UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

þ		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2006

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

California		33-0945304
(State of incorporation)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1141-A Cummings Road
Santa Paula, California 93060
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(805) 525-1245
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one): Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes o No þ

Registrant’s number of shares of common stock outstanding as of January 31, 2006 was 14,267,833.

 

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

     This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements relating to our future results (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections. Forward-looking statements frequently are identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” and other similar expressions. Our actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: increased competition, conducting substantial amounts of business internationally, pricing pressures on agricultural products, adverse weather and growing conditions confronting avocado growers, new governmental regulations, as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those set forth in Part I., Item 1A, Risk Factors, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, and those detailed from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

INDEX

						PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.				Financial Statements (unaudited):
				Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets – January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005			4
				Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations – Three Months Ended January 31, 2006 and 2005			5
				Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Loss – Three Months Ended January 31, 2006 and 2005			6
				Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended January 31, 2006 and 2005			7
				Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements			8
Item 2.				Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			13
Item 3.				Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			19
Item 4.				Controls and Procedures			20
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.				Legal Proceedings			21
Item 6.				Exhibits			22
				Signatures			23
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

		January 31,				October 31,
		2006				2005
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	238			$	1,133
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $2,871 (2006) and $2,688 (2005)			23,568				19,253
Inventories, net			11,276				10,096
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			5,931				5,879
Advances to suppliers			588				1,141
Income taxes receivable			1,368				893
Deferred income taxes			2,651				2,651
Total current assets			45,620				41,046
Property, plant, and equipment, net			17,273				16,897
Investment in Limoneira			39,584				45,634
Goodwill			3,591				3,591
Other assets			1,902				1,314
		$	107,970			$	108,842
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Payable to growers		$	6,740			$	1,753
Trade accounts payable			3,372				1,892
Accrued expenses			11,330				12,482
Short-term borrowings			7,841				1,424
Dividend payable			—				4,564
Current portion of long-term obligations			1,312				1,313
Total current liabilities			30,595				23,428
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term obligations, less current portion			11,717				11,719
Deferred income taxes			6,190				8,589
Total long-term liabilities			17,907				20,308
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 14,268 (2006) and 14,362 (2005) issued and outstanding			14				14
Additional paid-in capital			36,278				37,240
Notes receivable from shareholders			(2,636	)			(2,636	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			9,735				13,386
Retained earnings			16,077				16,742
Total shareholders’ equity			59,468				64,746
		$	107,970			$	108,842

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2006				2005
Net sales		$	50,647			$	47,671
Cost of sales			47,237				45,719
Gross margin			3,410				1,952
Selling, general and administrative			4,444				4,513
Operating loss			(1,034	)			(2,561	)
Other income/(expense), net			(75	)			82
Loss before benefit for income taxes			(1,109	)			(2,479	)
Benefit for income taxes			(444	)			(932	)
Net loss		$	(665	)		$	(1,547	)
Net loss per share:
Basic		$	(0.05	)		$	(0.11	)
Diluted		$	(0.05	)		$	(0.11	)
Number of shares used in per share computation:
Basic			14,352				13,507
Diluted			14,352				13,507

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

		Three months ended
		January 31,
		2006				2005
Net loss		$	(665	)		$	(1,547	)
Other comprehensive loss, before tax:
Unrealized holding losses arising during period			(6,050	)			—
Income tax benefit related to items of other comprehensive loss			2,399				—
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax			(3,651	)			—
Comprehensive loss		$	(4,316	)		$	(1,547	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

