Calavo Growers, Inc., Form 10-Q
Table of Contents



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended April 30, 2003

OR

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

Commission file number: 000-33385

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
California
(State of incorporation)
  33-0945304
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2530 Red Hill Avenue
Santa Ana, California 92705-5542

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(949) 223-1111
(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 [X]   No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ]   No [X]

Registrant’s number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2003 was 12,929,909.





TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
SIGNATURES
CERTIFICATIONS
EXHIBIT 99.1
EXHIBIT 99.2


Table of Contents

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

INDEX

         
        PAGE
       
PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Item 1.   Financial Statements (unaudited):    
    Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets – April 30, 2003 and October 31, 2002   3
    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income – Three Months and Six Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002   4
    Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended April 30, 2003 and 2002   5
    Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements   6
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   13
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   22
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures   23
PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION    
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings   24
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   24
Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   25
    Signatures and Certifications   26

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(All amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

                     
        April 30,   October 31,
        2003   2002
       
 
Assets
               
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 854     $ 921  
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $44 (2003) and $25 (2002)
    23,687       17,907  
 
Inventories, net
    13,260       12,461  
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    3,765       3,945  
 
Loans to growers
    418       467  
 
Advances to suppliers
    2,014       2,535  
 
Income taxes receivable
    499       225  
 
Deferred income taxes
    1,252       1,252  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total current assets
    45,749       39,713  
Property, plant, and equipment, net
    9,908       9,497  
Investments held to maturity
    2,033       1,979  
Other assets
    3,806       3,943  
 
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 61,496     $ 55,132  
 
 
   
     
 
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
 
Payable to growers
  $ 12,380     $ 6,368  
 
Trade accounts payable
    1,313       1,708  
 
Accrued expenses
    5,970       7,015  
 
Short-term borrowings
    4,100       3,000  
 
Dividend payable
          2,567  
 
Current portion of long-term obligations
    80       222  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total current liabilities
    23,843       20,880  
Long-term liabilities:
               
 
Long-term obligations, less current portion
    2,984       3,180  
 
Deferred income taxes
    516       516  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total long-term liabilities
    3,500       3,696  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 12,930 (2003) and 12,835 (2002) issued and outstanding
    13       13  
 
Additional paid-in capital
    24,727       24,221  
 
Notes receivable from shareholders
    (4,864 )     (5,720 )
 
Retained earnings
    14,277       12,042  
 
 
   
     
 
   
Total shareholders’ equity
    34,153       30,556  
 
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 61,496     $ 55,132  
 
 
   
     
 

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

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(All amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                 
    Three months ended   Six months ended
    April 30,   April 30,
   
 
    2003   2002   2003   2002
   
 
 
 
Net sales
  $ 57,393     $ 56,144     $ 101,622     $ 101,867  
Cost of sales
    50,422       49,006       90,728       91,148  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Gross margin
    6,971       7,138       10,894       10,719  
Special charges
    98             98        
Selling, general and administrative
    4,130       3,254       7,321       6,278  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Operating income
    2,743       3,884       3,475       4,441  
Other expense (income), net
    (206 )     (145 )     (321 )     (153 )
 
   
     
     
     
 
Income before provision for income taxes
    2,949       4,029       3,796       4,594  
Provision for income taxes
    1,214       1,758       1,561       2,011  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 1,735     $ 2,271     $ 2,235     $ 2,583  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Net income per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.13     $ 0.20     $ 0.17     $ 0.23  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Diluted
  $ 0.13     $ 0.19     $ 0.17     $ 0.23  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Number of shares used in per share computation:
                               
Basic
    12,930       11,637       12,892       11,044  
 
   
     
     
     
 
Diluted
    12,960       11,670       12,922       11,044  
 
   
     
     
     
 

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

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

                         
            Six months ended April 30,
           
            2003   2002
           
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net income
  $ 2,235     $ 2,583  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation and amortization
    987       997  
   
Write-off of fixed assets
    27        
   
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
    19       20  
Effect on cash of changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
     
Accounts receivable
    (5,799 )     (1,286 )
     
Inventories, net
    (799 )     (7,463 )
     
Income taxes receivable
    (202 )     144  
     
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    923       (1,815 )
     
Advances to suppliers
    521       2,372  
     
Loans to growers
    49       67  
     
Payable to growers
    6,012       5,971  
     
Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (1,440 )     2,321  
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    2,533       3,911  
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Acquisitions of and deposits on property, plant, and equipment
    (2,085 )     (527 )
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash used in investing activities
    (2,085 )     (527 )
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Payment of dividend to shareholders
    (2,567 )      
Proceeds from/(repayments of) short-term borrowings, net
    1,100       (4,800 )
Additional costs related to the rights offering
    (41 )      
Collection on notes receivable
    856       120  
Payments on long-term obligations
    (338 )     (284 )
Exercise of stock options
    475       412  
 
   
     
 
       
Net cash used in financing activities
    (515 )     (4,552 )
 
   
     
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (67 )     (1,168 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    921       2,057  
 
   
     
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 854     $ 889  
 
   
     
 
Supplemental Information -
               
   
Cash paid during the year for:
               
     
Interest
  $ 118     $ 232  
 
   
     
 
     
Income taxes
  $ 1,545     $ 575  
 
   
     
 
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
 
Exercise of stock options using promissory notes
  $     $ 4,789  
 
   
     
 
 
5% Stock dividend
  $     $ 2,167  
 
   
     
 
 
Stock purchase using promissory notes
  $     $ 1,963  
 
   
     
 
 
Tax benefit related to stock options
  $ 72     $  
 
   
     
 

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

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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 foods 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 world-wide basis. Through our four 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 Chile and New Zealand, and distribute other perishable foods, such as Hawaiian grown papayas. We report these operations in three different business segments: California avocados, international avocados and perishable food products and 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, 2002.

