The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report and the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and consolidated financial statements contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2021 . This discussion and analysis contain forward-looking statements about our plans and expectations of what may happen in the future. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, and our actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated by our forward-looking statements, particularly in light of the ongoing and developing COVID-19 pandemic. We encourage you to review the risks and uncertainties described in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2021 and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by our forward-looking statements contained in this report. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this management's discussion and analysis, and we do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. EXECUTIVE OVERVIEWVillage Farms International, Inc. ("VFF", together with its subsidiaries, the "Company", "Village Farms ", "we" "us" or "our") is a corporation existing under the Canada Business Corporations Act. The Company's principal operating subsidiaries areVillage Farms Canada LP ,Village Farms LP ,VF Clean Energy, Inc. ("VFCE"),Pure Sunfarms Corp ("Pure Sunfarms" or "PSF"),Balanced Health Botanicals, LLC ("Balanced Health " or "BHB") andRose LifeScience Inc. "(Rose LifeScience" or "Rose").Village Farms acquired 70% ownership of privately-held,Quebec -based Rose LifeScience onNovember 15, 2021 and acquired 100% interest in privately heldColorado -basedBalanced Health onAugust 16, 2021 . The Company's overall strategy is to be recognized as an international leader in consumer products from plants, whereby we produce and market value-added products that are consistently preferred by consumers. To do so, we leverage decades of cultivation expertise, investment, and experience in fresh produce (primarily tomatoes) across other plant-based opportunities. InCanada , we converted two produce facilities to grow cannabis for the Canadian adult use market. Our focus for our Canadian cannabis segment is to produce the highest quality cannabis products at an "everyday premium price". This market position, together with our cultivation expertise, has enabled us to evolve into one of the few consistently profitable Canadian licensed producers ("LPs") under our Pure Sunfarms subsidiary. Additionally, through organic growth, acquisitions and/or exports, we plan to participate in other international markets where cannabis attains legal status. InMarch 2022 , Pure Sunfarms received European Union Good Manufacturing Practice ("EU GMP") certification for its 1.1 million square footDelta 3 cannabis facility located inDelta, British Columbia ("B.C .") which permits Pure Sunfarms to exportEU GMP-certified medical cannabis to importers and distributors in international markets that requireEU GMP certification. We expect international expansion should enhance our profitability while expanding our brand and experience into emerging new legal cannabis markets. Within theU.S. , we acquiredBalanced Health , an industry-leading cannabinoid business which extends our portfolio into cannabidiol ("CBD") consumer products. We also operate a large, well-established produce business under the Village Farms Fresh ("VF Fresh") brand which sells into food and mass retail stores. We own and operate produce cultivation assets in both B.C. andTexas and source produce from our growing partners, predominantly inMexico . Our intention is to use our assets, expertise and experience (across cannabis, CBD and produce) to participate in theU.S. cannabis market when legally permitted to do so.
Our Operating Segments
Canadian Cannabis Segment
Pure Sunfarms is one of the single largest cannabis growing operations in the world, one of the lowest-cost greenhouse producers and one of the best-selling flower brands inCanada . Pure Sunfarms leverages our 30 years of experience as a vertically integrated greenhouse grower for the rapidly developing cannabis opportunity inCanada with commercial distribution in six Canadian provinces:Alberta ,British Columbia ,Ontario ,Manitoba ,Quebec andSaskatchewan . Our long-term objective for Pure Sunfarms is to be the leading low-cost, high-quality cannabis producer inCanada .Village Farms acquired 70% ownership of privately-held Rose LifeScience onNovember 15, 2021 . Rose is a leading third-party cannabis products commercialization expert in the Province ofQuebec , acting as the exclusive, direct-to-retail sales, marketing and distribution entity for some of the best-known brands inCanada as well asQuebec -based micro and craft growers. With decades of regulated-market experience, Rose partners with cannabis companies to assist in commercializing their products, distributing the products throughoutQuebec and ensuring a strong presence in the marketplace. 16 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OnAugust 16, 2021 , the Company acquired 100% interest in privately heldColorado -basedBalanced Health .Balanced Health is one of the leading cannabinoid brands and e-commerce platforms inthe United States . BHB develops and sells high-quality CBD-based health and wellness products, distributing their diverse portfolio of consumer products through retail storefronts and its top-ranked e-commerce platform, CBDistilleryTM. The Company entered theU.S. hemp business in the spring of 2019 after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. We established a joint venture with a 65% interest in VF Hemp for multi-state outdoor hemp cultivation and cannabidiol extraction. Currently, VF Hemp is not cultivating hemp as we await FDA clarity on the use of CBD. Produce Segment - VF Fresh Through our Village Farms Fresh brand, we are growers, marketers and distributors of premium-quality, greenhouse-grown tomatoes inNorth America . These premium products are grown in sophisticated, highly intensive agricultural greenhouse facilities located in B.C. andTexas . The Company also markets and distributes premium tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers produced under exclusive arrangements with other greenhouse producers located primarily inMexico , B.C. andOntario . The Company primarily markets and distributes under its Village Farms® brand name to retail supermarkets and dedicated fresh food distribution companies throughoutthe United States andCanada .
