CALAVO GROWERS INC - Annual Report: 2013 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2013

OR

Commission file number: 000-33385

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (805) 525-1245

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 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  x

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  x

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.0405 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Based on the closing price as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates on April 30, 2013 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $362.3 million. Shares of Common Stock held by each executive officer and director and by each shareholder affiliated with a director or an executive officer have been excluded from this calculation because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes. The number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock as of November 30, 2013 was 15,720,540.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which we intend to hold on April 23, 2014 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K. The definitive Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after October 31, 2013.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7, contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. If the risks or uncertainties ever materialize or the assumptions prove incorrect, the results of Calavo Growers, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (CG) may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and assumptions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, any projections of revenue, margins, expenses, earnings, earnings per share, tax provisions, cash flows, currency exchange rates, the impact of acquisitions or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, including execution of restructuring and integration plans; any statements regarding current or future macroeconomic trends or events and the impact of those trends and events on CG and its financial performance; any statements regarding pending investigations, claims or disputes; any statements of expectation or belief; and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the impact of macroeconomic trends and events; the competitive pressures faced by CG’s businesses; the development and transition of new products and services (and the enhancement of existing products and services) to meet customer needs; integration and other risks associated with business combinations; the hiring and retention of key employees; the resolution of pending investigations, claims and disputes; and other risks that are described herein, including, but not limited to, the items discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report, and that are otherwise described or updated from time to time in CG’s Securities and Exchange Commission reports. CG assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements.

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PART I

Item 1. Business

General development of the business

Calavo Growers, Inc. (Calavo, the Company, we, us or our), is a global leader in the avocado industry and an expanding provider of value-added fresh food. Our expertise in marketing and distributing avocados, prepared avocados, and other perishable foods allows us to deliver a wide array of fresh and prepared food products to food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets, convenience stores, and restaurants on a worldwide basis. We procure avocados principally from California, Mexico, and Chile. Through our various operating facilities, we sort, pack, and/or ripen avocados, tomatoes and/or Hawaiian grown papayas. Additionally, we also produce salsa and prepare ready-to-eat produce and deli products. We distribute our products both domestically and internationally and report our operations in three different business segments: Fresh products, Calavo Foods and RFG. See Note 11 in our consolidated financial statements for further information about our business segments. Our principal executive offices are located at 1141-A Cummings Road, Santa Paula, California 93060; telephone (805) 525-1245.

On October 9, 2001, we completed a series of transactions whereby common and preferred shareholders of Calavo Growers of California (the Cooperative), an agricultural marketing cooperative association, exchanged all of their outstanding shares for shares of our common stock. Concurrent with this transaction, the Cooperative was merged into us with Calavo Growers, Inc. (Calavo) emerging as the surviving entity. These transactions had the effect of converting the legal structure of the business from a non-profit cooperative to a for-profit corporation.

In October 2013, we contributed $1.0 million to the purchase of 60 hectares of property in Jalisco, Mexico, for the development of facilities to grow tomatoes. In the first quarter of 2014, we expect to enter into a joint venture agreement with Agricola Belher (Belher) (see below for discussion of our existing infrastructure and distribution agreements with Belher as well). Such joint venture is expected to operate under the name of Agricola Don Memo. Belher and Calavo are expected to have equal one-half ownership interests in Agricola Don Memo, but Belher will ultimately have overall management responsibility for the operations of Agricola Don Memo. The contribution of $1.0 million has been recorded as an investment in unconsolidated entities on our consolidated financial statements.

Effective July 2013, Calavo and certain noncontrolling members have entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FreshRealm, LLC (FreshRealm). The purpose of FreshRealm is to engage in activities relating to the marketing of food products directly to consumers or other entities. FreshRealm’s technology platform is currently being developed and is expected to allow participants such as traditional retailers, large and small enterprises, communities and food banks to enter into a platform resembling a national fresh food cooperative. FreshRealm will serve as a way to connect participants to a network of regional fresh food producers. FreshRealm started operating as a development stage company in the second quarter of 2013. As of October 31, 2013, planned, principal operations have not commenced. As a result, FreshRealm has no sales or cost of sales. When principal operations commence, FreshRealm is expected to become our fourth segment.

In October 2012, we entered into a sale agreement with San Rafael Distributing (SRD), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to SRD all of our interest, representing one-half ownership, in Maui Fresh International, LLC (Maui Fresh) for $2.6 million. Maui Fresh was originally created in 2006 when we entered into a joint venture agreement with SRD for the purpose of marketing, sale and the distribution of fresh produce at the Los Angeles Wholesale Produce Market. This transaction resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $0.5 million.

In June 2011, Calavo, CG Mergersub LLC (Newco), Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) and Liberty Fresh Foods, LLC, Kenneth Catchot, Cut Fruit, LLC, James Catchot, James Gibson, Jose O. Castillo, Donald L. Johnson and RFG Nominee Trust (collectively, the Sellers) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 25, 2011 (the Acquisition Agreement), which sets forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which Calavo would acquire a 100 percent ownership interest in RFG. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Newco, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Calavo, merged with and into RFG, with RFG as the surviving entity. RFG is a fresh-food company that produces, markets, and distributes nationally a portfolio of healthy, high quality products for consumers via the retail and foodservice channels.

In February 2010, Calavo, Calavo Salsa Lisa, LLC (CSL), Lisa’s Salsa Company (LSC) and Elizabeth Nicholson and Eric Nicholson, entered into an Asset Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated February 8, 2010 (the Acquisition Agreement), which sets forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which Calavo acquired a 65 percent ownership interest in newly created CSL which acquired substantially all of the assets of LSC. Elizabeth Nicholson and Eric Nicholson, through LSC, hold the remaining 35 percent ownership of CSL. LSC is a regional producer in the upper Midwest of Salsa Lisa refrigerated salsas. This line of salsas has further diversified our product offerings and is a natural complement to our ultra-high-pressure guacamole.

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In June 2009, we (through our wholly owned subsidiary: Calavo Inversiones (Chile) Limitada), entered into a joint venture agreement with Exportadora M5, S.A. (M5) for the purpose of selling and distributing Chilean sourced avocados, as well as other perishable commodities. Such joint venture operates under the name of Calavo de Chile and commenced operations in July 2009. M5 and Calavo each have an equal one-half ownership interest in Calavo de Chile, but M5 has overall management responsibility for the operations of Calavo de Chile.

In June 2007, we entered into a distribution agreement with Belher of Mexico, a well-established quality producer of fresh vegetables, primarily tomatoes, for export to the U.S. market. Pursuant to such distribution agreement, Belher agreed, at their sole cost and expense, to harvest, pack, export, ship, and deliver tomatoes exclusively to our company, primarily our Arizona facility. In exchange, we agreed to sell and distribute such tomatoes, make advances to Belher for operating purposes, provide additional advances as shipments are made during the season (subject to limitations, as defined), and return the proceeds from such tomato sales to Belher, net of our commission and aforementioned advances. The agreement also allows for us to advance additional amounts to Belher at our sole discretion. In June 2011, we entered into an addendum that extended the distribution agreement with Belher. This agreement expires in July 2019.