Recent Accounting Standards

     In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS 143”). SFAS 143 addresses financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. SFAS 143 applies to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and normal use of the asset. SFAS 143 applies to all entities and amends FASB Statement No. 19, “Financial Accounting and Reporting by Oil and Gas Producing Companies”. SFAS 143 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation be recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. SFAS 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The implementation of SFAS 143 during the first quarter of fiscal 2003 had no impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.

     In August 2001, the FASB issued Statement No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”). While SFAS 144 supersedes FASB Statement No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of”, it retains many of the fundamental provisions of that Statement. We adopted SFAS 144 on November 1, 2002. The implementation of SFAS 144 during the first quarter of fiscal 2003 had no impact on our consolidated condensed financial statements.

     In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 145, “Rescission of FASB Statement Nos. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections” (“SFAS 145”). SFAS 145 rescinds FASB Statement No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt” (“SFAS 4”) and amends other existing authoritative pronouncements. As a result of SFAS 145, gains and losses from extinguishment of debt should be classified as extraordinary items only if they meet the criteria in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions” (“APB 30”). Applying the provisions of APB 30 will distinguish transactions that are part of an entity’s recurring operations from those that are unusual or infrequent or that meet the criteria for classification as an extraordinary item. We adopted SFAS 145 on November 1, 2002. The implementation of SFAS 145 did not impact our financial position or results of operations.

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

     In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities” (“SFAS 146”). SFAS 146 replaces Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring).” SFAS 146 requires companies to recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. The provisions of SFAS 146 were effective for exit or disposal activities that were initiated after December 31, 2002. Accordingly, the restructuring of our processed products operations discussed in Note 7 has been accounted for in accordance with this accounting pronouncement.

     In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees and Indebtedness of Others”, an interpretation of FASB Statement Nos. 5, 57 and 107, and rescission of FASB Interpretation No. 34, “Disclosure of Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”. FIN 45 elaborates on the disclosures to be made by the guarantor in its interim and annual financial statements about its obligations under certain guarantees that it has issued. It also requires that a guarantor recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. The initial recognition and measurement provisions of this interpretation are applicable on a prospective basis to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002; while, the provisions of the disclosure requirements are effective for financial statements of interim or annual periods ending after December 15, 2002. We indemnify our directors, and have the power to indemnify each of our officers, employees and other agents, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. The maximum amount of potential future payments under such indemnifications is not determinable. Adoption of the recognition provisions of FIN 45, effective January 1, 2003, had no impact on our financial statements.

     In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 148 (“SFAS No. 148”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123”. This statement provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, this Statement amends the disclosure requirements of Statement No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. SFAS No. 148 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. We have not determined whether we will adopt the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation.

     In January 2003, the FASB issued (“FIN”) 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities”, an interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51. FIN No. 46 requires that variable interest entities be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity’s activities or is entitled to receive a majority of the entity’s residual returns or both. FIN 46 also requires disclosures about variable interest entities that companies are not required to consolidate but in which a company has a significant variable interest. The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 will apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements will apply to entities established prior to January 31, 2003 in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The disclosure requirements will apply to all financial statements issued after January 31, 2003. We did not have any variable interest entities as of April 30, 2003.

     In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity (“SFAS No. 150”)”, which establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope, which may have previously been reported as equity, as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). This statement is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Company does not believe that the adoption of SFAS No. 150 will have a significant impact on its financial statements.

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Reclassifications

     Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

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 the President to measure performance and allocate resources. The California avocados segment includes all operations that involve the distribution of avocados procured in California. The international avocados and perishable foods products segment includes both operations related to distribution of fresh avocados procured from Mexico, Chile and New Zealand and 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 five-year average sales dollars. We do not allocate assets or specifically identify them to our operating segments.

     The quarterly results by segment for the quarter and six-month period ended April 30, 2002 reflect a revision of previously reported amounts. This revision was made to reclassify certain costs and expenses consistent with the 2003 presentation.

                                         
            International                        
            avocados and                        
    California   perishable food   Processed   Inter-segment        
    avocados   products   products   eliminations   Total
   
 
 
 
 
    (All amounts are presented in thousands)
Six months ended April 30, 2003
                                       
Net sales
  $ 47,147     $ 46,180     $ 14,063     $ (5,768 )   $ 101,622  
Cost of sales
    42,806       42,622       11,068       (5,768 )     90,728  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Gross margin
    4,341       3,558       2,995             10,894  
Special charges
                98             98  
Selling, general and administrative
    3,465       1,519       2,337             7,321  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
    876       2,039       560             3,475  
Other expense (income), net
    (256 )     (74 )     9             (321 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Income before provision for income taxes
    1,132       2,113       551             3,796  
Provision for income taxes
    465       869       227             1,561  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 667     $ 1,244     $ 324     $     $ 2,235  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
                                         
            International                        
            avocados and                        
    California   perishable food   Processed   Inter-segment        
    avocados   products   products   eliminations   Total
   
 
 
 
 
    (All amounts are presented in thousands)
Six months ended April 30, 2002
                                       
Net sales
  $ 53,480     $ 40,744     $ 15,257     $ (7,614 )   $ 101.867  
Cost of sales
    48,536       37,581       12,645       (7,614 )     91,148  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Gross margin
    4,944       3,163       2,612             10,719  
Selling, general and administrative
    3,035       1,275       1,968             6,278  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income
    1,909       1,888       644             4,441  
Other expense (income), net
    (219 )     (5 )     71             (153 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Income before provision for income taxes
    2,128       1,893       573             4,594  
Provision for income taxes
    931       829       251             2,011  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 1,197     $ 1,064     $ 322     $     $ 2,583  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

                                         
            International                        
            avocados and                        
    California   perishable food   Processed   Inter-segment        
    avocados   products   products   eliminations   Total
   
