes.

Year-to-date sales for 2023 increased 4.3% to $3,591.6 million compared to $3,444.1 million last year. Sales growth was driven by factors consistent with those mentioned above.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2023 was $143.5 million (gross margin⁽ⁱ⁾ of 11.8%) compared to $125.6 million (gross margin⁽ⁱ⁾ of 10.5%) last year. Gross profit was positively impacted by pricing action to catch up to inflation, and improved pork market conditions including in Japan, partially offset by cost inflation, lower volume, and startup expenses. Gross profit for the third quarter included start-up expenses of $24.1 million (2022: $11.0 million) associated with Construction Capital projects, which are excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings.

Year-to-date gross profit for 2023 was $354.2 million (gross margin⁽ⁱ⁾ of 9.9%) compared to $392.5 million (gross margin⁽ⁱ⁾ of 11.4%) last year. Gross profit was negatively impacted by pork market headwinds, cost inflation, start up expenses, and lower volume, partially offset by pricing action to address inflation. Gross profit year to date included start-up expenses of $92.7 million (2022: $28.7 million) associated with Construction Capital projects, which are excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings.

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2023 were consistent with the prior year, at $83.0 million compared to $82.9 million last year.

Year-to-date SG&A expenses for 2023 were $264.0 million compared to $258.9 million last year. The slight increase in SG&A expenses was driven by higher people costs from stabilizing staffing levels and discretionary spend, partially offset by lower advertising and promotional expenses.

Adjusted Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2023 were $84.6 million compared to $53.6 million last year, driven by factors noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2023 were $182.8 million compared to $162.3 million last year, consistent with factors noted above.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2023 were $138.4 million compared to $100.9 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above as well as benefits from the London poultry plant and Bacon Centre of Excellence. Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the third quarter was 11.4% compared to 8.5% last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA for 2023 were $341.0 million compared to $302.6 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above. Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA Margin for 2023 was 9.5% compared to 8.8% last year, also driven by factors consistent with those noted above.

During the third quarter of 2023 the Meat Protein Group Adjusted EBT were $39.4 million compared to $40.5 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above, as well as a $28.5 million increase in interest expense as a result of increased interest rates and higher debt, and increased depreciation expense all related to continued capital investment.

Year-to-date Adjusted EBT were $66.3 million compared to $132.3 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above, as well as an $84.1 million increase in interest expense as a result of increased interest rates and higher debt, and increased depreciation expense all related to continued capital investment.

Plant Protein Group

The Plant Protein Group is comprised of refrigerated plant protein products, premium grain-based protein, and vegan cheese products sold to retail, foodservice and industrial channels. The Plant Protein Group includes the leading brands Lightlife^® and Field Roast™.

Sales for the third quarter of 2023 decreased 16.4% to $36.4 million compared to $43.6 million last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales decreased 18.5%, driven by lower volumes across all channels, partially offset by pricing action implemented in prior quarters to mitigate inflation.

Year-to-date sales for 2023 decreased 14.5% to $110.5 million compared to $129.3 million last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales decreased 18.5%, consistent with factors noted above.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2023 was a loss of $2.2 million (gross margin loss⁽ⁱ⁾ of 5.9%) compared to a loss of $9.8 million (gross margin loss⁽ⁱ⁾ of 22.5%) last year. The improvement in gross margin was driven by operational improvements, higher pricing, and reduction in start-up expenses, partially offset by lower volumes. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2022 included start-up expenses of $0.2 million associated with Construction Capital projects which are excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings that were not repeated in the third quarter of 2023.

Year-to-date gross profit for 2023 was a loss of $7.3 million (gross margin loss⁽ⁱ⁾ of 6.6%) compared to a loss of $26.2 million (gross margin loss⁽ⁱ⁾ of 20.2%) last year. The increase in gross profit was also driven by factors consistent with those noted above. Year-to-date gross profit for 2022 included start-up expenses of $4.8 million associated with Construction Capital projects which are excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings, that were not repeated in 2023.

SG&A expenses for the third quarter of 2023 were $11.9 million (32.6% of sales) compared to $19.9 million (45.5% of sales) last year. The decrease in SG&A was largely driven by lower advertising and promotional expenses and lower headcount expenses.

Year-to-date SG&A expenses for 2023 were $39.8 million (36.0% of sales) compared to $77.0 million (59.5% of sales) last year. The decrease in SG&A was driven by factors consistent with those noted above, and well as lower consulting costs.

