Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Executive Summary
Overview
We are one of the largest chicken producers in the world, and as a vertically integrated company, we are able to control every phase of the production process, which helps us manage food safety and quality, control margins and improve customer service. This gives us the opportunity to continue to create growth and development opportunities, further increasing our position as a leading domestic and global protein company. With the acquisition of the specialty meats and ready meals operations of Kerry Group plc (“Pilgrim’s Food Masters” or “PFM”), Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd. (“PPL”) and Moy Park in 2021, 2019 and 2017, respectively, we solidified ourselves as a leading European food company while diversifying our product mix with introduction into the pork market and through leading, branded protein products in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. With the acquisition of GNP in 2017, we further solidified ourselves as a leading poultry company within the U.S. See “Note 2. Business Acquisitions” of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for additional information relating to these acquisitions.
We reported net income attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation of $31.0 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share, and profit before tax totaling $92.4 million, for 2021. These operating results included gross profit of $1.4 billion and generated $326.5 million of cash from operations. We generated operating margins of 1.4% with operating margins of (0.2)%, 0.0% and 13.2% in our U.S., U.K. and Europe, and Mexico reportable segments, respectively. During 2021, we generated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of $613.0 million and $1.3 billion, respectively. A reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is included later in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this annual report.
As discussed in “Note 20. Commitments and Contingencies”, we entered into agreements during 2021 to settle all claims made by two consolidated plaintiff classes in the litigation styled In re Broiler Chicken Antitrust Litigation as well as various direct action complaints filed by individual purchaser entities (“DAPs”). The $609.8 million cost of the consolidated settlements, the DAP settlements and probable future DAP settlements are included in Selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 26, 2021. In addition, as discussed below under “Hometown Strong Initiative”, we launched an initiative during 2020 to support the communities in which we operate with unexpected challenges, such as the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, and as a result, we recorded $15.0 million and $1.0 million in donation expense related to this initiative during 2020 and 2021, respectively. Adjusted net income for the year ended December 26, 2021, which excludes items shown in the “Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income”, was $557.4 million.
We operate on the basis of a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday falling on or before December 31. Any reference we make to a particular year applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year. Fiscal 2021 and 2020 were 52-week accounting cycles.
Unsolicited Offer from JBS to Purchase Outstanding Shares of PPC Common Stock
On September 20, 2021, the Company announced that its board of directors had formed a special committee of independent directors (“Special Committee”) to review and evaluate the previously announced unsolicited proposal received on August 12, 2021 from JBS to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of PPC that JBS does not currently own. On February 4, 2022, the Special Committee provided an update to the full board of directors on the status of the discussions with JBS. After thorough review of the proposal from JBS in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, on October 29, 2021, the Special Committee informed JBS that it would not support the JBS proposal unless JBS significantly increased its purchase price. On November 15, 2021, JBS offered to increase its purchase price from $26.50 per share to $28.50 per share. The Special Committee, in consultation with its financial and legal advisors, determined that the revised proposal from JBS does not appropriately value the shares of PPC owned by shareholders other than JBS, and again informed JBS that the Special Committee would not support the JBS proposal unless JBS significantly increased its purchase price. On January 12, 2022, JBS informed the Special Committee that it is continuing to evaluate the Special Committee’s response to the JBS proposal and is considering whether to further revise the terms of its proposal. On February 17, 2022, JBS withdrew its proposal to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of PPC not owned by JBS or its subsidiaries.
Pilgrim’s Food Masters Acquisition
On September 24, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the equity of the specialty meats and ready meals businesses of Kerry Group plc for £695.3 million, or $954.1 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The acquisition was funded with the Company's recent senior notes offering and borrowings under the credit facility. The operations have since been renamed to Pilgrim’s Food Masters.
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The specialty meats business is a leading manufacturer of branded and private label meats, meat snacks and food-to-go products in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. The ready meals business is a leading ethnic chilled and frozen ready meals business in the U.K. The combined businesses produced over £725 million in annual sales during the year ended December 31, 2020 and have more than 4,000 team members.
The results of operations of the acquired business since September 24, 2021 are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Net sales and net income generated by the acquired business during 2021 totaled $293.6 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
The acquisition solidifies Pilgrim's as a leading European food company. The acquired operations are included in the Company's U.K. and Europe reportable segment.
U.K. Economic Conditions
During the second half of 2021, we experienced significant challenges in the U.K. economic environment. We were confronted with severe labor shortages as European Union workers returned to their home countries following Brexit, affecting our ability to process, pack and transport products. In addition, we also faced significant cost pressure from feed ingredients - specifically oils and micronutrients - and increased costs for utilities, logistics, chemicals, labor and packaging. Our U.K. pork operations also had to overcome low hog prices resulting from an oversupply in Europe. Although chicken and pork sales were stable or at increased levels, these sales were generated at significantly reduced margins.
We have responded to these challenges by opening negotiations with customers to recoup extraordinary costs we have experienced. We also continue to focus on operational initiatives that aim to deliver labor efficiencies, better agricultural performance and improved yields.
Impact of COVID-19
The extensive impact of the pandemic caused by COVID-19 has resulted and will likely continue to result in disruptions to the global economy, as well as businesses and capital markets around the world. In an effort to halt the outbreak of COVID-19, a number of countries, states, counties and other jurisdictions imposed various measures, including but not limited to, voluntary and mandatory quarantines, stay-at-home orders, travel restrictions, limitations on gatherings of people, reduced operations and extended closures of businesses.
As the global spread of the virus began to accelerate late in March 2020, we began to experience adverse impacts to our business and financial results. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic included disruptions in supply chain, an increase in both broiler and chick costs and an increase in payroll and benefits costs. As the various mitigation efforts implemented across the globe began to take effect, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our financial results generally decreased because of increased demand for our products at retail grocery stores and quick service restaurants and our ability to meet this demand through our transitioned business operations, as further discussed below. In 2021, we experienced intermittent impacts as noted above associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that we will continue to experience intermittent disruptions to our business due to the COVID-19 pandemic into 2022.
The impact of COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread have affected and continue to affect our business in a number of ways.
•Our workforce. Employee health and safety is our priority. As an essential business in a critical infrastructure industry, we continue to produce chicken and pork products, while coordinating with and implementing guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and local and regional Departments of Health in an effort to keep our employees safe and healthy. Measures we implemented during the height of the pandemic include, but are not limited to: increasing physical distancing of our employees, where possible, by staggering start and shift breaks, placing on-site tents to create more space for employees at break and at meal times, and installing physical barriers to distance employees while working on production lines; adding temperature and symptom screening stations for employees prior to entering our facilities; increasing personal hygiene practices and providing our employees additional personal protective equipment and sanitation stations; and increasing sanitation of our facilities. In the U.S., we provided appreciation bonuses to eligible employees in April and May of 2020 and expanded certain sick leave policies to provide more flexibility. In addition, we implemented global travel restrictions and work-from-home policies for employees who have the ability to work remotely. Finally, as COVID-19 vaccinations became more readily available in the first quarter of 2021, we strongly encouraged our employees to become vaccinated through sponsored vaccination clinics at our facilities and monetary bonuses to our employees once they completed the recommended vaccination regimen. We have continued to support our employees and their family members to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
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•Our operations. All of our production facilities continued to operate, although some facilities reduced production levels and outputs due to increased health and safety measures, employee absenteeism, and as a consequence of the decline in demand by restaurants and other foodservice businesses. To date, we have not experienced a material impact from a plant closure and our facilities have largely been exempt from government closure orders.
•Demand for our products. In early 2021, COVID-19 continued to affect demand for our products. In our U.S. and Mexico businesses, demand for parts and whole-birds (typically bound for restaurants) and prepared foods (distributed, in part, to schools) declined, while our U.K. and Europe business, which is more retail focused, has generally seen less of an impact. In an effort to counter the adverse effects of COVID-19, we have transitioned, where commercially reasonable and possible to do so, our business operations to be in the best position to supply COVID-19 market demands. Those efforts included transferring live supply to case ready, shifting production form and mix from foodservice to retail, increasing capacity utilization of retail packaging equipment, and analyzing export positions. However, as global vaccination levels increased and governmental restrictions eased, we noted the trend towards pre-pandemic levels of demand at retail grocery stores and restaurants.
•Liquidity.Our liquidity position is strong and we took additional measures in 2020 to increase liquidity to prepare for the challenging environment.
•Foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. During the year ended December 26, 2021, we experienced increased volatility in foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, in part related to the uncertainty from COVID-19, as well as actions taken by governments and central banks in response to COVID-19.
•CARES Act. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the CARES Act, which included modifications to the limitation on business interest expense and net operating loss provisions, and provided a payment delay of employer payroll taxes during 2020 after the date of enactment. We delayed the payment of $52 million in employer payroll taxes otherwise due in 2020. The first 50% was paid on December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% is due and payable by December 31, 2022.
Raw Materials
Our profitability is materially affected by the commodity prices of feed ingredients and chicken. Our U.S. and Mexico reportable segments use corn and soybean meal as the main ingredients for feed production, while our U.K. and Europe reportable segment uses wheat, soybean meal and barley as the main ingredients for feed production.
During 2021, chicken prices were higher than average for most of the year. The jumbo cutout entered the first quarter slightly above the five-year average before increasing to new five-year highs and remained above the historical range through the end of the year. During the first quarter of 2021, chicken production paced at a level below that of the first quarter of 2020 as fewer egg sets and reduced hatchability rates contributed to fewer chickens processed. The year-over-year decline in production was paired with robust demand for chicken at retail, as well as the continued improvement of foodservice demand for chicken. As a result, chicken supply did not pace with improved demand, resulting in continued cold storage stock draw downs and increased market prices. From the second quarter of 2021 through the year ended December 26, 2021, broiler production posted year-over-year gains from both increased headcounts and average liveweights. Sustained demand for retail chicken products and the continued improvements in foodservice demand pressured available supplies despite the production gains. As a result, chicken prices remained well supported throughout the year, even displayed counter-seasonal increases in mid-third quarter and late fourth quarter, leading to new five-year highs.
While chicken prices have remained well supported in 2021, pricing throughout 2022 will be influenced by the development of both retail and foodservice demand in light of factors such as consumer and governmental responses to the spread of COVID-19 variants, uncertainty surrounding the general economy and protein supply due to labor availability and chicken hatchability.
Sustainability
We believe sustainability involves continuously improving social responsibility, economic viability and environmental stewardship. We are committed to helping society meet the global challenge of feeding a growing population in a responsible matter.