We also entered into an infrastructure agreement in June 2007 with Belher, which was extended through the addendum in June 2011, in order to significantly increase production yields and fruit quality. Pursuant to this agreement, we made advances to be used solely for the acquisition, construction, and installation of improvements to and on certain land owned/controlled by Belher, as well as packing line equipment. Advances incur interest at 4.7% at October 31, 2013 and 2012. We have advanced a total of $2.5 million as of October 31, 2013 ($0.8 million included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $1.7 million included in other long-term assets). We have advanced a total of $4.2 million as of October 31, 2012 ($0.8 million included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and $3.4 million included in other long-term assets). Belher is to annually repay these advances in no less than 20% increments through July 2016. Interest is to be paid monthly or annually, as defined. Belher may prepay, without penalty, all or any portion of the advances at any time. In order to secure their obligations pursuant to both agreements discussed above, Belher granted us a first-priority security interest in certain assets, including cash, inventory and fixed assets, as defined.

Available information

We maintain an Internet website at http://www.calavo.com. Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other information related to us, are available, free of charge, on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file those documents with, or otherwise furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our Internet website and the information contained therein, or connected thereto, is not and is not intended to be incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Fresh products

Calavo was founded in 1924 to market California avocados. In California, the growing area stretches from San Diego County to Monterey County, with the majority of the growing areas located approximately 100 miles north and south of Los Angeles County. The storage life of fresh avocados is limited. It generally ranges from one to four weeks, depending upon the maturity of the fruit, the growing methods used, and the handling conditions in the distribution chain.

We sell avocados to a diverse group of supermarket chains, wholesalers, food service and other distributors, under the Calavo family of brand labels, as well as private labels. From time to time, some of our larger customers seek short-term sales contracts that formalize their pricing and volume requirements. Generally, these contracts contain provisions that establish a price floor and/or ceiling during the contract duration. In our judgment, the shift by our customers to drafting sales contracts benefits large handlers like us, which have the ability to fulfill the terms of these contracts. During fiscal year 2013, our 5 and 25 largest fresh customers represented approximately 20% and 41% of our total consolidated revenues. During fiscal year 2012, our 5 and 25 largest fresh customers represented approximately 18% and 36% of our total consolidated revenues. During fiscal year 2013, 2012 and 2011 none of our fresh customers represented more than 10% of total consolidated revenues.

The Hass variety is the predominant avocado variety marketed on a worldwide basis. Generally, California grown Hass avocados are available year-round, with peak production periods occurring between January through October. Other varieties have a more limited picking season and generally command a lower price. Approximately 1,900 California growers deliver avocados to us, generally pursuant to a standard marketing agreement. Over the past several years, our share of the California avocado crop has remained strong, with approximately 30% of the 2013 shipped California avocado crop handled by us, based on data published by the California Avocado Commission. We attribute our solid foothold in the California industry principally to the competitiveness of the per pound returns we pay and the communication and service we maintain with our growers.

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California avocados delivered to our packinghouses are graded, sized, packed, cooled and, frequently, ripened for delivery to customers. Our ability to estimate the size, as well as the timing of the delivery of the annual avocado crop, has a substantial impact on both our costs and the sales price we receive for the fruit. To that end, our field personnel maintain direct contact with growers and farm managers and coordinate harvest plans. The feedback from our field-managers is used by our sales department to prepare sales plans used by our direct sales force.

A significant portion of our California avocado handling costs is fixed. As a result, significant fluctuations in the volume of avocados delivered have a considerable impact on the per pound packing costs of avocados we handle. Generally, larger crops will result in a lower per pound handling cost. We believe that our cost structure is geared to optimally handle larger avocado crops. Our strategy calls for continued efforts in aggressively recruiting new growers, retaining existing growers, and procuring a larger percentage of the California avocado crop.

California avocados delivered to us are grouped as a homogenous pool on a weekly basis based on the variety, size, and grade. The proceeds we receive from the sale of each separate avocado pool, net of a packing and marketing fee to cover our costs and a profit, are paid back to the growers once each month. The packing and marketing fee we withhold is determined by our Chief Executive Officer and is revised from time to time based on our estimated per pound packing and operating costs, as well as our operating profit. This fee is a fixed rate per pound packed. Significant competitive pressures dictate that our grower returns are set at the highest possible level to attract new and retain existing grower business. We believe that, if net proceeds paid ceased to be competitive, growers would simply choose to deliver their avocados to alternate competitive handlers. Consequently, we strive to deliver growers the highest return possible on avocados delivered to our packinghouses.

The California avocado market is highly competitive with 9 major avocado handlers. A marketing order enacted by the state legislature is in effect for California grown avocados and provides the financial resource to fund generic advertising and promotional programs. Avocados handled by us are identifiable through packaging and the Calavo brand name sticker.

We also import avocados from Mexico and Chile. Our strategy is to increase our market share of currently sourced avocados to all accepted marketplaces. We believe our diversified avocado sources provide a level of supply stability that may, over time, help solidify the demand for avocados among consumers in all markets we distribute to.

We typically purchase Mexican avocados from growers and packers located in Mexico. The purchase price we pay for fruit acquired from Mexican growers is generally negotiated for substantially all the fruit in a particular grove. Once a purchase price is tentatively agreed to, the fruit is then harvested and delivered to our packinghouse located in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico. Once delivered, such fruit is weighed, graded, sized, packed, and cooled for shipment, primarily to the United States. Payment of such fruit can be changed from what was initially agreed to if the actual packout doesn’t reach levels forecasted by the grower. Fruit purchased directly from Mexican packers is used as a supplemental source and is packed to our standards for shipment to either our customers or our operating facilities. In either case, the purchase price of Mexican avocados is generally based on our estimated selling prices of such fruit, less anticipated packing and/or selling costs and our desired margin. We believe these two sources allow us to maximize both the timely acquisition, as well as purchase price, of Mexican fruit.

Similar to California avocados, a significant portion of our handling costs for Mexican avocados are fixed. As a result, significant fluctuations in the volume of Mexican avocados delivered to our packinghouse can have a considerable impact on the per pound packing costs of avocados we handle. Generally, larger crops will result in a lower per pound handling cost. In fiscal year 2012, we completed an expansion of our Uruapan packinghouse. This expansion more than doubled our capacity to handle Mexican avocados. We believe that our cost structure for Mexican avocados is geared to optimally handle larger avocado crops.

We believe that our continued success in marketing Mexican avocados is largely dependent upon securing a reliable, high-quality supply of avocados at reasonable prices, and keeping the handling costs low as we ship the Mexican avocados to our packinghouses and distribution centers. We are subject to USDA and other regulatory inspections to ensure the safety and the quality of the fruit being delivered from Mexico. The Mexican avocado harvest, which is often considerably larger than the California avocado harvest, is both complimentary and competitive with the California market, as the Mexican harvest is near year round (most significant from September to June). As a result, it is common for Mexican growers to monitor the supply of avocados for export to the United States in order to obtain higher field prices. During 2013, we packed and distributed approximately 20% of the avocados exported from Mexico into the United States and approximately 5% of the avocados exported from Mexico to countries other than the United States, based on our estimates.

We also handle avocados from Chile, most of which are on a consignment basis with our growers. Pursuant to our joint venture agreement with M5, Calavo de Chile is now the primary contact with our Chilean avocado sources. Our commission percentage is approximately 8%. Additionally, from time to time, we may purchase Chilean sourced avocados. Pursuant to our consignment

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arrangements, we occasionally make advances to Chilean growers. Historically, we made such advances related to both pre-harvest and post-harvest activities, but our focus during fiscal years 2011 through 2013 was primarily related to post-harvest activities. Typically, we obtain collateral (i.e. fruit, fixed assets, etc.) that approximates the value at risk, prior to making such advances. Historical experience demonstrates that providing post-harvest advances results in our acquiring full market risk for the product, as it is possible (although unlikely) that our sale proceeds may be less than the amounts we paid to the grower. This is a result of the high level of volatility inherent in the avocado and perishable food markets, which are subject to significant pricing declines based on the availability of fruit in the market. In the event that we do make a pre-season advance, our ability to recover such pre-harvest advance would be largely dependent on the grower’s ability to deliver avocados to us, as well as the inherent risks of farming, such as weather and pests.

