Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Packaged Foods / SunOpta

SunOpta

soy · TSX Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker soy
Exchange TSX
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Packaged Foods
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2022 Annual Report · SunOpta
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DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM

Directors

Leadership Team

Shareholder Information

Dr. Albert Bolles (4)

Independent Director

Joseph D. Ennen

Chief Executive Officer &

Director

Rebecca Fisher (4)(5)

Independent Director

R. Dean Hollis (2)(6)

Chair

Kathy Houde (3)(6)

Independent Director

Leslie Starr Keating (2)(4)

Independent Director

Diego Reynoso (2)

Independent Director

Mahes Wickramasinghe (1)

Independent Director

(1) Chair of Audit Committee

(2) Member of Audit Committee

(3) Chair of Corporate Governance Committee

(4) Member of Corporate Governance Committee

(5) Chair of Compensation Committee

(6) Member of Compensation Committee

Joseph D. Ennen

Chief Executive Officer

Scott Huckins

Chief Financial Officer

Jill Barnett

Chief Administrative Officer

Michael Buick

Senior Vice President and GM, 

Plant-Based Foods & Beverages

Bryan Clark

Senior Vice President, R&D and 

Food Safety & Quality

Rob Duchscher

Chief Information Officer

Chad Hagen

Senior Vice President, Sales

Barend Reijn

Senior Vice President, 

Global Sourcing

TRANSFER AGENTS

TSX Trust Company

100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301 

Toronto, ON, Canada M5H 4H1

T: (416) 361-0930

American Stock Transfer & 

Trust Company, LLP

6201 15th Ave. 

Brooklyn, NY, USA 11219 

T: (800) 937-5449

CORPORATE LEGAL COUNSEL

Stoel Rives, LLP Minneapolis, MN

Wildeboer Dellelce LLP 

Toronto, ON, Canada

AUDITORS

Ernst & Young LLP 

Minneapolis, MN

ANNUAL MEETING

May 26, 2022 at 2 pm Eastern

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.

com/STKL2022

Chris Whitehair

Senior Vice President, Supply Chain

Listed on NASDAQ: STKL and TSX: SOY

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SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

Copies of SunOpta’s Annual Report, 

Form 10K (Annual Information Form) 

and other regulatory filings are 

available on the Company website 

www.sunopta.com. Additional 

financial information has been 

filed electronically with various 

securities commissions in Canada 

through SEDAR (www.sedar.com) 

and in the USA through EDGAR 

(www.sec.gov). Paper copies are 

available without charge.

Please Contact: 

Reed Anderson – 

reed.anderson@icrinc.com 

Corporate Head Office 

7078 Shady Oak Road 

Eden Prairie, Minnesota 

55344

T: (952) 820-2518

www.sunopta.com

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Fueling the Future of Food

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OUR MISSION

• To offer sustainable plant-based food and ingredients
• To offer organic and non-GMO food products
• To be the leader in our fast-moving industry, with better execution than our competitors
• To develop and retain great employees — great companies are made of great people
• To commit to continuous improvement of our social, environmental and economic 
performance to positively impact employees, customers, investors and environment

OUR VISION

• Our vision is to be a sustainable organization that is a global leader in non-GMO food 

products driven by a spirit of continuous improvement, innovation and category expertise 
that enables the well-being of our employees, customers and consumers. Constantly 
keeping this vision top-of-mind will help us achieve our goal of fueling the future of foods 
and beverages to make it easy to be better, feel better and do better.

Fueling the Future of Food and Beverage: Better for You, Better for the Planet, 
Better for All.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
All dollar amounts in U.S. $ millions, except per share amounts      

Revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit percentage

Operating income (1)

2022

2021

2020

934.7

  812.6

   789.2

122.9

    97.7

13.1%

12.0%

25.0

   10.1

109.1

13.8%

 12.3

Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

(12.6)

     (5.4)

  (52.7)

Loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

$(0.12)

  $(0.05)

  $(0.59)

Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing operations (2)

9.0

        4.5

  (16.6)

Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share (2)

$0.08      $0.04

  $(0.19)

Adjusted EBITDA(3)

Total assets

Total debt

Working capital (4)

Net cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations

Net cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations

83.7

60.6

58.7

855.9

 754.8

585.6

308.5

224.6

179.1

60.6

(100.5)

196.0

(21.4)

(81.1)

69.7

116.1

52.7

(37.4)

(1)	 Operating	income	is	defined	as	“earnings	(loss)	from	continuing	operations	before	

the	following”	excluding	the	impact	of	other	income/expense	items.

(2)	 Refer	to	pages	31	and	40	of	the	2022	Form	10-K	for	a	tabular	reconciliation	of	Adjusted	earnings/loss	and	

Adjusted	earnings/loss	per	diluted	share	to	the	most	directly	comparable	U.S.	GAAP	measure.

(3)	 Refer	to	pages	32	and	41	of	the	2022	Form	10-K	for	a	tabular	reconciliation	of	Adjusted	

EBITDA	to	the	most	directly	comparable	U.S.	GAAP	measure.

(4)	Working	capital	is	defined	as	current	assets	less	current	liabilities,	excluding	cash	and	cash	

equivalents,	bank	indebtedness,	and	current	portion	of	long-term	debt.

Mega facility in Midlothian, Texas

Employees Approximately: 1,453 

Headquarters: Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA

Production Facilities: 10

Publicly Held:

NASDAQ - STKL

TSX - SOY

Geography:

USA: 8

Mexico: 1

Canada: 1

ANCHORED BY FIVE STATEGIC IMPERATIVES:

      
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS
2022 was a very strong year for SunOpta; strong revenue growth 
in  plant-based  and  snacks,  impressive  growth  in  profitability  for 
the  company  and  continued  portfolio  evolution  were  achieved. 
When  reflecting  on  our  journey  since  I  joined  SunOpta  in  2019, 
the  execution  of  our  five  strategic  imperatives  has  transformed 
the business. Our portfolio optimization efforts have changed the 
profile of the company from a heavily commodity-based business 
to a high value-added, high growth business. We have significantly 
invested  in  talent,  systems  and  capital  assets  to  deepen  our 
competitive  moats.  We  doubled  our  plant-based  beverage 
capacity, while continuing to produce with operational excellence, 
and  have  executed  structural  cost  reductions  in  frozen  fruit.  As 
a  result,  we  have  more  than  quadrupled  our  adjusted  EBITDA 
from $20 million in 2019 to $84 million in 2022. Our mission is to 
continue  this  momentum  and  build  a  multi-billion-dollar,  value-
added,  sustainable  business  that  creates  significant  value  for  all 
stakeholders  and  I  believe  we  are  well  positioned  to  accomplish 
this in the years to come. 

We have executed on our capital expansion plans with our 285,000 
square  foot  greenfield  plant  in  Texas,  which  is  now  in  operation. 
This  facility  is  critical  to  unlocking  our  future  growth  plan  and 
optimizing  our  distribution  network.  It  also  enables  us  to  enter 
into new fast growing and capacity constrained categories such as 
nutritional beverages. 

Our business development remains strong as our value proposition 
and competitive advantages continue to attract new customers as 
well as grow with existing customers with our multi-pronged go-
to-market business that includes co-manufacturing, private label 
and owned brands.

We  continue  to  strategically  use  SunOpta-owned  brands  as  a 
vehicle to bring innovation to market faster. In 2022, we relaunched 
our Dream® brand with new packaging and flavors and rebranded 
WestSoy® to West LifeTM with new product offerings of high protein 
soymilk  and  smoothie  blends.  Additionally,  we  have  gained 
distribution  for  our  organic  oat  creamer,  SOWN®.  The  demand 
for  these  brands  continues  to  exceed  our  expectations.  We  see 
brands as augmenting our current customer focus and we remain 
committed and focused on co-manufacturing and private label as 
our primary business.  

We have made real progress toward reaching our ESG goals. We 
are working to achieve zero waste* to landfill in our plants, joined 
SEDEX  to  enhance  transparency  in  our  supply  chain,  and  made 
significant  progress  toward  sustainable  packaging  solutions.  As 
we  outlined  at  our  Investor  Day,  we  are  a  plant-based  company 
with  a  strong  commitment  to  ESG  and  one  of  our  goals  is  to  be 
and be recognized as a sustainable food and beverage company. 
In  2022,  we  improved  our  CDP  score  to  a  B-,  which  is  above  the 
food and beverage industry average of a C. Additionally, our most 
recent ESG report clearly outlines our multi-year goals and plans 
for operating the business to be consistent with our sustainability 
heritage.

THE YEAR AHEAD: 
FOCUSED ON DELIVERING SUSTAINED, PROFITABLE GROWTH

As we look ahead to 2023, we expect to see continued improvement in adjusted EBITDA performance 
and revenue growth as we capitalize on our strong plant-based food and beverage momentum and 
execute our margin optimization strategy in our fruit business, while expanding our capacity and 
capabilities to enable future growth. Our focus for 2023 will be in the following areas: 

Invest in Plant-Based Beverages

•  Continue to execute the startup of new lines at our Texas facility

•  Expand processing capabilities, including entry into the nutritional beverage category

•  Focus on continued excellence in operational execution

Improve Profitability in Fruit

•  Complete capacity expansion project for fruit snacks

•  Continue to reduce costs of manufacturing

•  Continue to grow smoothie bowl portfolio 

 
 
In  summary,  we  have  numerous  ways  to  win  with 
the  business  model  we  have  built,  and  we  offer  the 
opportunity to invest in the plant-based beverage sector, 
not just an individual brand. Our new state-of-the-art 
manufacturing plant in Texas opened on time and on 
budget and production is ramping up as expected. We 
went from first bulldozer to first production in less than 
16  months,  demonstrating  innovation  in  action.  This 
facility is foundational to our ambitious growth agenda 
by  significantly  expanding  our  capacity,  providing  us 
with  new  innovation  capabilities  and  enhancing  the 
efficiency of our distribution network. We expect 2023 
to  be  another  year  of  significant  growth  for  revenue 
and  profit  as  we  continue  to  leverage  our  strong 
competitive  position  and  growing  scale  to  realize  our 
vision of Fueling the Future of Food.

I  would  like  to  thank  all  of  our  shareholders  for  their 
support and confidence.

Sincerely,

*SunOpta has adopted a zero waste definition 
as 90% diversion of waste to landfill. 

UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 

   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 

   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from   to   

Commission File No. 001-34198 

SUNOPTA INC. 
 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) 

CANADA 
(Jurisdiction of Incorporation) 

Not Applicable 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

7078 Shady Oak Road 
Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 55344 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) 
(952) 820-2518 
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Title of each class 
Common Shares 
Common Shares 

Trading Symbol(s) 
STKL 
SOY 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC 
Toronto Stock Exchange 

Securities registered pursuant Section to 12(g) of the Act: None 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes 

  No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has 
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes 

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to 
Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was 
required to submit and post such files). Yes 

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting 
company, or emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and 
“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  

Large accelerated filer 

 Accelerated filer 

 Non-accelerated filer 

 Smaller reporting company 

 Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying 
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’ s assessment of the effectiveness of 
its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public 
accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes 

  No 

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant 
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. 

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based 
compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officer during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes 

 No 

Aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed using the closing price as reported on the 
NASDAQ Global Select Market for the registrant’s common shares on July 2, 2022, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently 
completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $650 million.  

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 24, 2023 was 107,948,348. 

Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of the SunOpta Inc. Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2023 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
 
 
 
 
SUNOPTA INC. 
FORM 10-K 
For the year ended December 31, 2022 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Basis of Presentation 
Forward-Looking Statements 

PART I 

Item 1 
Item 1A 
Item 1B 
Item 2 
Item 3 
Item 4 

PART II 

Item 5 

Item 6 
Item 7 
Item 7A 
Item 8 
Item 9 
Item 9A 
Item 9B 
Item 9C 

PART III 

Business 
Risk Factors 
Unresolved Staff Comments 
Properties 
Legal Proceedings 
Mine Safety Disclosures  

Market  for  Registrant’s  Common  Equity,  Related  Stockholder  Matters  and  Issuer  Purchases  of 
Equity Securities 
[Reserved] 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 
Controls and Procedures 
Other Information 
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 

Item 10 
Item 11 
Item 12 

Item 13 
Item 14 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 
Executive Compensation 
Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  Related  Stockholder 
Matters 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 
Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

PART IV 

Item 15 
Item 16 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 
Form 10-K Summary 

2 
2 

4 
10 
22 
23 
23 
23 

24 
25 
26 
51 
52 
52 
52 
55 
55 

55 
55 

55 
55 
55 

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61 

SUNOPTA INC. 

1 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Basis of Presentation 

Except  where  the  context  otherwise  requires,  all  references  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended 
December  31,  2022  (“Form  10-K”)  to  “SunOpta,”  the  “Company,”  “we,”  “us,”  “our”  or  similar  words  and  phrases  are  to 
SunOpta Inc. and its subsidiaries, taken together. 

In this report, all currency amounts presented are expressed in thousands of United States (“U.S.”) dollars (“$”), except per 
share amounts, unless otherwise stated. Other amounts may be presented in thousands of Canadian dollars (“C$”), Mexican 
pesos (“M$”), and euros (“€”).  

Forward-Looking Statements 

This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions 
and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or 
current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “intend,” “project,” “potential,” 
“predict,”  “continue,”  “believe,”  “expect,”  “can,”  “could,”  “would,”  “should,”  “may,”  “might,”  “plan,”  “will,”  “budget,” 
“forecast,” the negatives of such terms, and words and phrases of similar impact and include, but are not limited to, references 
to future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions; our expectations regarding the future 
profitability of our plant-based and fruit-based businesses, including anticipated results of operations, revenue trends, and gross 
margin profiles; the expected impact of the inflationary cost environment on our business, including raw material, packaging, 
labor, energy, fuel and transportation costs; the expected impact of pricing actions on sales volumes and gross margins; the 
expected  impact  of  cost  containment  measures  and  productivity  initiatives;  our  expectations  regarding  customer  demand, 
consumer  preferences,  competition,  sales  pricing,  availability  and  pricing  of  raw  material  inputs,  and  timing  and  cost  to 
complete capital expansion projects; our ability to successfully execute on our capital investment plans, and the viability of 
those plans;  the  impact  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  on our  business,  suppliers,  consumers, customers,  and  employees;  the 
impact  of  the  ongoing  conflict  between  Russia  and  Ukraine,  including  the  potential  for  broader  economic  disruption; 
disruptions  or  inefficiencies  in  the  supply  chain,  including  any  impact  of  COVID-19;  the  impact  of  foreign  exchange 
fluctuations;  the  adequacy  of  internally  generated  funds  and  existing  sources  of  liquidity,  such  as  the  availability  of  bank 
financing; the anticipated sufficiency of future cash flows to enable the payments of interest and repayment of debt, working 
capital needs, planned capital expenditures; and our ability to obtain additional financing or issue additional debt or equity 
securities; our intentions related to the potential sale of selected businesses, operations, or assets; the outcome of litigation to 
which we may, from time to time, be a party; and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements 
are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including Section 27A 
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-
looking statements are based on certain assumptions, expectations and analyses we make in light of our experience and our 
interpretation of current conditions, historical trends and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe 
are appropriate in the circumstances. 

Whether actual results and developments will be consistent with and meet our expectations and predictions is subject to many 
risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from 
our  expectations  and  predictions.  We  believe  these  factors  include, but  are not  limited  to,  the  impact of  global  economic 
conditions, including inflation, interest rates, and energy availability; the impact of health crises, including the COVID-19 
pandemic;  the  impact  of  the  ongoing  conflict  between  Russia  and  Ukraine,  including  the  potential  for  broader  economic 
disruption; our ability to increase pricing to offset, or partially offset, inflationary pressures on the cost of our products; issues 
affecting our supply chain and procurement of raw materials, including fluctuations in the cost and availability of raw and 
packaging  materials;  labor  shortages,  employee  turnover,  and  labor  cost  increases;  business  interruptions  due  to  weather 
events, natural disasters, other unexpected events or public health crises, including COVID-19; the potential loss of one or 
more of our key customers; our ability to identify, interpret and react to changes in consumer preferences and demand; our 
ability to effectively respond to competitive factors, including product innovations of our competitors; impairments of long-
lived assets or goodwill; a failure to realize some or all of the anticipated benefits from our capital investment plans; a failure 
to successfully integrate or divest businesses, operations, or assets; global economic and financial conditions on availability 
of financing and interest rates; the effects of increased debt levels and service obligations on our ability to borrow or the cost 
of any such additional borrowing, on our credit rating, and on our ability to react to certain economic and industry conditions; 
the  impacts  of  severe  weather  events,  natural  disasters,  and  climate  change on  the  supply  and  cost  of  raw  and packaging 
materials, as well as energy, fuel and water; the availability and pricing of non-GMO and organic ingredients; volatility in 
foreign exchange rates; product quality, labeling, or safety concerns; changes in government regulations and policies, and 
changes  in  legal  and  regulatory  requirements  and  enforcement  practices,  including  food  and  health,  data  privacy  and 
protection, trade and taxation, and environmental, social and governance matters; infringements of our intellectual property; 

SUNOPTA INC. 

2 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
risks associated with our information technology systems, including the threat of data breaches and cyber-attacks; and other 
risks described herein under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors.” 

All  forward-looking  statements  made  herein  are  qualified  by  these  cautionary  statements,  and  our  actual  results  or  the 
developments  we  anticipate  may  not  be  realized.  Our  forward-looking  statements  are  based  only  on  information  currently 
available to us and speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update 
our forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, after the date of this report for any reason, even if new information 
becomes available or other events occur in the future, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. The foregoing 
factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are 
included in this report. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

3 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
Item 1. Business 

The Company 

PART I 

SunOpta Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of Canada in 1973, is a U.S.-based global pioneer fueling the future of 
sustainable, plant-based and fruit-based foods and beverages. With a focus on health and sustainability, the core of our diverse 
product  portfolio  is  our  range  of  non-genetically  modified  (“non-GMO”),  organic,  and  gluten-free  plant-based  beverages, 
including oat, almond, soy, coconut and rice milks and creamers, which have a favorable climate profile relative to traditional 
dairy milks in terms of lower carbon emissions and water usage.  

We manufacture and sell the following: 

  private label products to retail and foodservice customers; 

  branded products under co-manufacturing agreements to other branded food companies for their distribution; 

  branded products under our own proprietary brands to retail and foodservice customers; and 

  bulk ingredients for use by foodservice customers and other food manufacturers. 

Our employees and 10 manufacturing facilities are principally located in the U.S., as well as Mexico and Canada. Our corporate 
headquarters is located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, together with our innovation center and pilot plant.  

Reportable Segments and Principal Products 

The following is a description of the principal activities and products that comprise our operating and reportable segments:  

  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages – We offer a full line of plant-based beverages and liquid and powder ingredients, 
utilizing  oat,  almond,  soy,  coconut,  rice,  hemp,  and  other  bases,  as  well  as  everyday  broths,  teas,  and  nutritional 
beverages. In addition, our  former sunflower business, which packaged dry- and  oil-roasted  inshell sunflower and 
sunflower kernels and processed raw sunflower inshell and kernel for food and  feed  applications, was part of this 
segment until it was sold on October 11, 2022. 

  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages – We offer individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruit for retail, including strawberries, 
blueberries, mango, pineapple, and other berries and blends, and IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice, including 
toppings,  purées,  and  smoothies.  In  addition,  we  offer  fruit  snacks,  including  bars,  twists,  ropes,  and  bite-sized 
varieties, as well as fruit smoothie bowls.  

In 2022, we derived 60% (2021 – 58%) of our revenues from the sale of plant-based foods and beverages, and 40% (2021 – 
42%) from the sale of fruit-based offerings. 

Additional information regarding our segments is presented in note 21 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 15 of 
this Form 10-K. 

Recent Developments 

Midlothian, Texas, Manufacturing Facility 

In February 2023, we officially opened our newly constructed, 285,000 square foot plant-based beverage manufacturing facility 
in  Midlothian,  Texas.  As  part  of  a  three-year,  approximately  $200  million  capital  investment  into  our  plant-based 
manufacturing operations, this facility significantly increases our plant-based beverage production capacity and capabilities, 
including the addition of 330 milliliter packaging options, which is the common format for nutritional beverages. Together 
with our existing plant-based production facilities in California, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania, the Texas location completes 
our “diamond-shaped” manufacturing network within the U.S., allowing us to be nearer to the markets we serve in order to 
lower transportation usage and reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the Midlothian facility was constructed using recycled 
and recyclable materials where feasible and has been fitted with resource efficient heating and cooling, water treatment, and 
lighting systems.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

4 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We commenced commercial production on the first high-speed aseptic processing and packaging line in February 2023, with 
the start-up of the 330-milliliter packaging line planned for the second quarter of 2023. Production levels and plant utilization 
within the facility are expected to ramp-up through 2024, as we continue our business development efforts to fill remaining 
open capacity. 

Sale of Sunflower Business 

On October 11, 2022, we completed the sale of 100% of the assets and liabilities of our sunflower business and related roasted 
snacks  operations,  which operated  from three processing facilities located in Minnesota and North Dakota. The sale of the 
sunflower commodity business was consistent with our strategic priority of optimizing our non-core businesses and focusing 
on high-growth, high-return opportunities.  

Customers and Competition 

We  sell  our  plant-based  and fruit-based  food  and  beverage  products  through  various  distribution  channels,  including  large 
retailers and club stores, branded food companies, foodservice distributors, quick service and casual dining restaurants, and 
food manufacturers, located principally in the U.S. We generally conduct our business with customers based on purchase orders 
or pursuant to contracts that are terminable by either party following a designated notice period. However, some of our contracts 
may extend for several years and/or include volume purchase commitments. In 2022, our ten largest customers accounted for 
approximately  74%  of  our  consolidated  revenues,  including  approximately  72%  of  our  Plant-Based  Foods  and  Beverages 
segment revenues and approximately 76% of our Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment revenues.  

Our  plant-based  and  fruit-based  food  and  beverage  operations  compete  with  major  branded  and  private-label  food 
manufacturers. Our customers do not typically commit to buy predetermined amounts of products and many customers utilize 
bidding procedures to select vendors. As a result, price is often a key competitive factor in winning bids and retaining customers, 
along with product quality, food safety, innovation, and customer service. We believe that our access to an established network 
of growers and suppliers, the strategic locations of our manufacturing and distribution facilities, our in-house processing and 
packaging capabilities, and our innovation center and pilot plant, allows us to compete effectively. 

Raw Materials 

Our  raw  materials  primarily  consist  of  agricultural  commodities  and  ingredients.  Principal  commodities  included  in  our 
products include strawberries, oats, almonds, and soybeans. Fresh and frozen berries are sourced directly from growers and 
suppliers primarily located in Mexico, the U.S., and South America. We source oats, almonds, and soybeans directly from 
established suppliers mainly within the U.S. and Canada. For critical raw materials, we identify and qualify alternate sources 
of supply, where possible. For certain organic ingredients, we are party to a long-term supply agreement with Tradin Organic, 
our former global organic ingredients business, which we sold in 2020.  

Agricultural commodities and ingredients are subject to fluctuations in market price caused by weather, growing and harvesting 
conditions, market conditions, including inflationary cost increases, and other factors beyond our control. Where possible, we 
mitigate the input price volatility by entering into annual purchase arrangements with our suppliers and by incorporating pass-
through pricing adjustment clauses into our contracts with customers.  

We rely on our packaging suppliers to ensure delivery of often unique, portable, and convenient consumer packaging formats. 
In our plant-based beverage processing facilities, we specialize in the use of Tetra Pak processing and packaging equipment in 
a variety of package sizes, and an array of opening types and extended shelf-life options. Over 95% of our packaging by weight 
is recyclable, and we are committed to working with our suppliers to innovate and develop new packaging technologies to 
further reduce the impact on the environment, while maintaining the quality and safety of our products. 

Natural gas and electricity are the primary sources of energy used to power our plants and processing equipment, and water is 
the principal ingredient in many of our products and is essential to our production processes.  

Diesel fuel is used in connection with the distribution of our products, and we rely on third-party transportation providers to 
deliver raw materials, as well as our products to our customers. 

Seasonality 

We experience seasonality in the procurement, transportation, and processing of strawberries, mainly related to the peak Mexico 
and California production seasons, which generally occur during the first two quarters of the year. As a result, our short-term 
financing needs are generally highest in those periods due to crop inventory builds, while cash inflows are typically higher in 

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the second half of the year as inventories are drawn down. Overall, the demand for most of our products does not typically 
fluctuate significantly in any particular season; however, sales of everyday broths are generally highest in the first and fourth 
quarters of each year. 

Product Development 

Our 24,000 square foot innovation center and pilot plant located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, supports our product development 
team of 27 highly trained and experienced food scientists and technologists that are dedicated to the development of innovative 
food and beverage offerings and addressing product development opportunities for our customers. These opportunities include 
new and custom formulations, innovations in packaging formats, and new production processes and applications. Applications 
and technical support provided to our customers include all aspects of product development from concept to commercial launch, 
as well as ongoing manufacturing and processing support.  

Trademarks 

We market our own consumer brands under trademarks that we own, including SOWN™, Dream™, West Life™ (formerly 
WestSoy™)  and  Sunrise  Growers™.  While  we  consider  these  trademarks  to  be  valuable  to  the  marketing  and  sale  of  our 
proprietary brands, we do not consider any trademark to be of such material importance that its absence would cause a material 
disruption of our business. 

Human Capital 

Our  Human  Capital  Management  strategy  is  based  on  our  goal  of  “Putting  the  YOU  in  SunOpta.”  We  develop  employee 
programs,  benefits,  and  compensation  to  align  with  four  pillars  of  well-being:  physical,  financial,  social,  and  emotional. 
Examples of these initiatives are: 

  Offering a competitive compensation and benefit package that includes “choices” for each employee to select which 
works best for them. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health insurance, company-paid life, accident, and 
disability insurance, 401(k), employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, paid parental and maternity leave programs, 
flexible  schedules,  and  a  tuition  reimbursement  program.  At  the  end  of  2022,  we  announced  two  additional  paid 
personal holidays for our regular, full-time employees called “You Days,” which can be taken in recognition of an 
employee’s birthday and work anniversary date. 

  We believe it is key to give back to the communities in which we live  and work as  evidenced  by  our community 
service and volunteerism program, which we refer to as “SunOpta Cares.” This program provides 24 hours of paid 
time off for our employees to volunteer with community programs that align with their values. Throughout the year, 
employees have several opportunities to donate talent and gifts to local charitable organizations. 

  Talent  management  and  growth  is  instrumental  in  developing  a  sustainable  workforce.  We  provide  various 
opportunities for our employees to learn and grow within SunOpta through individual development plans, on-the-job 
training, special project assignments, monthly safety training and regular leader led learning sessions. In 2022, we 
implemented  a  new  Foundational  Manager  Program  created  for  managers  and  supervisors  with  a  focus  on  cross-
functional leadership, effective communication, leading through change, influencing with integrity, negotiating, and 
creative problem solving. We are committed to identifying and developing the talents of our next generation leaders. 
On  an  annual  basis,  we  conduct  talent  assessments  across  the  organization  and  succession  planning  for  our  most 
critical roles within the organization to identify high potential employees, gaps in capabilities or skills, and bench 
strength.  

  We believe in the power of diversity. We provide training regarding diversity, equity and inclusion for employees to 
better understand how we can all work together, and be better, by embracing our differences. We foster inclusion by 
recognizing and  supporting  activities and initiatives representative of our workforce such as celebrations of Black 
History  month,  Hispanic  Heritage  month,  PRIDE,  National  Native  American  Heritage  month,  and  our  Women’s 
Leadership Program. In 2022, we also kicked off programming for our Hispanic Employee Resource Group. 

We  encourage our  employees  to  be  guided by  our MVBs (Most Valued Behaviors) of speed, dedication, problem solving, 
passion, entrepreneurship, and customer centricity. We have a peer recognition program which allows employees to recognize 
others  who  are  demonstrating  our  MVBs.  Our  leaders  also  recognize  employees  through  our  quarterly  awards  program. 
SunOpta conducts an organizational health survey two times each year to check the pulse of our workforce and look for areas 
of improvement through the lens of all our employees. The average of our survey scores this year were 4.0 on a five-point 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
scale. We engage in communication efforts such as quarterly town halls and monthly all-company huddles that we believe help 
employees feel they are a part of SunOpta as a whole, not just their individual department or location. 

As of December 31, 2022, we employed 1,453 full-time employees and 493 seasonal employees in North America. Excluding 
our newly constructed Midlothian facility, our average employee has four years of service and our annual voluntary turnover 
of employees at the director level or above was 1%. In 2022, our voluntary turnover was 22% across the Company. Except for 
our employees at our Jacona, Mexico, facility, none of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining group. We 
continue to focus on increasing employee retention by implementing retention programs and initiatives to increase employee 
engagement. Employee health and safety is paramount to our success. In addition to our safety training and initiatives at our 
manufacturing facilities, we track our Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) which ended the year at 1.44, compared to a goal 
of 1.6. 

2022 continued to be a challenging year with the continuation of the COVID-19 global pandemic and evolving variants in 
addition to supply chain issues and labor shortages. We have been successful in mitigating the effect on our employees by 
proactively implementing measures early and thoroughly and keeping up to date on recommendations and guidance from the 
Centers  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention  (CDC),  state,  provincial,  and  local  health  departments.  Our  operations  teams 
continued to hold regular meetings to discuss health and safety protocols, best practices, and address employee concerns. In 
addition, we continued special pay and leave policies related to COVID-19 through the end of 2022. 

Environmental, Social and Governance 

We are committed to incorporating environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) principles into our business strategies and 
organizational culture. The Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors provides oversight on ESG matters. 
in  our  most  recent  ESG  report  (available  at 
Details  on  our  ESG  commitments  and  progress  are  set  out 
sunopta.com/sustainability), which shall not be deemed to be a part of this Form 10-K or incorporated into any of our other 
filings  made  with  the  U.S.  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (the  “SEC”)  or  Canadian  Securities  Administrators  (the 
“CSA”). 

Regulations 

We are subject to a wide range of governmental regulations and policies in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. These laws, regulations 
and policies are implemented, as applicable in each jurisdiction, on the national, federal, state, provincial, and local levels. For 
example, we are affected by laws and regulations related to seed, fertilizer, and pesticides; the purchasing, harvesting, transportation, 
and  warehousing  of  agricultural  products;  the  processing,  packaging,  and  sale  of  food  and  beverages,  including  wholesale 
operations; and product labeling and marketing, food safety and food defense. We are also affected by government-sponsored price 
supports, acreage set aside programs, and a number of environmental regulations.  

U.S. Regulations 

Our activities in the U.S. are subject to regulation by various governmental agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration 
(“FDA”),  the  Federal  Trade  Commission  (“FTC”),  the  Environmental  Protection  Agency  (“EPA”),  the  U.S.  Department  of 
Agriculture (“USDA”), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), and the Departments of Commerce and Labor, 
as well as voluntary regulation by other bodies. Various state and local agencies also regulate our activities. 

USDA National Organic Program and Similar Regulations 

We  manufacture  and  distribute  a  number  of  organic  products  that  are  subject  to  the  standards  set  forth  in  the  Organic  Foods 
Production Act and the regulations adopted thereunder by the National Organic Standards Board. In addition, our organic products 
may be subject to various state regulations. We believe that we are in material compliance with the organic regulations applicable 
to our business, and we maintain an organic testing and verification process. Generally, organic food products are produced using: 

 

 

 

agricultural management practices intended to promote and enhance ecosystem health; 

ingredients produced without genetically engineered seeds or crops, sewage sludge, long-lasting pesticides, herbicides, 
or fungicides; and 

food processing practices intended to protect the integrity of the organic product and disallow irradiation, genetically 
modified organisms, or synthetic preservatives. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After  becoming  certified,  organic  operations  must  retain  records  concerning  the  production,  harvesting,  and  handling  of 
agricultural products that are to be sold as organic for a period of five years. Any organic operation found to be in violation of 
the USDA organic regulations is subject to potential enforcement actions, which can include financial penalties or suspension 
or revocation of their organic certificate.  

Food Safety, Labeling and Packaging Regulations 

As  a manufacturer and  distributor of  food  products, we are subject to the  Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Fair 
Packaging and Labeling Act and regulations promulgated thereunder by the FDA and the FTC. This regulatory framework 
governs the manufacture (including composition and ingredients), labeling, packaging, and safety of food in the U.S. state and 
local  statutes  and  regulations  may  impose  additional  food  safety,  labeling,  and  packaging  requirements.  For  instance,  the 
California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly referred to as “Proposition 65”) requires, with 
a few exceptions, that a specific warning appear on any consumer product sold in California that contains a substance, above 
certain  levels,  listed  by  that  state  as  having  been  found  to  cause  cancer  or  birth  defects.  We  believe  we  are  in  material 
compliance with state and local statutes and regulations as they apply to our business. 

Environmental Regulations 

We are also subject to various U.S. federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Some of the key environmental regulations 
in the U.S. include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  Air quality regulations – air quality is regulated by the EPA and certain city/state air pollution control groups. Emission 

reports are filed annually. 

  Waste treatment/disposal regulations – solid waste is either disposed of by a third-party or, in some cases, we have a 
permit to haul and apply the sludge to land. Agreements exist with local city sewer districts to treat waste at specified 
levels  of  Biological  Oxygen  Demand  (“BOD”),  Total  Suspended  Solids  (“TSS”)  and  other  constituents.  This  can 
require weekly/monthly reporting as well as annual inspection.  

  Sewer regulations – we have agreements with the local city sewer districts to treat waste at specified limits of BOD 

and TSS. This requires weekly/monthly reporting as well as annual inspection.  

  Hazardous chemicals regulations – various reports are filed with local, city, and state emergency response agencies to 

identify potential hazardous chemicals being used in our U.S. facilities. 

  Storm-water – all of our U.S. facilities are inspected annually and must comply with an approved storm-water plan to 

protect water supplies. 

Employee Safety Regulations 

We are subject to certain safety regulations, including OSHA regulations. These regulations require us to comply with certain 
manufacturing safety standards to protect our employees from accidents. We believe that we are in material compliance with 
all employee safety regulations applicable to our business. 

Canadian and Other Non-U.S. Regulations 

In Canada, the sale of food is regulated under various federal and provincial laws, principally (but not limited to) the Safe Food for 
Canadians Act (“SFCA”), the Food and Drugs Act (“FADA”), the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (“CCPSA”), the Canadian 
Food  Inspection  Agency  Act  (“CFIAA”)  and  the  Canadian  Environmental  Protection  Act,  1999  (“CEPA”),  along  with  their 
supporting regulations. The following is a summary of each of these statutes to the extent that they apply or potentially apply to the 
Company and its operations:  

 

Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (“SFCR”) (under the SFCA) – the SFCR came into effect on January 15, 2019, and 
consolidated 14 sets of existing food regulations into a single set of regulations which governs all imported, exported, or 
inter-provincially traded food products. Some provisions of the SFCA and SFCR also apply intra-provincially. Notably, 
SFCR replaced the Organic Products Regulations, 2009, the Processed Products Regulations and, to the extent that they 
related to food products, the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act and its supporting regulations. Principal elements of 
the  SCFR  that  may  impact  the  Company  include  licensing  requirements,  preventative  controls,  traceability 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
requirements, commodity-specific requirements, reporting requirements and timelines, an export certificate request 
process, packaging and labeling requirements to ensure food safety and prevent false or misleading labeling, regulation 
of  the use of grades and grade names, standards of identity and expansion of the certification process for organic 
products, and other requirements. Timelines for complying with the SFCR requirements vary by food, activity, and size 
of the food business.  

  Food and Drug Regulations (under the FADA) – food and drugs are subject to specific regulatory requirements, including 
composition (such as food additives, fortification, and food standards), packaging, labeling, advertising, and marketing, 
and licensing requirements. New requirements regarding nutrition and ingredient labeling and food color were introduced 
in 2016. In 2022, the Government of Canada, with support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (the “CFIA”), 
amended  the  Food  and  Drug  Regulations  to  update  the  requirements  for  labelling  pre-packaged  food  products.  The 
amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations are part of the CFIA’s initiative to modernize Canada’s food labelling 
system.  

  Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act (“CFIAA”) – the CFIAA grants power to the CFIA, which is tasked with the 
administration and enforcement of certain Canadian food legislation. By virtue of the CFIAA and the SFCA, the CFIA 
has  the  power  to  inspect  and,  if  deemed  necessary,  recall  certain  products,  including  fresh  fruit  and  vegetables, 
processed foods, and organic foods, if the Minister of Health believes that such products pose a risk to the public, 
animal or plant health. 

 

Substance Regulations – various regulations under CEPA regulate the importation and use of certain substances in 
Canada. For example, prior to the importation and use in products, the importer must ensure that all ingredients are 
found on the Domestic Substances List (“DSL”) maintained by Environment and Climate Change Canada. In the event 
that an ingredient is not found on the DSL, then subject to the amount of the substance imported into Canada and used 
in products sold in Canada, a filing may become necessary under the New Substances Notification Regulations. 

  Canada  Consumer  Product  Safety  Act  (“CCPSA”)  –  the  CCPSA  provides  oversight  and  regulation  of  consumer 
products with respect to manufacturers, importers, and retailers. It includes, without limitation, the ability to require 
product recalls, mandatory  incident reporting, document retention requirements, increased fines and penalties, and 
packaging and labeling requirements. While the CCPSA does not apply to food, it does apply to its packaging with 
respect to safety. It is possible that there will be amendments introduced to the FADA, to capture the essence of the 
regulatory oversight found in the CCPSA. We have no way of anticipating if and when that may occur. 

In Mexico, our frozen fruit processing facility is subject to Mexican regulations, including regulations regarding processing, 
packaging, and sales of food products, labor relations and profit-sharing with employees, and water consumption and treatment. 

Environmental Compliance 

As described above, we are subject to environmental regulations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Our business also requires that 
we have certain permits from various state, provincial and local authorities related to air quality, water consumption and treatment, 
stormwater discharge, solid waste, land spreading and hazardous waste. We are committed to meeting all applicable environmental 
compliance requirements.  