Environmental Stewardship. We were the first major meat and poultry company in the world to set a net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2040, demonstrating our leadership and dedication to improving the efficiency of our operations and supporting producers to reduce our environmental footprint. In support of this initiative, in April 2021, we
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issued $1.0 billion of sustainability-linked bonds, which require us to reduce our global greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 30% by 2030. We are ahead of our targeted reductions as we close out 2021.
Social Responsibility. Safety of our team members is a condition at Pilgrim’s. The health of our workforce was our top priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and we implemented hundreds of safety measures within our facilities, constantly evolving our operations as needed. To support the communities where our team members live and work, we invested more than $20 million in local projects focused on alleviating food insecurity, strengthening long-term community infrastructure and well-being and aiding COVID-19 emergency response and relief efforts through our Hometown Strong initiative. Finally, ensuring the well-being of animals under our care is an uncompromising commitment at Pilgrims. We continually strive to improve our welfare efforts through the use of new technologies and the implementation of standards that meet and exceed regulatory requirements and industry guidelines.
Hometown Strong Initiative
The Hometown Strong initiative was developed in order to help the communities in which we operate respond to the unexpected challenges on society, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe the Hometown Strong initiative will provide consequential investment projects for a lasting impact on these communities and help them prepare for unanticipated challenges and build for the future. We recognized $15.0 million and $1.0 million of donations expense related to this initiative during 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Potential Impact of Tariffs, Labor Shortages and Freight Costs
We continue to monitor recent trade and tariff activity and its potential impact to exports and inputs costs across our reportable segments. Currently, we are experiencing impacts to domestic and export prices of chicken resulting from uncertainty in trade policies, increased tariffs, labor shortages and increased freight costs. With the implementation of the EU-U.K Trade and Cooperation Agreement, there is uncertainty regarding the processing of imports and administration costs that will follow. This could lead to potential new tariffs and regulations from both the European Union and the U.K. We are unable to give any assurance as to the scope, duration, or impact of any changes in trade policies or tariffs, how successful any mitigation efforts will be, or the extent to which mitigation will be necessary, and accordingly, changes in trade policies and increased tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Also, continued congestion at ports and other transportation challenges could adversely affect our U.S. export business.
Reportable Segments
We operate in three reportable segments: the U.S., the U.K. and Europe, and Mexico. We measure segment profit as operating income. Corporate expenses are allocated to the Mexico and U.K. and Europe reportable segments based upon various apportionment methods for specific expenditures incurred related thereto with the remaining amounts allocated to the U.S. For additional information, see “Note 19. Reportable Segments” of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.
Results of Operations
2021 Compared to 2020
Net sales. Net sales for 2021 increased $2.7 billion, or 22.2%, from $12.1 billion generated in 2020 to $14.8 billion generated in 2021. The following table provides additional information regarding net sales:
Sources of net sales 2021 Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
U.S. Reportable Segment. U.S. net sales generated in 2021 increased $1.6 billion, or 21.6%, from U.S. net sales generated in 2020 primarily because of an increase in net sales per pound, contributing $1.7 billion, or 22.1 percentage points, to the increase in net sales. Unit sales prices have increased in the fourth quarter of 2021 as we attempted to recover the increased costs, primarily for feed ingredients, energy, transportation and packaging materials, that we have incurred in growing and processing chicken. This increase in net sales per pound was partially offset by $40.2 million, or 0.5 percentage points, due to a decrease in sales volume.
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U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. U.K. and Europe sales generated in 2021 increased $659.8 million, or 20.2%, from U.K. and Europe sales generated in 2020, primarily because of the recently acquired PFM operations, as well as an increase in net sales by our existing U.K. and Europe operations. The impact of the acquired business contributed $293.6 million, or 9.0 percentage points, to the increase in net sales. The increase in our existing U.K. and Europe operations was driven by an increase due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation, an increase in sales volume and an increase in net sales per pound, contributing $248.8 million, or 7.6 percentage points, $111.7 million, or 3.4 percentage points, and $5.7 million, or 0.2 percentage points, respectively, to the increase in net sales. The increase in sales volume was primarily driven by increased sales in foodservice. The increase in net sales per pound was primarily driven by increased feed costs.
Mexico Reportable Segment. Mexico sales generated in 2021 increased $407.9 million, or 30.9%, from Mexico sales generated in 2020 primarily because of an increase in net sales per pound and the favorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume. The increase in net sales per pound and the impact of the favorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement contributed $337.3 million, or 25.6 percentage points, and $99.3 million, or 7.5 percentage points, to the increase in net sales. Partially offsetting these increases in net sales by $28.7 million, or 2.2 percentage points, was a decrease in sales volume.
Gross profit. Gross profit increased by $527.6 million, or 62.9%, from $0.8 billion generated in 2020 to $1.4 billion generated in 2021. The following tables provide gross profit information:
Change from 2020 Percent of Net Sales
(In thousands, except percent data)
Sources of gross profit 2021 Change from 2020
Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
Sources of cost of sales 2021 Change from 2020
Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
(a)Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of our company and our majority owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
U.S. Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by our U.S. operations in 2021 increased $1.2 billion, or 17.0%, from cost of sales incurred by our U.S. operations in 2020. Cost of sales increased primarily because of increased cost per pound sold of $1.2 billion, or 17.5 percentage points, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume of $37.5 million, or 0.5 percentage points. Included in the increase in cost per pound sold and increased sales volume was an $870.2 million increase in live input costs, a $158.7 million increase in prepared foods purchases, a $90.5 million increase in payroll costs, a $45.0 million increase in outside service costs primarily from increased outside processing labor, a $24.8 million increase in depreciation charges and an $18.9 million increase in freight charges. Included in the $870.2 million increase in live input costs were a $746.5 million increase in feed costs, $73.5 million increase in chick costs, and a $35.0 million increase in contract grower costs. Other factors affecting U.S. cost of sales were individually immaterial.
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U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2021 increased $713.9 million, or 23.4%, from cost of sales incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2020 primarily because of costs incurred by the acquired PFM operations and from increases in cost of sales incurred by our existing U.K. and Europe operations. Cost of sales related to the existing U.K. and Europe operations increased due to an increase in sales volume, an increase in cost per pound sold and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation and the impact of the acquired businesses of $323.5 million, or 10.6 percentage points, $100.5 million, or 3.3 percentage points, and $289.9 million, or 9.5 percentage points, respectively. Other factors affecting cost of sales were individually immaterial.
Mexico Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during 2021 increased $251.2 million, or 20.9%, from cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during 2020 primarily because of an increase in cost per pound sold and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement of $193.8 million, or 16.2 percentage points, and $83.5 million, or 6.9 percentage points, respectively. Partially offsetting these increases in cost of sales was a decrease of $26.1 million, or 2.2 percentage points in sales volume. Other factors affecting cost of sales were individually immaterial.
Operating income. Operating income decreased $34.3 million, or 14.0%, from $245.5 million generated for 2020 to $211.2 million generated for 2021. The following tables provide operating income information:
Change from 2020 Percent of Net Sales
(In thousands, except percent data)
Sources of operating income 2021 Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
Sources of SG&A expenses 2021 Change from 2020
Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
U.S. Reportable Segment. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense incurred by the U.S. operations during 2021 increased $511.9 million, or 118.7%, from SG&A expense incurred by the U.S. operations during 2020 primarily from an increase of $470.7 million in litigation settlements and a $24.0 million increase in professional fees mainly due to increased legal representation services. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.
U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. SG&A expense incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2021 increased $43.6 million, or 37.7%, from SG&A expense incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2020 primarily because of expenses incurred by the acquired PFM operations and an increase in SG&A expense incurred from our existing U.K. and Europe operations. The increase in SG&A expense in our existing U.K. and Europe was mainly due to transactions costs related to the acquisition of PFM and an increase in contract labor services. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.
Mexico Reportable Segment. SG&A expense incurred by the Mexico operations during 2021 increased $0.8 million, or 1.7%, from SG&A expense incurred by the Mexico operations during 2020. Factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.
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Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense increased 15.6% to $145.8 million in 2021 from $126.1 million in 2020, primarily from a loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a component of interest expense of $24.7 million. As a percent of net sales, interest expense in 2021 and 2020 was 1.0% and 1.0%, respectively.
Income taxes. Our consolidated income tax expense in 2021 was $61.1 million, compared to income tax expense of $66.8 million in 2020. The decrease in income tax expense in 2021 resulted from a decrease in pre-tax income during 2021, partially offset by the recognition of a $6.5 million reserve recognized against certain U.K. interest deductions and the recognition of deferred tax expense of $32.0 million related to the enactment of the U.K. tax rate changed to 25% effective April 1, 2023.
2020 Compared to 2019
Net sales. Net sales for 2020 increased $682.7 million, or 6.0%, from $11.4 billion generated in 2019 to $12.1 billion generated in 2020. The following table provides additional information regarding net sales:
Sources of net sales 2020 Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
U.S. Reportable Segment. U.S. net sales generated in 2020 decreased $140.7 million, or 1.8%, from U.S. net sales generated in 2019 primarily because of a decrease in net sales per pound, contributing $188.2 million, or 2.4 percentage points, to the decrease in net sales. This decrease in net sales per pound was partially offset by $47.5 million, or 0.6 percentage points, due to an increase in sales volume.
U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. U.K. and Europe sales generated in 2020 increased $890.5 million, or 37.4%, from U.K. and Europe sales generated in 2019, primarily because of the recently acquired PPL operations, partially offset by a decrease in net sales by our existing U.K. and Europe operations. The impact of the acquired business contributed $1.1 billion, or 44.3 percentage points, to the increase in net sales. The decrease in our existing U.K. and Europe operations was driven by a decrease in sales volume and a decrease in net sales per pound, contributing $159.6 million, or 6.7 percentage points, and $14.5 million, or 0.6 percentage points, respectively, to the decrease in net sales. These decreases in sales volume and net sales per pound were partially offset by $8.0 million, or 0.4 percentage points, due to the favorable impact of foreign currency translation.
Mexico Reportable Segment. Mexico sales generated in 2020 decreased $67.1 million, or 4.8%, from Mexico sales generated in 2019 primarily because of the unfavorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement and a decrease in sales volume, partially offset by an increase in net sales per pound. The impact of the unfavorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement and decreased sales volume contributed $154.9 million, or 11.1 percentage points, and $22.1 million, or 1.6 percentage points, to the decrease in net sales. Partially offsetting these decreases in net sales by $109.9 million, or 7.9 percentage points, was an increase in net sales per pound.