Sales of Chilean grown avocados have generally been significant during our 4^th and 1^st fiscal quarters. Additionally, with the Chilean harvesting season being complimentary to the California season (August through February), Chilean avocados are able to command competitive retail pricing in the market. During 2013, we had minimal sales for Chilean avocados as we have increased our focus on Mexican and California sourced avocados.

We have developed a series of marketing and sales initiatives primarily aimed at our largest customers that are designed to differentiate our products and services from those offered by our competitors. Some of these key initiatives are as follows:

Perishable food products include various commodities, including tomatoes, papayas, and pineapples. The majority of our sales are generated from tomatoes and papayas. Tomatoes are primarily handled on a consigned basis, while papayas are handled on a pooling basis, similar to the California avocado pool previously described. Sales of our diversified Fresh products do not generally experience significant fluctuations related to seasonality. We believe our efforts in distributing our other various commodities complement our offerings of avocados.

Calavo Foods

The Calavo Foods segment was originally conceived as a mechanism to stabilize the price of California avocados by reducing the volume of avocados available to the marketplace. In the 1960’s and early 1970’s, we pioneered the process of freezing avocado pulp and developed a wide variety of guacamole recipes to address the diverse tastes of consumers and buyers in both the retail and food service industries. One of the key benefits of frozen products is their long shelf-life. With the introduction of low cost processed products delivered from Mexican based processors, however, we realigned the segment’s strategy by shifting the fruit procurement and pulp processing functions to Mexico.

We utilize ultra high pressure technology equipment which is designed to “cold pasteurize” our guacamole products. Using high pressure only, this procedure substantially destroys the cells of any bacteria that could lead to spoilage, food safety, or oxidation issues. Once the procedure is complete, our packaged guacamole is cased and shipped to various retail and food service customers throughout the markets we service. By fiscal year 2010, we had two 215L ultra high pressure machines into service. These machines, which are located in Uruapan, pressurize all guacamole product lines, including all frozen products, which begun in fiscal 2010. A 3^rd ultra high pressure machine, with a larger capacity of 350L, was put into service during our first fiscal quarter of 2012. We estimate that our operating capacity for all three ultra high pressure machines at year end to be approximately 75%. While we believe this capacity is reasonable give our current sales, we are considering various plans to expand our production capacity to meet our future expected growth. Net sales of our ultra high pressure (fresh) products, typically sold to retail customers, represented approximately 46% and 50% of total guacamole products within the Calavo Foods segment sales for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012.

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Sales in the U.S. and Canada are made principally through a commissioned nationwide broker network, which is supported by our regional sales managers. We believe that our marketing strength is distinguished by providing quality products, innovation, year-round product availability, strategically located warehouses, and market relationships. During fiscal year 2013, our 5 and 25 largest processed product customers represented approximately 3% and 6% of our total consolidated revenues. During fiscal year 2012, our 5 and 25 largest processed product customers represented approximately 4% and 8% of our total consolidated revenues. During fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 none of our processed product customers represented more than 10% of total consolidated revenues.

In February 2010, we acquired a 65 percent ownership interest in newly created CSL which acquired substantially all of the assets of LSC. LSC is a regional producer in the upper Midwest of Salsa Lisa refrigerated salsas. We believe that this line of salsa will further diversify our product offerings and will be a natural complement to our ultra-high-pressure guacamole.

RFG

In June 2011, Calavo, CG Mergersub LLC (Newco), Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) and Liberty Fresh Foods, LLC, Kenneth Catchot, Cut Fruit, LLC, James Catchot, James Gibson, Jose O. Castillo, Donald L. Johnson and RFG Nominee Trust (collectively, the Sellers) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 25, 2011 (the Acquisition Agreement), which sets forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which Calavo would acquire a 100 percent ownership interest in RFG. Pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, Newco, a newly formed Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Calavo, merged with and into RFG, with RFG as the surviving entity. RFG is a fresh-food company that produces, markets, and distributes nationally a portfolio of healthy, high quality products for consumers via the retail channel. See Note 16 of our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

RFG products range from fresh-cut fruit, ready-to-eat vegetables, recipe-ready vegetables and deli meat products. RFG sells under the popular labels of Garden Highway Fresh Cut, Garden Highway, and Garden Highway Chef Essentials to a wide range of customers. During fiscal year 2013, our 5 and 25 largest RFG product customers represented approximately 18% and 27% of our total consolidated revenues. During fiscal year 2012, our 5 and 25 largest RFG product customers represented approximately 17% and 28% of our total consolidated revenues. During fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 none of our RFG product customers represented more than 10% of total consolidated revenues.

Sales and Other Financial Information by Business Segment and Product Category

Sales and other financial information by business segment are provided in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report.

Patents and Trademarks

Our trademarks include the Calavo and RFG brand name and related logos. We also utilize the following trademarks in conducting our business: Avo Fresco, Bueno, Calavo Gold, Calavo Salsa Lisa, Salsa Lisa, Celebrate the Taste, El Dorado, Fresh Ripe, Select, Taste of Paradise, The First Name in Avocados, Tico, Mfresh, Maui Fresh International, Triggered Avocados, ProRipeVIP™, Garden Highway Fresh Cut, Garden Highway, and Garden Highway Chef Essentials. FreshRealm has filed two patents, one for a refrigerated re-usable shipping container the other for a crowdsourced delivery network called “co-drop.”

Working Capital Requirements

Generally, we make payments to our avocado growers and other suppliers in advance of collecting all of the related accounts receivable. We generally bridge the timing between vendor payments and customer receipts by using operating cash flows and commercial bank borrowings. In addition, we provide crop loans and other advances to some of our growers, which are also funded through operating cash flows and borrowings.

Non-California sourced avocados and perishable food products often require working capital to finance the payment of advances to suppliers and collection of accounts receivable. These working capital needs are also financed through the use of operating cash flows and bank borrowings.

With respect to our Calavo Foods business, we require working capital to finance the production of our processed avocado products, building and maintaining an adequate supply of finished product, and collecting our accounts receivable balances. These working capital needs are financed through the use of operating cash flows and bank borrowings.

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Backlog

Our customers do not place product orders significantly in advance of the requested product delivery dates. Customers typically order perishable products two to ten days in advance of shipment, and typically order Calavo Foods within thirty days in advance of shipment.

Research and Development

Prior to the acquisition of RFG and the creation of FreshRealm, we did not undertake significant research and development efforts. Research and development programs, if any, were limited to the continuous process of refining and developing new techniques to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our Calavo Foods operations and the handling, ripening, storage, and packing of fresh avocados. With the acquisition of RFG, we have increased research and development for new and improved products which is driven by customer requests, changes in product specifications, customer and market research and/or innovative ideas generated by our own team of experts with food processing and culinary backgrounds. We solicit customer and supplier input, review process and product trends and conduct sensory and shelf life testing, all to expand the category and drive new sales for our customers. Additionally, with the creation of FreshRealm, we have significantly increased our emphasis on research and development. Much of the research and development has been focused on a re-usable shipping container, which includes designing, and the testing of prototypes, testing packing efficiency, gathering consumer feedback, thermal research, and testing the longevity and reusability of containers. In addition, we have incurred costs related to the programming of a cloud technology operating system, as well as consumer research. Research and development costs are charged to expense when incurred. Total research and development costs for fiscal years 2013 was approximately $1.5 million. Total research and development costs for fiscal years 2012, and 2011 were less than $0.1 million.