		Three months ended January 31,
		2006				2005
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss		$	(665	)		$	(1,547	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			514				828
Stock compensation expense			72				13
Provision for losses on accounts receivable			12				4
Effect on cash of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(4,327	)			2,399
Inventories, net			(1,180	)			102
Prepaid expenses and other assets			(670	)			(33	)
Advances to suppliers			553				2,165
Income taxes receivable			(439	)			(896	)
Payable to growers			4,987				(3,005	)
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses			567				3,648
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities			(576	)			3,678
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Acquisitions of and deposits on property, plant, and equipment			(1,099	)			(736	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,099	)			(736	)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payment of dividend to shareholders			(4,564	)			(4,052	)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net			6,417				1,000
Retirement of common stock			(1,200	)			—
Exercise of stock options			130				—
Payments on long-term obligations			(3	)			(15	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			780				(3,067	)
Net decrease in cash and cash Equivalents			(895	)			(125	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			1,133				636
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	238			$	511
Supplemental Information -
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest		$	248			$	27
Income taxes		$	2			$	17
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Tax receivable increase related to stock option exercise		$	36
Construction in progress included in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	157
Unrealized holding losses		$	6,050

See accompanying notes to consolidated condensed financial statements.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. Description of the business

Business

     Calavo Growers, Inc. (Calavo, the Company, we, us or our) procures and markets avocados and other perishable commodities and prepares and distributes processed avocado products. Our expertise in marketing and distributing avocados, processed avocados, and other perishable foods allows us to deliver a wide array of fresh and processed food products to food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets, and restaurants on a worldwide basis. Through our three operating facilities in southern California and two facilities in Mexico, we sort and pack avocados procured in California and Mexico and prepare processed avocado products. Additionally, we procure avocados internationally, principally from Mexico, Chile, and the Dominican Republic, and distribute other perishable foods, such as Hawaiian grown papayas. We report these operations in three different business segments: (1) California avocados, (2) international avocados and perishable food products and (3) processed products.

     The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Such adjustments consist of adjustments of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are subject to significant seasonal variations and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year. Our operations are sensitive to a number of factors, including weather-related phenomena and their effects on industry volumes, prices, product quality, and costs. Operations are also sensitive to fluctuations in currency exchange rates in both sourcing and selling locations, as well as economic crises and security risks in developing countries. These statements should also be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005.

Recent Accounting Standards

     In November 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) FAS 115-1/124-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. This FSP addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. This FSP also includes accounting considerations subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The guidance in this FSP amends SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, SFAS No. 124, Accounting for Certain Investments Held by Not-for-Profit Organizations, and Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 18, The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock. This FSP is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. We do not expect that the adoption of this FSP will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

     In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS 154, Accounting changes and Error Corrections, which replaces APB Opinion No. 20, Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3, Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. SFAS No. 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles and requires retrospective application (a term defined by the statement) to prior periods’ financial statements, unless it is impracticable to determine the effect of a change. It also applies to changes required by an accounting pronouncement that does not include specific transition provisions. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We will adopt SFAS No. 154 as of the beginning of fiscal 2007 and do not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 154 will have a material impact on our financial condition of results of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

     In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. This pronouncement amends SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that companies account for awards of equity instruments

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

issued to employees under the fair value method of accounting and recognize such amounts in their statements of operations. We adopted SFAS No. 123(R) on November 1, 2005 using the modified prospective method and, accordingly, have not restated the consolidated statements of operations for prior interim periods or fiscal years. Under SFAS No. 123(R), we are required to measure compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognize compensation expense in our consolidated statements of operations over the service period that the awards are expected to vest.

     Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we accounted for employee stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, as permitted by SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure. Under the intrinsic value method, the difference between the market price on the date of grant and the exercise price is charged to the statement of operations over the vesting period. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), we recognized compensation cost only for stock options issued with exercise prices set below market prices on the date of grant and provided the necessary pro forma disclosures required under SFAS No. 123.

     During the three months ended January 31, 2005, we recognized compensation expense of $13,000 for stock options under APB Opinion No. 25, which was charged to the consolidated statement of operations. For the three months ended January 31, 2005, had stock-based compensation been accounted for based on the estimated grant date fair values, as defined by SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net loss and net loss per share would have been the following pro forma amounts (in thousands, except per share amounts):

		Three months ended,
		January 31, 2005
Net loss:
As reported		$	(1,547	)
Add: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under APB 25 and related interpretations, net of tax effects			8
Deduct: Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of tax effects			(8	)
Pro forma		$	(1,547	)
Net loss per share, as reported:
Basic		$	(0.11	)
Diluted		$	(0.11	)
Net loss per share, pro forma:
Basic		$	(0.11	)
Diluted		$	(0.11	)

