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PPC US Equity

Pilgrims Pride CorpConsumer Staples · Poultry Slaughtering and Processing · CIK 802481 · FY ends Dec 27
$32.25
+1.01 (+3.23%)
USD · as of 2026-08-21 · marketstack

PPC · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

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filed 2024-02-27 · EDGAR original ↗

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Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Executive Summary

Overview

We are one of the largest protein companies 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.

We reported net income attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation of $322.3 million, or $1.36 per diluted common share, and profit before tax totaling $365.2 million, for 2023. These operating results included gross profit of $1.1 billion and generated $677.9 million of cash from operations. We generated consolidated operating margins of 3.0% with operating margins of 2.4%, 2.5%, and 7.3% in our U.S., U.K. and Europe, and Mexico reportable segments, respectively. During 2023, we generated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of $951.7 million and $1,034.2 million, 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.

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 2023 was a 53-week accounting cycle and 2022 was a 52-week accounting cycle.

Global Economic Conditions

During 2023, we continued to experience challenges from inflation in commodity, labor and other operating costs across all our businesses. The impact on the global feed ingredient and energy markets due to the Russia-Ukraine war have lessened due to increased production in other areas in the global supply chain as discussed below. Despite inflationary headwinds and subdued consumer demand throughout the U.K. and E.U., we have and will continue to invest in our people, implement supply chain solutions, and conduct customer negotiations for cost recovery. Mexico remains a volatile market given inflationary pressures, an evolving global protein industry, and overall business seasonality.

We have responded to these challenges by continuing negotiations with customers to mitigate the impact of 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.

Russia-Ukraine War Impacts

The Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022. The impact of the ongoing war and sanctions has not been limited to businesses that operate in Russia and Ukraine and has negatively impacted and will likely continue to negatively impact other global economic markets including where we operate. The impacts have included and may continue to include, but are not limited to, higher prices for commodities, such as food products, ingredients and energy products, increasing inflation in some countries, and disrupted trade and supply chains. The conflict has disrupted shipments of grains, vegetable oils, fertilizer and energy products.

The impact on the agriculture markets falls into two main categories: (1) the effect on Ukrainian crop production, as the region is key in global grain production; and (2) the duration of the disruption in trade flows. Safety and financing concerns in the region are restricting export execution, which is in turn forcing grain and oil demand to find alternative supply. In the fourth quarter of 2023, the global supply chains have become less sensitive to the conflict in Ukraine as grain production in other global areas had record high seasons alleviating much of the global supply constraints that existed after the initial outbreak of the war. Ukraine supply constraints from Russia’s mid-2023 suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and other impacts from the war have only minimally impacted grain exports from Ukraine and the global supply of grains due to the increased production from other areas.

The U.S. government and other governments in jurisdictions in which we operate have imposed sanctions and export controls against Russia, Belarus and interests therein and threatened additional sanctions and controls. The impact of these measures, now and in the future, along with further escalation of the conflict could adversely affect our business, supply chain or customers.

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Raw Materials and Input Costs

Our U.S. and Mexico segments use corn and soybean meal as the main ingredients for feed production, while our U.K. and Europe segment uses wheat, soybean meal and barley as the main ingredients for feed production.

During 2023, the global price of corn and wheat, measured at U.S. dollars per metric ton, both decreased about 30% per the International Monetary Fund as reported by the St. Louis Fed research center. The U.S. experienced dryer weather during the spring of 2023 that threatened corn supply, but the corn crop for the 2023/2024 growing season is confirmed to be at record production levels as prices trended down towards the end of 2023. Favorable weather conditions in Brazil during 2023 positively impacted global corn supply, while Argentina saw a severe drought which restricted their crop production for the year. Soybean prices began 2023 at higher levels, but came down during the second quarter and have remained stable throughout the remainder of the year.

During 2023, U.S. commodity market prices for chicken products trended in line with seasonal norms throughout the first half of the year, but at levels at or below the five-year historical average, before rebounding in the third quarter and trending in line with the historical average for the remainder of the year.

During the first half of 2023, industry production growth paired with higher levels of cold storage supply led to increased broiler availability. Additionally, although domestic demand grew in the first half, the increased demand pressure did not offset the incremental increase in supply keeping prices at our around seasonally expected levels despite a higher cost basis, which significantly impacted profitability in the commodity market-driven portion of our U.S. business. As a result, the U.S. chicken industry began reducing egg sets and chick placements as compared to prior year volumes beginning late in the second quarter and continued to be reduced throughout the second half of 2023.

The reduction in broiler production coincided with improved volume demand in both the foodservice and retail channels, enabling the industry to reduce cold storage inventories and reduce the impact of year-end seasonal inventory increases. The rebalancing of supply and demand drove positive price fluctuations as U.S. chicken market prices returned to the historical five-year average levels late into the third quarter of 2023 and followed expected seasonal pricing trends through the remainder of the year.

During 2023, the U.K. chicken market saw an increase in labor costs due to the national living wages change in April 2023. Through our current customer contracting models and additional negotiations we have offset the majority of these cost increases. Our utilities and feed ingredient costs continued to decrease throughout 2023 from the beginning of the year. We continue to focus on managing costs, including labor and yield efficiencies, agricultural performance and increasing operational efficiencies through investments in capital projects.

Commodity prices for chicken in Mexico ended 2023 below prior-year prices despite incremental increases throughout the year. Mexico grain prices were also below prior year levels.

U.K. market prices for pork products have followed an upward trend from 2022 but fell slightly during the fourth quarter of 2023, reflecting pig shortages from a 20% reduction of the English sow herd during 2022. E.U. and U.K. pig producers downsized their sow herds during 2023 by about 5% due to various factors. Due to increased market pricing and stabilization of feed prices, U.K. pig farming became profitable in the second quarter of 2023 and remained profitable in the second half of 2023.

U.K. prices for prepared foods have remained at elevated levels from inflationary pressure, primarily from increased pork prices. We continue to focus on partnering with our Key Customers and increasing operational efficiency.

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 issued $1.0 billion of sustainability-linked bonds, which require us to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 global greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 30% by 2030.

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

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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 Pilgrim’s. 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.

Governance. To cultivate discipline and drive accountability for Sustainability related matters, we use our annual budgeting process to establish strategies, plans, and risk mitigation tactics. This process is further reinforced by a series of key performance indicators to evaluate and monitor progress. These performance indicators are linked with compensation for both senior executive and plant level personnel. As part of our business management processes, progress against these metrics is reviewed at least monthly and evaluated by external agencies to assess progress against industry peers. In addition, the Board of Directors formed a Sustainability Committee to provide oversight and counsel on strategies, policies, and investments to reduce the impact of climate change.