Compliance with Government Regulations

The California State Department of Food and Agriculture oversees the packing and processing of California avocados and conducts tests for fruit quality and packaging standards. All of our packages are stamped with the state seal as meeting standards. Various states have instituted regulations providing differing levels of oversight with respect to weights and measures, as well as quality standards.

As a manufacturer and marketer of processed avocado products, our operations are subject to extensive regulation by various federal government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the USDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), as well as state and local agencies, with respect to production processes, product attributes, packaging, labeling, storage and distribution. Under various statutes and regulations, these agencies prescribe requirements and establish standards for safety, purity and labeling. In addition, advertising of our products is subject to regulation by the FTC, and our operations are subject to certain health and safety regulations, including those issued under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Our manufacturing facilities and products are subject to periodic inspection by federal, state and local authorities.

As a result of our agricultural and food processing activities, we are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern the treatment, handling, storage and disposal of materials and waste and the remediation of contaminated properties.

We seek to comply at all times with all such laws and regulations and to obtain any necessary permits and licenses, and we are not aware of any instances of material non-compliance. We believe our facilities and practices are sufficient to maintain compliance with applicable governmental laws, regulations, permits and licenses.

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Employees

As of October 31, 2013, we had 1,848 employees, of which 694 were located in the United States and 1,154 were located in Mexico. We do not have a significant number of United States employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement. 1,018 of Calavo’s Mexican employees are represented by a union. We consider the relationship with our employees to be good and we have never experienced a significant work stoppage.

The following is a summary of the number of “salaried” and “hourly” employees as of October 31, 2013.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Risks Related to Our Business

We are subject to increasing competition that may adversely affect our operating results.

The market for avocados and processed avocado products is highly competitive and affects each of our businesses. Each of our businesses is subject to competitive pressures, including the following:

We are subject to the risks of doing business internationally.

We conduct a substantial amount of business with growers and customers who are located outside the United States. We purchase avocados from foreign growers and packers, sell fresh avocados and processed avocado products to foreign customers, and operate a packinghouse and a processing plant in Mexico. In the most recent years, there has been an increase in organized crime in Mexico. This has not had an impact on our operations, but this does increase the risk of doing business in Mexico. We are also subject to regulations imposed by the Mexican government, and also to examinations by the Mexican tax authorities. Significant changes to these government regulations and to assessments by the Mexican tax authorities can have a negative impact on our operations and operating results in Mexico. For additional information about our non-California sourced fruit, see the “Business” section included in this Annual Report.

Our current international operations are subject to a number of inherent risks, including:

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Currency exchange fluctuations may impact the results of our operations.

Currency exchange rate fluctuations, depending upon the nature of the changes, may make our domestic-sourced products more expensive compared to foreign grown products or may increase our cost of obtaining foreign-sourced products. Because we do not hedge against our foreign currency exposure, our business has increased susceptibility to foreign currency fluctuations.

We and our growers are subject to the risks that are inherent in farming.

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by numerous factors over which we have little or no control and that are inherent in farming, including reductions in the market prices for our products, adverse weather and growing conditions, pest and disease problems, and new government regulations regarding farming and the marketing of agricultural products.

Our earnings are sensitive to fluctuations in market prices and demand for our products.

Excess supplies often cause severe price competition in our industry. Growing conditions in various parts of the world, particularly weather conditions such as windstorms, floods, droughts and freezes, as well as diseases and pests, are primary factors affecting market prices because of their influence on the supply and quality of product.

Fresh produce is highly perishable and generally must be brought to market and sold soon after harvest. The selling price received for each type of produce depends on all of these factors, including the availability and quality of the produce item in the market, and the availability and quality of competing types of produce.

In addition, general public perceptions regarding the quality, safety or health risks associated with particular food products could reduce demand and prices for some of our products. To the extent that consumer preferences evolve away from products that we produce for health or other reasons, and we are unable to modify our products or to develop products that satisfy new consumer preferences, there will be a decreased demand for our products.

Increases in commodity or raw product costs, such as fuel, packaging, and paper, could adversely affect our operating results.

Many factors may affect the cost and supply of fresh produce, including external conditions, commodity market fluctuations, currency fluctuations, changes in governmental laws and regulations, agricultural programs, severe and prolonged weather conditions and natural disasters. Increased costs for purchased fruit have in the past negatively impacted our operating results, and there can be no assurance that they will not adversely affect our operating results in the future.

The price of various commodities can significantly affect our costs. Fuel and transportation cost is a significant component of the price of much of the produce that we purchase from growers, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to pass on to our customers the increased costs we incur in these respects.

The cost of paper is also significant to us because some of our products are packed in cardboard boxes. If the price of paper increases and we are not able to effectively pass these price increases along to our customers, then our operating income will decrease.

We are subject to the risk of product liability claims.

The sale of food products for human consumption involves the risk of injury to consumers. Such injuries may result from tampering by unauthorized third parties, product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects, substances, chemicals, other agents, or residues introduced during the growing, storage, handling or transportation phases. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe our facilities comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, we cannot be sure that consumption of our products will not cause a health-related illness in the future or that we will not be 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 injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image.

We are subject to possible changing USDA and FDA regulations which govern the importation of foreign avocados into the United States and the processing of processed avocado products.

The USDA has established, and continues to modify, regulations governing the importation of avocados into the United States. Our permits that allow us to import foreign-sourced avocados into the United States generally are contingent on our compliance with these regulations. Our results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to comply with existing and modified regulations and are unable to secure avocado import permits in the future.

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The FDA establishes, and continues to modify, regulations governing the production of processed avocado products, such as the new Food Safety Modernization Act, which implements mandatory preventive controls for food facilities and compliance with mandatory produce safety standards. Our results of operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to comply with these existing and modified regulations.

The acquisition of other businesses could pose risks to our operating income.

We intend to review acquisition prospects that would complement our business. While we are not currently a party to any agreement with respect to any acquisitions, we may acquire other businesses in the future. Future acquisitions by us could result in accounting charges, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, and increased debt and contingent liabilities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our common stock. Acquisitions entail numerous risks, including the assimilation of the acquired operations, diversion of management’s attention to other business concerns, risks of entering markets in which we have limited prior experience, and the potential loss of key employees of acquired organizations. We may be unable to successfully integrate businesses or the personnel of any business that might be acquired in the future, and our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business and on the market price of our common stock.

Our ability to competitively serve our customers is a function of reliable and low cost transportation. Disruption of the supply of these services and/or significant increases in the cost of these services could impact our operating income.

We use multiple forms of transportation to bring our products to market. They include ocean, truck, and air-cargo. Disruption to the timely supply of these services or dramatic increases in the cost of these services for any reason including availability of fuel for such services, labor disputes, or governmental restrictions limiting specific forms of transportation could have an adverse effect on our ability to serve our customers and consumers and could have an adverse effect on our financial performance.

We depend on our infrastructure to have sufficient capacity to handle our annual production needs.

We have an infrastructure that has sufficient capacity for our production needs, but if we lose machinery or facilities due to natural disasters or mechanical failure, we may not be able to operate at a sufficient capacity to meet our production needs. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, which could impact our results of operations and our financial condition.

We depend on our key personnel and if we lose the services of any of these individuals, or fail to attract and retain additional key personnel, we may not be able to implement our business strategy or operate our business effectively.