     In December 2003, our Board of Directors approved the issuance of options to acquire a total of 50,000 shares of our common stock to two members of our Board of Directors. Each option to acquire 25,000 shares vests in substantially equal installments over a three-year period, has an exercise price of $7.00 per share, and has a term of five years from the grant date. The market price of our common stock at the grant date was $10.01. In December 2005, however, these stock option agreements were modified to shorten the option terms, as defined. Such modifications were contemplated primarily as a result of Section 409A of the tax code and did not result in a significant change in fair value.

     Under SFAS No. 123(R), we now record in our consolidated statements of operations (i) compensation cost for options granted, modified, repurchased or cancelled on or after November 1, 2005 under the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) and (ii) compensation cost for the unvested portion of options granted prior to November 1, 2005 over their remaining vesting periods using the amounts previously measured under SFAS No. 123 for pro forma disclosure purposes. During the three months ended January 31, 2006, we recognized compensation expense of $72,000 for stock options in our consolidated statement of operations.

     Consistent with the valuation method for the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, we are using the Black-Scholes-Merton and binomial option models to value compensation expense associated with stock-based

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

awards under SFAS No. 123(R). In addition, forfeitures are estimated when recognizing compensation expense, and the estimate of forfeitures will be adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent that actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures will be recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment in the period of change and will also impact the amount of compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

     There were no options granted during the quarters ended January 31, 2006 and January 31, 2005.

     The Black-Scholes-Merton and binomial option valuation models were developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Because options held by our directors and employees have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in our opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of these options.

2. Information regarding our operations in different segments

     We operate and track results in three reportable segments — California avocados, international avocados and perishable foods products, and processed products. These three business segments are presented based on our management structure and information used by our president to measure performance and allocate resources. The California avocados segment includes all operations that involve the distribution of avocados grown in California. The international avocados and perishable foods products segment includes both operations related to distribution of fresh avocados grown outside of California, papayas, and the distribution of other perishable food items. The processed products segment represents all operations related to the purchase, manufacturing, and distribution of processed avocado products. Those costs that can be specifically identified with a particular product line are charged directly to that product line. Costs that are not segment specific are generally allocated based on two-year average sales dollars. We do not allocate assets or specifically identify them to our operating segments.

						International
						avocados and
		California				perishable food				Processed				Inter-segment
		avocados				products				products				eliminations				Total
		(in thousands)
Three months ended January 31, 2006
Net sales		$	10,763			$	35,479			$	9,280			$	(4,875	)		$	50,647
Cost of sales			11,089				33,638				7,385				(4,875	)			47,237
Gross margin (deficit)			(326	)			1,841				1,895				—				3,410
Selling, general and administrative			1,663				1,610				1,171				—				4,444
Operating income (loss)			(1,989	)			231				724				—				(1,034	)
Other expense, net			(11	)			(31	)			(33	)			—				(75	)
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes			(2,000	)			200				691				—				(1,109	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			(800	)			80				276				—				(444	)
Net income (loss)		$	(1,200	)		$	120			$	415			$	—			$	(665	)

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

						International
						avocados and
		California				perishable food				Processed				Inter-segment
		avocados				products				products				eliminations				Total
		(in thousands)
Three months ended January 31, 2005
Net sales		$	8,677			$	36,387			$	7,502			$	(4,895	)		$	47,671
Cost of sales			8,685				34,935				6,994				(4,895	)			45,719
Gross margin			(8	)			1,452				508				—				1,952
Selling, general and administrative			1,773				1,386				1,354				—				4,513
Operating income (loss)			(1,781	)			66				(846	)			—				(2,561	)
Other income (expense), net			56				29				(3	)			—				82
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes			(1,725	)			95				(849	)			—				(2,479	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes			(649	)			36				(319	)			—				(932	)
Net income (loss)		$	(1,076	)		$	59			$	(530	)		$	—			$	(1,547	)