Gross profit. Gross profit decreased by $232.2 million, or 21.7%, from $1.1 billion generated in 2019 to $838.2 million generated in 2020. The following tables provide gross profit information:
Change from 2019 Percent of Net Sales
(In thousands, except percent data)
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Sources of gross profit 2020 Change from 2019
Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
Sources of cost of sales 2020 Change from 2019
Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
(a)Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of our company and our majority owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
U.S. Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by our U.S. operations in 2020 increased $92.3 million, or 1.3%, from cost of sales incurred by our U.S. operations in 2019. Cost of sales increased primarily because of increased cost per pound sold and increased poultry sales volume of $49.3 million, or 0.7 percentage points, and $43.0 million, or 0.6 percentage points, respectively. Included in the increase in cost per pound sold and increased sales volume was a $43.4 million increase in live input costs, a $34.6 million increase in benefits costs mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an $18.0 million increase in depreciation costs, a $16.9 million increase in payroll costs due to higher pay rates, a $15.8 million increase in outside service costs from increased outside processing labor and a $15.6 million increase in insurance costs, mainly from higher workers’ compensation costs. Partially offsetting these increases in cost per pound sold and increased sales volume was a decrease in derivative expense of $59.9 million resulting from higher realized losses on commodity derivatives in 2019. Other factors affecting U.S. cost of sales were individually immaterial.
U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2020 increased $843.9 million, or 38.2%, from cost of sales incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2019 primarily because of costs incurred by the acquired PPL operations, partially offset by decreases in cost of sales incurred by our existing U.K. and Europe operations. Cost of sales incurred by the acquired PPL operations contributed $1.0 billion, or 45.9 percentage points, to the increase in cost of sales. Cost of sales related to the existing U.K. and Europe operations decreased $169.7 million, or 7.7 percentage points, due to a decrease in poultry sales volume and a decrease in cost per pound sold of $147.1 million and $29.9 million, respectively. These decreases in cost of sales were partially offset by the $7.3 million unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. The decrease in cost per pound sold is due to the adjusted product mix from foodservice to retail due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other factors affecting cost of sales were individually immaterial.
Mexico Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during 2020 decreased $21.0 million, or 1.7%, from cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during 2019 primarily because of the favorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement and decreased poultry sales volume of $141.0 million, or 11.5 percentage points, and $19.4 million, or 1.6 percentage points, respectively. Partially offsetting these decreases in cost of sales was an increase of $139.4 million, or 11.4 percentage points in cost per pound sold. Included in the decreased poultry sales volume and increased cost per pound sold was a $73.7 million increase in poultry input costs due to increased grain and ingredient costs. Other factors affecting cost of sales were individually immaterial.
Operating income. Operating income decreased $445.1 million, or 64.5%, from $690.6 million generated for 2019 to $245.5 million generated for 2020. The following tables provide operating income information:
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Change from 2019 Percent of Net Sales
(In thousands, except percent data)
Administrative restructuring activities 123 207 (246.4) % — % — %
Sources of operating income 2020 Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
Sources of SG&A expenses 2020 Change from 2019
Amount Percent
(In thousands, except percent data)
U.S. Reportable Segment. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense incurred by the U.S. operations during 2020 increased $184.8 million, or 75.0%, from SG&A expense incurred by the U.S. operations during 2019 primarily from the $110.5 million DOJ agreement, the $75.0 million Direct Purchaser Plaintiff Class settlement, $15.0 million in incremental donations expense related to the Hometown Strong initiative and a $25.6 million increase in professional fees mainly due to increased legal representation services. These increases in SG&A expense were partially offset by a $20.0 million decrease in payroll and benefit costs due to decreased incentive and stock-based compensation. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.
U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. SG&A expense incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2020 increased $22.9 million, or 24.7%, from SG&A expense incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2019 primarily because of expenses incurred by the acquired PPL operations of $25.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in SG&A expense incurred from our existing U.K. and Europe operations of $2.8 million. The decrease in SG&A expense in our existing U.K. and Europe was mainly due to a $2.1 million decrease in travel and entertainment expense due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a $2.0 million decrease in legal and other professional fees expense. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.
Mexico Reportable Segment. SG&A expense incurred by the Mexico operations during 2020 increased $5.0 million, or 12.2%, from SG&A expense incurred by the Mexico operations during 2019 primarily because of a $2.4 million increase in employee relations expenses and a $1.5 million increase in professional fees expense. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.
Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense decreased 4.9% to $126.1 million in 2020 from $132.6 million in 2019, primarily because of a decrease in weighted average interest rates to 4.7% in 2020 from 5.3% in 2019. As a percent of net sales, interest expense in 2020 and 2019 was 1.0% and 1.2%, respectively.
Income taxes. Our consolidated income tax expense in 2020 was $66.8 million, compared to income tax expense of $161.0 million in 2019. The decrease in income tax expense in 2020 resulted from a decrease in pre-tax income during 2020.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash generated from operations, funds from borrowings, and existing cash on hand. The following table presents our available sources of liquidity as of December 26, 2021:
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Sources of Liquidity(a) FacilityAmount AmountOutstanding Available
(In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents $ — $ — $ 450.1
Borrowing arrangements:
U.S. Credit Facility(a)
Mexico Credit Facility(b) 72.8 — 72.8
U.K. and Europe Credit Facilities(c) 134.1 — 134.1
(a)Availability under the U.S. Credit Facility is also reduced by our outstanding standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit outstanding at December 26, 2021 totaled $36.1 million.
(b)As of December 26, 2021, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the amount available under the Mexican Credit Facility was $72.8 million ($1.5 billion Mexican pesos).
(c)As of December 26, 2021, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the amount available under the U.K. and Europe Credit Facilities are $134.1 million (£100.0 million).
On February 8, 2022, we borrowed the remaining $193.7 million of the delayed draw commitment on the term loan under the U.S. Credit Facility.
In July 2021, one of our Mexican subsidiaries received an observation letter from the Mexican Tax Authority (the “MTA”) asserting a withholding tax liability due in connection with our 2015 acquisition of Provemex Holding LLC and its subsidiaries. Although we do not expect any claims or assessments set forth in the observation letter to result in future cash outlays, we are currently evaluating the claims and assessments as set forth in the observation letter. We responded to the observation letter in August 2021 and in November 2021, we received notice that the MTA ratified their assertions contained in the observation letter without acknowledging our arguments. The MTA now has six months to issue a formal assessment, at which time we plan to file an administrative appeal against any formal assessment received.
Year Ended
Cash Flows from Operating Activities December 26, 2021 December 27, 2020
(In millions)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts and other receivables (259.4) 29.1
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (53.8) (50.3)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 359.6 295.3
Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations (18.5) (7.9)
Other operating assets and liabilities (5.8) 6.6
Cash provided by operating activities $ 326.5 $ 724.2
Net Noncash Expenses
Items necessary to reconcile from net income to cash flow provided by operating activities included net noncash expenses of $335.8 million for the year ended December 26, 2021. Net noncash expense items included $380.8 million of depreciation and amortization, a $24.7 million loss on early extinguishment of debt, $11.7 million of stock-based compensation expense and loan cost amortization of $5.1 million. Partially offsetting the net noncash expenses was $86.4 million of deferred income tax benefit and a $1.5 million gain on property disposals. Other items affecting net noncash expenses were individually immaterial.
Items necessary to reconcile from net income to cash flow provided by operating activities included net noncash expenses of $369.7 million for the year ended December 27, 2020. Net noncash expense items included $337.1 million of depreciation and amortization, $37.3 million of deferred income tax expense, loan cost amortization of $4.8 million, and a $3.7 million negative adjustment to a previously recognized gain on bargain purchase from the PPL acquisition. Partially offsetting
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the net noncash expenses was a $13.8 million gain on property disposals. Other items affecting net noncash expenses were individually immaterial.
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accounts payable to related parties, represented a $359.6 million source of cash in 2021. This change resulted primarily from the timing of payments as well as increased prices for feed and grain, transportation costs and packaging materials. Accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accounts payable to related parties, represented a $295.3 million source of cash in 2020. This change resulted primarily from the accrual of the $110.5 million DOJ agreement, the accrual of the $75.0 million Direct Purchaser Plaintiff Class settlement and the timing of payments.
The change in inventories represented a $177.9 million use of cash in 2021. The change in cash resulted from an increase in our raw materials and work-in-process inventory. The change in inventories represented a $26.0 million source of cash in 2020. The change in cash resulted from a decrease in our finished products inventory.
The change in trade accounts and other receivables, including accounts receivable from related parties, represented a $259.4 million use of cash in 2021. The change in cash is primarily due to the timing of customer payments. The change in trade accounts and other receivables, including accounts receivable from related parties, represented a $29.1 million use of cash in 2020. The change in cash is primarily due to the timing of customer payments and receipt of insurance claims.
The change inprepaid expenses and other current assets represented a $53.8 million use of cash in 2021. This change resulted primarily from a net increase in value-added tax receivables and prepaid property insurance. The change in prepaid expenses and other current assets represented a $50.3 million use of cash in 2020. This change resulted primarily from a net increase in both commodity derivatives and value-added tax receivables.
The change in income taxes, which includes income taxes receivables, income taxes payable, deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, reserves for uncertain tax positions and the tax components within accumulated other comprehensive loss, represented a $115.2 million source of cash in 2021. This change resulted primarily from the timing of estimated tax payments. The change in income taxes, which includes income taxes receivables, income taxes payable, deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, reserves for uncertain tax positions and the tax components within accumulated other comprehensive loss, represented a $39.4 million use of cash in 2020. This change resulted primarily from the timing of estimated tax payments.
Year Ended
Cash Flows from Investing Activities December 26, 2021 December 27, 2020
(In millions)
Purchase of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired $ (966.8) $ (4.2)
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment (381.7) (354.8)
Proceeds from property disposals 24.7 32.0
Cash used in investing activities $ (1,323.7) $ (327.0)
Purchase of acquired businesses represents cash used to acquire Pilgrim’s Food Masters (formerly Kerry Consumer Foods’ Meats and Ready Meals businesses) and Randall Parker Foods which totaled $966.8 million. Capital expenditures were primarily incurred to improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs for the years ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.
Year Ended
Cash Flows from Financing Activities December 26, 2021 December 27, 2020
(In millions)
Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings 2,951.7 404.5
Payment of capitalized loan costs (22.3) —
Payment on early extinguishment of debt (21.3) —
Purchase of common stock under share repurchase program — (110.2)
Cash used in financing activities $ 901.3 $ (136.7)
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Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings and payments on revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings are mainly due to borrowings and payments on our U.S. Credit Facility and Mexico Credit Facility. The payment on early extinguishment of debt is primarily due to the early tender consideration paid as a result of the redemption of the senior notes due 2025. The payment of capitalized loan costs were those loan costs incurred as a part of the sale of the senior notes due 2031, the sale of the senior notes due 2032 and the refinancing of the U.S. Credit Facility. Shares repurchased under the share repurchase program during the year ended December 27, 2020 totaled 6.3 million. For further information on the share repurchase program, refer to Part II, Item 8, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Note 14. Stockholders’ Equity.”
Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowing Arrangements
Our long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements consist of senior notes, revolving credit facilities and and other term loan agreements. For a description, refer to Part II, Item 8, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Note 13. Debt.”
Collateral
Substantially all of our domestic inventories and domestic fixed assets are pledged as collateral to secure the obligations under the U.S. Credit Facility.
Capital Expenditures
We anticipate spending between $400 million and $425 million on the acquisition of property, plant and equipment in 2022. Capital expenditures will primarily be incurred to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. We expect to fund these capital expenditures with cash flow from operations and proceeds from the revolving lines of credit under our various debt facilities.
Contractual Obligations
In addition to our debt commitments at December 26, 2021, we had other commitments and contractual obligations that require us to make specified payments in the future. The following table summarizes the total amounts due as of December 26, 2021 under all debt agreements, commitments and other contractual obligations. The table indicates the years in which payments are due under the contractual obligations.
Payments Due By Period
(In thousands)
(a)The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 26, 2021 was $20.2 million. We did not include this amount in the contractual obligations table above as reasonable estimates cannot be made at this time of the amounts or timing of future cash outflows.
(b)Long-term debt is presented at face value and excludes $36.1 million in letters of credit outstanding related to normal business transactions.
(c)Interest expense in the table above assumes the continuation of interest rates and outstanding borrowings as of December 26, 2021.
(d)Includes agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum, or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction.
We expect cash flows from operations, combined with availability under the U.S. Credit Facility, and U.K. and Europe Credit Facilities to provide sufficient liquidity to fund current obligations, projected working capital requirements, maturities of long-term debt and capital spending for at least the next twelve months.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Part II, Item 8, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Note 1. Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
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General. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory, goodwill and other intangible assets, litigation and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. The vast majority of our revenue is derived from contracts which are based upon a customer ordering our products. While there may be master agreements, the contract is only established when the customer’s order is accepted by us. We account for a contract, which may be verbal or written, when it is approved and committed by both parties, the rights of the parties are identified along with payment terms, the contract has commercial substance and collectability is probable.
We evaluate the transaction for distinct performance obligations, which are the sale of our products to customers. Since our products are commodity market-priced, the sales price is representative of the observable, standalone selling price. Each performance obligation is recognized based upon a pattern of recognition that reflects the transfer of control to the customer at a point in time, which is upon destination (customer location or port of destination) and depicts the transfer of control and recognition of revenue. There are instances of customer pick-up at our facilities, in which case control transfers to the customer at that point and we recognize revenue. Our performance obligations are typically fulfilled within days to weeks of the acceptance of the order.
We make judgments regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from revenue and cash flows with customers. Determination of a contract requires evaluation and judgment along with the estimation of the total contract value and if any of the contract value is constrained. Due to the nature of our business, there is minimal variable consideration, as the contract is established at the acceptance of the order from the customer. When applicable, variable consideration is estimated at contract inception and updated on a regular basis until the contract is completed. Allocating the transaction price to a specific performance obligation based upon the relative standalone selling prices includes estimating the standalone selling prices including discounts and variable consideration.
Inventories. Live chicken and pig inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and breeder hen, breeder sow and boar inventories at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization, or net realizable value. The costs associated with breeder hen inventories are accumulated up to the production stage and amortized over their productive lives using the unit-of-production method. The costs associated with breeder sow inventories are accumulated up to the production stage and amortized on a straight-line basis over their productive lives to the estimated residual cull value. The costs associated with finished poultry products, finished pork products, feed, eggs and other inventories are stated at the lower of cost (average) or net realizable value. Inventory typically transfers from one stage of production to another at a standard cost, where it accumulates additional cost directly incurred with the production of inventory, including overhead. The standard cost at which each type of inventory transfers is set by management to reflect the actual costs incurred in the prior steps. We monitor and adjust standard costs throughout the year to ensure that standard costs reasonably reflect the actual average cost of the inventory produced.
We allocate meat costs between our various finished chicken products based on a by-product costing technique that reduces the cost of the whole bird by estimated yields and amounts to be recovered for certain by-product parts. This primarily includes leg quarters, wings, tenders and offal, which are carried in inventory at the estimated recovery amounts, with the remaining amount being reflected as our breast meat cost. We allocate meat costs between our various finished pork products based on a by-product costing technique that allocates the cost of the whole pig into the primal cuts by estimated yields and amounts to be recovered for certain by-product parts. This primarily includes legs, shoulders, bellies, offal and fifth quarter parts, which are carried in inventory at the estimated recoverable amounts, with the remaining amount being reflected as our loin meat cost.
For our prepared foods inventories, raw materials and packaging materials are valued at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value, work in progress is valued at the latest production cost (raw materials, packaging), finished goods are valued at the lower of the latest actual monthly production cost (raw materials, packaging and direct labor) and attributable overheads and net realizable value, and engineering spares and consumables are valued at cost with an appropriate provision for obsolete engineering spares consistent with historical practice.
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Generally, we perform an evaluation of whether any lower of cost or market adjustments are required at the country level based on a number of factors, including: (1) pools of related inventory, (2) product continuation or discontinuation, (3) estimated market selling prices and (4) expected distribution channels. If actual market conditions or other factors are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory adjustments may be required.We also record valuation adjustments, when necessary, for estimated obsolescence at or equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon known conditions affecting inventory obsolescence, including significantly aged products, discontinued product lines, or damaged or obsolete products.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net. Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Identified intangible assets represent trade names, customer relationships and non-compete agreements arising from acquisitions that are recorded at fair value as of the date acquired less accumulated amortization, if any. We use various market valuation techniques to determine the fair value of its identified intangible assets.
Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. For goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. Management first reviews relevant qualitative factors to determine if an indication of impairment exists for a reporting unit. If management determines there is an indication that the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill might be impaired, a quantitative analysis is performed. Management performed a qualitative analysis noting no indications of goodwill impairment in any of its reporting units as of December 26, 2021. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the estimated fair value of that intangible asset. Management first reviews relevant qualitative factors to determine if an indication of impairment exists. If management determines there is an indication that the carrying amount of the intangible asset might be impaired, and quantitative analysis is performed. Management performed a qualitative analysis noting no indications of impairment for any of its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 26, 2021.
Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives, such as customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names that we expect to use for a limited amount of time, are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. The useful lives range from three to 20 years for non-compete agreements and trade names and three to 16 years for customer relationships. Identified intangible assets with definite lives are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Management assessed if events or changes in circumstances indicated that the aggregate carrying amount of its identified intangible assets with definite lives might not be recoverable and determined that there were no impairment indicators during the year ended December 26, 2021 and year ended December 27, 2020.
Litigation and Contingent Liabilities. We are subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to employment, environmental, product, and other matters. We are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as potential ranges of probable losses, to these matters. We estimate the amount of reserves required for these contingencies when losses are determined to be probable and after considerable analysis of each individual issue. We expense legal costs related to such loss contingencies as they are incurred. With respect to our environmental remediation obligations, the accrual for environmental remediation liabilities is measured on an undiscounted basis. These reserves may change in the future due to changes in our assumptions, the effectiveness of strategies, or other factors beyond our control.
Income Taxes. We follow provisions under ASC No. 740-10-30-27 in the Expenses-Income Taxes topic with regard to members of a group that file a consolidated tax return but issue separate financial statements. We file our U.S. federal tax return and certain state unitary returns with JBS USA Holdings. Our income tax expense is computed using the separate return method. The provision for income taxes has been determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. For the unitary states, we have an obligation to make tax payments to JBS USA Holdings for our share of the unitary taxable income, which is included in taxes payable in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under this approach, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities, net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The amount of deferred tax on these temporary differences is determined using the tax rates expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, as applicable, based on the tax rates and laws in the respective tax jurisdiction enacted as of the balance sheet date. We recognize potential interest and penalties related to income tax positions as a part of the income tax provision.
Business Combination Accounting. We allocate the consideration of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the consideration over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded to goodwill. We use all available information to estimate fair values. We use various models to determine the value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed such as net realizable value to value inventory, cost method and market
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approach to value property, relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings to value intangibles and discounted cash flow to value goodwill. We typically engage third-party valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of tangible long-lived assets and intangible assets other than goodwill. The fair value of acquired inventories is typically determined by extending physical counts of the inventories taken at or near the acquisition date to market pricing in effect for such inventories at or near the acquisition date. The carrying values of acquired receivables and accounts payable have historically approximated their fair values as of the business combination date. As necessary, we may engage third-party specialists to assist in the estimation of fair value for certain liabilities. We adjust the preliminary acquisition accounting, as necessary, typically up to one year after the acquisition closing date for those items that existed at the acquisition date and were provisionally accounted for at that time, as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.
Our acquisition accounting methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities based upon quoted market prices, the carrying value of the acquired assets and widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows and market multiple analyses. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of our fair value estimates, including changes in assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies. If actual results are materially different than the assumptions used to determine fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired through a business combination, it is possible that adjustments to the carrying values of such assets and liabilities will have an impact on our net earnings. See Part II. Item 8. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “2. Business Acquisitions” in this annual report for the acquisition-related information associated with significant acquisitions completed in the last three fiscal years.
Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
“EBITDA” is defined as the sum of net income (loss) plus interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. “Adjusted EBITDA” is calculated by adding to EBITDA certain items of expense and deducting from EBITDA certain items of income that we believe are not indicative of our ongoing operating performance consisting of: (1) foreign currency transaction loss (gain), (2) transaction costs related to business acquisitions, (3) expenses recognized for the DOJ agreement and litigation settlements, (4) restructuring activities loss (gain), (5) Hometown Strong initiative expenses, (6) consumption of the Pilgrim's Food Masters (“PFM”) inventory fair value step-up increment, (7) gain recognized on our bargain purchase of PPL, (8) income recognized on a shareholder litigation settlement with JBS, (9) gain recognized on deconsolidation of a subsidiary and (10) net income attributable to noncontrolling interest. EBITDA is presented because it is used by us and we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties, in addition to and not in lieu of results prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP, to compare the performance of companies. We believe investors would be interested in our Adjusted EBITDA because this is how our management analyzes EBITDA applicable to continuing operations. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA, in combination with our financial results calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, provides investors with additional perspective regarding the impact of certain significant items on EBITDA and facilitates a more direct comparison of our performance with our competitors. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of financial performance under U.S. GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of the limitations of these measures are:
•They do not reflect our cash expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•They do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
•They do not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
•Although depreciation and amortization are noncash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;
•They are not adjusted for all noncash income or expense items that are reflected in our statements of cash flows;
•EBITDA does not reflect the impact of earnings or charges attributable to noncontrolling interests;
•They do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider to not be indicative of our ongoing operations; and
•They do not reflect limitations on or costs related to transferring earnings from our subsidiaries to us.