Our future success largely depends on the contributions of our management team. We believe that these individuals’ expertise and knowledge about our industry and their respective fields and their relationships with other individuals in our industry are critical factors to our continued growth and success. We do not carry key person insurance. The loss of the services of any member of our senior management team could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Our success also depends upon our ability to attract and retain additional qualified sales, marketing and other personnel.

A portion of our workforce is unionized and labor disruptions could decrease our profitability.

While we believe that our relations with our employees are good, we cannot assure you that we will be able to negotiate collective bargaining agreements on favorable terms, or at all, and without production interruptions, including labor stoppages. A prolonged labor dispute, which could include a work stoppage, could have a material adverse effect on the portion of our business affected by the dispute, which could impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.

System security risks, data protection breaches, cyber-attacks and systems integration issues could disrupt our internal operations or services provided to customers, and any such disruption could reduce our expected revenue, increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.

Experienced computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate or compromise our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack our products or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our products. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we produce or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of the system. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our sales, manufacturing, distribution or other critical functions.

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Portions of our IT infrastructure also may experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with systems integration or migration work that takes place from time to time. We may not be successful in implementing new systems and transitioning data, which could cause business disruptions and be more expensive, time consuming, disruptive and resource-intensive. Such disruptions could adversely impact our ability to fulfill orders and interrupt other processes. Delayed sales, lower margins or lost customers resulting from these disruptions have adversely affected in the past, and in the future could adversely affect, our financial results, stock price and reputation.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

The value of our common stock may be adversely affected by market volatility.

The trading price of our common stock fluctuates and may be influenced by many factors, including:

Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, and our failure to raise capital when needed could prevent us from executing our growth strategy.

The timing and amount of our working capital and capital expenditure requirements may vary significantly depending on many factors, including:

If our capital resources are not sufficient to satisfy our liquidity needs, we may seek to sell additional equity or obtain additional debt financing. The sale of additional equity would result in dilution to our shareholders. Additional debt would result in increased expenses and could result in covenants that would restrict our operations. With the exception of our existing credit facility, we have not made arrangements to obtain additional financing. We may not be able to obtain additional financing, if required, in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

We lease our corporate headquarters building from Limoneira Company (Limoneira) located in Santa Paula, California. In addition, RFG leases their corporate office in Ranch Cordova, California. We have numerous facilities throughout the United States, and two facilities in Mexico. See the following table for a summary of our locations:

United States Locations:

Packinghouses:

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Operating and Distributing Facilities:

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Mexico Locations:

Packinghouse and Processing Facility:

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we become involved in legal proceedings that are related to our business operations. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings that could have a material adverse effect upon our financial position or results of operations.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of individuals who hold positions as executive officers of our company. There are no family relationships between any director or executive officer and any other director or executive officer of our company. Executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors and serve at the discretion of the Board.

Lecil E. Cole has been a member of our board of directors since February 1982 and has served as Chairman of the Board since 1988. Mr. Cole has also served as our Chief Executive Officer and President since February 1999. He served as an executive of Safeway Stores from 1964 to 1976 and as Chairman of Central Coast Federal Land Bank from 1986 to 1996. Mr. Cole has served as Chairman and President of Hawaiian Sweet, Inc. and Tropical Hawaiian Products, Inc. since 1996. Mr. Cole farms approximately 4,400 acres in California on which avocados and cattle are produced and raised.

Arthur J. Bruno has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary since October 2003. During fiscal 2004, Mr. Bruno also assumed the title and responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer. From 1988 to 2003, Mr. Bruno served as the president and co-founder of Maui Fresh International, Inc. Mr. Bruno is a Certified Public Accountant.

Robert J. Wedin has served as our Vice President since 1993. Mr. Wedin joined us in 1973 at our then Santa Barbara packinghouse. Beginning in 1990, Mr. Wedin served as a director of the California Avocado Commission for a period of ten years. Mr. Wedin currently is a board member of Producesupply.org and serves as a member of that organization’s executive committee.

Alan C. Ahmer has served as our Vice President since 1989. Mr. Ahmer joined us in 1979 as a regional sales manager in our Calavo Foods business. In September 2003, Mr. Ahmer’s new title became Vice-President, Calavo Foods Sales and Production.

Michael A. Browne has served as our Vice President since 2005. From 1997 until joining us, Mr. Browne served as the founder and co-owner of Fresh Directions International, a closely held multinational fresh produce company, which marketed fresh avocados from Mexico, Chile, and the Dominican Republic. Mr. Browne joined us in May 2005.

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PART II

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

In March 2002, our common stock began trading on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “CVGW.” In July 2002, our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “CVGW” and currently trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

As of November 30, 2013, there were approximately 963 stockholders of record of our common stock.

As previously reported on Current Reports on Form 8-K, we issued 999,117 shares of unregistered Calavo common stock per the RFG Amended Acquisition Agreement, in October 2013. We filed an S-3 registration statement registering the resale of 172,117 of these shares in October 2013.

As previously reported on a Form 10-Q Report for the quarter ended April 30, 2013, on April 10, 2013, we repurchased 165,000 shares of our common stock from Limoneira for cash consideration of $4.8 million at a purchase price of $29.02 per share, the closing price on April 10, 2013. These shares were cancelled and returned to authorized, but unissued, status.

Dividend Policy

Our dividend policy is to provide for an annual dividend payment, as determined by the Board of Directors. We anticipate paying dividends in the first quarter of our fiscal year.

On December 12, 2013, we paid a $0.70 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $11.0 million to shareholders of record on November 29, 2013.

On December 12, 2012, we paid a $0.65 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $9.6 million to shareholders of record on November 28, 2012.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary consolidated financial data (other than pounds information) for each of the years in the five-year period ended October 31, 2013, are derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of Calavo Growers, Inc.

Historical results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected in any future period. The following data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

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

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with “Selected Consolidated Financial Data” and our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that appear elsewhere in this Annual Report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those presented under “Risks related to our business” included in Item 1A and elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Overview

We are a leader in the distribution of avocados, prepared avocado products, and other perishable food products throughout the United States. Our expertise in marketing and distributing avocados, prepared avocados, and other perishable foods allows us to deliver a wide array of fresh and prepared food products to food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets, and restaurants on a worldwide basis. We procure avocados principally from California, Mexico, and Chile. Through our various operating facilities, we sort, pack, and/or ripen avocados, tomatoes and/or Hawaiian grown papayas. Additionally, we also produce salsa and prepare ready-to-eat produce and deli products. We report our operations in three different business segments: (1) Fresh products, (2) Calavo Foods and (3) RFG. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Our Fresh products business grades, sizes, packs, cools, and ripens (if desired) avocados for delivery to our customers. We presently operate two packinghouses and three operating and distributing facilities that handle avocados across the United States. These packinghouses handled approximately 30% of the California avocado crop during the 2013 fiscal year, based on data obtained from the California Avocado Commission. Our operating results and the returns we pay our growers are highly dependent on the volume of avocados delivered to our packinghouses, as a significant portion of our costs is fixed. Our strategy calls for continued efforts to retain and recruit growers that meet our business model. Additionally, our Fresh products business also procures avocados grown in Chile and Mexico, as well as other various commodities, including tomatoes, papayas, and pineapples. We operate a packinghouse in Mexico that, together with certain co-packers that we frequently purchase fruit from, handled approximately 20% of the Mexican avocado crop bound for the United States market and approximately 5% of the avocados exported from Mexico to countries other than the United States during the 2012-2013 Mexican season, based on our estimates. Our strategy is to increase our market share of currently sourced avocados to all accepted marketplaces. We believe our diversified avocado sources provides a level of supply stability that may, over time, help solidify the demand for avocados among consumers in the United States and elsewhere in the world. We believe our efforts in distributing our other various commodities, such as those shown above, complement our offerings of avocados. From time to time, we continue to explore distribution of other crops that provide reasonable returns to the business.