Energy Segment
Through our subsidiaryVF Clean Energy, Inc. , we owned and operated a power plant from landfill gas that generated electricity and provided thermal heat, in colder months, to one of the Company's adjacentBritish Columbia greenhouse facilities and sold electricity to theBritish Columbia Hydro and Power Authority . OnNovember 10, 2020 we announced that we will be transitioning this operation to aRenewable Natural Gas ("RNG") operation in conjunction withMas Energy, LLC , which we believe will enhance our financial return as well as provide food-grade CO2 that can be used in both our cannabis and produce growing operations inDelta, B.C. As ofApril 30, 2022 , VFCE has shut down its power plant in preparation for the transition to RNG operations. For additional detail, see "Recent Developments and Updates - Village Farms Clean Energy Update" below.
Our Response to the Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic
InMarch 2020 , theWorld Health Organization declared the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. This outbreak continues to cause major disruptions to businesses and markets worldwide as the virus continues to spread. Several countries as well as certain states and cities withinthe United States andCanada have enacted temporary closures of businesses, issued quarantine or shelter-in-place orders and taken other restrictive measures. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company implemented safety protocols and procedures to protect its employees, its subcontractors, and its customers. These protocols take into consideration guidance from state and local government agencies as well as theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health authorities. As ofMay 9, 2022 , all of the Company's operations are operating normally, however, the extent to which COVID-19 and the related global economic crisis affect the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition, will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and any recovery period, future actions taken by governmental authorities, central banks and other third parties (including new financial regulation and other regulatory reform) in response to the pandemic, and the effects on our produce, clients, vendors and employees.Village Farms continues to service its customers amid uncertainty and disruption linked to COVID-19 and is actively managing its business to respond to the impact.
Impact of Inflation and the
Our business has been affected, and we expect will continue to be affected for the foreseeable future, by rising inflation and supply chain issues arising from COVID-19, and indirectly, theRussia /Ukraine conflict may impact the price of oil and natural gas which may negatively affect our operating results. Inflation has affected and continues to affect, amongst other items, supply chain and labor costs as well as purchasing decisions of consumers which may impact demand for our products. See Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors", in this Quarterly Report. 17 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recent Developments and Updates
Canadian Cannabis Recent Developments and Updates
Canadian cannabis recent developments and updates include the following:
• OnMarch 9, 2022 , Pure Sunfarms receivedEU GMP certification for its 1.1 million square footDelta 3 cannabis production facility located inDelta, British Columbia .EU GMP certification permits Pure Sunfarms to exportEU -GMP-certified medical cannabis to importers and distributors in international markets that requireEU GMP certification. • OnJanuary 13, 2022 , Pure Sunfarms received fromHealth Canada an amendment to their existing sales license for its 1.1 million square footDelta 2 facility. Pure Sunfarms may now conduct sales activities for provincial customers and retailers out of theDelta 2 facility, including packaging of dried flower, storage of final goods, shipping and receiving. • InJanuary 2022 , Pure Sunfarms introduced pre-ground dried flower to their product portfolio in three exclusive blends, with each signature blend hand-selected from strains for their potency, flavor and effect.
• In the first quarter of 2022, Rose launched twelve product SKUs under
its own brands and two partner brands in order to meet emerging consumer needs for attributes like craft, locally grown,
product type,
potency and strain.
•Balanced Health completed its third annualNSF International cGMP (current good manufacturing practices) audit and received the very distinguished "A" grade. The audit provides third party
assurance that
Balanced Health's facility is going above and beyond regulatory requirements to provide customers with safe, high-quality products. • Through a partnership betweenBalanced Health and leading pet supplement brand Zesty Paws, CBDistillery's hemp extract is now found in approximately 1,000 PetSmart locations acrossthe United States . Five of Zesty Paws best-selling SKUs showcase the "Quality with CBDistillery" badge on the front of its packaging.
• A study published by Pathfinder Missions concluded that CBDistillery
Broad-Spectrum and Isolate tinctures were effective in managing anger, irritation and annoyance. The 393-participant study, conducted at the end of 2021, also found CBDistillery Broad-Spectrum and Isolate tinctures effective in combatting overall stress.