 
 
 
 
    (All amounts are presented in thousands)
Three months ended April 30, 2003
                                       
Net sales
  $ 34,962     $ 17,891     $ 7,509     $ (2,969 )   $ 57,393  
Cost of sales
    31,283       16,138       5,970       (2,969 )     50,422  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Gross margin
    3,679       1,753       1,539             6,971  
Special charges
                98             98  
Selling, general and administrative
    1,948       838       1,344             4,130  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income (loss)
    1,731       915       97             2,743  
Other expense (income), net
    (148 )     (58 )                 (206 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Income before provision for income taxes
    1,879       973       97             2,949  
Provision for income taxes
    771       402       41             1,214  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 1,108     $ 571     $ 56     $     $ 1,735  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
                                         
            International                        
            avocados and                        
    California   perishable food   Processed   Inter-segment        
    avocados   products   products   eliminations   Total
   
 
 
 
 
            (All amounts are presented in thousands)        
Three months ended April 30, 2002
                                       
Net sales
  $ 36,297     $ 16,084     $ 8,097     $ (4,334 )   $ 56,144  
Cost of sales
    32,338       14,263       6,739       (4,334 )     49,006  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Gross margin
    3,959       1,821       1,358             7,138  
Selling, general and administrative
    1,565       611       1,078             3,254  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Operating income
    2,394       1,210       280             3,884  
Other expense (income), net
    (146 )     (21 )     22             (145 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Income before provision for income taxes
    2,540       1,231       258             4,029  
Provision for income taxes
    1,116       532       110             1,758  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
Net income
  $ 1,424     $ 699     $ 148     $     $ 2,271  
 
   
     
     
     
     
 

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

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

                                                                 
    Six months ended April 30, 2003   Six months ended April 30, 2002
   
 
            International                           International                
            avocados and                           avocados and                
            perishable                           perishable                
    California   food   Processed           California   food   Processed        
    avocados   products   products   Total   avocados   products   products   Total
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-party sales:
                                                               
California avocados
  $ 43,897     $     $     $ 43,897     $ 49,451     $     $     $ 49,451  
Imported avocados
          34,609             34,609             30,308             30,308  
Papayas
          1,280             1,280             1,481             1,481  
Miscellaneous
          4             4             27             27  
Processed — food service
                11,844       11,844                   11,461       11,461  
Processed — retail and club
                2,550       2,550                   2,491       2,491  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total fruit and product sales to third-parties
    43,897       35,893       14,394       94,184       49,451       31,816       13,952       95,219  
Freight and other charges
    3,336       6,536       122       9,994       4,129       5,175       95       9,399  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total third-party sales
    47,233       42,429       14,516       104,178       53,580       36,991       14,047       104,618  
Less sales incentives
    (86 )     (77 )     (2,393 )     (2,556 )     (100 )     (90 )     (2,561 )     (2,751 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total net sales to third-parties
    47,147       42,352       12,123       101,622       53,480       36,901       11,486       101,867  
Intercompany sales
          3,828       1,940       5,768             3,843       3,771       7,614  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net sales
  $ 47,147     $ 46,180     $ 14,063       107,390     $ 53,480     $ 40,744     $ 15,257       109,481  
 
   
     
     
             
     
     
         
Intercompany sales eliminations
                            (5,768 )                             (7,614 )
 
                           
                             
 
Consolidated net sales
                          $ 101,622                             $ 101,867  
 
                           
                             
 
                                                                 
    Three months ended April 30, 2003   Three months ended April 30, 2002
   
 
            International                           International                
            avocados and                           avocados and                
            perishable                           perishable                
    California   food   Processed           California   food   Processed        
    avocados   products   products   Total   avocados   products   products   Total
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third-party sales:
                                                               
California avocados
  $ 32,479     $     $     $ 32,479     $ 33,387     $     $     $ 33,387  
Imported avocados
          11,775             11,775             10,422             10,422  
Papayas
          678             678             718             718  
Miscellaneous
          4             4             1             1  
Processed — food service
                6,575       6,575                   5,949       5,949  
Processed — retail and club
                1,299       1,299                   1,100       1,100  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total fruit and product sales to third-parties
    32,479       12,457       7,874       52,810       33,387       11,141       7,049       51,577  
Freight and other charges
    2,525       3,427       66       6,018       2,957       2,850       54       5,861  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total third-party sales
    35,004       15,884       7,940       58,828       36,344       13,991       7,103       57,438  
Less sales incentives
    (42 )     (46 )     (1,347 )     (1,435 )     (47 )     (47 )     (1,200 )     (1,294 )
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Total net sales to third-parties
    34,962       15,838       6,593       57,393       36,297       13,944       5,903       56,144  
Intercompany sales
          2,053       916       2,969             2,140       2,194       4,334  
 
   
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
Net sales
  $ 34,962     $ 17,891     $ 7,509       60,362     $ 36,297     $ 16,084     $ 8,097       60,478  
 
   
     
     
             
     
     
         
Intercompany sales eliminations
                            (2,969 )                             (4,334 )
 
                           
                             
 
Consolidated net sales
                          $ 57,393                             $ 56,144  
 
                           
                             
 

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

3.    Inventories

     Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

                 
    April 30,   October 31,
    2003   2002
   
 
Fresh fruit
  $ 4,407     $ 1,534  
Packing supplies and ingredients
    1,401       1,958  
Finished processed foods
    7,452       8,969  
 
   
     
 
 
  $ 13,260     $ 12,461  
 
   
     
 

     During the three and six-month periods ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, we were not required to, and did not record any provisions to reduce our inventories to the lower of cost or market.

4.    Related Party Transactions

     We sell papayas purchased from an entity owned by our Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President. Sales of papayas to the related entity amounted to approximately $1,280,000, and $1,481,000 for the six months ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, resulting in gross margins of approximately $127,000 and $140,000. Included in trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities are approximately $203,000, and $119,000 at April 30, 2003 and October 31, 2002 due to this entity.