     The following table sets forth sales by product category, by segment (in thousands):

		Three months ended January 31, 2006																Three months ended January 31, 2005
						International																International
						avocados and																avocados and
		California				perishable food				Processed								California				perishable food				Processed
		avocados				products				products				Total				Avocados				products				products				Total
Third-party sales:
California avocados		$	9,658			$	—			$	—			$	9,658			$	7,545			$	—			$	—			$	7,545
Imported avocados			—				23,587				—				23,587				—				24,074				—				24,074
Papayas			—				1,267				—				1,267				—				1,820				—				1,820
Specialties and Tropicals			—				2,405				—				2,405				—				3,449				—				3,449
Processed — food service			—				—				7,335				7,335				—				—				6,025				6,025
Processed — retail and club			—				—				2,331				2,331				—				—				1,406				1,406
Total fruit and product sales to third parties			9,658				27,259				9,666				46,583				7,545				29,343				7,431				44,319
Freight and other charges			1,109				4,738				136				5,983				599				4,467				(64	)			5,002
Total third-party sales			10,767				31,997				9,802				52,566				8,144				33,810				7,367				49,321
Less sales incentives			(4	)			(2	)			(1,913	)			(1,919	)			(17	)			—				(1,633	)			(1,650	)
Total net sales to third parties			10,763				31,995				7,889				50,647				8,127				33,810				5,734				47,671
Intercompany sales			—				3,484				1,391				4,875				550				2,577				1,768				4,895
Net sales before eliminations		$	10,763			$	35,479			$	9,280				55,522			$	8,677			$	36,387			$	7,502				52,566
Intercompany sales eliminations															(4,875	)															(4,895	)
Consolidated net sales														$	50,647															$	47,671

3. Inventories

     Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

		January 31,				October 31,
		2006				2005
Fresh fruit		$	5,720			$	3,525
Packing supplies and ingredients			1,931				2,015
Finished processed foods			3,625				4,556
		$	11,276			$	10,096

     During the three month periods ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, we were not required to, and did not, record any provisions to reduce our inventories to the lower of cost or market.

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

4. Related Party transactions

     We sell papayas obtained from an entity owned by our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President. Sales of papayas procured from the related entity amounted to approximately $1,267,000 and $1,820,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, resulting in gross margins of approximately $112,000 and $261,000. Net amounts due to this entity approximated $145,000 and $79,000 at January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005.

     Certain members of our Board of Directors market avocados through Calavo pursuant to marketing agreements substantially similar to the marketing agreements that we enter into with other growers. During the three months ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, the aggregate amount of avocados procured from entities owned or controlled by members of our Board of Directors was approximately $1,685,000 and $383,000.

     In December 2005, we repurchased 120,000 shares of our common stock at an average price per share of $10.00 from the estate of a deceased former member of our Board of Directors.

5. Other assets

     Included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are the following intangible assets: customer-related intangibles of $590,000 (accumulated amortization of $236,000 at January 31, 2006), brand name intangibles of $275,000 and other identified intangibles totaling $2,000 (accumulated amortization of $2,000 at January 31, 2006). The customer-related intangibles and other identified intangibles are being amortized over five and two years. The intangible asset related to the brand name currently has an indefinite remaining useful life and, as a result, is not currently subject to amortization. We anticipate recording amortization expense of approximately $88,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2006 and approximately $118,000 per annum for fiscal 2007 through fiscal 2008, with the remaining amortization expense of approximately $30,000 recorded in fiscal 2009.

6. Other events

Dividend payment

     In January 2006, we paid a $0.32 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $4.6 million to shareholders of record on December 15, 2005. In January 2005, we paid a $0.30 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $4,052,000 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2004.

Contingencies

     We are currently under examination by the Mexican tax authorities (Hacienda) for the tax year ended December 31, 2000. During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, we received an assessment totaling approximately $2.0 million from Hacienda related to the amount of income at our Mexican subsidiary. Based primarily on discussions with legal counsel and the evaluation of our claim, we believe that Hacienda’s position has no merit and that the Company will prevail. Accordingly, no amounts have been provided in the financial statements as of January 31, 2006. We pledged our processed products building located in Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico as collateral to the Hacienda in regards to this assessment.