Adjusted Operating Earnings for the third quarter of 2023 were a loss of $14.1 million compared to a loss of $29.5 million last year. The improvement in Adjusted Operating Earnings is consistent with the factors noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2023 were a loss of $47.1 million compared to a loss of $98.4 million last year. The improvement in Adjusted Operating Earnings is consistent with the factors noted above.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2023 were a loss of $9.4 million compared to a loss of $24.3 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above. Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the third quarter was a loss of 25.7% compared to a loss of 55.6% last year, also driven by factors consistent with those noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2023 were a loss of $33.0 million compared to a loss of $85.0 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above. Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the third quarter was a loss of 29.8% compared to a loss of 65.7% last year, also driven by factors consistent with those noted above.

Other Matters

On November 1, 2023, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share, $0.84 per share on an annual basis, payable December 29, 2023 to shareholders of record at the close of business December 8, 2023. Unless indicated otherwise by the Company at or before the time the dividend is paid, the dividend will be considered an eligible dividend for the purposes of the "Enhanced Dividend Tax Credit System". The Board of Directors has also approved the issuance of common shares from treasury at a two percent discount under the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan ("DRIP"). Under the DRIP, investors holding the Company's common shares can receive common shares instead of cash dividend payments. Further details, including how to enroll in the program, are available at https://www.mapleleaffoods.com/investors/stock-information/.

Conference Call

A conference call will be held at 8:00 a.m. ET on November 2, 2023, to review Maple Leaf Foods' third quarter financial results. To participate in the call, please dial 416-764-8650 or 1-888-664-6383. For those unable to participate, playback will be made available an hour after the event at 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 (Passcode: 113305#).

A webcast of the third quarter conference call will also be available at: https://www.mapleleaffoods.com. 

The Company's full consolidated interim financial statements ("Consolidated Interim Financial Statements") and related Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on the Company's website.

An investor presentation related to the Company's third quarter financial results is available at www.mapleleaffoods.com and can be found under Presentations and Webcasts on the Investors page.

Outlook

Maple Leaf Foods is a leading consumer protein company, supported by a portfolio of market leading brands. Over the last several years, the Company has developed a foundation to pursue compelling growth vectors across its business and to create value for all stakeholders.

Meat Protein Group

In Meat Protein, the Company's strategy is to drive profitable growth. Given the unprecedented market dynamics, marked by a challenging post-pandemic economy, the conflict in Europe, high inflation and significant market disruption, Maple Leaf Foods expects that its Meat Protein Group will achieve the following:

• Mid-single digit sales growth in 2023, supported by brand leadership, and growth in international markets.
• Adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion to a 14% - 16% target range once markets normalize.

Plant Protein Group

• In late 2021, the Company announced that it was re-evaluating its outlook for the Plant Protein Group and launching a comprehensive review of the overall plant protein category. This decision was driven by a pronounced slowdown in growth rates in the category, particularly in the second half of the year, which fueled the Company's imperative to identify and thoroughly assess the causes, near and long-term trends, and overall implications. The Company's analysis to date confirms that the very high category growth rates previously predicted by many industry experts are unlikely to be achieved given current customer feedback, experience, buy rates and household penetration. Based on this information, the Company believes that the category will continue to grow at more modest, but still attractive rates. The Company estimates that the category will grow at an average annual rate of 10% to 15%, making it a $6 billion to $10 billion market by 2030. Accordingly, the Company has pivoted its strategy and investment thesis for the Plant Protein Group and has set a new goal to deliver neutral Adjusted EBITDA in the latter half of 2023. Work is ongoing to implement this pivot. The Company expects steady Adjusted EBITDA improvement to continue throughout the year.

Capital

• The Company currently estimates its capital expenditures for 2023 will be approximately $200 million, down from previous expectations mainly due to timing of projects and disciplined capital management. Additionally the Company estimates its capital expenditures for 2024 will be in the range of $170 million to $190 million, based on expected timing of projects and continued discipline in capital management.
• The Company expects the London, Ontario poultry facility to start to deliver approximately $100 million annually of additional Adjusted EBITDA once fully ramped up which is expected to be by the end of 2023. Additionally, the Company expects the Bacon Centre of Excellence in Winnipeg, Manitoba to contribute approximately $30 million annually of additional Adjusted EBITDA once fully ramped up by the end of 2023.