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. Certain 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 20. Reportable Segments” of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.

Results of Operations

2023 Compared to 2022

Net sales. Net sales for 2023 decreased $106.2 million, or 0.6%, from $17.5 billion generated in 2022 to $17.4 billion generated in 2023. The following table provides additional information regarding net sales:

Sources of net sales 2023 Amount Percent

(In thousands, except percent data)

U.S. Reportable Segment. U.S. net sales generated in 2023 decreased $720.6 million, or 6.7%, from U.S. net sales generated in 2022 primarily because of a decrease in net sales per pound, contributing $1.2 billion, or 10.9 percentage points, to the decrease in net sales. This decrease in net sales per pound was partially offset by an increase in sales volume of $453.3 million, or 4.2 percentage points. The decrease in net sales per pound was driven by lower commodity market pricing for fresh chicken products as compared to prior year. The increase in sales volume was driven primarily by an increase in pounds sold in our fresh products divisions.

U.K. and Europe Reportable Segment. U.K. and Europe sales generated in 2023 increased $328.6 million, or 6.7%, from sales generated in 2022 primarily from an increase in net sales per pound and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation of $397.3 million, or 8.2 percentage points, and $33.5 million, or 0.7 percentage points, respectively. The increase in net sales per pound was driven by price increases necessary to recover increased feed ingredients, labor, utilities and other operating costs. The increases in net sales per pound and favorable impact of foreign currency translation were partially offset by a decrease in sales volume of $102.3 million, or 2.1 percentage points.

Mexico Reportable Segment. Mexico sales generated in 2023 increased $285.9 million, or 15.5%, from sales generated in 2022 primarily because of the favorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement and an increase in sales volume, partially offset by a decrease in net sales price per pound. The favorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement and increase in sales volume contributed $249.0 million, or 13.5 percentage points, and $86.2 million, or 4.7 percentage points, respectively, to the increase in net sales. The favorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement was due to a strengthening of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar. The sales volume across all lines of business increased during 2023 due to market demand. Partially offsetting these increases in net sales was a decrease in net sales price per pound of $49.3 million, or 2.7 percentage points.

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Gross profit. Gross profit decreased by $693.4 million, or 38.3%, from $1.8 billion generated in 2022 to $1.1 billion generated in 2023. The following tables provide gross profit information:

Change from 2022 Percent of Net Sales

(In thousands, except percent data)

Sources of gross profit 2023 Change from 2022

Amount Percent

(In thousands, except percent data)

Sources of cost of sales 2023 Change from 2022

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 2023 increased $192.8 million, or 2.1%, from cost of sales incurred by our U.S. operations in 2022. Cost of sales increased primarily because of increased sales volume of $392.9 million, or 4.2 percentage points, partially offset by a decrease in cost per pound sold of $203.9 million, or 2.2 percentage points. The increase in our sales volume was primarily driven by our fresh products divisions. 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 2023 increased $194.6 million, or 4.2%, from cost of sales incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2022 primarily because of increases in cost per pound sold and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation of $257.6 million, or 5.6 percentage points, and $31.1 million, or 0.7 percentage points, respectively. The increase in cost per pound was driven by increased feed ingredients, labor, utilities and other operating costs. Partially offsetting these increases was the impact of a decrease in sales volume of $94.1 million, or 2.1 percentage points. Other factors affecting cost of sales were individually immaterial.

Mexico Reportable Segment. Cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during 2023 increased $199.6 million, or 11.7%, from cost of sales incurred by the Mexico operations during 2022 primarily because of the unfavorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement and an increase in sales volume which contributed $223.1 million, or 13.0 percentage points, and $79.9 million, or 4.7 percentage points, to the increase in cost of sales, respectively. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement was due to a strengthening of the Mexican peso against the U.S. dollar. The sales volume across all lines of business increased during 2023 due to market demand. Partially offsetting these increases in cost of sales was a decrease in the cost per pound sold of $103.4 million, or 6.0 percentage points. Other factors affecting cost of sales were individually immaterial.

Operating income. Operating income decreased $654.3 million, or 55.6%, from $1,176.6 million generated for 2022 to $522.3 million generated for 2023. The following tables provide operating income information:

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Change from 2022 Percent of Net Sales

(In thousands, except percent data)

Sources of operating income 2023 Amount Percent

(In thousands, except percent data)

Sources of SG&A expenses (defined below) 2023 Change from 2022

Amount Percent

(In thousands, except percent data)

Sources of restructuring activities charges 2023 Change from 2022

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.

(b)This Y/Y change is designated not meaningful (or “NM”).

U.S. Reportable Segment. Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense incurred by the U.S. operations during 2023 decreased $58.3 million, or 17.0%, from SG&A expense incurred by the U.S. operations during 2022 primarily from decreases in legal defense costs, incentive compensation costs, and employee relation costs. 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 2023 decreased $8.9 million, or 4.2%, from SG&A expense incurred by the U.K. and Europe operations during 2022 primarily due to decreased labor and employee-related costs, decreased advertising costs, and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.

Mexico Reportable Segment. SG&A expense incurred by the Mexico operations during 2023 increased $14.3 million, or 27.6%, from SG&A expense incurred by the Mexico operations during 2022. SG&A expense increased primarily from increased payroll and employee-related costs due to labor reform law changes and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency remeasurement. Other factors affecting SG&A expense were individually immaterial.

Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense increased 16.0% to $166.6 million in 2023 from $143.6 million in 2022, primarily from an increase of $34.3 million in interest expense on outstanding borrowings and a loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a component of interest expense of $20.7 million, partially offset by an increase in interest income of $26.6 million. As a percent of net sales, interest expense in 2023 and 2022 was 1.0% and 0.8%, respectively.

Income taxes. Our consolidated income tax expense in 2023 was $42.9 million, compared to income tax expense of $278.9 million in 2022. The decrease in income tax expense in 2023 resulted from a decrease in pre-tax income during 2023.

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2022 Compared to 2021

For discussion of 2022 results of operations in comparison to 2021 results of operations, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II of the 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 9, 2023.