Intellectual Property 

The nature of a number of our products and processes requires that we create and maintain patents, trade secrets and trademarks. 
Our policy is to protect our technology, brands, and trademarks by, among other things, filing patent applications for technology 
relating to the development of our business in the U.S. and in selected foreign jurisdictions, registering trademarks in the U.S., 
Canada  and  selected  foreign  jurisdictions  where  we  sell  products,  and maintaining  confidentiality  agreements  with outside 
parties and employees. 

Our continued success depends, in part, on our ability to protect our products, trade names and technology under U.S. and 
international patent laws and other intellectual property laws. We believe that we own or have sufficient rights to use all of the 
proprietary  technology,  information  and  trademarks  necessary  to  manufacture  and  market  our  products;  however,  there  is 
always a risk that patent applications relating to our products or technologies will not result in patents being issued, or, if issued, 
will be later challenged by a third party, or that current or additional patents will not afford protection against competitors with 
similar technology.  

We also rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how and confidentiality agreements to protect certain technologies and 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
processes.  However, even with  these  steps taken,  our outside partners and contract manufacturers could gain access to our 
proprietary  technology  and  confidential  information.  All  employees  are  required  to  adhere  to  internal  policies,  which  are 
intended to further protect our technologies, processes, and trade secrets. 

Available Information 

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those 
reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), are 
available free of charge on our website at www.sunopta.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such information 
electronically with, or furnish it to, the SEC and the CSA.  

Additionally,  the  SEC  and  CSA  maintain  internet  sites  that  contain  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements,  and  other 
information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC and CSA, which can be found at http://www.sec.gov and 
http://www.sedar.com, respectively. 

Item 1A. Risk Factors 

Our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  are  subject  to  various  risks  and  uncertainties,  including  those 
described below and elsewhere in this report. We believe the most significant of these risks and uncertainties are described 
below, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our cash flows, 
liquidity, stock price and/or reputation, and could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the 
forward-looking statements contained in this report. There may be additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us 
or that we currently consider immaterial. Consequently, you should not consider the following to be a complete discussion of 
all possible risks or uncertainties applicable to our business. These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the other 
information in this report and in the other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC and the CSA.  

Risks Related to Our Company, Business and Operations  

Deterioration of global economic conditions, an economic recession, periods of inflation, or economic uncertainty in our 
key markets may adversely affect customer and consumer spending, as well as demand for our products 

Global economic conditions can be uncertain and volatile. Our business and results of operations have in the past been, and 
may continue to be, adversely affected by changes in global economic conditions including inflation, interest rates, consumer 
spending  rates,  energy  availability  and  costs,  the  negative  impacts  caused  by  public  health  crises,  such  as  the  COVID-19 
pandemic, as well as the potential impacts of geopolitical uncertainties, including the ongoing conflict between Russia and 
Ukraine, and the effect of governmental initiatives to manage economic conditions. As global economic conditions continue 
to be volatile or economic uncertainty remains, trends in consumer spending also remain unpredictable and subject to reductions 
due to credit constraints and uncertainties about the future. Most of our products are purchased by our customers based on end-
user demand from consumers. Some of the factors that may influence consumer spending include general economic conditions, 
high levels of unemployment, health crises, higher consumer debt levels, reductions in net worth based on market declines and 
uncertainty, home foreclosures and reductions in home values, fluctuating interest rates and credit availability, fluctuating fuel 
and other energy costs, fluctuating commodity prices, inflationary pressure, tax rates, and general uncertainty regarding the 
overall future economic environment. Unfavorable economic conditions may lead customers and consumers to delay or reduce 
purchases  of  our  products  and  could  present  challenges  in  collecting  our  account  receivables  on  a  timely  basis.  Customer 
demand for our products may not reach our targets or may decline as distributors and retailers seek to reduce inventory positions 
if there is an economic downturn or economic uncertainty in our key markets. Economic cycles and related fluctuations in 
customer demand may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

A  pandemic,  including  COVID-19,  could  have  an  adverse  impact  on  our  business,  financial  condition,  and  results  of 
operations 

The severity, magnitude and duration of the current COVID-19 pandemic continues to be uncertain and rapidly changing as a 
result of new variants and vaccines. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and could continue to cause, increased economic 
uncertainty, including impacts from inflation, interest rates, consumer spending rates, and energy availability and costs. The 
ongoing implications of the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact our business in a number of ways, including but not 
limited to, significant volatility in customer demand for our products, changes in consumer behavior and preferences, increases 
in raw material and energy costs, disruptions in our supply chain and manufacturing operations, disruptions to our business 
expansion plans, limitations on our employees’ ability to work and travel due to illness or government restrictions, significant 
changes in the economic conditions in markets in which we operate, currency and commodity volatility, and pressure on our 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
liquidity. The impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that are beyond our control, such as the 
emergence  and  spread of variants,  infection  rates in areas we operate, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions, 
including the continued availability and effectiveness of vaccines. If we are unable to anticipate or respond to all implications 
of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any of the above factors and others that are currently unknown, it could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, the items above and other impacts 
of the COVID-19 pandemic could have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Risk Factors” section 
of our Form 10-K, including but not limited to risks of deteriorating global economic conditions, inflationary pressure on costs, 
and labor shortages. 

We may not be able to increase prices to fully offset inflationary pressures on costs, such as raw and packaging materials, 
labor, energy, fuel and distribution costs, which may impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations 

In  recent  years,  we  have  experienced  elevated  commodity  and  supply  chain  costs,  including  the  costs  of  raw  materials, 
packaging, labor, energy, fuel, freight and other inputs necessary for the production and distribution of our products, and we 
expect elevated levels of inflation to continue in 2023. Many of these materials and costs are subject to price fluctuations from 
a number of factors, including, but not limited to, market conditions, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, demand 
for raw materials, weather, growing and harvesting conditions, energy and fuel costs, currency fluctuations, and other factors 
beyond our control. 

Our attempts to offset these cost pressures, such as through increases in the selling prices of some of our products, may not be 
successful. Higher product prices may result in lower sales volumes. Consumers may shift to lower priced product offerings, 
or may forego some purchases altogether, during an economic downturn or times of increased inflationary pressure. To the 
extent  that  our  efforts  to  offset  cost  inflation  through  price  increases,  and/or  through  cost  containment  measures  and 
productivity initiatives, are not sufficient to offset these increased costs adequately or in a timely manner, and/or if they result 
in  significant  decreases  in  sales  volume,  our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  may  be materially  and 
adversely affected.  

If we do not manage our supply chain effectively, our operating results may be adversely affected  

Our supply chain is complex. We rely on third-party suppliers for our raw materials and packaging, as well as the distribution 
of our products. The inability of any of these suppliers to deliver or perform for us in a timely or cost-effective manner could 
cause our operating costs to rise and our margins to fall. Many of our products are perishable and require timely processing 
and transportation to our customers. Additionally, many of our products can only be stored for a limited amount of time before 
they spoil and cannot be sold. We must continually monitor our inventory and product sales mix against forecasted demand to 
reduce the risk of not having adequate supplies to meet consumer demand or the risk of having too much inventory that may 
reach its expiration date. General macroeconomic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the challenges of 
managing our supply chain, and these factors could continue to cause unpredictable supply chain interruptions or other adverse 
effects on our supply chain. If we are unable to manage our supply chain effectively and ensure that our products are available 
to meet  consumer  demand,  our operating costs  could  increase and our margins  could decline,  which could have a  material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

Part of our supply chain depends in part on a seasonal, temporary workforce comprised primarily of migrant workers. Changes 
in immigration laws or policies that discourage migration to the U.S. and political or other events (such as war, terrorism, or 
health crises) that make it more difficult for individuals to immigrate to or migrate throughout the U.S. could adversely affect 
the migrant worker population and reduce the workforce available for farms and production facilities in the U.S. Additionally, 
increased competition from other industries for migrant workers could increase our costs and adversely affect our business, 
financial condition, and results of operations. 

If we face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be 
adversely affected  

Labor is a primary component of operating our business. Our ability to achieve our operating goals depends on our ability to 
identify, hire, train, and retain qualified employees. We compete with other companies both within and outside of our industry 
for talented  employees. If we are unable to hire and retain employees capable of performing at a high-level, our ability to 
efficiently operate our manufacturing facilities and overall business could be adversely affected. Our ability to meet our labor 
needs while controlling labor costs is subject to external factors, such as employment levels, prevailing wage rates, minimum 
wage  legislation,  changing  demographics,  health  and  other  insurance  costs,  and  governmental  labor  and  employment 
requirements.  In  addition,  a  sustained  labor  shortage  or  increased  turnover  rates  within  our  employee  base  could  lead  to 
increased costs, such as increased overtime to meet demand, costs to hire and train new employees, and increased wage rates 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and employee benefits to attract and retain employees. An overall labor shortage, lack of skilled labor, increased turnover, labor 
inflation,  and  changes  in  applicable  employment  laws  and  regulations,  could  lead  to  increased  labor  costs  and/or  reduced 
operating  efficiencies,  which  could  have  a  material  adverse  impact  on  our  business,  financial  condition,  and  results  of 
operations. 

An  interruption  at  one  or  more  of  our  manufacturing  facilities  could  negatively  affect  our  business,  and  our  business 
continuity plan may prove inadequate  

We own or lease, manage and operate a number of manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage and office facilities. We may 
be unable to accept and fulfill customer orders as a result of disasters, health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), business 
interruptions, or other similar events. Some of our inventory and manufacturing facilities are located in areas that are susceptible 
to harsh weather, and the production of certain of our products is concentrated in a few geographic areas. In addition, we store 
chemicals used in the equipment for quick freezing of fruit or used for cooling processes during ingredient processing, and our 
storage of these chemicals could lead to risk of leaks, explosions, or other events. Although we have a business continuity plan, 
our  plan might not address all of  the  issues we may encounter in the event of a disaster or other unanticipated issues. Our 
business interruption insurance may not adequately compensate us for losses that may occur from any of the foregoing. In the 
event that a disaster, or other catastrophic event were to destroy any part of any of our facilities or interrupt our operations for 
any extended period of time, or if harsh weather or health crises prevent us from producing and/or delivering products in a 
timely manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.  

Our customers generally are not obligated to continue purchasing products from us  

Many of our customers buy from us under short-term, binding purchase orders. As a result, these customers are not committed 
to maintain or increase their sales volumes or orders for the products supplied by us. Decreases in our customers’ sales volumes 
or orders for products supplied by us may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations.  

Loss of a key customer could materially reduce revenues and earnings  

Our relationships with our key customers are critical to the success of our business and our results of operations. Our ten largest 
customers  accounted  for  approximately  74%  of  consolidated  revenues  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2022.  The  loss, 
decrease  or  cancellation  of  business  with  any  of  our  large  customers  could  materially  and  adversely  affect  our  business, 
financial condition, and results of operations. 

We operate in a highly competitive industry  

We operate businesses in the highly competitive food industry in North America. We compete with large U.S. and international 
food ingredient and consumer-packaged food companies. These competitors may have financial resources larger than ours and 
may be able to benefit from economies of scale, pricing advantages, long-standing customer relationships, and greater resources 
for product innovation, and marketing and promotional activities. In addition, we may have to compete for limited supplies of 
certain raw materials with competitors having greater resources and stronger supplier relationships than we have. If we are 
unable to effectively respond to these competitive factors or if the competition in any of our product markets results in price 
reductions or decreased demand for our products, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially 
and adversely affected.  

Product innovations by our competitors could make our food products less competitive  

Our competitors include  major food manufacturers and consumer-packaged food companies. Many of these companies are 
engaged in the development of food ingredients and packaged food products and frequently introduce new products into the 
market. If our competitors introduce products that are more appealing to the tastes and dietary habits of consumers or considered 
to be of higher quality or value than our products, our sales and market share could decline, which may have a material adverse 
effect on our profitability. 

Consumer food preferences are difficult to predict and may change  

Our success depends, in part, on our ability to predict, identify, and interpret the tastes and dietary habits of consumers and to 
offer products to our customers that appeal to those preferences on a timely and affordable basis. Consumer preferences and 
trends change based on a number of factors, including product taste and nutrition, food allergies, sustainability values, and 
animal welfare concerns. Our failure to anticipate and respond to changing consumer preferences on a timely basis could result 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
in reduced demand and price decreases for our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial 
condition, and results of operations.  

Impairment charges related to long-lived assets or goodwill could adversely impact our financial condition and results of 
operations 

As at December 31, 2022, we had $321.4 million of property, plant and equipment, $135.6 million of intangible assets, and 
$82.6 million of operating lease right-of-use assets, as well as $4.0 million of goodwill. In addition, prior to fiscal 2019, we 
recognized accumulated impairment losses of $213.8 million related to goodwill that arose from business acquisitions.  

We perform impairment tests of our long-lived assets annually, or at any time when events occur that could affect the value of 
these assets. If the results of such assessments were to show that the carrying value of our long-lived assets was not recoverable 
and the fair value of these assets was less than the carrying value, we would be required to recognize a charge for impairment, 
and the amount of the impairment charge could be material. Factors which could result in an impairment of a long-lived asset 
include, but are not limited to, reduced demand or pricing for our products due to increased competition, the loss of a significant 
customer or market share, or a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset may be disposed of before the 
end of its previously estimated useful life. 

Likewise, we perform an annual impairment test for goodwill, or at any time when events occur that could indicate that more 
likely than not the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Indicators of goodwill impairment include, but are 
not  limited  to,  a  decline  in  general  economic  conditions,  an  increased  competitive  environment  in  which  a  reporting  unit 
operates,  a  negative  trend  in  the  financial  performance  and  cash  flows  of  the  reporting  unit,  and  a  more-likely-than-not 
expectation of selling or disposing of all, or a portion, of a reporting unit. 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, we incurred a pre-tax loss on the sale of our sunflower business of $23.2 million, of 
which a significant portion was comprised of the carrying value of the long-lived assets of the business. In addition, we may 
explore the disposal of other assets or businesses in the future, which could result in material disposal and impairment charges 
in future periods, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations. We may also engage 
in additional acquisitions in the future, which could result in the recognition of additional long-lived assets and goodwill. If the 
financial performance of the acquired businesses  or assets  does not  meet  our expectations, we could be  required to record 
subsequent impairments to the acquired long-lived assets and/or goodwill, which could materially and adversely impact our 
business, financial condition, and results of operations.  

We may not realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of our capital investment plans in the anticipated time frame or 
at all 

We are currently undergoing the largest capital expansion in our company’s history, including the construction of our new 
plant-based  beverage  facility  in  Midlothian,  Texas.  Our  capital  investment  plans  often  require  a  substantial  amount  of 
management,  operational,  and  financial  resources,  which  may  divert  our  attention  and  resources  from  existing  businesses, 
potentially disrupting our operations and adversely affecting our relationships with customers and suppliers. In addition, delays 
and unexpected costs in connection with the completion of capital expansion projects, or changes in demand and pricing for 
our products may occur that could result in us not realizing all or any of the anticipated benefits of our capital investment plans 
on our expected timetable or at all, and there can be no assurance that any benefits we realize from our capital investments will 
be sufficient to offset the costs that we may incur. 

Our operations are subject to the general risks associated with acquisitions and divestitures 

We have made several business and asset acquisitions and divestitures in recent years that align with our strategic priority of 
optimizing  our  non-core  businesses  and  focusing  on  high-growth,  high-return  opportunities.  We  regularly  review  strategic 
opportunities to grow through acquisitions and to divest non-core businesses and/or underperforming assets. Potential risks 
associated  with  these  transactions  include  the  inability  to  consummate  a  transaction  on  favorable  terms,  the  diversion  of 
management’s attention from other business concerns, the potential loss of key employees and customers of current or acquired 
companies, the inability to integrate or divest operations successfully, the possible assumptions of unknown liabilities, potential 
disputes with buyers or sellers, potential impairment charges, and the inherent risks in entering markets or lines of business in 
which the Company has limited or no prior experience. Any or all of these risks could have a material and adverse impact on 
our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, acquisitions outside the U.S. or Canada may present 
unique challenges and increase our exposure to the risks associated with foreign operations. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We may require additional capital, which may not be available on favorable terms or at all  

Our working capital requirements, capital investment plans, and our ability to acquire complementary businesses or assets often 
require significant financial resources. Our ability to raise capital, through debt or equity financing, is directly related to our 
ability to both continue to grow our revenues and improve the profitability of our operations. Debt or equity financing may not 
be available to us on favorable terms or at all. In addition, any potential debt financing could adversely affect our financial 
condition and increase our exposure to  interest rate changes, while any potential equity financing would dilute our  current 
shareholders and may result in a decrease in our share price if we are unable to realize adequate returns.  

If we lose the services of our key executives, our business could suffer  

Our prospects depend to a significant extent on the continued service of our key executives, and our continued growth depends 
on our ability to identify, recruit, and retain key management personnel. We do not typically carry key person life insurance on 
our executive officers. If we lose the services of our key executives or fail to identify, recruit, and retain key management 
personnel, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted.  

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness and Liquidity 

Increases in interest rates or changes in our credit ratings may negatively impact our cost of borrowing and access to capital 
financing 

To address inflation, the U.S. Federal Reserve implemented tighter monetary policies in 2022, causing interest rates to rise 
significantly, which negatively impacted the cost of borrowing on our variable rate debt in 2022, as well as the implicit rate of 
interest for finance leases that commenced in 2022. As at December 31, 2022, we had total outstanding variable rate debt of 
approximately  $184  million,  at  a  weighted-average  interest  rate  of  6.89%  (January  1,  2022  –  2.34%).  In  addition,  as  at 
December 31, 2022, we had approximately $45 million of open finance lease commitments related to planned capital expansion 
projects. These finance lease commitments typically include a floating lease rate factor based on changes in underlying interest 
rates prior to the lease commencement date. We expect interest rates to remain at elevated levels in 2023, and we continue to 
be exposed to further changes in interest rates. In addition, a downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs 
and could affect our ability to access additional bank or subordinated financing in order to meet our operating and investing 
needs. As a result, interest rate or credit rating changes could a material negative impact on our business, financial position, 
and results of operations.  

Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our debt obligations 

As at December 31, 2022, we have a significant amount of indebtedness outstanding as a result of the capital investments we 
have made in recent years. The level of our indebtedness and the degree to which we are leveraged could adversely affect our 
business, financial condition, and results of operations, including, without limitation, increasing our exposure to interest rate 
fluctuations  and  impairing  our  ability  to  obtain  additional  financing  for  working  capital,  capital  expenditures,  debt  service 
requirements, acquisitions, or other general corporate purposes. In addition, we may have to use a substantial portion of our 
cash flow to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, which may reduce the funds available to us for other purposes. If 
we do not generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt service obligations, we may have to undertake alternative financing 
plans, such as refinancing or restructuring our debt, selling assets, reducing or delaying capital expenditures, or seeking to raise 
additional capital. A high level of indebtedness and leverage could also make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and 
adverse industry conditions and may compromise our ability to capitalize on business opportunities, and to react to competitive 
pressures as compared to our competitors. 

Our debt and equity agreements restrict how we may operate our business, and our business may be materially and adversely 
affected if these restrictions prevent us from implementing our business plan  

The agreements governing our debt and preferred equity instruments contain restrictive covenants that limit the discretion of 
our management with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions on, among other things, our ability 
to  obtain  additional  debt  financing  or  preferred  equity,  to  create  other  liens,  to  complete  a  merger,  amalgamation,  or 
consolidation, to make certain  distributions or  make certain payments, investments and guarantees and to sell or otherwise 
dispose  of  certain  assets.  These  restrictions  may  hinder  our  ability  to  execute  on  our  growth  strategy  or  prevent  us  from 
implementing parts of our business plan.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our  business  could  be  materially  and  adversely  affected  if  we  are  unable  to  meet  the  financial  covenants  of  our  credit 
agreement 

Our credit agreement requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio if excess availability is below certain 
thresholds and a maximum senior funded leverage ratio covenant with respect to the delayed draw term loan facility. Our ability 
to comply with the financial covenants under the credit agreement will depend on the success of our businesses, our operating 
results, and our ability to achieve our financial forecasts. Various risks, uncertainties and events beyond our control could affect 
our  ability  to  comply  with  the  financial  covenants  and  terms  of  the  credit  agreement.  Failure  to  comply  with  the  financial 
covenants and other terms could result in an event of default and the acceleration of amounts owing under the credit agreement 
unless we are able to negotiate a waiver. The lenders could condition any such waiver on an amendment to the credit agreement 
on terms, including, but not limited to, the payment of consent fees, that may be unfavorable to us. If we fail to comply with 
the  financial  covenants  and  we  are  unable  to  negotiate  a  covenant  waiver  or  replace  or  refinance  the  credit  agreement  on 
favorable terms, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted. 

Our ability to maintain current levels of working capital may be adversely affected if we are unable to utilize supply chain 
financing  (“SCF”)  programs  to  extend  payment  terms  for  certain  suppliers,  and  accelerate  payment  terms  for  certain 
customers 

Our principal source of liquidity is operating cash flows supplemented by debt borrowings for seasonal inventory builds, major 
capital expenditures, and other significant transactions. To improve working capital efficiency, we utilize SCF programs offered 
by some of our major customers that allow us to monetize our receivables from those customers earlier than our payment terms 
would provide. We also offer our own SCF program, through a participating financial institution, to selected suppliers in order 
to extend payment terms with those suppliers. To the extent that these various SCF programs were terminated, our financial 
condition, cash flows, and liquidity could be adversely affected by higher working capital levels due to delays in collecting 
accounts  receivables,  or  by  the  shortening  of  supplier  payment  terms.  If  working  capital  is  negatively  impacted  by  the 
termination of these programs, and we are unable to secure alternative financing sources, we may have to increase our debt 
borrowings, along with the associated interest expense. 

Risks Related to Weather, Climate Change, and Other External Factors 

Adverse weather conditions and natural disasters could impose costs on our business  

Agricultural commodities and ingredients for our products are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, 
including windstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, droughts, fires, and temperature and precipitation extremes, some of 
which are recurring but difficult to predict, as well as crop disease and infestation. For example, we source most of the oats 
that we use in the production of our products from Canada, which experienced significantly reduced oat growth and harvest in 
2021 due to severe heat and drought. In addition, approximately 10 percent of our strawberry supply is sourced from California, 
which has experienced severe drought conditions and significant wildfires from time to time, resulting in lost and damaged 
crops.  

Severe weather conditions may occur with higher frequency or may be less predictable in the future due to the effects of climate 
change. Unfavorable growing and harvesting conditions could reduce both crop size and crop quality. In extreme cases, entire 
harvests may be lost in some geographic areas. Adverse weather conditions or natural disasters may adversely affect our supply 
of raw materials or prevent or impair our ability to ship products as planned. These factors may increase raw material acquisition 
and production costs, decrease our sales volumes and revenues, and lead to additional charges to earnings, which could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  

Climate change, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business, 
financial condition and results of operations 

Long-term climate change impacts on global temperatures, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather 
and natural disasters may negatively impact the price or availability of agricultural commodities and ingredients, as well as 
other raw materials and packaging (such as corrugated cardboard) that are necessary for our products. We may also be subjected 
to decreased availability of and/or less favorable pricing for water, which could adversely impact our manufacturing operations.  

There is an increased focus by U.S. federal, state and local regulatory and legislative bodies, as well as foreign bodies, regarding 
environmental policies relating to climate change, regulating greenhouse gas emissions, energy policies, and sustainability. 
Increased compliance costs and expenses due to the impacts of climate change and additional legal or regulatory requirements 
regarding climate change may cause disruptions in, or an increase in the costs associated with, the running of our manufacturing 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
facilities and our business, as well as increase distribution and supply chain costs. In addition, compliance with any such legal 
or regulatory requirements may require us to  make significant changes in our business operations and strategy, which will 
likely require us to devote substantial time and attention to these matters and cause us to incur additional costs. Even if we 
make changes to align ourselves with such legal or regulatory requirements, we may still be subject to significant penalties or 
potential litigation if such laws and regulations are interpreted and applied in a manner inconsistent with our practices. The 
effects of climate change and legal or regulatory initiatives to address climate change could have a long-term adverse impact 
on our business and results of operations. 

Additionally, we might fail to effectively address increased attention from customers, consumers, investors, activists and other 
stakeholders on climate change and related environmental sustainability matters. Such failure, or the perception that we have 
failed to act responsibly regarding climate change, whether or not valid, could result in adverse publicity and negatively affect 
our business and reputation. In addition, customers and consumers may choose to stop purchasing our products or purchase 
products  from  another  company  or  a  competitor,  and  our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of  operations  may  be 
materially and adversely affected. 

Furthermore, we may from time to time establish and publicly announce goals and commitments to reduce our impact on the 
environment. For example, we have established targets through 2027 to reduce our use of natural gas, electricity and water on 
a  per  capita  basis  as  a  compared  to our  2019  baseline.  Our  ability  to  achieve  any  stated  goal or  commitment  is  subject  to 
numerous  factors  and  conditions,  many  of  which  are  outside  of  our  control.  Examples  of  such  factors  include  evolving 
regulatory requirements affecting sustainability standards or disclosures, the development of new environmental technologies 
to address climate change, and the availability of financing to support climate-related projects. In addition, we may determine 
that it is in the best interest of our company and our shareholders to prioritize other business investments over the achievement 
of  our  current  environmental  goals  and  commitments  based  on  economic  conditions,  changes  in  our  business  strategy,  or 
pressure from investors or other stakeholders. If we fail to achieve or are perceived to have failed or been delayed in achieving, 
or  improperly  report  our  progress  toward  achieving  our  goals  and  commitments,  it  could  negatively  affect  customer  and 
consumer preference for our products or investor confidence in our business, as well as expose us to enforcement actions and 
litigation. 

Our business may be adversely affected by the availability of non-GMO and organic commodities and ingredients 

Our ability to ensure a continuing supply of non-GMO and organic commodities and ingredients at competitive prices depends 
on many factors beyond our control, including the number and size of farms that grow non-GMO and organic crops. The non-
GMO and organic raw materials that we use in the production of our products, including, among others, fruits, grains, nuts, 
sweeteners, and flavorings, are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, water 
scarcity,  temperature  extremes,  frosts,  earthquakes,  and  pestilences.  Natural  disasters  and  adverse  weather  conditions  can 
reduce crop size and crop quality, which in turn could reduce our supplies of and/or increase the price of non-GMO and organic 
raw  materials.  If  our  supplies  of  non-GMO  and  organic  raw  materials  are  reduced,  we  may  not  be  able  to  find  enough 
supplemental supply sources on favorable terms, if at all, which could impact our ability to supply product to our customers 
and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

Our operations are influenced by agricultural policies  

We are affected by governmental agricultural policies such as price supports and acreage set aside programs, and these types 
of policies may affect our business. The production levels, markets and prices of the agricultural products that we use in our 
business may be materially affected by government programs, which include acreage control and price support programs of 
the USDA. Revisions in these and other comparable programs, in the U.S. and elsewhere, could have a material and adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition, and results of our operations. 

Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our business  

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in our non-U.S.-based operations located in Mexico and Canada, 
as these operations purchase raw materials and incur operating costs in local currencies. As a result, a weakening of the U.S. 
dollar relative to the Mexican peso or Canadian dollar may result in an increase in our cost of goods sold and a decrease in our 
gross margins reported in U.S. dollars. From time to time, we enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to manage our 
exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; however, these contracts may not effectively limit or eliminate our 
foreign  exchange  risk  exposure.  As  a  result,  future  foreign  exchange  rate  fluctuations  could  adversely  affect  our business, 
financial condition, and results of operations.  

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our foreign operations and suppliers expose us to additional risks  

Our operations and raw material suppliers outside of the U.S. and Canada expose us to certain risks inherent in doing business 
abroad, including exposure to local laws and regulations, political and civil unrest, and economic conditions. For example, our 
frozen fruit processing facility in Mexico is located in the State of Michoacán, near areas where there have been incidents of 
unrest. If we grow our business globally, we may have difficulty anticipating and effectively managing these and other risks, 
which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  

Risks Related to Regulations and Litigation 

Product liability suits, recalls and threatened market withdrawals, could have a material adverse effect on our business  

Many of our products are susceptible to harmful bacteria, and the sale of food products for human consumption involves the 
risk of injury or illness to consumers. Such injuries may result from inadvertent mislabeling, tampering by unauthorized third 
parties, faulty packaging materials, product contamination, or spoilage. Under certain circumstances, our customers or we may 
be required to recall or withdraw products, which may lead to a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
or results of operations. Our customers may also voluntarily recall or withdraw a product we manufactured or packaged, even 
without  consulting  us,  which  could  increase  our  potential  liability  and  costs  and  result  in  lost  sales.  A  product  recall  or 
withdrawal could result in significant losses due to the costs of the recall, the destruction of product inventory, and lost sales 
due to the unavailability of products for a period of time. In addition, a recall or withdrawal may cause us to lose future revenues 
from,  or  relationships  with,  one  or  more  material  customers,  and  the  impact  of  the  recall  or  withdrawal  could  affect  our 
customers’ willingness to continue to purchase related or unrelated products from us or could otherwise hinder our ability to 
grow  our  business  with  those  customers.  We  could  also  be  forced  to  temporarily  close  one  or  more  of  our  manufacturing 
facilities.  

Even if a situation does not necessitate a recall or withdrawal, product liability claims might be asserted against us. If a product 
recall or withdrawal were to lead to a decline in sales of a similar or related product sold by a customer or other third party, 
that party could also initiate litigation against us. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe 
our  facilities  and  those  of  our  co-packers  comply  in  all  material  respects  with  all  applicable  laws  and  regulations,  if  the 
consumption of any of our products causes, or is alleged to have caused, a health-related illness in the future, we may become 
subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, 
the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or physical harm could adversely affect our 
reputation with existing and potential customers and consumers, as well as our corporate and brand image. 

Furthermore, future claims or liabilities of this sort might not be covered by our insurance or by any rights of indemnity or 
contribution that we may have against others. Further, we may incur claims or liabilities for which we are not insured or that 
exceed the amount of our insurance coverage. A product liability judgment against us or a future product recall could have a 
material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

Litigation  and  regulatory  enforcement  concerning  marketing  and  labeling  of  food  products  could  adversely  affect  our 
business and reputation  

The marketing and labeling of any food product in recent years has brought increased risk that consumers will bring class action 
lawsuits  and  that  the  FTC  and/or  state  attorneys  general  will  bring  legal  action  concerning  the  truth  and  accuracy  of  the 
marketing and labeling of the product. Examples of claims that may be asserted in a consumer class action lawsuit include 
fraud, unfair trade practices, and breach of state consumer protection statutes (such as Proposition 65 in California). The FTC 
and/or state attorneys general may bring legal actions that seek to remove a product from the marketplace and/or impose fines 
and penalties. Even if not merited, class claims, actions by the FTC or state attorneys general enforcement actions could be 
expensive to defend and could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and consumers, as well as 
our corporate and brand image, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results 
of operations.  

Food safety concerns and instances of food-borne illnesses caused by third parties could harm our business  

Our internal processes and training may not be fully effective in preventing contamination of food products that could lead to 
food-borne illnesses. We rely on third-party suppliers and distributors, which increases the risk that food-borne illness incidents 
(such as e.coli, salmonella, or listeria) could occur outside of our control and at multiple locations. If consumers lose confidence 
in the safety and quality of our products or organic products generally, even in the absence of a recall or a product liability 
case, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Instances of food-

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
borne  illnesses,  whether  real  or  perceived,  and  whether  or  not  traceable  to  our  operations  or  the  result  of  our  actions  or 
omissions, could cause negative publicity about us or our products, which could adversely affect sales. Food safety concerns 
and instances of food-borne illnesses and injuries caused by contaminated products sold by third parties could cause customers 
to shift their preferences, even if no food-borne illnesses or injuries are traced to our products. As a result, our sales may decline. 
Loss of customers as a result of these health concerns or negative publicity could harm our business, financial condition, and 
results of operations. 

We are subject to significant food and health laws and regulations  

We are affected by a wide range of governmental regulations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. These laws and regulations are 
implemented at the national level (including, among others, federal laws and regulations in the U.S. and Canada) and by local 
subdivisions (including, among others, state laws in the U.S. and provincial laws in Canada).  

Examples of laws and regulations that affect us include laws and regulations applicable to:  

 

 

 

 

the use of seed, fertilizer and pesticides;  

the purchasing, harvesting, transportation and warehousing of agricultural products;  

the processing and sale of food, including wholesale operations; and  

the product labeling and marketing of food and food products, food safety and food defense.  

These  laws  and  regulations  affect  various  aspects  of  our  business.  For  example,  certain  food  ingredient  products  that  we 
manufacture may require pre-market approval by the FDA that the ingredient is “generally recognized as safe,” or “GRAS.” 
We  believe  that  most  food  ingredients  for  which  we  have  commercial  rights  are  GRAS.  However,  this  status  cannot  be 
determined until actual formulations and uses are finalized. As a result, we may be adversely impacted if the FDA determines 
that our food ingredient products do not meet the criteria for GRAS.  

In addition, certain USDA regulations set forth the minimum standards producers must meet in order to have their products 
labeled as “certified organic,” and we manufacture a number of organic products that are covered by these regulations. While 
we  believe  our  products  and  our  supply  chain  are  in  compliance  with  these  regulations,  changes  to  food  regulations  may 
increase our costs to remain in compliance. We could lose our “organic” certification if a facility becomes contaminated with 
non-organic materials or if we do not use raw materials that are certified organic. The loss of our “organic” certification could 
materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  

Our business  is also required to comply with  the Food Safety Modernization  Act (“FSMA”)  and the FDA’s implementing 
regulations. FSMA requires, among other things, that food facilities conduct a contamination hazard analysis, implement risk-
based preventive controls, and develop track-and-trace capabilities. If we are found to be in violation of applicable laws and 
regulations in these areas, we could be subject to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions or recalls, as well as potential 
criminal sanctions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. 

Our business is subject to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (“PACA”). PACA regulates fair trade standards in the 
fresh produce industry and governs our purchases of fresh produce and sales of frozen produce. We source fresh produce under 
licenses issued by the USDA, as required by PACA. Our failure to comply with the PACA requirements could, among other 
things,  result  in  civil  penalties,  suspension  or  revocation  of  our  licenses  to  sell  produce,  and  in  certain  cases,  criminal 
prosecution, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. 

Changes in any government laws and regulations applicable to our operations could increase our compliance costs, negatively 
affect our ability to sell certain products or otherwise adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, while we believe 
we are in material compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to our operations, we cannot be certain that we have 
been, or will at all times be, in compliance with all food production and health requirements, or that we will not incur material 
costs or liabilities in connection with these requirements. Our failure to comply with any laws, regulations or policies applicable 
to our business could result in fines, lawsuits, enforcement actions, penalties or loss of the ability to sell certain products, any 
of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.  

We are subject to substantial environmental regulation and policies  

We are, and expect to continue to be, subject to substantial U.S. federal, state and local environmental regulations, as well as 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
foreign regulations. Some of the key environmental regulations to which we are subject include air quality regulations of the 
EPA and certain city, state and provincial air pollution control groups, waste treatment/disposal regulations, sewer regulations 
under  agreements  with  local  city  sewer  districts,  regulations  governing  hazardous  substances,  stormwater  regulations  and 
bioterrorism regulations. For a more detailed summary of the environmental regulations and policies to which we are subject, 
see “Item 1. Business—Regulation” of this report. Our business also requires that we have certain permits from various state, 
provincial and local authorities related to air quality, water consumption and treatment, stormwater discharge, solid waste, land 
spreading, and hazardous waste.  

If our safety procedures for handling and disposing of potentially hazardous materials in certain of our businesses were to fail, 
we could be held liable for any damages that result, and any such liability could exceed our resources. We may be required to 
incur significant costs to comply with environmental laws and regulations in the future. In addition, changes to environmental 
regulations may require us to modify our existing plant and processing facilities and could significantly increase the cost of 
those operations.  

The foregoing environmental regulations, as well as others common to the industries in which we participate, can present delays 
and costs that can adversely affect business development and growth. If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, 
we may be subject to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions, recalls or seizures, as well as potential criminal sanctions, 
which could have a material adverse effect on  our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, any 
changes to current regulations may impact the development, manufacturing, and marketing of our products, and may have a 
negative impact on our future results of operations. 

Changes in laws and regulations of privacy and protection of user data could adversely affect our business 

We are subject to data privacy and protection laws and regulations that apply to the collection, transmission, storage, and use 
of proprietary information and personally-identifying information, including the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018. 
The regulatory environment surrounding information security and data privacy varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and is 
constantly evolving and increasingly demanding. The restrictions imposed by such laws continue to develop and may require 
us to incur substantial costs, adopt additional compliance measures, such as notification requirements and corrective actions in 
the event of a security breach, and/or change our current or planned business models. 

If our current security measures and data protection policies and controls are found to be non-compliant with relevant laws or 
regulations in any jurisdiction where we conduct business, we may be subject to penalties and fines, and may need to expend 
significant resources to implement additional data protection measures. In addition, we may be required to modify the features 
and functionality of our system offerings in a way that is less attractive to customers. 

Changes in laws or regulations governing foreign trade or taxation could adversely affect our business 

Changes in governmental laws or regulations affecting foreign trade or taxation, or the introduction of new laws or regulations, 
may have a direct or indirect effect on our business or those of our customers or suppliers. Such changes could increase the 
costs of doing business for the Company, our customers, or suppliers, or restrict our actions, causing our results of operations 
to be adversely affected. 

Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. 
In addition, governmental tax authorities are increasingly scrutinizing the tax positions of companies. If U.S. or other foreign 
tax authorities change applicable tax laws, our overall taxes could increase, and our business, financial condition and results of 
operations could be adversely impacted. 

If the material weaknesses we have identified in our internal control over financial reporting persist or if we fail to establish 
and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately report our financial results could 
be adversely affected 

In connection with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, 
our management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In connection 
with that assessment, we identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. Exchange Act Rule 
12b-2 and Rule 1-02(b) of Regulation S-X define a material weakness as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal 
control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim 
consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. The identified material 
weakness is further described in Part II, Item 9A of this Form 10-K. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our remediation efforts regarding the material weakness are also described in Part II, Item 9A of this Form 10-K. While we 
are confident that that our remediation plan will fully remediate the identified material weakness, it is possible that our remedial 
measures may not be sufficient or may take longer than anticipated. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address the 
material  weakness,  our  consolidated  financial  statements  may  contain  material  misstatements  and  we  could  be  required  to 
restate our financial results. Even after the identified material weakness has been remediated, investors may lose confidence in 
our reported financial information and the market price of our common shares may decline. 

Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Information Technology 

We rely on protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights  

Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our intellectual property rights. We rely primarily on patent, copyright, 
trademark, and trade secret laws to protect our proprietary technologies. Our policy is to protect our technology by, among 
other things, filing patent applications for technology relating to the development of our business in the U.S. and in selected 
foreign jurisdictions. Our trademarks and brand names are registered in the U.S., Canada, and other jurisdictions. We intend to 
keep these filings current and seek protection for new trademarks to the extent consistent with business needs. We also rely on 
trade secrets and proprietary know-how and confidentiality agreements to protect certain of the technologies and processes that 
we use. The failure of any patents, trademarks, trade secrets or other intellectual property rights to provide protection to our 
technologies would make it easier for our competitors to offer similar products, which could result in lower revenues and/or 
margins and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

Technology failures could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business 

In  the  normal  course  of  business,  we  rely  on  information  technology  systems  to  process,  transmit,  and  store  electronic 
information. For example, our production and distribution facilities and inventory management utilize information technology 
to increase efficiencies and limit costs. Information technology systems are also integral to our internal and external financial 
reporting. Furthermore, a significant portion of the communications between, and storage of personal data of, our personnel, 
customers,  consumers,  and  suppliers,  depends  on  information  technology.  Our  information  technology  systems  may  be 
vulnerable to a variety of interruptions as a result of updating our enterprise platform or due to events beyond our control, 
including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers, and 
other  security  issues.  These  events  could  compromise  our  confidential  information,  impede,  or  interrupt  our  business 
operations,  and  may  result  in  other  negative  consequences,  including  remediation  costs,  loss  of  revenue,  litigation  and 
reputational damage. 

Our reputation and our relationships with customers, consumers and suppliers would be harmed if our systems are accessed 
by unauthorized persons 

We maintain certain personal data, including personal data regarding our personnel, customers, consumers, and suppliers. This 
data  is  maintained  on  our  own  systems,  as  well  as  systems  of  third  parties  we  use  in  our  operations.  If  a  breach  or  other 
breakdown results in the disclosure of confidential or personal information, we may suffer reputational, competitive and/or 
business harm. While we have implemented administrative and technical controls and taken other preventive actions to reduce 
the  risk  of  cyber  incidents  and  protect  our  information  technology,  our  controls  and  other  preventative  actions  may  be 
insufficient to prevent physical and electronic break-ins, cyber-attacks or other security breaches to our computer systems. Our 
insurance may not provide sufficient coverage to protect against related losses. Consequently, any data breach or other access 
of our systems by unauthorized persons could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of 
operations. 

Risks Related to Significant Investors and Shareholder Activism 

Our significant investor may have interests that conflict with those of our debtholders and other stakeholders 

As at December 31, 2022, Oaktree Capital Management L.P., a private equity investor (together with its affiliates, “Oaktree”) 
held an approximately 19% voting interest in the Company and has nominated two members of our Board of Directors. The 
interests of Oaktree may differ from the interests of our other stakeholders in material respects. For example, Oaktree may have 
an interest in directly or indirectly pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, financings, or other transactions that, in their judgment, 
could enhance their other equity investments, even though such transactions might involve risks to us, including risks to our 
liquidity  and financial condition.  Oaktree  is  in  the  business of making or advising on investments in companies, including 
businesses that may directly or indirectly compete with certain portions of our business. Oaktree may also pursue acquisition 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available 
to us. 

Our  other  large  investors  do  not  have  specific  rights  beyond  those  of  smaller  holders  of  our  common  shares.  However,  a 
concentration of ownership within our large investors could potentially be disadvantageous to, or conflict with, interests of our 
debtholders or smaller shareholders. In addition, if any significant shareholder were to sell or otherwise transfer all or a large 
percentage of its holdings, we could find it difficult to raise capital, if needed, through the sale of additional equity securities. 

Our business could be negatively impacted as a result of shareholder activism or an unsolicited takeover proposal or a proxy 
contest 

In recent years, proxy contests and other forms of shareholder activism have been directed against numerous public companies. 
If a proxy contest or an unsolicited takeover proposal is made with respect to us, we could incur significant costs in defending 
the  Company,  which would have an adverse effect on our financial results. Shareholder activists may also seek to involve 
themselves in the governance, strategic direction, and operations of the Company. Such proposals may disrupt our business 
and divert the attention of our management and employees, and any perceived uncertainties as to our future direction resulting 
from such a situation could result in the loss of potential business opportunities, be exploited by our competitors, cause concern 
to our current or potential customers, and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners, 
all of which could adversely affect our business. In addition, actions of activist shareholders may cause significant fluctuations 
in our  stock price  based on temporary or speculative market  perceptions  or other factors that do not necessarily reflect the 
underlying fundamentals and prospects of our business. 

Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Shares  

Our share price is subject to significant volatility 

Our share price may be highly volatile compared to larger public companies, which increases the chance of larger than normal 
price swings that could reduce predictability in the price of our common shares and impair investment decisions. In addition, 
price and volume trading volatility in the stock markets can have a substantial effect on our share price, frequently for reasons 
other than our operating performance. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the market price of our common 
shares.  

Periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a company’s securities is often followed by securities class 
action  litigation  alleging  material  misstatements  or  omissions  in  disclosures  provided  to  shareholders.  Such  litigation,  if 
instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources.  

Our debt instruments restrict, and our future debt instruments may restrict, our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders, 
and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common shares in the foreseeable future; therefore, our 
shareholders may not be able to receive a return on their common shares until their shares are sold  

We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common shares. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on 
our common shares in the foreseeable future because, among other reasons, we currently intend to retain any future earnings 
to  finance  the  growth  of  our  business.  The  future  payment  of  dividends  will  be  dependent  on  factors  such  as  covenant 
restrictions, cash on hand, or achieving and maintaining profitability, the financial requirements to fund growth, our general 
financial condition, and other factors we may consider appropriate in the circumstances. Until we pay dividends, which we 
may never do, our shareholders will not receive a return on their common shares until their shares are sold, and any return will 
depend on the ability to sell their shares at a price higher than they paid to acquire them.  

The future issuance of additional common shares in connection with the exchange of convertible preferred stock, vesting 
of equity-based awards, participation in our employee stock purchase plan and issuance of additional securities could dilute 
the value of our common shares 

We have unlimited common shares authorized but unissued. Our articles of amalgamation authorize us to issue these common 
shares, and we may also issue options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to common shares for consideration and 
on terms and conditions established by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion.  

The exchange of outstanding convertible preferred stock, vesting of equity-based awards, participation in our employee stock 
purchase plan, and issuance of additional securities in connection with acquisitions or otherwise could result in dilution in the 
value of our common shares and the voting power represented thereby. Furthermore, to the extent common shares are issued 

SUNOPTA INC. 

21 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
pursuant  to  the  exchange  of  outstanding  convertible  preferred  stock,  vesting  of  equity-based  awards,  participation  in  our 
employee stock purchase plan, and issuance of additional securities, our share price may decrease due to the additional amount 
of common shares available in the market. The subsequent sales of these shares could encourage short sales by our shareholders 
and others, which could place further downward pressure on our share price.  

If securities or industry research analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or reports about our business or if 
they issue unfavorable commentary or downgrade our common shares, our share price and trading volume could decline  

The trading market for our common shares relies in part on the research and reports that securities and industry research analysts 
publish about us, our industry, our competitors and our business. We do not have any control over these analysts. Our share 
price and trading volumes could decline if one or more securities or industry analysts downgrade our common shares, issue 
unfavorable commentary about us, our industry or our business, cease to cover our Company or fail to regularly publish reports 
about us, our industry, or our business. 

A portion of our assets and certain of our directors are located outside of the U.S.; it may be difficult to effect service of 
process and enforce legal judgments upon us and certain of our directors  

A portion of our assets and certain of our directors are located outside of the U.S. As a result, it may be difficult to effect service 
of process within the U.S. and enforce judgment of a U.S. court obtained against us and certain of our directors. Particularly, 
our stakeholders may not be able to:  

 

 

 

 

effect service of process within the U.S. on us or certain of our directors;  

enforce judgments obtained in U.S. courts against us or certain of directors based upon the civil liability provisions of 
the U.S. federal securities laws;  

enforce, in a court outside of the U.S., judgments of U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. 
federal securities laws; or  

bring an original action in a court outside of the U.S. to enforce liabilities against us or any of our executive officers 
and directors based upon the U.S. federal securities laws.  

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments  

None. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2. Properties 

The  following  table  lists  the location,  description,  ownership  and  operating  segment  of  our  production  facilities  and  corporate 
headquarters: 

Location 

Facility Description 

Owned/Leased 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 

Alexandria, Minnesota 
Alexandria, Minnesota 
Allentown, Pennsylvania 
Midlothian, Texas 
Modesto, California 

Aseptic beverage processing  
Ingredient processing 
Aseptic beverage processing  
Aseptic beverage processing  
Aseptic beverage and ingredient processing  

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 

Omak, Washington 
St. David’s, Ontario 
Edwardsville, Kansas 
Oxnard, California 
Jacona, Mexico 

Fruit snack processing  
Fruit snack processing  
Frozen fruit processing  
Frozen fruit processing  
Frozen fruit processing  

Owned 
Owned 
Leased 
Leased 
Leased 

Leased 
Leased 
Owned 
Leased 
Owned 

Noncancellable 
Lease Term End 
Date 

April 2027(1) 
September 2037(2) 
May 2024(1) 

May 2027 
December 2026(3) 

December 2029 

Eden Prairie, Minnesota 

Executive office, innovation center, and pilot plant 

Leased 

December 2033(1) 

Corporate Services 

(1)  Lease includes two five-year renewal options. 

(2)  Lease includes three five-year renewal options. 

(3)  Lease includes a three-year renewal option. 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings  

For a discussion of legal proceedings, see note 20 of the consolidated financial statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K.  

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 

Not Applicable. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II 

Item 5.    Market  for  Registrant’s  Common  Equity,  Related  Stockholder  Matters  and  Issuer  Purchases  of  Equity 

Securities 

Our common shares are listed in U.S. dollars on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol “STKL,” and in Canadian 
dollars on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) under the symbol “SOY.”  

As  at  December  31,  2022,  we  had  approximately  334  shareholders  of  record.  We  have  never  paid  cash  dividends  on  our 
common stock and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Our future dividend policy will depend on our 
results of operations, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions of debt and equity agreements to which we are 
a party, and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. The receipt of cash dividends by U.S. shareholders 
from a Canadian corporation, such as we are, may be subject to Canadian withholding tax. 

Equity Compensation Plan Information  

The following table provides information as at December 31, 2022, with respect to our common shares that may be issued 
under the Company’s stock incentive and employee share purchase plans:  

Number of 
Securities to be 
Issued Upon 
Exercise of 
Outstanding 
Options, Warrants, 
and Rights 
(a) 

Weighted-Average 
Exercise Price of 
Outstanding 
Options, Warrants 
and Rights 
(b) 

Number of Securities 
Remaining Available 
for Future Issuance 
Under Equity 
Compensation Plans 
(Excluding Securities 
Reflected in Column 
(a)) 
(c) 

 5,578,133 (1)  
-   

 $6.58 (3)  

 1,952,420 (2)  
7,530,553   

 $3.15 (3)  
 $5.51 (3)  

114,398 
546,232 

- 
660,630 

Plan Category 

Equity compensation plans approved by 

securities holders: 

2013 Stock Incentive Plan 
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

Equity compensation plans not approved by 

securities holders: 
  CEO and CFO Plan 

Total 

(1)  Represents common shares of the Company issuable in respect of 2,698,357 stock options, 640,256 restricted stock units 
(“RSUs”) and 2,239,520 performance share units (“PSUs”) granted to selected employees and directors of the Company. 

(2)  Represents common shares  of the Company issuable in respect of 1,222,243 stock options, 19,393 RSUs and 710,784 

PSUs granted to the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company 

(3)  Vested  RSUs  and  PSUs  entitle  the  holder  to  receive  one  common  share  per  unit  without  payment  of  additional 

consideration. Accordingly, these units are disregarded for purposes of computing the weighted-average exercise price.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shareholder Return Performance Graph  

This  performance  graph  shall  not  be  deemed  “filed”  for  purposes  of  Section 18  of  the  Exchange  Act  or  incorporated  by 
reference into any filing of SunOpta under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be 
expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.  

The following graph compares the five-year cumulative shareholder return on our common shares to the cumulative total return 
of the S&P/TSX Composite and the NASDAQ Industrial Indices for the period which commenced December 31, 2017.  

 250.00

 200.00

 150.00

 100.00

 50.00

 -

SunOpta Inc.

NASDAQ Industrial

S&P/TSX Composite

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

12/31/2017 

  12/31/2018 

  12/31/2019 

  12/31/2020 

  12/31/2021 

  12/31/2022 

SunOpta Inc. 

Nasdaq Industrial Index 

S&P/TSX Composite Index 

100.00   

100.00   

100.00   

49.55   

97.17   

87.74   

32.13   

124.15   

105.92   

150.58   

188.55   

107.55   

89.68   

205.17   

130.93   

108.90 

133.25 

119.59 

Assumes that $100.00 was invested in our common shares and in each index on December 31, 2017.  

Item 6. [Reserved] 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

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

Forward-Looking Financial Information  

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) section provides 
analysis of our operations and financial position for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and includes information available 
to March 1, 2023, unless otherwise indicated herein. It is supplementary information and should be read in conjunction with 
the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.  

Certain  statements  contained  in  this  MD&A  may  constitute  forward-looking  statements  as  defined  under  securities  laws. 
Forward-looking  statements may  relate  to  our  future  outlook  and  anticipated  events  or  results  and  may  include  statements 
regarding our future financial position, business strategy, budgets, litigation, projected costs, capital expenditures, financial 
results, taxes, plans and objectives. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terms such as “anticipate,” 
“estimate,”  “target,”  “intend,”  “project,”  “potential,”  “predict,”  “continue,”  “believe,”  “expect,”  “can,”  “could,”  “would,” 
“should,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “will,” “budget,” “forecast,” or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not 
historical facts, or the negative of such terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements; however, the absence of 
these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. To the extent any forward-looking statements 
contain future-oriented financial information or financial outlooks, such information is being provided to enable a reader to 
assess our financial condition, material changes in our financial condition, our results of operations, and our liquidity and capital 
resources.  Readers  are  cautioned  that  this  information  may  not  be appropriate  for  any  other purpose,  including  investment 
decisions.  

Forward-looking statements contained in this MD&A are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding expected growth, 
results  of  operations,  performance,  and  business  prospects  and  opportunities.  While  we  consider  these  assumptions  to  be 
reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. These factors are more fully described in 
the “Risk Factors” section at Item 1A of this Form 10-K. 

Forward-looking statements contained in this commentary are based on our current estimates, expectations, and projections, 
which  we  believe  are  reasonable  as  of  the  date  of  this  report.  Forward-looking  statements  are  not  guarantees  of  future 
performance or events. You should not place undue importance on forward-looking statements and should not rely upon this 
information as of any other date. Other than as required under securities laws, we do not undertake to update any forward-
looking  information  at  any  particular  time.  Neither  we  nor  any  other  person  assumes  responsibility  for  the  accuracy  and 
completeness  of  these  forward-looking  statements,  and  we  hereby  qualify  all  our  forward-looking  statements  by  these 
cautionary statements. 

Unless otherwise noted herein, all currency amounts in this MD&A are expressed in U.S. dollars. All tabular dollar amounts 
are expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts. 

Overview 

We procure, process, and package plant-based and fruit-based food and beverage products for sale to retailers, foodservice 
operators, branded food companies, and food manufacturers. The composition of our operating and reportable segments is as 
follows:  

  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages – We offer a full line of plant-based beverages and liquid and powder ingredients, 
utilizing oat, almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other bases, as well as broths, teas, and nutritional beverages. In 
addition, our former sunflower business, which packaged dry- and oil-roasted inshell sunflower and sunflower kernels 
and processed raw sunflower inshell and kernel for food and feed applications, was part of this segment until it was 
sold on October 11, 2022 (see below – “Sale of Sunflower Business”). 

  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages – We offer individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruit for retail, including strawberries, 
blueberries, mango, pineapple, and other berries and blends, and IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice, including 
toppings,  purées,  and  smoothies.  In  addition,  we  offer  fruit  snacks,  including  bars,  twists,  ropes,  and  bite-sized 
varieties, as well as fruit smoothie bowls. 

Fiscal Year 

We operate on a fiscal calendar that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday 
closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2022 and 2021 were each 52-week periods ending on December 31, 2022 and January 1, 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2022, respectively, and fiscal year 2020 was a 53-week period ending on January 2, 2021. Except as otherwise noted in this 
MD&A,  the  impact of  the  additional  week on our  results  of  operations  for fiscal  year 2020  was  insignificant relative  to  the 
subsequent fiscal years.  

Recent Events 

Recent events impacting our business  include  global economic conditions, inflationary cost environment, disruption in our 
supply  chain, the  COVID-19 pandemic, and  the  conflict between Russia and Ukraine, each of which are further discussed 
below. Each of these factors directly or indirectly impacted our fiscal 2022 operating results, and we expect each may impact 
our  fiscal  2023  performance.  We  expect  inflation  pressures  to  persist  throughout  2023,  although  at  lower  levels  than 
experienced in 2022. The effects of inflation have also resulted in central banks raising short-term interest rates, which increased 
our cost of borrowing in 2022, and we expect that interest rates will remain at elevated levels in 2023. While the impacts of 
COVID-19 on our business moderated in 2022, there remains uncertainty around the pandemic, its effect on labor or other 
macroeconomic factors, its severity and duration, the continued availability and effectiveness of vaccines and actions taken by 
government authorities in response. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the sanctions imposed in response 
to this conflict, have also increased global economic and political uncertainty. 

While the impact of these factors remains uncertain, we continue to evaluate the extent to which they may impact our business, 
financial condition, and results of operations. These and other uncertainties could result in changes to our current expectations. 
The  potential  effects  of  these  recent  events  also  could  impact  us  in  a  number  of  other  ways  including,  but  not  limited  to, 
fluctuations in sales volumes and pricing, profitability, cash flows, cost of borrowing, availability of future financing, credit 
risks of our customers, and foreign exchange. 

Global Economic Conditions and Inflationary Cost Environment  

During  fiscal  2022  and  2021,  we  experienced  inflationary  cost  increases  for  raw  materials,  packaging,  energy,  fuel,  and 
transportation, and we expected inflationary levels to remain elevated in 2023. To date, we have been successful in mitigating 
these inflationary impacts on our results of operations through a combination of pass-through pricing actions, improved plant 
efficiencies,  and  cost  saving  initiatives. However,  there  has  been,  and  we  expect  there  could  continue  to  be,  a  difference 
between the timing of when the impact of cost inflation occurs and when our responsive pricing and other actions impact our 
results of operations. Additionally, any future pricing actions we take may have unfavorable impacts on our sales volumes 
and/or mix, as well as having a dilutive effect on our reported gross margins. 

Our interest expense is impacted by the overall interest rate environment. The inflationary environment has also resulted in 
central  banks  raising  short-term  interest  rates.  As  at  December  31,  2022,  we  had  total  outstanding  variable  rate  debt  of 
approximately  $184  million,  at  a  year-end  weighted-average  interest  rate  of  approximately  6.9%,  compared  to  a  rate  of 
approximately 2.4% as at January 1, 2022. We expect that our interest expense will increase in 2023 as a result of the higher 
interest rate environment, together with an increase in our average outstanding debt due to the significant capital investments 
we have made over the past two years to expand our plant-based manufacturing operations. 

Supply Chain Disruptions 

Over the past several years, we have experienced pressures in our supply chain associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and 
overall macroeconomic conditions, including periods of raw material shortages and transportation challenges, as well as labor 
shortages  and  increased  employee  turnover.  The  severity  and  impact  of  these  supply  chain  pressures  on  our  operations 
moderated in 2022, compared with 2021 and 2020, resulting in improved plant utilization and production output, which enabled 
us to alleviate any shortfall in our customer order fulfillment. 

COVID-19 

The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  impacted  our  operating  results.  The  extent  and  nature  of  government  actions,  impacts  on 
customer and end-consumer demand, and the impact on our supply chain varied during the three-year period ended December 
31, 2022, based upon the then-current extent and severity of the pandemic within the markets where we do business. The effects 
of  the  COVID-19 pandemic on consumer behavior impacted the relative balance of at-home versus away-from-home food 
consumption  and demand,  which  resulted  in  significant  shifts  in  the  mix  of  our  business  over the course  of  the pandemic, 
including lower demand from foodservice customers and increased demand from retail customers in periods where consumers 
increased their at-home consumption. With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions beginning in 2021, we have seen an increase 
in consumer away-from-home consumption, resulting in a recovery in demand for our products from our largest foodservice 
customer. However, uncertainty remains with the pandemic and such impact will ultimately depend on the length and severity 

SUNOPTA INC. 

27 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
of the pandemic, including new strains and variants of the virus and infection rates in the markets where we do business, as 
well as government actions taken in response, vaccine effectiveness, and the macroeconomic environment.  

Conflict between Russia and Ukraine 

The  conflict  between  Russia  and  Ukraine,  and  the  sanctions  imposed  in  response  to  this  conflict,  have  increased  global 
economic and political uncertainty. As a U.S.-focused company, we do not have any direct exposure to Russia or Ukraine and 
the  conflict  has  not  had  a  material  impact  on  our  business  to  date.  However,  a  significant  escalation  or  expansion  of  the 
economic disruption or a deepening of the conflict could cause further inflationary pressures on raw materials and energy costs. 

Sale of Sunflower Business 

On October 11, 2022, we completed the sale of 100% of the assets and liabilities of our sunflower business and related roasted 
snacks operations, for cash consideration of $16.0 million, subject to closing debt and working capital adjustments. The sale of 
the sunflower commodity business is consistent with our strategic priority of optimizing our non-core businesses and focusing 
on high-growth, high-return opportunities. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized a $23.2 million pre-tax loss 
on sale, which is included in other expense, net, on the consolidated statement of operations. For more information regarding 
this transaction, see note 3 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K. 

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements 

As described in note 1 of the consolidated financial statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K, we have corrected errors related 
to misstatement of income tax in our previously reported consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 1, 2022 
and January 2, 2021, as well as previously identified immaterial out-of-period adjustments related to inventory and accrued 
expenses in those fiscal periods. In the aggregate, the correction of these errors does not impact our previously reported revenues 
or cash flows in any fiscal period and had the effect of reducing the net loss and increasing adjusted earnings in fiscal 2021 by 
$3.0 million and increasing net earnings and reducing adjusted loss in fiscal 2020 by $4.9 million. In fiscal 2021, the correction 
of these errors had a $0.4 million impact on the previously reported segment operating income of our Plant-Based Foods and 
Beverages  operating  segment  and  a  less  than  a  $0.1  million  net  impact  on  our  previously  reported  consolidated  operating 
income  and  on  our  previous  determination  of  adjusted  earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation  and  amortization 
(“EBITDA”).  The  effect  on  adjusted  EBITDA  had  no  impact  on  our  incentive-based  compensation  for  management  or 
employees  in  fiscal  2021,  as  adjusted  EBITDA  for  the  period  was  less  than  the  minimum  threshold  to  pay  any  bonuses. 
Additionally, certain performance-based equity awards that vested based on the previously reported adjusted EBITDA figure 
for fiscal 2021, would have continued to vest as the revised adjusted EBITDA amount continues to exceed the vesting threshold. 

The comparative financial information presented in this MD&A for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 has been revised to reflect the 
correction of these errors. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

28 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Results of Operations for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021 

For the year ended 

Revenues 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total revenues 
 Gross Profit 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total gross profit 

Gross Margin(1) 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total gross margin 

Segment operating income (loss)(2) 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Corporate Services 
Total segment operating income 

Other expense, net 
Earnings from continuing operations before the following 
Interest expense, net 
Income tax benefit 
Loss from continuing operations(3),(4) 
Earnings from discontinued operations 
Net loss 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 

Loss attributable to common shareholders(5) 

December 31, 
2022 
$ 

January 1, 
2022 
$ 

Change 
$ 

Change 
% 

557,736 
376,926 
934,662 

85,163 
37,691 
122,854 

15.3% 
10.0% 
13.1% 

38,491 
6,919 
(20,402) 
25,008 

22,132 
2,876 
14,734 
(2,340) 
(9,518) 
4,677 
(4,841) 
(3,109) 

(7,950) 

470,754 
341,870 
812,624 

86,982 
35,056 
122,038 

75,971 
21,749 
97,720 

9,192 
15,942 
25,134 

16.1% 
6.4% 
12.0% 

36,616 
(9,320) 
(17,237) 
10,059 

8,890 
1,169 
8,769 
(6,428) 
(1,172) 
- 
(1,172) 
(4,197) 

1,875 
16,239 
(3,165) 
14,949 

13,242 
1,707 
5,965 
4,088 
(8,346) 
4,677 
(3,669) 
1,088 

18.5% 
10.3% 
15.0% 

12.1% 
73.3% 
25.7% 

-0.8% 
3.6% 
1.1% 

5.1% 
174.2% 
-18.4% 
148.6% 

149.0% 
146.0% 
68.0% 
63.6% 
-712.1% 
- 
-313.1% 
25.9% 

(5,369) 

(2,581) 

-48.1% 

(1)  Gross margin is a measure of gross profit (equal to revenues less cost of goods sold) as a percentage of revenues. We use 
a measure of gross margin that excludes non-capitalizable start-up costs included in cost of goods sold that are incurred in 
connection with capital expansion projects. We are undergoing the largest capital expansion in our company’s history, 
including the construction of our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas. As a result, start-up costs began 
to significantly impact the comparability of our reported gross margins in 2022 and are expected to continue to have a 
notable  impact  in  2023,  as  we  ramp-up  production  at  the  Midlothian  facility,  as  well  as  other  major  capital  projects 
currently underway, which may obscure trends in our margin performance. In response, we use this measure of adjusted 
gross margin to evaluate the underlying profitability of our revenue-generating activities within each fiscal period. We 
believe  that  disclosing  this  non-GAAP  measure  provides  investors  with  a  meaningful,  consistent  comparison  of  our 
profitability measure for the periods presented. However, the non-GAAP measure of adjusted gross margin should not be 
considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross margin calculated based on gross profit determined in accordance with 
U.S. GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted gross margin from reported gross margin calculated 
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

29 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended 
Reported gross margin 
Start-up costs(a) 
Adjusted gross margin 

December 31, 2022  

January 1, 2022 

Plant-Based  Fruit-Based 
Foods and 
Beverages  Consolidated  
13.1%  
0.6%  
13.8%  

Foods and 
Beverages 
15.3% 
1.0% 
16.3% 

10.0% 
0.0% 
10.0% 

Plant-Based  Fruit-Based 
Foods and 
Beverages  Consolidated 
12.0% 
0.1% 
12.1% 

Foods and 
Beverages 
16.1% 
0.1% 
16.2% 

6.4% 
0.1% 
6.4% 

Note: percentages may not add due to rounding. 

(a)  Represents  incremental  direct  costs  incurred  in  connection  with  plant  expansion  projects  and  new  product 
introductions before the project or product reaches normal production levels, including costs for the hiring and 
training of additional personnel, fees for outside services, travel costs, and plant- and production-related expenses. 
For 2022, start-up costs mainly related to our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, together 
with the integration of the Dream and West Life brands. For 2021, these costs mainly related to expansion projects 
within our plant-based beverage operations, as well as the introduction of fruit smoothie bowls. 

(2)  When assessing the financial performance of our operating segments, we use an internal measure of segment operating 
income/loss that excludes other income/expense items determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This measure is the 
basis  on  which  management, including  the  CEO,  assesses  the  underlying  performance  of  our operating  segments.  We 
believe  that  disclosing  this  non-GAAP  measure  assists  investors  in  comparing  financial  performance  across  reporting 
periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of our operating performance. However, the non-
GAAP measure of segment operating income/loss should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance 
measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The following table presents a reconciliation of segment operating 
income/loss to “loss from continuing operations before the following” on the consolidated statements of operations, which 
we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. 

December 31, 2022 
Segment operating income (loss) 
Other income (expense), net 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the 

Plant-Based  Fruit-Based 
Foods and 
Beverages 
$ 

Foods and 
Beverages 
$ 

Corporate 

Services  Consolidated 
$ 

$ 

38,491 
(22,692) 

6,919 
2,094 

(20,402) 
(1,534) 

25,008 
(22,132) 

following 

15,799 

9,013 

(21,936) 

2,876 

January 1, 2022 
Segment operating income (loss) 
Other expense, net 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the 

36,616 
(280) 

(9,320) 
(6,807) 

(17,237) 
(1,803) 

10,059 
(8,890) 

following 

36,336 

(16,127) 

(19,040) 

1,169 

(3)  When assessing our financial performance, we use an internal measure of adjusted earnings that excludes specific items 
recognized in other income or expense, and other unusual items that are identified and evaluated on an individual basis, 
which due to their nature or size, we would not expect to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis. We 
believe that the identification of these excluded items enhances the analysis of the financial performance of our business 
when comparing those operating results between periods, as we do not consider these items to be reflective of normal 
business  operations.  The  following  table  presents  a  reconciliation  of  adjusted  earnings  from  loss  from  continuing 
operations, which we consider to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.   

SUNOPTA INC. 

30 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended 
Loss from continuing operations 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders 
Adjusted for: 
  Loss on sale of sunflower business(a) 
  Gain on sale of frozen fruit processing facility(b) 
  Start-up costs(c) 
  Facility closure costs(d) 
  Business development costs(e) 
  Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(f) 
  Restructuring costs(g) 
  Workforce reduction charges(h) 
  Other(i) 
  Net income tax effect(j) 
Adjusted earnings 

December 31, 2022 
Per Share 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
Per Share 
$ 

$ 
(9,518)  
(3,109)  
(12,627) 

23,227   
(3,779)  
6,028   
1,812   
1,170   
-   
-   
-   
872   
(7,711)  
8,992 

(0.12)  

0.08   

$ 
(1,172)  
(4,197)  
(5,369) 

-   
-   
745   
1,063   
6,209   
5,504   
1,432   
499   
261   
(5,827)  
4,517 

(0.05) 

0.04 

(a)  Reflects the loss on sale of the sunflower business, which was recorded in other expense. 
(b)  Reflects the gain on sale of our frozen fruit processing facility located in Oxnard, California, which was recorded 

in other income. 

(c)  For 2022, start-up costs mainly related to our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, and the 
integration of the Dream and West Life brands, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($5.7 million) and 
SG&A expenses ($0.3 million). For 2021, these costs mainly related to expansion projects within our plant-based 
beverage operations, as well as the introduction of fruit smoothie bowls, which were recorded in cost of goods 
sold. 

(d)  For  2022,  facility  closure  costs  mainly  related  to  the  relocation  of  certain  equipment  from  our  sold  Oxnard, 
California, frozen fruit processing facility to our Mexican facility, which were recorded in other expense. For 
2021, these costs mainly related to the relocation of our executive office and innovation center into Eden Prairie, 
Minnesota, and the vacating of our former leased facility, which were recorded in other expense. 

(e)  Represents  third-party  costs  associated  with  business  development  activities,  including  costs  related  to  the 
evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and divestitures, internal expansion projects, and 
other  strategic  initiatives.  For  2022,  these  costs  related  to  actions  undertaken  to  optimize  non-core  assets, 
including the sale of the sunflower business, as well as costs related to our inaugural Investor Day held in June 
2022, which were recorded in SG&A expenses. For 2021, these costs were mainly related to the integration of 
the Dream and West Life brands and project development activities related to our new plant in Midlothian, Texas, 
which  were  recorded  in  cost  of  goods  sold  ($0.6  million)  and  SG&A  expenses  ($4.9  million),  together  with 
professional fees incurred in connection with post-closing matters related to the 2020 divestiture of our global 
ingredients business, Tradin Organic, which were recorded in other expense ($0.7 million). 

(f)  For  2021,  represents  asset  impairment  charges  of  $3.0  million,  together  with  employee  termination  and  asset 
relocation costs totaling $1.9 million related to the exit from our former South Gate, California, fruit ingredient 
processing facility, which were recorded in other expense, and inventory write-offs of $0.6 million recorded in 
cost of goods sold. 

(g)  For 2021, represents costs to complete the exit from our former Santa Maria, California, frozen fruit processing 

facility, which were recorded in other expense. 

(h)  For  2021,  represents  employee  termination  costs  related  to  workforce  reduction  actions  in  our  frozen  fruit 

operations, which were recorded in other expense. 

(i)  For 2022 and 2021, other mainly reflects the settlement of certain legal, tax, and contractual matters, together 

with losses on the disposal of assets, which were recorded in other expense. 

(j)  For  2022  and  2021,  reflects  the  tax  effect  of  the  preceding  adjustments  to  earnings  calculated  based  on  the 

statutory tax rates applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying adjustment.  

We believe that investors’ understanding of our financial performance is enhanced by disclosing the specific items that we 
exclude to compute adjusted earnings. However, adjusted earnings is not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for loss 

SUNOPTA INC. 

31 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
from continuing operations prepared under U.S. GAAP. Adjusted earnings is presented solely to allow investors to more 
fully understand how we assess our financial performance. 

(4)  We use a measure of adjusted EBITDA when assessing the performance of our operations, which we believe is useful to 
investors’ understanding of our operating profitability because it excludes non-operating expenses, such as interest and 
income taxes, and non-cash expenses, such as depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation, as well as other 
unusual  items  that  affect  the  comparability  of  operating  performance.  We  also  use  this  measure  to  assess  operating 
performance  in connection with our employee incentive programs. We define adjusted EBITDA as segment operating 
income plus depreciation, amortization, and stock-based compensation, and excluding other unusual items as identified in 
the  determination  of  adjusted  earnings  (refer  above  to  footnote  (3)).  The  following  table  presents  a  reconciliation  of 
segment operating income and adjusted EBITDA from loss from continuing operations, which we consider to be the most 
directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.  

For the years ended 
Loss from continuing operations 
Income tax benefit 
Interest expense, net 
Other expense, net 
Total segment operating income 
  Depreciation and amortization 
  Stock-based compensation 
  Start-up costs(a) 
  Business development costs(b) 
  Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(c) 
Adjusted EBITDA 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
(9,518)  
(2,340)  
14,734   
22,132   
25,008   
37,673   
13,830   
6,028   
1,170   
-   
83,709   

January 1, 2022 
$ 
(1,172) 
(6,428) 
8,769 
8,890 
10,059 
34,641 
9,100 
745 
5,506 
572 
60,623 

(a)  For 2022, start-up costs mainly related to our new plant-based beverage facility in Midlothian, Texas, and the 
integration of the Dream and West Life brands, which were recorded in cost of goods sold ($5.7 million) and 
SG&A  expenses  ($0.3  million).  For  2021,  these  costs  related  to  expansion  projects  within  our  plant-based 
beverage operations, as well as the introduction of fruit smoothie bowls, which were recorded in cost of goods 
sold.  

(b)  For 2022, business development costs related to actions undertaken to optimize non-core assets, including the 
sale of the sunflower business, as well as costs related to our inaugural Investor Day, which were recorded in 
SG&A expenses. For 2021, these costs mainly related to the integration of the Dream and West Life brands and 
project development activities related to our new plant in Midlothian, Texas, which were recorded in cost of goods 
sold ($0.6 million) and SG&A expenses ($4.9 million).   

(c)  For 2021, reflects inventory write-offs related to the exit from our fruit ingredient processing facility, which were 

recorded in cost of goods sold. 

Although we use adjusted EBITDA as a measure to assess the performance of our business and for the other purposes set 
forth above, this measure has limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute 
for an analysis of our results of operations as reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Some of these limitations are:  

 

 

 

 

adjusted  EBITDA  does  not  reflect  interest  expense,  or  the  cash  requirements  necessary  to  service  interest 
payments on our indebtedness; 

adjusted EBITDA does not include the payment/recovery of taxes, which is a necessary element of our operations;  

although depreciation and  amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will 
often have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such 
replacements; and 

adjusted EBITDA does not include non-cash stock-based compensation, which is an important component of our 
total compensation program for employees and directors. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

32 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Because of these limitations, adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to 
us to invest in the growth of our business. Management compensates for these limitations by not viewing adjusted EBITDA 
in isolation, and specifically by using other U.S. GAAP and non-GAAP measures, such as revenues, gross profit, segment 
operating income (loss), net earnings (loss), and adjusted earnings (loss) to measure our operating performance. Adjusted 
EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative 
to our results of operations or cash flows from operations determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and our calculation 
of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to the calculation of a similarly titled measure reported by other companies. 

(5)   In order to evaluate our results of operations, we use certain non-GAAP measures that we believe enhance an investor’s 
ability to derive meaningful period-over-period comparisons and trends from our results of operations. For example, as 
described above under footnote (1), we evaluate our gross margins on a basis that excludes the impact of start-up costs. In 
addition, we exclude specific items from our reported results that due to their nature or size, we do not expect to occur as 
part of our normal business on a regular basis. These items are identified above under footnote (3), and in the discussion 
of our results of operations below. These non-GAAP measures are presented solely to allow investors to more fully assess 
our results of operations and should not be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as 
reported under U.S. GAAP. 