     Certain members of our board of directors market avocados through Calavo pursuant to a marketing agreement that is substantially similar to the marketing agreements that we entered into with other growers. During the six months ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, the aggregate amount earned for avocados delivered by members of our board of directors with respect to avocados marketed through Calavo including entities owned or controlled by the directors, was $0.9 million and $2.4 million.

5.    Other Events

Dividend payment

     On January 2, 2003, we paid a $0.20 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $2,567,000 to all shareholders of record as of November 15, 2002.

Exercise of stock options

     During the six-months ended April 30, 2003, 95,000 stock options were exercised for proceeds totaling $475,000.

Advances to avocado supplier

     As of April 30, 2003, we had advanced a supplier, consistent with prior year practices, $1,800,000 in connection with the procurement of avocados during periods spanning our 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.

     Through June 9, 2003, we advanced to suppliers an additional $625,000 in connection with the procurement of avocados during periods spanning our 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.

Purchase Commitments

     On May 14, 2003, we entered into a short-term commitment to purchase approximately 1.3 million pounds of processed avocado products from a supplier for a cost of approximately $1.5 million.

Extension of Credit Facility

     On May 23, 2003, we extended our $3 million credit facility with a bank through October 31, 2003 with no changes to any other terms. The facility was scheduled to expire on July 31, 2003.

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

6.    Processed product segment restructuring

     On February 17, 2003, our Board of Directors approved a plan whereby the operations of our processed products business would be relocated. The plan calls 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 in a time- frame of approximately six to nine months from April 30, 2003. We believe that this restructuring will provide cost savings in the elimination of certain transportation costs, duplicative overhead structures, and savings in the overall cost of labor and services.

     Through April 30, 2003, we have incurred costs related to this restructuring approximating $371,000. Our income statements for the three and six months ended April 30, 2003, include $173,000 as cost of sales, $98,000 as special charges, and $100,000 as selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs are comprised of the following components as of and for the three months ended April 30, 2003:

                                 
                            Reserves
    Special   Amounts   Non-cash   remaining
(in thousands)   charges   paid   Charges   to be utilized
   
 
 
 
Employee separation costs
  $ 71     $ (71 )   $     $  
Write-down of fixed assets (net book value of $42)
    27             (27 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total special charges
    98       (71 )     (27 )      
Selling, general and administrative – freight
    100                   100  
Cost of sales - facility operating costs
    173       (153 )     (20 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 371     $ (224 )   $ (47 )   $ 100  
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Special charges recorded through April 30, 2003 consist entirely of employee separation costs and write-downs of fixed assets. All employee separation costs were paid in cash during the three months ended April 30, 2003 and represent final payments to 26 production and 4 managerial employees formerly working at our Santa Paula, California processing facility. We expect to pay additional employee separation costs in connection with our planned future closure of our Mexicali, Baja California Norte production facility which will be recognized when incurred. Those costs have not yet been quantified and are expected to be accrued for and paid prior to December 31, 2003. Costs related to the write-down of fixed assets, held for disposition or sale, represent a non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of production assets located at our Santa Paula, California processed facility to their net realizable value (anticipated sales price less cost of disposition). As of April 30, 2003, we have not accrued for any charges relating to the write-down of production assets being held at our Mexicali, Baja California Norte production facility as it is anticipated that all such assets will be recommissioned at our new facility in Uruapan, Michoacan or their carrying value is less than their net realizable value.

     Additional restructuring related expenses and special charges are expected to be incurred throughout the remainder of fiscal 2003, but such amounts are not yet determinable.

7.    Stock-based compensation

     As permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”), the Company accounts for stock-based compensation under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations. Under APB 25, the Company has recognized no compensation expense with respect to stock option awards. Had compensation cost for stock option awards been determined based on the fair value of each award at its grant date, consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s pro forma net income from operations would have been $1,297,000 and pro forma net income per share would have been $0.12 for the six month period ended April 30, 2002. Net income and net income per share for all other periods would have remained unchanged.

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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, 2002 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

     On January 2, 2003, we paid a $0.20 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $2,567,000 to all shareholders of record as of November 15, 2002.

Exercise of stock options

     During the quarter ended January 31, 2003, 95,000 stock options were exercised, totaling $475,000.

Processed products restructuring

     On February 17, 2003, our Board of Directors approved a plan whereby the operations of our processed products business would be relocated. The plan calls 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 in a time- frame of approximately six to nine months from April 30, 2003. We believe that this restructuring will provide cost savings in the elimination of certain transportation costs, duplicative overhead structures, and savings in the overall cost of labor and services.

     Through April 30, 2003, we have incurred costs related to this restructuring approximating $371,000. Our income statements for the three and six months ended April 30, 2003, include $173,000 as cost of sales, $98,000 as special charges, and $100,000 as selling, general and administrative expenses. These costs are comprised of the following components as of and for the three months ended April 30, 2003:

                                 
                            Reserves
    Special   Amounts   Non-cash   available to
(in thousands)   charges   paid   Charges   be utilized
   
 
 
 
Employee separation costs
  $ 71     $ (71 )   $     $  
Write-down of fixed assets (net book value of $42)
    27             (27 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
Total special charges
    98       (71 )     (27 )      
Selling, general and administrative - freight
    100                   100  
Cost of sales - facility operating costs
    173       (153 )     (20 )      
 
   
     
     
     
 
 
  $ 371     $ (224 )   $ (47 )   $ 100  
 
   
     
     
     
 

     Special charges recorded through April 30, 2003 consist entirely of employee separation costs and write-downs of fixed assets. All employee separation costs were paid in cash during the three months ended April 30, 2003 and represent final payments to 26 production and 4 managerial employees formerly working at our Santa Paula, California processing facility. We expect to pay additional employee separation costs in connection with our planned future closure of our Mexicali, Baja California Norte production facility which will be recognized when incurred. Those costs have not yet been quantified and are expected to be accrued for and paid prior to December 31, 2003. Costs related to the write-down of fixed assets, held for disposition or sale, represent a non-cash charge to reduce the carrying value of production assets located at our Santa Paula, California processed facility to their net realizable value (anticipated sales price less cost of disposition). As of April 30, 2003, we have not accrued for any charges relating to the write-down of production assets being held at our Mexicali, Baja California Norte production

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facility as it is anticipated that all such assets will be recommissioned at our new facility in Uruapan, Michoacan or their carrying value is less than their net realizable value.