In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative
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to net income as indicators of our operating performance or any other measures of performance derived in accordance with U.S. GAAP. You should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only on a supplemental basis.
(Unaudited) Year Ended
(In thousands)
Add:
Add:
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain) (9,382) 760
Transaction costs related to acquisitions 18,858 134
Expenses related to the DOJ agreement and litigation settlements 656,225 185,524
Restructuring activities loss 5,802 123
Hometown Strong commitment expenses 1,000 15,000
Minus:
Income recognized from shareholder litigation settlement with JBS — 34,643
Gain recognized on deconsolidation of subsidiary 1,131 —
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 268 313
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Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income
(Unaudited)
Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's $ 31,000 $ 94,757
Adjustments:
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain) (9,382) 760
Restructuring activities loss 5,802 123
Transaction costs related to acquisitions 18,858 134
Expenses related to DOJ agreement and litigation settlements 656,225 185,524
Hometown Strong commitment expenses 1,000 15,000
Income recognized from shareholder litigation settlement with JBS — (34,643)
Gain recognized on deconsolidation of subsidiary (1,131) —
Adjusted net income attributable to Pilgrim's $ 557,381 $ 250,425
Weighted average diluted shares of common stock outstanding 244,129 246,124
(a) Net tax impact of adjustments represents the tax impact of all adjustments shown above with the exclusion of the DOJ agreement as this item is non-deductible for tax purposes.
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market Risk-Sensitive Instruments and Positions
The risk inherent in our market risk-sensitive instruments and positions is primarily the potential loss arising from adverse changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and the credit quality of available-for-sale securities as discussed below. The sensitivity analyses presented do not consider the effects that such adverse changes may have on overall economic activity, nor do they consider additional actions our management may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results may differ from those described below.
Commodity Prices
We purchase certain commodities, primarily corn, soybean meal, soybean oil, and wheat, for use as ingredients in the feed we either sell commercially or consume in our live operations. As a result, our earnings are affected by changes in the price and availability of such feed ingredients. We have from time to time attempted to minimize our exposure to the changing price and availability of such feed ingredients using various techniques, including, but not limited to, (1) executing purchase agreements with suppliers for future physical delivery of feed ingredients at established prices and (2) purchasing or selling derivative financial instruments such as futures and options.
For this sensitivity analysis, market risk is estimated as a hypothetical 10% increase in the weighted-average cost of our primary feed ingredients as of the periods presented. The impact of this fluctuation, if realized, could be mitigated by related commodity hedging activity. However, fluctuations greater than 10% could occur.
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Amount Impact of 10% Increase in Feed Ingredient Prices
(In thousands)
(a)Based on our feed consumption, a 10% increase in the price of our feed purchases will increase cost of sales for the year ended December 26, 2021.
(b)A 10% increase in ending feed ingredient prices will increase inventories as of December 26, 2021.
Amount Impact of 10% Increase to the Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Assets
(In thousands)
Commodity derivative assets(a) $ 8,678 $ 868
(a)We purchase commodity derivative financial instruments, specifically exchange-traded futures and options, in an attempt to mitigate price risk related to our anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for the next 12 months. A 10% increase in corn, soybean meal, soybean oil and wheat prices would have resulted in an increase in the fair value of our net commodity derivative asset position, including margin cash, as of December 26, 2021.
Interest Rates
Fixed-rate debt. Market risk for fixed-rate debt is estimated as the potential decrease in fair value resulting from a hypothetical increase in interest rates of 10%. Using a discounted cash flow analysis, a hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates would have decreased the fair value of our fixed-rate debt by $90.7 million as of December 26, 2021.
Variable-rate debt. Our variable-rate debt instruments represent approximately 15.9% of our total debt as of December 26, 2021. Holding other variables constant, including levels of indebtedness, an increase in interest rates of 25 basis points would have increased our interest expense by an immaterial amount for the year ended December 26, 2021.
Foreign Currency
Mexico Subsidiaries
Our earnings are also affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to the Mexican peso net monetary position of our Mexico subsidiaries. We manage this exposure primarily by attempting to minimize our Mexican peso net monetary position. We are also exposed to the effect of potential currency exchange rate fluctuations to the extent that amounts are repatriated from Mexico to the U.S. We currently anticipate that the future cash flows of our Mexico subsidiaries will be reinvested in our Mexico operations.
The Mexican peso exchange rate can directly and indirectly impact our financial condition and results of operations. For this sensitivity analysis, market risk is estimated as a hypothetical 10% change in the current exchange rate used to convert Mexican pesos to U.S. dollars as of December 26, 2021. However, fluctuations greater than 10% could occur. No assurance can be given as to how future movements in the Mexican peso could affect our future financial condition or results of operations.
(In thousands, except for exchange rate data)
Foreign currency remeasurement gain (loss) $ (2,948) $ 3,603
Exchange rate of Mexican pesos to the U.S. dollar:
(a)Based on the net monetary asset position of our Mexican subsidiaries, a 10% weakening in the exchange rate of Mexican pesos to U.S. dollar will result in recognition of foreign currency remeasurement loss for the year ended December 26, 2021.
(b)Based on the net monetary asset position of our Mexican subsidiaries, a 10% strengthening in the exchange rate of Mexican pesos to U.S. dollar will result in recognition of foreign currency remeasurement gain for the year ended December 26, 2021.
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U.K. and Europe Subsidiaries
We are exposed to foreign exchange-related variability of investments and earnings from our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries. Foreign currency market risk is the possibility that our financial results or financial position could be better or worse than planned because of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. For this sensitivity analysis, market risk is estimated as a hypothetical 10% change in exchange rates used to convert U.S. dollars to British pound and to euro, and the effect of this change on our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries.
Net assets. As of December 26, 2021, our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries that are denominated in British pound had net assets of $2.9 billion. A 10% weakening in U.S. dollar against the British pound exchange rate would cause a decrease in the net assets of our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries by $266.6 million. A 10% strengthening in U.S. dollar against the British pound exchange rate would cause an increase in the net assets of our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries by $325.9 million.
Cash flow hedging transactions. We periodically enter into foreign currency forward contracts, which are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, to hedge foreign currency risk on a portion of sales generated and purchases made by our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries. A 10% weakening or strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound and U.S. dollar against the euro would result in immaterial changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments. No assurance can be given as to how future movements in currency rates could affect our future financial condition or results of operations.
Quality of Investments
Certain retirement plans that we sponsor invest in a variety of financial instruments. We have analyzed our portfolios of investments and, to the best of our knowledge, none of our investments, including money market funds units, commercial paper and municipal securities, have been downgraded, and neither we nor any fund in which we participate hold significant amounts of structured investment vehicles, auction rate securities, collateralized debt obligations, credit derivatives, hedge funds investments, fund of funds investments or perpetual preferred securities. Certain postretirement funds in which we participate hold significant amounts of mortgage-backed securities. However, none of the mortgages collateralizing these securities are considered subprime.
Impact of Inflation
Due to low to moderate inflation in the U.S., the U.K., continental Europe and Mexico and our rapid inventory turnover rate, the results of operations have not been significantly affected by inflation during the past three-year period.
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Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2021, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2021 based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013).
The Company acquired Pilgrim's Food Masters during 2021, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2021, Pilgrim's Food Masters’ internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $1.3 billion and total revenues of $293.6 million included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2021. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Pilgrim's Food Masters.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
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preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Acquisition-date fair value of certain acquired intangible assets
As discussed in Notes 1 and 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company acquired the Specialty Meats and Ready Meals businesses of Kerry Group plc, collectively known as Pilgrim’s Food Masters, on September 24, 2021, which included customer relationships and trade names intangibles. The acquisition-date fair values of the customer relationships and trade names intangibles were $250.9 million and $164.3 million, respectively, and were based on preliminary estimates which may change as additional information is obtained during the measurement period.
We identified the evaluation of the acquisition-date fair values of customer relationships and trade names intangibles in this acquisition as a critical audit matter. A high degree of subjective auditor judgment was involved in evaluating certain assumptions used to estimate the fair values of these intangibles. These assumptions included forecasted revenue growth rates, forecasted margins, discount rates, and royalty rates.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s preliminary fair value measurement process, including controls related to the development of the assumptions described above. We evaluated the forecasted revenue growth rates and forecasted margins assumptions by comparing them to historical results of the acquired businesses and other comparable companies, considering current industry, macroeconomic, and market conditions. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in evaluating (1) the discount rates, which included comparing the Company’s discount rates to our independently developed discount rates using publicly available data for comparable entities, and (2) the royalty rates by assessing the royalty transactions used by management’s valuation specialist and considering a profit split analysis and qualitative factors.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.