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022 increased by 15.0% to $934.7 million from $812.6 million for the year ended 
January 1, 2022, reflecting 18.5% revenue growth in the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment and 10.3% revenue growth 
in the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment. The change in revenues from the 2021 to 2022 was due to the following: 

2021 revenues 
Price 
Volume/Mix 
Acquisition of Dream and West Life brands 
Sale of sunflower business 
2022 revenues 

Plant-Based   

Foods and Beverages 
% 

Fruit-Based 
Foods and Beverages 
% 

$ 
470,754 
58,405 
37,276 
3,735 
(12,434) 
557,736 

$ 
341,870 
34,605 
451 
- 
- 
376,926 

12.4% 
7.9%  
0.8%  
-2.6%  
18.5%  

10.1% 
0.1%  
-   
-   
10.3%  

Consolidated 
$ 
% 
812,624 
93,010 
37,727 
3,735 
(12,434) 
934,662 

11.4% 
4.6% 
0.5% 
-1.5% 
15.0% 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the 18.5% increase in revenues for the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment 
reflected a 12.4% overall increase in pricing, a favorable volume/mix impact of 7.9%, and 0.8% of incremental revenue in the 
first quarter of 2022 related to the acquisition of the Dream and West Life brands in April 2021, partially offset by the impact 
of the sale of the sunflower business in the fourth quarter of 2022. The increase in pricing was driven by pricing actions taken 
with  customers  to  offset  inflationary  cost  increases,  together  with  the  pass-through  effect  of  higher  sunflower  commodity 
pricing in the first three quarters of 2022. Volume/mix was favorable mainly due to growth from our oat-based product offerings, 
almond beverages, and teas, partially offset by softer volumes of sunflower in the first three quarters of 2022, and lower demand 
for everyday broths. 

For  the year  ended  December  31,  2022, the 10.3% increase in revenues for the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages  segment 
reflected an 10.1% overall increase in pricing and a favorable volume/mix impact of 0.1%. The increased pricing reflected 
pricing  actions  taken  to  offset  commodity  inflation  incurred  on  fruit  inventories  and  other  inflationary  cost  increases. The 
favorable volume/mix impact reflected strong demand for fruit snacks and the introduction of smoothie bowls, partially offset 
by lower volumes of frozen fruit due to the rationalization of marginally profitable customers and products. In addition, we 
experienced  softer  sales  volumes  of  frozen  fruit  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2022,  as  retail  customers  managed  inventories  in 
response to current economic conditions, including the impact of higher prices on consumer demand, and the easing of supply 
chain pressures. 

Consolidated gross profit increased $25.2 million, or 25.7%, to $122.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared 
with $97.7 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. Consolidated gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 
13.1% compared to 12.0% for the year ended January 1, 2022, an increase of 110 basis points. Adjusted gross margin on a 
consolidated basis for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 13.8% compared to 12.2% for the year ended January 1, 2022, 
an increase of 160 basis points. 

Gross  profit  for  the  Plant-Based  Foods  and  Beverages  segment  increased $9.2  million  to  $85.2 million  for  the  year ended 
December 31, 2022, compared with $76.0 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, while gross margin decreased to 15.3% 
in 2022 from 16.1% in 2021. The 80-basis point decrease in gross margin reflected an estimated 180 basis-point decline due to 

SUNOPTA INC. 

33 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the dilutive effect of pass-through pricing to recover cost inflation on raw materials and packaging, together with the impacts 
of higher labor and utility costs, increased inventory reserves, and higher depreciation expense. In addition, in 2022, we incurred 
start-up costs of $5.7 million (1.0% gross margin impact) mainly related to our new plant construction in Midlothian, Texas, 
and the integration of the Dream and West Life brands, compared to $0.5 million (0.1% gross margin impart) of start-up costs 
incurred in 2021. All of these factors were partially absorbed through higher production volumes and plant utilization in our 
plant-based beverage and ingredient operations. Excluding the impact of start-up costs, adjusted gross margin for the Plant-
Based Food and Beverages segment was 16.3% in 2022, compared to 16.2% in 2021. 

Gross profit for the Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment increased $16.0 million to $37.7 million for the year ended 
December 31, 2022, compared with $21.7 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, and gross margin increased to 10.0% in 
2022 from 6.4% in 2021. The 360-basis point improvement in gross margin reflected the benefits of portfolio rationalizations 
for frozen fruit and manufacturing cost savings from the consolidation of our fruit processing facilities, including the sale of 
our Oxnard, California, facility in 2022, and the closures of our South Gate and Santa Maria, California, facilities in 2021. 
These factors were partially offset by an estimated 60 basis-point decline due to the dilutive effect of pass-through pricing to 
recover commodity cost inflation, a higher mix of low-margin bulk fruit sales, and frozen fruit inventory losses due to excess 
spoilage during handling.  

For the year ended December 31, 2022, we realized total segment operating income of $25.0 million, compared with $10.1 
million for the year ended January 1, 2022. The $14.9 million increase in total segment operating income reflected higher gross 
profit, as described above, partially offset by a $12.7 million increase in SG&A expenses. The increase in SG&A expenses was 
mainly due to higher employee compensation costs, including incremental 2022 incentive plan accruals based on performance, 
and a one-time bonus of $1.6 million recognized in the first quarter of 2022 to reward employees for improved performance, 
partially  offset  by  lower  business  development  costs,  and  cost  savings  related  to  headcount  reductions  in  our  frozen  fruit 
operations  in August  2021.  In  addition,  we  recognized  a  favorable  year-over-year  foreign  exchange  impact  related  to  our 
Mexican operations of $2.9 million. 

Further details on revenue, gross profit and segment operating income/loss variances are provided below under “Operating 
Segment Information.” 

Other expense was $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with other expense of $8.9 million for the 
year ended January 1, 2022. Other expense in 2022 mainly reflected a pre-tax loss of $23.2 million recognized on the sale of 
the sunflower business, together with costs to relocate fruit processing equipment from our sold Oxnard facility to our Mexican 
facility, partially offset by a pre-tax gain of $3.8 million realized on the sale of the Oxnard facility. Other expense in 2021 
mainly  reflected  plant  closure  costs  related  to  the  consolidation  of  our  fruit  processing  facilities,  together  with  employee 
termination costs related to the workforce reduction in our frozen fruit operations.  

Net interest expense increased by $5.9 million to $14.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with $8.8 
million for the year ended January 1, 2022, resulting from an increase in outstanding debt to finance capital expansion projects 
and fund working capital requirements, together with the impact of higher interest rates. Interest expense capitalized as part of 
the construction cost of property, plant and equipment was $1.2 million in 2022 and immaterial 2021. 

We recognized an income tax benefit of $2.3 million on a pre-tax loss of $11.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, 
compared with an income tax benefit of $6.4 million on a pre-tax loss of $7.6 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. 
Excluding the impact of stock-based compensation and other non-deductible expenses and the recognition of excess tax benefits 
related to the exercise or vesting of stock-based award, our effective tax rate was approximately 27% in both 2022 and 2021.  

Loss from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $9.5 million, which was inclusive of an after-tax 
loss on the sale of the sunflower business of approximately $16.9 million and an after-tax gain on the sale of the Oxnard facility 
of approximately $2.7 million, compared with a loss of $1.2 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. Diluted loss per share 
from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders (after dividends and accretion on preferred stock) was $0.12 
for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared with a diluted loss per share $0.05 for the year ended January 1, 2022.  

Earnings from discontinued operations of $4.7 million (diluted earnings per share of $0.04) for the year ended December 31, 
2022, were related to the settlement of the purchase price allocation and other post-closing matters in connection with the 2020 
divestiture of our global ingredients business, Tradin Organic. 

We realized a loss attributable to common shareholders of $8.0 million (diluted loss per share of $0.07) for the year ended 
December 31, 2022, compared with a loss attributable to common shareholders of $5.4 million (diluted loss per share of $0.05) 
for the year ended January 1, 2022. The loss attributable to common shareholders included dividends and accretion on preferred 

SUNOPTA INC. 

34 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
stock of $3.1 million and $4.2 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decline in preferred stock dividends and accretion 
reflected  the  exchange  of  all  of  the  shares  of  Series A  preferred  stock  for  shares  of  our  common  stock  in  February  2021. 
Outstanding preferred stock since February 2021 consists entirely of our Series B-1 preferred stock. 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, adjusted earnings were $9.0 million, or $0.08 earnings per diluted share, compared 
with adjusted earnings of $4.5 million, or $0.04 earnings per diluted share for the year ended January 1, 2022. Adjusted EBITDA 
for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $83.7 million, compared with $60.6 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. 
Adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See footnotes (3) and (4) to the table above for a 
reconciliation of adjusted earnings and adjusted EBITDA from loss from continuing operations, which we consider to be the 
most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.  

Segmented Operations Information 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 

December 31, 2022 

January 1, 2022 

Change  % Change 

Revenues 
Gross profit 
Gross margin 

Operating income 
Operating margin 

$ 

$ 

557,736  $ 
85,163   
15.3%  

38,491  $ 
6.9%  

470,754  $ 
75,971   
16.1%  

36,616  $ 
7.8%  

86,982 
9,192 

1,875 

18.5% 
12.1% 
-0.8% 

5.1% 
-0.9% 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages contributed $557.7 million in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 
$470.8 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, an increase of $86.9 million, or 18.5%. The table below explains the increase 
in revenues: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Revenue Changes 

Revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Benefit of pricing actions taken to offset input cost inflation, together with sales volume 
growth for oat-based product offerings, almond beverages, and teas, partially offset by 
lower demand for everyday broths 
Incremental revenue in the first quarter of 2022 related to the acquisition of the Dream 
and West Life brands in April 2021 
Impact of sale of sunflower business in the fourth quarter of 2022, together with lower 
sunflower volumes in the first three quarters of 2022, partially offset by increased 
commodity pricing 

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022  

$470,754 

88,417 

3,735 

(5,170) 

$557,736 

SUNOPTA INC. 

35 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages increased by $9.2 million to $85.2 million for the year ended December 31, 
2022, compared to $76.0 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. The table below explains the increase in gross profit: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Gross Profit Changes 

Gross profit for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Higher volumes and pricing for plant-based beverages and ingredients, including the 
incremental contribution in the first quarter of 2022 from the acquisition of the Dream 
and West Life brands in April 2021, partially offset by higher manufacturing plant spend 
due to inflationary pressures on wage costs and utility rates, together with higher 
inventory reserves, and incremental depreciation of new production equipment for 
capital expansion projects 

Increase in start-up costs related to our new plant in Midlothian, Texas, and other 
expansion projects within our plant-based operations, together with the integration of the 
Dream and West Life brands 

Lower sunflower volumes in the first three quarters of 2022, partially offset by increased 
pricing spreads 

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2022 

$75,971 

14,818 

(5,259) 

(367) 

$85,163 

Operating income in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages increased by $1.9 million to $38.5 million for the year ended December 
31, 2022, compared to $36.6 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. The table below explains the increase in operating 
income: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Operating Income Changes 

Operating income for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Increase in gross profit, as explained above 

Increase in corporate cost allocation, mainly related to incremental 2022 incentive 
plan accruals allocable to operating segment employees 

Incremental amortization of the acquired Dream and West Life brand name intangible 
assets, together with higher employee compensation costs and sales and marketing 
expenses, partially offset by reduced third-party consulting costs related to the 
acquisition and integration of the Dream and West Life brands in 2021 

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2022 

 $36,616 

 9,192 

(6,993) 

(324) 

 $38,491 

Looking forward, assuming macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, do not significantly worsen, we anticipate year-
over-year revenue growth for our Plant-Based Foods and Beverages operating segment in 2023, inclusive of the impact of the 
sale of the sunflower business. Revenue growth is expected to be driven by capacity gains across our aseptic network, including 
the start-up of production at our Midlothian, Texas, facility, together with the ramp-up of capacity expansion projects at our 
other aseptic facilities. In addition, we expect the wrap-around benefit of pricing actions taken in 2022, together with potential 
pricing actions in 2023, will effectively offset input cost inflation. We expect these pricing actions, together with improved 
plant utilization and the divestiture of the lower-margin sunflower commodity business, to drive year-over-year gross margin 
improvements in our plant-based operations in 2023, excluding the impact of start-up costs and higher depreciation expense 
related to the Midlothian facility, as well as other capacity expansion projects expected to come online in 2023. The statements 
in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. See “Forward-Looking Statements” above. Various factors could adversely 
impact our ability to meet these forward-looking expectations, including the extent and duration of inflation headwinds; our 
ability to continue to pass through price increases to our customers to offset inflationary pressures; the impact of price inflation 
on  consumer  buying  behavior  and  demand  for  plant-based  beverages;  our  ability  to  successfully  execute  on  our  capital 
expansion projects, and the viability of those projects; and other factors described above under “Forward-Looking Statements.” 

SUNOPTA INC. 

36 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 

December 31, 2022 

January 1, 2022 

Change  % Change 

Revenues 
Gross profit 
Gross margin 

Operating income (loss) 
Operating margin 

$ 

$ 

376,926  $ 
37,691   
10.0%  

6,919  $ 
1.8%  

341,870  $ 
21,749   
6.4%  

(9,320)  $ 
-2.7%  

35,056 
15,942 

16,239 

10.3% 
73.3% 
3.6% 

174.2% 
4.5% 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages contributed $376.9 million in revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022, compared to 
$341.9 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, an increase of $35.0 million, or 10.3%. The table below explains the increase 
in revenues: 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Revenue Changes 

Revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Higher sales volumes and pricing for fruit snacks and incremental revenue from the 
introduction of smoothie bowls 

Benefit of pricing actions taken to offset commodity inflation incurred on fruit 
inventories and other inflationary cost increases, partially offset by lower volumes due 
to our frozen fruit portfolio rationalization efforts, together with lower retail sales of 
frozen fruit as customers manage inventories in response to current economic 
conditions, including the impact of higher prices on consumer demand 

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2022  

$341,870 

28,841 

6,215 

$376,926 

Gross profit in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages increased by $16.0 million to $37.7 million for the year ended December 31, 
2022, compared to $21.7 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. The table below explains the increase in gross profit: 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Gross Profit Changes 

Gross profit for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Improved margin profile from portfolio rationalizations and reduced manufacturing cost 
base within our frozen fruit operations, together with higher pricing for retail frozen 
fruit, partially offset by lower sales volumes and higher inventory losses due to excess 
spoilage during handling 

Higher sales volumes and pricing for fruit snacks, together with increased production 
volumes and plant efficiencies in our fruit snack operations 

Start-up costs incurred in fiscal 2021 related to smoothie bowl production 

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2022 

$21,749 

11,322 

4,394 

226 

$37,691 

SUNOPTA INC. 

37 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages increased by $16.2 million to $6.9 million for the year ended December 
31,  2022,  compared  to an  operating  loss  of  $9.3 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. The table below explains the 
increase in operating income: 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Operating Income Changes 

Operating loss for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Increase in gross profit, as explained above 

Lower employee compensation costs due to a workforce reduction in August 2021, 
together with a favorable foreign exchange impact within our frozen fruit operations in 
Mexico 

Increase in corporate cost allocation, mainly related to incremental 2022 incentive 
plan accruals allocable to operating segment employees 

Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2022 

 $(9,320) 

 15,942 

3,831 

(3,534) 

 $6,919 

Looking forward, assuming macroeconomic conditions, including inflation, do not significantly worsen, we anticipate higher 
revenues and gross profit for our Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages operating segment in 2023, compared with 2022, driven by 
anticipated retail volume gains for frozen fruit while maintaining current pricing spreads, together with the expected completion 
of capacity expansion projects in our fruit snacks operations in the second half of 2023 to meet unfilled demand. In addition, 
we have entered into a co-manufacturing agreement related to the production of our smoothie bowl line, which is expected to 
allow us to increase volumes in 2023, at a lower cost per unit. The statements in this paragraph are forward-looking statements. 
See “Forward-Looking Statements” above. Various factors could adversely impact our ability to meet these forward-looking 
expectations, including the extent and duration of inflation headwinds, and the impact on consumer buying behavior and overall 
demand for our fruit-based products; our ability to successfully execute on our capital expansion projects, and the viability of 
those projects; our ability to successfully migrate our smoothie bowl production and achieve anticipated volume gains and cost 
savings; and other factors described above under “Forward-Looking Statements.” 

Corporate Services 

December 31, 2022 

January 1, 2022 

Change  % Change 

Operating loss 

$ 

(20,402)  $ 

(17,237)  $ 

(3,165) 

-18.4% 

Operating  loss  at  Corporate  Services  increased  by  $3.2  million  to  $20.4  million  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2022, 
compared to a loss of $17.2 million for the year ended January 1, 2022. The table below explains the increase in operating loss: 

Corporate Services Operating Loss Changes 

Operating loss for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Higher employee compensation costs, including incremental 2022 incentive plan 
accruals based on performance, and one-time bonus of $1.6 million recognized in the 
first quarter of 2022 to reward employees for improved performance, together with 
costs related to our 2022 Investor Day of $0.5 million, partially offset by lower business 
development costs 

Higher variable stock-based compensation, based on improved performance 

Increase in corporate cost allocations, mainly related to the portion of the incremental 
2022 incentive plan accruals allocable to operating segment employees 

Operating loss for the year ended December 31, 2022 

 $(17,237) 

(8,962) 

(4,730) 

10,527 

 $(20,402) 

Corporate cost allocations mainly consist of salaries of corporate personnel who directly support the operating segments, as 
well as costs related to our enterprise resource management system. These expenses are allocated to the operating segments 
based on (1) specific identification of allocable costs that represent a service provided to each segment and (2) a proportionate 
distribution of costs based on a weighting of factors such as revenue contribution and the number of people employed within 
each segment. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

38 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Results of Operations for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2020 

Revenues 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total revenues 

Gross Profit 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total gross profit 

Gross Margin 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total gross margin 

Segment operating income (loss)(1) 
  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
  Corporate Services 
Total segment operating income 

Other expense, net 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following 
Interest expense, net 
Loss on retirement of debt 
Income tax benefit 
Loss from continuing operations(2),(3) 
Earnings from discontinued operations 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 

Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders(4) 

January 1, 
2022 
$ 

January 2, 
2021 
$ 

Change 
$ 

Change 
% 

470,754 
341,870 
812,624 

75,971 
21,749 
97,720 

16.1% 
6.4% 
12.0% 

36,616 
(9,320) 
(17,237) 
10,059 

8,890 
1,169 
8,769 
- 
(6,428) 
(1,172) 
- 
(1,172) 
(4,197) 

(5,369) 

415,164 
374,049 
789,213 

55,590 
(32,179) 
23,411 

80,497 
28,580 
109,077 

(4,526) 
(6,831) 
(11,357) 

19.4% 
7.6% 
13.8% 

50,780 
(7,321) 
(31,151) 
12,308 

23,393 
(11,085) 
30,042 
8,915 
(7,650) 
(42,392) 
124,820 
82,428 
(10,328) 

(14,164) 
(1,999) 
13,914 
(2,249) 

(14,503) 
12,254 
(21,273) 
(8,915) 
1,222 
41,220 
(124,820) 
(83,600) 
6,131 

13.4% 
-8.6% 
3.0% 

-5.6% 
-23.9% 
-10.4% 

-3.3% 
-1.3% 
-1.8% 

-27.9% 
-27.3% 
44.7% 
-18.3% 

-62.0% 
110.5% 
-70.8% 
-100.0% 
16.0% 
97.2% 
-100.0% 
-101.4% 
59.4% 

72,100 

(77,469) 

-107.4% 

(1)  The  following  table  presents  a  reconciliation  of  segment  operating  income/loss  to  “earnings/loss  from  continuing 
operations before the following” on the consolidated statements of operations, which we consider to be the most directly 
comparable  U.S.  GAAP  financial  measure (refer  to footnote  (2)  to  the  “Consolidated Results  of  Operations  for  Fiscal 
Years 2022 and 2021” table regarding the use of this non-GAAP measure). 

January 1, 2022 
Segment operating income (loss) 
Other expense, net 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the 

Plant-Based  Fruit-Based 
Foods and 
Beverages 
$ 

Foods and 
Beverages 
$ 

Corporate 

Services  Consolidated 
$ 

$ 

36,616 
(280) 

(9,320) 
(6,807) 

(17,237) 
(1,803) 

10,059 
(8,890) 

following 

36,336 

(16,127) 

(19,040) 

1,169 

January 2, 2021 
Segment operating income (loss) 
Other expense, net 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the 

following 

SUNOPTA INC. 

50,780 
(2,721) 

(7,321) 
(8,652) 

(31,151) 
(12,020) 

12,308 
(23,393) 

48,059 

(15,973) 

(43,171) 

(11,085) 

39 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)  The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) from loss from continuing operations, which we 
consider  to  be  the  most  directly  comparable  U.S.  GAAP  financial  measure (refer  to  footnote  (3)  to  the  “Consolidated 
Results of Operations for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021” table regarding the use of this non-GAAP measure). 

For the years ended 
Loss from continuing operations 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders 
Adjusted for: 
  Business development costs(a) 
  Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(b) 
  Restructuring costs(c) 
  Long-lived asset impairments and facility closure costs(d) 
  Start-up costs(e) 
  Workforce reduction charges(f) 
  Loss on foreign currency forward contract(g) 
  Loss on retirement of debt(h) 
  Other(i) 
  Net income tax effect(j) 
Adjusted earnings (loss) 

January 1, 2022 
Per Share 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
Per Share 
$ 

$ 
(1,172)  
(4,197)  
(5,369) 

6,209   
5,504   
1,432   
1,063   
745   
499   
-   
-   
261   
(5,827)  
4,517 

(0.05)  

0.04   

$ 
(42,392)  
(10,328)  
(52,720) 

-   
-   
9,897   
2,676   
1,883   
-   
12,658   
8,915   
(189)  
255   
(16,625) 

(0.59) 

(0.19) 

(a)  Represents  third-party  costs  associated  with  business  development  activities,  including  costs  related  to  the 
evaluation, execution, and integration of external acquisitions and divestitures, and internal expansion projects 
and other strategic initiatives. For 2021, these costs included the transition and integration of the acquired Dream 
and  West  Life  brands,  project  development  activities  related  to  our  new  plant-based  beverage  facility  in 
Midlothian, Texas, and costs related to other actions undertaken to optimize non-core assets, which were recorded 
in cost of goods sold ($0.6 million) and SG&A expenses ($4.9 million), as well as the assessment of post-closing 
adjustments related to the divestiture of Tradin Organic, which were recorded in other expense ($0.7 million). 
(b)  For  2021,  reflects  closure  costs  related  to  the  exit  from  our  former  South  Gate,  California,  fruit  ingredient 
processing facility, including long-lived asset impairment charges ($3.0 million), equipment relocation costs ($0.8 
million) and employee termination costs ($1.1 million) recorded in other expense, and inventory write-offs of 
$0.6 million recorded in cost of goods sold. 

(c)  For 2021, represents costs to complete the exit from our former Santa Maria, California, frozen fruit processing 
facility, which were recorded in other expense. For 2020, reflects professional fees of $1.0 million and employee 
retention costs of $0.6 million recorded in SG&A expenses; and long-lived asset impairment and facility closure 
costs of $6.4 million, mainly related to the Santa Maria facility exit, together with employee termination costs of 
$2.8 million (offset by the reversal of $0.9 million of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to 
forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees), which were recorded in other expense. 

(d)  For 2021, mainly reflects costs related to the relocation of our executive office and innovation center into Eden 
Prairie, Minnesota, and the vacating of our former leased facility, which were recorded in other expense. For 
2020, reflects the write-down of owned and right-of-use assets related to the consolidation of roasting lines at our 
former sunflower facility in Crookston, Minnesota, which was recorded in other expense.  

(e)  Represents  incremental  direct  costs  incurred  in  connection  with  plant  expansion  projects  and  new  product 
introductions before the project or product reaches normal production levels, including costs for the hiring and 
training of additional personnel, fees for outside services, travel costs, and plant- and production-related expenses. 
For 2021 and 2020, start-up costs related to expansion projects within our plant-based beverage and ingredient 
operations, as well as the introduction of fruit smoothie bowls in 2021, which were recorded in cost of goods sold. 
(f)  For 2021, represents severance and related benefit charges related to workforce reduction actions in our frozen 

fruit operations to reduce overhead costs, which were recorded in other expense. 

(g)  For 2020, reflects a loss on a foreign currency forward contract to economically hedge the cash consideration 

from the sale of Tradin Organic, which was recorded in other expense.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

40 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(h)  For 2020, reflects the premium paid ($5.3 million) and write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs ($3.6 million) 
on the redemption and retirement of the $223.5 million principal amount of our 9.5% senior secured second lien 
notes, which were recorded in non-operating expenses. 

(i)  For 2021, other mainly reflects the settlement of certain legal and contractual matters, which were recorded in 
other expense. For 2020, other includes a loss of $2.4 million from the settlement of a customer claim related to 
the recall of certain sunflower products in 2016, net of gains of $2.2 million from the settlement of unrelated 
matters,  and  reversal  of  previously  accrued  costs  related  to  the  withdrawal  of  certain  consumer-packaged 
products, which was recorded in other income/expense. 

(j)  Reflects  the  tax  effect  of  the  preceding  adjustments  to  earnings  calculated  based  on  the  statutory  tax  rates 

applicable in the tax jurisdiction of the underlying adjustment.  

(3)  The  following  table  presents  a  reconciliation  of  segment  operating  income  and  adjusted  EBITDA  from  loss  from 
continuing  operations,  which  we  consider  to  be  the  most  directly  comparable  U.S.  GAAP  financial  measure  (refer  to 
footnote (4) to the “Consolidated Results of Operations for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021” table regarding the use of this 
non-GAAP measure).  

For the years ended 
Loss from continuing operations 
Income tax benefit 
Loss on retirement of debt(a) 
Interest expense, net 
Other expense, net 
Total segment operating income 
  Depreciation and amortization 
  Stock-based compensation(b) 
  Business development costs(c) 
  Start-up costs(d) 
  Costs related to exit from fruit ingredient processing facility(e) 
  Restructuring costs(f) 
Adjusted EBITDA 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
(1,172)  
(6,428)  
-   
8,769   
8,890   
10,059   
34,641   
9,100   
5,506   
745   
572   
-   
60,623   

January 2, 2021 
$ 
(42,392) 
(7,650) 
8,915 
30,042 
23,393 
12,308 
30,308 
12,570 
- 
1,883 
- 
1,649 
58,718 

(a)  For 2020, reflects the premium paid ($5.3 million) and write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs ($3.6 million) 
on the redemption and retirement of our second lien notes, which were recorded in non-operating expenses. 
(b)  For 2020, stock-based compensation of $12.6 million was recorded in SG&A expenses and the reversal of $0.9 
million  of  previously  recognized  stock-based  compensation  related  to  forfeited  awards  previously  granted  to 
terminated employees was recognized in other income.  

(c)  For 2021, third-party business development costs reflected the transition and integration of the acquired Dream 
and  West  Life  brands,  project  development  activities  related  to  our  new  plant-based  beverage  facility  in 
Midlothian, Texas, and costs related to other actions undertaken to optimize non-core assets, which were recorded 
in cost of goods sold ($0.6 million) and SG&A expenses ($4.9 million).  

(d)  For  2021  and  2020,  reflects  start-up  costs  related  to  expansion  projects  within  our  plant-based  beverage  and 
ingredient operations, as well as the introduction of fruit smoothie bowls in 2021, which were recorded in cost of 
goods sold.  

(e)  For 2021, reflects inventory write-offs related to the exit from our former South Gate, California, fruit ingredient 

processing facility, which were recorded in cost of goods sold. 

(f)  For  2020,  reflects  professional  fees  of  $1.0  million  and  employee  retention  costs  of  $0.6  million  recorded  in 

SG&A expenses.   

(4)   Refer to footnote (5) to the “Consolidated Results of Operations for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2021” table regarding the use 

of certain other non-GAAP measures in the discussion of results of operations below. 

Revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022 increased by 3.0% to $812.6 million from $789.2 million for the year ended 
January 2, 2021. Excluding the impact of incremental revenues from changes in commodity-related pricing (an increase in 
revenues of $14.8 million) and the acquisition of the Dream and West Life brands (an increase in revenues of $13.4 million), 
partially offset by the impact of the 53rd week of sales in fiscal 2020 (a decrease in revenues of $6.2 million), revenues increased 
by 0.2% in 2021, compared with 2020.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

41 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the year ended January 1, 2022, Plant-Based Foods and Beverages segment revenues increased by 13.4% to $470.8 million 
from $415.2 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The increase in plant-based product revenues reflected strong sales 
growth for our oat-based product offerings and teas, and incremental revenues from the acquisition of the Dream and West Life 
brands, together with increased foodservice demand for plant-based beverages due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, and 
higher sales of sunflower, partially offset by softer volumes for certain other non-dairy beverage varieties and everyday broths. 
In addition, due to supply chain disruptions experienced in 2021, we were unable to meet some customer demand for our plant-
based products, and transport shortages prevented certain customers from picking up their orders prior to year-end.  

For the year ended January 1, 2022, Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages segment revenues decreased by 8.6% to $341.9 million 
from $374.0 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The decrease in fruit-based product revenues reflected lower volumes 
of  retail  frozen  fruit  due  to  the  rationalization  of  marginally  profitable  customers  and  products,  including  custom  fruit 
preparations for industrial use, and the impact of supply constraints for certain fruit varieties on blended frozen fruit offerings. 
These  declines  were  partially  offset  by  the  effect  of  pass-through  customer  pricing  actions  taken  in  2021  for  frozen  fruit, 
together with volume growth for fruit snacks and increased foodservice demand for fruit-based ingredients. 

Consolidated gross profit decreased $11.4 million, or 10.4%, to $97.7 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared 
with $109.1 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. Consolidated gross margin for the year ended January 1, 2022 was 
12.0% compared to 13.8% for the year ended January 2, 2021, a decrease of 180 basis points.  

Gross  profit for the Plant-Based Foods and  Beverages segment decreased  $4.5  million to $76.0  million for the year ended 
January 1, 2022, compared with $80.5 million for the year ended January 2, 2021, and gross margin decreased to 16.1% in 
2021 from 19.4% in 2020. The 330-basis point decrease in gross margin reflected the impact of lower plant utilization and 
manufacturing  inefficiencies  in  our  plant-based  beverage  and  ingredient  operations,  due  to  reduced  labor  productivity  and 
logistical challenges, together with increased manufacturing plant spend, including inflationary increases in transportation and 
utility rates, and wage incentives paid to retain employees, as well as increased depreciation expense related to new production 
equipment ($4.3 million or 0.9% gross margin impact). These factors were partially offset by the effects of higher sunflower 
pricing and improved margin performance in our sunflower and roasting operations, together with lower start-up costs related 
to capital expansion projects in our plant-based beverage and ingredient operations (2021 – $0.5 million or 0.1% gross margin 
impact; 2020 – $1.9 million or 0.4% gross margin impact).  

Gross  profit  for  the Fruit-Based  Foods  and  Beverages  segment  decreased  $6.8  million  to  $21.7  million  for  the  year ended 
January 1, 2022, compared with $28.6 million for the year ended January 2, 2021, and gross margin decreased to 6.4% in 2021 
from 7.6% in 2020. The 120-basis point decrease in gross margin reflected the impacts to our frozen fruit operations of higher 
strawberry commodity prices and a higher cost of fruit inventory from Mexico due to the impact of a strengthening Mexican 
peso  (approximately  $4.6  million  or  1.0%  gross  margin  impact),  together  with  higher  fruit  inventory  losses  due  to  excess 
spoilage during handling, and increased transportation costs. In addition, we experienced higher raw material and transportation 
costs in our fruit snacks operations, together with start-up production costs for smoothie bowls ($0.2 million or 0.1% gross 
margin impact). These factors were partially offset by the effects of pass-through sales pricing actions in 2021 and portfolio 
rationalizations for frozen fruit, together with manufacturing cost structure savings and productivity improvements in our frozen 
fruit operations.  

For the year ended January 1, 2022, we realized total segment operating income of $10.1 million, compared with $12.3 million 
for the year ended January 2, 2021. The $2.2 million decrease in total segment operating income mainly reflected lower gross 
profit,  as  described  above,  together  with  a  $2.8 million  year-over-year unfavorable  foreign  exchange  impact  related  to  the 
remeasurement of  our Mexican operations  into  U.S. dollars and lower gains on Mexican peso hedging activities, and $1.0 
million of incremental amortization expense related to the acquired Dream and West Life brand name intangible assets, partially 
offset by a $12.9 million decrease in SG&A expenses. The SG&A savings primarily reflected lower incentive compensation, 
based on financial performance, together with reduced reserves for credit losses due to improving economic conditions within 
the foodservice sector and lower employee compensation costs related to headcount reductions in our frozen fruit operations, 
partially offset by  $4.9 million of  incremental  costs related to business development activities, including the transition and 
integration of the acquired Dream and West Life brands and project costs related to our new plant-based beverage facility in 
Midlothian, Texas.  

Further details on revenue, gross profit and segment operating income/loss variances are provided below under “Segmented 
Operations Information.” 

Other  expense  of  $8.9  million  for  the  year  ended  January  1,  2022,  mainly  reflected  plant  closure  costs  related  to  the 
consolidation of our fruit processing facilities, together with employee termination costs related to the workforce reduction in 
our frozen fruit operations. Other expense of $23.4 million for the year ended January 2, 2021, mainly reflected a loss on the 

SUNOPTA INC. 

42 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
foreign currency economic hedge of the cash consideration from the sale of Tradin Organic, together with plant closure costs 
within our frozen fruit operations. 

Net  interest  expense  decreased  by  $21.2  million  to  $8.8  million  for  the year  ended  January  1,  2022,  compared  with  $30.0 
million for the year ended January 2, 2021, which mainly reflected reduced cash interest payments as a result of a reduction in 
outstanding debt following the divestiture of Tradin Organic in December 2020, including the redemption in full of the $223.5 
million outstanding principal amount of our 9.5% senior secured second lien notes. In 2020, we recorded a $8.9 million loss 
on the retirement of the second lien notes, including a premium paid of $5.3 million and write-off of the remaining $3.6 million 
of debt issuance costs.  

We  recognized an  income  tax benefit of $6.4 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared with a benefit of $7.7 
million for the year ended January 2, 2021. Our effective tax rate was approximately 27% in both 2021 and 2020, excluding 
the impact of stock-based compensation and other non-deductible expenses and the recognition of excess tax benefits related 
to the exercise or vesting of stock-based awards, together with the impacts in 2020 of a change in the estimated valuation of 
state deferred tax assets and a change in the amount of valuation allowance recorded against certain deferred tax assets and 
benefits related to the net operating loss carryback provisions of the CARES Act. 

Loss from continuing operations for the year ended January 1, 2022 was $1.2 million, compared with a loss of $42.4 million 
for the year ended January 2, 2021. Diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders 
(after dividends and accretion on preferred stock) was $0.05 for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared with a diluted loss 
per share $0.59 for the year ended January 2, 2021.  

Earnings from the discontinued operations of Tradin Organic were $124.8 million (diluted earnings per share of $1.40) for the 
year ended January 2, 2021, which included a pre-tax gain on sale of $111.8 million.  

On a consolidated basis, we realized a loss attributable to common shareholders of $5.4 million (diluted loss per share of $0.05) 
for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared with earnings attributable to common shareholders of $72.1 million (diluted 
earnings per share of $0.81) for the year ended January 2, 2021. The amounts attributable to common shareholders for 2021 
and 2020 reflected dividends and accretion on preferred stock of $4.2 million and $10.3 million, respectively. The decline in 
preferred stock dividends and accretion reflected the exchange of all of the shares of Series A preferred stock for shares of our 
common stock in February 2021.  

For the year ended January 1, 2022, the adjusted earnings were $4.5 million, or $0.04 earnings per diluted share, compared 
with an adjusted loss of $16.6 million, or $0.19 loss per diluted share for the year ended January 2, 2021. Adjusted EBITDA 
for the year ended January 1, 2022 was $60.6 million, compared with $58.7 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. Adjusted 
earnings (loss) and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. See footnotes (2) and (3) to the table above for a 
reconciliation of adjusted earnings (loss) and adjusted EBITDA from loss from continuing operations, which we consider to be 
the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.  

Segmented Operations Information 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 

January 1, 2022 

January 2, 2021 

Change  % Change 

Revenues 
Gross profit 
Gross margin 

Operating income 
Operating margin 

$ 

$ 

470,754  $ 
76,336   
16.2%  

36,981  $ 
7.9%  

415,164  $ 
80,497   
19.4%  

50,780  $ 
12.2%  

55,590 
(4,161) 

(13,799) 

13.4% 
-5.2% 
-3.2% 

-27.2% 
-4.3% 

SUNOPTA INC. 

43 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages contributed $470.8 million in revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared to 
$415.2 million for the year ended January 2, 2021, an increase of $55.6 million, or 13.4%. The table below explains the increase 
in reported revenues: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Revenue Changes 

Revenues for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Growth in sales of oat-based product offerings and teas, together with increased 
foodservice demand for plant-based beverages due to the easing of COVID-19 
restrictions, partially offset by softer volumes for certain other non-dairy beverage 
varieties and everyday broths 

Incremental Dream and West Life revenues 

Higher sales of birdfeed and raw sunflower kernel, partially offset by lower volumes of 
ready-to-eat snacks and roasted ingredients 

Increased commodity pricing for sunflower 

Revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022  

$415,164 

33,752 

13,362 

5,888 

2,588 

$470,754 

Gross profit in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages decreased by $4.2 million to $76.3 million for the year ended January 1, 
2022, compared to $80.5 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The table below explains the decrease in gross profit: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Gross Profit Changes 

Gross profit for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Impact of lower plant utilization and manufacturing inefficiencies in our plant-based 
beverage and ingredient operations, due to reduced labor productivity and logistical 
challenges, together with increased manufacturing plant spend, including inflationary 
increases in transportation and utility rates, and wage incentives paid to retain 
employees, as well as increased depreciation expense related to new production 
equipment, partially offset by higher sales volumes of plant-based beverages and 
ingredients, including the incremental contribution from the Dream and West Life 
brands, and lower start-up costs related to capital expansion projects 

Increased volumes and pricing for birdfeed and raw sunflower kernel, together with 
improved plant utilization and cost reductions within our sunflower and roasting 
operations 

Gross profit for the year ended January 1, 2022 

$80,497 

(8,295) 

3,769 

$75,971 

Operating income in Plant-Based Foods and Beverages decreased by $13.8 million to $37.0 million for the year ended January 
1, 2022, compared to $50.8 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The table below explains the decrease in operating 
income: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages Operating Income Changes 

Operating income for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Increase in corporate cost allocations, reflecting higher revenues and headcount within 
our plant-based operations, together with reallocation of management fees previously 
charged to Tradin Organic 

Incremental third-party costs related to the transition and integration of the acquired 
Dream and West Life brands and amortization of the related brand name intangible 
assets, together with higher employee compensation costs related to new product 
development and sales and marketing positions 

Decrease in gross profit, as explained above 

Operating income for the year ended January 1, 2022 

 $50,780 

(5,170) 

(4,468) 

(4,526) 

 $36,616 

SUNOPTA INC. 