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 31, 2023:

Sources of Liquidity FacilityAmount AmountOutstanding Available

(In millions)

Cash and cash equivalents $ 731.2

Borrowing arrangements:

U.S. Revolving Syndicated Facility(a) $ 850.0 $ — 824.9

Mexico BBVA Credit Facility(b) 65.4 — 65.4

U.K. and Europe Revolver Facility(c) 191.1 — 191.1

(a)Availability under the U.S. Revolving Syndicated Facility is also reduced by our outstanding standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2023 totaled $25.1 million.

(b)As of December 31, 2023, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the amount available under the Mexico BBVA Credit Facility was $65.4 million ($1.1 billion Mexican pesos).

(c)As of December 31, 2023, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the amount available under the U.K. and Europe Revolver Facility was $191.1 million (£150.0 million).

On October 12, 2023, we completed a sale of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured, registered, senior notes due 2034 (“Senior Notes due 2034”). The issuance price of this offering to the public was 98.041%, which created gross proceeds of $490.2 million before transaction costs. We used the net proceeds from the offering of the Senior Notes due 2034, together with cash on hand, to purchase for cash the Senior Notes due 2027 through a tender offer and subsequent redemption of remaining outstanding notes. As of October 12, 2023, $812.8 million principal amount of the Senior Notes due 2027 had been validly tendered and purchased by us. The remaining outstanding Senior Notes due 2027 were purchased by us on October 16, 2023.

On April 19, 2023, we completed a sale of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% unsecured, registered senior notes due 2033 (“Senior Notes due 2033”). We used the net proceeds to repay the term loans and the outstanding balance under the 2021 U.S. Credit Facility. The issuance price of this offering to the public was 99.312%, which created gross proceeds of $993.1 million before transaction costs.

On October 4, 2023, we entered into a Revolving Syndicated Facility Agreement with CoBank, ACB as administrative agent (the “RCF”). This facility replaced the Fifth Amended and Restated U.S. Credit Facility that was executed in 2021. The RCF increased our availability under the revolving loan commitment from $800.0 million to $850.0 million and extended the maturity date from August 2026 to October 2028.

On August 15, 2023, we entered into an unsecured credit agreement (the “Mexico BBVA Credit Facility”) with BBVA México as lender. The loan commitment under the Mexico BBVA Credit Facility is Mex$1.1 billion and can be borrowed on a revolving basis. Outstanding borrowings under the Mexico BBVA Credit Facility accrue interest at a rate equal to TIIE plus 1.35%. The Mexico BBVA Credit Facility will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Mexico BBVA Credit Facility will mature on August 15, 2026.

We expect cash flows from operations, combined with availability under our 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.

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Historical Flow of Funds

Year Ended

Cash Flows from Operating Activities December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022

(In millions)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Trade accounts and other receivables (19.0) (149.6)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 17.8 18.3

Accounts payable and accrued expenses (68.7) 263.3

Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations (10.0) (4.1)

Other operating assets and liabilities (30.7) (12.3)

Cash provided by operating activities $ 677.9 $ 669.9

Net Noncash Expenses

Items necessary to reconcile from net income to cash flow provided by operating activities included net noncash expenses of $462.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Net noncash expense items included $419.9 million of depreciation and amortization, loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a component of interest expense of $20.7 million, loan cost amortization of $7.4 million, stock-based compensation expense of $7.2 million, deferred income tax expense of $6.7 million, asset impairment of $4.0 million, and accretion of bond discount of $2.3 million. Partially offsetting the net noncash expenses was an $6.1 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 $422.6 million for the year ended December 25, 2022. Net noncash expense items included $403.1 million of depreciation and amortization, $21.3 million of deferred income tax expense, $7.0 million of stock-based compensation expense, loan cost amortization of $4.8 million, asset impairment of $3.6 million and accretion of bond discount of $1.7 million. Partially offsetting the net noncash expenses was an $18.9 million gain on property disposals. Other items affecting net noncash expenses were individually immaterial.

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities

The change in trade accounts and other receivables, including accounts receivable from related parties, represented a $19.0 million use of cash in 2023. The change in cash was primarily due to the timing of customer payments. The change in trade accounts and other receivables, including accounts receivable from related parties, represented a $149.6 million use of cash in 2022. The change in cash was primarily due to the timing of customer payments.

The change in inventories represented a $12.6 million source of cash in 2023. The change in cash resulted from an decrease in our raw materials and work-in-process inventory values. The change in inventories represented a $472.2 million use of cash in 2022. The change in cash resulted from an increase in our raw materials and work-in-process inventory values due to higher input costs.

The change inprepaid expenses and other current assets represented a $17.8 million source of cash in 2023. This change resulted primarily from a net decrease in the commodity derivatives assets. The change in prepaid expenses and other current assets represented a $18.3 million source of cash in 2022. This change resulted primarily from a net decrease in value-added tax receivables and prepaid property insurance.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accounts payable to related parties, represented a $68.7 million use of cash in 2023. This change resulted primarily from the timing of payments. Accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accounts payable to related parties, represented a $263.3 million source of cash in 2022. This change resulted primarily from the timing of payments as well as increased prices for feed ingredients, transportation and packaging materials.

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

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loss, represented a $8.9 million use of cash in 2023. This change resulted primarily from the timing of estimated tax payments and lower profitability in 2023. 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 $142.5 million use of cash in 2022. This change resulted primarily from the timing of estimated tax payments and higher profitability in 2022.

Year Ended

Cash Flows from Investing Activities December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022

(In millions)

Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment $ (543.8) $ (487.1)

Proceeds from insurance recoveries 20.7 16.0

Proceeds from property disposals 19.8 35.5

Purchase of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired — (9.7)

Cash used in investing activities $ (503.4) $ (445.3)

Capital expenditures were incurred for growth projects, such as the Athens, GA expansion and the South Georgia protein conversion plant, and to improve operational efficiencies, system enhancement projects, and to reduce costs for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022. Proceeds from insurance recoveries reflects cash received on property insurance recoveries related to the Mayfield, Kentucky tornado that occurred in December 2021. Proceeds from property disposals were primarily for the sale of a farm in Mexico and other miscellaneous equipment.

