MFI Maple Leaf Foods Inc

Meat Protein delivers healthy Adjusted EBITDA Margin of 11.6%, despite transitory headwinds

TSX: MFI
www.mapleleaffoods.com

MISSISSAUGA, ON, August 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. ("Maple Leaf Foods" or the "Company") (TSX: MFI) today reported its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

"As we anticipated, our second quarter faced material market headwinds and a difficult year-over-year comparable quarter due to COVID-19 effects, and yet our business delivered excellent results" said Michael H. McCain, President and CEO. "In Meat Protein, performance was impressive with sales growth of 7.4% and Adjusted EBITDA margins of 11.6%. We expect our margins to fully recover beginning in the third quarter. In Plant Protein, where we continue to invest for long-term growth, we expected our sales in the first and second quarters to come in soft. At the same time, we expect to return to our strategic growth targets or above in the second half of this year. Our brand momentum, innovation pipeline and customer activity all support this.

"During these challenging times, I continue to be inspired by our people, confident in the resiliency and effectiveness of our strategic Blueprint, and more optimistic than ever in achieving our long-term goals," concluded Mr. McCain.

Second Quarter 2021 Highlights

• Total Company sales up 5.9% to $1,158.9 million, with an Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA")⁽ⁱ⁾ Margin of 9.0%, similar to the performance in the first quarter.
• Meat Protein Group sales up 7.4% to $1,117.5 million, while Adjusted EBITDA Margin remained healthy at 11.6%.
• Excluding foreign exchange impacts, Plant Protein Group sales declined 10.4% while selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were similar to last year.
• Net earnings were $8.8 million, compared to $25.7 million last year primarily due to non-cash fair value changes in biological assets and derivative contracts.
• Capital expenditures were $166.8 million and consisted predominantly of Construction Capital⁽ⁱ⁾ of $127.8 million, the majority of which was related to ongoing construction of the London, Ontario poultry facility.
• Balance sheet remained strong with Net Debt of $1,068.2 million and undrawn committed credit of over $800 million.
• 2021 Outlook: Meat Protein Group targets unchanged – mid-to-high single digit sales growth and Adjusted EBITDA Margin expansion; Plant Protein sales growth now expected to be at least 30% in the back half of 2021.

Financial Highlights

Sales for the second quarter of 2021 were $1,158.9 million compared to $1,094.6 million last year, an increase of 5.9%, driven by higher sales in the Meat Protein Group, partially offset by lower sales in the Plant Protein Group. For more details on sales performance by operating segment, please refer to the section titled Operating Review.

Year-to-date sales for 2021 were $2,211.9 million compared to $2,117.3 million last year, an increase of 4.5%, due to similar factors as noted above.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2021 were $8.8 million ($0.07 per basic share) compared to $25.7 million ($0.21 per basic share) last year. The reduction in net earnings was primarily driven by a higher net loss of $31.7 million (2020: net loss of $17.2 million) from non-cash fair value changes in biological assets and derivative contracts, which are both excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings below. Results were also impacted by limited access to China and lower primary processing margins in the Meat Protein Group, as well as lower sales volume and capacity utilization in the Plant Protein Group.

Year-to-date net earnings for 2021 were $56.5 million ($0.46 per basic share) compared to $21.9 million ($0.18 per basic share) last year. The increase was primarily driven by a lower net loss of $4.9 million (2020: net loss of $53.9 million) from non-cash fair value changes in biological assets and derivative contracts, which are both excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings below.

Adjusted Operating Earnings for the second quarter of 2021 were $56.4 million compared to $66.7 million last year, and Adjusted Earnings per Share for the second quarter of 2021 were $0.28 compared to $0.35 last year due to similar factors as noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2021 were $106.7 million compared to $111.8 million last year, and Adjusted Earnings per Share for 2021 were $0.54 compared to $0.56 last year due to similar factors as noted above.

For further discussion on key metrics and a discussion of results by operating segment, refer to the section titled Operating Review.

Note: Several items are excluded from the discussions of underlying earnings performance as they are not representative of ongoing operational activities. Refer to the section entitled Non-IFRS Financial Measures at the end of this news release for a description and reconciliation of all non-IFRS financial measures.