     We are also involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business that we do not believe will have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

Processed product segment restructuring

     In February 2003, our Board of Directors approved a plan whereby the operations of our processed products business would be relocated. The plan called for the closing of our Santa Paula, California and Mexicali, Baja California Norte processing facilities and the relocation of these operations to a new facility in Uruapan, Michoacan, Mexico. This restructuring has provided for cost savings in the elimination of certain transportation costs, duplicative overhead structures, and savings in the overall cost of labor and services. The Uruapan facility commenced operations in February 2004 and the Santa Paula and Mexicali facilities were closed in February 2003 and August 2004. For our first fiscal quarter 2005, we incurred costs related to this restructuring approximating $437,000, which is recorded in our income statement as both cost of sales ($298,000) and selling, general and administrative expenses($139,000). We did not incur any additional costs related to this restructuring during our first fiscal quarter of 2006.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     This information should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report, and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2005 of Calavo Growers, Inc. (we, Calavo, or the Company). Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation.

Recent Developments

Dividend payment

     In January 2006, we paid a $0.32 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $4.6 million to shareholders of record on December 15, 2005.

Common Stock Repurchase

     In December 2005, we repurchased 120,000 shares of our common stock at an average price per share of $10.00 from the estate of a deceased former member of our Board of Directors.

Net Sales

     The following table summarizes our net sales by business segment:

		Three months ended January 31,
(in thousands)		2006				Change				2005
Net sales:
California avocados		$	10,763				32.5	%		$	8,127
International avocados and perishable food products			31,995				(5.4	)%			33,810
Processed products			7,889				37.6	%			5,734
Total net sales		$	50,647				6.2	%		$	47,671
As a percentage of net sales:
California avocados			21.3	%							17.1	%
International avocados and perishable food products			63.2	%							70.9	%
Processed products			15.5	%							12.0	%
			100.0	%							100.0	%

     Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, compared to fiscal year 2005, increased by $3.0 million, or 6.2%. Consistent with the historical seasonality of the California avocado harvest season, we typically receive the fewest pounds of California avocados during our first fiscal quarter. As such, our California avocado business generated only 21.3% of our consolidated net sales for the first quarter, as compared to only 17.1% for the same prior year period. Our international avocados and perishable food products segment experienced a marginal decrease in revenue, driven primarily by decreases in the volume of avocados being imported from Chile and The Dominican Republic. Net sales generated by our processed products business are not subject to the seasonal effect experienced by our other operating segments. The increase in sales to third parties delivered by our processed products business is due primarily to an increase in total pounds of product sold, partially offset by a decrease in average selling prices.

     Net sales by segment include value-added services billed by our Uruapan packinghouse and processing plant to the parent company. All intercompany sales are eliminated in our consolidated results of operations.

California avocados

     Net sales delivered by the business increased by approximately $2.6 million, or 32.5%, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, when compared to the same period for fiscal year 2005. The increase in sales primarily reflects an increase in pounds of avocados sold. Such increase in pounds sold, totaling approximately 5.5 million, is consistent with an expected increase in the overall harvest of the California avocado crop for the 2005/2006 season.

     Our market share of California avocados remained strong during the first quarter of fiscal year 2006 at 38.3%. This represents a decrease, however, from the 44.6% market share for the same prior year period. We believe that such decrease is primarily related to a shift in the current year volume to growing areas where we do not command as significant of a market share.

     Average selling prices, on a per carton basis, for California avocados for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 were 18.0% lower when compared to the same prior year period. We attribute some of this decrease in these average selling prices to an increase in overall pounds sold in the U.S. marketplace during such periods.

     Our strategy is to continue to develop marketing opportunities that favorably position avocados packed by Calavo with our customers by emphasizing existing value-added services, such as fruit bagging and ripening. We believe these and other value-added strategies are critical elements in sustaining competitive average selling prices.