     Additional restructuring related expenses and special charges are expected to be incurred throughout the remainder of fiscal 2003, but such amounts are not yet determinable.

Advances to avocado supplier

     As of April 30, 2003, we had advanced a supplier $1,800,000 in connection with the procurement of avocados during periods spanning our 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.

     Through June 9, 2003, we advanced to suppliers an additional $625,000 in connection with the procurement of avocados during periods spanning our 2003 and 2004 fiscal years.

Purchase Commitments

     On May 14, 2003, we entered into a short-term commitment to purchase approximately 1.3 million pounds of processed avocado products from a supplier for a cost of approximately $1.5 million.

Extension of Credit Facility

     On May 23, 2003, we extended our $3 million credit facility with a bank through October 31, 2003. The facility was scheduled to expire on July 31, 2003.

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Net Sales

     The following table summarizes our net sales by business segment for each of the three and six month periods ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively:

                                                     
        Three months ended April 30,   Six months ended April 30,
       
 
(in thousands)   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change   2002

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales:
                                               
 
California avocados
  $ 34,962       (3.7 )%   $ 36,297     $ 47,147       (11.8 )%   $ 53,480  
 
International avocados and perishable food products
    17,891       11.2 %     16,084       46,180       13.3 %     40,744  
 
Processed products
    7,509       (7.3 )%     8,097       14,063       (7.8 )%     15,257  
 
Eliminations
    (2,969 )             (4,334 )     (5,768 )             (7,614 )
 
   
             
     
             
 
   
Total net sales
  $ 57,393       2.2 %   $ 56,144     $ 101,622       (0.2 )%   $ 101,867  
 
   
             
     
             
 
As a percentage of net sales:
                                               
 
California avocados
    60.9 %             64.6 %     46.4 %             52.5 %
 
International avocados and perishable food products
    27.6 %             24.9 %     41.7 %             36.2 %
 
Processed products
    11.5 %             10.5 %     11.9 %             11.3 %
 
   
             
     
             
 
 
    100.0 %             100.0 %     100.0 %             100.0 %
 
   
             
     
             
 

     Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 compared to fiscal 2002 increased by $1.2 million, or 2.2%; whereas net sales for the six months ended April 30, 2003 compared to fiscal 2002 decreased by $0.2 million, or 0.2%. Consistent with the historical cyclicality of the California avocado harvest season, our California avocado business generated 60.9% of our consolidated net sales for the second quarter as compared to 64.6% for the same prior year period. For the six month period, the net sales growth reflects an increasing percentage of our business being generated from our International avocados and perishable food products segment. Net sales generated by our International avocados and perishable food products business depend principally on the availability of Chilean and Mexican grown avocados in the U.S. markets. As both Mexican and Chilean grown avocados are generally available during the first six months of our fiscal year and to a lesser degree during our fourth fiscal quarter, we expect significantly lower sales from our International avocado and perishable food products business during the third fiscal quarter. Net sales generated by our Processed products business are not subject to the seasonal effect experienced by our other operating segments. We anticipate that sales generated from our California avocados and International avocados and perishable food products segments will continue to represent the majority of total net sales and the percentage of total net sales generated from these segments may increase in the future.

     Net sales by segment include intercompany sales of avocados from our Uruapan packinghouse to our Mexicali processing plant, as well as value-added services billed by our Mexicali processing plant to our Santa Paula processing plant in processing fresh avocados into avocado pulp. All intercompany sales are eliminated in our consolidated results of operations.

California Avocados

     Net sales delivered by the business decreased by approximately $1.3 million or 3.7% for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002. The decrease in sales reflects a significant decrease in avocados delivered by our growers, partially offset by an improvement in the average selling prices. During the second fiscal quarter of 2003, our growers delivered 21.6%, or 9.7 million, fewer pounds of avocados as compared to the same prior year period. This decrease in delivered pounds is attributable to an overall decrease in the anticipated crop size, a shift in the current year volume to growing areas where we do not command as significant of a market share and the accelerated harvest of avocados in the quarantined Valley Center, California growing area. This decrease in volume is also largely responsible for the decrease in our market share of first grade Hass variety avocados by approximately 3.8% to 31.7% in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, when compared to a 35.5% market share for the same prior year period.

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     Net sales delivered by the business decreased by approximately $6.3 million, or 11.8%, for the first six months of fiscal 2003 compared to the same fiscal 2002 period. For the first six months of fiscal 2003, our growers delivered 22.0%, or 14.5 million, fewer pounds of avocados as compared to the same prior year period. In addition to the reasons cited as part of the quarterly decline in pounds delivered, the results for the six month period are further affected by a reduced 2002 carry-over crop being harvested in 2003 as compared to the same prior year period. Our growers only delivered 0.3 million pounds of 2002 carry-over crop during the first 6-months of fiscal 2003 as compared to 4.0 million pounds of 2001 carry-over crop for the same prior year period. This decrease in volume is also largely responsible for the decrease in our market share of first grade Hass variety avocados by approximately 2.7%, to 33.9%, in the first six months of fiscal 2003, when compared to a 36.6% market share for the same prior year period.