Response to COVID-19

As an essential service, Maple Leaf Foods is focused on protecting the health and well-being of its people, maintaining business continuity, and broadening its social outreach. To manage through this unprecedented environment, the Company has taken a number of measures in its business and operating practices that include heightened safety policies and procedures, and close communication and collaboration with public health authorities including on-site vaccination clinics. The measures enacted to protect the health and safety of employees have increased the Company's cost structure due to higher labour, personal protective equipment, sanitation and other expenses associated with the pandemic. Continuing COVID-19 structural costs have been incorporated in the Company's 2021 operating plan.

Overall, the Company believes its proactive and comprehensive efforts have, and should continue to mitigate adverse operational impacts. As the COVID-19 situation evolves, Maple Leaf Foods will continue to adapt and adopt best practices that prioritize the health and safety of its employees and the stability of the food supply. As part of Maple Leaf Foods' broader social responsibility since the pandemic began, the Company has provided extensive support to front-line staff, emergency food relief efforts and health care providers.

Operating Review

The Company has two reportable segments. These segments offer different products, with separate organizational structures, brands, financial and marketing strategies. The Company's chief operating decision makers regularly review internal reports for these businesses: performance of the Meat Protein Group is based on revenue growth, Adjusted Operating Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA, while the performance of the Plant Protein Group is based predominantly on revenue growth rates, gross margin optimization and controlling SG&A investment levels, which generate high revenue growth rates.

The following table summarizes the Company's sales, gross profit, SG&A expenses, Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin by operating segment for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020.

The following table summarizes the Company's sales, gross profit, SG&A expenses, Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin by operating segment for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020.

Meat Protein Group

The Meat Protein Group is comprised of prepared meats, ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve meals, value-added fresh pork and poultry products that are sold to retail, foodservice and industrial channels, and agricultural operations in pork and poultry. The Meat Protein Group includes leading brands such as Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Schneiders®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.® and many leading regional brands.

Sales for the second quarter of 2021 increased 7.4% to $1,117.5 million compared to $1,040.4 million last year. Sales growth was driven by higher fresh pork and poultry market values, favourable mix-shift towards branded products and sustainable meats, and higher volumes in the U.S. These factors more than offset an unfavourable impact from foreign exchange. Strong recovery in foodservice volumes offset normalization in retail volumes from the initial pandemic onset.

Year-to-date sales for 2021 increased 5.4% to $2,131.2 million compared to $2,021.7 million last year. Sales growth was driven by higher fresh pork and poultry market values, favourable mix-shift from branded products and sustainable meats, U.S. volume and prepared meats pricing action taken in the fourth quarter of 2020 to mitigate inflation and other structural cost increases. These factors more than offset an unfavourable impact from foreign exchange and lower sales to China. Strong recovery in foodservice volumes during the second quarter offset normalization in retail volumes.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2021 was $167.0 million (gross margin of 14.9%) compared to $176.6 million (gross margin of 17.0%) last year. Mix-shift benefits towards growth in branded products and sustainable meats were more than offset by limited access to China and lower margins in primary processing. Gross profit in the second quarter of 2020 was also impacted by significant operational and one-off costs in response to COVID-19.

Year-to-date gross profit for 2021 was $333.1 million (gross margin of 15.6%) compared to $333.9 million (gross margin of 16.5%) last year. Strong operational performance and mix-shift benefits from branded products and sustainable meats were offset by limited access to China. Gross profit in the first half of 2020 was also impacted by significant operational and one-off costs in response to COVID-19.

SG&A expenses for the second quarter of 2021 were $81.2 million compared to $83.7 million last year. The reduction in SG&A expenses was driven by a decrease in variable compensation, partially offset by the normalization of advertising and promotions spend compared to last year. Other discretionary spending accounts, such as travel and training were similar to last year.

Year-to-date SG&A expenses for 2021 were $168.3 million compared to $171.8 million last year. The reduction in SG&A was driven by a decrease in variable compensation, and the lapping of donations made in March 2020 to support front-line health care workers at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This more than offset the normalization of advertising and promotions as well as higher personnel costs.