Year Ended

Cash Flows from Financing Activities December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022

(In millions)

Payment of capitalized loan costs (19.8) (4.7)

Payment on early extinguishment of debt (13.8) —

Purchase of common stock under share repurchase program — (199.6)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ 116.7 $ (232.0)

Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings are primarily from the offerings of our 2033 and 2034 Senior Notes, as well as borrowings on our 2021 U.S. Credit Facility and our U.K. and Europe Revolver Facility. Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings, and finance lease obligations are primarily due to the paydown of our term loans and revolving notes on our 2021 U.S. Credit Facility, the completed tender offer of our 2027 Senior Notes, and repayment of borrowings on our U.K. and Europe Revolver Facility. The payment of capitalized loan costs relates to the offering of 2033 and 2034 Senior Notes and the execution of the U.S. Revolving Syndicated credit facility in 2023. The payment on early extinguishment of debt primarily relates to the tender-offer payment of the 2027 Senior Notes. The distribution of equity under the Tax Sharing Agreement is the 2022 distribution of equity that was paid in the first quarter of 2023.

Long-Term Debt and Other Borrowing Arrangements

Our long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements consist of senior notes, revolving credit facilities and other term loan agreements. For a description, refer to Part II, Item 8, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, “Note 13. Debt.”

Obligor Group Summarized Financial Information

All of the senior unsecured registered notes (collectively, the “Pilgrim’s Senior Notes”) issued by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation prior to December 31, 2023 are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation of West Virginia Inc., JFC LLC, Gold’n Plump Farms LLC and Gold’n Plump Poultry LLC (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”). See “Note 13. Debt” of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report for additional descriptions of these guarantees.

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The following tables present summarized financial information for Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation parent company only (as issuer of the Pilgrim’s Senior Notes) and the Subsidiary Guarantors (together, the “Obligor Group”), on a combined basis after the elimination of all intercompany balances and transactions between Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation parent company only and the Subsidiary Guarantors and investments in any non-obligated subsidiary.

Summarized Balance Sheets December 31, 2023 December 25, 2022

(In millions)

Current assets due from non-obligated subsidiaries(a) 192 170

Current assets due from related parties(b) — 2

Current liabilities due to non-obligated subsidiaries(a) 325 253

Current liabilities due to related parties(b) 32 8

(a) Represents receivables and short-term lending due from and payables and short-term lending due to non-obligated subsidiaries.

(b) Represents receivables due from and payables due to JBS affiliates.

Summarized Income Statements Year Ended December 31, 2023

(In millions)

Gross profit(a) 533

Operating income 293

Net income 49

Net income attributable to Obligor Group 49

(a) For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Obligor Group recognized $195.0 million of net sales to the non-obligated subsidiaries and no purchases from the non-obligated subsidiaries.

Capital Expenditures

We anticipate spending between $475 million and $525 million on the acquisition of property, plant and equipment in 2024. Capital expenditures will primarily be incurred to grow our operations, improve efficiencies, to reduce costs, and for system enhancement projects. We expect to fund these capital expenditures with cash flow from operations.

Contractual Obligations

In addition to our debt commitments at December 31, 2023, 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 31, 2023 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)Long-term debt is presented at face value and excludes $25.1 million in letters of credit outstanding related to normal business transactions.

(b)Interest expense in the table above assumes the continuation of interest rates and outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2023.

(c)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.

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We expect cash flows from operations, combined with availability under the U.S. Revolving Syndicated Facility, the Mexico BBVA Credit Facility and the U.K. and Europe Revolver Facility 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.

Pillar II Tax Initiative

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) is an international organization made up of 38 member countries that work on establishing international standards seeking solutions to a series of social, economic, and environmental challenges, from improving economic performance, creating jobs to promoting solid education and combating international tax avoidance.

Regarding the fight against tax avoidance, the Base Erosion Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) project was created in 2013, which is an initiative of the G20 (Group of twenty countries with the largest economies) together with the OECD, aimed at implementing 15 measures to combat tax avoidance, improve the coherence of international tax rules, and ensure a more transparent tax environment on the international stage and to avoid the abuse of tax norms that result in erosion of the tax base, mainly through profit shifting to destinations with more favorable taxation or no taxation.

Pillar II is part of one of OECD's most recent initiatives, known as BEPS 2.0, is intended to address tax issues related to changes in business models in a globalized environment. The goal of Pillar II is to create a global minimum taxation system for multinational companies with an annual global turnover exceeding EUR 750 million, aiming to implement a balance in the global income tax collection of these companies, which may consist of additional taxation for economic groups. In short, this additional taxation aims to ensure the payment of a minimum effective global rate of 15%, per jurisdiction, where the multinational group operates.

Starting in 2024, Pillar II rules come into effect in various countries, impacting several multinationals and their subsidiaries groups operating in these jurisdictions. During the initial three years, transition rules (Safe Harbor) simplify the calculations of the effective rate per jurisdiction, enabling adaptation to the affected multinational groups.

Although the implementation of Pillar II offers uncertainties in the US legal system, the Company and its subsidiaries are monitoring the potential impacts that this new rule may bring to the Group.

During 2023, the Company conducted Safe Harbor analysis using 2022 financial data for the jurisdictions where the Company operates. The results of this preliminary analysis indicate that some countries within the Group may be subject to the additional payment of income tax under the rules of Pillar II. However, the percentage of additional payment cannot be accurately estimated as of the time the issuance of these Financial Statements, particularly due to the fact that the impact of Pillar 2 will be based on 2024 results, which cannot yet be known.

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

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.

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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.

Generally, we perform an evaluation of whether any lower of cost or net realizable value 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 and customer relationships 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 our identified intangible assets.

Goodwill is not amortized but is 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 whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent), that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the unit’s carrying amount (including goodwill). If management determines it is more

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likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit goodwill might be impaired, a quantitative impairment test is performed. Management has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Management would be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. When performing quantitative impairment tests, we estimate the fair value of our reporting units with material goodwill carrying amounts using an income approach (discounted cash flow method). We develop projections for cash flows over a 5-year period based on assumptions about revenue growth and margin changes using internally-developed economic projections and industry data obtained from government authorities such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other sources. We also make terminal value assumptions about revenue growth and margin changes for periods beyond the projection period. We utilize margin assumptions based on operating performance expectations, margins historically realized in the reporting units’ industries, and general macroeconomic trends. We utilize the weighted average cost of capital as a proxy for the discount rate. We consider reporting units that have 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount to have a heightened risk of future goodwill impairment.