     Average selling prices on a per carton basis for first grade Hass variety avocados for the second quarter and the first six months of fiscal 2003 were $4.06 and $2.96 higher when compared to the same prior year periods. We attribute some of the increase in these average selling prices to increasing demand for California grown avocados prevailing in the U.S. marketplace and a reduced volume of avocados when compared to the same prior year periods. We believe that our investments in focused marketing activities combined with promotional programs established by the California Avocado Commission have generally had a positive effect on average sales prices. 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 achieved during the second quarter of 2002.

     We anticipate that our California avocado business will experience a seasonal increase during the third fiscal quarter of 2003. In addition, we believe that the absence of imported avocados in the U.S. marketplace during the third fiscal quarter will positively impact average selling prices.

International and Perishable Food Products

     For the quarters ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, net sales include approximately $2.1 million and $2.1 million of intercompany sales between our Uruapan packinghouse and our Mexicali processing plant, which are eliminated in our consolidated financial results. For the quarter ended April 30, 2003, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002, sales to third-party customers increased by approximately $1.9 million, or 13.6%, from $13.9 million to $15.8 million.

     For the first six months of fiscal 2003 and 2002, net sales include approximately $3.8 million and $3.8 million of intercompany sales between our Uruapan packinghouse and our Mexicali processing plant, which are eliminated in our consolidated financial results. For the first six months of fiscal 2003, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002, sales to third-party customers increased by approximately $5.5 million, or 14.8% from $36.9 million to $42.4 million.

     The increased sales to third-parties by our International and perishable food products business are primarily driven by the increased sales of Chilean and Mexican grown avocados in the U.S. marketplace. The volume of fruit handled increased by 3.4 million pounds of Chilean grown avocados, or 20.8% and 4.8 million pounds of Mexican grown avocados, or 21.3%, for the first 6 months of fiscal 2003 when compared to the same prior year period.

     For the third fiscal quarter, we anticipate a cyclical decrease in sales from our international business due to the seasonality of Chilean and Mexican avocados. Sales for the third fiscal quarter will be limited to Mexican avocado exports to Japan, Canada and Europe, as well as the sale of Papayas and other perishable food products in the North American marketplace.

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Processed Products

     For the quarter ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, net sales include approximately $0.9 million and $2.2 million of intercompany sales between our Mexicali and Santa Paula processing plants, which are eliminated in our consolidated financial results. For the quarter ended April 30, 2003, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002, sales to third-party customers increased by approximately $0.7 million, or 11.7%, from $5.9 million to $6.6 million. The increase in third-party sales is attributable to both increases in volume and in sales prices. During the second fiscal quarter, we experienced an increase in pounds of product sold of approximately 252,000 pounds, or 7.8%. The average sales price increased by $0.07 per pound representing an improvement of approximately 3.9%. During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we experienced an increase in demand for our frozen processed products as one of our competitors exited from the business.

     For the first six months of fiscal 2003 and 2002, net sales include approximately $1.9 million and $3.8 million of intercompany sales between our Mexicali and Santa Paula processing plants, which are eliminated in our consolidated financial results. For the first six months of fiscal 2003, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002, sales to third-party customers increased by approximately $0.6 million or 5.5% from $11.5 million to $12.1 million. The increase in third-party sales is attributable to both increases in volume and in sales prices. During the first six months of fiscal 2003, we experienced a negligible increase in pounds of product sold of approximately 40,000 pounds. The average sales price increased by $0.09 per pound, representing an improvement of approximately 5.1%.

     Our strategy to reverse a historical decrease in sales generated by our processed business included the introduction of new products. Specifically, we have installed a new piece of equipment in our Mexicali, Mexico processing facility that subjects refrigerated processed avocado product to ultra high pressure treatment. The introduction of these refrigerated products continues to meet our sales expectations with total revenues for the first six months of 2003 approximating $869,000. We believe that the introduction of this product will, in the long-term, successfully address a growing market segment and reverse the recent decline in our sales. However, there can be no assurances that we will be successful at developing competitive products and penetrating a marketplace that is currently dominated by an established competitor.

Gross Margins

     The following table summarizes our gross margins and gross profit percentages by business segment for each of the three and six month periods ended April 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively:

                                                     
        Three months ended April 30, 2003   Six months ended April 30, 2002
       
 
(in thousands)   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change   2002

 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margins:
                                               
 
California avocados
  $ 3,679       (7.1 )%   $ 3,959     $ 4,341       (12.2 )%   $ 4,944  
 
International avocados and perishable food products
    1,753       (3.7 )%     1,821       3,558       12.5 %     3,163  
 
Processed products
    1,539       13.3 %     1,358       2,995       14.7 %     2,612  
 
   
             
     
             
 
   
Total gross margins
  $ 6,971       (2.3 )%   $ 7,138     $ 10,894       1.6 %   $ 10,719  
 
   
             
     
             
 
Gross profit percentages:
                                               
 
California avocados
    10.5 %             10.9 %     9.2 %             9.2 %
 
International avocados and perishable food products
    11.1 %             13.1 %     8.4 %             8.6 %
 
Processed products
    23.3 %             23.0 %     24.7 %             22.7 %
 
Consolidated
    12.1 %             12.7 %     10.7 %             10.5 %

     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 decreased by approximately $0.2 million or 2.3% for the second quarter of fiscal 2003 when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002. The decrease in gross margins is attributable to a shift in sales

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from California avocados to Mexican avocados during the second fiscal quarter. Furthermore, the gross profit percentages for Mexican grown avocados were adversely impacted by the implementation on January 1, 2003 of a new marketing assessment on imported Hass variety avocados. Gross margins increased by approximately $0.2 million, or 1.6%, for the first six months of fiscal 2003 when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002. This increase is principally attributable to improved profitability of our Processed products segment. This improvement in gross profits was partially offset by a decrease in the gross profit percentages delivered by our California Avocados and International avocados and perishable food products segments during the second quarter of fiscal 2003.