Our Calavo Foods business procures avocados, processes avocados into a wide variety of guacamole products, and distributes the processed product to our customers. All of our prepared avocado products shipped to North America are “cold pasteurized” and include both frozen and fresh guacamole. Due to the long shelf-life of our frozen guacamole and the purity of our fresh guacamole, we believe that we are well positioned to address the diverse taste and needs of today’s customers. Additionally, we also prepare various fresh salsa products. Customers include both food service industry and retail businesses. We continue to seek to expand our relationships with major food service companies and develop alliances that will allow our products to reach a larger percentage of the marketplace.

Net sales of frozen products represented approximately 54% and 50% of total processed segment sales for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012. Net sales of our ultra high pressure products represented approximately 46% and 50% of total processed segment sales for the years ended October 31, 2013 and 2012.

Our RFG business produces, markets and distributes nationally a portfolio of healthy, high quality lifestyle products for consumers via the retail channel. RFG products range from fresh-cut fruit, ready-to-eat vegetables, recipe-ready vegetables and deli meat products. RFG sells under the popular labels of Garden Highway Fresh Cut, Garden Highway, and Garden Highway Chef Essentials to a wide range of customers.

The operating results of all of our businesses have been, and will continue to be, affected by quarterly and annual fluctuations and market downturns due to a number of factors, such as pests and disease, weather patterns, changes in demand by consumers, the timing of the receipt, reduction, or cancellation of significant customer orders, the gain or loss of significant customers, market acceptance of our products, our ability to develop, introduce, and market new products on a timely basis, availability and cost of avocados and supplies from growers and vendors, new product introductions by our competitors, change in the mix of avocados and Calavo Foods and RFG products we sell, and general economic conditions. We believe, however, that we are currently positioned to address these risks and deliver favorable operating results for the foreseeable future.

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Recent Developments

Dividend Payment

On December 12, 2013, we paid a $0.70 per share dividend in the aggregate amount of $11.0 million to shareholders of record on November 29, 2013.

Contingencies

From time to time, we are also involved in litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business that we do not believe will have a material adverse impact on our financial statements.

Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of FreshRealm, LLC

Effective July 31, 2013, Calavo and certain noncontrolling members have entered into an Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “Agreement”) of FreshRealm, LLC (FreshRealm).

The purpose of FreshRealm is to engage in activities relating to the marketing of food products directly to consumers or other entities. FreshRealm’s technology platform is currently being developed and is expected to allow participants such as traditional retailers, large and small enterprises, communities and food banks to enter into a platform resembling a national fresh food cooperative. FreshRealm will serve as a way to connect participants to a network of regional fresh food producers.

Pursuant to this Agreement, FreshRealm issued approximately 1.3 million units, with Calavo owning 71.5% of FreshRealm for a capital contribution of $0.9 million. The noncontrolling members, representing the remaining 28.5% ownership, contributed either cash (totaling approximately $0.1 million) or a full-recourse promissory note payable to Calavo (totaling approximately $0.3 million) in exchange for their units. The percentage interest of each member may be subject to pro rata adjustments through October 31, 2013 based on participation of the anticipated initial member group. Each full-recourse promissory note described above will be due and payable in full on May 1, 2016, with interest at 4% per annum, to be due on May 1, 2016. If, prior to May 1, 2016, FreshRealm terminates an employee’s employment for cause, as defined, or the employee terminates his employment other than (A) for good reason, as defined, or (B) as a result of the employee’s death or disability, notwithstanding whether prior to such date the employee repaid his note in full, then all of the employee’s units will be transferred to Calavo.

Members have limited voting rights. In any matters presented to the members for approval, each member will have one vote for each unit held by such member. For situations for which the approval of the members is required, the members shall act by majority vote.

Members may make loans to FreshRealm with the consent of the board of directors of FreshRealm (the “FR Board”). The Board of Calavo Growers approved loans of up to $3,000,000 from Calavo to FreshRealm under the Line of Credit and Security Agreement between Calavo and FreshRealm.

Subject to certain limitations, the FR Board has the sole discretion regarding the amounts and timing of distributions to members. After making tax distributions required for a given fiscal year, all distributions will be made to the members pro rata, pari passu in accordance with their respective percentage interests, except FreshRealm will first apply distributions (other than tax distributions) to each member who is an employee against such member’s promissory note until the promissory note is paid in full.

FreshRealm’s losses and income that are determined for accounting purposes will also be allocated for each fiscal year, including for the full 2013 fiscal year, to the members in accordance with the allocation principles for net loss and net income. As a result, a $0.6 million loss has been allocated to the noncontrolling members as of October 31, 2013. See additional discussion below.

FreshRealm started operating as a development stage company in the second quarter of 2013. As of October 31, 2013, planned, principal operations have not commenced. As a result, FreshRealm has no sales or cost of sales. When principal operations commence, FreshRealm is expected to become our fourth segment. FreshRealm has incurred $1.9 million of expenses related to its development as of October 31, 2013, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Of the $1.9 million in selling, general and administrative expenses, $1.3 million has been attributed to Calavo and a $0.6 million loss has been attributed to the noncontrolling members. We record the noncontrolling interest outside of permanent equity to highlight the potential future cash receivable related to this entity.

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Amendment No.1 to RFG Acquisition Agreement

Effective July 31, 2013, Calavo, RFG and Liberty Fresh Foods, LLC, Kenneth Catchot, Cut Fruit, LLC, James Catchot, James Gibson, Jose O. Castillo, Donald L. Johnson and RFG Nominee Trust (collectively, the “Sellers”) entered into Amendment No. 1 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Amendment”).

Calavo, RFG and the Sellers are parties to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 25, 2011 (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, Calavo acquired RFG from the Sellers and Calavo agreed to make Earn-Out Payments to the Sellers upon the satisfaction of certain performance requirements specified in the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement states that, upon the attainment of the Stage 2 Maximum Earn-Out Trigger prior to the end of the Earn-Out Period, Calavo shall be obligated to pay the Stage 2 Maximum Earn-Out Consideration to the Sellers. The Merger Agreement states that the Stage 2 Maximum Earn-Out Consideration shall be $5,000,000 in cash and 827,000 shares of Calavo common stock. The Merger Agreement states that the Stage 2 Maximum Earn-Out Trigger shall be met if, for any 12-month period during the Earn-Out Period, (1) the EBITDA for RFG is equal to or greater than $8,000,000 and (2) the Revenue for RFG is equal to or greater than $130,000,000.

Calavo, RFG and the Sellers have amended the Merger Agreement by the Amendment to provide, among other things, that: (1) Calavo shall deliver $5,000,000 of Common Stock to the Sellers, as part of the Stage 2 Maximum Earn-Out Consideration instead of delivering $5,000,000 of cash to the Sellers; (2) the Sellers shall receive specified price protection from Calavo with respect to the sale of such Common Stock; and (3) Calavo shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) which shall cover the public resale of such Common Stock by the Sellers during the period specified in the Amendment.