In 2022 and 2021, we reviewed relevant qualitative factors and determined that no indicators of goodwill impairment existed for our Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Food Masters, Pilgrim’s Mexico, and Pilgrim’s U.S. reporting units. Our Pilgrim’s U.K. reporting unit reported goodwill of $2.1 million and $1.8 million at December 25, 2022 and December 26, 2021, respectively. These amounts were considered immaterial to warrant quantitative goodwill impairment testing. In 2023, we experienced (1) an increase in long-term treasury rates that management determined could negatively affect discount rates and (2) continued inflationary pressures impacting primarily our Moy Park and Pilgrim’s Food Masters reporting units that management determined could negatively affect our margins. Both discount rates and margins are used in estimating the fair value of the reporting units. Therefore, management elected to bypass qualitative assessments and performed quantitative goodwill impairment tests for the Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Food Masters, Pilgrim’s Mexico, and Pilgrim’s U.S. reporting units as of December 31, 2023. Our Pilgrim’s U.K. reporting unit reported goodwill of $2.3 million at December 31, 2023. This amount was considered immaterial to warrant quantitative goodwill impairment testing.

Our Moy Park reporting unit had goodwill of $784.8 million at December 31, 2023. In estimating the reporting unit’s fair value, we generally assumed revenue growth would normalize to slightly below the weighted average long-term inflation rate for the countries in which the reporting unit operates. We also assumed margins in future years would increase through the projection period as the reporting unit continues to remove costs from operations through rationalization projects then normalize in the long-term as we believe this is consistent with market participant views in an exit transaction. The current year results are not indicative of future market participant expectations in an exit transaction primarily due to current challenging market conditions associated with continued inflationary pressures in the countries in which the Moy Park reporting unit operates. Based on the outcome of the quantitative test, management determined that no goodwill impairment existed in the Moy Park reporting unit as of December 31, 2023; however, the Moy Park reporting unit does have a heightened risk of future goodwill impairment as the excess fair value over carrying amount of the reporting unit was less than 20%. An increase in the discount rate of 25-50 basis points or a reduction in estimated long-term margins by 75-100 basis points across all future projected years, with all other assumptions unchanged, would have caused the carrying value of this reporting unit to exceed its fair value, which may have resulted in material goodwill impairment loss.

Our Pilgrim’s Food Masters, Pilgrim’s Mexico and Pilgrim’s U.S. reporting units had goodwill of $329.4 million, $127.8 million and $41.9 million, respectively, at December 31, 2023. In estimating the reporting units’ fair value, we generally assumed revenue growth would normalize to the approximate weighted average long-term inflation rate for the U.K., Ireland, Mexico and the U.S., respectively. We also assumed margins in future years would normalize over time as we believe this is consistent with market participant views in an exit transaction. The current year results, as well as the first year of projected results, are not indicative of future market participant expectations in an exit transaction as product price increases have lagged behind increased input costs that resulted from inflationary pressures experienced in the U.K., Ireland, Mexico and the U.S. during 2022 and early 2023. Based on the outcome of the quantitative tests, management determined that no goodwill impairment existed in the Pilgrim’s Food Masters, Pilgrim’s Mexico, or Pilgrim’s U.S. reporting units as of December 31, 2023, and the reporting units do not have a heightened risk of future goodwill impairment as the excess fair value over carrying amount of each reporting unit exceeded 20%.

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. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an indefinite-life intangible asset exceeds the estimated fair value of that intangible asset. Management first reviews relevant qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that an intangible asset is impaired. If management determines there is an indication that the carrying amount of the intangible asset might be impaired, a quantitative impairment test is performed. Management has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-life intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test.

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The fair value of our indefinite-life intangible assets is calculated principally using a relief-from-royalty valuation approach, which uses significant unobservable inputs as defined by the fair value hierarchy, and is believed to reflect market participant views which would exist in an exit transaction. Under this valuation approach, we make estimates and assumptions about brand sales growth, royalty rates and discount rates based on specific brand sales projections, general economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. We consider indefinite-life intangible assets that have 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount to have a heightened risk of future impairment. Our 2022 and 2021 indefinite-life intangible assets impairment analyses did not result in an impairment charge.

In 2023, we experienced an increase in long-term treasury rates that management determined could negatively affect discount rates, which are used in estimating the fair value of the reporting units. Therefore, management elected to bypass qualitative assessments for all indefinite-life intangible assets and performed quantitative impairment tests. Based on the outcome of the quantitative tests, management determined that no material impairment existed as of December 31, 2023.

The estimated fair values of two indefinite-life intangible assets did not exceed their carrying amounts by more than 20% at December 31, 2023. One brand reported in the U.K. and Europe reportable segment had a carrying amount of $36.1 million at December 31, 2023. For this brand, a hypothetical increase in the discount rate of approximately 25-50 basis points, with all other assumptions unchanged, would have caused the carrying amount of this brand to exceed its fair value, which may have resulted in impairment loss. A hypothetical decrease in the royalty rate of this brand of approximately 25-50 basis points, with all other assumptions unchanged, would have caused the carrying amount of this brand to exceed its fair value, which may have resulted in impairment loss. One brand reported in the Mexico reportable segment had a carrying amount of $0.8 million at December 31, 2023. Potential future full impairment of its carrying amount would not be considered a material impairment loss. We generally assumed brand revenue growth rates in future years would normalize over time as we believe this is consistent with market participant views in an exit transaction. The current year results are not indicative of future market participant expectations in an exit transaction primarily due to the expected temporary impacts of continued inflationary pressures and volatile market conditions. We do not currently consider any of our other indefinite-life intangible assets, which had aggregate carrying amount of $543.5 million at December 31, 2023 to be at heightened risk of future impairment.

Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives, such as customer relationships 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 15 to 20 years for 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 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022.

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 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes, with regard to members of a group that file a consolidated tax return but issue separate financial statements. We file certain state unitary returns with JBS USA Food Company 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 Food Company 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.

Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans. We sponsor four qualified defined benefit pension plans, two nonqualified defined benefit retirement plans, and one defined benefit postretirement life insurance plan. Some of these plans are administered by a board of trustees made up of management within the participating companies and representatives

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from associated labor groups while others are administered by an investment committee made up of management from the participating company. We use independent third-party actuaries to assist in determining our pension obligations and net periodic benefit cost. We, along with the actuaries, review assumptions including estimates of the present value of projected future pension payments to participants. We accumulate and amortize the impact of actuarial gains and losses over future periods.