     Our California avocados business experienced lower gross profit percentages principally as a result of lower packing efficiencies achieved at our Santa Paula and Temecula packinghouses consistent with the decrease in volume compared to prior years. In addition, the gross profit percentages generated by our International avocados and perishable food products business were also adversely impacted as a result of the introduction of a new $0.025 per pound marketing assessment imposed on avocados imported into the United States. The additional costs of this new assessment were offset by an increase of approximately 2.6 million pounds of avocados packed at our Uruapan, Mexico packinghouse when compared to the same prior year period. This increase in volume has favorably impacted our per pound packing costs. In addition to the efficiencies achieved by our Uruapan, Mexico operations we also increased the volume of Chilean avocados handled in the first six months of 2003 by 3.4 million pounds when compared to fiscal 2002. The increased volume helped drive efficiencies, but was largely offset by reduced prices in the marketplace for Chilean avocados. The processed products gross profit percentages for the quarter ended April 30, 2003 improved primarily as a result of higher average sales prices for processed avocado products coupled with the sale of frozen processed products produced at favorable prices. We anticipate, however, that the gross profit percentage for our processed product segment will experience significantly greater fluctuations in the next six to nine months as we relocate our production from Santa Paula, California and Mexicali, Mexico to a newly acquired facility in Uruapan, Mexico.

Selling, General and Administrative

                                                 
    Three months ended April 30,   Six months ended April 30,
   
 
(in thousands)   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change   2002

 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 4,130       26.9 %   $ 3,254     $ 7,321       16.6 %   $ 6,278  
Percentage of net sales
    7.2 %             5.8 %     7.2 %             6.2 %

     Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs of marketing and advertising, sales expenses and other general and administrative costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, or 26.9% for the three months ended April 30, 2003 when compared to the same period for fiscal 2002. For the first six months ended April 30, 2003 selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million or 16.6% compared to the same period for fiscal 2002. The increased general and administrative costs relate principally to higher employee compensation expenses, additional corporate costs, and transportation costs associated with the relocation of the Processed products operations. As a percentage of net sales, selling general and administrative expenses have increased to 7.2% for the six months ended April 30, 2003, as compared to 6.2% for the same prior year period.

Other Expense (Income), net

                                                 
    Three months ended April 30,   Six months ended April 30,
   
 
(in thousands)   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change   2002

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense (income), net
  $ (206 )     42.1 %   $ (145 )   $ (321 )     109.8 %   $ (153 )
Percentage of net sales
    (0.4 )%             (0.3 )%     (0.3 )%             (0.2 )%

     Other expense (income), net includes interest income and expense generated in connection with our financing and operating activities, as well as certain other transactions that are outside of the course of normal operations.

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Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

                                                 
    Three months ended April 30,   Six months ended July 31,
   
 
(in thousands)   2003   Change   2002   2003   Change   2002

 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 1,214       (30.9 )%   $ 1,758     $ 1,561       (22.4 )%   $ 2,011  
Percentage of income before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    41.2 %             43.6 %     41.1 %             43.8 %

     For the first six months of fiscal 2003, our provision for income taxes was $1.6 million as compared to $2.0 million recorded for the comparable prior year period. We expect our effective tax rate to approximate 41.1% during fiscal 2003. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2002 reflects the impact from non-deductible costs incurred in connection with our conversion to a for-profit organization and additional provisions recorded in connection with our Mexican operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     Cash provided by operating activities was $2.5 million for the six months ended April 30, 2003, compared to $3.9 million for the similar period in fiscal 2002. Operating cash flows reflect our net income of $2.2 million, net non-cash charges (depreciation and amortization, write-off of fixed assets and provision for losses on accounts receivable) of $1.0 million and a net decrease in the noncash components of our working capital of approximately $0.7 million.

     Increases in our accounts receivable balance as of April 30, 2003 when compared to October 31, 2002, reflects a significantly higher volume of California avocado sales recorded in the month of April 2003 as compared to October 2002. Similarly, the amounts payable to our growers also reflects the increase in the volume of California avocados marketed in the month of April 2003 as compared to October 2002. These volume increases are consistent with the harvest levels experienced in previous years.

     These working capital increases include an increase in amounts payable to growers of $6.0 million, a decrease in advances to suppliers of $0.5 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets and loans to growers of $1.0 million, offset by a decrease in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.4 million, an increase in accounts receivable of $5.8 million, an increase in inventories of $0.8 million, and an increase in income tax receivable of $0.2 million.

     Cash used in investing activities was $2.1 million for the six months ended April 30, 2003 and related principally to the purchase of capital equipment.

     Cash used in financing activities was $0.5 million for the six months ended April 30, 2003 related principally to $2.6 million of cash outflows from the payment of a dividend, $0.3 million for payments on long-term obligations primarily offset by the borrowings of $1.1 million of short-term borrowings and debt, stock option exercises of $0.5 million, and collections on notes receivable of $0.9 million.

     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 April 30, 2003 and October 31, 2002, totaled $0.9 million. Our working capital at April 30, 2003 was $21.9 million compared to $18.8 million at October 31, 2002. The overall working capital increase primarily reflects increases in inventory and accounts receivable and payment of our dividend payable, partially offset by an increase in 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. Our largest line of credit, which has a borrowing capacity of $23,500,000, will not expire until February 27, 2004. While we believe that we will be able to secure a similar credit facility, there can be no assurance that financing for such growth will be available on favorable terms, or at all.

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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.

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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 1 under the caption “Certain Business Risks” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2002, 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.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short and long-term loans to growers, notes receivable from shareholders, United States government bonds with a maturity date of August 15, 2005, 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 April 30, 2003.