Denver, Colorado
February 18, 2022
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and par value data)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 22,460 782
Accounts receivable from related parties 1,345 1,084
Accounts payable to related parties 22,317 9,650
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 859,885 807,847
Income taxes payable 81,977 —
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities, less current maturities 271,366 217,432
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (47,997) (20,620)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity 2,577,080 2,563,761
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Year Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses (9,382) 760 6,917
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 268 313 612
Weighted average shares of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stock outstanding:
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents 477 180 308
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended
(In thousands)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges
Gains (losses) arising during the period 398 3,719 (2,106)
Income tax effect 22 160 —
Reclassification to net earnings for losses (gains) realized (1,437) (2,664) 383
Income tax effect (157) — —
Available-for-sale securities
Gains arising during the period — 73 510
Income tax effect — (18) (124)
Reclassification to net earnings for gains realized — (73) (619)
Income tax effect — 18 151
Defined benefit plans
Reclassification to net earnings of losses realized 2,278 1,502 1,313
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 268 313 612
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation Stockholders
Shares Amount Shares Amount
(In thousands)
Comprehensive income:
Stock-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans 723 7 — — (7) — — — —
Requisite service period recognition — — — — 10,132 — — — 10,132
Comprehensive income:
Stock-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans 66 1 — — (1) — — — —
Requisite service period recognition — — — — (276) — — — (276)
Dissolution of subsidiary — — — — — — — 876 876
Comprehensive income:
Capital distribution under TSA — — — — (1,961) — — — (1,961)
Stock-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans 162 2 — — (2) — — — —
Requisite service period recognition — — — — 11,657 — — — 11,657
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year Ended
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of bond premium (167) (668) (668)
Loss (gain) on equity method investments (16) 291 (63)
Noncash loss on subsidiary dissolution — 115 —
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations (18,461) (7,883) (9,221)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of capitalized loan costs (22,293) — (652)
Payment on early extinguishment of debt (21,258) — —
Distribution of capital under the TSA (650) — (525)
Purchase of common stock under stock repurchase program — (110,242) (2,898)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (2,342) 7,292 4,065
Supplemental Disclosure Information:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (referred to herein as “Pilgrim’s,” “PPC,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar terms) is one of the largest chicken producers in the world, with operations in the United States (“U.S.”), the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), Mexico, France, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. Pilgrim’s products are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entrée customers. The Company’s primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants throughout the countries listed above. Additionally, the Company exports chicken and pork products to approximately 125 countries. Pilgrim’s fresh products consist of refrigerated (nonfrozen) whole chickens, whole cut-up chickens, selected chicken parts that are either marinated or non-marinated, primary pork cuts, added value pork and pork ribs. The Company’s prepared products include fully cooked, ready-to-cook and individually frozen chicken parts, strips, nuggets and patties, processed sausages, bacon, smoked meat, gammon joints, pre-packed meats, sandwich and deli counter meats and meat balls. The Company’s other products include plant-based protein offerings, ready-to-eat meals, multi-protein frozen foods, vegetarian foods and desserts. The Company also provides direct-to-consumer meals and hot food to-go solutions in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. We operate feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants and distribution centers in 14 U.S. states, the U.K., Mexico, France, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company operates on the basis of a 52/53-week fiscal .year ending on the Sunday falling on or before December 31. Any reference we make to a particular year in the notes to these Consolidated Financial Statements applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year.
On September 24, 2021, the Company acquired 100.0% of the equity of the specialty meats and ready meals businesses of Kerry Group plc, collectively known as Pilgrim’s Food Masters (“PFM”), for cash of £695.3 million, or $954.1 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The acquired operations are included in the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment. For the periods subsequent to September 24, 2021, the Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries, including PFM. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) using management’s best estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of the contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. The estimates and judgments will also affect the reported amounts for certain revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and judgments. Significant estimates made by the Company include the allowance for credit losses, reserves related to inventory obsolescence or valuation, useful lives of long-lived assets, goodwill, valuation of deferred tax assets, insurance accruals, valuation of pension and other postretirement benefits obligations, income tax accruals, certain derivative positions and valuations of acquired businesses.
The functional currency of the Company’s U.S. and Mexico operations and certain holding-company subsidiaries in Luxembourg, the U.K., Malta and the Republic of Ireland is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of its U.K. operations is the British pound. The functional currency of the Company’s operations in France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland is the euro. For foreign currency-denominated entities other than the Company’s Mexico operations, translation from local currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for most assets and liabilities using the exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are remeasured using average exchange rates for the period. Adjustments resulting from translation of these financial records are reflected as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the Company’s Mexico operations, remeasurement from the Mexican peso to U.S. dollars is performed for monetary assets and liabilities using the exchange rate in effect as of the balance sheet date. Remeasurement is performed for non-monetary assets using the historical exchange rate in effect on the date of each asset’s acquisition. Income and expense accounts are remeasured using average exchange rates for the period. Net adjustments resulting from remeasurement of these financial records are reflected in Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company or its subsidiaries may use derivatives for the purpose of mitigating exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Revenue Recognition
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The vast majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from contracts which are based upon a customer ordering its products. While there may be master agreements, the contract is only established when the customer’s order is accepted by the Company. The Company accounts for a contract, which may be verbal or written, when it is approved and committed by both parties, the rights of the parties are identified along with payment terms, the contract has commercial substance and collectability is probable.
The Company evaluates the transaction for distinct performance obligations, which are the sale of its products to customers. Since its products are commodity market-priced, the sales price is representative of the observable, standalone selling price. Each performance obligation is recognized based upon a pattern of recognition that reflects the transfer of control to the customer at a point in time, which is upon destination (customer location or port of destination), and depicts the transfer of control and recognition of revenue. There are instances of customer pick-up at the Company’s facilities, in which case control transfers to the customer at that point and the Company recognizes revenue. The Company’s performance obligations are typically fulfilled within days to weeks of the acceptance of the order.
The Company makes judgments regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from revenue and cash flows with customers. Determination of a contract requires evaluation and judgment along with the estimation of the total contract value and if any of the contract value is constrained. Due to the nature of our business, there is minimal variable consideration, as the contract is established at the acceptance of the order from the customer. When applicable, variable consideration is estimated at contract inception and updated on a regular basis until the contract is completed. Allocating the transaction price to a specific performance obligation based upon the relative standalone selling prices includes estimating the standalone selling prices including discounts and variable consideration.
Shipping and Handling Costs
In the rare case when shipping and handling activities are performed after a customer obtains control of the good, the Company has elected to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the good. When revenue is recognized for the related good before the shipping and handling activities occur, the related costs of those shipping and handling activities are accrued. Shipping and handling costs are recorded within cost of sales.
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense and totaled $32.4 million, $20.2 million and $26.5 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs totaled $5.1 million, $5.4 million and $5.1 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The majority of the Company’s disbursement bank accounts are zero balance accounts where cash needs are funded as checks are presented for payment by the holder. Checks issued pending clearance that result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes are classified as accounts payable and the change in the related balance is reflected in operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Restricted Cash
The Company is required to maintain cash balances with a broker as collateral for exchange traded futures contracts. These balances are classified as restricted cash as they are not available for use by the Company to fund daily operations. The balance of restricted cash may also include investments in U.S. Treasury Bills that qualify as cash equivalents, as required by the broker, to offset the obligation to return cash collateral.
The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
Investments
The Company’s current investments are all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when acquired and are, therefore, considered cash equivalents. The Company’s current investments are comprised of fixed income securities, primarily commercial paper and a money market fund. These investments are classified as available-for-sale. These securities are recorded at fair value, and unrealized holding gains and losses are recorded, net of tax, as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Investments in fixed income securities with remaining maturities of less than one year and those identified by management at the time of purchase for funding operations in less than one year are classified as current assets. Investments in fixed income securities with remaining maturities in excess of one year that management has not identified at the time of purchase for funding operations in less than one year are classified as long-term assets. Unrealized losses are charged against net earnings when a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary. Management reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other than temporary, such as the length of time a security is in an unrealized loss position, the extent to which fair value is less than amortized cost, the impact of changing interest rates in the short and long term, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The Company determines the cost of each security sold and each amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings using the specific identification method. Purchases and sales are recorded on a settlement date basis.
Investments in entities in which the Company has an ownership interest greater than 50% and exercises control over the entity are consolidated in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Investments in entities in which the Company has an ownership interest between 20% and 50% and exercises significant influence are accounted for using the equity method. The Company invests from time to time in ventures in which its ownership interest is less than 20% and over which it does not exercise significant influence. Such investments are accounted for under the cost method. The fair values for investments not traded on a quoted exchange are estimated based upon the historical performance of the ventures, the ventures’ forecasted financial performance and management’s evaluation of the ventures’ viability and business models. To the extent the book value of an investment exceeds its assessed fair value, the Company will record an appropriate impairment charge.
Accounts Receivable
The Company records accounts receivable when revenue is recognized. We record an allowance for credit losses, reducing our receivables balance to an amount we estimate is collectible from our customers. Estimates used in determining the allowance for credit losses are based on historical collection experience, current trends, aging of accounts receivable, and periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. We write off accounts receivable when it becomes apparent, based upon age or customer circumstances, that such amounts will not be collected. Generally, the Company does not require collateral for its accounts receivable.
Inventories
Live chicken and pig inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and breeder hen, breeder sow and boar inventories are stated at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization, or net realizable value. The costs associated with breeder hen inventories are accumulated up to the production stage and amortized over their productive lives using the unit-of-production method. The costs associated with breeder sow inventories are accumulated up to the production stage and amortized on a straight-line basis over their productive lives to the estimated residual cull value. Finished poultry products, finished pork products, feed, eggs and other inventories are stated at the lower of cost (average) or net realizable value. Inventory typically transfers from one stage of production to another at a standard cost, where it accumulates additional cost directly incurred with the production of inventory, including overhead. The standard cost at which each type of inventory transfers is set by management to reflect the actual costs incurred in the prior steps. We monitor and adjust standard costs throughout the year to ensure that standard costs reasonably reflect the actual average cost of the inventory produced.
The Company allocates meat costs between its various finished chicken products based on a by-product costing technique that reduces the cost of the whole bird by estimated yields and amounts to be recovered for certain by-product parts. This primarily includes leg quarters, wings, tenders and offal, which are carried in inventory at the estimated recovery amounts, with the remaining amount being reflected as its breast meat cost. The Company allocates meat costs between its various
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
finished pork products based on a by-product costing technique that allocates the cost of the whole pig into the primal cuts by estimated yields and amounts to be recovered for certain by-product parts. This primarily includes legs, shoulders, bellies, offal and fifth quarter parts, which are carried in inventory at the estimated recoverable amounts, with the remaining amount being reflected as our loin meat cost.
The Company values its other prepared foods products, raw materials and packaging materials at the lower of weighted average cost and net realizable value. Work in progress is valued at the latest production cost (raw materials, packaging), finished goods are valued at the lower of the latest actual monthly production cost (raw materials, packaging and direct labor) and attributable overheads and net realizable value, and engineering spares and consumables are valued at cost with an appropriate provision for obsolete engineering spares consistent with historical practice.
Generally, the Company performs an evaluation of whether any lower of cost or market adjustments are required at the country level based on a number of factors, including: (1) pools of related inventory, (2) product continuation or discontinuation, (3) estimated market selling prices and (4) expected distribution channels. If actual market conditions or other factors are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory adjustments may be required. The Company also records valuation adjustments, when necessary, for estimated obsolescence at or equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon known conditions affecting inventory obsolescence, including significantly aged products, discontinued product lines, or damaged or obsolete products.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in Operating lease assets, net, Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and Noncurrent operating lease liability, less current maturities, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in Property, plant and equipment, net, Current maturities of long-term debt and Long-term debt, less current maturities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Beginning with the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02 on December 31, 2018, operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities are initially recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. IBR is derived from the Company’s credit facility’s margin as a basis with adjustments to periodically updated LIBOR swap rate and foreign currency curve. The operating lease asset also includes any lease payments made, including upfront costs and prepayments, and excludes lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate a lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term with a corresponding reduction to the operating lease asset.