Adjusted Operating Earnings for the second quarter of 2021 were $85.9 million compared to $92.9 million last year, consistent with factors noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2021 were $164.9 million compared to $162.1 million last year, consistent with factors noted above.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2021 were $129.7 million compared to $138.2 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above. Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the second quarter was 11.6% compared to 13.3% last year, also driven by factors consistent with those noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA for 2021 were $253.0 million compared to $249.3 million last year, driven by factors consistent with those noted above. Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA Margin for 2021 was 11.9% compared to 12.3% last year, also driven by factors consistent with those noted above.

Plant Protein Group

The Plant Protein Group is comprised of refrigerated plant protein products, premium grain-based protein, and vegan cheese products sold to retail, foodservice and industrial channels. The Plant Protein Group includes the leading brands Lightlife® and Field Roast™.

Sales for the second quarter of 2021 decreased 20.7% to $48.1 million compared to $60.6 million last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales decreased 10.4%, driven by lower retail volumes as the business lapped surge demand in 2020 tied to COVID-19. This more than offset higher foodservice volumes and pricing action implemented in the fourth quarter of 2020 to mitigate inflation and structural cost increases.

Year-to-date sales for 2021 decreased 15.2% to $90.7 million compared to $107.0 million last year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales were down 6.9%, driven by lower volumes in fresh retail products. This more than offset pricing action implemented in the fourth quarter of 2020 to mitigate inflation and structural cost increases.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2021 was $0.3 million (gross margin of 0.6%) compared to $7.9 million (gross margin of 13.0%) last year. The decrease in gross profit was attributed to strategic investments in capacity to build for anticipated demand, which has resulted in increased overhead and transitory costs. Other factors include lower sales volumes and higher trade expenditures. The second quarter of 2020 was also impacted by significant operational and one-off costs in response to COVID-19.

Year-to-date gross profit for 2021 was $0.4 million (gross margin of 0.5%) compared to $14.6 million (gross margin of 13.7%) last year. The decrease in gross profit was attributed to lower sales volumes and capacity utilization, as well as higher trade expenditure. Gross profit in the first half of 2020 was also impacted by significant operational and one-off costs in response to COVID-19.

SG&A expenses for the second quarter of 2021 were $29.8 million (61.9% of sales) compared to $34.1 million (56.3% of sales) last year. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily driven by the impact of foreign exchange. Excluding this, spend was similar to last year as lower variable compensation was offset by increased expenses related to organizational capacity.

Year-to-date SG&A expenses for 2021 were $58.6 million (64.6% of sales) compared to $65.0 million (60.7% of sales) last year. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily driven by the impact of foreign exchange. Excluding this, spend was similar to last year as lower advertising and promotion costs were offset by increased expenses related to organizational capacity.

Adjusted Operating Earnings for the second quarter of 2021 were a loss of $29.5 million compared to a loss of $26.3 million last year. The decline in Adjusted Operating Earnings is consistent with the factors noted above.

Year-to-date Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2021 were a loss of $58.1 million compared to a loss of $50.3 million last year. The decline in Adjusted Operating Earnings is consistent with the factors noted above.

Other Matters

On August 4, 2021, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of of $0.18 per share, $0.72 per share on an annual basis, payable September 29, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business September 8, 2021. Unless indicated otherwise by the Company at or before the time the dividend is paid, the dividend will be considered an eligible dividend for the purposes of the "Enhanced Dividend Tax Credit System". 

Conference Call

A conference call will be held at 8:00 a.m. ET on August 5, 2021, to review Maple Leaf Foods' second quarter financial results. To participate in the call, please dial 416-764-8650 or 1-888-664-6383. For those unable to participate, playback will be made available an hour after the event at 416-764-8677 or 1-888-390-0541 (Passcode: 127538#).

A webcast of the second quarter conference call will also be available at: https://www.mapleleaffoods.com

The Company's full unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements ("Consolidated Interim Financial Statements") and related Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on the Company's website.

An investor presentation related to the Company's second quarter financial results is available at www.mapleleaffoods.com and can be found under Presentations and Webcasts on the Investors page.

2021 Outlook

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Maple Leaf Foods has remained focused on protecting its employees and ensuring continuity of its supply chain. As a result, the current environment does increase certain operating costs and potential for short-term processing disruptions to protect the health and safety of plant personnel. Continuing COVID-19 structural costs have been incorporated in the Company's 2021 operating plan.