                                                                 
    Expected maturity date October 31,
   
(All amounts in thousands)   2003   2004   2005   2006   2007   Thereafter   Total   Fair Value

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
  $ 854     $     $     $     $     $     $ 854     $ 854  
Accounts receivable (1)
    23,687                                     23,687       23,687  
Short-term loans to growers (1)
    418                                     418       418  
Loans to growers (2)
    200             484             399             1,083       1,058  
Notes receivable from shareholders (3)
          319       266       259       4,020             4,864       4,864  
United States government bonds (4)
                2,033                         2,033       2,188  
Liabilities
                                                               
Payable to growers (1)
  $ 12,380     $     $     $     $     $     $ 12,380     $ 12,380  
Accounts payable (1)
    1,313                                     1,313       1,313  
Current borrowings pursuant to credit facilities (1)
    4,100                                     4,100       4,100  
Industrial development and revenue bond (1)
                2,800                         2,800       2,800  
Fixed-rate long-term obligations (5)
    80       75       84       8       17             264       271  

  (1)   We believe the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term loans to growers, accounts payable, payable to growers, current borrowings pursuant to credit facilities and industrial development and revenue bond approximate their fair value due to the short maturity of these financial instruments.
 
  (2)   Loans to growers bear fixed interest rates ranging from 0.0% to 10.0% with a weighted-average interest rate of 7.9%. We believe that a portfolio of loans with a similar risk profile would currently yield a return of 7.9%. We project the impact of an increase or decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in a change of fair value of approximately $33,000.
 
  (3)   Notes receivable from shareholders bear interest at 7.0%. We believe that a portfolio of loans with a similar risk profile would currently yield a return of 7.0%. We project the impact of an increase or decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in a change of fair value of approximately $220,000.
 
  (4)   Our investments in United States government bonds are being held in an irrevocable trust which has been designated to be used only to satisfy the scheduled payments of interest and principal related to our industrial development and revenue bonds. As these securities are intended to be held to maturity, their carrying value in our financial statements is $2,033,000 reflecting their amortized cost. However, the fair value of these securities as of April 30, 2003 approximates $2,188,000. We project the impact of an increase or decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in a change of fair value of approximately $61,000. We did not purchase any additional government bonds during the second quarter of fiscal 2003.
 
  (5)   Fixed-rate long-term obligations bear interest rates ranging from 3.3% to 9.9% with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.1%. We believe that loans with a similar risk profile would currently yield a return of 3.0%. We project the impact of an increase or decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in a change of fair value of approximately $6,000.

     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. Consequently, 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 ended October 31, 2002 do not exceed $0.1 million.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     Within the 90 days prior to the filing date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its Vice President — Finance and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” which are defined under Securities and Exchange Commission rules as controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and its Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

     There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

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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 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

     On April 14, 2003, we held the annual meeting of shareholders of Calavo Growers, Inc. at our corporate headquarters. At the meeting, the holders of our outstanding common stock acted on the following matters:

     (1.) The shareholders voted on a cumulative basis for ten directors, each to serve for a term of one year. Ten individuals were nominated to serve as directors. Each nominee received the following votes:

                 
    Votes   Votes
Name of Nominee   For   Withheld

 
 
Lecil E. Cole
    21,456,069       22,258  
Alva V. Snider
    6,482,380       11,420  
Michael D. Hause
    6,755,776       12,056  
Scott Van Der Kar
    6,720,372       21,075  
Donald M. Sanders
    7,373,586       10,354  
Dorcas H. McFarlane
    7,634,006       18,844  
Fred J. Ferrazzano
    8,843,909       18,591  
John M. Hunt
    9,621,218       18,739  
Roy V. Keenan
    12,193,361       63,091  
J. Link Leavens
    10,855,570       12,585  

(2.) The shareholders voted for the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche, LLP as our independent accountants for fiscal 2003. Votes cast were as follows:

         
For
    9,631,513  
Against
    8,513  
Abstain
    174,500  

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)   Exhibits:
             
      99.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.
             
      99.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002.

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K
 
    None

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

         
    Calavo Growers, Inc.
(Registrant)
         
Date: June 9, 2003   By   /s/ Lecil E. Cole
       
        Lecil E. Cole
        Chairman of the Board of Directors,
        Chief Executive Officer and President
         
Date: June 9, 2003   By   /s/ Wolfgang P. Hombrecher
       
        Wolfgang P. Hombrecher
        Vice President Finance and
        Corporate Secretary

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CERTIFICATIONS

I, Lecil E. Cole, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Calavo Growers, Inc.;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

     a)     designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

     b)     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

     c)     presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.          The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     a.     all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

     b.     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.          The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: June 9, 2003

/s/ Lecil E. Cole


Lecil E. Cole
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President

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I, Wolfgang P. Hombrecher, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Calavo Growers, Inc.;

2.          Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

     a)     designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

     b)     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this quarterly report (the “Evaluation Date”); and

     c)     presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date;

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

     a.     all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

     b.     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls; and

6.     The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Dated: June 9, 2003

/s/ Wolfgang P. Hombrecher


Wolfgang P. Hombrecher
Vice President - Finance and Corporate Secretary

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

     
Exhibit    
Number   Description

 
99.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
99.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

29

Calavo Growers, Inc., Exhibit 99.1
 

Exhibit 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. § 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Calavo Growers, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Lecil E. Cole, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

  (1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
  (2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Lecil E. Cole


Lecil E. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
June 9, 2003

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Calavo Growers, Inc., Exhibit 99.2
 

Exhibit 99.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. § 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Calavo Growers, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2003, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Wolfgang P. Hombrecher, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

  (1)   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
  (2)   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Wolfgang P. Hombrecher


Wolfgang P. Hombrecher
Chief Financial Officer
June 9, 2003

31