     We anticipate that our California avocado segment will experience a seasonal increase during the second fiscal quarter of 2006. In addition, we believe that the expected decrease in non-California sourced fruit will have a positive impact on average selling prices during the second fiscal quarter.

International and perishable food products

     For the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2006, when compared to the same period for 2005, sales to third-party customers decreased by approximately $1.8 million, or 5.4%, from $33.8 million to $32.0 million.

     The decreased sales to third-parties by our international and perishable food products segment were primarily driven by fewer sales related to Chilean and The Dominican Republic grown avocados in the U.S., Japanese, and European marketplace, as well as fewer papaya sales. The volume of Chilean and The Dominican Republic fruit handled decreased by 6.7 million pounds, or 49.1%, and 0.6 million pounds, or 16.1%, when compared to the same prior year period. Additionally, the volume of papaya fruit handled decreased by approximately 0.7 million pounds, or 38.1%, when compared to the same prior year period. Such decreases, however, were partially offset by increases in Mexican sourced fruit. For the three months ended January 31, 2006, the volume of Mexican sourced fruit handled increased by 8.2 million pounds, or 52.4%, when compared to the same prior year period.

     For the first fiscal quarter of 2006, average selling prices, on a per carton basis, for Chilean and The Dominican Republic sourced avocados were 11.1% higher and 32.2% lower, when compared to the same prior year period. The average selling price of Mexican fruit, however, remained virtually unchanged during the first fiscal quarter of 2006, when compared to the same prior year period. We believe these price fluctuations were primarily related to the timing of the fruit entering the marketplace. Additionally, the average selling price of papaya fruit increased approximately 21.1%, when compared to the same prior year period, based primarily on the lack of comparable levels of papaya fruit.

     We anticipate that net sales for this segment related to Chilean and The Dominican Republic sourced fruit will decrease in the second fiscal quarter of 2006 compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2006. This is consistent with the seasonal nature of the availability of certain foreign sourced avocados in the U.S. marketplace.

Processed products

     For the quarter ended January 31, 2006, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2005, sales to third-party customers increased by approximately $2.2 million, or 37.6%, from $5.7 million to $7.9 million. The increase in third-party sales was primarily attributable to an increase in total product pounds sold, partially offset by a decrease in average sales prices. During the first fiscal quarter of 2006, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2005, we experienced an increase in total pounds of product sold of approximately 1.2 million pounds, or 38.0%, partially offset by a decrease in average selling prices of $0.13 per pound, or 5.7%.

     Our ultra high pressure products continue to experience solid demand. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, sales of high pressure product totaled approximately $2.9 million, as compared to $1.7 million for the same prior year period. We believe that the introduction of these fresh guacamole products will, in the long-term, successfully address a growing market segment.

Gross Margins

     The following table summarizes our gross margins and gross profit percentages by business segment for each of the three month periods ended January 31, 2006 and 2005:

		Three months ended January 31,
(in thousands)		2006				Change				2005
Gross margins:
California avocados		$	(326	)		NM				$	(8	)
International avocados and perishable food products			1,841				26.8	%			1,452
Processed products			1,895				273.0	%			508
Total gross margins		$	3,410				74.7	%		$	1,952
Gross profit percentages:
California avocados			(3.0	)%							(0.1	)%
International avocados and perishable food products			5.8	%							4.3	%
Processed products			24.0	%							8.9	%
Consolidated			6.7	%							4.1	%

NM—Not meaningful

     Our cost of goods sold consists predominantly of fruit costs, packing materials, freight and handling, labor and overhead (including depreciation) associated with preparing food products and other direct expenses pertaining to products sold. Gross margins increased by approximately $1.5 million, or 2.6%, for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 when compared to the same period for fiscal 2005. This increase was primarily attributable to improvements in our international avocados and perishable food products and processed products segments.