Our defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions and apply judgments. The key assumptions made in developing key estimates include discount rates, expected returns on plan assets, retirement rates, and mortality. These assumptions can have a material impact on the funded status and the net periodic benefit cost. The discount rates reflect yields on high-quality corporate bonds as of the measurement date and were compared to the effective discount rate determined by discounting plan cash flows using the 12/31/2023 Empower Above Mean Curve. All other assumptions reflect estimates of future experience and considering relevant historical information, such as credible plan experience, from representative populations and relevant plan characteristics. The mortality assumption reflects experience from representative populations, based on the Pri-2012 Private Retirement Plans Mortality Table Report issued by the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) in October 2019 and the Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2021 Report issued by the SOA in October 2021. It is reasonable to expect that changes in external factors will result in changes to the assumptions noted above that are used to measure pension obligations and net periodic benefit cost in future periods.

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 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.

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 losses (gains), (2) transaction costs related to business acquisitions, (3) costs related to litigation settlements, (4) restructuring activities losses, (5) property insurance recoveries, and (6) 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;

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•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 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

Add:

Add:

Transaction costs related to acquisitions — 948

Minus:

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 743 608

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Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income

(Unaudited)

Year Ended

Add:

Transaction costs related to acquisitions — 948

Minus:

Net tax benefit of adjustments(b) (25,140) (19,115)

Adjusted net income attributable to Pilgrim’s $ 400,319 $ 803,552

Weighted average diluted shares of common stock outstanding 237,297 240,394

(a)The loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a component of interest expense was due to the repurchase of the Senior Notes due 2027.

(b)Net tax impact of adjustments represents the tax impact of all adjustments shown above.

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.

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 ingredient purchases will have increased cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2023.

(b)A 10% increase in ending feed ingredient prices would have increased inventories as of December 31, 2023.

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Amount Impact of 10% Increase to the Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Assets

(In thousands)

Commodity derivative assets(a) $ 35,812 $ 3,581

(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 31, 2023.

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 $131.1 million as of December 31, 2023.

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 31, 2023. 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) $ (18,310) $ 22,379

Exchange rate of Mexican pesos to the U.S. dollar:

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 31, 2023, our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries that are denominated in the British pound had net assets of $4.1 billion. A 10% weakening in the British pound against the U.S. dollar exchange rate would cause a decrease in the net assets of our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries by $374.4 million. A 10% strengthening in the British pound against the U.S. dollar exchange rate would cause an increase in the net assets of our U.K. and Europe subsidiaries by $457.6 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.

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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

Our global operations were impacted by inflation during 2023, but less significantly than in 2022. Our global businesses negotiated with our customers to increase prices to mitigate the impacts of the increase in input costs such as feed ingredients, labor, utilities, freight and other input costs. Prior to 2022, inflation was significantly less impactful to our operations. We anticipate inflation in 2024 will be moderate compared to 2023 based on the monetary policy measures implemented in the jurisdictions in which we operate.

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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 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, 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 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, 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 31, 2023 based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

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.

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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 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.

Evaluation of quantitative goodwill impairment assessment

As discussed in Notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the goodwill balance as of December 31, 2023 was $1.3 billion, of which $1.1 billion related to reporting units within the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment. For 2023, management elected to bypass the qualitative assessments for certain reporting units and performed quantitative goodwill impairment tests. The Company determined that no impairment existed as of December 31, 2023.

We identified the evaluation of the quantitative goodwill impairment assessments related to certain reporting units within the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment as a critical audit matter. Subjective auditor judgment and specialized skills and knowledge were required to evaluate certain key assumptions used in measuring fair value of the reporting units. These key assumptions included forecasted revenue growth, forecasted margins, discount rates, and terminal growth rates. Changes in these assumptions could have an impact on the fair value of the reporting units.

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 related to the Company’s quantitative goodwill impairment assessments for certain reporting units within the Company’s U.K. and Europe reportable segment. This included controls over the development of the key assumptions listed above. We evaluated the Company’s assessments by:

◦assessing the Company’s forecasted revenue growth and forecasted margins against underlying business strategies and growth plans

◦comparing historical results to forecasts to assess the Company’s ability to forecast.

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In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:

◦evaluating the discount rates used by comparing the Company’s inputs to the discount rates to publicly available data for comparable companies and assessing the resulting discount rates

◦comparing the selected terminal growth rates to the Company’s growth expectations using publicly available industry and economic data.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012.

Denver, Colorado

February 27, 2024

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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and par value data)

Accounts receivable from related parties 1,778 2,512

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 926,727 850,899

Current maturities of long-term debt 674 26,279

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities, less current maturities 203,348 230,701

Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity 3,331,372 2,840,814

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Year Ended

(In thousands, except per share data)

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 743 608 268

Weighted average shares of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stock outstanding:

Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents 572 628 477

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Year Ended

(In thousands)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges

Gains (losses) arising during the period (2,565) (2,915) 398

Income tax effect — — 22

Reclassification to net earnings for losses (gains) realized 1,813 4,142 (1,437)

Income tax effect — (24) (157)

Available-for-sale securities

Losses arising during the period (166) (3) —

Income tax effect 42 2 —

Reclassification to net earnings for losses (gains) realized 175 (17) —

Income tax effect (42) 4 —

Defined benefit plans

Reclassification to net earnings of losses realized 1,065 1,381 2,278

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests 743 608 268

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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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 162 2 — — (2) — — — —

Requisite service period recognition — — — — 11,657 — — — 11,657

Comprehensive income:

Capital distribution under TSA — — — — (1,592) — — — (1,592)

Stock-based compensation plans:

Common stock issued under compensation plans 264 3 — — (3) — — — —

Requisite service period recognition — — — — 7,400 — — — 7,400

Comprehensive income:

Capital contribution under TSA — — — — 1,425 — — — 1,425

Stock-based compensation plans:

Common stock issued under compensation plans 320 3 — — (3) — — — —

Requisite service period recognition — — — — 7,594 — — — 7,594

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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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:

Loss (gain) on equity method investments 328 (2) (16)

Amortization of bond premium — — (167)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations (9,993) (4,128) (18,461)

Cash flows from investing activities

Proceeds from property insurance recoveries 20,681 16,034 —

Purchase of acquired businesses, net of cash acquired — (9,692) (966,766)

Cash flows from financing activities

Payment on early extinguishment of debt (13,780) — (21,258)

Distribution of capital under the TSA (1,592) (1,961) (650)

Purchase of common stock under share repurchase program — (199,553) —

Supplemental Disclosure Information

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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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 (from its U.K. operations) to over 115 countries. Our fresh products consist of refrigerated whole or cut-up chicken, 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.