Village Farms Clean Energy Update
The Delta RNG Project consists of a partnership with Mas Energy to convert the current landfill gas to electricity business into a state-of-the-art landfill gas to high-demand renewable natural gas facility, which was entered into inNovember 2020 by VFCE. Mas Energy will design, build, finance, own and operate theDelta RNG Project . VFCE renewed and extended the existing contract with theCity of Vancouver to capture the landfill gas at itsDelta, B.C. site securing future resources for theDelta RNG Project . The 20-year extension, with an option for an additional five-year extension period, commences upon the start-up of the commercial operations of theDelta RNG Project . The project is designed to generate renewable natural gas and CO2 from the methane gas created at the nearby landfill.Village Farms plans to utilize the CO2 from the renewable natural gas production process for use in our threeDelta, B.C. vegetable and cannabis greenhouse facilities, thereby reducing natural gas requirements and decreasing the total carbon footprint ofVillage Farms . Mas Energy intends to sell the renewable natural gas and VFCE will receive a portion of the revenues in the form of a royalty. When announced inNovember 2020 , we anticipated attaining all regulatory approvals in the first half of 2021 with an expected operational start up as early as the first half of 2022. However, COVID-19 adversely impacted the bureaucratic approval processes inCanada surrounding permitting and zoning requirements necessary to break ground on theDelta RNG Project . We attained the majority of regulatory approvals in the first quarter of 2022, and we now have an expected operational start up in mid-2023. In addition, the Company has paid off all VFCE loans and entered into a financial arrangement with Mas Energy, in which Mas Energy advanced$445 against future natural gas royalties anticipated after operations commence in mid-2023. International Update OnSeptember 28, 2021 ,Village Farms entered into an option agreement whereby the Company received the irrevocable right to acquire at least an 80% ownership interest (the "Option Agreement") inNetherlands -basedLeli Holland B.V. ("Leli") upon payment ofEUR50,000 (the "Option"). The Option Agreement allowsVillage Farms to acquire 80% of Leli's shares forEUR3,950,000 , of whichEUR950,000 is due and payable to Leli's shareholders upon the exercise of the Option and the remainder due in three equal installments subject to the achievement of certain project development milestones. The Option is exercisable at the sole discretion ofVillage Farms during the Option exercise period endingSeptember 30, 2026 . As of the date of this filing of this Quarterly Report, we have not exercised the Option. 18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leli is one of ten applicants selected to receive a license (subject to customary government approval) to legally cultivate and distribute cannabis to retailers when the Dutch government implements its Experiment to Investigate Closed Cannabis Supply Chains ("Dutch Supply Chain Experiment"). The Dutch Supply Chain Experiment is specified by the Dutch government to be approximately 65,000 kilograms of dried flower annually from the ten approved producers during the first year.Leli andVillage Farms plan to construct two indoor CEA production facilities, leveraging Leli's track record managing complex regulatory and approval procedures inthe Netherlands at both the federal and local levels andVillage Farms' three-plus decades as a vertically integrated CEA grower, as well as its extensive experience in cultivation, product development and commercialization in the Canadian legal recreational cannabis market. If the Option is exercised, the Company will be the majority owner of Leli.Village Farms will then become responsible for the development of the project and product commercialization throughout the fully vertically integrated business model. OnMarch 18, 2022 , the Company loaned$2,715 (EUR 2.6 million ) to L.L. Lichtendahl Beheer B.V, a private company that holds a 50% interest in Leli. The outstanding loan and accrued interest are to be repaid within fourteen days upon written request by the Company.
Presentation of Financial Results
Our consolidated results of operations (prior to net income) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 andMarch 31, 2021 presented below reflect the operations of our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries, which does not include our VFH joint venture. The income (loss) from the equity method investments is reflected in our net income for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 andMarch 31, 2021 presented below.Balanced Health was acquired onAugust 16, 2021 and their results are presented in the operations of our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 . The Company acquired 70% of Rose LifeScience onNovember 15, 2021 and their results are presented in the operations of our consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries and the minority interest is presented in Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-controlling Interests, Net of Tax for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 . RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands ofU.S. dollars, except per share amounts, and unless otherwise noted)
Consolidated Financial Performance
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 (1) 2021 (1) Sales $ 70,156 $ 52,396 Cost of sales (60,252 ) (50,089 ) Gross margin 9,904 2,307 Selling, general and administrative expenses (16,971 ) (8,092 ) Share-based compensation (964 ) (1,998 ) Interest expense (683 ) (741 ) Interest income 110 3 Foreign exchange gain (loss) 319 (504 ) Other expense, net (8 ) (69 ) Recovery of income taxes 1,666 1,839 Loss from consolidated entities (6,627 ) (7,255 ) Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net of tax 162 - Loss from equity method investments (52 ) (127 ) Net loss attributable toVillage Farms International Inc. $ (6,517 ) $ (7,382 ) Adjusted EBITDA (2) $ (6,111 ) $ 404 Basic loss per share $ (0.07 ) $ (0.10 ) Diluted loss per share $ (0.07 ) $ (0.10 )
(1) For the three months ended
results are fully consolidated in the financial results of the Company.