     Our California avocados segment experienced a lower gross profit percentage principally as a result of higher material and production costs, including increased costs related to the start-up of our ProRipeVIP™ avocado ripening program. The increase in our gross profit percentages generated by our international avocados and perishable food products segment was principally a result of a decrease in fruit costs in relation to corresponding sales prices. This decrease in fruit costs had the effect of decreasing our per pound costs, which, as a result, positively impacted gross margins. The processed products gross profit percentages for the quarter ended January 31, 2006, as compared to the same prior year period, increased primarily as a result of lower fruit costs and increases in total pounds produced, which had the effect of reducing our per pound costs. We anticipate that the gross profit percentage for our processed product segment will continue to experience significant fluctuations during the next fiscal quarter primarily due to the uncertainty of the cost of fruit that will be used in the production process.

Selling, General and Administrative

		Three months ended January 31,
(in thousands)		2006				Change				2005
Selling, general and administrative		$	4,444				(1.5	)%		$	4,513
Percentage of net sales			8.8	%							9.5	%

     Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs of marketing and advertising, sales expenses and other general and administrative costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 1.5%, for the three months ended January 31, 2006 when compared to the same period for fiscal 2005. The decreased general and administrative costs relate primarily to lower corporate costs, including costs related to various consulting expenses (totaling approximately $0.2 million).

Other Income/(Expense), net

		Three months ended January 31,
(in thousands)		2006				Change				2005
Other income/(expense), net		$	(75	)			(191.5	)%		$	82
Percentage of net sales			(0.1	)%							0.2	%

     Other income/(expense), net includes interest income and expense generated in connection with the financing of our operating activities, as well as certain other transactions that are outside of the course of normal operations. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, other income/(expense), net includes interest expense, totaling approximately $0.2 million, related to our two short-term, non-collateralized, revolving credit facilities and our term loan with Farm Credit West, PCA.

Benefit for Income Taxes

		Three months ended January 31,
(in thousands)		2006				Change				2005
Benefit for income taxes		$	(444	)			(57.1	)%		$	(932	)
Percentage of loss before benefit for income taxes			(40.0	%)							(37.6	%)

     For the first three months of fiscal year 2006, our benefit for income taxes was $(0.4) million as compared to $(0.9) million recorded for the comparable prior year period. We expect our effective tax rate to approximate 40.0% during fiscal year 2006.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Cash used in operating activities was $0.6 million for the three months ended January 31, 2006, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $3.7 million for the similar period in fiscal 2005. Operating cash flows for the three-months ended January 31, 2006 reflect our net loss of $0.7 million, net non-cash charges (depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense and provision for losses on accounts receivable) of $0.6 million and a net decrease in the noncash components of our working capital of approximately $0.5 million.

     These working capital decreases include an increase in accounts receivable of $4.3 million, an increase in inventory totaling $1.2 million, an increase in prepaid and other current assets of $0.7 million, and an increase in income tax receivable of $0.4 million, partially offset by an increase in growers payable of $5.0 million, a decrease in advances to suppliers totaling $0.6 million, and an increase in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses of $0.5 million.

     Increases in our accounts receivable balance as of January 31, 2006, when compared to October 31, 2005, primarily reflects higher sales recorded in the month of January 2006, as compared to October 2005. The amounts in inventory and payable to our growers primarily reflect an increase in fruit delivered, partially offset by a decrease in the price per pound of California avocados marketed in the month of January 2006, as compared to October 2005.

     Cash used in investing activities was $1.1 million for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and related principally to the purchase of miscellaneous capital equipment items, including new field bins for our packinghouses and capital items related to our ProRipeVIP™ avocado ripening program.

     Cash provided by financing activities was $0.8 million for the three months ended January 31, 2006 and related principally to $6.4 million in proceeds from short-term borrowings, partially offset by a $4.6 million cash dividend payment, as well as $1.2 million related to the retirement of 120,000 shares of our common stock.

     Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash reserves, cash generated from operations and amounts available for borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Cash and cash equivalents as of January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005 totaled $0.2 million and $1.1 million. Our working capital at January 31, 2006 was $15.0 million compared to $17.6 million at October 31, 2005. The overall working capital decrease primarily reflects an increase in our short-term borrowings and our payable to growers.