The ongoing effects of the post-pandemic economy induced supply chain disruptions and the war in Ukraine are unpredictable and may impact a number of factors that drive growth in the business, including:

• Agricultural commodity and foreign exchange markets;

• Inflationary cost pressures;

• Disruptions in the global supply chain;

• Availability of labour; and
• Demand for products and changes in product mix.

The execution of the Company's financial and operational priorities are embedded in a commitment to deliver shared value for the benefit of all stakeholders. The Company's guiding pillars to be the "Most Sustainable Protein Company on Earth" include Better Food, Better Care, Better Communities, Better Planet and are core to how Maple Leaf Foods conducts itself. To that end, the Company's priorities include:

• Better Food - leading the real food movement and transitioning key brands to 100% "raised without antibiotics".
• Better Care - further advancement of animal care, after achieving our transition of all sows under management to open housing systems in 2021, we have an ongoing program to convert any new sow barns that we acquire.
• Better Communities - investing a minimum of approximately 1% of pre-tax profit to advance sustainable food security.
• Better Planet - continuing to amplify its commitment to carbon neutrality, while focusing on eliminating waste in any resources it consumes, including food, energy, water, packaging, and time.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company uses the following non-IFRS measures: Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBT, Construction Capital, Net Debt, Free Cash Flow and Return on Net Assets. Management believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company for the reasons outlined below. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Adjusted EBT

Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Adjusted EBT are non-IFRS measures used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. Adjusted Operating Earnings is defined as earnings before other income, income taxes and interest expense adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business and certain items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods when the underlying or related asset is sold or transferred. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted Operating Earnings plus depreciation and intangible asset amortization, adjusted for items included in other expense that are considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by sales. Adjusted EBT is used annually by the Company to evaluate its performance and is a component of calculating bonus entitlements under the Company's short term incentive plan. It is defined as Adjusted EBITDA, less depreciation and amortization, and interest expense. Interest expense is allocated to the operating segments for this metric on a legal entity basis.  

The table below provides a reconciliation of earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported under IFRS in the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements to Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBT for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 as indicated below. Management believes that these non-IFRS measures are useful in assessing the performance of the Company's ongoing operations and its ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including the Company's capital investment program.

Adjusted Earnings per Share 

Adjusted Earnings per Share, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined as basic earnings per share and is adjusted on the same basis as Adjusted Operating Earnings. The table below provides a reconciliation of basic earnings per share as reported under IFRS in the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements to Adjusted Earnings per Share for the three and nine months ended September 30 as indicated below. Management believes this basis is the most appropriate on which to evaluate financial results as they are representative of the ongoing operations of the Company.

Construction Capital

Construction Capital, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate the amount of capital resources invested in specific strategic development projects that are not yet operational. It is defined as investments and related financing charges in projects over $50.0 million that are related to longer-term strategic initiatives, with no returns expected for at least 12 months from commencement of construction and the asset is re-categorized from Construction Capital once operational. The current balance of Construction Capital includes investment in increased further processed poultry capacity in the Prepared Meats facility in Brampton, Ontario. Investments in capacity at the Walker Drive facility in Brampton, Ontario, and the plant protein facility in Indianapolis, Indiana were moved out of construction capital upon completion during the first quarter of 2022, and the London Poultry facility was moved out of construction capital during the fourth quarter of 2022 when commercial production began. The following table is a summary of Construction Capital activity and debt financing for the periods indicated below.

Net Debt 

The following table reconciles Net Debt to amounts reported under IFRS in the Company's Consolidated Interim Financial Statements as at September 30 as indicated below. The Company calculates Net Debt as cash and cash equivalents, less long-term debt and bank indebtedness. Management believes this measure is useful in assessing the amount of financial leverage employed.

Free Cash Flow 

Free Cash Flow, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate cash flow after investing in the maintenance of the Company's asset base. It is defined as cash provided by operations, less Maintenance Capital⁽ⁱ⁾ and associated interest paid and capitalized. The following table calculates Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated below:

Return on Net Assets ("RONA") 

RONA is calculated by dividing tax effected earnings from operations (adjusted for items which are not considered representative of the underlying operations of the business) by average monthly net assets. Net assets are defined as total assets (excluding cash and deferred tax assets) less non-interest bearing liabilities (excluding deferred tax liabilities). Management believes that RONA is an appropriate basis upon which to evaluate long-term financial performance. 