For the three months ended
LifeScience's financial results are fully consolidated in the financial
results of the Company with the minority non-controlling interest
presented in net loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net of
tax.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized earnings measure and does not have a
standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA may
not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure
in evaluating the performance of the Company because it excludes
non-recuring and other items that do not reflect our business performance.
Adjusted EBITDA includes the Company's 70% interest in Rose LifeScience
since acquisition and 65% interest in VFH.
19 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We caution that our results of operations for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 and 2021 may not be indicative of our future performance, particularly in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are currently unable to assess the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and our results of operations for future periods.
Discussion of Financial Results
A discussion of our consolidated results for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 andMarch 31, 2021 is included below. The consolidated results include all four of our operating segments, VF Fresh (produce), Canadian cannabis,U.S. cannabis and clean energy, along with all public company expenses.Village Farms acquired 100% ofBalanced Health onAugust 16, 2021 and their operating results are consolidated in our Consolidated Statements of Loss forJanuary 1, 2022 throughMarch 31, 2022 . The Company acquired 70% of Rose LifeScience onNovember 15, 2021 and their operating results are consolidated in our Consolidated Statements of Loss and the minority interest is presented in Net Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interests, Net of Tax forJanuary 1, 2022 throughMarch 31, 2022 . For a discussion of our segmented results, please see "Segmented Results of Operations" below.
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
Three Months Ended
Sales
Sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$70,156 as compared to$52,396 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in sales of$17,760 or 34% was attributable to revenue growth in our key operating segments: VF Fresh, Canadian cannabis andU.S. cannabis. VF Fresh's sales increased$6,566 , Canadian cannabis increased$4,309 andU.S. cannabis increased$7,043 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 as compared to the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The acquisitions ofBalanced Health and Rose contributed$7,043 and$3,608 , respectively, to the quarter-over-quarter revenue growth while the remaining$7,109 was derived from organic growth of VF Fresh and Pure Sunfarms.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$60,252 as compared to$50,089 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in cost of sales of ($10,163 ) or (20%) was primarily derived from an increase in VF Fresh cost of sales of ($11,454 ) and an increase inU.S. cannabis cost of sales of ($2,331 ), partially offset by a decrease in Canadian cannabis cost of sales of$2,989 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 as compared to the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . Gross Margin Gross margin for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 increased$7,597 to$9,904 , for a 14% gross margin, in comparison to$2,307 , for a 4% gross margin, for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . Statutory gross margin by segment for Q1 2022 was (10%) for VF Fresh, 44% for Canadian cannabis and 67% forU.S. cannabis as compared to 2% for VF Fresh and 13% for Canadian cannabis in Q1 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 increased$8,879 to$16,971 or 24% of sales compared to$8,092 or 15% of sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the acquisition ofBalanced Health and Rose LifeScience and inclusion of their expenses in the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 . In addition, corporate expenses increased$1,027 due to Q1 2022 costs associated with the start-up of Leli and our development team, and an increase in audit, regulatory and compliance fees in the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 as compared to the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 .
Share-Based Compensation
Share-based compensation expenses for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$964 as compared to$1,998 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The decrease in share-based compensation was primarily due to the vesting of performance share grants for Canadian cannabis management and corporate management in Q1 2021 associated with attained milestones and conditions met associated with the Company's acquisition of the remaining 41.3% of Pure Sunfarms onNovember 2, 2020 .
Net Loss Attributable to
Net loss for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 was ($6,517 ) as compared to a net loss of ($7,382 ) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The improvement in net loss was due to positive net income contribution from the Canadian cannabis andU.S. cannabis segments in 2022, offset by an increase in net loss from VF Fresh for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 as compared to the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . 20 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended
SEGMENTED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands ofU.S. dollars, except per share amounts, and unless otherwise noted) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 VF Fresh Cannabis - Cannabis - Clean (Produce) Canada (1) U.S. (1) Energy Corporate Total Sales$ 41,349 $ 21,769 $ 7,043 $ (5 ) $ -$ 70,156 Cost of sales (45,520 ) (12,259 ) (2,331 ) (142 ) - (60,252 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (3,140 ) (6,933 ) (4,296 ) (32 ) (2,570 ) (16,971 ) Share-based compensation - (367 ) (95 ) - (502 ) (964 ) Other (expense) income, net (30 ) (746 ) - (6 ) 520 (262 ) Recovery of (provision for) income taxes 1,715 (639 ) - - 590 1,666 (Loss) income from consolidated entities (5,626 ) 825 321 (185 ) (1,962 ) (6,627 ) Less: net loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net of tax - 162 - - - 162 (Loss) from equity method investments - - (52 ) - - (52 ) Net (loss) income (5,626 ) 987 269 (185 ) (1,962 ) (6,517 ) Adjusted EBITDA (2)$ (6,201 ) $ 2,104 $ 580 $ (59 ) $ (2,535 ) $ (6,111 ) Basic loss (income) per share$ (0.06 ) $ 0.01 $ 0.00 $ (0.00 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.07 ) Diluted loss (income) per share$ (0.06 ) $ 0.01 $ 0.00 $ (0.00 ) $ (0.02 ) $ (0.07 ) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 VF Fresh Cannabis - Cannabis - Clean (Produce) Canada (1) U.S. (1) Energy Corporate Total Sales$ 34,867 $ 17,460 $ -$ 69 $ -$ 52,396 Cost of sales (34,150 ) (15,248 ) - (691 ) - (50,089 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses (2,551 ) (3,966 ) - (32 ) (1,543 ) (8,092 ) Share-based compensation - (1,094 ) - - (904 ) (1,998 ) Other expense, net (256 ) (630 ) - (12 ) (413 ) (1,311 ) Recovery of income taxes 505 644 - - 690 1,839 Loss from consolidated entities (1,585 ) (2,834 ) - (666 ) (2,170 ) (7,255 ) Less: net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net of tax - - - - - - Loss from equity method investments - - (127 ) - - (127 ) Net loss (1,585 ) (2,834 ) (127 ) (666 ) (2,170 ) (7,382 ) Adjusted EBITDA (2)$ (492 ) $ 2,534 $ (79 ) $ (16 ) $ (1,543 ) $ 404 Basic loss per share$ (0.02 ) $ (0.04 ) $ (0.00 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.10 ) Diluted loss per share$ (0.02 ) $ (0.04 ) $ (0.00 ) $ (0.01 ) $ (0.03 ) $ (0.10 )
(1) For the three months ended
results are fully consolidated in the financial results of the Company.
For the three months ended
LifeScience's financial results are fully consolidated in the financial
results of the Company with the minority non-controlling interest
presented in net loss attributable to non-controlling interests, net of
tax.
(2) Adjusted EBITDA is not a recognized earnings measure and does not have a
standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. Therefore, Adjusted EBITDA may
not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure
in evaluating the performance of the Company because it excludes
non-recuring and other items that do not reflect our business performance.
Adjusted EBITDA includes the Company's 70% interest in Rose LifeScience
since acquisition and 65% interest in VFH.
21 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRODUCE SEGMENT RESULTS - VF FRESH
The produce segment, VF Fresh, currently consists of
Three Months Ended
Sales
VF Fresh sales for three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$41,349 as compared to$34,867 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in sales of$6,482 or 19% was due to increases in our own produce revenues of$3,472 and our grower partner revenues of$3,010 . The increase in our own produce revenues was primarily due to an increase in tomato volume of 19% while the selling price of our own tomatoes was relatively flat due to a change in sales mix to a greater percentage of higher priced specialty tomatoes. The increase in grower partner revenues was primarily due to higher volumes of pounds sold of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and mini-cucumbers, partially offset by decreases in tomato prices of (2%), pepper prices of (25%), cucumber prices of (7%) and mini-cucumber prices of (29%) in Q1 2022 as compared to Q1 2021.
Cost of Sales
VF Fresh cost of sales for three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$45,520 as compared to$34,150 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . Cost of sales increased ($11,370 ) or (33%) due to increases in our own produce cost of sales of ($7,054 ) and our grower partner cost of sales of ($4,316 ). The increase in our own produce cost of sales was driven by the 19% increase in tomato volume at ourTexas greenhouses as well as an increase in the sales mix for specialty tomatoes which require higher costs for cultivation and packaging. The increase in volume and an incremental increase in freight costs of approximately ($1,803 ) drove higher transportation and handling costs of produce in Q1 2022 as compared to Q1 2021. In addition, in Q1 2022, we incurred an incremental catch up to our cost of sales of$1,779 on ourTexas crop cycle that began in summer/fall 2021 and ends in late Q2 2022 due to an expected lower total crop volume and higher cost of production for the growing cycle due to ongoing disease pressure and supply chain cost increases, effectively increasing our production price per pound for ourTexas tomato crop. The increase in grower partner cost of sales was driven by an increase in purchased production from our grower partners as well as fixed contract pricing on some of our grower partner tomato varieties. Our facility management has implemented changes to increase crop yield and reduce cost per pound, however our efforts could not mitigate the increases in supply chain costs and incremental freight experienced in Q1 2022.
Gross Margin
The gross margin for VF Fresh was ($4,171 ) for three months endedMarch 31, 2022 as compared to$717 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . Gross margin in the first quarter of 2022 has been greatly affected by the higher cost of sales, which was attributable to additional freight per pound, a revised production forecast and higher cultivation costs in ourTexas facilities and lower grower partner gross margin of ($1,306 ). The higher freight per pound was mostly due to increases in fuel prices and trucker shortages which could not be passed on to our customers.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
VF Fresh selling, general and administrative expenses for three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$3,140 or 8% of sales as compared to$2,551 or 7% of sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The quarter-over-quarter increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to legal fees.