The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components. Beginning in 2019, lease and non-lease components are generally accounted for separately. For certain equipment leases, such as vehicles, the Company accounts for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, and repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of these assets. Estimated useful lives for building, machinery and equipment are five to 33 years and for automobiles and trucks are three to ten years. The charge to income resulting from amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is included with depreciation expense.
The Company records impairment charges on long-lived assets held for use when events and circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying amount of those assets. When the above is true, the impairment charge is determined based upon the amount the net book value of the assets exceeds their fair market value. In making these determinations, the Company utilizes certain assumptions, including, but not limited to: (1) future cash flows estimated to be generated by these assets, which are based on additional assumptions such as asset utilization, remaining length of service and estimated salvage values, (2) estimated fair market value of the assets and (3) determinations with respect to the lowest level of cash flows relevant to the respective impairment test, generally groupings of related operational facilities. Given the interdependency of the Company’s individual facilities during the production process, which operate as a vertically integrated network, it evaluates impairment of assets held for use at the country level (i.e., the U.S. and Mexico). Management believes this is the lowest level of identifiable cash flows for its assets that are held for use in production activities. At the present time, the Company’s forecasts indicate that it can recover the carrying value of its assets held for use based on the projected undiscounted cash flows of the operations.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company records impairment charges on long-lived assets held for sale when the carrying amount of those assets exceeds their fair value less appropriate selling costs. Fair value is based on amounts documented in sales contracts or letters of intent accepted by the Company, amounts included in counteroffers initiated by the Company, or, in the absence of current contract negotiations, amounts determined using a sales comparison approach for real property and amounts determined using a cost approach for personal property. Under the sales comparison approach, sales and asking prices of reasonably comparable properties are considered to develop a range of unit prices within which the current real estate market is operating. Under the cost approach, a current cost to replace the asset new is calculated and then the estimated replacement cost is reduced to reflect the applicable decline in value resulting from physical deterioration, functional obsolescence and economic obsolescence. Appropriate selling costs includes reasonable broker’s commissions, costs to produce title documents, filing fees, legal expenses and the like.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Identified intangible assets represent trade names, customer relationships and non-compete agreements arising from acquisitions that are recorded at fair value as of the date acquired less accumulated amortization, if any. The Company uses various market valuation techniques to determine the fair value of its identified intangible assets.
Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. For goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. Management first reviews relevant qualitative factors to determine if an indication of impairment exists for a reporting unit. If management determines there is an indication that the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill might be impaired, a quantitative analysis is performed. Management performed a qualitative analysis noting no indications of goodwill impairment in any of its reporting units as of December 26, 2021. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the estimated fair value of that intangible asset. Management first reviews relevant qualitative factors to determine if an indication of impairment exists. If management determines there is an indication that the carrying amount of the intangible asset might be impaired, a quantitative analysis is performed. Management performed a qualitative analysis noting no indications of impairment for any of its indefinite-lived intangible assets as of December 26, 2021.
Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives, such as customer relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names that the Company expects to use for a limited amount of time, are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis. The useful lives range from three to 20 years for non-compete agreements and trade names and three to 18 years for customer relationships. Identified intangible assets with definite lives are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Management assessed if events or changes in circumstances indicated that the aggregate carrying amount of its identified intangible assets with definite lives might not be recoverable and determined that there were no impairment indicators during the years ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.
Book Overdraft Balances
The majority of the Company’s disbursement bank accounts are zero balance accounts where cash needs are funded as checks are presented for payment by the holder. Checks issued pending clearance that result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes are classified as accounts payable and the change in the related balance is reflected in operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Litigation and Contingent Liabilities
The Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to employment, environmental, product and other matters. The Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as potential ranges of probable losses, to these matters. The Company estimates the amount of reserves required for these contingencies when losses are determined to be probable and after considerable analysis of each individual issue. The Company expenses legal costs related to such loss contingencies as they are incurred. The accrual for environmental remediation liabilities is measured on an undiscounted basis. These reserves may change in the future due to changes in the Company’s assumptions, the effectiveness of strategies, or other factors beyond the Company’s control.
Accrued Self Insurance
Insurance expense for casualty claims and employee-related health care benefits are estimated using historical and current experience and actuarial estimates. Stop-loss coverage is maintained with third-party insurers to limit the Company’s
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total exposure. Certain categories of claim liabilities are actuarially determined. The assumptions used to arrive at periodic expenses are reviewed regularly by management. However, actual expenses could differ from these estimates and could result in adjustments to be recognized.
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company monitors certain asset retirement obligations in connection with its operations. These obligations relate to clean-up, removal or replacement activities and related costs for “in-place” exposures only when those exposures are moved or modified, such as during renovations of our facilities. These in-place exposures include asbestos, refrigerants, wastewater, oil, lubricants and other contaminants common in manufacturing environments. Under existing regulations, the Company is not required to remove these exposures and there are no plans to undertake a renovation that would require removal of the asbestos or the remediation of the other in-place exposures at this time. The facilities are expected to be maintained and repaired by activities that will not result in the removal or disruption of these in-place exposures at this time. As a result, there is an indeterminate settlement date for these asset retirement obligations because the range of time over which the Company may incur these liabilities is unknown and cannot be reasonably estimated. Therefore, the Company has not recorded the fair value of any potential liability.
Income Taxes
The Company follows provisions under ASC No. 740-10-30-27 in the Expenses-Income Taxes topic with regard to members of a group that file a consolidated tax return but issue separate financial statements. The Company files its U.S. federal tax return and certain state unitary returns with JBS USA Food Company Holdings (“JBS USA Holdings”). The income tax expense of the Company is computed using the separate return method. The provision for income taxes has been determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. For the unitary states, we have an obligation to make tax payments to JBS USA Holdings for our share of the unitary taxable income, which is included in taxes payable in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under this approach, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities, net operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. The amount of deferred tax on these temporary differences is determined using the tax rates expected to apply to the period when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, as applicable, based on the tax rates and laws in the respective tax jurisdiction enacted as of the balance sheet date.
The Company reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance based on historical taxable income, potential for carry back of tax losses, projected future taxable income, applicable tax strategies, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Valuation allowances have been established primarily for net operating loss carry forwards of certain foreign subsidiaries.
The Company deems its earnings from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the U.K., the Republic of Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Malta as of December 26, 2021 to be permanently reinvested. As such, U.S. deferred income taxes have not been provided on these earnings. If such earnings were not considered indefinitely reinvested, certain deferred foreign and U.S. income taxes would be provided.
The Company follows provisions under ASC No. 740-10-25 that provide a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition of a tax benefit taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Tax benefits are recognized only when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the benefits will be sustained on examination. Tax benefits that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured using a probability weighting of the largest amount of tax benefit that has greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Whether the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met for a particular tax benefit is a matter of judgment based on the individual facts and circumstances evaluated in light of all available evidence as of the balance sheet date. See “Note 12. Income Taxes” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pension and Other Postemployment Benefits
Our pension and other postemployment benefit costs and obligations are dependent on the various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions relate to discount rates, long-term return on plan assets and other factors. We base the discount rate assumptions on current investment yields on high-quality corporate long-term bonds. We determine the long-term return on plan assets based on historical portfolio results and management’s expectation of the future economic environment. Actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and, if in excess of the lesser of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or the fair market value of plan assets, amortized over either (1) the estimated average future service period of active plan participants if the plan is active or (2) the estimated average future life expectancy of all plan participants if the plan is frozen.
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Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments (e.g., futures, forwards options and swaps) for the purpose of mitigating exposure to changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
•Commodity Price Risk - The Company utilizes various raw materials, which are all considered commodities, in its operations, including corn, soybean meal, soybean oil, wheat, natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel. The Company considers these raw materials to be generally available from a number of different sources and believes it can obtain them to meet its requirements. These commodities are subject to price fluctuations and related price risk due to factors beyond our control, such as economic and political conditions, supply and demand, weather, governmental regulation and other circumstances. Generally, the Company enters into derivative contracts such as physical forward contracts and exchange-traded futures or option contracts in an attempt to mitigate price risk related to its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for periods up to 12 months. The Company may enter into longer-term derivatives on particular commodities if deemed appropriate.
•Foreign Currency Risk - The Company has foreign operations and, therefore, has exposure to foreign exchange risk when the financial results of those operations are translated to U.S. dollars. The Company will occasionally purchase derivative financial instruments such as foreign currency forward contracts in an attempt to mitigate currency exchange rate exposure related to the net assets of its Mexico reportable segment that are denominated in Mexican pesos. The Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment also attempts to mitigate foreign currency exposure on certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies through the use of derivative financial instruments.
•Interest Rate Risk - The Company has exposure to variability in cash flows from interest payments due to the use of variable interest rates on certain long-term debt arrangements. The Company has purchased an interest rate swap contract to convert the variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate on a portion of its outstanding long-term debt arrangements in order to manage this interest rate risk and add stability to interest expense and cash flows.
Pilgrim’s recognizes all commodity derivative instruments that qualify for derivative accounting treatment as either assets or liabilities and measures those instruments at fair value unless they qualify for, and we elect, the normal purchases and normal sales scope exception (“NPNS”). The permitted accounting treatments include: cash flow hedge; fair value hedge; and undesignated contracts. Undesignated contract accounting is the default accounting treatment for all derivatives unless they qualify, and we specifically designate them, for one of the other accounting treatments. Derivatives designated for any of the elective accounting treatments must meet specific, restrictive criteria both at the time of designation and on an ongoing basis.
The Company has generally applied the NPNS exception to its forward physical grain purchase contracts. NPNS contracts are accounted for using the accrual method of accounting; therefore, there were no amounts recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements at December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.
Undesignated contracts may include contracts not designated as a hedge or for which the NPNS exception was not elected, contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting and derivatives that do not or no longer qualify for the NPNS scope exception. The fair value of these derivatives is recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets within Prepaid expenses and other current assets or Accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Changes in fair value of these derivatives are recognized immediately in the Consolidated Statements of Income within Net sales, Cost of sales or Selling, general and administrative expense, depending on the risk they are intended to mitigate. While management believes these instruments help mitigate various market risks, they are not designated nor accounted for as hedges as a result of the extensive record keeping requirements.