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, identifiable intangible assets, 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 the Company’s 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 the U.S. dollar 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

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

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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 $56.7 million, $58.0 million and $32.4 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs totaled $5.7 million, $12.5 million and $5.1 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total of the same amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

(In thousands)

Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 33,475 33,771

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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, such as commercial paper. 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 expected 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 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

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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 net realizable value 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.

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 SOFR 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. 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.

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.

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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 whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent), that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the unit’s carrying amount (including goodwill). If management determines it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of a reporting unit goodwill might be impaired, a quantitative impairment test is performed. Management has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. Management would be able to resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. In 2023, the Company experienced (1) an increase in long-term treasury rates that management determined could negatively affect discount rates and (2) continued inflationary pressures impacting primarily our Moy Park and Pilgrim’s Food Masters reporting units that management determined could negatively affect our margins. Due to these factors in 2023, management elected to bypass the qualitative assessment for all reporting units and performed a quantitative impairment test for each reporting unit with a material amount of goodwill reported as of December 31, 2023 and the results of the quantitative tests are reported below.

As of December 31, 2023, our Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Food Masters, Pilgrim’s Mexico, and Pilgrim’s U.S. reporting units had reported goodwill of $784.8 million, $329.4 million, $127.8 million, and $41.9 million, respectively. Our Pilgrim’s U.K. reporting unit had reported goodwill of $2.3 million as of December 31, 2023, which was considered immaterial to warrant quantitative goodwill impairment testing. To perform the quantitative assessments, Management estimated the fair value of our reporting units with material goodwill carrying amounts using an income approach (discounted cash flow method). The method to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit involves the use of assumptions about revenue growth, margins, industry data, discount rates, and terminal growth values. These assumptions use data from internally-developed economic projections and external industry data obtained from government authorities, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other sources. The margin assumptions are based on operating performance expectations, historically realized margins within each reporting units’ industries, and general macroeconomic trends. We use the weighted average cost of capital as a proxy for the discount rates. We consider reporting units that have a 20% or less excess fair value over carrying amount to have a heightened risk of future goodwill impairment.

Based on the outcomes of the reporting units’ quantitative assessments, Management determined that no goodwill impairment existed in any of the reporting units’ with material carrying amounts of goodwill. Our Moy Park reporting unit was determined to have a heightened risk of future goodwill impairment as the excess fair value over the reporting unit’s carrying amount was less than 20%. Some of the assumptions used in determining the fair values of the reporting units are outside the control of management and while we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate these fair values, it is possible a material change could occur. If actual results of the reporting units are not consistent with the estimates and assumptions used to calculate the fair values, it could result in material impairments of our reported goodwill.

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 whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that an intangible asset is impaired. If management determines there is an indication that the carrying amount of the intangible asset might be impaired, a quantitative impairment test is performed. Management has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. For 2023, management elected to bypass qualitative assessments for all indefinite-lived intangible assets and performed quantitative impairment tests and determined that no impairment existed as of December 31, 2023.

The fair value of our indefinite-life intangible assets is calculated principally using a relief-from-royalty valuation approach, which uses significant unobservable inputs as defined by the fair value hierarchy, and is believed to reflect market participant views which would exist in an exit transaction. Under this valuation approach, we make estimates and assumptions about brand sales growth, royalty rates and discount rates based on specific brand sales projections, general economic projections, anticipated future cash flows and marketplace data. We consider indefinite-life intangible assets that have 20% or

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less excess fair value over carrying amount to have a heightened risk of future impairment. Our 2022 and 2021 indefinite-life intangible assets impairment analyses did not result in an impairment charge.

In 2023, we experienced an increase in long-term treasury rates that management determined could negatively affect discount rates, which are used in estimating the fair value of the reporting units. Therefore, management elected to bypass qualitative assessments for all indefinite-life intangible assets and performed quantitative impairment tests and determined that no material impairment existed as of December 31, 2023. The estimated fair values of two of our indefinite-life intangibles did not exceed their carrying values by more than 20% at December 31, 2023. This includes one brand within our U.K. and Europe reportable segment and one brand in our Mexico reportable segment with carrying amounts $36.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. We generally assumed brand revenue growth rates in future years would normalize over time as we believe this is consistent with market participant views in an exit transaction.The current year results are not indicative of future market participant expectations in an exit transaction primarily due to the expected temporary impacts of continued inflationary pressures and volatile market conditions. We do not currently consider any of our other indefinite-life intangible assets, which had aggregate carrying value of $543.5 million at December 31, 2023 to be at heightened risk of future impairment.

Identifiable intangible assets with definite lives, such as customer relationships 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 15 to 20 years for 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 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022.

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 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 stated in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes, with regard to members of a group that file a consolidated tax return but issue separate financial statements. The Company files 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

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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 31, 2023 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 within ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, 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.

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.

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•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 in the past 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 for certain of its forward physical grain purchase and energy 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 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022.

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 SG&A 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, 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.

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 realization of deferred tax assets; valuation of long-lived assets; valuation of contingent liabilities and self-insurance liabilities; and valuation of acquired businesses.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2023

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In September 2022, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-04, Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations, which requires disclosure of the existence of supplier financing programs. The guidance requires disclosure about the nature of the supplier financing agreements, including key terms and payment timing and determination of amounts, the accounting treatment for the transactions and the effect of the transactions on the financial statements, as well as any assets pledged or guarantees provided to the providers of the financing programs. The provisions of the new guidance were effective for years beginning after December 15, 2022 with the requirement to add rollforward disclosures for years beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company adopted this guidance effective December 26, 2022. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Additional information regarding supplier finance programs is included in “Note 11. Supplier Finance Programs.”

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 are 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. The Company adopted this guidance effective December 26, 2022. The adoption did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2022

In November 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-10, Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance, which requires annual disclosures for transactions with a government authority that are accounted for by a grant or contribution model. The guidance requires disclosure about the nature of certain government assistance received, the accounting treatment for the transactions and the effect of the transactions on the financial statements. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted as of December 31, 2023

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires additional disclosures for reportable segments. The guidance requires disclosures about significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker along with additional measures of segment profit that are regularly used by the chief operating decision maker in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. The provisions of the new guidance will be effective for years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company plans to adopt this guidance in the next fiscal year and are still assessing the impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires additional disclosures for income taxes to enhance transparency and usefulness of income tax disclosures. The guidance requires additional disclosures for the tabular rate reconciliation, income taxes paid, and the disaggregation of domestic, federal and state, and foreign components within income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations. The provisions of the new guidance will be effective for years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company plans to adopt this guidance as it becomes effective and is assessing the impacts on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. REVENUE RECOGNITION

The vast majority of the Company’s 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 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

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to the customer at a point in time, which is upon destination (customer location or port of destination), which faithfully depicts the transfer of control and recognition of revenue. There are instances of customer pick-up at the Company’s facility, 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.