During our fourth fiscal quarter, RFG attained the Stage 2 Maximum Earn-Out Trigger. As such, pursuant to this amendment, we filed the Registration Statement and issued 172,117 shares of common stock, valued at $29.05, to the Sellers in October 2013. From October 2013 to November 2013, the Sellers sold all 172,117 shares for $5.0 million.

Amendment No.2 to RFG Acquisition Agreement

Effective October 1, 2013, Calavo, RFG and Liberty Fresh Foods, LLC, Kenneth Catchot, Cut Fruit, LLC, James Catchot, James Gibson, Jose O. Castillo, Donald L. Johnson and RFG Nominee Trust (collectively, the “Sellers”) entered into Amendment No. 2 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Second Amendment”).

Calavo, RFG and the Sellers are parties to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 25, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated July 31, 2013 (as so amended the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, Calavo acquired RFG from the Sellers and Calavo agreed to make Earn-Out Payments to the Sellers upon the satisfaction of certain performance requirements specified in the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the attainment of the Stage 3 Maximum Earn-Out Trigger or the Stage 3 Scale Earn-Out Trigger, as applicable, Calavo shall be obligated to make a Stage 3 Earn-Out Payment to the Sellers consisting of either the Stage 3 Maximum Earn-Out Consideration or the Stage 3 Scale Earn-Out Consideration, each of which shall consist of a specified amount of cash and a specified number of Merger Shares.

Pursuant to the Second Amendment, Calavo, RFG and the Sellers amended the Merger Agreement to provide, among other things, that: (1) with respect to the portion of the Stage 3 Maximum Earn-Out Consideration or the Stage 3 Scale Earn-Out Consideration, as applicable, that is currently required by the Merger Agreement to be paid in cash to the Sellers, Calavo shall have the right to elect to pay all or a portion of such cash amount by delivery of additional Merger Shares to the RFG Nominee Trust (the “Trust”), for the benefit of the Sellers; (2) the Sellers shall receive specified price protection from Calavo with respect to the Trust’s sale of shares of Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market, up to the total number of shares of Common Stock issued to the Trust pursuant to this Second Amendment; and (3) Calavo shall file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the Trust’s resale on the Nasdaq Stock Market of any additional Merger Shares issued pursuant to the Second Amendment for sales that occur during the period specified in this Second Amendment. Any additional Merger Shares issued by Calavo in lieu of cash payments to the Sellers will be valued for this purpose at the closing price of Calavo Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market at the time of issuance.

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Investment in Unconsolidated Entity

In October 2013, we contributed $1.0 million to the purchase of 60 hectares of property in Jalisco, Mexico, for the development of facilities to grow tomatoes. In the first quarter of 2014, we expect to enter into a joint venture agreement with Agricola Belher (Belher). Such joint venture is expected to operate under the name of Agricola Don Memo. Belher and Calavo are expected to have equal one-half ownership interests in Agricola Don Memo, but Belher will ultimately have overall management responsibility for the operations of Agricola Don Memo. The contribution of $1.0 million has been recorded as an investment in unconsolidated entities on our consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we re-evaluate all of our estimates, including those related to the areas of customer and grower receivables, inventories, useful lives of property, plant and equipment, promotional allowances, income taxes, retirement benefits, and commitments and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may materially differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions as additional information becomes available in future periods.

Management has discussed the development and selection of critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosure relating to critical accounting estimates in this Annual Report.

We believe the following are the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Promotional allowances. We provide for promotional allowances at the time of sale, based on our historical experience. Our estimates are generally based on evaluating the relationship between promotional allowances and gross sales. The derived percentage is then applied to the current period’s sales revenues in order to arrive at the appropriate debit to sales allowances for the period. The offsetting credit is made to accrued liabilities. When certain amounts of specific customer accounts are subsequently identified as promotional, they are written off against this allowance. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates and such differences are recognized as an adjustment to net sales in the period they are identified. A 1% change in the derived percentage for the entire year would impact results of operations by approximately $0.6 million.

Income taxes. We account for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Measurement of the deferred items is based on enacted tax laws. In the event the future consequences of differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of our assets and liabilities result in a deferred tax asset, we perform an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such asset. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

As a multinational corporation, we are subject to taxation in many jurisdictions, and the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in various taxing jurisdictions. If we ultimately determine that the payment of these liabilities will be unnecessary, the liability will be reversed and we will recognize a tax benefit during the period in which it is determined the liability no longer applies. Conversely, we record additional tax charges in a period in which it is determined that a recorded tax liability is less than the ultimate assessment is expected to be.

The application of tax laws and regulations is subject to legal and factual interpretation, judgment and uncertainty. Tax laws and regulations themselves are subject to change as a result of changes in fiscal policy, changes in legislation, the evolution of regulations and court rulings. Therefore, the actual liability for U.S. or foreign taxes may be materially different from management’s estimates, which could result in the need to record additional tax liabilities or potentially reverse previously recorded tax liabilities.

Goodwill and acquired intangible assets. Goodwill, defined as unidentified asset(s) acquired in conjunction with a business acquisition, is tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below the operating segment. Goodwill impairment testing is a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test, used to identify potential impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount,

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including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired, and the second step of the impairment test would be unnecessary. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test, used to measure the amount of impairment loss, compares the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Goodwill impairment testing requires significant judgment and management estimates, including, but not limited to, the determination of (i) the number of reporting units, (ii) the goodwill and other assets and liabilities to be allocated to the reporting units and (iii) the fair values of the reporting units. The estimates and assumptions described above, along with other factors such as discount rates, will significantly affect the outcome of the impairment tests and the amounts of any resulting impairment losses. We performed our annual assessment of goodwill and determined that no impairment existed as of October 31, 2013.

Contingent consideration: Each period, we revalue our contingent consideration obligations to their fair value and record increases or decreases in the fair value into selling, general and administrative expense. Increases or decreases in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations can result from changes in the assumed timing and amount of revenue and expense estimates, changes in the probability of payment scenarios, as well as changes in capital market conditions, which impact the discount rate used in the fair valuation. Significant judgment is employed in determining the appropriateness of these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Accordingly, future business and economic conditions, as well as changes in any of the assumptions described above, can materially impact the amount of contingent consideration expense we record in any given period. We have amended our acquisition agreement with RFG in regards to the cash payment portion of the Stage II & III earnouts. We no longer will pay cash, but rather in the form of shares of our common stock. We recorded revalue adjustments of $1.8 million in fiscal 2013 and the entire liability of $4.2 million has been reclassified to additional paid in capital. Total net decrease to the contingent considerations in fiscal year 2012 totaled $0.4 million. See Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.

Allowance for accounts receivable. We provide an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts receivable balances based on historical experience and the aging of the related accounts receivable. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain items from our consolidated statements of income, expressed as percentages of our total net sales, for the periods indicated:

Net Sales

We believe that the fundamentals for our products continue to be favorable. Firstly, Americans continue to eat more avocados. United States (U.S.) avocado demand continues to grow, with per capita use in 2011/12 reaching 5.0 pounds per person, up 25 percent from the previous year, and approximately double the estimate of a decade ago. We believe that the healthy eating trend that has been developing in the United States contributes to such growth, as avocados, which are cholesterol and sodium free, are dense in fiber, vitamin B6, antioxidants, potassium, folate, and contain unsaturated fat, which help lower cholesterol. Also, a growing number of research studies seem to suggest that phytonutrients, which avocados are rich in, help fight chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer.

Additionally, we believe that the demographic changes in the U.S. will greatly impact the consumption of avocados and avocado-based products. The Hispanic community currently accounts for approximately 17% of the U.S. population, and the total number of Hispanics is estimated to triple by the year 2050. Avocados are considered a staple item purchased by Hispanic consumers, as the per-capita avocado consumption in Mexico is considered significantly higher than that of the U.S.