44 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 

January 1, 2022 

January 2, 2021 

Change  % Change 

Revenues 
Gross profit 
Gross margin 

Operating loss 
Operating margin 

$ 

$ 

341,870  $ 
21,749   
6.4%  

(9,320)  $ 
-2.7%  

374,049  $ 
28,580   
7.6%  

(7,321)  $ 
-2.0%  

(32,179) 
(6,831) 

(1,999) 

-8.6% 
-23.9% 
-1.2% 

-27.3% 
-0.7% 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages contributed $341.9 million in revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared to 
$374.0 million for the year ended January 2, 2021, a decrease of $32.2 million, or 8.6%. The table below explains the decrease 
in reported revenues: 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Revenue Changes 

Revenues for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Lower retail volumes of frozen fruit due to the rationalization of marginally profitable 
customers and products, including custom fruit preparations for industrial use, and the 
impact of supply constraints for certain fruit varieties on blended frozen fruit offerings, 
partially offset by the effect of pass-through pricing actions taken in 2021 for frozen 
fruit, and increased foodservice demand for fruit-based ingredients 

Higher sales volumes of fruit snacks products, driven by returning consumer demand for 
portable snacks and new business development 

Increased commodity pricing for raw fruit 

Revenues for the year ended January 1, 2022  

$374,049 

(58,219) 

13,795 

12,245 

$341,870 

Gross profit in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages decreased by $6.8 million to $21.7 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, 
compared to $28.6 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The table below explains the decrease in gross profit: 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Gross Profit Changes 

Gross profit for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Lower sales volumes of retail frozen fruit, together with higher strawberry commodity 
prices, a higher cost of fruit inventory from Mexico due to the impact of a strengthening 
Mexican peso, inventory losses, and increased transportation costs, partially offset by 
the effects of pass-through pricing actions and portfolio rationalizations for frozen fruit 
and fruit ingredients, together with lower manufacturing costs and productivity 
improvements in our frozen fruit operations 

Sales volume growth for fruit snacks, partially offset by higher raw material and 
transportation costs, together with incremental start-up costs for smoothie bowls 

Gross profit for the year ended January 1, 2022 

$28,580 

(8,452) 

1,621 

$21,749 

SUNOPTA INC. 

45 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating loss in Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages increased by $2.0 million to $9.3 million for the year ended January 1, 
2022, compared to $7.3 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The table below explains the increase in operating loss: 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages Operating Loss Changes 

Operating loss for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Decrease in gross profit, as explained above 

Lower employee compensation costs following headcount reductions in August 2021 
and lower reserve levels for credit losses due to improved economic conditions within 
the foodservice sector, partially offset by higher foreign exchange losses within our 
frozen fruit operations in Mexico 

Decrease in corporate cost allocations, reflecting lower revenues and headcount within 
our fruit-based operations, partially offset by the reallocation of management fees 
previously charged to Tradin Organic 

Operating loss for the year ended January 1, 2022 

 $(7,321) 

(6,831) 

4,284 

548 

 $(9,320) 

Corporate Services 

January 1, 2022 

January 2, 2021 

Change  % Change 

Operating loss 

$ 

(17,512)  $ 

(31,151)  $ 

13,639 

43.8% 

Operating loss at Corporate Services decreased by $13.6 million to $17.5 million for the year ended January 1, 2022, compared 
to a loss of $31.2 million for the year ended January 2, 2021. The table below explains the decrease in operating loss: 

Corporate Services Operating Loss Changes 

Operating loss for the year ended January 2, 2021 

Lower employee-related variable compensation related to our 2021 short-term incentive 
plan, based on financial performance, partially offset by higher business development 
costs, and reduced gains on Mexican peso hedging activities 

Increase in corporate cost allocations to SunOpta operating segments, as a result of the 
reallocation of management fees previously charged to Tradin Organic 

Lower variable stock-based compensation related to the equity component of our short-
term incentive plan, based on financial performance 

Operating loss for the year ended January 1, 2022 

Liquidity and Capital Resources 

 $(31,151) 

5,822 

4,622 

3,470 

 $(17,237) 

From time to time, as part of our ongoing efforts to improve working capital efficiency, we utilize, at our sole discretion, supply 
chain  finance  (“SCF”)  programs  offered  by  some  of  our  major  customers  that  allows  us  to  sell  our  receivables  from  the 
customers to such customers’ financial institutions, on a non-recourse basis, in order to be paid earlier than our payment terms 
with the customer provide at a discount rate that leverages those customers’ favorable credit ratings. Utilizing our customers’ 
SCF programs reduces our accounts  receivable  balances, improves our cash flows, and reduces the cost of servicing these 
receivables with our revolving credit facility. In addition, in connection with our efforts to extend payment terms with certain 
of our major suppliers, we have implemented our own SCF program through a participating financial institution. We agree with 
our suppliers on the contractual payment terms for the goods and services we procure regardless of whether the supplier elects 
to  participate  in  our  SCF  program.  If  a  supplier  does  participate  in  our  SCF  program,  the  supplier,  at  its  own  discretion, 
determines which invoices, if any, it wants to sell to the financial institution in order to be paid earlier than the contractual 
payment terms provide. A supplier’s voluntary inclusion of an invoice in our SCF program has no bearing on our payment 
terms, which remain the original due date of the supplier invoice, or the amounts we pay, and we have no economic interest in 
a supplier’s decision to participate in the program. In addition, we have not provided any guarantees to the financial institution 
as it relates to our SCF program. As a result, amounts due to our suppliers that elected to participate in our SCF program are 
included  in  accounts  payable and  accrued  liabilities  on  our  consolidated  balance  sheet. As  at  December  31,  2022,  we  had 
outstanding payment obligations to these suppliers of approximately $6 million confirmed under the program. All operating 

SUNOPTA INC. 

46 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
cash flows from our accounts receivable and accounts payable are reported consistently in our consolidated statements of cash 
flows (as described below) regardless of whether they are associated with a SCF program. 

On December 31, 2020, we entered into a five-year credit agreement, as amended, for a senior secured asset-based revolving 
credit facility in the maximum aggregate principal amount of $250 million, subject to borrowing base capacity. As at December 
31,  2022,  we  had  outstanding  borrowings  under  the  revolving  credit  facility  of  $137.3  million  (January  1,  2022  –  $153.3 
million), and available borrowing capacity of approximately $50 million (January 1, 2022 – $67 million), which reflected a 
reduced borrowing base as a result of the sale of the sunflower business.  

On April 15, 2021, we financed a portion of the purchase price of the Dream and West Life brands with a $20 million FILO 
term loan. Amortization payments on the aggregate principal amount of the FILO term loan are equal to $2.5 million, payable 
at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the first quarter of 2023, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity 
thereof on April 15, 2024.  

The credit agreement also provides a five-year, $75 million delayed draw term loan, to be used for capital expenditures, which 
may be drawn upon up to March 31, 2023. As at December 31, 2022, we had $43.7 million (January 1, 2022 – $11.6 million) 
drawn on the term loan facility to partially finance the purchase of equipment for our new plant-based beverage facility in 
Midlothian,  Texas,  as  well  as  certain  other  equipment  purchases.  Commencing  in  March  2023,  the  term  loan  facility  is 
repayable in monthly installments equal to 1/84th of the then-outstanding principal amount of the term loan facility, with the 
remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof on December 31, 2025.  

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the weighted-average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings under our asset-based 
credit facilities was  4.73% (January  1,  2022  –  2.36%), reflecting  increases in short-term interest  rates. For  fiscal 2023, the 
estimated amount of interest payments we expect to make on borrowings under our asset-based credit facilities, together with 
commitment fees on the expected undrawn portion of these facilities, is approximately $15 million.  

For more information on our asset-based credit facilities and other long-term debt, including maturity dates, see note 11 to the 
consolidated financial statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K.  

As at December 31, 2022, we had outstanding finance lease liabilities of $124.1 million (January 1, 2022 – $52.8 million), with 
weighted-average implicit interest rates of 8.67% and weighted-average remaining lease terms of 3.5 years. Additions to finance 
leases in 2022 were mainly related to the buildouts of our Midlothian, Texas, facility, and our executive office and innovation 
center located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, together with the addition of new processing equipment and plant improvements 
within our plant-based manufacturing network. 

For more information on our operating and finance lease obligations, including maturity dates, see note 7 to the consolidated 
financial statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K. 

As at December 31, 2022, our subsidiary, SunOpta Foods Inc., had 30,000 shares of Series B-1 preferred stock issued and 
outstanding. The Series B-1 preferred stock currently has a liquidation preference of approximately $1,015 per share and is 
exchangeable  into  shares  of  our  common  stock  at  an  exchange  price  of  $2.50  per  share,  which  presently  equates  to 
approximately 12,178,667 common shares. Cumulative preferred dividends accrue daily on the Series B-1 preferred stock at 
an annualized rate of 8.0% of the liquidation preference, which equates to quarterly dividend distributions of approximately 
$0.6 million. At any time, the holders of the Series B-1 preferred stock may elect to exchange their shares of Series B-1 preferred 
stock into shares of our common stock. In addition, on or after April 24, 2023, SunOpta Foods may cause the holders of the 
Series B-1 Preferred Stock to exchange all of their shares of Series B-1 preferred stock into shares of our common stock if the 
volume-weighted average trading price of our common shares during the then preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 
200% of the $2.50 exchange price per share.  

On February 28, 2023, we received written notice from Engaged Capital, LLC (together with its affiliated funds, “Engaged 
Capital”) that they have exercised their right to exchange their entire holding of 15,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock 
into 6,089,331 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 5.3% of our issued and outstanding common share on 
a post-exchange basis, together with a cash payment to adjust for fractional common shares, plus accrued and unpaid dividends 
as of the date of exchange. The exchange is expected to be completed on or about March 3, 2023. Following the exchange, we 
will no longer be required to pay Engaged Capital the 8.0% per annum dividend on the Series B-1 preferred stock, equating to 
approximately $1.2 million of annual cash dividend savings.  

For more information on the Series B-1 preferred stock, see notes 12 and 22 to the consolidated financial statements at Item 15 
of this Form 10-K. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

47 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As at December 31, 2022, we had approximately $124 million of purchase commitments related to inventories to be used in 
our production processes over the next 12 months, which we intend to fund through operating cash flows, supplemented with 
seasonal borrowings under our revolving credit facility to finance fruit crop inventory builds. 

Our estimated cash capital expenditures for 2023 are approximately $35 million, including approximately $10 million allocated 
for  the  completion  of  our  Midlothian,  Texas,  facility,  together  with  approximately  $15  million  of  other  discretionary 
investments in growth and productivity projects in our plant-based and fruit-based operations, as well as approximately $10 
million  of  non-discretionary maintenance  projects.  In  addition,  we  estimate  approximately  $20 million  of non-cash capital 
investments in 2023, consisting of capitalized finance lease right-of-use assets. For 2023, our estimated capital expenditures 
directly related to environmental projects, including the installation of solar panels at our executive office and innovation center, 
are  not expected to be material. We intend  to fund our cash capital expenditures using our term loan facility (as described 
above), our revolving credit facility, and operating cash flows.  

For  information  regarding  our  finance  lease  and  plant  acquisition  commitments,  see  note  20  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K. 

We believe that our operating cash flows, including the selective use of SCF programs to improve payment terms, together 
with  our  revolving  and  term  loan  credit  facilities,  and  access  to  lease  financing,  will  be  adequate  to  meet  our  operating, 
investing, and financing needs for the foreseeable future, including the 12-month period following the issuance of our financial 
statements. However, in order to finance significant investments in our existing businesses, or significant business acquisitions, 
if  any,  that  may  arise  in  the  future,  we  may  need  additional  sources  of  cash  that  we  could  attempt  to  obtain  through  a 
combination  of  additional  bank  or  subordinated  financing,  a  private  or  public  offering  of  debt  or  equity  securities,  or  the 
issuance of common stock. There can be no assurance that these types of financing would be available at all or, if so, on terms 
that are acceptable to us. In addition, we may explore the sale of selected operations or assets from time to time to improve our 
profitability, reduce our indebtedness, and/or improve our position to obtain additional financing. 

Cash Flows 

Summarized cash flow information for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 is as follows:  

December 31, 
2022 
$ 

January 1, 
2022 
$ 

January 2, 
2021 
$ 

Net cash flows provided by (used in): 
Operating activities of continuing operations 
Investing activities of continuing operations 
Financing activities of continuing operations 
Discontinued operations 

Operating Activities of Continuing Operations 

60,575 
(100,500) 
46,701 
(6,324) 

(21,432) 
(81,070) 
116,058 
(13,580) 

52,663 
(37,371) 
(386,621) 
369,859 

Change 

2021 to 
2022 
$ 

82,007 
(19,430) 
(69,357) 
7,256 

2020 to 
2021 
$ 

(74,095) 
(43,699) 
502,679 
(383,439) 

Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations increased $82.0 million from 2021 to 2022. The increase in cash 
provided  reflected  a  normalization  of  frozen  fruit  inventory  purchases  in  2022,  compared  with  a  need  to  replenish  those 
inventories in 2021, following a shortfall in supply in 2020, partially offset by the year-over-year impact of higher commodity 
prices for frozen fruit, and higher inventory levels to support the growth in our fruit snacks operations. In addition, the increases 
in cash provided reflected our improved operating performance in 2022, together with improved working capital efficiency 
through the selective use of SCF programs. 

Cash used in operating activities of continuing increased $74.1 million from 2020 to 2021, which mainly reflected increases in 
fruit  purchases, due to a  shortfall  in  frozen  strawberry supply in 2020 related to COVID-19-driven demand for fresh fruit, 
together with the impacts of higher commodity prices and lower retail sales demand for frozen fruit in 2021. In addition, the 
increase in inventories in 2021 reflected higher finished goods related to the acquired Dream and West Life brands and the 
build-up of plant-based raw materials and packaging to support growth.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

48 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investing Activities of Continuing Operations 

Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations increased $19.4 million from 2021 to 2022. Investing cash flows 
reflected additions to property, plant and equipment of $128.6 million in 2022, compared with additions of $58.3 million in 
2021.  Capital  expenditures  in  2022  were  mainly  related  to  the  construction  of  our  new  plant-based  beverage  facility  in 
Midlothian, Texas, together with the completion of our executive office and innovation center in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and 
other capacity expansion projects within our manufacturing operations. Investing cash inflows in 2022 included net proceeds 
of  $20.3  million  from  the  sale  of  property, plant  and  equipment,  including  the  sale  of our  Oxnard,  California, frozen  fruit 
processing facility, and $7.8 million received from the sale of the sunflower business, while investing cash outflows in 2021 
included $25.1 million paid to acquire the Dream and West Life brand name intangible assets. 

Cash used in investing activities of continuing operations increased $43.7 million from 2020 to 2021. Investing cash flows 
reflected additions to property, plant and equipment of $58.3 million in 2021, net of proceeds of $2.3 million from the disposal 
of assets from our exited fruit processing facilities, compared with additions of $24.8 million in 2020. Capital expenditures in 
2021 were mainly related to capacity expansion projects within our plant-based operations, together with expenditures related 
to the construction of our Midlothian, Texas, facility and our executive office and innovation center. Cash used in investing 
activities of continuing operations in 2021 also included $25.1 million related to the acquired Dream and West Life brand name 
intangible assets, while in 2020 we paid $12.7 million to settle a foreign currency economic hedge of the cash consideration 
from the sale of Tradin Organic.  

Financing Activities of Continuing Operations 

Cash  provided  by  financing  activities  of  continuing  operations  decreased  $69.4  million  from  2021  to  2022,  which  mainly 
reflected  reduced  levels  of  revolver  borrowings  required  to  fund  changes  in  working  capital  in  2022,  partially  offset  by 
increased borrowings of long-term debt related to term loan and lease financing for capital projects.  

Cash provided by financing activities of continuing operations increased $502.7 million from 2020 to 2021. The increase in 
cash  provided  mainly  reflected  increases  in  revolver  and  term  loan  borrowings  to  finance  inventory  purchases,  capital 
expenditures, and the acquisition of the Dream and West Life brands in 2021, compared to the use of the proceeds from the 
sale of Tradin Organic to repay approximately $355 million of indebtedness in 2020.  

Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations 

Cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations of $6.3 million in 2022 was related to the settlement of the purchase 
price allocation and other post-closing matters in connection with the 2020 divestiture of Tradin Organic, while cash used in 
investing activities of discontinued operations of $13.4 million in 2021 was related to the settlement of transaction costs accrued 
in connection with the Tradin Organic sale. Net cash provided by discontinued operations was $369.9 million in 2020, which 
mainly reflected the cash consideration received from the sale of Tradin Organic. 

Critical Accounting Estimates 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, related revenues and expenses, and disclosure of gain and 
loss  contingencies  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements.  The  estimates  and  assumptions  made  require  us  to  exercise  our 
judgment  and  are  based  on  historical  experience  and  various  other  factors  that  we  believe  to  be  reasonable  under  the 
circumstances. We continually evaluate the information that forms the basis of our estimates and assumptions as our business 
and the business environment generally changes. The use of estimates is pervasive throughout our financial statements. The 
following are the accounting estimates which we believe to be most significant to our business. 

Inventory  

Inventory is our largest current asset and consists primarily of raw materials and finished goods held for sale. Inventories are 
valued at the lower of cost and estimated net realizable value. In order to determine the value of inventory at the balance sheet 
date, we evaluate a number of factors to determine the adequacy of provisions for inventory, including the age of inventory, 
the amount of inventory held by type, expected future demand for our products, and the expected future selling price we expect 
to realize by selling the inventory. Our estimates are judgmental in nature and are made at a point in time, using available 
information, including expected business plans and market conditions. As a result, the actual amount received on sale could 
differ from our estimated value of inventory. Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements at Item 15 of this Form 10-K 
provides a summary of the movements in the inventory reserve.  

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-Lived Assets 

We evaluate long-lived assets, comprising property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and operating lease right-of-use 
assets, for  impairment if events or  changes in  circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be 
recoverable. Our evaluation is based on an assessment of potential indicators of impairment, such as an adverse change in the 
business climate that could affect the value of an asset, the loss of a significant customer, current or forecasted operating or 
cash flow losses that demonstrate continuing losses associated with the use of an asset, the introduction of a competing product 
that results in a significant loss of market share, and a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset will be 
disposed of before the end of its previously estimated useful life, such as a plan to exit a product line or business in the near 
term.  

Impairment exists when the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable through undiscounted future cash flows 
and its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. A discounted cash flow analysis is typically used to determine fair value 
using estimates and assumptions that market participants would apply. Some of the estimates and assumptions inherent in a 
discounted cash flow model include the amount and timing of the projected future cash flow to be generated from the use of 
the long-lived asset and its eventual disposal, and the discount rate used to reflect the risks inherent in the future cash flows. A 
change in any of these estimates and assumptions could produce a different fair value, which could have a material impact on 
our results of operations. In addition, a long-lived asset’s expected useful life can increase estimation risk, as longer-lived assets 
necessarily  require  longer-term  cash  flow  forecasts.  In  connection  with  an  impairment  evaluation,  we  also  reassess  the 
remaining useful life of an amortizable long-lived asset and modify it, as appropriate. 

As at December 31, 2022, our frozen fruit operations included property, plant and equipment of approximately $30 million and 
customer relationship intangible assets of $112 million. The intangible assets have a weighted-average remaining useful life of 
approximately 16 years. Our frozen fruit operations incurred operating losses in 2021 and 2020, due to a number of factors 
including rising commodity prices and input costs that we were unable to fully pass through to our customers. In 2022, our 
frozen fruit operations returned to profitability as a result of an improved margin profile from portfolio rationalizations and 
reduced manufacturing cost base, together with the pass-through of higher sales pricing. We consider this history of fluctuating 
operating profitability to be an indicator that the carrying amount of the long-lived assets of the frozen fruit operations may not 
be  recoverable.  Accordingly,  each  annual  reporting  period,  we  perform  a  quantitative  assessment  to  determine  the 
recoverability of the long-lived assets, based on the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the frozen 
fruit operations over the remaining useful life of the assets. We update our annual assessment each interim reporting period 
based on an analysis of business performance and other qualitative factors arising in each period. Our annual assessment as of 
December  31,  2022,  indicated  that  the  aggregate  carrying  value  of  the  frozen  fruit  long-lived  assets  was  recoverable.  Our 
recoverability  assessment  requires  that  we  estimate  cash  flows  for  an  extended  period  of  time,  involving  a  high  degree  of 
judgment and subjectivity. We believe the assumptions we apply in our projections are reasonable in light of the historical 
performance  of  the  frozen  fruit  operations  and  appropriately  reflect  our  current  plans  and  expectations  for  the  business, 
including the expected benefits from pricing actions and cost savings measures that we have taken to improve the gross margin 
performance of the business. However, a significant change in any of our assumptions, including expectations around sales 
volumes, customer attrition, and gross margins, as well as a change in plans and expectations related to the continued use and 
eventual disposition of the long-lived assets, may result in a determination that the long-lived assets are not recoverable, and a 
heightened risk that a material impairment exists. 

Contingencies  

We make estimates for payments that are contingent on the outcome of uncertain future events. These contingencies include 
accrued but unpaid bonuses, tax-related matters, and claims or litigation. In establishing our estimates, we consider historical 
experience with similar contingencies and the progress of each contingency, as well as the recommendations of internal and 
external advisors and legal counsel. We re-evaluate all contingencies as additional information becomes available; however, 
given the inherent uncertainties, the ultimate amount paid could differ from our estimates.  

Income Taxes  

We are liable for income taxes in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate and 
will  vary  from year  to  year  primarily  as  a  result  of  numerous  permanent differences,  investment  and  other  tax  credits,  the 
provision for income taxes at different rates in foreign and other provincial jurisdictions, enacted statutory tax rate increases or 
reductions  in  the  year,  changes  due  to  foreign  exchange,  changes  in  valuation  allowance  based  on  our  recoverability 
assessments of deferred tax assets, and favorable or unfavorable resolution of various tax examinations. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In making an estimate of our income tax liability, we first assess which items of income and expense are taxable in a particular 
jurisdiction. This process involves a determination of the amount of taxes currently payable as well as the assessment of the 
effect  of  temporary  timing  differences  resulting  from  different  treatment  of  items  for  accounting  and  tax  purposes.  These 
differences in the timing of the recognition of income or the deductibility of expenses result in deferred income tax balances 
that are recorded as assets or liabilities as the case may be on our balance sheet. We also estimate the amount of valuation 
allowance to maintain relating to loss carry forwards and other balances that can be used to reduce future taxes payable. This 
judgment is based on forecasted results in the jurisdiction and certain tax planning strategies and as a result actual results may 
differ from forecasts. We assess the likelihood of the ultimate realization of these tax assets by looking at the relative size of 
the tax assets in relation to the profitability of the businesses and the jurisdiction to which they can be applied, the number of 
years  based  on  management’s  estimate  it  will  take  to  use  the  tax  assets  and  any  other  special  circumstances.  If  different 
judgments had been used, our income tax liability could have been different from the amount recorded. In addition, the taxing 
authorities of those jurisdictions upon audit may not agree with our assessment. Note 16 of the consolidated financial statements 
at Item 15 of this Form 10-K provides an analysis of the changes in the valuation allowance and the components of our deferred 
tax assets. 

While we believe we have adequately provided for all tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could differ from 
our accrued position. Accordingly, additional provisions on federal, provincial, state and foreign tax-related matters could be 
recorded in the future as revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements is provided in note 1 of the consolidated financial statements at Item 
15 of this Form 10-K. 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 

Interest rate risk 

Variable  and  fixed  rate  borrowings  carry  different  types  of  interest  rate  risk.  Variable  rate  debt gives  less  predictability  to 
earnings and cash flows as interest rates change, while the fair value of fixed rate debt is affected by changes in interest rates. 
As at December 31, 2022, we had approximately $184 million of variable rate debt, mainly comprised of our asset-based credit 
facilities, and approximately $124 million principal amount of fixed rate debt, comprised of finance lease obligations. A one 
percent, or 100 basis-point, change in interest rates would have a pre-tax effect of approximately $1.8 million on our results of 
operations and cash flows, based on current outstanding borrowings of variable rate debt, and the fair value of the fixed-rate 
finance lease liabilities would increase or decrease by approximately $2.3 million. 

Foreign currency risk 

All of our U.S. subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, and the U.S. dollar is also our reporting currency. 
In addition, the functional currency of our Canadian and Mexican operations is the U.S. dollar. As at December 31, 2022, a 
10%  change  in  foreign  exchange  rates  would  not  have  a material  impact  on  our  consolidated  financial  position,  results  of 
operations, or cash flows.  

Our operations based in the U.S. and Canada have limited exposure to other currencies since almost all sales and purchases are 
made in U.S. dollars. We are exposed to fluctuations in the Mexican peso on purchases of fruit inventory and operating costs 
in our frozen fruit operations based in Mexico. From time to time, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to establish 
a fixed foreign currency exchange rate related to these Mexican peso cash flows requirements. As at December 31, 2022, we 
did not have any open foreign currency forward contracts.  

Price risk 

Certain agricultural commodities and ingredients we use in the production of our products are exposed to market price risk, 
including fruits, grains, nuts, sweeteners, and flavorings. In addition, other inputs, such as packaging materials, energy, fuel, 
storage, and freight, are exposed to price fluctuations due to weather conditions, regulations, industry conditions, energy costs, 
fuel prices, transportation and storage demands, or other factors that are beyond our control. In addition, as described above 
under “Recent Events,” the impacts of global economic conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the conflict between Russia 
and Ukraine have each contributed to higher commodity inflation and input costs over the past two years. We currently do not 
utilize derivative contracts to hedge our exposure to fluctuations in input prices.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes  in  the  prices  of  our  products  may  lag  changes  in  the  costs  to  produce  and  ship  our  products  due  to  contractual 
restrictions in our revenue contracts with customers, or competitive pressures. If we are unable to increase our prices to offset 
increasing costs, our gross margins, operating results, and cash flows could be materially affected.  

Our ability to pass through higher input costs to our customers on a timely basis depends on how we go-to-market, that is 
private label, co-manufacturing, or branded products. In our private label contracts, which are concentrated in our fruit-based 
business, the timing of pass-through pricing adjustments tends to lag impacts from cost inflation. As a result, with private label 
we have greater exposure to price risk, including the impact of changing freight rates as these products are typically delivered 
to the customers. On the other hand, the cost-plus pricing mechanisms built into most of our co-manufacturing arrangements, 
which are concentrated in our plant-based business, generally result in our customers bearing the majority of the raw material 
and packaging price risk. In addition, co-manufactured products are typically picked up by our customers, so they bear the 
impact  of  changing  freight  rates.  With  our  branded  portfolio,  we  are  exposed  to  price  risks  for  input  costs,  including  raw 
materials, packaging, plant operating costs and freight, that we may not be able to fully recover through price increases due to 
competitive factors, or be able to fully offset with compensating productivity gains.  

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

The consolidated financial statements required by this item are set forth immediately following the signature page to this Form 
10-K beginning on page F1 and are incorporated herein by reference. 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

None. 

Item 9A - Controls and Procedures 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Our  management  has  established  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  designed  to  ensure  that  information  required  to  be 
disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
“Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange 
Commission’s rules and forms. Such disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures 
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the 
Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) 
promulgated under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on this evaluation, our 
Chief  Executive  Officer  and  our  Chief  Financial  Officer  concluded  that  our  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  were  not 
effective as a result of a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, as described below in Management’s 
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. 
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the 
Company’s financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. 
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. Accordingly, 
even  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  can  only  provide  reasonable  assurance  of  achieving  their  control 
objectives. 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that 
there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not 
be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 

Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 
2022, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on the evaluation performed, management concluded that a material 
weakness  existed  at  December  31,  2022,  as  described  below.  As  a  result  of  the  material  weakness  described  above,  the 
Company’s  management  has  concluded  that,  as  of  December  31,  2022,  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was 
ineffective. 

In the fourth quarter of 2022, management determined that we had a material weakness in our internal control over financial 
reporting and disclosure controls and procedures related to the preparation and review of our consolidated income tax provision 
and recognition of deferred tax assets in our financial statements for the year ended January 1, 2022. As a consequence of this 
material weakness, we determined that our consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 1, 2022 and January 
2, 2021 included at Item 15 of this Form 10-K required revision to correct for the immaterial errors detected in our fiscal 2021 
and fiscal 2020 income tax provisions and deferred tax assets, as well as to correct for other previously identified immaterial 
out-of-period adjustments.   

Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Independent 
Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in its report which contains an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of our internal 
control over financial reporting. This report appears herein. 

Remedial Measures 

The  Company  is  in  the  process  of  improving  its  policies  and  procedures  relating  to  enhancing our disclosure  controls  and 
procedures  and  internal  controls  related  to  the  accumulation  and  communication  of  information  necessary  to  the  accurate 
preparation of our consolidated income tax provision and recognition of deferred tax assets, as well as strengthening our review 
controls over the reporting of income taxes and our financial statements.  

The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period 
of  time  and  management  has  concluded,  through  testing,  that  these  controls  are  operating  effectively.  We  believe  this 
remediation  will  occur  in  fiscal  2023  and  will  strengthen  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  and  will  prevent  a 
reoccurrence of the material weakness described above. 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

There  were  no  changes  in  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  during  the  quarter  ended  December  31,  2022  that 
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting, other than the 
identification of and the responses to the material weakness as discussed above. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of SunOpta Inc. 

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

We have audited SunOpta Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established 
in  Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  (2013 
framework)  (the  COSO  criteria).  In  our  opinion,  because  of  the  effect  of  the  material  weakness  described  below  on  the 
achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, SunOpta Inc. (the Company) has not maintained effective internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the COSO criteria. 

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there 
is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s 
assessment.  Management  has  identified  a  material  weakness  in  controls  related  to  the  Company’s  financial  reporting  and 
disclosure controls and procedures related the preparation and review of the consolidated income tax provision and recognition 
of deferred tax assets related to stock-based compensation. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB),  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  the  Company  as  of  December  31,  2022  and  January  1,  2022,  the  related 
consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive earnings (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended 
December 31,  2022 and  January 1, 2022,  and  the related notes. This material weakness was  considered  in determining the 
nature, timing and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2022 consolidated financial statements, and this report does 
not affect our report dated March 1, 2023, which expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 

Basis for Opinion 

The  Company’s  management  is  responsible  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 Annual 
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all 
material respects.  

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material 
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, 
and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a 
reasonable basis for our opinion. 

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. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 
March 1, 2023 

Item 9B. Other Information 

None. 

Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 

Not applicable. 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

PART III 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference to our Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual 
Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after December 31, 
2022 (the “2023 Proxy Statement”).  

Item 11. Executive Compensation 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference from the 2023 Proxy Statement. 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference from the 2023 Proxy Statement. 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference from the 2023 Proxy Statement. 

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 

The information required under this item is incorporated herein by reference from the 2023 Proxy Statement. 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

The following documents are being filed as part of this annual report. 

PART IV 

1.  Financial Statements. See “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” set forth on page F1. 

2.  Financial Statement Schedules. All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting requirements of 
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  are  not  required  or  the  required  information  has  been  included  within  the 
financial statements or the notes thereto. 

3.  Exhibits. The list of exhibits in the Exhibit Index included in this annual report is incorporated herein by reference. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibits 

Description 

EXHIBIT INDEX 

3.1 

3.2 

3.3 

3.4 

3.5 

3.6 

3.7 

3.8 

3.9 

3.10 

4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

Amalgamation  of  Stake  Technology  Ltd.  and  3754481  Canada  Ltd.  (formerly  George  F.  Pettinos 
(Canada) Limited) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 
10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000). 

Certificate  of  Amendment,  dated  October  31,  2003,  to  change  the  Company’s  name  from  Stake 
Technology Ltd. to SunOpta Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3i(b) to the Company’s Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003). 

Articles  of Amalgamation of SunOpta Inc. and Sunrich Valley Inc., Integrated Drying Systems Inc., 
Kettle  Valley  Dried  Fruits  Ltd.,  Pro  Organics  Marketing  Inc.,  Pro  Organics  Marketing  (East)  Inc., 
4157648 Canada Inc. and 4198000 Canada Ltd., dated January 1, 2004 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 3i(c) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003). 

Articles  of  Amalgamation  of  SunOpta  Inc.  and  6319734  Canada  Inc.,  4157656  Canada  Inc.  and 
Kofman-Barenholtz Foods Limited, dated January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3i(d) 
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004). 

Articles  of  Amalgamation  of  SunOpta  Inc.  and  4307623  Canada  Inc.,  dated  January  1,  2006 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3i(e) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2005). 

Articles of Amalgamation of SunOpta Inc., 4208862 SunOpta Food Ingredients Canada Ltd., 4406150 
Canada Inc. and 4406168 Canada Inc., dated January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3i(f) 
to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007). 

Articles  of  Amalgamation  of  SunOpta  Inc.  and  4460596  Canada  Inc.,  dated  January  1,  2008 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3i(g) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year 
ended December 31, 2007). 

Amended and Restated By-law No. 14, dated May 27, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to 
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on July 3, 2014). 

Certificate of Amendment, dated July 10, 2013, to authorize the directors to fix the number of directors 
to  be elected by the shareholders  and to  appoint one  or more directors (incorporated by  reference to 
Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on July 3, 2014). 

By-Law Number 15 of SunOpta Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2015). 

Form of Certificate representing Common Shares, no par value (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
4.9 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on September 2, 2011). 

Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement, dated November 10, 2015, between SunOpta Inc. and American 
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 13, 2015). 

Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan Agreement, dated November 10, 2015, amended and 
restated as of April 18, 2016, between SunOpta Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 
LLC, as rights agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed on April 20, 2016). 

SUNOPTA INC. 

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December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
Exhibits 

Description 

4.4 

4.5 

4.6 

4.7 

4.8* 

10.1† 

10.2 

10.3† 

10.4† 

10.5† 

10.6† 

10.7† 

10.8† 

10.9† 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of SunOpta Foods Inc., setting forth the terms of its 
Series A Preferred Stock, which is exchangeable for Common Shares of SunOpta Inc. (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 12, 2016). 

Articles  of  Amendment  of  SunOpta  Inc.,  setting  forth  the  terms  of  its  Special  Shares,  Series  1 
(incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  4.2  to  the  Company’s  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed  on 
October 12, 2016). 

Second  Amended  and  Restated  Certificate  of Incorporation  of SunOpta  Foods  Inc.,  setting  forth  the 
terms  of  its  Series  B  Preferred  Stock,  which  is  exchangeable  for  Common  Shares  of  SunOpta  Inc. 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 
28, 2020). 

Articles  of  Amendment  of  SunOpta  Inc.,  setting  forth  the  terms  of  its  Special  Shares,  Series  2 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 
28, 2020). 

Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934. 

SunOpta Inc. 2002 Stock Option Plan, Amended and Restated May 2011 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2011). 

Stock Deferral Plan for Non-Employee Directors dated August 12, 2014 (incorporated by reference to 
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 5, 2014). 

Employment  Agreement,  effective  March  29,  2019,  between  SunOpta  Inc.  and  Joseph  D.  Ennen 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 
2, 2019).   

Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated effective April 1, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Joseph D. 
Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on April 2, 2019). 

Stock Option Award Agreement, dated effective April 1, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Joseph D. 
Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on April 2, 2019). 

Performance Share Unit Award Agreement, dated effective April 1, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and 
Joseph D. Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed on April 2, 2019). 

Employment  Agreement,  dated  August  30,  2019,  between  SunOpta  Inc.  and  Scott  E.  Huckins 
(incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the  Company’s  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed  on 
September 5, 2019).   

Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated effective September 3, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Scott 
Huckins (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on September 5, 2019). 

Stock Option Award Agreement, dated effective September 3, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. and Scott 
Huckins (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on September 5, 2019). 

SUNOPTA INC. 

57 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
Exhibits 

Description 

10.10† 

10.11 

10.12 

10.13 

10.14 

10.15 

10.16 

10.17 

10.18† 

10.19+ 

Performance Share Unit Award Agreement, dated effective September 3, 2019, between SunOpta Inc. 
and Scott Huckins (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 
8-K filed on September 5, 2019). 

Subscription Agreement, dated April 15, 2020, between SunOpta Inc., SunOpta Foods Inc., Oaktree 
Organics, L.P., Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P., Engaged Capital, LLC, Engaged Capital 
Flagship  Master  Fund,  LP  and  Engaged  Capital  Co-Invest  IV-A,  LP.  (incorporated  by  reference  to 
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 20, 2020).  

Exchange and Support Agreement, dated April 24, 2020, between SunOpta Inc., SunOpta Foods Inc., 
Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP, Engaged Capital, LLC and Engaged Capital Co-Invest IV-
A, LP, Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. and any person that 
becomes a Holder of Preferred Stock, from time to time (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to 
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2020). 

Voting Trust Agreement, dated April 24, 2020, between SunOpta Inc., SunOpta Foods Inc., the trustee 
named therein, Oaktree Organics, L.P. and Oaktree Huntington Investment Fund II, L.P. and any other 
Holder  of  Preferred  Stock,  from  time  to  time  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.3  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2020). 

Voting Trust Agreement, dated April 24, 2020, between SunOpta Inc., SunOpta Foods Inc., the trustee 
named therein, Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP, Engaged Capital, LLC and Engaged Capital 
Co-Invest  IV-A,  LP  and  any  other  Holder  of  Preferred  Stock,  from  time  to  time  (incorporated  by 
reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2020). 

Amended  and  Restated  Investor  Rights  Agreement,  dated  April  24,  2020,  between  SunOpta  Inc., 
SunOpta  Foods  Inc.  and  Oaktree  Organics,  L.P.  and  Oaktree  Huntington  Investment  Fund  II,  L.P. 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 
28, 2020). 