Based on year-to-date performance and the Company's outlook for the balance of the year, Maple Leaf Foods expects to achieve the following in 2021:

Meat Protein Group - Driving Profitable Growth

• Mid-to-high single digit sales growth on a 52-week comparable basis, driven by continued momentum in sustainable meats, leveraging brand renovation, and growth into the U.S. market.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion, progressing towards the 2022 target of 14% - 16%, driven by mix-shift benefits in prepared meats resulting from growth in sustainable meats and brand renovation, as well as operational efficiencies, while assuming pork complex conditions in-line with the 5-year average.

Plant Protein Group - Investing for Growth

• Sales growth in the second half of the year of at least 30%, excluding any impact from fluctuations in foreign exchange, in-line with the Company's long-term strategic target. Growth is expected to be driven by continued momentum in the core product line, product innovation, improved velocities and distribution in the fresh line and resurgence in foodservice activity which is largely tied to the abatement of COVID-19 restrictions. Growth is expected to accelerate as the year progresses. While the Company sees a gradual reopening of the economy in both key markets in North America, there is a lack of full visibility on the potential impact of a fourth wave of COVID-19 on the recovery of the foodservice business.
• Gross margin is expected to be volatile in the near-term, as benefits from structural improvements in the supply chain may be impacted by investment opportunities to drive sales growth in a rapidly evolving market, as well as ongoing effects of COVID-19.
• SG&A expenses broadly in-line with 2020 levels, excluding any impact from fluctuations in foreign exchange, while declining as a percentage of sales as the Company leverages investments in advertising, promotion and marketing to elevate the Lightlife® and Field Roast™ brand renovations, drive innovation and build scale in the business.

Capital

• The Company's capital expenditure estimate for the full year of 2021 remains unchanged and in the range of $550 million to $650 million, with approximately 75% to be comprised of Construction Capital. A significant portion of the Construction Capital is related to the London, Ontario poultry facility, the plant protein facility in Indianapolis, Indiana and other projects to add capacity and improve efficiency in our prepared meats business.

Factors that could have an impact on the business, which cannot be estimated or controlled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, include:

• Volatility in the pork and poultry commodity and foreign exchange markets.
• The balance between retail and foodservice demand.
• Potential future production disruptions or shutdowns.
• The duration of government measures, including social distancing.

In addition to financial and operational priorities, Maple Leaf Foods believes that shared value and operating its business for the benefit of all stakeholders is crucial. The Company's guiding pillars to be the "Most Sustainable Protein Company on Earth" include Better Food, Better Care, Better Communities, Better Planet and are core to how Maple Leaf Foods conducts itself. To that end, the Company's priorities include:

• Better Food - leading the real food movement and transitioning key brands to 100% "raised without antibiotics".
• Better Care - further advancement of animal care, including progress towards transitioning all sows under management to open housing systems by 2022.
• Better Communities - investing approximately 1% of pre-tax profit to advance sustainable food security.
• Better Planet - continuing to amplify its commitment to carbon neutrality, while focusing on eliminating waste in any resources it consumes, including food, energy, water, packaging, and time.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company uses the following non-IFRS measures: Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Construction Capital, Net Debt, Free Cash Flow and Return on Net Assets. Management believes that these non-IFRS measures provide useful information to investors in measuring the financial performance of the Company for the reasons outlined below. These measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other publicly traded companies and should not be construed as an alternative to other financial measures determined in accordance with IFRS.

Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin  

Adjusted Operating Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are non-IFRS measures used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. Adjusted Operating Earnings is defined as earnings before income taxes and interest expense adjusted for items that are not considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business and items where the economic impact of the transactions will be reflected in earnings in future periods when the underlying asset is sold or transferred. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Adjusted Operating Earnings plus depreciation and intangible asset amortization, adjusted for items included in other expense that are considered representative of ongoing operational activities of the business. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by sales.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported under IFRS in the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements to Adjusted Operating Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as indicated below. Management believes that these non-IFRS measures are useful in assessing the performance of the Company's ongoing operations and its ability to generate cash flows to fund its cash requirements, including the Company's capital investment program.

