Edible Garden Achieves Over 44% Year-Over-Year Increase in Preliminary Overall Produce Sales Results During Key July 4th Time Period

Rhea-AI Summary

Edible Garden AG Incorporated (Nasdaq: EDBL) reported a 44% year-over-year increase in preliminary produce sales for the key July 4th holiday period. This follows a 27.6% revenue growth in Q1 2024. The company achieved a 99% fulfillment rate during this period, demonstrating reliability to distribution partners.

CEO Jim Kras attributes success to vertical integration and increased capacity from Edible Garden Heartland. The company now produces 95% of its product in-house, reducing dependence on third-party growers. This shift has led to margin growth and improved operational efficiency. Shipper programs in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions have been important in meeting customer demands effectively.

Positive

• 44% year-over-year increase in preliminary produce sales for July 4th period
• 27.6% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1 2024
• 99% fulfillment rate during July 4th period
• 95% of product now produced in company-owned facilities
• Reduced dependence on third-party growers
• Incremental margin growth and enhanced operational efficiency
• Successful shipper programs in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

As a financial analyst, I find the preliminary sales results for Edible Garden's July 4th period quite impressive. The 44% year-over-year increase in produce sales is a strong indicator of the company's growth trajectory, especially following the 27.6% revenue growth in Q1 2024. This consistent growth pattern suggests that Edible Garden is successfully capitalizing on market opportunities and expanding its customer base.

The 99% fulfillment rate during a peak demand period is particularly noteworthy. This high level of reliability can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty, potentially leading to increased market share and improved long-term financial performance. Moreover, the reduced dependence on third-party growers, with 95% of products now produced in-house, indicates improved operational efficiency and potential for margin expansion.

However, it's important to note that these are preliminary results for a specific period. Investors should wait for the full quarterly financial report to get a comprehensive view of the company's performance, including profitability metrics and cash flow statements. Additionally, while the growth is impressive, we need to consider the base from which this growth is calculated and how it translates to absolute revenue figures.

Overall, these results paint a positive picture for Edible Garden's near-term prospects, but a thorough analysis of the full financial statements and market conditions will be important for a complete assessment of the company's financial health and growth sustainability.

Agricultural Technology Expert

From an AgTech perspective, Edible Garden's performance demonstrates the growing success of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) in the produce market. The company's ability to achieve a 44% year-over-year sales increase during a peak demand period highlights the scalability and reliability of CEA systems.

The 99% fulfillment rate is particularly impressive in the agricultural sector, where weather and other environmental factors often lead to supply inconsistencies. This level of reliability is a key advantage of CEA over traditional farming methods, potentially giving Edible Garden a significant competitive edge in the market.

The company's shift towards vertical integration, now producing 95% of products in-house, is a smart move in the AgTech space. This approach not only reduces dependence on external factors but also allows for greater control over product quality and production efficiency. The launch of Edible Garden Heartland appears to have been a important step in this strategy, significantly boosting capacity.

However, it's important to consider the challenges that come with rapid expansion in CEA. Energy costs, technology maintenance and skilled labor requirements can all impact profitability. As Edible Garden continues to grow, investors should keep an eye on how well the company manages these factors to maintain its impressive growth trajectory.

In conclusion, Edible Garden's results demonstrate the potential of CEA in revolutionizing produce supply chains, offering consistency and quality that traditional agriculture often struggles to match. If the company can maintain this performance while managing the complexities of scaled CEA operations, it could be well-positioned for long-term success in the evolving agricultural landscape.

High Fulfillment Rate During the Period, 99%, and Reduced Dependence on Third-Party Growers Keys to Success

BELVIDERE, NJ, July 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Edible Garden AG Incorporated (“Edible Garden” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EDBL, EDBLW), a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce and products, today announced that the Company experienced a more than 44% year-over-year increase in preliminary produce sales for the key July 4^th holiday time period.¹

Mr. Jim Kras, Chief Executive Officer of Edible Garden, commented, "We are extremely proud of Edible Garden's performance during the crucial July 4th period, highlighted by an impressive year-over-year preliminary sales increase of over 44% compared to the 2023 comparable period. This follows a significant 27.6% year-over-year revenue growth in the 2024 first quarter, typically the slowest quarter of the year for the Company. We believe that consistency and reliability are key factors in the Company’s success, strengthening our appeal to distribution partners who see Edible Garden as a dependable supplier. The Company’s consistency and reliability is best illustrated by its 99% fulfillment rate during the July 4th period, one of the best in the industry.”

“Our impressive results are a testament to our focus on vertical integration, as well as the substantial capacity boost the launch of Edible Garden Heartland provided. This expansion has allowed the Company to significantly reduce our dependence on third-party growers, with Edible Garden now producing approximately 95% of our product in Company-owned facilities. This shift has led to incremental margin growth and enhanced operational efficiency, while also strengthening our ability to serve our distribution partners more reliably, thereby solidifying our market position. Our shipper programs in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest regions have been pivotal in driving this success, ensuring we meet customer demands more effectively and consistently and we believe these programs will be integral to our growth strategy."