Amended and Restated Observer Governance and Confidentiality Agreement, dated April 24, between 
SunOpta  Inc.  and  Zachary  Serebrenik  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.6  to  the  Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 28, 2020). 

Investor  Rights  Agreement,  dated  April  24,  2020,  between  SunOpta  Inc.,  SunOpta  Foods  Inc.  and 
Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP, Engaged Capital, LLC and Engaged Capital Co-Invest IV-
A, LP (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on April 28, 2020). 

Amended  2013  Stock  Incentive  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  A  to  the  Company’s 
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on May 1, 2020). 

Second Restatement Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2020, amending and restating the Existing 
Credit Agreement, dated as of February 11, 2016 (as amended by (i) the First Amendment dated as of 
October 7, 2016, (ii) the Second Amendment and Joinder dated as of September 19, 2017, (iii) the Third 
Amendment and Joinder dated as of October 22, 2018, and as amended and restated by the Restatement 
Agreement,  dated  as  of  January  28,  2020),  among  SunOpta  Inc.,  SunOpta  Foods  Inc.,  the  other 
borrowers  and  guarantors  party  thereto,  the  lenders  party  thereto,  Bank  of  America,  N.A.,  as 
administrative agent, collateral agent, an issuing bank and the swingline lender, and JPMorgan Chase 
Bank,  N.A.,  as  term  loan  administrative  agent  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2021). 

SUNOPTA INC. 

58 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
Exhibits 

Description 

10.20+ 

10.21 

10.22 

10.23 

10.24 

10.25 

10.26 

10.27+ 

10.28† 

10.29† 

10.30† 

First  Amendment,  dated  as  of  April  15,  2021,  amending  the  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Credit 
Agreement,  dated  as  of  December  31,  2020,  among  SunOpta  Inc.,  SunOpta  Foods  Inc.,  the  other 
borrowers  and  guarantors  party  thereto,  the  lenders  party  thereto,  Bank  of  America,  N.A.,  as 
administrative agent, collateral agent, an issuing bank and the swingline lender, and JPMorgan Chase 
Bank,  N.A.,  as  term  loan  administrative  agent  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 19, 2021). 

Second  Amendment,  dated  as  of  July  2,  2021,  amending  the  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Credit 
Agreement dated as of December 31, 2020 (as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of April 15, 
2021), among SunOpta Inc., SunOpta Foods Inc., the other borrowers and guarantors party thereto, the 
lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent, an issuing bank 
and  the  swingline  lender,  and  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.,  as  term  loan  administrative  agent 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarter ended July 3, 2021). 

Lease  Agreement  dated  August  13,  2021, between  SunOpta  Grains  and  Foods  Inc.  and Cornerstone 
Development Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report 
on Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2021). 

Guaranty  Of  Lease  dated  August  13,  2021,  by  SunOpta  Inc.  in  favor  of  Cornerstone  Development 
Partners, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed on August 19, 2021). 

Equipment Schedule No. 04 dated as of September 7, 2021, between SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc. 
and  Liberty  Commercial  Finance  LLC  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2021). 

Equipment Schedule No. 07 dated as of September 7, 2021, between SunOpta Grains and Foods Inc. 
and  Liberty  Commercial  Finance  LLC  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2  to  the Company’s 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2021). 

Master Equipment Lease Agreement number 32115 dated as of June 18, 2020, between SunOpta Grains 
and Foods Inc. and Liberty Commercial Finance LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2021). 

Third Amendment, dated as of February 25, 2022, amending the Second Amended and Restated Credit 
Agreement dated as of December 31, 2020 (as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of April 15, 
2021 and the Second Amendment, dated as of July 2, 2021), among SunOpta Inc., SunOpta Foods Inc., 
the other borrowers and guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as 
administrative agent, collateral agent, an issuing bank and the swingline lender, and JPMorgan Chase 
Bank,  N.A.,  as  term  loan  administrative  agent  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.35  to  the 
Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2022). 

Form of Stock Option Award Agreement, dated May 5, 2022, between the Company and Joseph 
Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on May 9, 2022.) 

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement, dated May 5, 2022, between the Company and 
Joseph Ennen (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-
K filed on May 9, 2022.) 

SunOpta  Inc.  2022  Short  Term  Incentive  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  to  the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2022). 

SUNOPTA INC. 

59 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
Exhibits 

Description 

10.31† 

SunOpta  Inc.  2022  Long  Term  Incentive  Plan  (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2  to  the 
Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2022). 

21* 

23.1* 

23.2* 

31.1* 

31.2* 

32* 

List of subsidiaries.  

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 

Certification  by  Joseph  D.  Ennen,  Chief  Executive  Officer,  pursuant  to  Rule  13a  –  14(a)  under  the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  

Certification by Scott Huckins, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  

Certifications by Joseph D. Ennen, Chief Executive Officer, and Scott Huckins, Chief Financial Officer, 
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.  

101.INS* 

XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File as its 
XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document 

101.SCH* 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 

101.CAL* 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 

101.DEF* 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 

101.LAB* 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 

101.PRE* 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 

104 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) 

+   Exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. SunOpta will 
furnish copies of the omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request. 

†    Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 

*   Filed herewith.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

60 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this 
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

SUNOPTA INC. 

 /s/ Scott Huckins 

Scott Huckins 
Chief Financial Officer 

Date: March 1, 2023 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 

Signature 
/s/ Joseph D. Ennen 
Joseph D. Ennen 

/s/ Scott Huckins 
Scott Huckins 

/s/ Dean Hollis 
Dean Hollis 

/s/ Albert Bolles 
Albert Bolles 

/s/ Rebecca Fisher 
Rebecca Fisher 

/s/ Katrina Houde 
Katrina Houde 

/s/ Leslie Starr Keating 
Leslie Starr Keating 

/s/ Mahes Wickramasinghe 
Mahes Wickramasinghe 

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary 

Title 
Chief Executive Officer and Director 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

Date 
March 1, 2023 

March 1, 2023 

Chair of the Board and Director 

March 1, 2023 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

March 1, 2023 

March 1, 2023 

March 1, 2023 

March 1, 2023 

March 1, 2023 

The Company has chosen not to include an optional summary of the information required by this Form 10-K. For a reference 
to information in the Form 10-K, investors should refer to the Table of Contents to this Form 10-K. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

61 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42) 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 1263) 
Consolidated Statements of Operations 

For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)  

For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

As at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity 

As at and for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 

Page 
F2 
F4 

F5 

F6 

F7 

F8 

F9 

F10 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F1- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of SunOpta Inc.  

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SunOpta Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and 
January 1, 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive earnings (loss), shareholders’ equity and 
cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the 
“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, 
the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash 
flows for the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting 
principles. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in 
Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(2013 framework) and our report dated March 1, 2023 expressed an adverse opinion thereon. 

Basis for Opinion 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on 
the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due 
to  error  or  fraud.  Our  audits  included  performing  procedures  to  assess  the  risks  of  material  misstatement  of  the  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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

Critical Audit Matter  

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the 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 financial statements  and  (2) involved our  especially  challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The 
communication of the 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. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F2- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description of the 
Matter 

  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – Fruit-based foods and beverages  

  As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company reviews its long-lived
assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
an asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the
asset.  If  the carrying  amount of  an  asset  is  not  recoverable,  the  fair value of the  asset  is  determined
typically using an income approach (discounted cash flow analysis). An impairment loss is recognized
in earnings for any excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. At December 31, 2022,
the Company’s consolidated long-lived assets principally consist of $322.4 million of property, plant
and equipment (see Note 6) and $135.6 million of intangible assets (see Note 8).  

Auditing the Company’s assessment of certain long-lived asset groups within the fruit-based foods and
beverages segment for impairment was complex due to the degree of judgment required in evaluating
management’s significant assumptions, principally projections of future revenue and profitability within
the fruit-based foods and beverages segment, which are sensitive to and affected by economic, industry
and company-specific factors. 

How We Addressed 
the Matter in Our 
Audit 

  We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls
addressing  the  risk  of  material  misstatement  relating  to  the  Company’s  impairment  process.  This
included testing management's review controls over the quantitative data and assumptions used in the
undiscounted  cash  flow  impairment  analysis,  including  the  underlying  data  used  to  perform  these
analyses.  

To test the impairment analysis and the undiscounted future cash flows of certain other-long lived asset 
groups, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies used 
and testing the significant assumptions and the underlying data used by the Company in its analysis, 
including  assessing  the  completeness  and  accuracy  of  such  underlying  data.  We  compared  the 
significant  assumptions  used  by  management  to  current  industry  and  economic  trends,  historical 
performance,  public  companies  within  the  same  industry  and  management’s  strategic  plans.  We 
performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the change in the undiscounted 
cash flows that would result from changes in the assumptions.   

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021. 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 
March 1, 2023 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F3- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of SunOpta Inc.  

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of operations, comprehensive earnings (loss), shareholders’ equity 
and cash flows of SunOpta Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended January 2, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred 
to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material 
respects, the results of operations of the Company and its cash flows for the year ended January 2, 2021, in conformity with 
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

Basis of Opinion 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on 
the Company’s financial statements based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to 
error or fraud. Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the 
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 
financial statements. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Chartered Professional Accountants 
Licensed Public Accountants 

We served as the Company’s auditor from 2018 to 2021. 

Toronto, Ontario 
March 3, 2021, except for Note 1 Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements, as to which the date is March 1, 2023 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F4- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
SunOpta Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Operations  
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

Revenues (note 21) 
Cost of goods sold  

Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Intangible asset amortization (note 8) 
Other expense, net (note 15) 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following 
Interest expense, net (note 11) 
Loss on retirement of debt (note 11) 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes 
Income tax benefit (note 16) 

Loss from continuing operations 
Earnings from discontinued operations (note 2) 

Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock (note 12) 

Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (note 17) 

Loss from continuing operations 
Earnings from discontinued operations 
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders(1) 

934,662 
811,808 

122,854 
89,312 
10,282 
22,132 
(1,748) 

2,876 
14,734 
- 

(11,858) 
(2,340) 

(9,518) 
4,677 

(4,841) 
(3,109) 

(7,950) 

(0.12) 
0.04 
(0.07) 

812,624 
714,904 

97,720 
76,599 
9,950 
8,890 
1,112 

1,169 
8,769 
- 

(7,600) 
(6,428) 

(1,172) 
- 

(1,172) 
(4,197) 

(5,369) 

(0.05) 
- 
(0.05) 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s) (note 17) 
  Basic 
  Diluted 

107,659 
107,659 

104,098 
104,098 

(1) The sum of the individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding. 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements) 

789,213 
680,136 

109,077 
89,463 
8,946 
23,393 
(1,640) 

(11,085) 
30,042 
8,915 

(50,042) 
(7,650) 

(42,392) 
124,820 

82,428 
(10,328) 

72,100 

(0.59) 
1.40 
0.81 

89,234 
89,234 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F5- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) 

Loss from continuing operations 
Earnings from discontinued operations 

Net earnings (loss) 

Other comprehensive earnings 
  Currency translation adjustment 
  Reclassification of accumulated currency translation adjustment 

of discontinued operations  
  Other comprehensive earnings 

Comprehensive earnings (loss) 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

(9,518) 
4,677 

(4,841) 

(1,172) 
- 

(1,172) 

- 

- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

(4,841) 

(1,172) 

(42,392) 
124,820 

82,428 

2,405 

10,229 
12,634 

95,062 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements) 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F6- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
As at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) 

ASSETS 
Current assets 
  Cash and cash equivalents  
  Accounts receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $584 and $889, respectively (note 4) 

Inventories (note 5) 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  

  Current income taxes recoverable 
Total current assets 

Property, plant and equipment, net (note 6) 
Operating lease right-of-use assets (note 7) 
Intangible assets, net (note 8) 
Goodwill (note 9) 
Deferred income taxes (note 16) 
Other assets  

Total assets 

LIABILITIES 
Current liabilities 
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (note 10) 

Income taxes payable  

  Current portion of long-term debt (note 11) 
  Current portion of operating lease liabilities (note 7) 
Total current liabilities 

Long-term debt (note 11) 
Operating lease liabilities (note 7) 
Long-term liabilities  
Deferred income taxes (note 16) 
Total liabilities 

Series B-1 preferred stock (note 12) 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Common shares, no par value, unlimited shares authorized, 

107,909,792 shares issued (January 1, 2022 - 107,359,826)  

  Additional paid-in capital  
  Accumulated deficit 
  Accumulated other comprehensive income 
Total shareholders' equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

679 
74,903 
207,047 
15,688 
4,040 
302,357 

322,391 
82,564 
135,646 
3,998 
3,712 
5,184 

855,852 

108,511 
957 
38,491 
13,074 
161,033 

269,993 
77,557 
- 
- 
508,583 

28,062 

227 
84,702 
219,778 
16,638 
8,259 
329,604 

219,537 
47,245 
148,440 
3,998 
- 
5,930 

754,754 

121,155 
- 
9,760 
12,203 
143,118 

214,843 
39,028 
2,241 
14,051 
413,281 

28,145 

440,348 
33,184 
(155,688) 
1,363 
319,207 

855,852 

436,463 
23,240 
(147,738) 
1,363 
313,328 

754,754 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements) 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F7- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity 
As at and for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) 

Additional 
paid-in 
capital 
$ 

Accumulated 
deficit 
$ 

Accumulated 
other com-
prehensive 
income (loss) 
$ 

Non-
controlling 
interests 
$ 

Balance at December 28, 2019 
Employee share purchase plan 
Stock incentive plan 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards 
Stock-based compensation 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends on preferred stock  
Accretion on preferred stock  
Currency translation adjustment 
Capital contribution to majority-owned 

subsidiary 

Dividends paid by subsidiary to non- 

controlling interest 

Disposition of discontinued operations  

Common shares 
$ 

000s 

88,090 
114 
1,990 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

318,456 
462 
7,627 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

35,767 
- 
(6,041) 
(4,080) 
12,216 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

(214,469) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
82,428 
(8,636) 
(1,692) 
- 

- 

- 
- 

Balance at January 2, 2021 

90,194 

326,545 

37,862 

(142,369) 

Exchange of Series A preferred stock, net of 

share issuance costs of $287  

Employee share purchase plan 
Stock incentive plan 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards 
Stock-based compensation 
Net loss 
Dividends on preferred stock  
Accretion on preferred stock  

12,633 
67 
4,466 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

87,188 
583 
22,147 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(15,004) 
(8,718) 
9,100 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(1,172) 
(3,477) 
(720) 

Balance at January 1, 2022 

107,360 

436,463 

23,240 

(147,738) 

1,363 

Employee share purchase plan 
Stock incentive plan 
Withholding taxes on stock-based awards 
Stock-based compensation 
Net loss 
Dividends on preferred stock (note 12) 
Accretion on preferred stock (note 12) 

88 
462 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

575 
3,310 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
(2,257) 
(1,629) 
13,830 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
(4,841) 
(2,436) 
(673) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Balance at December 31, 2022 

107,910 

440,348 

33,184 

(155,688) 

1,363 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements) 

Total 
$ 

130,371 
462 
1,586 
(4,080) 
12,216 
82,127 
(8,636) 
(1,692) 
2,361 

(11,271) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
2,405 

1,888 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(301) 
- 
- 
(44) 

- 

67 

67 

- 
10,229 

1,363 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

(66) 
(1,544) 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

(66) 
8,685 

223,401 

87,188 
583 
7,143 
(8,718) 
9,100 
(1,172) 
(3,477) 
(720) 

313,328 

575 
1,053 
(1,629) 
13,830 
(4,841) 
(2,436) 
(673) 

319,207 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F8- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars) 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) 

Operating activities 
Net earnings (loss) 
Earnings from discontinued operations 
Loss from continuing operations 
Items not affecting cash: 
  Depreciation and amortization 
  Amortization of debt issuance costs (note 11) 
  Deferred income taxes (note 16) 

Stock-based compensation (note 14) 
Loss on sale of sunflower business (note 3) 

  Gain on sale of frozen fruit processing facility (note 15) 

Impairment of long-lived assets  
Loss on foreign currency forward contract (note 2) 
Loss on retirement of debt (note 11) 

  Other 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of sunflower business (note 18) 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of continuing operations 
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 

Investing activities 
Additions to property, plant and equipment 
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
Net proceeds from sale of sunflower business (note 3) 
Additions to intangible assets  
Cash settlement of foreign currency forward contract (note 2) 
Other 
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 

Financing activities 
Increase (decrease) in borrowings under revolving credit facilities (note 11) 
Borrowings of long-term debt (notes 7 and 11) 
Repayment of long-term debt, including premium paid (notes 7 and 11) 
Payment of debt issuance costs 
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and employee share purchases 
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based awards 
Payment of cash dividends on preferred stock (note 12) 
Proceeds on issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs (note 12) 
Payment of share issuance costs  
Other 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of continuing operations 
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operations 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year 

Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations: 
  Balance at the beginning of the year 

Foreign exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents 
Less: Balance at the end of year 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of the year 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of the year 

Non-cash investing and financing activities (notes 7 and 18) 

December 31, 
2022 
$ 

January 1, 
 2022 
$ 

January 2, 
 2021 
$ 

(4,841) 
4,677 
(9,518) 

37,673 
1,601 
(4,655) 
13,830 
23,227 
(3,779) 
- 
- 
- 
3,600 
(1,404) 
60,575 
- 

60,575 

(128,626) 
20,293 
7,833 
- 
- 
- 
(100,500) 
(6,324) 

(106,824) 

(19,821) 
90,907 
(20,457) 
(735) 
1,628 
(1,629) 
(2,436) 
(756) 
- 
- 
46,701 
- 

46,701 

452 

- 
- 
- 

227 

679 

(1,172) 
- 
(1,172) 

34,641 
1,353 
(5,985) 
9,100 
- 
- 
3,206 
- 
- 
1,090 
(63,665) 
(21,432) 
- 

(21,432) 

(58,297) 
2,300 
- 
(25,073) 
- 
- 
(81,070) 
(13,380) 

(94,450) 

106,016 
32,800 
(13,671) 
(2,561) 
7,726 
(8,718) 
(5,247) 
- 
(287) 
- 
116,058 
(200) 

115,858 

(24) 

- 
- 
- 

251 

227 

82,428 
124,820 
(42,392) 

30,308 
4,078 
2,643 
11,676 
- 
- 
7,803 
12,658 
8,915 
(157) 
17,131 
52,663 
39,033 

91,696 

(24,754) 
- 
- 
- 
(12,658) 
41 
(37,371) 
361,889 

324,518 

(175,990) 
5,179 
(231,431) 
(4,888) 
2,048 
(4,080) 
(4,078) 
26,804 
- 
(185) 
(386,621) 
(31,063) 

(417,684) 

(1,470) 

1,370 
223 
- 

128 

251 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F9- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

(See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

1. Significant Accounting Policies 

Basis of Presentation 

These  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  SunOpta  Inc.  and  those  of  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries 
(collectively, the “Company” or “SunOpta”) and have been prepared by the Company in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and in 
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions 
have been eliminated on consolidation.  

Fiscal Year 

The fiscal year of the Company consists of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 
2022 and 2021 were each 52-week periods ending on December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, respectively, and fiscal year 2020 
was a 53-week period ending on January 2, 2021. Fiscal year 2023 will be a 52-week period ending on December 30, 2023, with 
quarterly periods ending on April 1, 2023, July 1, 2023, and September 30, 2023.  

Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements 

During the fourth quarter of 2022, in connection with the filing of the Company’s 2021 tax returns, management identified 
certain misstatements in income taxes that affected the results for the years ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021. In 
accordance with ASC 250 – Accounting Changes and Error Corrections and Staff Accounting Bulletins  No. 99 – Materiality 
and No. 108 – Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial 
Statements, management assessed the materiality of these errors individually and in the aggregate and concluded that the effect 
of recording all corrections in the fourth quarter of 2022 would materially misstate the financial statements for the year ended 
December 31, 2022. Management also concluded that the errors were not material to the previously issued financial statements 
for the years ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021. As a result, the Company has corrected these errors by revising the 
consolidated financial statements and related disclosures included herein for those prior fiscal periods.   

The tables that follow present the effect of these revisions, as well as the effect of previously identified immaterial out-of-
period adjustments related to income taxes, inventory, and over accrual of expenses on the consolidated statements of operations 
and cash flows for the years ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, and the consolidated balance sheet as at January 1, 
2022. In addition, the opening accumulated deficit for the year ended January 2, 2021 decreased by $0.5 million. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F10- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Year Ended January 1, 2022  
As 
Previously 

Year Ended January 2, 2021 
As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  

$ 

$ 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 

$ 

$ 

Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Revenues 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Intangible amortization 
Other expense, net 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 

before the following 

Interest expense, net 
Loss on retirement of debt 
Loss from continuing operations before 

income taxes 
Income tax benefit 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 
Earnings from discontinued operations 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Earnings (loss) attributable to common 

812,624 
714,539 
98,085 
76,874 
9,950 
8,890 
1,112 

1,259 
8,769 
- 

(7,510) 
(3,366) 
(4,144) 
- 
(4,144) 
(4,197) 

- 
365 
(365) 
(275) 
- 
- 
- 

(90) 
- 
- 

(90) 
(3,062) 
2,972 
- 
2,972 
- 

812,624   
714,904   
97,720   
76,599   
9,950   
8,890   
1,112   

1,169   
8,769   
-   

(7,600)  
(6,428)  
(1,172)  
-   
(1,172)  
(4,197)  

789,213 
680,136 
109,077 
89,463 
8,946 
23,393 
(1,640) 

(11,085) 
30,042 
8,915 

(50,042) 
(2,740) 
(47,302) 
124,820 
77,518 
(10,328) 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
- 

- 
(4,910) 
4,910 
- 
4,910 
- 

789,213 
680,136 
109,077 
89,463 
8,946 
23,393 
(1,640) 

(11,085) 
30,042 
8,915 

(50,042) 
(7,650) 
(42,392) 
124,820 
82,428 
(10,328) 

shareholders 

(8,341) 

2,972 

(5,369)  

67,190 

4,910 

72,100 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  Earnings (loss) from continuing operations   

operations 

  Earnings from discontinued operations 
  Earnings (loss) attributable to common 

(0.08) 
- 

0.03 
- 

(0.05)  
-   

(0.65) 
1.40 

0.06 
- 

(0.59) 
1.40 

shareholders 

(0.08) 

0.03 

(0.05)  

0.75 

0.06 

0.81 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F11- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Consolidated Balance Sheet 
Inventories 
Total current assets 
Total assets 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Deferred income tax liability - long-term 
Total liabilities 

Accumulated deficit 
Total shareholders' equity 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 

As Previously 
Reported 
$ 

As at January 1, 2022 

Adjustment 
$ 

As Revised 
$ 

220,143 
329,969 
755,119 

121,430 
22,485 
421,990 

(156,082) 
304,984 
755,119 

(365) 
(365) 
(365) 

(275) 
(8,434) 
(8,709) 

8,344 
8,344 
(365) 

219,778 
329,604 
754,754 

121,155 
14,051 
413,281 

(147,738) 
313,328 
754,754 

Year Ended January 1, 2022  
As 
Previously 

Year Ended January 2, 2021 
As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  

$ 

$ 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 

$ 

$ 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 
Items not affecting cash: 
  Deferred income taxes 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating 
activities of continuing operations 

Use of Estimates 

(4,144) 

2,972 

(1,172)  

(47,302) 

4,910 

(42,392) 

(2,923) 
(63,755) 

(3,062) 
90 

(5,985)  
(63,665)  

7,553 
17,131 

(4,910) 
- 

2,643 
17,131 

(21,432) 

- 

(21,432)  

52,663 

- 

52,663 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and 
assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Areas involving 
significant estimates and assumptions include: allowances for credit losses; inventory reserves; income tax liabilities and assets, 
and related valuation allowances; provisions for loss contingencies related to claims and litigation; useful lives of property, 
plant and equipment and intangible assets; expected lease terms and discount rates in measuring lease assets and liabilities; 
expected future cash flows used in evaluating long-lived assets for impairment; and reporting unit fair values in testing goodwill 
for  impairment.  The  estimates  and  assumptions  made  require  judgment  on  the  part  of  management  and  are  based  on  the 
Company’s historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances. Management 
continually evaluates the information that forms the basis of its estimates and assumptions as the business of the Company and 
the general business environment changes.  

Fair Value  

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction 
between market participants at the measurement date (that is, an exit price). Fair value measurements are estimated based on 
inputs categorized as follows: 

  Level 1 inputs include quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are observable. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F12- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or 
similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the 
asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation 
or other means. 

  Level  3  includes  unobservable  inputs  that  reflect  the  Company’s  own  assumptions  about  what  factors  market 

participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. 

When  measuring  fair value,  the  Company  maximizes  the use  of  observable  inputs  and minimizes  the  use  of  unobservable 
inputs. 

Foreign Currency Translation 

Exchange gains and losses on transactions occurring in a currency other than an operation’s functional currency are recognized 
in earnings. Foreign currency gains and losses related to the remeasurement of the Company’s Mexican operations into its 
U.S. dollar functional currency are recognized in earnings.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents  

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term deposits with an original maturity of 90 days or less. The Company 
places its cash and cash equivalents with institutions of high creditworthiness. 

Accounts Receivable 

Accounts receivable includes trade receivables that are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance 
for credit losses is an estimate of the amount of probable losses in existing accounts receivable. The Company routinely assesses 
the financial strength of its customers and believes that its accounts receivable credit risk exposure is limited. The Company 
closely monitors receivable balances and estimates an allowance for credit losses based on historical collection experience, and 
account aging analysis and trends, and evaluates the adequacy of the allowance each reporting period, considering individual 
customer account reviews, write-offs recorded in the period, sales forecasts and trends, and current and expected economic and 
customer-specific  conditions.  Account  balances  are  charged  off  against  the  allowance  when  the  Company  determines  the 
receivable will not be recovered. As at December 31, 2022, three long-term customers represented approximately 19%, 13% 
and 10%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated trade receivables balance. The Company does not believe it is exposed 
to any significant credit risks with respect to these customers. 

Inventories 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value on a first-in, first-out basis. Shipping and handling costs are 
included in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of operations. 

Property, Plant and Equipment  

Property, plant and equipment assets are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Cost includes capitalized interest on 
borrowings during the construction of major capital projects. Depreciation begins when an asset is ready for its intended use. 
Property, plant and equipment assets, other than land, are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of 
the assets, as follows:  

Buildings 
Machinery and equipment 
Enterprise software 
Office furniture and equipment 
Vehicles 

20 - 40 years 
5 - 20 years 
3 - 5 years 
3 - 7 years 
3 - 7 years 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F13- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Leases 

At the lease commencement date, the Company recognizes a right-of-use lease asset for an amount equal to the lease liability, 
less any lease incentives. The lease liability is determined based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease 
term. The lease term includes the noncancellable term of the lease, together with periods covered by options to extend the lease 
that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The discount rate used to determine the present value of the future lease 
payments is the implicit  rate in the lease  if readily determinable. When that rate is not readily determinable, the Company 
applies its incremental borrowing rate, which its estimated using relevant interest rate yield curves and credit spreads derived 
from available market data and the Company’s corporate credit rating. The Company excludes material non-lease components 
in determining the future lease payments. Material leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are recorded on the balance 
sheet. 

Intangible Assets 

The Company’s finite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships and brand names. Intangible assets 
are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are 10 to 25 years for customer relationships and 
15 years for brand names.  

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

The  Company  reviews  its  long-lived  assets  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the 
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds 
the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying 
amount of an asset is not recoverable, the fair value of the asset is determined typically using an income approach (discounted 
cash flow analysis). An impairment loss is recognized in earnings for any excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its 
fair value.  

Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess in a business combination of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the identifiable 
net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is instead tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually, 
or whenever events or circumstances change between the annual impairment tests that would indicate the carrying amount of 
goodwill may be impaired. The Company performs its annual test for goodwill impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal 
year. The Company can elect to qualitatively assess goodwill for impairment if it is more likely than not that the fair value of 
a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. If the Company elects to quantitatively assess goodwill, or it is not more likely than 
not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the Company estimates the fair value of each of its reporting 
units using an income approach (discounted cash flow method). Goodwill impairment charges are recognized based on the 
excess of a  reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. The results of the Company’s annual impairment tests for 
goodwill are described in note 9. 

Derivative Instruments 

From  time  to  time,  the  Company  utilizes  foreign  currency  forward  contracts  to  manage  its  exposure  to  exchange  rate 
fluctuations relating to foreign currency denominated inventory purchases and operating costs. Contracts are entered into for 
periods  consistent  with  related  underlying  exposures  and  do  not  constitute  positions  independent  of  those  exposures.  The 
Company does not enter into contracts for speculative purposes. As at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, the Company 
had no open foreign currency forward contracts. 

Foreign currency forward contracts are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Gains or losses in the fair 
value of foreign currency forward contracts not specifically designated as hedging instruments are included in foreign exchange 
gain/loss on the consolidated statements of operations. For contracts designated as accounting hedges, gains or losses in fair 
value are recognized in other comprehensive earnings and subsequently recognized in earnings in the same period the hedged 
item affects earnings. The ineffective portion of an accounting hedge is recognized immediately in earnings.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F14- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Debt Issuance Costs 

Costs  incurred  in  connection  with  obtaining  debt  financing  are  deferred  and  amortized  over  the  term  of  the  financing 
arrangement using the effective interest method. Costs incurred to secure revolving credit facilities are recorded in other long-
term assets. All other debt issuance costs are recorded as a direct deduction from the related debt liability.  

Income Taxes 

The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes whereby deferred income tax assets are 
recognized  for  deductible  temporary  differences  and  operating  loss  carryforwards,  and  deferred  income  tax  liabilities  are 
recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the amounts of assets and 
liabilities recorded for income tax and financial reporting purposes. 

Deferred income tax assets are recognized only to the extent that management determines that it is more likely than not that the 
deferred income tax assets will be realized. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in 
tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. The income tax expense or benefit is the income tax payable or recoverable for the 
year plus or minus the change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year.  

The Company is subject to ongoing tax exposures, examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. Accordingly, the 
Company may incur additional income tax expense based upon the outcomes of such matters. In addition, when applicable, the 
Company adjusts income tax expense to reflect the Company’s ongoing assessments of such matters, which requires judgment 
and can materially increase or decrease its effective rate as well as impact operating results. The evaluation of tax positions 
taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is a two-step process, whereby (i) the Company determines whether it is more 
likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position, and (ii) for those tax positions 
that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that has a 
greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.  

Stock Incentive Plan 

The Company maintains a stock incentive plan under which stock options and other stock-based awards may be granted to 
selected  employees  and  directors.  The  Company  measures  stock-based  awards  at  fair  value  as  of  the  date  of  grant. 
Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over vesting period of the entire stock-based award, based on the 
number of awards that ultimately vest. Upon exercise, stock-based awards are settled through the issuance of common shares 
and are therefore treated as equity awards. 

Revenue Recognition 

The Company manufactures and sells plant-based and fruit-based food and beverage products to retailers, foodservice operators, 
branded food companies, and other food manufacturers. The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under 
the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied, which is upon the transfer of control of the contracted goods. Except for 
goods sold under bill-and-hold arrangements, control is transferred when title and physical possession of the product transfers to 
the  customer, which is at the  point in time  that product is shipped from the Company’s facilities or delivered to a specified 
destination,  depending  on  the  terms  of  the  contract,  and  the  Company  has  a  present  right  to  payment.  Under  bill-and-hold 
arrangements, whereby the Company bills a customer for product to be delivered at a later date, control typically transfers when 
the product is ready for physical transfer to the customer, and the Company has a present right to payment.   

A performance obligation is a promise within a contract to transfer distinct goods to the customer. A contract with a customer 
may  involve  multiple  products  and/or  multiple  delivery  dates,  with  the  transfer  of  each  product  at  each  delivery  date  being 
considered a distinct performance obligation, as each of the Company’s products has standalone utility to the customer. In these 
cases, the contract’s transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on relative standalone selling prices and 
recognized as revenue when each individual product is transferred to the customer.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F15- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the goods. 
Consideration is typically determined based on a fixed unit price for the quantity of product transferred. Certain contracts include 
rebates and other forms of variable consideration. For contracts involving variable consideration, the Company estimates the 
transaction price based on the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled. These estimates are determined based 
on historical experience and the expected outcome of the variable consideration, and are updated as new information becomes 
available, including actual claims paid, which indicate an estimate is not indicative of the expected results. Changes to these 
estimates are recorded in the period the adjustment is identified. The Company does not typically grant customers a general right 
of return for goods transferred but will generally accept returns of product for quality-related issues. The cost of satisfying this 
promise of quality is accounted for as an assurance-type warranty obligation rather than variable consideration. The Company’s 
contracts do not typically include any significant payment terms, as payment is normally due shortly after the time of transfer.  

Revenue contracts are typically represented by short-term, binding purchase orders from customers, identifying the quantity and 
pricing for products to be transferred. Customer purchase orders may be issued under long-term master supply arrangements. On 
their own, these master supply arrangements are typically not considered contracts for purposes of revenue recognition, as they 
do not create enforceable rights and obligations regarding the quantity, pricing, or timing of goods to be transferred; however, 
certain master supply agreements impose minimum purchase obligations on the part of the customers, which is considered a form 
of variable consideration. Other master supply arrangements provide for the transfer of product on a bill-and-hold basis at the 
specific request of the customer. As goods are produced under these bill-and-hold arrangements to meet individual customer 
specifications, they are identifiable as belonging to the customer and cannot be directed to another customer. 

The timing of the Company’s revenue recognition, customer billings and cash collections, does not result in significant unbilled 
receivables (contract assets) or customer advances (contract liabilities) on the consolidated balance sheet. Contract costs, such 
as sales commissions, are generally expensed as incurred given the short-term nature of the associated contracts. 

Advertising Costs 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. 

Research and Development Costs 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The 
Company’s research and development activities are directed towards custom product formulations, packaging innovations, and 
production  process  improvements.  The  Company’s  research  and  development  expenditures  primarily  consist  of  employee-
related compensation and supplies, as well as rental costs and depreciation expense related to the Company’s innovation center 
and pilot plant.  

Earnings Per Share 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number 
of  common  shares  outstanding  during  the  year.  Earnings  attributable  to  common  shareholders  is  computed  by  deducting 
dividends and accretion on convertible preferred stock from net earnings. The potential diluted effect of stock options and other 
stock-based awards is computed using the treasury stock method whereby the weighted-average number of common shares 
used in the basic earnings per share calculation is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would 
have  been outstanding  if  the potential  dilutive  common  shares  had  been  issued  at  the  beginning  of  the year.  The  potential 
dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock is computed using the if-converted method whereby dividends and accretion on 
the convertible preferred stock are added back to the numerator, and the common shares resulting from the assumed conversion 
of the convertible preferred stock are included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation. 

Contingencies 

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to loss contingencies, such as accrued but unpaid bonuses, tax-related 
matters, and claims or litigation. Accruals for loss contingencies are recorded when the Company determines that it is both 
probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If the estimate of the amount of 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F16- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

the loss is a range and some amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, 
that amount is accrued as a liability. If no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum 
amount of the range is accrued as a liability.  

Recent Accounting Pronouncement 

In  September  2022,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued  Accounting  Standard  Update  2022-04,  Liabilities  – 
Supplier Finance Programs (Topic 450-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations, which requires entities that 
use supplier finance programs in connection with the purchase of goods and services to disclose the key terms of the programs 
and information about obligations outstanding at the end of the reporting period, including a roll forward of those obligations. 
The guidance does not affect the recognition, measurement, or financial statement presentation of supplier finance program 
obligations. The  requirements to disclose  the key  terms of the programs and information about obligations outstanding are 
effective for all interim and annual periods beginning fiscal 2023, and the requirement to disclose a roll forward of obligations 
outstanding is effective beginning fiscal 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this new guidance will 
have on its consolidated financial statements. 

2.  Discontinued Operations 

Tradin Organic 

On December 30, 2020 (the “Closing Date”), the Company completed the divestiture of its organic ingredient sourcing and 
production business, Tradin Organic, by selling all of the Company’s interests and rights in The Organic Corporation B.V. and 
Tradin Organics USA LLC to Amsterdam Commodities N.V. (“Acomo”), pursuant to a Master Purchase Agreement, dated 
November 25, 2020, among the Company, Acomo, and the other parties thereto (the “Transaction”).  

As of the Closing Date, the Company received cash consideration of $373.7 million (€305.1 million), net of cash acquired and 
debt  assumed  by  Acomo.  The  Company  realized  a  cash  loss  of  $12.7  million  on  a  foreign  currency  forward  contract  to 
economically hedge the exchange rate risks on the euro-denominated cash consideration between the date of the Master Purchase 
Agreement and the Closing Date. The Company recorded this loss in other expense, net, from continuing operations for the year 
ended January 2, 2021, as the loss was not considered a direct operating item of the discontinued operations of Tradin Organic. 
For the year ended January 2, 2021, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain on sale of Tradin Organic of $111.8 million, which 
was recorded in discontinued operations.  

As described in note 20, on May 25, 2022, the Company and Acomo entered into a Settlement Agreement to resolve all outstanding 
matters related  to  the Master  Purchase Agreement. In  connection  with  the  Settlement  Agreement,  the  Company  recognized 
earnings from discontinued operations of $4.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, which reflected the estimated tax 
benefits resulting from the final allocation of the purchase price between the share capital of The Organic Corporation B.V. 
and  the  membership  interests  of  Tradin  Organics  USA  LLC,  partially  offset  by  a  cash  payment  of  $5.9  million  from  the 
Company to Acomo to settle certain post-closing adjustments related to the Transaction, as well as professional fees incurred 
in connection with the arbitration proceedings.  

