AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Farms (Nasdaq: VITL), a Certified B Corporation that offers a range of ethically produced pasture-raised foods nationwide, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 27, 2020.

“We are pleased to report strong third quarter results including continued growth in the number of households choosing our products and consumers making repeat purchases, both of which were driven in part by sustained at-home consumption trends as a result of COVID-19,” said Russell Diez-Canseco, President and Chief Executive Officer, Vital Farms. “Looking ahead, we remain focused on building a trusted ethical food brand and executing our growth strategy to further increase our household penetration and presence in retail as well as ongoing product innovation. Our strategy is underpinned by an unwavering commitment to prioritizing our stakeholders who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic including our small family farm partners, dedicated crew members, and the communities in which we operate. Vital Farms serves a robust market, and we believe our premium brand is strategic and valuable for retailers as more consumers are seeking ethically produced foods.”

For the Three Months Ended September 27, 2020

Net revenue increased 57% to $53.4 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $34.1 million in the third quarter of 2019. Growth in net revenue in the third quarter of 2020 was driven primarily by volume increases to our distributors, including as a result of the stay-at-home trends associated with COVID-19, whereby consumers increased their purchases of eggs and butter, a higher turnover rate of sales to our retail customers, and new distribution at new and existing customers. The increase was partially offset by sales incentives offered to customers in connection with egg and butter sales.

Gross profit was $18.4 million, or 34.4% of net revenue, in the third quarter of 2020, compared to $10.6 million, or 31.1% of net revenue, in the prior year period. The increases were primarily due to higher net sales, with a portion of the increase in gross margin also attributable to lower material costs for eggs and butter and volume leverage over direct labor and overhead costs.

Income from operations in the third quarter of 2020 was $2.4 million compared to $1.2 million in the third quarter of the prior year.

Net income was $1.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $0.8 million in the prior year period.
Net income per diluted share increased 100.0% to $0.04 compared to $0.02 per diluted share in the prior year quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA, was $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, primarily driven by volume increases to our distributors, expanded gross margin as well as leverage over fixed operating costs. The increase was partially offset by an increase in SG&A due to increased overall headcount to support our operations and an increase in professional fees and commercial insurance costs due in part to being a newly public company. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures,” and is reconciled to net income, its closest comparable GAAP measure, at the end of this release

Jason Dale, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer commented, “We are pleased with our strong results this quarter. As we look ahead at the robust market for ethically produced food, including food produced from humanely-raised animals, we believe we have a unique opportunity at Vital Farms to achieve strong growth today and for many years to come.”

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $112.6 million as of September 27, 2020 and total outstanding debt was $7.6 million. Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.0 million in the 39-weeks ended September 27, 2020, compared to $0.1 million during the prior year period.

Capital expenditures totaled $6.7 million for the 39-weeks ended September 27, 2020 compared to $3.0 million in the prior year period.

Update on COVID-19 and Fiscal 2020 Outlook

The Company’s guidance continues to assume that there are no additional, significant disruptions to the supply chain, its customers or consumers, including any issues from adverse macroeconomic factors. In addition, the Company’s guidance reflects the expectation that in the back half of the year, the Company will continue to see elevated demand due to the stay-at-home trends associated with COVID-19, and will continue to allocate demand against the available shell egg supply. Given the uncertainty regarding the ultimate duration, magnitude and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we do not have certainty that these trends will continue.

• For the full year 2020, management expects net revenue between $210 to $214 million, an increase of greater than 49% compared to 2019.
• Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be in the range of $16 to $18 million.

The Company cannot provide a reconciliation between its forecasted Adjusted EBITDA and net revenue metrics without unreasonable effort due to the unavailability of reliable estimates for certain items. These items are not within the Company’s control and may vary greatly between periods and could significantly impact future financial results.

About Vital Farms
Vital Farms, a Certified B Corporation, offers a range of ethically produced pasture-raised foods nationwide. Started on a single farm in Austin, Texas, in 2007, Vital Farms is the leading U.S. brand of pasture-raised eggs and butter by retail dollar sales. Vital Farms' ethics are exemplified by its focus on the humane treatment of farm animals and sustainable farming practices. In addition, as a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation, Vital Farms also prioritizes the long-term benefits of each of its stakeholders, including farmers and suppliers, customers and consumers, communities and the environment, and crew members and stockholders. Vital Farms' pasture-raised products, including shell eggs, butter, hard-boiled eggs, ghee, Egg Bites and liquid whole eggs, are sold in approximately 16,000 stores nationwide.