Adjusted Earnings per Share

Adjusted Earnings per Share, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate financial operating results. It is defined as basic earnings per share and is adjusted on the same basis as Adjusted Operating Earnings. The table below provides a reconciliation of basic earnings per share as reported under IFRS in the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements to Adjusted Earnings per Share for the three months ended June 30, as indicated below. Management believes this basis is the most appropriate on which to evaluate financial results as they are representative of the ongoing operations of the Company.

Construction Capital

Construction Capital, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate the amount of capital resources invested in specific strategic development projects that have not yet entered commercial production. It is defined as investments and related financing charges in projects over $50.0 million that are related to longer-term strategic initiatives, with no returns expected for at least 12 months in the future and the asset will be re-categorized from Construction Capital once operational. Current strategic initiatives primarily include the investments in the London, Ontario poultry production facility, further capacity and efficiency improvements in the prepared meats business, investments in plant protein capacity at the Walker Drive facility in Brampton, Ontario, and the plant protein production facilities in Indiana. The following table is a summary of Construction Capital activity and debt financing for the periods indicated below.

Net Debt

The following table reconciles Net Debt to amounts reported under IFRS in the Company's Consolidated Interim Financial Statements as at June 30, as indicated below. The Company calculates Net Debt as cash and cash equivalents, less long-term debt and bank indebtedness. Management believes this measure is useful in assessing the amount of financial leverage employed.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow, a non-IFRS measure, is used by Management to evaluate cash flow after investing in the maintenance or expansion of the Company's asset base. It is defined as cash provided by operations, less cash additions to long-term assets and capitalized interest. The following table calculates Free Cash Flow for the periods indicated below:

Return on Net Assets

Return on Net Assets ("RONA") is calculated by dividing tax effected earnings from operations (adjusted for items which are not considered representative of the underlying operations of the business) by average monthly net assets. Net assets are defined as total assets (excluding cash and deferred tax assets) less non-interest bearing liabilities (excluding deferred tax liabilities). Management believes that RONA is an appropriate basis upon which to evaluate long-term financial performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains, and the Company's oral and written public communications often contain, "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, beliefs, judgments and assumptions based on information available at the time the applicable forward-looking statement was made and in light of the Company's experience combined with its perception of historical trends. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to objectives and goals, in addition to statements with respect to beliefs, plans, targets, goals, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "plan", "intend", "design", "target", "undertake", "view", "indicate", "maintain", "explore", "entail", "schedule", "objective", "strategy", "likely", "potential", "outlook", "aim", "propose", "goal", and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. 

Specific forward-looking information in this document may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to:

• implications of COVID-19;
• future performance, including future financial objectives, goals and targets, expected capital spend and expected SG&A expenditures for the Company and each of its operating segments;
• the execution of the Company's business strategy, including the development and expected timing of business initiatives, brand expansion and repositioning, and other growth opportunities, as well as the impact thereof;
• the impact of international trade conditions on the Company's business, including access to markets, implications associated with the spread of foreign animal disease (such as African Swine Fever ("ASF")), and other social, economic and political factors that affect trade;
• competitive conditions and the Company's ability to position itself competitively in the markets in which it competes;
• capital projects, including planning, construction, estimated expenditures, schedules, approvals, expected capacity, in-service dates and anticipated benefits of construction of new facilities and expansions of existing facilities;
• the Company's dividend policy, including future levels and sustainability of cash dividends, the tax treatment thereof and future dividend payment dates;
• the impact of commodity prices on the Company's operations and financial performance, including the use and effectiveness of hedging instruments;
• expected future cash flows and the sufficiency thereof, sources of capital at attractive rates, future contractual obligations, future financing options, renewal of credit facilities, and availability of capital to fund growth plans, operating obligations and dividends;
• operating risks, including the execution, monitoring and continuous improvement of the Company's food safety programs, animal health initiatives and cost reduction initiatives;
• the implementation, cost and impact of environmental sustainability initiatives, as well as the anticipated future cost of remediating environmental liabilities;
• the adoption of new accounting standards and the impact of such adoption on the financial position of the Company;
• expectations regarding pension plan performance, including future pension plan assets, liabilities and contributions; and
• developments and implications of actual or potential legal actions.