The  table  below  reconciles  the  major  components  of  the  results  of  discontinued  operations  to  the  amounts  reported  in  the 
consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 2, 2021. The consolidated statement 
of operations for the year ended January 1, 2022 did not include any results of discontinued operations.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F17- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Revenues 
Cost of goods sold 
Selling, general and administrative expenses(1) 
Intangible asset amortization 
Other income, net 
Foreign exchange loss 
Interest expense(2) 
Earnings before gain of sale 
Pre-tax gain (loss) on sale  
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes 
Income tax expense (benefit) 
Loss attributable to non-controlling interests 
Earnings from discontinued operations 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(8,241) 
(8,241) 
(12,918) 
- 
4,677 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
503,036 
441,277 
26,953 
1,451 
(782) 
3,142 
2,409 
28,586 
111,818 
140,404 
15,885 
(301) 
124,820 

(1)  Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  exclude  the  allocation  of  corporate  costs  and  include  stock-based 

compensation expense attributed to employees of Tradin Organic.  

(2)  Interest expense reflects interest on debt directly attributed to Tradin Organic. 

3.  Sale of Sunflower Business 

On October 11, 2022, the Company completed the sale of 100% of the assets and liabilities of its sunflower business and related 
roasted snacks operations, for cash consideration of $16.0 million, subject to closing debt and working capital adjustments. The 
sunflower business operated from three processing facilities located in Minnesota and North Dakota and was reported in the 
Company’s Plant-Based Foods and Beverages operating segment.  

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized a loss on the sale of the sunflower business, which is recorded 
in other expense, net, as follows:  

Cash consideration 
Less: debt and working capital adjustments 
Less: costs to sell 
Net proceeds(1) 

Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Other current assets 
Property, plant and equipment 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 
Intangible assets, net 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Operating lease liabilities 
Net assets sold 

Pre-tax loss on sale 

$ 
16,000 
(6,620) 
(1,162) 
8,218 

10,572 
13,493 
105 
10,328 
1,834 
2,512 
(4,985) 
(2,414) 
31,445 

(23,227) 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F18- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

(1)  As at December 31, 2022, the Company had received net cash proceeds of $7.8 million and the remaining proceeds of $0.4 
million, related to the settlement of the final working capital adjustment, was recorded in accounts receivable (see note 4). 

As the disposal of the sunflower business did not have a major effect on the Company’s operations or financial results and, 
therefore, did not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations on a standalone basis, the operating results for the business 
prior to October 11, 2022, are reported in continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations for the current 
and  comparative  periods. The following table  presents revenues and earnings (loss) before income taxes for the sunflower 
business included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations for years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 
and January 2, 2021: 

Revenues 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes(1) 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
57,924 
1,182 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
63,094 
1,082 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
54,618 
(5,689) 

(1)  For the year ended December 31, 2022, excludes the loss on sale. In addition, for all years presented, excludes the allocation 

of corporate costs. 

4.  Accounts Receivable 

Trade receivables 
Proceeds receivable from sale of sunflower business (see note 3) 
Allowance for credit losses 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
75,102 
385 
(584) 
74,903 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
85,591 
- 
(889) 
84,702 

The change in the allowance for credit losses for the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 is comprised as 
follows: 

Balance, beginning of year 
Net addition (reduction) to provision 
Accounts receivable written off, net of recoveries 

Balance, end of year 

5.  Inventories 

Raw materials and work-in-process 
Finished goods 
Inventory reserve 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
889 
112 
(417) 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
1,257 
(368) 
- 

584 

889 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
124,168 
90,381 
(7,502) 
207,047 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
143,016 
81,546 
(4,784) 
219,778 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F19- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The change in the inventory reserve for the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 is comprised as follows: 

Balance, beginning of year 
Additions to reserve during the year 
Reserves applied and inventories written off during the year 

Balance, end of year 

6.  Property, Plant and Equipment 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
4,784 
10,779 
(8,061) 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
5,742 
5,854 
(6,812) 

7,502 

4,784 

The major components of property, plant and equipment as at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 were as follows: 

Land 
Buildings 
Machinery and equipment 
Enterprise software 
Office furniture and equipment 
Vehicles 

December 31, 2022 

January 1, 2022 

Cost 
$ 
2,433 
115,718 
314,065 
22,840 
4,241 
895 
460,192 

Accumulated 
depreciation 
$ 
- 
19,922 
99,923 
14,873 
2,482 
601 
137,801 

Net book 
value 
$ 
2,433   
95,796   
214,142   
7,967   
1,759   
294   
322,391   

Cost 
$ 
6,963 
94,935 
236,779 
19,900 
5,429 
1,445 
365,451 

Accumulated 
depreciation 
$ 
- 
22,510 
107,319 
11,740 
3,130 
1,215 
145,914 

Net book 
value 
$ 
6,963 
72,425 
129,460 
8,160 
2,299 
230 
219,537 

Interest expense capitalized as part of the construction cost of property, plant and equipment was $1.2 million for the year 
ended December 31, 2022, and immaterial for the years ended January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021. 

As at December 31, 2022, property, plant and equipment included construction in process assets of $132.2 million (January 1, 
2022 – $48.7 million) and $8.8 million (January 1, 2022 – $7.0 million) of spare parts inventory. 

Total depreciation expense included in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated 
statements of operations related to property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2022 was $27.4 million 
(January 1, 2022 – $24.7 million; January 2, 2021 – $21.4 million). 

7.  Leases 

The  Company  leases  certain  manufacturing  plants,  warehouses,  offices,  and  machinery  and  equipment.  At  the  lease 
commencement  date,  the  Company  classifies  a  lease  as  a  finance  lease  if  it  has  the  right  to  obtain  substantially  all  of  the 
economic benefits from the right-of-use assets, otherwise the lease is classified as an operating lease. The Company’s leases 
have remaining noncancelable lease terms of less than one year to approximately 15 years, and typically require fixed monthly 
rental payments that may be adjusted annually to give effect to inflation. Real estate leases typically provide the Company 
options to extend the leases for up to 15 years. Finance leases for machinery and equipment typically include nominal purchase 
options at the end of the lease term that are reasonably certain of being exercised at the lease commencement date. Machinery 
and equipment operating leases typically include purchase options for the fair market value of the underlying asset at the end 
of the lease term, which are uncertain of being exercised at the lease commencement date. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F20- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The following tables present supplemental information related to leases: 

Lease Costs 
Operating lease cost 
Finance lease cost: 
  Depreciation of right-of-use assets 

Interest on lease liabilities 

Sublease income 
Net lease cost 

Balance Sheet Classification 
Operating leases: 
  Operating lease right-of-use assets 

  Current portion of operating lease liabilities 
  Operating lease liabilities 
  Total operating lease liabilities 

Finance leases: 
  Property, plant and equipment, gross 
  Accumulated depreciation 
  Property, plant and equipment, net 

  Current portion of long-term debt 
  Long-term debt 
  Total finance lease liabilities 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

13,830 

10,146 
5,147 
- 
29,123 

13,806 

5,922 
2,752 
(281) 
22,199 

16,647 

2,647 
675 
(504) 
19,465 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

82,564 

13,074 
77,557 
90,631 

157,801 
(20,494) 
137,307 

33,283 
90,796 
124,079 

47,245 

12,203 
39,028 
51,231 

66,060 
(10,348) 
55,712 

9,760 
43,034 
52,794 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F21- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

Cash Flow Information 
Cash paid (received) for amounts included in measurement   

of lease liabilities: 
  Operating cash flows from operating leases 
  Operating cash flows from finance leases 
  Financing cash flows from finance leases 

  Cash paid under finance leases(1) 
  Cash received under finance leases(2) 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease 

liabilities: 
  Operating leases 
  Finance leases 

Right-of-use assets and liabilities reduced through lease 

terminations or modifications: 
  Operating leases 
  Finance leases 

Impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets 

13,051 
5,147 

20,457 
(58,764) 

49,818 
32,977 

(4,060) 
- 

- 

13,391 
2,752 

8,798 
(13,626) 

29,015 
29,906 

(2,261) 
(686) 

- 

16,741 
675 

2,587 
- 

5,962 
5,179 

(23,667) 
- 

(1,538) 

(1)  Represents repayments under finance leases recorded as a reduction of the lease liability and reported in repayment of 

long-term debt on the consolidated statements of cash flows. 

(2)  Represents  cash  advances  received  by  the  Company  under  finance  leases  for  the  construction  of  right-of-use  assets 
controlled  by  the  Company,  which  related  to  the  buildouts  of  the  Company’s  new  plant-based  beverage  facility  in 
Midlothian, Texas, and the Company’s executive office and innovation center located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, as well 
as cash proceeds under sale and leaseback transactions accounted for as financings. Cash received under finance leases is 
reported in borrowings of long-term debt on the consolidated statements of cash flows. 

December 31, 2022 

January 1, 2022 

January 2, 2021 

Other Information 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years): 
  Operating leases 
  Finance leases 

Weighted-average discount rate: 
  Operating leases 
  Finance leases 

12.8 
3.5 

8.7% 
8.2% 

7.4 
4.3 

5.0% 
6.6% 

3.4 
5.3 

6.6% 
5.4% 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F22- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Maturities of Lease Liabilities 
2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
Thereafter 
Total lease payments 
Less: imputed interest 
Total lease liabilities 

Operating leases 
$ 

Finance leases 
$ 

12,805 
12,461 
11,678 
10,754 
9,727 
152,740 
210,165 
(119,534) 
90,631 

40,336 
41,643 
36,863 
23,838 
3,567 
- 
146,247 
(22,168) 
124,079 

See note 20 for a discussion of the Company’s lease commitments. 

8.  Intangible Assets 

The major components of intangible assets as at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 were as follows:  

Customer relationships 
Brand names 
Other 

December 31, 2022 
Net book 
value 
$ 
113,418   
22,228   
-   
135,646   

Accumulated 
amortization 
$ 
64,578 
2,845 
746 
68,169 

Cost 
$ 
177,996 
25,073 
746 
203,815 

Accumulated 
amortization 
$ 
64,867 
1,173 
1,919 
67,959 

January 1, 2022 
Net book 
value 
$ 
124,540 
23,900 
- 
148,440 

Cost 
$ 
189,407 
25,073 
1,919 
216,399 

Amortization expense associated with intangible assets in each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:  

2023 
$ 
9,784 

2024 
$ 
9,784 

2025 
$ 
9,784 

2026 
$ 
9,784 

2027  Thereafter 
$ 
86,726 

$ 
9,784 

Total 
$ 
135,646 

Amortization expense 

9.  Goodwill 

As at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, the Company had $4.0 million of goodwill recognized on the consolidated 
balance  sheets,  all  of  which  was  associated  with  the  Fruit  Snacks  reporting  unit  of  the  Fruit-Based  Foods  and  Beverages 
operating segment. For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, the Company determined 
that goodwill was not impaired as the fair value of the Fruit Snacks reporting unit significantly exceeded its carrying amount. 
Prior to fiscal 2020, the Company recognized accumulated impairment losses of $213.8 million related to goodwill. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F23- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

10.  Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities 

Accounts payable 
Payroll and benefits 
Accrued interest 
Dividends payable on preferred stock (see note 12) 
Other accruals 

11.  Long-Term Debt 

Asset-based credit facilities: 
  Revolving credit facilities 
  Term loan facility 
  Total asset-based credit facilities 
Finance lease liabilities (see note 7) 
Other 
Total debt 
Less: current portion 
Total long-term debt 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
88,178 
13,914 
1,685 
609 
4,125 
108,511 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
105,386 
8,861 
846 
609 
5,453 
121,155 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

137,253 
43,748 
181,001 
124,079 
3,404 
308,484 
38,491 
269,993 

153,293 
11,606 
164,899 
52,794 
6,910 
224,603 
9,760 
214,843 

$ 
45,544 
47,893 
206,407 
26,801 
4,007 
330,652 
(22,168) 
308,484 

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt, including finance lease liabilities (see note 7), are as follows: 

2023 
2024 
2025 
2026 
2027 
Total gross maturities 
Less: imputed interest 
Total debt 

Asset-Based Credit Facilities 

On  December  31,  2020,  the  Company  entered  into  a  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  (the  “Credit 
Agreement”), as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of April 15, 2021, the Second Amendment, dated as of July 2, 
2021, the Third Amendment, dated as of February 25, 2022, and the Fourth Amendment, dated as of September 2, 2022, among 
the Company, SunOpta Foods Inc. (“SunOpta Foods”), the other borrowers and guarantors party thereto, and the lenders party 
thereto (the “Lenders”). As part of the Credit Agreement, the Lenders provided a five-year, $230 million asset-based revolving 
credit  facility,  subject  to  borrowing  base  capacity  (the  “Tranche  A  Subfacility”),  a  two-year,  $20  million  first-in-last-out 
tranche, subject to a separate borrowing base applicable to certain eligible accounts receivable and inventory with advance 
rates separate from the Tranche A Subfacility (the “Tranche B Subfacility”, and together with the Tranche A Subfacility, the 
“Revolving Credit Facilities”), and a five-year $75 million delayed draw term loan facility which can be used for borrowings 
on or prior to March 31, 2023 (the “Term Loan Facility,” and together with the Revolving Credit Facilities, the “Asset-Based 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F24- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Credit Facilities”), to finance certain capital expenditures. The Tranche A Subfacility includes borrowing capacity for letters 
of credit (see note 20) and provides for borrowings on same-day notice, including in the form of swingline loans.  

The Tranche A Subfacility and Term Loan Facility mature on December 31, 2025. Commencing in March 2023, the Term 
Loan Facility is repayable in monthly installments equal to 1/84th of the then-outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan 
Facility, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof. The Tranche B Subfacility matures on April 15, 2024, with 
amortization payments of $2.5 million, payable at the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending 
March 31, 2023, with the remaining amount payable at the maturity thereof. Each repayment of Tranche B Subfacility loans 
will result in an increase of the Lenders’ commitments under the Tranche A Subfacility, provided that such increases will not 
cause the aggregate Lenders’ commitments under the Tranche A Subfacility to exceed $250 million. 

Borrowings  under  the  Asset-Based  Credit  Facilities  bear  interest  based  on  various  reference  rates,  including  the  Secured 
Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus an applicable margin, which are set quarterly based on average borrowing availability 
for the preceding fiscal quarter. The applicable margin for loans under the Tranche A Subfacility range from 0.50% to 1.00% 
for base rate loans and from 1.50% to 2.00% for SOFR loans, bankers’ acceptance equivalent loans and European base rate 
loans. The applicable margin on loans under the Tranche B Subfacility are the applicable margin for the Tranche A Subfacility 
plus 1.00%. With respect to loans under the Term Loan Facility, the applicable margin ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for base 
rate loans and from 2.25% to 2.75% for SOFR loans. In addition, a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% applies to all SOFR 
loans. Effective January 1, 2023,  a 0.25% margin  reduction  applies when  the Company’s  total  leverage ratio is  less than a 
specific threshold. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the weighted-average interest rate on all outstanding borrowings 
under the Asset-Based Credit Facilities was 4.73% (January 1, 2022 – 2.36%). In addition to paying interest on outstanding 
principal under the Asset-Based Credit Facilities, the Company is required to pay commitment fees quarterly, in arrears, equal 
to (i) 0.25% of the average daily undrawn portion of the Revolving Credit Facilities and (ii) 0.375% of the undrawn portion of 
the Term Loan Facility. 

All obligations under the Asset-Based Credit Facilities are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s direct and indirect 
wholly-owned  material  restricted  subsidiaries  organized  in  the  U.S.  and  Canada  (the  “Guarantors”)  and,  subject  to  certain 
exceptions, such obligations are secured by first priority liens on substantially all assets of the Company and the other borrowers 
and Guarantors.  

The Asset-Based Credit Facilities are subject to a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability 
to create liens on assets; sell assets and enter in sale and leaseback transactions; pay dividends, prepay junior lien and unsecured 
indebtedness and make other restricted payments; incur additional indebtedness, including finance lease obligations in excess 
of $150 million, and make guarantees; make investments, loans or advances, including acquisitions; and engage in mergers or 
consolidations.  In  addition,  the  Company  and  its  restricted  subsidiaries  are  required  to  maintain  a  minimum  fixed  charge 
coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 if excess availability is less than the greater of (i) $15.0 million or (ii) 10% of the lesser of (x) the 
aggregate commitments under  the  Revolving  Credit Facilities and (y) the aggregate borrowing base. The Company and its 
restricted subsidiaries are also subject to a maximum senior funded leverage ratio with respect to the Term Loan Facility of 
4.75 to 1.00 from the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023 to the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023, 4.25 to 1.00 from the 
fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2023 to the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2023, 3.50 to 1.00 from the fiscal quarter 
ending March 31, 2024 to the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024, and 3.25 to 1.00 from the fiscal quarter ending September 
30, 2024 until the Term Loan Facility termination date. As at December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all 
covenants of the Credit Agreement. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F25- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Interest Expense, Net 

The components of interest expense, net are as follows: 

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest (see note 6) 
Amortization of debt issuance costs 
Interest income 
Interest expense, net 

Loss on Retirement of Debt 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
13,480 
1,601 
(347) 
14,734 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
7,685 
1,353 
(269) 
8,769 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
26,816 
4,078 
(852) 
30,042 

For the year ended January 2, 2021, the Company recorded a loss of $8.9 million on the redemption and retirement in full of 
the $223.5 million principal amount of outstanding 9.5% senior secured second lien notes due October 2022 issued by SunOpta 
Foods. The second lien notes were redeemed at a redemption price equal to 102.375% of the principal amount of the notes, 
together with accrued and unpaid interest on the notes to the date of redemption.  

12.  Preferred Stock 

Series B-1 Preferred Stock 

On  April  15,  2020,  the  Company  and  SunOpta  Foods  entered  into  a  subscription  agreement  (the  “Series  B  Subscription 
Agreement”)  with  Oaktree  Organics,  L.P.  and  Oaktree  Huntington  Investment  Fund  II,  L.P.  (collectively,  “Oaktree”)  and 
Engaged Capital, LLC, Engaged Capital Flagship Master Fund, LP and Engaged Capital Co-Invest IV-A, LP (collectively, 
“Engaged Capital”). On April 24, 2020, pursuant to the Series B Subscription Agreement, SunOpta Foods issued 15,000 shares 
of Series B-1 Preferred Stock to each of Oaktree and Engaged Capital for aggregate consideration of $30.0 million and 30,000 
shares total (the “Series B-1 Preferred Stock”). In connection with the issuance of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the Company 
incurred direct and incremental expenses of $4.0 million, which reduced the carrying value of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock. 
The carrying value of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock is being accreted through charges to accumulated deficit over the period 
preceding April 24, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2022, these accretion charges amounted to $0.7 million (January 
1, 2022 – $0.5 million; January 2, 2021 – $0.3 million).  

The Series B-1 Preferred Stock had an initial stated value and liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, which is adjusted for 
any  non-cash  dividends  declared  on  the  Series  B-1  Preferred  Stock  (the  “Series  B-1  Liquidation  Preference”).  Cumulative 
preferred dividends accrue daily on the Series B-1 Preferred Stock at an annualized rate of 8.0% of the Series B-1 Liquidation 
Preference prior to September 30, 2029, and 10.0% of the liquidation preference thereafter (subject to an increase of 1.0% per 
quarter, up to a maximum rate of 5.0% per quarter on the occurrence of certain events of non-compliance). Prior to September 
30, 2029, SunOpta Foods may pay dividends in cash or elect, in lieu of paying cash, to add the amount that would have been 
paid to the Series B-1 Liquidation Preference. The failure to pay dividends in cash for any quarter ending after September 30, 
2029 will be an event of non-compliance. For the second quarter of 2020, SunOpta Foods elected to declare dividends on the 
Series B-1 Preferred Stock to be paid in kind and, as a result, the aggregate Series B-1 Liquidation Preference increased by 
$0.4 million to $30.4 million, or approximately $1,015 per share. Since the second quarter of 2020, SunOpta Foods has elected 
to pay the quarterly dividend amount of $0.6 million in cash. As at December 31, 2022, the Company accrued unpaid dividends 
of $0.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, which are recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated 
balance sheet. 

At any time, the Series B-1 Preferred Stock may be exchanged, in whole or in part, into the number of Common Shares equal 
to, per share of Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the quotient of the Series B Liquidation Preference divided by $2.50 (such price, 
the “Series B-1 Exchange Price” and such quotient, the “Series B-1 Exchange Rate”). As at December 31, 2022, the aggregate 
shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock outstanding were exchangeable into approximately 12,178,667 shares of common stock 
of the Company (“Common Shares”). The Series B-1 Exchange Price is subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments, including 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F26- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

a weighted-average adjustment for issuances of Common Shares below the Series B-1 Exchange Price, provided that the Series 
B-1 Exchange Price may not be lower than $2.00 (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).  

SunOpta Foods may cause the holders of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock to exchange all of their shares of Series B-1 Preferred 
Stock into a number of Common Shares equal to the number of shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock outstanding multiplied by 
the Series B-1 Exchange Rate if (i) fewer than 10% of the shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock issued on April 24, 2020 remain 
outstanding,  or  (ii)  on  or  after  April  24,  2023,  the  volume-weighted  average  price of  the  Common  Shares  during  the then 
preceding 20 trading day period is greater than 200% of the Series B-1 Exchange Price then in effect.  

At any time, if a holder of Series B-1 Preferred Stock elects to exchange, or SunOpta Foods causes an exchange of Series B 
Preferred Stock, the number of Common Shares delivered to each applicable holder may not cause such holder’s beneficial 
ownership  to  exceed 19.99% of the Common Shares that would be outstanding immediately following such exchange (the 
“Series B-1 Exchange Cap”). 

At any time on or after April 24, 2025, SunOpta Foods may redeem all of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock for an amount per 
share equal to the value of the Series B-1 Liquidation Preference at such time, plus accrued and unpaid dividends.  

Oaktree and Engaged Capital are entitled to vote the Series B-1 Preferred Stock with the Common Shares on an as-exchanged 
basis, subject to a permanent 19.99% voting cap. As a result of the voting cap, each of Oaktree and Engaged Capital will only 
be able to vote its  Series  B-1 Preferred Stock to the extent  that,  when taken together with  any other voting  securities each 
investor controls, such votes do not exceed 19.99% of the votes eligible to be cast by all security holders of the Company. On 
April 24, 2020, the Company designated Special Shares, Series 2 to serve as the mechanism for attaching exchanged voting 
rights to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock. The Special Shares, Series 2 entitle the holder thereof to one vote per Special Share, 
Series 2 on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Shares, voting together as a single class, subject to certain 
exceptions. The Special Shares, Series 2 are not transferrable and the voting rights associated with the Special Shares, Series 2 
will terminate upon the transfer of the shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock to a third party, other than an affiliate of Oaktree or 
Engaged Capital, as applicable. As at December 31, 2022, 6,089,333 Special Shares, Series 2 were issued to Engaged Capital, 
equal to the number of Common Shares issuable to Engaged Capital on the exchange of all of the shares of Series B-1 Preferred 
Stock held by it, and no Special Shares, Series 2 were issued to Oaktree, as Oaktree was subject to the Series B-1 Exchange 
Cap. 

On  February  28,  2023,  the  Company  received  written  notice  from  Engaged  Capital  that  they  have  exercised  their  right  to 
exchange their entire holding of 15,000 shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock into Common Shares (see note 22).  

Series A Preferred Stock 

On  October  7,  2016,  SunOpta  Foods  issued  an  aggregate  of  85,000  shares  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  to  Oaktree  for 
consideration in the amount of $85.0 million (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). On February 22, 2021, Oaktree exchanged all 
of their shares of Series A Preferred Stock for 12,633,427 Common Shares at an exchange price of $7.00. Upon the exchange, 
the Company derecognized the $87.5 million carrying amount of the Series A Preferred Stock, including dividends paid in 
kind, and recognized a corresponding amount for the Common Shares issued on exchange, net of share issuance costs of $0.3 
million.  

13.  Common Shares 

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Common Shares without par value and an unlimited number of 
special shares without par value. 

14.  Stock-Based Compensation 

On May 28, 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2013 Plan”), which 
permits the grant of a variety of stock-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F27- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

share  units  (“PSUs”)  to  selected  employees  and  directors  of  the  Company.  As  at  December  31,  2022,  114,398  securities 
remained available for issuance under the 2013 Plan.  

In addition, in 2019, the Board of Directors approved inducement equity awards related to the appointment of the Company’s 
Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), which totaled 1,222,243 stock options, 840,438 RSUs, 
and 2,132,352 PSUs. The stock options vested 100% in 2022 and the RSUs vested in three equal annual installments from 2020 
through 2022. The vesting of 1,066,176 of the PSUs granted was subject to the Common Shares achieving certain volume-
weighted average trading prices during a performance period commencing on the grant dates and ending on December 31, 
2022. All of these PSUs vested prior to 2022. The vesting of the other 1,066,176 PSUs granted was subject to the Company 
achieving  predetermined  annual  thresholds  of  adjusted  earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation  and  amortization 
(“EBITDA”) during fiscal years 2019 through 2022. 

Stock options, RSUs and PSUs granted under the 2013 Plan, together with the corresponding CEO and CFO inducement equity 
awards are reflected in the tables below. 

For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, stock-based compensation was recorded in the 
consolidated statements of operations as follows: 

Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Other income(1) 
Earnings from discontinued operations(2) 
Total stock-based compensation expense 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
13,830 
- 
- 
13,830 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
9,100 
- 
- 
9,100 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
12,570 
(894) 
540 
12,216 

(1)  Represents the reversal of previously recognized stock-based compensation related to forfeited awards previously granted 

to employees who were terminated in connection with restructuring activities undertaken by the Company. 

(2)  Represents stock-based compensation attributed to employees of Tradin Organic. 

Stock Options 

Stock options granted to employees during the three-year period ended December 31, 2022, vest ratably on each of the first 
through third anniversaries of the grant date and expire on the tenth anniversary of the grant date. Stock options granted by the 
Company contain an exercise price that is equal to the closing market price of the shares on the day prior to the grant date. Any 
consideration paid on the exercise of stock options is credited to capital stock.  

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2022: 

Outstanding, beginning of year 
Granted 
Exercised 
Forfeited 
Expired 
Outstanding, end of year 
Exercisable, end of year 

SUNOPTA INC. 

Weighted- 
average 
exercise price 
5.29   
5.91   
6.18   
8.12   
5.96   
5.51 
4.79 

Stock options 

2,281,621  $ 
1,800,007   
(69,457)  
(61,307)  
(30,264)  
3,920,600  $ 
1,954,761  $ 

-F28- 

Weighted- 
average 
remaining 
contractual 
term (years) 

Aggregate 
intrinsic value 

7.5  $ 
5.9  $ 

12,734 
7,845 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $0.3 million. 

The following table summarizes non-vested stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2022: 

Non-vested, beginning of year 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested, end of year 

Stock options 

1,615,633  $ 
1,800,007   
(1,405,905)  
(43,896)  
1,965,839  $ 

Weighted- 
average grant- 
date fair value 
2.28 
3.49 
4.01 
1.89 
3.63 

The weighted-average grant-date fair values of all stock options granted in the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 
2022 and January 2, 2021, were $3.49, $8.10 and $2.52, respectively, using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the 
following assumptions: 

Grant-date stock price 
Dividend yield(a) 
Expected volatility(b) 
Risk-free interest rate(c) 
Expected life of options (years)(d) 

$ 

$ 

December 31, 2022 
5.91 
0% 
61.6% 
3.0% 
6.0 

January 1, 2022 
14.77 
0% 
61.7% 
1.0% 
6.0 

$ 

January 2, 2021 
4.64 
0% 
60.0% 
0.4% 
6.0 

(a)  Determined based on expected annual dividend yield at the time of grant. 
(b)  Determined based on historical volatility of the Company’s Common Shares over the expected life of the option. 
(c)  Determined based on the yield on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with maturity dates equal to the expected life of 

the option. 

(d)  Determined based on the mid-point of vesting (one through three years) and expiration (10 years).  

Total compensation costs related to non-vested stock option awards not yet recognized as an expense was $5.4 million as at 
December 31, 2022, which will be amortized over a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 2.2 years. 

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding and exercisable as at December 31, 2022: 

$ 

$ 

Exercise price range 
High 
3.32 
3.73 
5.59 
6.28 
14.77 

Low 
2.38 
3.33 
3.74 
5.60 
6.29 

Outstanding 
options 
332,792 
960,061 
353,387 
1,780,431 
493,929 
3,920,600 

Weighted- 
average 
remaining 

(years) 

Weighted- 
contractual life  average exercise 
price 
2.57 
3.36 
4.76 
5.91 
10.74 
5.51 

6.3  $ 
6.3   
7.2   
9.3   
4.6   
7.5  $ 

Weighted- 
Exercisable  average exercise 
price 
2.57 
3.36 
4.78 
5.91 
9.92 
4.79 

options 
332,792  $ 
960,061   
245,703   
5,793   
410,412   
1,954,761  $ 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F29- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Restricted Stock Units 

RSUs granted to employees vest ratably on each of the first through third anniversaries of the grant date and RSUs granted to 
directors vest 100% on the first anniversary of the grant date. Each vested RSU entitles the employee or director to receive one 
Common Share without payment of additional consideration. The weighted-average grant-date fair values of all RSUs granted 
in the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, were $6.40, $13.54 and $3.20, respectively, based 
on the closing price of the Common Shares on the grant dates.   

The following table summarizes non-vested RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2022: 

Non-vested, beginning of year 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested, end of year 

RSUs 
815,247  $ 
466,945   
(549,754)  
(72,789)  
659,649  $ 

Weighted- 
average grant- 
date fair value 
6.39 
6.40 
5.40 
7.11 
7.14 

The total intrinsic value of RSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $3.8 million. Total compensation 
costs related to non-vested RSU awards not yet recognized as an expense was $3.1 million as at December 31, 2022, which 
will be amortized over a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 1.8 years. 

Performance Share Units 

The  vesting  of  PSUs  granted  to  employees  under  the  Company’s  annual  short-term  incentive  plans  and  2020  long-term 
incentive plan are dependent on the Company achieving predetermined measures of adjusted EBITDA (the “EBITDA PSUs”). 
Each vested EBITDA PSU entitles the employee to receive one Common Share without payment of additional consideration. 
The weighted-average grant-date fair values of the EBITDA PSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2022, January 
1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, were $5.45, $13.90 and $3.54, respectively, based on the closing price of the Common Shares on 
the grant dates.  

The following table summarizes non-vested EBITDA PSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2022: 

Non-vested, beginning of year 
Granted 
Vested 
Cancelled or forfeited 
Non-vested, end of year 

EBITDA PSUs 

1,380,955  $ 
1,846,196   
(58,235)  
(813,485)  
2,355,431  $ 

Weighted- 
average grant- 
date fair value 
7.62 
5.45 
4.91 
11.05 
4.80 

The total intrinsic value of EBITDA PSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $0.3 million.  

Each  reporting period, the number of  unvested  EBITDA PSUs that are expected to vest is redetermined and the aggregate 
grant-date fair value of the redetermined number of EBITDA PSUs is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining 
requisite  service  period  less  amounts  previously  recognized.  As  at  December  31,  2022,  the  compensation  cost  not  yet 
recognized as an expense that are currently expected to vest was $2.6 million, which will be amortized over a weighted-average 
remaining vesting period of 0.3 years. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F30- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

The vesting of PSUs granted to employees under the Company’s 2022 and 2021 long-term incentive plans are dependent on 
the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) performance relative to food and beverage companies in a designated index 
during  a  three-year  performance  period  commencing  on  January  1  of  the  year  of  grant,  and  the  employee’s  continued 
employment  with  the  Company  through  the  vesting  date  (the  “TSR  PSUs”).  The  TSR  for  the  Company  and  each  of  the 
companies in the designated index will be calculated at the end of the applicable three-year performance period using a 20-
trading day average closing price as of December 31. The percentage of vested PSUs may range from 0% to 200% based on 
the Company’s achievement of predetermined TSR thresholds. Each vested PSU entitles the employee to receive one Common 
Share without payment of additional consideration. With respect to PSUs granted under the 2022 long-term incentive plan, the 
Board of Directors of the Company has the option to settle vested PSUs in whole or part in cash in lieu of Common Shares. As 
at December 31, 2022, the Company had the intent and ability to settle these PSUs in Common Shares.  

The grant-date fair values of TSR PSUs granted in the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022, were $8.48 and 
$23.40, respectively, using a Monte Carlo valuation model with the following assumptions: 

Grant-date stock price 
Dividend yield 
Expected volatility(a) 
Risk-free interest rate(b) 
Expected life (in years)(c) 

$ 

December 31, 2022 

5.91  $ 
0%  
67.8%  
2.8%  
2.7   

January 1, 2022 
14.77 
0% 
76.9% 
0.3% 
2.7 

(a)   Determined based on the historical volatility of the Common Shares over the performance period of the PSUs. 
(b)   Determined based on U.S. Treasury yields with a remaining term equal to the performance period of the PSUs. 
(c)   Determined based on the performance period of the PSUs.  

The following table summarized non-vested TSR PSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2022: 

Non-vested, beginning of year 
Granted 
Vested 
Forfeited 
Non-vested, end of year 

TSR PSUs 

71,346  $ 

547,071   
-   
(23,544)  
594,873  $ 

Weighted- 
average grant- 
date fair value 
23.40 
8.48 
- 
13.40 
10.07 

Total  compensation  costs  related  to  non-vested  TSR  PSU  awards  not  yet  recognized  as an  expense  was  $4.2  million as  at 
December 31, 2022, which will be amortized over a weighted-average remaining vesting period of 2.2 years. 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan 

The Company maintains an Employee Stock Purchase Plan whereby employees can purchase common shares through payroll 
deductions. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company’s employees purchased 87,850 Common Shares (January 1, 
2022 – 66,834; January 2, 2021 – 113,581) for total proceeds of $0.6 million (January 1, 2022 – $0.6 million; January 2, 2021 
– $0.5 million). As at December 31, 2022, 546,232 Common Shares remained available to be granted under this plan. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F31- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

15.  Other Expense (Income), Net 

The components of other expense (income) are as follows: 

Loss on sale of sunflower business (see note 3) 
Gain on sale of frozen fruit processing facility(1) 
Long-lived asset impairments and facility closure costs(2) 
Employee termination and recruitment costs(3) 
Divestiture costs(4) 
Loss on foreign currency forward contract (see note 2) 
Other 

(1)  Gain on sale of frozen fruit processing facility 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
23,227 
(3,779) 
1,812 
- 
- 
- 
872 
22,132 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
- 
- 
6,298 
1,628 
703 
- 
261 
8,890 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
- 
- 
9,045 
1,881 
- 
12,658 
(191) 
23,393 

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized a $3.8 million pre-tax gain on the sale of its frozen fruit 
processing facility located in Oxnard, California. Net cash proceeds on the sale were $16.1 million. 

(2)  Long-lived asset impairments and facility closure costs 

For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2022,  expense  primarily  relates  to  the  relocation  of  certain  equipment  from  the 
Company’s sold Oxnard facility. 

For the year ended January 1, 2022, expenses include asset impairment charges and asset relocation costs of $3.8 million 
related to the closure of the Company’s South Gate, California, fruit ingredient processing facility in July 2021, and costs 
of  $1.4  million  to  complete  the  exit  from  the  Company’s  Santa  Maria,  California,  frozen  fruit  processing  facility  in 
February  2021,  together  with  costs  of  $0.8  million  related  to  the  relocation  of  the  Company’s  executive  office  and 
innovation  center  into  Eden  Prairie,  Minnesota,  and  the  related  vacating  of  the  Company’s  former  leased  facility  in 
December 2021, and other asset impairments of $0.3 million. 

For the year ended January 2, 2021, expenses include costs of $6.3 million related to the Company’s exit from its Santa 
Maria facility and the consolidation of the Company’s corporate offices into Minnesota, together with the write-down of 
$2.7 million of operating lease right-of-use and owned assets related to the roasting operations of the sunflower business.  

(3)  Employee termination and recruitment costs 

For the year ended January 1, 2022, expense represents severance benefits of $1.1 million for 55 employees impacted by 
the  closure  of the  South Gate facility, and $0.5 million of severance benefits for 19 employees following a workforce 
reduction in the Company’s frozen fruit operations. 

For the year ended January 2, 2021, expense represents severance benefits of $2.8 million mainly related to employees 
impacted  by  the  exit  from  the  Company’s  Santa  Maria  facility,  offset  by  the  reversal  of  $0.9  million  of  previously 
recognized stock-based compensation expense related to forfeited awards previously granted to terminated employees. 

(4)  Divestiture costs 

For the year ended January 1, 2022, expense relates to professional fees incurred in connection with post-closing matters 
related to the divestiture of Tradin Organic. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F32- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

16.  Income Taxes 

The income tax benefit differs from the amount that would have resulted from applying the combined Canadian federal and 
provincial statutory income tax rate to loss from continuing operations before income taxes due to the following: 

Loss from continuing operations before income taxes 
Canadian statutory rate 
Income tax benefit at statutory rate 
Stock-based compensation 
Disallowed executive compensation 
Foreign tax rate differential 
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation 
Change in valuation allowance 
Change in enacted tax rates 
CARES Act 
Change in valuation of state deferred tax assets 
Other 
Income tax benefit 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
(11,858) 
26.5% 
(3,142) 
978 
374 
76 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
(7,600) 
26.5% 
(2,014) 
(4,796) 
138 
(31) 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
(50,042) 
26.5% 
(13,261) 
2,159 
2,801 
(105) 

(471) 
(340) 
- 
- 
185 
(2,340) 

975 
(442) 
- 
- 
(258) 
(6,428) 

560 
250 
2,472 
(3,900) 
1,374 
(7,650) 

The components of loss from continuing operations before income taxes are shown below: 

Canada 
U.S. 
Other 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
(11,181) 
(2,506) 
1,829 
(11,858) 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
(10,797) 
3,855 
(658) 
(7,600) 

January 2, 2021 
$ 
(14,700) 
(34,521) 
(821) 
(50,042) 

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are shown below: 

Current income tax expense (benefit): 
  Canada 
  U.S. 
  Other 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit): 
  Canada 
  U.S. 
  Other 

Income tax benefit 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

84 
(55) 
2,438 
2,467 

- 
(4,672) 
(135) 
(4,807) 
(2,340) 

(9) 
(75) 
(359) 
(443) 

299 
(6,129) 
(155) 
(5,985) 
(6,428) 

(154) 
(14,148) 
589 
(13,713) 

(291) 
5,532 
822 
6,063 
(7,650) 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F33- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Deferred income taxes of the Company are comprised of the following: 

Differences in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
Capital and non-capital losses 
Interest expense limitation (163j) 
Tax benefit of scientific research expenditures 
Stock-based compensation 
Inventory basis differences 
Right-of-use lease assets 
Lease liabilities 
Other accrued reserves 

Less: valuation allowance 
Deferred income tax asset (liability) 

The components of the deferred income tax asset (liability) are shown below: 

Canada 
U.S. 
Other 
Deferred income tax asset (liability) 

The components of the deferred income tax valuation allowance are as follows: 

Balance, beginning of year 
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance 
Balance, end of year 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
(28,088) 
17,335 
9,464 
2,866 
2,160 
1,805 
(23,071) 
23,609 
2,458 
8,538 
4,826 
3,712 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
(54,761) 
26,751 
13,064 
2,744 
680 
1,148 
(13,224) 
13,346 
1,468 
(8,784) 
5,267 
(14,051) 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
(325) 
3,978 
59 
3,712 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
(325) 
(13,649) 
(77) 
(14,051) 

December 31, 2022 
$ 
5,267 
(441) 
4,826 

January 1, 2022 
$ 
4,284 
983 
5,267 

As at December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $2.3 million (January 1, 2022 – $1.6 million) in U.S. federal scientific 
research investment tax credits  and  $0.3 million (January 1, 2022 – $0.9 million) in U.S. state research and development tax 
credits, which will expire in varying amounts between 2023 and 2041. 