Net Loss
VF Fresh's net loss for three months endedMarch 31, 2022 was ($5,626 ) as compared to ($1,585 ) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in net loss for the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021 was primarily due to the lower gross margin and higher selling, general and administrative expenses incurred in 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA
The Adjusted EBITDA for VF Fresh was ($6,201 ) for three months endedMarch 31, 2022 as compared to ($492 ) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The lower Adjusted EBITDA was due to a decrease in operating margin of ($5,477 ) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 compared to the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 .
CANNABIS SEGMENT RESULTS -
The Canadian cannabis segment currently consists of Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience. The comparative analysis for Canadian cannabis is based on the consolidated results of Pure Sunfarms and Rose LifeScience for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 and the results of Pure Sunfarms forMarch 31, 2021 . The Company acquired 70% of Rose LifeScience onNovember 15, 2021 and as such the operating results of Rose LifeScience fromJanuary 1, 2022 toMarch 31, 2022 are consolidated in our results for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 with the minority interest presented in Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-controlling Interests, Net of Tax. 22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Months Ended
Sales
Canadian cannabis net sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$21,769 as compared to$17,460 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The period-over-period net sales increase of$4,309 or 25% includes$3,609 in Q1 2022 net sales from Rose. The increase between comparable quarters was driven by a 79% increase in non-branded sales and an 8% increase in branded sales. The 79% increase in non-branded sales was due primarily to the continued development and strengthening of relationships with other key LPs that are purchasing high potency, high-quality flower and trim made available as Pure Sunfarms expanded its cultivation footprint. The 8% increase in branded sales was attained through the addition of Rose branded sales in Q122, partially offset by a (10%) decline in Pure Sunfarms branded sales driven by selective price decreases on slower moving flower and cannabis derivative products. For the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 , 67% of revenue was generated from branded flower, inclusive of pre-rolls, 8% of revenue from cannabis derivative products and 25% from non-branded sales as compared to 71% of revenue from branded flower, inclusive of pre-rolls, 13% from cannabis derivative products and 16% from non-branded sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 .
Cost of Sales
Canadian cannabis cost of sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$12,259 as compared to$15,248 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The period-over-period net cost of sales decrease of$2,989 or 20% includes$2,388 in Q1 2022 cost of sales from Rose. In addition, the Q2 2022 cost of sales for Pure Sunfarms includes a positive adjustment of$2,050 and the Q1 2021 cost of sales for Pure Sunfarms includes a ($2,778 ) charge from the revaluation of its inventory to fair value at acquisition date ofNovember 2, 2020 . The cost of sales decrease is partly attributable to ongoing improvements in yields, potency and growing practices as well as a higher proportion of non-branded sales between comparable periods, as non-branded products require lower manufacturing, packaging and distribution costs.
Gross Margin
Gross margin for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 increased$7,298 to$9,510 , or a 44% gross margin, in comparison to$2,212 , or a 13% gross margin, for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . Gross margin for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 increased$2,470 to$7,460 , or a 34% gross margin (excluding the purchase price inventory positive adjustment of$2,050 ) in comparison to$4,990 , or a 29% gross margin (excluding the purchase price inventory adjustment charge of$2,778 ), for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in gross margin between comparable periods was primarily due to the production of high-quality, high-potency flower from a larger cultivation footprint which is a key factor in decreasing cost of sales as a percentage of revenue and offset the price compression experienced across various provincial markets in Q1 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Canadian cannabis selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 increased$2,967 to$6,933 or 32% of sales compared to$3,966 or 23% of sales for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in Q2 2022 was due to a 40% rise in Pure Sunfarms' expenses and the inclusion of Rose expenses of$1,364 . The quarter-over-quarter increase was mostly due to planned incremental investment in sales support and marketing campaigns for the higher volume of sales in 2022 along with additional headcount, IT services, regulatory and compliance fees to support the growth of the Canadian cannabis segment.
Share-Based Compensation
Canadian cannabis share-based compensation expenses for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 were$367 as compared to$1,094 for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The decrease in share-based compensation was primarily due to the vesting of performance share grants for Pure Sunfarms' management associated with attained milestones and conditions met associated with the Company's acquisition of the remaining 41.3% of Pure Sunfarms onNovember 2, 2020 .
Net Income (Loss)
Canadian cannabis net income for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 was$987 as compared to net loss of ($2,834 ) for the three months endedMarch 31, 2021 . The increase in net income between periods was primarily due to a higher gross margin which was impacted by the positive purchase price inventory adjustment and lower share-based compensation expense, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 andMarch 31, 2021 was$2,104 and$2,534 , respectively. The lower Adjusted EBITDA between periods was primarily due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses along with the effect of the purchase price inventory adjustments on the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. See the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income in "Non-GAAP Measures-Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA". 23 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CANNABIS SEGMENT RESULTS -
TheU.S. cannabis segment currently consists ofBalanced Health and VF Hemp. For the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 ,U.S. cannabis financial results are based on the consolidated results ofBalanced Health from the closing date of the acquisition ofAugust 16, 2021 . VF Hemp is a joint venture and its results are included in "(Losses) Income from Equity Method Investments" for the three months endedMarch 31, 2022 .