Business Combination Accounting
Pilgrim’s allocates the consideration of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the consideration over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded to goodwill. The Company uses all available information to estimate fair values. Pilgrim’s uses various models to determine the value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed such as net realizable value to value inventory, cost method and market approach to value property, relief-from-royalty and multi-period excess earnings to value intangibles and discounted cash flow to value goodwill. The Company typically engages third-party valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of tangible long-lived assets and intangible assets other than goodwill. The fair value of acquired inventories is determined by extending physical counts of the inventories taken at or near the acquisition date to market pricing in effect for such inventories at or near the acquisition date. The carrying values of acquired receivables and accounts payable have historically approximated their fair values as of the business combination date. As necessary, Pilgrim’s may engage third-party specialists to assist in the estimation of fair value for certain liabilities. The Company adjusts the preliminary acquisition accounting, as necessary,
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typically up to one year after the acquisition closing date for those items that existed at the acquisition date and were provisionally accounted for at that time, as it obtains more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.
The Company’s acquisition accounting methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities based upon quoted market prices, the carrying value of the acquired assets and widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows and market multiple analyses. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of the Company’s fair value estimates, including changes in assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies. If actual results are materially different than the assumptions used to determine fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired through a business combination, it is possible that adjustments to the carrying values of such assets and liabilities will have an impact on the Company’s net earnings.
See “Note 2. Business Acquisitions” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the acquisition-related information associated with significant acquisitions completed in the last three fiscal years.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We make significant estimates in regard to receivables collectability; inventory valuation; realization of deferred tax assets; valuation of long-lived assets; valuation of contingent liabilities, liabilities subject to compromise and self-insurance liabilities; valuation of pension and other postretirement benefits obligations; and valuation of acquired businesses.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2020
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which, in an effort to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments, replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, new accounting guidance to improve the effectiveness of disclosures related to fair value measurements. The new guidance removes certain disclosure requirements related to transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy along with the policy for timing of transfers between levels and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. Additions to the disclosure requirements include more quantitative information related to significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements and gains and losses included in other comprehensive income. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, new accounting guidance to improve the effectiveness of disclosures related to defined benefit plans by eliminating certain required disclosures, clarifying existing disclosures, and adding new disclosures. Changes include removing disclosures related to the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be recognized in the next fiscal year, adding narrative disclosure of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the defined benefit obligation, and clarifying the disclosures required for plans with projected and accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to improve consistency and simplify several areas of existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new guidance also clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
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In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01, Clarifying the Interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815, which clarifies that an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to either apply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the measurement alternative in accordance with Topic 321 immediately before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method. This update also specifies that for the purpose of applying paragraph 815-10-15-1419(a) an entity should not consider whether, upon the settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, individually or with existing investments, the underlying securities would be accounted for under the equity method in Topic 323 or the fair value option in accordance with the financial instruments guidance in Topic 825. The entity also would evaluate the remaining characteristics in paragraph 815-10-15-141 to determine the accounting for those forward contracts and purchased options. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements, which provided codification updates for technical corrections such as conforming amendments, clarifications to guidance, simplifications to wording or structure of guidance, and other minor improvements. Additionally, changes to clarify the codification or correct unintended application of guidance that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities were also included in this update. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2019
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), along with several updates, which, in an effort to increase transparency and comparability among organizations utilizing leasing, requires an entity that is a lessee to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. This guidance also requires disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. In transition, the entity may elect to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach or the beginning of the period of adoption using a cumulative-effect adjustment approach. We adopted the new standard on December 31, 2018 and recognized and measured leases at the beginning of the period of adoption. We elected the package of practical expedients available under the transition guidance which, among other things, allows the carry-forward of historical lease classification. The Company also elected the practical expedient allowing use of hindsight in assessing the lease term. We made an accounting policy election to not apply the new guidance to leases with a term of 12 months or less and will recognize those payments in the Consolidated Statement of Income on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We implemented a system solution for administering our leases and facilitating compliance with the new guidance. Adoption of the standard had a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the increase in assets and liabilities from recognition of operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities. However, the standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statement of Income.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, an accounting standard update that simplifies the application of hedge accounting guidance in current U.S. GAAP and improves the reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. Among the simplification updates, the standard eliminates the requirement in current U.S. GAAP to separately recognize periodic hedge ineffectiveness. Mismatches between the changes in value of the hedged item and hedging instrument may still occur but they will no longer be separately reported. The standard requires the presentation of the earnings effect of the hedging instrument in the same income statement line item in which the earnings effect of the hedged item is reported. The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, but early adoption is permitted. We have adopted this standard as of December 31, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, an accounting standard update that allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Company will not reclassify the stranded tax effects associated with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. We adopted this standard as of December 31, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, an accounting standard update to improve non-employee share-based payment accounting. The accounting standard update more closely aligns the accounting for employee and non-employee share based payments. The accounting standards update is effective as of the beginning of our 2019 calendar year with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard as of December 31, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted as of December 26, 2021
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions to the application of current GAAP to existing contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The new guidance will ease the transition to new reference rates by allowing entities to update contracts and hedging relationships without applying many of the contract modification requirements specific to those contracts. The provisions of the new guidance will be effective beginning March 12, 2020, extending through December 31, 2022 with the option to apply the guidance at any point during that time period. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), which provides further clarification on the scope of Topic 848 so that derivatives affected by the discounting transition are explicitly eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848. Once an entity elects an expedient or exception it must be applied to all eligible contracts or transactions. We currently have hedging transactions and debt agreements that reference LIBOR and will apply the new guidance as these contracts are modified to reference other rates.
2. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
Pilgrim’s Food Masters
On September 24, 2021, the Company acquired 100.0% of the equity of the specialty meats and ready meals businesses of Kerry Group plc, collectively known as Pilgrim’s Food Masters (“PFM”), for cash of £695.3 million, or $954.1 million, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The acquisition was funded with the Company’s recent senior notes offering and borrowings under the credit facility. The acquisition solidifies Pilgrim’s as a leading European food company. The specialty meats business is a leading manufacturer of branded and private label meats, meat snacks and food-to-go products in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. The ready meals business is a leading ethnic chilled and frozen ready meals business in the U.K. The acquired operations are included in the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment.
Transaction costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition were approximately $18.4 million for the year ended December 26, 2021. These costs were expensed as incurred and are reflected within Selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
The results of operations of the acquired business since September 24, 2021 are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Net sales and net income generated by the acquired business during 2021 totaled $293.6 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition were measured at their estimated fair values as of September 24, 2021 as set forth below. The excess of the purchase price over the preliminary fair value of the identified net assets was recorded as goodwill in the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment. The factors contributing to the amount of goodwill are based on several strategic and synergistic benefits that are expected to be realized from the acquisition as well as the assembled workforce. Benefits include (1) complementary product offerings, (2) an enhanced footprint in the U.K. and the Republic of Ireland and (3) an enhanced position in the fast-growing plant-based protein, direct-to-consumer and hot food-to-go markets. The goodwill is not expected to be tax deductible for tax purposes. The initial accounting for this business combination is incomplete for certain intangible assets and property, plant and equipment as additional information is necessary to conclude on assumptions used to establish the estimated fair values. The amounts recognized in these financial statements for this business combination thus have been determined only provisionally. We are currently completing fair value assessments with the assistance of third-party valuation specialists. Any adjustments identified in the measurement period, which will not exceed one year from the acquisition date, will be accounted for prospectively. The cumulative effect of these adjustments will be recorded in the period of change.
The preliminary fair values recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the acquisition are as follows (in thousands):
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Preliminary
Cash and cash equivalents $ 113
Trade accounts and other receivables 7,387
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,727
Operating lease assets 14,648
Property, plant and equipment 247,133
Identified intangible assets 415,157
Other assets 335
Accounts payable 4,615
Other current liabilities 407
Operating lease liabilities 18,996
Deferred tax liabilities 114,701
Other long-term liabilities 2,612
Total liabilities assumed 141,331
Total consideration transferred $ 954,060
The provisional valuation of identified intangible assets of $415.2 million consisted of: 1) trade names with indefinite lives of $214.0 million; 2) trade names of $36.8 million with useful lives ranging from 15 years to 20 years; and 3) customer and distributor relationships of $164.3 million with useful lives ranging from 15 years to 18 years.
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the combined financial results for the Company and PFM as if the acquisition had been completed at the beginning of 2020:
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation 19,519 104,607
The above unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent what the Company’s results of operations would have been had it completed the acquisition on the date assumed, nor is it necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in future periods. Pro forma adjustments include depreciation on the provisional values of acquired property, plant and equipment, amortization on the provisional values of acquired intangible assets, interest expense on debt issued to finance the acquisition, acquisition-related costs incurred by Pilgrim’s and its subsidiaries and the related income tax effect of these adjustments. Pro forma adjustments exclude cost savings from any synergies resulting from the acquisition.
Randall Parker Foods Limited
On November 12, 2021, the Company acquired 100.0% of the equity of Randall Parker Foods Limited and its subsidiaries (together “RPF”) from several sellers for £10.0 million, or $13.4 million. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. Transaction costs were immaterial, these costs were expensed as incurred and are reflected within Selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The acquired operations include lamb processing and retail packaging operations and will connect the Company’s existing lamb supply chain, bringing its farmers and customers closer together. The RPF operations are included in the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment.
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The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary and we are currently completing our fair value assessment with the assistance of third-party valuation specialists. Any adjustments identified in the measurement period, which will not exceed one year from the acquisition date, will be accounting for prospectively.
Tulip Limited
On October 15, 2019, the Company acquired 100.0% of the equity of Tulip Limited and its subsidiaries (together “Tulip”) from Danish Crown AmbA for £311.3 million, or $393.3 million. The acquisition was funded with cash on hand. Tulip, which has subsequently changed its name to Pilgrim’s Pride Ltd. (“PPL”), is a leading, integrated prepared pork supplier headquartered in Warwick, U.K. The acquisition solidifies Pilgrim’s as a leading European food company, creating one of the largest integrated prepared foods businesses in the U.K. The PPL operations are included in the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment.
Transaction costs incurred in conjunction with the acquisition were approximately $1.4 million. These costs were expensed as incurred and are reflected within Selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.
The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition were measured at their fair values as of October 15, 2019 as set forth below. The excess of the fair values of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets over the purchase price was recorded as gain on bargain purchase in the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment. The fair values recorded were determined based upon various external and internal valuations. The fair values recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for PPL are as follows (in thousands):
The fair values recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for PPL are as follows (in thousands):
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,854
Trade accounts and other receivables 146,423
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,579
Operating lease assets 5,613
Property, plant and equipment 329,711
Identified intangible assets 40,418
Other current liabilities 55,830
Operating lease liabilities 5,613