     We believe that cash flows from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy our future capital expenditures, grower recruitment efforts, working capital and other financing requirements. We will continue to evaluate grower recruitment opportunities and exclusivity arrangements with food service companies to fuel growth in each of our business segments. We have two short-term, non-collateralized, revolving credit facilities. These credit facilities expire in February 2007 and April 2008 and are with separate banks. Under the terms of these agreements, we are advanced funds for working capital purposes. Total credit available under the combined short-term borrowing agreements was $24 million, with a weighted-average interest rate of 5.6% and 4.8% at January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005. Under these credit facilities, we had $7.8 million and $1.4 million outstanding as of January 31, 2006 and October 31, 2005. The credit facilities contain various financial covenants with which we were in compliance at January 31, 2006. The most significant financial covenants relate to working capital, tangible net worth (as defined), and Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) (as defined) requirements.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

     See footnote 1 to the consolidated condensed financial statements that are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes receivable from shareholders, payable to growers, accounts payable, current borrowings pursuant to our credit facilities with financial institutions, and long-term, fixed-rate obligations. All of our financial instruments are entered into during the normal course of operations and have not been acquired for trading purposes. The table below summarizes interest rate sensitive financial instruments and presents principal cash flows in U.S. dollars, which is our reporting currency, and weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates, as of January 31, 2006.

		Expected maturity date January 31,
(All amounts in thousands)		2006				2007				2008				2009				2010				Thereafter				Total				Fair Value
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents (1)		$	238			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	238			$	238
Accounts receivable (1)			23,568				—				—				—				—				—				23,568				23,568
Notes receivable from shareholders (2)			175				2,461				—				—				—				—				2,636				2,506
Liabilities
Payable to growers (1)		$	6,740			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	6,740			$	6,740
Accounts payable (1)			3,372				—				—				—				—				—				3,372				3,372
Current borrowings pursuant to credit facilities (1)			7,841				—				—				—				—				—				7,841				7,841
Fixed-rate long-term obligations (3)			1,310				1,309				1,308				1,302				1,300				6,500				13,029				12,334

     We were not a party to any derivative instruments during the fiscal year. It is currently our intent not to use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Additionally, we do not use any hedging or forward contracts to offset market volatility.

     Our Mexican-based operations transact business in Mexican pesos. Funds are transferred by our corporate office to Mexico on a weekly basis to satisfy domestic cash needs. Consequently, the spot rate for the Mexican peso has a moderate impact on our operating results. However, we do not believe that this impact is sufficient to warrant the use of derivative instruments to hedge the fluctuation in the Mexican peso. Total foreign currency gains and losses for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 2005 do not exceed $0.1 million.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

     There were no substantial changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended January 31, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     We are involved in litigation in the ordinary course of business, none of which we believe will have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results from operations.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Shares

										Total Number of
										Shares Purchased as				Approximate Dollar Value of
		Total Number				Average				Part of Publicly				Shares that May Yet Be
		Of Shares				Price Paid				Announced				Purchased under the
		Purchased				Per Share				Plans or Programs				Plans or Programs
Month #1 (November 2005)			—								—			$	—
Month #2 (December 2005)			120,000			$	10.00				—				—
Month #3 (January 2006)			—								—				—
Total			120,000			$	10.00				—			$	—

From time to time, our Board of Directors will authorize the repurchase of shares opportunistically. Such repurchases may be in the open market or in private transactions. The repurchase shown above relates to a private transaction and is from a related party. See Note 4 in consolidated condensed financial statements.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

			31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
			31.2			Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
			32			Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number		Description
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2		Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 7241, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32		Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Periodic Report Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

Exhibit 32

WRITTEN STATEMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

     Each of the undersigned, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Corporate Secretary of Calavo Growers, Inc. (the Company), hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to his knowledge, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended January 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: March 9, 2006

 

Lecil E. Cole

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

 

Arthur J. Bruno

Chief Operating Officer,

Chief Financial Officer and

Corporate Secretary