Three Months Ended
Sales
U.S. cannabis sales for the period ofJanuary 1, 2022 toMarch 31, 2022 were$7,043 . Over 99% of sales were generated inthe United States and gross sales were composed of 73% from e-commerce sales, 16% from retail sales, 5% from shipping income and 1% from bulk sales. In addition, sales included a 5% loyalty program impact as loyalty program customers generate loyalty points that may be used when purchasingBalanced Health products.
Cost of Sales
U.S. cannabis cost of sales for the period ofJanuary 1, 2022 toMarch 31, 2022 were$2,331 . Cost of sales can be primarily attributed directly to e-commerce, retail and bulk cost of sales with all other costs of sales categorized within other manufacturing costs including expenses such as warehouse expenses, freight and shipping supplies. Gross Margin
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
U.S. cannabis selling general and administrative expenses for the period ofJanuary 1, 2022 toMarch 31, 2022 was$4,296 or 61% of sales. As theU.S. cannabis business derives a substantial number of sales through its online technology platforms, the primary expense categories within selling, general and administrative include sales and marketing, merchant fees, e-commerce support, IT services, research and development and customer service.
Net Income
Adjusted EBITDA
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Capital Resources
As atMarch 31, 2022 , we had$41,433 in cash (includes$6,810 in restricted cash) and$101,477 of working capital, and as atDecember 31, 2021 , we had$58,667 in cash (includes$5,250 in restricted cash) and$110,646 of working capital. We believe that cash generated from our operating activities, Credit Facilities and Pure Sunfarms Loans will provide sufficient liquidity to meet our working capital needs, repayments of long-term debt, future contractual obligations and planned capital expenditures for the next 12 months. An additional potential source of liquidity is access to capital markets for additional equity or debt financing. We intend to use our cash on hand for daily funding requirements. (in thousands of U.S. dollars unless Outstanding otherwise noted) Maximum March 31, 2022 Operating Loan (1) C$ 10,000 $ 2,000 FCC Term Loan $ 26,230 $ 26,230 Pure Sunfarms Loans C$46,415 C$ 46,415 (1) The Operating Loan was amended on May 7, 2021 with a
maximum line
of credit ofC$10,000 . See "Operating Loan" below. The Company's borrowings under the FCC Term Loan, the Operating Loan and the VFCE Borrowings (as defined below) (collectively the "Credit Facilities") are subject to certain positive and negative covenants, including debt ratios, and the Company is required to maintain certain minimum working capital. As ofMarch 31, 2022 , the Company was in compliance with all of its covenants under its Credit Facilities. OnDecember 31, 2021 we were not in compliance with one financial covenant under our FCC Term Loan. Subsequent toDecember 31, 2021 , we received a waiver fromFarm Credit Canada ("FCC") in connection with the 24 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- annual testing onDecember 31, 2021 for the one financial covenant. FCC measures our financial covenants once a year on the last calendar day of the year and our next annual testing date will be onDecember 31, 2022 . We can provide no assurance that we will be in compliance or receive a waiver for any non-compliance as of the next annual testing date. Accrued interest payable on the Credit Facilities and Pure Sunfarms Loans as ofMarch 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021 was$234 and$304 , respectively, and these amounts are included in accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. FCC Term Loan The Company has a term loan financing agreement withFarm Credit Canada , a Canadian creditor (the "FCC Term Loan"). The non-revolving variable rate term loan has a maturity date ofApril 1, 2025 and a balance of$26,230 onMarch 31, 2022 and$26,723 onDecember 31, 2021 . The outstanding balance is repayable by way of monthly installments of principal and interest, with the balance and any accrued interest to be paid in full onApril 1, 2025 . EffectiveAugust 1, 2020 , monthly principal payments were reduced to$164 from$257 . As ofMarch 31, 2022 , borrowings under the FCC Term Loan agreement were subject to an interest rate of 3.77% per annum. As collateral for the FCC Term Loan, the Company has provided promissory notes, a first mortgage on the VFF-ownedDelta 1 andTexas greenhouse facilities, and general security agreements over its assets. In addition, the Company has provided full recourse guarantees and has granted security interests in respect of the FCC Term Loan. The carrying value of the assets and securities pledged as collateral as ofMarch 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021 was$192,344 and$233,187 , respectively. Operating Loan The Company has a revolving line of credit agreement with a Canadian chartered bank (the "Operating Loan"). The Operating Loan has a line of credit of up toC$10,000 , as amended onMay 7, 2021 , less outstanding letters of credit totaling$150 andC$38 and includes variable interest rates with a maturity date ofMay 7, 2024 . The Operating Loan is subject to margin requirements stipulated by the lender. The Operating Loan had a balance of$2,000 onMarch 31, 2022 and there was no amount drawn on this loan onDecember 31, 2021 . As collateral for the Operating Loan, the Company has provided promissory notes and a first priority security interest over its accounts receivable and inventory. In addition, the Company has granted full recourse guarantees and security therein. The carrying value of the assets pledged as collateral as ofMarch 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021 was$33,840 and$34,741 , respectively.
