Seneca Foods Reports Net Earnings of $2.9 Million Up 2.6% for the Second Fiscal Quarter of 2012

MARION, N.Y., Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Seneca Foods Corporation (NASDAQ: SENEA, SENEB) reported that net earnings for the fiscal second quarter of 2012 was $2.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, compared to $2.8 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, in the fiscal second quarter of 2011.   Net sales for the second quarter ended October 1, 2011 increased from the second quarter ended October 2, 2010 by 3.0%, to $283.6 million.  The increase is attributable to higher selling prices and a more favorable sales mix of $24.5 million partially offset by decreased sales volume of $16.4 million.  

For the six months ended October 1, 2011, net sales increased $47.3 million, or 9.5% to $542.7 million. The increase is attributable to higher selling prices and a more favorable sales mix of $23.9 million and increased sales volume of $23.4 million.  Net loss for the first six months of fiscal 2012 was $5.1 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $8.1 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, in the first six months of fiscal 2011.

Excluding a non-cash after-tax LIFO charge of $8.3 million, net earnings per diluted share were $0.91 during the quarter ended October 1, 2011 versus $0.20 during the quarter ended October 2, 2010, which included a non-cash LIFO credit of $0.4 million.  Excluding a non-cash after-tax LIFO charge of $12.5 million, net earnings per diluted share were $0.61 during the six months ended October 1, 2011, compared to $0.41 during the six months ended October 2, 2010 which included a non-cash LIFO credit of $3.1 million.

"The improved earnings performance in the quarter reflects the fact that our inventories are in a much more balanced position than prior year heading into the holiday season," said Kraig H. Kayser, President and CEO.  He added, "The swing to higher LIFO charges is a reflection of significant increases in the cost of fuel, steel, and produce which are three primary cost inputs to our inventories."

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call to discuss second quarter fiscal year 2012 financial results tomorrow at 8:00 AM EDT.  The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (800) 926-9853. If you are unable to listen to the live conference call, a replay will be available on Monday, October 31, 2011, please visit www.senecafoods.com and click on "Company Profile" and then "Investor Information". This replay will be available for two weeks.

About Seneca Foods Corporation

Seneca Foods is a processor of canned fruits and vegetables with manufacturing facilities located throughout the United States. Its products are sold under the Libby's, Aunt Nellie's Farm Kitchen, Stokely's, READ, Seneca Farms and Seneca labels as well as through the private label and industrial markets. In addition, under an alliance with General Mills Operations, LLC, a successor to the Pillsbury Company and a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc., Seneca produces canned and frozen vegetables, which are sold by General Mills Operations, LLC under the Green Giant label. Seneca's common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Stock Market under the symbols "SENEA" and "SENEB". SENEA is included the S&P SmallCap 600, Russell 2000 and Russell 3000 indices.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures—Net Earnings Excluding LIFO Impact, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA

Net Earnings excluding LIFO, EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide a basis for comparison to companies that do not use LIFO and enhance the understanding of the Company's historical operating performance.  The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported net earnings and reported diluted earnings per share to net earnings excluding LIFO and diluted earnings per share excluding LIFO.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of reported net earnings to EBITDA and FIFO EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, non-cash charges and credits related to the LIFO inventory valuation method). The Company does not intend for this information to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained in this release contains, or may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company or its officers (including statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions) with respect to various matters.

Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made.  Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are:

• general economic and business conditions;
• cost and availability of commodities and other raw materials such as vegetables, steel and packaging materials;
• transportation costs;
• climate and weather affecting growing conditions and crop yields;
• availability of financing;
• leverage and the Company's ability to service and reduce its debt;
• foreign currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations;
• effectiveness of the Company's marketing and trade promotion programs;
• changing consumer preferences;
• competition;
• product liability claims;
• the loss of significant customers or a substantial reduction in orders from these customers;
• changes in, or the failure or inability to comply with, United States, foreign and local governmental regulations, including environmental and health and safety regulations; and
• other risks detailed from time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

Except for ongoing obligations to disclose material information as required by the federal securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the filing of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

SOURCE Seneca Foods Corporation