ABOUT EDIBLE GARDEN®
Edible Garden AG Incorporated is a leader in controlled environment agriculture (CEA), locally grown, organic, and sustainable produce and products backed by Zero-Waste Inspired® next generation farming. Offered at over 5,000 stores in the US, Edible Garden is disrupting the CEA and sustainability technology movement with its safety-in-farming protocols, use of sustainable packaging, patented GreenThumb software and self-watering in-store displays. The Company currently operates its own state-of-the-art greenhouses and processing facilities in Belvidere, New Jersey and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and has a network of contract growers, all strategically located near major markets in the U.S. Its proprietary GreenThumb 2.0 patented (US Nos.: US 11,158,006 B1, US 11,410,249 B2 and US 11,830, 088 B2) software optimizes growing in vertical and traditional greenhouses while seeking to reduce pollution-generating food miles. Its proprietary patented (U.S. Patent No. D1,010,365) Self-watering display is designed to increase plant shelf life and provide an enhanced in-store plant display experience. Edible Garden is also a developer of ingredients and proteins, providing an accessible line of plant and whey protein powders under the Vitamin Way® and Vitamin Whey® brands. In addition, the Company offers a line of sustainable food flavoring products such as Pulp gourmet sauces and chili-based products.

For more information on Pulp products go to https://www.pulpflavors.com/. For more information on Edible Garden go to https://ediblegardenag.com/.

1. _{Reflects sales for the period June 23- 29, 2024, compared to the period June 25-July 1, 2023.}

Key Performance Indicator
This press release contains reference to the Company’s fulfillment rate which is a key performance metric management uses to analyze and measure the Company’s financial performance and results of operation. Management uses fulfillment rate as a measure of current and future business and financial performance, and it may not be comparable with measures provided by other companies. The Company defines fulfillment rate as the percentage of orders filled in full, relative to the total number of orders received during the period.

Preliminary, Unaudited Financial Disclosures
The data presented above is preliminary and unaudited, based upon our estimates, and subject to further internal review by management and compilation of actual results. The data presented above may not be reflective of year-over-year trends in consolidated revenue during the second quarter. Our closing procedures for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 are not yet complete. Our management’s estimates are based upon preliminary information currently available from our business and do not include any promotional deductions. While we expect that our results will be consistent with these preliminary and unaudited estimates, our actual results may differ materially from these preliminary estimates.

This preliminary financial information is not a comprehensive statement of our financial results for this period. Our actual results may differ materially from these estimates due to the completion of our financial closing procedures, final adjustments, and other developments that may arise between now and the time the closing procedures for the quarter are completed.

This preliminary financial information should not be viewed as a substitute for our full interim or annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on this preliminary financial information. The preliminary financial information has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, our management. Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to the accompanying preliminary financial data. Accordingly, Marcum LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including with respect to the Company’s growth strategy and performance as a public company. The words “seek,” “believe,” “design,” “may,” “potential,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including market and other conditions and the Company’s ability to achieve its growth objectives, and other factors set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements. Specifically, our sales growth during the July 4th period may not (i) reflect our overall revenue growth during the quarter ended June 30, 2024 (“second quarter”), (ii) represent the amount that the Company will be able to recognize as revenue during the second quarter, and (iii) be consistent with full-year sales results. The Company’s overall sales results are preliminary and unaudited and are based on the Company’s internal financial records as of the date of this press release. The Company’s independent publicly registered accounting firm, Marcum LLP has not audited, reviewed, compiled or performed any procedures with respect to this financial information.  Accordingly, Marcum LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect to these preliminary results. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date hereof to conform to actual results or changes in expectations, except as required by law.

Investor Contacts:
Crescendo Communications, LLC
212-671-1020
EDBL@crescendo-ir.com

FAQ

What was Edible Garden's (EDBL) sales growth for the July 4th period in 2024?

Edible Garden (EDBL) reported a 44% year-over-year increase in preliminary produce sales for the July 4th holiday period in 2024 compared to 2023.

What was Edible Garden's (EDBL) fulfillment rate during the July 4th period?

Edible Garden (EDBL) achieved a 99% fulfillment rate during the July 4th period, which is considered one of the best in the industry.

How much of Edible Garden's (EDBL) product is now produced in-house?

Edible Garden (EDBL) now produces approximately 95% of its product in company-owned facilities, significantly reducing dependence on third-party growers.

What was Edible Garden's (EDBL) revenue growth in Q1 2024?

Edible Garden (EDBL) reported a 27.6% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter of 2024.