VFCE Loan
VFCE had a loan agreement with a Canadian chartered bank that includes a non-revolving fixed rate loan (the "VFCE Loan") ofC$3,000 with a maturity date ofJune 2023 and a fixed interest rate of 4.98% per annum. The Company paid off the outstanding balance of the VFCE Loan in the first quarter of 2022. As ofMarch 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021 , the balance of the VFCE Loan was nil andC$624 , respectively. Pure Sunfarms Loans OnMarch 15, 2021 , Pure Sunfarms entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Third Amended and Restated PSF Credit Agreement") with FCC and two Canadian chartered banks, which extended the maturity date of each of the PSF Revolving Line of Credit, PSF Non-Revolving Facility and the PSF Term Loan (each as defined below) throughFebruary 7, 2024 and included a guarantee byVillage Farms . The Third Amended and Restated PSF Credit Agreement amended and updated the previous three loan facilities. The first loan facility under the Third Amended and Restated PSF Credit Agreement is a revolving line of credit (the "PSF Revolving Line of Credit") with two separateC$7,500 commitments from each of the Canadian chartered banks. Each lender established a revolving line of credit severally and not jointly whereby Pure Sunfarms may receive advances in equal proportionate amounts from each lender. The advances shall be used for working capital purposes, general corporate purposes and capital expenditures, of which capital expenditures may not exceedC$7,500 in aggregate use of the outstanding advances. Interest is payable at the Canadian prime rate plus an applicable margin per annum, payable monthly. The PSF Revolving Line of Credit had an outstanding balance ofC$9,855 as ofMarch 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021 . Pure Sunfarms had an outstanding letter of credit issued to BC Hydro against the revolving line of credit ofC$5,145 atMarch 31, 2022 andDecember 31, 2021 . The second loan facility under the Third Amended and Restated PSF Credit Agreement is a credit facility with a Canadian chartered bank, as agent and lead lender, and FCC, as lender, in respect of aC$17,000 secured non-revolver term loan (the "PSF Non-Revolving Facility). The PSF Non-Revolving Facility, which matures onFebruary 7, 2024 , is secured by theDelta 2 andDelta 3 greenhouse facilities and contains customary financial and restrictive covenants. The purpose of the PSF Non-Revolving Facility is to refinance ourDelta 3 greenhouse and provide funds to upgrade and retrofit theDelta 2 facility. The outstanding amount on the PSF Non-Revolving Facility wasC$14,595 onMarch 31, 2022 andC$15,076 onDecember 31, 2021 . 25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The third loan facility under the Third Amended and Restated PSF Credit Agreement is aC$25,000 term loan (the "PSF Term Loan") at the Canadian prime interest rate plus an applicable margin, repayable in quarterly payments equal to 2.50% of the outstanding principal amount startingJune 30, 2021 and maturingFebruary 7, 2024 . Advances under the PSF Term Loan are required to be used to finance the upgrade and retrofit of theDelta 2 greenhouse to render it suitable for cannabis cultivation as well as any funds necessary for capital expenditures on theDelta 3 processing facility. The outstanding amount on the PSF Term Loan wasC$21,965 onMarch 31, 2022 andC$22,614 onDecember 31, 2021 . OnDecember 20, 2020 , Pure Sunfarms entered into aC$6,250 non-revolving demand loan at the Canadian prime interest rate plus 3.75% per annum with a Canadian chartered bank with the financial support of theBusiness Development Bank of Canada (the "BDC Facility"). The BDC Facility, provided as part of COVID-19 government relief, requires interest only payments monthly for the first twelve months and matures onDecember 31, 2031 . Commencing onDecember 31, 2021 , Pure Sunfarms will repay the outstanding principal amount in equal monthly installments. The outstanding amount on the BDC Facility wasC$6,094 onMarch 31, 2022 andC$6,282 onDecember 31, 2021 . Pure Sunfarms is required to comply with financial covenants under the Third Amended and Restated PSF Credit Agreement, which are measured quarterly. As ofMarch 31, 2022 , Pure Sunfarms was in compliance with these financial covenants.
Emerald Promissory Note
The Company had a note payable due to Emerald ofC$19,900 , plus accrued interest that the Company originally issued to Emerald as partial consideration for theNovember 2, 2020 acquisition of Pure Sunfarms. The note and accrued interest were repaid to Emerald in full onFebruary 8, 2021 .
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