Various factors or assumptions are typically applied by the Company in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts, projections, predictions or estimations set out in the forward-looking statements. These factors and assumptions are based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained by the Company from third-party sources and include but are not limited to the following:

• expectations regarding the impact and future implications of COVID-19 and adaptations in operations, customer and consumer behaviour, economic patterns and international trade;
• the competitive environment, associated market conditions and market share metrics, the expected behaviour of competitors and customers and trends in consumer preferences;
• the success of the Company's business strategy, including execution of the strategy in each of the Meat Protein and Plant Protein Groups;
• prevailing commodity prices, interest rates, tax rates and exchange rates;
• the economic condition of and the socio-political dynamics between Canada, the U.S., Japan and China, and the ability of the Company to access markets in these countries;
• the spread of foreign animal disease (including ASF), preparedness strategies to manage such spread, and implications for all protein markets;
• the availability of capital to fund future capital requirements associated with existing operations, assets and projects;
• expectations regarding participation in and funding of the Company's pension plans;
• the availability of insurance coverage to manage certain liability exposures;
• the extent of future liabilities and recoveries related to legal claims;
• prevailing regulatory, tax and environmental laws; and
• future operating costs and performance, including the Company's ability to achieve operating efficiencies and maintain high sales volumes, high turnover of inventories and high turnover of accounts receivable.

Readers are cautioned that these assumptions may prove to be incorrect in whole or in part. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from the results expressed, implied, or projected in the forward-looking statements contained in this document include, among other things, risks associated with the following:

• implications of COVID-19 on the operations and financial performance of the Company, as well the implications for macro socio-economic trends;
• competition, market conditions and the activities of competitors and customers;
• food safety, consumer liability and product recalls;
• the health status of livestock, including the impact of potential pandemics;
• international trade and access to markets, as well as social, political and economic dynamics affecting same;
• availability of and access to capital;
• decision respecting the return of capital to shareholders;
• the execution of capital projects, including cost, schedule and regulatory variables;
• cyber security and the maintenance and operation of the Company's information systems and processes;
• acquisitions and divestitures;
• climate change;
• fluctuations in the debt and equity markets;
• fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates;
• pension assets and liabilities;
• cyclical nature of the cost and supply of hogs and the competitive nature of the pork market generally;
• the effectiveness of commodity and interest rate hedging strategies;
• impact of changes in the market value of the biological assets and hedging instruments;
• the supply management system for poultry in Canada;
• availability of plant protein ingredients;
• intellectual property, including product innovation, product development, brand strategy and trademark protection;
• consolidation of operations and focus on protein;
• the use of contract manufacturers;
• reputation;
• weather;
• compliance with government regulation and adapting to changes in laws;
• actual and threatened legal claims;
• consumer trends and changes in consumer tastes and buying patterns;
• environmental regulation and potential environmental liabilities;
• consolidation in the retail environment;
• employment matters, including complying with employment laws across multiple jurisdictions, the potential for work stoppages due to non-renewal of collective agreements, recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, reliance on key personnel and succession planning;
• pricing of products;
• managing the Company's supply chain;
• changes in International Financial Reporting Standards and other accounting standards that the Company is required to adhere to for regulatory purposes; and
• other factors as set out under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The Company cautions readers that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

Readers are further cautioned that some of the forward-looking information, such as statements concerning future capital expenditures, Adjusted EBITDA Margin growth in the Meat Protein Group, expected sales and growth margin targets in the Plant Protein Group and SG&A spend, may be considered to be financial outlooks for purposes of applicable securities legislation. These financial outlooks are presented to evaluate potential future earnings and anticipated future uses of cash flows and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Readers should not assume these financial outlooks will be achieved. 

More information about risk factors can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020, that is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The reader should review such section in detail. Additional information concerning the Company, including the Company's Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

All forward-looking statements included herein speak only as of the date hereof. Unless required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

About Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Maple Leaf Foods is a carbon neutral company with a vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth, responsibly producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections®, Schneiders®, Schneiders® Country Naturals®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®, Lightlife® and Field Roast™.  The Company employs approximately 13,500 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

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SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.