As at December 31, 2022, the Company had U.S. federal non-capital loss carryforwards of approximately $48.4 million (January 
1, 2022 – $64.8 million). In addition, the Company had state loss carryforwards of approximately $3.0 million as at December 31, 
2022 (January 1, 2022 – $3.3 million). These amounts are available to reduce future federal and state income taxes. 

As at December 31, 2022, the Company had Canadian capital losses of approximately $27.8 million (January 1, 2022 – $27.8 
million) for which a full valuation allowance exists. These amounts are available to reduce future capital gains and do not expire. 
In addition, the Company had Canadian non-capital loss carryforwards of approximately $4.0 million (January 1, 2022 – $6.0 
million). These amounts are available to reduce future taxable income and do not begin to expire until 2040. 

The Company records net deferred tax assets to the extent it believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making 
such determinations, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F34- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

temporary  differences,  projected  future  taxable  income,  tax  planning  strategies  and  recent  financial  operations.  Based  on  this 
evaluation, as at December 31, 2022, a valuation allowance of $4.8 million (January 1, 2022 – $5.3 million) had been recorded 
against certain assets to reduce the net benefit recorded in the consolidated financial statements.  

As the undistributed earnings of the Company’s non-Canadian affiliates and associated companies are considered to be indefinitely 
reinvested, no provision for deferred taxes has been provided thereon.   

For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, the Company did not identify any material uncertain 
tax positions or recognize any related tax benefits. The Company believes it has adequately examined its tax positions taken or 
expected to be taken in a tax return; however, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could differ from the Company’s positions. 
Accordingly, additional provisions on federal, provincial, state and foreign tax-related matters could be recorded in the future as 
revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved.  

Consistent  with  its  historical  financial  reporting,  the  Company  has  classified  interest  and  penalties  related  to  income  tax 
liabilities, when applicable, as part of interest expense in its consolidated statements of operations, and with the related liability 
on the consolidated balance sheets.  

The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions 
are the U.S. (including multiple states) and Canada (Ontario). The Company’s 2019 through 2021 tax years (and any tax year 
for which available non-capital loss carryforwards were generated up to the amount of non-capital loss carryforward) remain 
subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for U.S. federal tax purposes, and tax years 2015 through 2021 remain 
subject to examination by the appropriate governmental agencies for Canadian federal tax purposes. There are other ongoing 
audits in various other jurisdictions that are not considered material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F35- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

17.  Earnings (Loss) Per Share 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were calculated as follows (shares in thousands): 

December 31, 2022 

January 1, 2022 

January 2, 2021 

Basic Earnings (Loss) Per Share 
Numerator for basic earnings (loss) per share: 
  Loss from continuing operations 
  Less: dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
  Loss from continuing operations attributable to common 

shareholders 

  Earnings from discontinued operations 
  Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders 

Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share: 
  Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 

Basic earnings (loss) per share: 
  Loss from continuing operations 
  Earnings from discontinued operations 
  Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders(1) 

Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share 
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  Loss from continuing operations 
  Less: dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
  Loss from continuing operations attributable to common 

shareholders 

  Earnings from discontinued operations 
  Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders 

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding 
  Dilutive effect of the following: 
    Stock options and restricted stock units(2) 

  Series B-1 Preferred Stock(3) 
  Series A Preferred Stock(4) 

  Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  Loss from continuing operations 
  Earnings from discontinued operations 
  Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders(1) 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

$ 

(9,518)  $ 
(3,109) 

(12,627) 
4,677 
(7,950)  $ 

(1,172)  $ 
(4,197) 

(5,369) 
- 
(5,369)  $ 

(42,392) 
(10,328) 

(52,720) 
124,820 
72,100 

107,659 

104,098 

89,234 

(0.12)  $ 
0.04 
(0.07)  $ 

(9,518)  $ 
(3,109) 

(12,627) 
4,677 
(7,950)  $ 

(0.05)  $ 
- 
(0.05)  $ 

(1,172)  $ 
(4,197) 

(5,369) 
- 
(5,369)  $ 

107,659 

104,098 

- 
- 
- 
107,659 

- 
- 
- 
104,098 

(0.12)  $ 
0.04 
(0.07)  $ 

(0.05)  $ 
- 
(0.05)  $ 

(0.59) 
1.40 
0.81 

(42,392) 
(10,328) 

(52,720) 
124,820 
72,100 

89,234 

- 
- 
- 
89,234 

(0.59) 
1.40 
0.81 

(1)    The sum of the individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding. 

(2)    For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2022,  January  1,  2022  and  January  2,  2021,  2,587,501,  2,889,014  and  2,305,630 
potential common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share due to their effect of 
reducing the loss per share from continuing operations. Dilutive potential common shares consist of stock options, RSUs, 
and certain contingently issuable PSUs. In addition, for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 
2,  2021,  stock options and RSUs to  purchase or receive 2,427,146, 347,236 and 1,913,751 potential common shares, 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F36- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

respectively, were anti-dilutive because the assumed proceeds exceeded the average market price of the Common Shares 
for the respective periods. 

(3)    For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, it was more dilutive to the loss per share 
from  continuing  operations  to  assume  the  Series  B-1  Preferred  Stock  was  not  converted  into  Common  Shares  and, 
therefore, the numerator of the diluted loss per share calculation was not adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion 
on  the  Series  B-1  Preferred  Stock  and  the  denominator  was  not  adjusted  to  include  the  approximately  12,178,667 
Common Shares issuable on an if-converted basis as at December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021.  

(4)  As described in note 12, on February 22, 2021, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock were exchanged for 12,633,427 
Common Shares, representing 12.3% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares on a post-exchange basis 
as at February 22, 2021. For the year ended January 2, 2021, it was more dilutive to the loss per share from continuing 
operations to assume the Series A Preferred Stock was not converted into Common Shares and, therefore, the numerator 
of the diluted loss per share calculation was not adjusted to add back the dividends and accretion on the Series A Preferred 
Stock and the denominator was not adjusted to include 12,633,427 issuable on an if-converted basis as at January 2, 2021. 

18.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information 

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net of 
  Sunflower Business 
Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
Other operating assets and liabilities 

Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities 
Change in additions to property, plant and equipment 
included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 

Proceeds receivable from sale of sunflower business 
Change in accrued dividends on preferred stock 
Dividends paid in kind on preferred stock 
Change in accrued transaction costs related to the 

 divestiture of Tradin Organic(1) 
Change in accrued debt issuance costs 

Cash Paid 
Interest 
Income taxes 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

(2,304) 
(762) 
(3,403) 
5,065 
(1,404) 

(4,256) 
385 
- 
- 

- 
- 

12,295 
847 

(11,978) 
(72,030) 
15,920 
4,423 
(63,665) 

3,482 
- 
(1,769) 
- 

(13,380) 
(1,690) 

6,610 
3,632 

(746) 
6,133 
11,322 
422 
17,131 

2,043 
- 
679 
3,881 

13,380 
1,690 

30,740 
935 

(1)  For the year ended December 31, 2022, the settlement of transaction costs related to the divestiture of Tradin Organic is 

included in investing activities of discontinued operations on consolidated statement of cash flows.  

19.  Related Party Transactions 

The Company had no significant related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022. For the 
year ended January 2, 2021, the Company purchased raw fruit, and fruit processing and freight services from companies related 
to the former Managing Director of the Company’s Mexican operations, who left the Company in 2020. These transactions totaled 
$15.0 million and were included in costs of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended January 2, 
2021.  

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F37- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

20.  Commitments and Contingencies   

Legal Proceedings  

Various current and potential claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business are pending against the Company. 
The Company believes it has established adequate accruals for liabilities that are probable and reasonably estimable that may 
be incurred in connection with any such currently pending matter. In the Company’s opinion, the eventual resolution of such 
matters, either individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, 
results of operations, or cash flows. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable and resolutions or dispositions of claims or 
lawsuits by settlement or otherwise could have an adverse impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, 
and cash flows for the reporting period in which any such resolution or disposition occurs. 

Arbitration Proceedings 

On January 31, 2022, Acomo submitted a Request for Summary Arbitral Proceedings to the Netherlands Arbitration Institute, 
which was later amended on February 16, 2022, asserting alleged claims against the Company and its subsidiaries, Coöperatie 
SunOpta U.A. and SunOpta Holdings LLC, relating to a dispute regarding the allocation of the purchase price Acomo paid to 
acquire the shares of The Organic Corporation B.V. and the membership interests of Tradin Organics USA LLC in connection 
with the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Master Purchase Agreement entered into by Acomo, the Company and 
the  aforementioned  subsidiaries  on  November  25,  2020  (the  “Transaction”).  On  May  25,  2022,  the  parties  entered  into  a 
definitive Settlement Agreement to resolve all outstanding matters related to the Master Purchase Agreement, which included 
a  cash  payment  of  $5.9  million  from  the  Company  to  Acomo  to  settle  certain  post-closing  adjustments  related  to  the 
Transaction, following which the Request for Summary Arbitral Proceedings was withdrawn.  

Environmental Laws 

The  Company believes that, with  respect  to both  its operations and real property, it is  in material compliance  with current 
environmental  laws.  Based  on  known  existing  conditions  and  the  Company’s  experience  in  complying  with  emerging 
environmental issues, the Company is of the view that future costs relating to environmental compliance will not have a material 
adverse  effect  on  its  consolidated  financial  position, but  there  can  be  no  assurance  that unforeseen  changes  in  the  laws  or 
enforcement policies of relevant governmental bodies, the discovery of changed conditions on the Company’s real property or 
in its operations, or changes in the use of such properties and any related site restoration requirements, will not result in the 
incurrence of significant costs. 

Finance Lease Commitments 

As at December 31, 2022, the Company had entered into finance lease agreements to provide for up to $55 million of financing 
related to the build-out of the Company’s Midlothian, Texas, plant-based beverage facility. As the Company controls the right-
of-use assets during the build-out construction, it recognizes costs incurred related to the build-out as construction in process 
in property, plant and equipment, with a finance lease liability recognized in long-term debt for the amount funded to date by 
the lessor, which amounted to $51.4 million as at December 31, 2022.  

In addition, as at December 31, 2022, the Company had additional commitments under various finance leases that provide for 
up to approximately $35 million of financing for various expansion projects underway within the Company’s plant-based and 
fruit snacks operations, which are expected to become operational during 2023. As these finance leases had not commenced as 
at December 31, 2022, no amount of underlying right-of-use assets, or lease liabilities, were recognized on the consolidated 
balance sheet as of that date. 

Commitments for Plant Acquisition  

As at December 31, 2022, the Company had incurred approximately $55 million related to the purchase and installation of 
manufacturing equipment for its Midlothian, Texas, facility, and had remaining contractual commitments of approximately 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F38- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

$10 million, which is expected to be incurred during 2023. These purchases are being principally financed through borrowings 
under the Term Loan Facility of the Company’s Asset-Based Credit Facilities. 

Letters of Credit 

As at December 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $5.4 million. 

21.  Segment Information 

The composition of the Company’s operating and reportable segments is as follows:  

  Plant-Based Foods and Beverages includes plant-based beverages and liquid and powder ingredients, utilizing oat, 
almond, soy, coconut, rice, hemp, and other bases, as well as broths, teas, and nutritional beverages. In addition, the 
sunflower business, which packaged dry- and oil-roasted inshell sunflower and sunflower kernels and processed raw 
sunflower inshell and kernel for food and feed applications, was part of this segment until it was sold on October 11, 
2022 (see note 3). 

  Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages includes individually quick frozen (“IQF”) fruit for retail, including strawberries, 
blueberries, mango, pineapple, and other berries and blends, and IQF and bulk frozen fruit for foodservice, including 
toppings, purées, and smoothies. In addition, Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages includes fruit snacks, including bars, 
twists, ropes, and bite-sized varieties, and fruit smoothie bowls.  

Corporate Services provides a variety of management, financial, information technology, treasury, and administration services 
to each of the Company’s operating segments. 

When reviewing the operating results of the Company’s operating segments, management uses segment revenues from external 
customers  and  segment  operating  income/loss  to  assess  performance  and  allocate  resources.  Total  segment  operating 
income/loss includes general and administrative expenses incurred by Corporate Services and excludes other income/expense 
items. In addition, interest on corporate debt and income taxes are not allocated to the operating segments. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F39- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Segment Revenues and Operating Income 

Reportable segment operating results for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 were as 
follows: 

Segment revenues from external customers 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Total revenues from external customers 

Segment operating income (loss) 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Corporate Services 
Total segment operating income 

Other expense, net (see note 15) 
Interest expense, net (see note 11) 
Loss on retirement of debt (see note 11) 
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes 

Disaggregation of Revenue 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

557,736 
376,926 
934,662 

38,491 
6,919 
(20,402) 
25,008 

(22,132) 
(14,734) 
- 
(11,858) 

470,754 
341,870 
812,624 

36,616 
(9,320) 
(17,237) 
10,059 

(8,890) 
(8,769) 
- 
(7,600) 

415,164 
374,049 
789,213 

50,780 
(7,321) 
(31,151) 
12,308 

(23,393) 
(30,042) 
(8,915) 
(50,042) 

The  following  table  presents  a  disaggregation  of  revenues  by  operating  segment  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2022, 
January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021, based on categories used by the Company to evaluate sales performance: 

Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
Beverages and broths 
Plant-based ingredients 
Sunflower and roasted snacks (see note 3) 
Total Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 

Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Frozen fruit and fruit-based ingredients 
Fruit snacks and smoothie bowls 
Total Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 

Total revenues 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

462,132 
37,680 
57,924 
557,736 

285,343 
91,583 
376,926 

934,662 

376,525 
31,135 
63,094 
470,754 

279,128 
62,742 
341,870 

812,624 

332,390 
28,156 
54,618 
415,164 

325,102 
48,947 
374,049 

789,213 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F40- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Segment Assets 

Total assets by reportable segment as at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 were as follows: 

Segment Assets 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Corporate Services 
Total assets 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

384,507 
347,678 
123,667 
855,852 

300,700 
368,976 
85,078 
754,754 

Segment Capital Expenditures, Depreciation and Amortization 

Capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 
2022 and January 2, 2021 were as follows: 

Segment Capital Expenditures 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Corporate Services 
Total capital expenditures 

Segment Depreciation and Amortization 
Plant-Based Foods and Beverages 
Fruit-Based Foods and Beverages 
Corporate Services 
Total depreciation and amortization 

Geographic Information 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

109,749 
7,822 
11,055 
128,626 

18,359 
13,788 
5,526 
37,673 

38,760 
5,926 
13,611 
58,297 

14,942 
14,918 
4,781 
34,641 

11,323 
10,378 
3,053 
24,754 

9,457 
16,304 
4,547 
30,308 

The  Company’s  assets,  operations,  and  employees  are  located  in  the  U.S.,  Mexico,  and  Canada.  Revenues  from  external 
customers are attributed to countries based on the location of the customer. Revenues from external customers by geographic 
area for the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 were as follows: 

Revenues from External Customers 
U.S. 
Canada 
Other 
Total revenues from external customers 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

January 2, 2021 
$ 

883,160 
10,625 
40,877 
934,662 

772,333 
14,067 
26,224 
812,624 

752,000 
12,481 
24,732 
789,213 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F41- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, which are attributed to countries 
based on the physical location of the assets. Long-lived assets by geographic area as at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 
were as follows: 

Long-Lived Assets 
U.S. 
Mexico 
Canada 
Total long-lived assets 

Major Customers 

December 31, 2022 
$ 

January 1, 2022 
$ 

303,406 
16,945 
2,040 
322,391 

203,318 
14,124 
2,095 
219,537 

A customer of the Plant-Based Foods and Beverages operating segment accounted for approximately 19%, 18% and 16% of 
the  Company’s  consolidated  revenues  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2022,  January  1,  2022  and  January  2,  2021, 
respectively, and a customer of both the Fruit-Based and Plant-Based Foods and Beverages operating segments accounted for 
approximately  13%, 12% and  14% of consolidated revenues for  the  years ended December  31,  2022, January 1,  2022 and 
January 2, 2021, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.  

22.  Subsequent Event 

Exchange of Series B-1 Preferred Stock for Common Shares  

On  February  28,  2023,  the  Company  received  written  notice  from  Engaged  Capital  that  they  have  exercised  their  right  to 
exchange all of their shares of Series B-1 Preferred Stock into 6,089,331 Common Shares, together with a cash payment to 
adjust for fractional Common Shares, plus accrued and unpaid dividends as of the date of exchange. The Common Shares to 
be exchanged represent approximately 5.3% of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Shares on a post-exchange 
basis. The exchange is expected to be completed on or about March 3, 2023. After the exchange, the exchange shares of Series 
B-1 Preferred Stock previously held by Engaged will be cancelled and SunOpta Foods will no longer be required to pay the 
8.0% per annum dividend on those shares. In addition, in connection with the exchange of the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, all 
Special Shares, Series 2 held by Engaged Capital will be redeemed by the Company. 

23.  Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) 

As described in Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements, the Company has 
corrected  errors  that  effected the  previously  reported unaudited consolidated financial statements for the first three  interim 
periods  of  fiscal  2022  and  each  of  the  four  quarterly  periods  of  fiscal  2021.  The  tables  that  follow  present  the  unaudited 
consolidated results of operations of the Company for each of the quarters in the years ended December 31, 2022 and January 
1, 2022, together with the effects of the revisions on the previously reported unaudited consolidated statements of operations 
and cash flows for each quarter preceding the fourth quarter of 2022. 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F42- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Fiscal 2022 

Third Quarter Ended 
October 1, 2022  

Fourth Quarter Ended 
December 31, 2022 

As 
Previously 

Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Revenues 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Intangible asset amortization 
Other expense, net 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 

before the following 

Interest expense, net 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 

before income taxes 

Income tax expense (benefit) 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 
Earnings from discontinued operations 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Earnings (loss) attributable to common  

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
229,665   
198,282   
31,383   
20,654   
2,612   
20,200   
473   

$ 
229,665 
198,282 
31,383 
20,654 
2,612 
20,200 
473 

$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

(12,556) 
4,342 

(16,898) 
(4,259) 
(12,639) 
- 
(12,639) 
(764) 

- 
- 

(12,556)  
4,342   

- 
(705) 
705 
- 
705 
- 

(16,898)  
(4,964)  
(11,934)  
-   
(11,934)  
(764)  

shareholders 

(13,403) 

705 

(12,698)  

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  Earnings (loss) from continuing 

operations(1) 

  Earnings from discontinued 

operations 

  Earnings (loss) attributable to common 

shareholders(1) 

(0.12) 

0.01 

(0.12)    

- 

- 

-     

(0.12) 

0.01 

(0.12)    

(1) The sum across of individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding. 

  As Reported 
$ 
221,293 
193,076 
28,217 
22,144 
2,446 
105 
(1,622) 

5,144 
4,730 

414 
1,285 
(871) 
1,925 
1,054 
(830) 

224 

(0.02) 

0.02 

0.00 

Fiscal 2022 

Third Quarter Ended 
October 1, 2022  

Fourth Quarter Ended 
December 31, 2022 

As 
Previously 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 
Items not affecting cash: 
  Deferred income taxes 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
Net cash provided by operating activities of 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
(11,934)  

$ 
(12,639) 

$ 
705 

(2,925) 
2,003 

(705) 
- 

(3,630)  
2,003   

continuing operations 

19,973 

- 

19,973   

As Reported 
$ 
(871) 

(3,188) 
15,854 

27,513 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F43- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Fiscal 2022 

Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Revenues 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Intangible asset amortization 
Other expense, net 
Foreign exchange gain 
Earnings from continuing operations 

before the following 

Interest expense, net 
Earnings from continuing operations 

before income taxes 

Income tax expense (benefit) 
Earnings from continuing operations 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Earnings (loss) attributable to common  

First Quarter Ended 
April 2, 2022  

Second Quarter Ended 
July 2, 2022 

As 
Previously 

As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
240,173   
211,817   
28,356   
22,210   
2,612   
287   
(472)  

$ 
240,173 
212,182 
27,991 
21,935 
2,612 
287 
(472) 

$ 
- 
(365) 
365 
275 
- 
- 
- 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 
243,531 
208,633 
34,898 
24,304 
2,612 
1,540 
(127) 

$ 
243,531 
208,633 
34,898 
24,304 
2,612 
1,540 
(127) 

$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

3,629 
2,530 

1,099 
445 
654 
3,566 
4,220 
(755) 

90 
- 

90 
(258) 
348 
- 
348 
- 

3,719   
2,530   

1,189   
187   
1,002   
3,566   
4,568   
(755)  

6,569 
3,132 

3,437 
939 
2,498 
(814) 
1,684 
(760) 

- 
- 

- 
213 
(213) 
- 
(213) 
- 

6,569 
3,132 

3,437 
1,152 
2,285 
(814) 
1,471 
(760) 

shareholders 

3,465 

348 

3,813   

924 

(213) 

711 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share: 
  Earnings (loss) from continuing 

operations(1) 

  Earnings (loss) from discontinued 

operations 

  Earnings (loss) attributable to common 

shareholders(1) 

(0.00) 

0.00 

0.03 

0.03 

- 

0.00 

0.00   

0.03   

0.04   

0.02 

(0.00) 

0.01 

(0.01) 

- 

(0.01) 

0.01 

(0.00) 

0.01 

(1) The sum across of individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding. 

Fiscal 2022 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 
Items not affecting cash: 
  Deferred income taxes 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating 
activities of continuing operations 

First Quarter Ended 
April 2, 2022  

Second Quarter Ended 
July 2, 2022 

As 
Previously 

As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
1,002   

$ 
348 

$ 
654 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 
2,285 

$ 
2,498 

$ 
(213) 

80 
3,281 

(258) 
(90) 

(178)  
3,191   

2,128 
(22,452) 

213 
- 

2,341 
(22,452) 

15,543 

- 

15,543   

(2,454) 

- 

(2,454) 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F44- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Fiscal 2021 

Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Revenues 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Intangible asset amortization 
Other expense, net 
Foreign exchange loss 
Earnings (loss) before the following 
Interest expense, net 
Loss before income taxes 
Income tax expense (benefit) 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Earnings (loss) attributable to common 

shareholders 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share(1) 

Third Quarter Ended 
October 2, 2021  

Fourth Quarter Ended 
January 1, 2022 

As 
Previously 

As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
198,479   
175,123   
23,356   
16,487   
2,612   
1,172   
336   
2,749   
2,854   
(105)  
2,804   
(2,909)  
(748)  

$ 
198,479 
175,123 
23,356 
16,487 
2,612 
1,172 
336 
2,749 
2,854 
(105) 
2,929 
(3,034) 
(748) 

$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(125) 
125 
- 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 
204,232 
186,193 
18,039 
16,518 
2,612 
1,442 
579 
(3,112) 
2,624 
(5,736) 
342 
(6,078) 
(752) 

$ 
204,232 
185,828 
18,404 
16,793 
2,612 
1,442 
579 
(3,022) 
2,624 
(5,646) 
(3,782) 
(1,864) 
(752) 

$ 
- 
365 
(365) 
(275) 
- 
- 
- 
(90) 
- 
(90) 
4,124 
(4,214) 
- 

(3,782) 

(0.04) 

125 

0.00 

(3,657)  

(2,616) 

(4,214) 

(6,830) 

(0.03)  

(0.02) 

(0.04) 

(0.06) 

(1) The sum across of individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding. 

Fiscal 2021 

Third Quarter Ended 
October 2, 2021  

Fourth Quarter Ended 
January 1, 2022 

As 
Previously 

As 
Previously 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Net earnings (loss) 
Items not affecting cash: 
  Deferred income taxes 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
Net cash provided by operating activities 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
(2,909)  

$ 
(3,034) 

$ 
125 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 
(6,078) 

$ 
(4,214) 

$ 
(1,864) 

3,315 
(5,494) 
5,065 

(125) 
- 
- 

3,190   
(5,494)  
5,065   

(2,744) 
13,717 
19,665 

4,124 
90 
- 

1,380 
13,807 
19,665 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F45- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SunOpta Inc. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 
For the years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021 
(All tabular dollar amounts expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Fiscal 2021 

First Quarter Ended 
April 3, 2021  

Second Quarter Ended 
 July 3, 2021 

As 
Previously 

As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 

Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Revenues 
Cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Intangible asset amortization 
Other expense, net 
Foreign exchange loss (gain) 
Earnings (loss) before the following 
Interest expense, net 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes 
Income tax expense (benefit) 
Net earnings (loss) 
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock 
Earnings (loss) attributable to common 

shareholders 

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share(1) 

$ 
207,640 
177,651 
29,989 
20,874 
2,194 
1,615 
836 
4,470 
1,660 
2,810 
1,138 
1,672 
(1,953) 

(281) 

(0.00) 

$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(612) 
612 
- 

612 

0.01 

$  
207,640   
177,651   
29,989   
20,874   
2,194   
1,615   
836   
4,470   
1,660   
2,810   
526   
2,284   
(1,953)  

$ 
202,273 
175,937 
26,336 
22,720 
2,532 
4,661 
(639) 
(2,938) 
1,631 
(4,569) 
(3,651) 
(918) 
(744) 

$ 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(6,449) 
6,449 
- 

$ 
202,273 
175,937 
26,336 
22,720 
2,532 
4,661 
(639) 
(2,938) 
1,631 
(4,569) 
(10,100) 
5,531 
(744) 

331   

0.00   

(1,662) 

(0.02) 

6,449 

0.06 

4,787 

0.05 

(1) The sum across of individual per share amounts may not add due to rounding. 

Fiscal 2021 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Net earnings (loss) 
Items not affecting cash: 
  Deferred income taxes 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
Net cash used in operating activities 

First Quarter Ended 
April 3, 2021  

Second Quarter Ended 
July 3, 2021 

As 
Previously 

As 
Previously 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised  
$  
2,284   

$ 
1,672 

$ 
612 

Reported  Adjustment  As Revised 
$ 
5,531 

$ 
6,449 

$ 
(918) 

837 
(21,656) 
(7,015) 

(612) 
- 
- 

225   
(21,656)  
(7,015)  

(4,331) 
(50,322) 
(39,147) 

(6,449) 
- 
- 

(10,780) 
(50,322) 
(39,147) 

SUNOPTA INC. 

-F46- 

December 31, 2022 Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)  
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO  
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

Exhibit 31.1 

I, Joseph D. Ennen, certify that: 

(1) 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of SunOpta Inc.  

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements 
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, 
and for, the periods presented in this report; 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls 
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial 
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a -15(f) and 15d -15(f)) for the registrant and have: 

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated  subsidiaries,  is  made  known  to  us  by  others  within  those  entities,  particularly  during  the 
period in which this report is being prepared; 

Designed  such  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  or  caused  such  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; 

Evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  registrant’s  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  and  presented  in  this 
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of 
the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an 
annual  report)  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and 

(5) 

The  registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  have  disclosed,  based  on  our  most  recent  evaluation  of  internal 
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a. 

b. 

All  significant  deficiencies and  material weaknesses in the  design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and 

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant 
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

/s/ Joseph D. Ennen 

Joseph D. Ennen 
Chief Executive Officer 
SunOpta Inc. 
Date: March 1, 2023 

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER 
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)  
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO  
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

 Exhibit 31.2 

I, Scott Huckins, certify that: 

(1) 

I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of SunOpta Inc. 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements 
were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, 
and for, the periods presented in this report; 

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls 
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial 
reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a -15(f) and 15d -15(f)) for the registrant and have: 

a. 

b. 

c. 

d. 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated  subsidiaries,  is  made  known  to  us  by  others  within  those  entities,  particularly  during  the 
period in which this report is being prepared; 

Designed  such  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  or  caused  such  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; 

Evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  the  registrant’s  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  and  presented  in  this 
report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of 
the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and 

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an 
annual  report)  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  the  registrant’s 
internal control over financial reporting; and 

(5) 

The  registrant’s  other  certifying  officer  and  I  have  disclosed,  based  on  our  most  recent  evaluation  of  internal 
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of 
directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 

a. 

b. 

All  significant  deficiencies and  material weaknesses in the  design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and 

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant 
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

/s/ Scott Huckins 

Scott Huckins 
Chief Financial Officer 
SunOpta Inc. 
Date: March 1, 2023 

   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
CERTIFICATION  
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO  
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

 Exhibit 32 

In connection with the annual report of SunOpta Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, 
as  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission (the  “Report”),  I,  Joseph  D.  Ennen,  Chief  Executive  Officer of  the 
Company, and I, Scott Huckins, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that to 
our knowledge: 

1.  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 

2.  The  information  contained  in  the  Report  fairly  presents,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial  condition  and  results  of 

operations of the Company. 

A  signed  original  of  this  written  statement,  or  other  document  authenticating,  acknowledging,  or  otherwise  adopting  the 
signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement, has been provided to the Company 
and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 

Date: March 1, 2023 

/s/ Joseph D. Ennen 
Joseph D. Ennen 
Chief Executive Officer 
SunOpta Inc. 

/s/ Scott Huckins 
Scott Huckins 
Chief Financial Officer 
SunOpta Inc. 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and should not 
be deemed to be filed under the Exchange Act by the Company or the certifying officers. 

   
 
 
 OUR MISSION

• To offer sustainable plant-based food and ingredients

• To offer organic and non-GMO food products

• To be the leader in our fast-moving industry, with better execution than our competitors

• To develop and retain great employees — great companies are made of great people

• To commit to continuous improvement of our social, environmental and economic 

performance to positively impact employees, customers, investors and environment

OUR VISION

• Our vision is to be a sustainable organization that is a global leader in non-GMO food 

products driven by a spirit of continuous improvement, innovation and category expertise 

that enables the well-being of our employees, customers and consumers. Constantly 

keeping this vision top-of-mind will help us achieve our goal of fueling the future of foods 

and beverages to make it easy to be better, feel better and do better.

Fueling the Future of Food and Beverage: Better for You, Better for the Planet, 

Better for All.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

All dollar amounts in U.S. $ millions, except per share amounts      

Revenue

Gross profit

Gross profit percentage

Operating income (1)

Adjusted EBITDA(3)

Total assets

Total debt

Working capital (4)

Loss from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

(12.6)

     (5.4)

  (52.7)

Loss per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

$(0.12)

  $(0.05)

  $(0.59)

Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing operations (2)

9.0

        4.5

  (16.6)

Adjusted earnings (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share (2)

$0.08      $0.04

  $(0.19)

2022

2021

2020

934.7

  812.6

   789.2

122.9

    97.7

13.1%

12.0%

25.0

   10.1

109.1

13.8%

 12.3

83.7

60.6

58.7

855.9

 754.8

585.6

308.5

224.6

179.1

60.6

(100.5)

196.0

(21.4)

(81.1)

69.7

116.1

52.7

(37.4)

Net cash flows from operating activities of continuing operations

Net cash flows from investing activities of continuing operations

(1)	 Operating	income	is	defined	as	“earnings	(loss)	from	continuing	operations	before	

the	following”	excluding	the	impact	of	other	income/expense	items.

(2)	 Refer	to	pages	31	and	40	of	the	2022	Form	10-K	for	a	tabular	reconciliation	of	Adjusted	earnings/loss	and	

Adjusted	earnings/loss	per	diluted	share	to	the	most	directly	comparable	U.S.	GAAP	measure.

(3)	 Refer	to	pages	32	and	41	of	the	2022	Form	10-K	for	a	tabular	reconciliation	of	Adjusted	

EBITDA	to	the	most	directly	comparable	U.S.	GAAP	measure.

(4)	Working	capital	is	defined	as	current	assets	less	current	liabilities,	excluding	cash	and	cash	

equivalents,	bank	indebtedness,	and	current	portion	of	long-term	debt.

Mega facility in Midlothian, Texas

Publicly Held:
NASDAQ - STKL
TSX - SOY

Employees Approximately: 1,453 

Headquarters: Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA

Production Facilities: 10

Geography:
USA: 8
Mexico: 1
Canada: 1

DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM
DIRECTORS AND LEADERSHIP TEAM

Directors
Directors

Leadership Team
Leadership Team

Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information

Joseph D. Ennen
Joseph D. Ennen
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer

Scott Huckins
Scott Huckins
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer

Jill Barnett
Jill Barnett
Chief Administrative Officer
Chief Administrative Officer

Michael Buick
Michael Buick
Senior Vice President and GM, 
Senior Vice President and GM, 
Plant-Based Foods & Beverages
Plant-Based Foods & Beverages

Bryan Clark
Bryan Clark
Senior Vice President, R&D and 
Senior Vice President, R&D and 
Food Safety & Quality
Food Safety & Quality

Rob Duchscher
Rob Duchscher
Chief Information Officer
Chief Information Officer

Chad Hagen
Chad Hagen
Senior Vice President, Sales
Senior Vice President, Sales

Barend Reijn
Barend Reijn
Senior Vice President, 
Senior Vice President, 
Global Sourcing
Global Sourcing

TRANSFER AGENTS
TRANSFER AGENTS
TSX Trust Company
TSX Trust Company
100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301 
100 Adelaide Street West, Suite 301 
Toronto, ON, Canada M5H 4H1
Toronto, ON, Canada M5H 4H1
T: (416) 361-0930
T: (416) 361-0930

American Stock Transfer & 
American Stock Transfer & 
Trust Company, LLP
Trust Company, LLP
6201 15th Ave. 
6201 15th Ave. 
Brooklyn, NY, USA 11219 
Brooklyn, NY, USA 11219 
T: (800) 937-5449
T: (800) 937-5449

CORPORATE LEGAL COUNSEL
CORPORATE LEGAL COUNSEL
Stoel Rives, LLP Minneapolis, MN
Stoel Rives, LLP Minneapolis, MN

Wildeboer Dellelce LLP 
Wildeboer Dellelce LLP 
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toronto, ON, Canada

AUDITORS
AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP 
Ernst & Young LLP 
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN

ANNUAL MEETING
ANNUAL MEETING
May 25, 2023 at 3 pm Eastern
May 26, 2022 at 2 pm Eastern
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.
com/STKL2023
com/STKL2022

Chris Whitehair
Chris Whitehair
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain
Senior Vice President, Supply Chain

Listed on NASDAQ: STKL and TSX: SOY
Listed on NASDAQ: STKL and TSX: SOY

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS
Copies of SunOpta’s Annual Report, 
Copies of SunOpta’s Annual Report, 
Form 10K (Annual Information Form) 
Form 10K (Annual Information Form) 
and other regulatory filings are 
and other regulatory filings are 
available on the Company website 
available on the Company website 
www.sunopta.com. Additional 
www.sunopta.com. Additional 
financial information has been 
financial information has been 
filed electronically with various 
filed electronically with various 
securities commissions in Canada 
securities commissions in Canada 
through SEDAR (www.sedar.com) 
through SEDAR (www.sedar.com) 
and in the USA through EDGAR 
and in the USA through EDGAR 
(www.sec.gov). Paper copies are 
(www.sec.gov). Paper copies are 
available without charge.
available without charge.

Please Contact: 
Please Contact: 
Reed Anderson – 
Reed Anderson – 
reed.anderson@icrinc.com 
reed.anderson@icrinc.com 

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Dr. Albert Bolles (4)
Dr. Albert Bolles (4)
Independent Director
Independent Director

Joseph D. Ennen
Joseph D. Ennen
Chief Executive Officer &
Chief Executive Officer &
Director
Director

Rebecca Fisher (4)(5)
Rebecca Fisher (4)(5)
Independent Director
Independent Director

R. Dean Hollis (2)(6)
R. Dean Hollis (2)(6)
Chair
Chair

Kathy Houde (3)(6)
Kathy Houde (3)(6)
Independent Director
Independent Director

Leslie Starr Keating (2)(4)
Leslie Starr Keating (2)(4)
Independent Director
Independent Director

Diego Reynoso (2)
Diego Reynoso (2)
Independent Director
Independent Director

Mahes Wickramasinghe (1)
Mahes Wickramasinghe (1)
Independent Director
Independent Director

(1) Chair of Audit Committee
(1) Chair of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Audit Committee
(2) Member of Audit Committee
(3) Chair of Corporate Governance Committee
(3) Chair of Corporate Governance Committee
(4) Member of Corporate Governance Committee
(4) Member of Corporate Governance Committee
(5) Chair of Compensation Committee
(5) Chair of Compensation Committee
(6) Member of Compensation Committee
(6) Member of Compensation Committee

Corporate Head Office 
Corporate Head Office 
7078 Shady Oak Road 
7078 Shady Oak Road 
Eden Prairie, Minnesota 
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
T: (952) 820-2518
55344
www.sunopta.com
T: (952) 820-2518
www.sunopta.com

Trim Size: 10.6875 x 16.625

Spine: ~.25 x 10.6875

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

2022 ANNUAL REPORT

Fueling the Future of Food

Fueling the Future of Food