SunOpta Reports Record First Quarter Revenues

14 May 2014 --- SunOpta Inc., has reported record first quarter revenues of $333.5 million, an increase of 17.9%, reflecting consolidated internal growth of 13.8% and 16.4% in SunOpta Foods.

"We are pleased to report a solid start to the year driven by strong revenue and earnings growth. All our core foods operating segments generated increased revenues and operating income versus the prior year. We are extremely pleased that we are starting to see the results in our financial performance from the anticipated benefits of our operational realignment, investment in growing market opportunities and re-positioned go-to-market strategy," commented Steve Bromley, Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta. "We continue to believe that interest in healthy eating is a key long term global trend and that we are well positioned to capitalize on future industry growth via our integrated natural and organic foods platform. Our management team remains focused on our three core strategies of becoming a pure-play natural and organic foods company, growing our value-added consumer products and ingredients portfolio, and leveraging our integrated platform in support of our long-term financial targets."

Revenues increased 17.9% to a record $333.5 million compared to $282.8 million in the first quarter of 2013. Fiscal 2014 will be a 53-week year, and the extra week fell in the first quarter, resulting in a 14-week quarter versus 13 weeks in the prior year. Excluding the extra week of sales, as well as the impact of changes in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates, consolidated revenues increased 13.8% and SunOpta Foods revenues increased 16.4% versus the prior year. All core foods operating segments realized increased revenues versus the prior year. The increase in revenues was led by continued growth in consumer packaged categories, increased demand for organic raw materials in both Europe and North America and new value-added ingredient business. These strong growth areas more than offset the effect of lower soy and corn commodity prices.

Operating income was $12.1 million, or 3.6% of revenues, compared to $10.7 million, or 3.8% of revenues in the first quarter of 2013. All core food group operating segments realized increased operating income versus the prior year and SunOpta Foods operating income was $13.3 million, or 4.5% of revenues, as compared to $9.6 million, or 3.9% of revenues in the prior year. The growth in operating income was driven by increased volume and margins on organic raw materials, increased volume of consumer products including aseptic beverages and healthy snacks, as well as higher sales and margins of value-added ingredients. These were partially offset by margin pressure experienced in Opta Minerals due to cyclical market weakness, lower organic feed margins, and increased corporate costs to drive efficiency in the operating segments. In addition, during the quarter many of the Company's operating facilities throughout the Mid-west and Eastern regions of the U.S. experienced incremental costs associated with extreme weather conditions including freight delays and increased utility costs, amounting to approximately $0.7 million before tax and minority interest.

Earnings for the first quarter of 2014 were $6.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted common share, as compared to $5.1 million, or $0.08 per diluted common share, during the first quarter of 2013. Earnings for the first quarter of 2014 include $1.2 million in costs related to the retrofit of the Company's premium juice operation, offset by $1.1 million in other income primarily related to a non-cash reduction in a contingent consideration liability related to a previous acquisition.