Disaggregated Revenue

Revenue has been disaggregated into the following categories below to show how economic factors affect the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows:

Fresh Prepared Export Other Total

(In thousands)

Fresh Prepared Export Other Total

(In thousands)

Fresh Prepared Export Other Total

(In thousands)

Contract Costs

The Company can incur incremental costs to obtain or fulfill a contract such as broker expenses that are not expected to be recovered. The amortization period for such expenses is less than one year; therefore, the costs are expensed as incurred.

Taxes

The Company excludes all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the entity from a customer (for example, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes) from the transaction price.

Contract Balances

The Company receives payment from customers based on terms established with the customer. Payments are typically due within 14 to 30 days of delivery. Revenue contract liabilities relate to payments received in advance of satisfying the performance under the customer contract. The revenue contract liabilities relate to customer prepayments and the advanced

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consideration, such as cash, received from governmental agency contracts for which performance obligations to the end customer have not been satisfied.

Changes in the revenue contract liability balances for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022 were as follows:

(In thousands)

3. LEASES

The Company is party to operating lease agreements for warehouses, office space, vehicle maintenance facilities and livestock growing farms in the U.S., distribution centers, hatcheries and office space in Mexico and farms, processing facilities and office space in the U.K. and Europe. Additionally, the Company leases equipment, over-the-road transportation vehicles and other assets in all three reportable segments. The Company is also party to a limited number of finance lease agreements in the U.S.

The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to 17 years, some of which may include options to extend the lease for up to five years and some of which may include options to terminate the lease within one year. The exercise of options to extend lease terms is at the Company’s sole discretion. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property.

Certain lease agreements include rental payment increases over the lease term that can be either fixed or variable. Fixed payment increases and variable payment increases based on an index or rate are included in the initial lease liability using the index or rate at commencement date. Variable payment increases not based on an index are recognized as incurred. Certain lease agreements contain residual value guarantees, primarily vehicle and transportation equipment leases.

The following table presents components of lease expense (in thousands). Operating lease cost, finance lease amortization and finance lease interest are respectively included in Cost of sales, SG&A expense and Interest expense, net of capitalized interest in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

For the Year Ended

Amortization of finance lease assets 921 472

Interest on finance leases 95 132

(a)Sublease income is immaterial and not included in operating lease costs.

The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for lease liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:

Weighted-average remaining lease term:

Operating leases 5.73 years 5.80 years

Finance leases 4.34 years 4.52 years

Weighted-average discount rate:

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in thousands):

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Year Ended

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

Operating cash flows - operating leases $ 94,087 $ 69,349

Operating cash flows - finance leases 96 132

Financing cash flows - finance leases 979 924

Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable leases as of December 31, 2023 are as follows (in thousands):

Operating Leases Finance Leases

For the fiscal years ending December:

Present value of lease liabilities $ 270,788 $ 2,486

Lease liabilities are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows (in thousands):

Operating Leases Finance Leases Operating Leases Finance Leases

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 67,440 $ — $ 79,222 $ —

Current maturities of long-term debt — 674 — 966

Long-term debt, less current maturities — 1,812 — 2,658

4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company utilizes various raw materials in its operations, including corn, soybean meal, soybean oil, wheat, natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel, which are all considered commodities. The Company considers these raw materials 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 purchases derivative financial instruments, specifically exchange-traded futures and options, in an attempt to mitigate price risk related to its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for approximately the next twelve months. The Company may purchase longer-term derivative financial instruments on particular commodities if deemed appropriate.

The Company has operations in Mexico, the U.K., France, the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. Therefore, it has exposure to translational foreign exchange risk when the financial results of those operations are remeasured in U.S. dollars. The Company has purchased foreign currency forward contracts to partially manage this translational foreign exchange risk.

The fair value of derivative assets is included in the line item Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets while the fair value of derivative liabilities is included in the line item Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the same statements. The Company’s counterparties require that it post collateral for changes in the net fair value of the derivative contracts. This cash collateral is reported in the line item Restricted cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Undesignated contracts may include contracts not designated as hedges or contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value of each 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 each derivative are

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recognized immediately in the Consolidated Statements of Income within Net sales, Cost of sales, Selling, general and administrative expense, or Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses depending on the risk the derivative is intended to mitigate. While management believes these instruments help mitigate various market risks, they are not designated and accounted for as hedges as a result of the extensive record keeping requirements.

The Company does not apply hedge accounting treatment to certain derivative financial instruments that it has purchased to mitigate commodity purchase exposures in the U.S. and Mexico or foreign currency transaction exposures on our Mexico operations. Therefore, the Company recognized changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments immediately in earnings. Gains or losses related to the commodity derivative financial instruments are included in the line item Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains and losses related to cash flows are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Cash Provided by Operating Activities. Unrealized gains and losses related to cash flows are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the line item Other operating assets and liabilities. Gains or losses related to the foreign currency derivative financial instruments are included in the line item Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) and Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company does apply hedge accounting to certain derivative financial instruments related to its U.K. and Europe reportable segment that it has purchased to mitigate foreign currency transaction exposures. Before the settlement date of the financial derivative instruments, the Company recognizes changes in the fair value of the cash flow hedge into accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”). When the derivative financial instruments are settled, the amount in AOCL is then reclassified to earnings. Gains or losses related to these derivative financial instruments are included in the line items Net sales and Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

We have generally applied the normal purchase and normal sale scope exception (“NPNS”) to our forward physical grain purchase contracts delivered by truck and to our forward physical natural gas and solar-generated power purchase contracts. NPNS contracts are accounted for using the accrual method of accounting; therefore, amounts payable under these contracts are recorded when we take delivery of the contracted product and no amounts were recorded for the fair value of these contracts in the Consolidated Financial Statements at December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022.

Information regarding the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments and cash collateral posted with brokers is included in the following table:

(In thousands)

Source: SEC EDGAR (public domain) · 10-K for the period ended 2023-12-31, filed 2024-02-27 · accession 0000802481-24-000015

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