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains, and the Company's oral and written public communications often contain, "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs, judgements and assumptions based on information available at the time the applicable forward-looking statement was made and in light of the Company's experience combined with its perception of historical trends. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to objectives and goals, in addition to statements with respect to beliefs, plans, targets, goals, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "plan", "intend", "design", "target", "undertake", "view", "indicate", "maintain", "explore", "entail", "schedule", "objective", "strategy", "likely", "potential", "outlook", "aim", "propose", "goal", and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. 

Specific forward-looking information in this document may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to:

• assumptions that the major disruptions that influenced the early post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery, have largely resolved and are unlikely to recur with the same severity;
• expected future cash flows and the sufficiency thereof, sources of capital at attractive rates, future contractual obligations, future financing options, renewal of credit facilities, compliance with credit facility covenants, and availability of capital to fund growth plans, operating obligations and dividends;
• future performance, including future financial objectives, goals and targets, category growth analysis, expected capital spend and expected SG&A expenditures, global pork market dynamics, Japan export market margin outlook, labour markets, inflationary pressures (including the ability to price for inflation);
• potential for a recurrence of a cybersecurity incident on the Company's systems, business and operations, as well as the ability to mitigate the financial and operational impacts, the success of remediation and recovery efforts, the implications of data exfiltration, and other ongoing risks associated with cybersecurity;
• the execution of the Company's business strategy, including the development and expected timing of business initiatives, brand expansion and repositioning, plant protein category investment and performance, market access in China and Japan, capital allocation decisions (including investment in share repurchases under the NCIB) and investment in potential growth opportunities and the expected returns associated therewith;
• the impact of international trade conditions and markets on the Company's business, including access to markets, implications associated with the spread of foreign animal disease (such as African Swine Fever ("ASF")) and other animal diseases such as Avian Influenza, as well as other social, economic and political factors that affect trade, including the war in Ukraine;
• competitive conditions and the Company's ability to position itself competitively in the markets in which it competes;
• capital projects, including planning, construction, estimated expenditures, schedules, approvals, expected capacity, in-service dates and anticipated benefits of construction of new facilities and expansions of existing facilities;
• the Company's dividend policy, including future levels and sustainability of cash dividends, the tax treatment thereof and future dividend payment dates;
• the impact of commodity prices and foreign exchange impacts on the Company's operations and financial performance, including the use and effectiveness of hedging instruments;
• operating risks, including the execution, monitoring and continuous improvement of the Company's food safety programs, animal health initiatives, cost reduction initiatives, and service levels (including service level penalties);
• the implementation, cost and impact of environmental sustainability initiatives, the ability of the Company to achieve its sustainability objectives, changing climate and sustainability laws and regulation, changes in customer and consumer expectations related to sustainability matters, as well as the anticipated future cost of remediating environmental liabilities;
• the adoption of new accounting standards and the impact of such adoption on the financial position of the Company;
• expectations regarding pension plan performance, including future pension plan assets, liabilities and contributions; and
• developments and implications of actual or potential legal actions.

Various factors or assumptions are typically applied by the Company in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts, projections, predictions or estimations set out in the forward-looking statements. These factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained by the Company from third-party sources and include but are not limited to the following:

• expectations regarding the adaptations in operations, supply chain, customer and consumer behaviour, economic patterns (including but not limited to global pork markets), foreign exchange rates, international trade dynamics and access to capital, including possible presence or absence of structural changes associated with economic recovery since the pandemic;
• the competitive environment, associated market conditions and market share metrics, category growth or contraction, the expected behaviour of competitors and customers and trends in consumer preferences;
• the success of the Company's business strategy, including execution of the strategy in the Meat Protein Group, the execution of the Adjusted EBITDA neutral strategy for the Plant Protein Group and the relationship between pricing, inflation, volume and sales of the Company's products;
• prevailing commodity prices (especially in pork and feed markets), interest rates, tax rates and exchange rates;
• potential ongoing impacts of the cybersecurity incident, the potential for a future incident, the risks associated with data exfiltration, the availability of insurance, the effectiveness of remediation and prevention activities, third party activities, ongoing impacts, customer, consumer and supplier responses and regulatory considerations;
• the economic condition of and the sociopolitical dynamics between Canada, the U.S., Japan and China, and the ability of the Company to access markets and source ingredients and other inputs in light of global sociopolitical disruption, and the ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine on international relations, trade and markets;
• the spread of foreign animal disease (including ASF and Avian Influenza), preparedness strategies to manage such spread, and implications for all protein markets;
• the availability of and access to capital to fund future capital requirements and ongoing operations;
• expectations regarding participation in and funding of the Company's pension plans;
• the availability of insurance coverage to manage certain liability exposures;
• the extent of future liabilities and recoveries related to legal claims;
• prevailing regulatory, tax and environmental laws; and
• future operating costs and performance, including the Company's ability to achieve operating efficiencies and maintain sales volumes, turnover of inventories and turnover of accounts receivable.

Readers are cautioned that these assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied, or projected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document include, among other things, risks associated with the following:

• presence or absence of adaptations or structural changes arising since the economic recovery from the pandemic which may have implications for the operations and financial performance of the Company, as well the ongoing implications for macro socio-economic trends;
• macro economic trends, including inflation, recessionary indicators, labour availability and labour market dynamics and international trade trends (including global pork markets);
• the results of the Company's execution of its business plans, the degree to which benefits are realized or not, and the timing associated realizing those benefits, including the implications on cash flow;
• competition, market conditions, and the activities of competitors and customers, including the expansion or contraction of key categories. pork market dynamics and Japan export margins;
• cybersecurity and maintenance and operation of the Company's information systems, processes and data, recovery, restoration and long term impacts of the cybersecurity event, the risk of future cybersecurity events, actions of third parties, risks of data exfiltration, effectiveness of business continuity planning and execution, and availability of insurance;
• the health status of livestock, including the impact of potential pandemics;
• international trade and access to markets and supplies, as well as social, political and economic dynamics, including the war in Ukraine;
• operating performance, including manufacturing operating levels, fill rates and penalties;
• availability of and access to capital, and compliance with credit facility covenants;
• decision respecting the return of capital to shareholders;
• the execution of capital projects, including cost, schedule and regulatory variables, all of which impact expected returns on investment;
• food safety, consumer liability and product recalls;
• climate change, climate regulation and the Company's sustainability performance;
• strategic risk management, including execution of the Adjusted EBITDA neutral strategy in the plant protein segment;
• acquisitions and divestitures;
• fluctuations in the debt and equity markets;
• fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates;
• pension assets and liabilities;
• cyclical nature of the cost and supply of hogs and the competitive nature of the pork market generally;
• the effectiveness of commodity and interest rate hedging strategies;
• impact of changes in the market value of the biological assets and hedging instruments;
• the supply management system for poultry in Canada;
• availability of plant protein ingredients;
• intellectual property, including product innovation, product development, brand strategy and trademark protection;
• consolidation of operations and focus on protein;
• the use of contract manufacturers;
• reputation;
• weather;
• compliance with government regulation and adapting to changes in laws;
• actual and threatened legal claims;
• consumer trends and changes in consumer tastes and buying patterns;
• environmental regulation and potential environmental liabilities;
• consolidation in the retail environment;
• employment matters, including complying with employment laws across multiple jurisdictions, the potential for work stoppages due to non-renewal of collective agreements, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, reliance on key personnel and succession planning;
• pricing of products;
• managing the Company's supply chain;
• changes in International Financial Reporting Standards and other accounting standards that the Company is required to adhere to for regulatory purposes; and
• other factors as set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022.

The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

Readers are further cautioned that some of the forward-looking information, such as statements concerning future capital expenditures, Adjusted EBITDA Margin growth in the Meat Protein Group, and Adjusted EBITDA target in the Plant Protein Group (including the timing, pace and impact of restructuring activities), may be considered to be financial outlooks for purposes of applicable securities legislation. These financial outlooks are presented to evaluate potential future earnings and anticipated future uses of cash flows and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers should not assume these financial outlooks will be achieved. 

More information about risk factors can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022, that is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader should review such section in detail. Additional information concerning the Company, including the Company's Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

All forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

About Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Maple Leaf Foods is a carbon neutral company with a vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth, responsibly producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf^®, Maple Leaf Prime^®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections^®, Schneiders^®, Schneiders^® Country Naturals^®, Mina^®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.^®, Lightlife^® and Field Roast™. The Company employs approximately 14,000 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

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