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We anticipate avocado products will further penetrate the United States marketplace driven by year-round availability of fresh avocados due to imports, a rapidly growing Hispanic population, and the promotion of the health benefits of avocados. As the largest marketer of avocado products in the United States, we believe that we are well positioned to leverage this trend and to grow our Fresh products and Calavo Foods segments of our business. Additionally, we also believe that avocados and avocado based products will further penetrate other marketplaces that we currently operate in, as interest in avocados continues to expand.

In October 2002, the USDA announced the creation of a Hass Avocado Board to promote the sale of Hass variety avocados in the U.S. marketplace. This board provides a basis for a unified funding of promotional activities based on an assessment on all avocados sold in the U.S. marketplace. The California Avocado Commission, which receives its funding from California avocado growers, has historically shouldered the promotional and advertising costs supporting avocado sales. We believe that the incremental funding of promotional and advertising programs in the U.S. will, in the long term, positively impact average selling prices and will favorably impact our avocado businesses. During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, on behalf of avocado growers, we remitted approximately $2.0 million, $0.9 million and $1.8 million to the California Avocado Commission. During fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, we remitted approximately $8.0 million, $5.7 million and $4.8 million to the Hass Avocado Board related to avocados.

We also believe that our diversified fresh products, primarily tomatoes, papayas and pineapples, are positioned for future growth and expansion.

The tomato is the fourth most popular fresh-market vegetable behind potatoes, lettuce, and onions in the United States. Although stabilizing in the first decade of the 2000s, annual average fresh-market tomato consumption remains well above that of the previous decade. Over the past few decades, per capita use of tomatoes has been on the rise due to the enduring popularity of salads, salad bars, and bacon-lettuce-tomato and submarine sandwiches. Perhaps of greater importance has been the introduction of improved and new tomato varieties, heightened consumer interest in a wider range of tomatoes, a surge of new immigrants who eat vegetable-intensive diets, and expanding national emphasis on health and nutrition.

Papayas have become more popular as the consumption in the United States has more than doubled in the past decade. Papayas have high nutritional benefits. They are rich in Anti-oxidants, the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer.

Additionally, through the acquisition of RFG, we substantially expanded and accelerated the Company’s presence in the fast-growing refrigerated fresh packaged foods category through an array of retail product lines for produce, deli, meat and food service departments. RFG products range from fresh-cut fruit, ready-to-eat vegetables and deli meat products. RFG sells under the popular labels of Garden Highway Fresh Cut, Garden Highway, and Garden Highway Chef Essentials to a wide range of customers.

Sales of products and related costs of products sold are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Service revenue, including freight, ripening, storage, bagging and palletization charges, is recorded when services are performed and sales of the related products are delivered. We provide for sales returns and promotional allowances at the time of shipment, based on our experience.

The following tables set forth sales by product category and sales incentives, by segment (dollars in thousands):

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Net sales to third parties by segment exclude inter-segment sales and cost of sales. For fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Fresh products totaling $29.9 million, $22.2 million and $15.8 million were eliminated. For fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, inter-segment sales and cost of sales for Calavo Foods totaling $14.3 million, $11.6 million, and $11.2 million were eliminated.

The following table summarizes our net sales by business segment:

Net sales for the year ended October 31, 2013, compared to 2012, increased by $140.3 million, or 25.5%. The increases in sales, when compared to the same corresponding prior year periods, are related to increases in sales from all segments. We experienced increases in Fresh product sales during fiscal year 2013, which was due primarily to increased sales of Mexican and California sourced avocados, as well as tomatoes. Partially offsetting these increases in Fresh product sales, however, was a decrease in sales of Chilean sourced avocados. We also experienced increases in RFG sales during fiscal year 2013, which was due primarily to increased sales from cut fruit and vegetables platters, as well as increases in sales of deli products. Lastly, Calavo Foods had an increase in sales primarily related to an increase in units sold of our prepared guacamole products. While the procurement of fresh avocados related to our Fresh products segment is very seasonal, our Calavo Foods and RFG segments are generally not subject to a seasonal effect. See detailed explanations below.

Net sales to third parties by segment exclude value-added services billed by our Uruapan packinghouse and our Uruapan processing plant to the parent company. All intercompany sales are eliminated in our consolidated results of operations.

Fresh products

Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012:

Net sales delivered by the Fresh products business increased by approximately $97.8 million, or 27.9%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to fiscal 2012. As discussed above, this increase in Fresh product sales during fiscal year 2013 was primarily related to increased sales of Mexican and California sourced avocados, as well as tomatoes. Partially offsetting these increases in Fresh product sales, however, was a decrease in sales of Chilean sourced avocados. See details below.

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Sales of Mexican sourced avocados increased $52.9 million, or 29.1%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase in Mexican sourced avocados was primarily due to an increase in pounds sold. Mexican sourced avocados sales reflect an increase in 50.3 million pounds of avocados sold, or 30.0%, when compared to the same prior year period. We attribute much of this increase in volume to the larger Mexican avocado crop in the current year, as well as current initiatives to expand our customer base and market share. Partially offsetting this increase, however, was the decrease in the sales price per carton, which decreased by approximately 0.7%. We attribute this decrease primarily to a higher overall volume of avocados in the marketplace, as well as the aforementioned change in strategy to increase avocado market share.

Sales of California sourced avocados increased $42.7 million, or 33.0%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase in California sourced avocados was primarily due to an increase in the sales price per carton and an increase in pounds sold. California sourced avocados experienced an increase in the sales price per carton of approximately 19.6%. We attribute this increase primarily to a higher overall demand of avocados in the marketplace. Additionally there was an increase in pounds sold, which increased 14.3 million pounds, or 11.2%, when compared to the same prior year period. We attribute much of this increase in volume to the larger California avocado crop in the current year.

Sales of tomatoes increased $11.2 million, or 98.4%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2012. The increase in sales for tomatoes is primarily due to a combination of an increase in the number of cartons sold and an increase in the sales price per carton. Warmer than expected weather was experienced in both Florida and Mexico growing areas which delayed the start of the respective harvests and reduced the number of units available in prior year. We attribute some of this increase in the per carton selling price to the lower volume of quality tomatoes in the U.S. marketplace.

Partially offsetting the increases described in the paragraphs above was a decrease in sales of Chilean sourced avocados, which decreased $5.7 million, or 95.9%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2012. The decrease in Chilean sourced avocados was due to a decrease in pounds sold. Chilean sourced avocados sales reflect a decrease in 5.4 million pounds of avocados sold, when compared to the same prior year period. This decrease in sales is due to the high availability of other avocado sources, and an increased focus on Mexican and California sourced avocados for the year ended October 31, 2013.

We anticipate that sales volume of California grown avocados will decrease in fiscal 2014, due to a smaller expected California avocado crop. We anticipate that sales of Mexican grown avocados will increase in fiscal 2014, when compared to the same prior year period, due to higher expected sales prices. We expect higher sales prices due to less expected avocado volume in the market, and expected higher demand. In addition, we anticipate that sales volume of tomatoes, pineapples, and papayas will increase in fiscal 2014.

Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011:

Net sales delivered by the Fresh products business decreased by approximately $70.1 million, or 16.7%, for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to fiscal 2011. As discussed above, this decrease in Fresh product sales during fiscal year 2012 was primarily related to decreased sales of Mexican, California and Chilean sourced avocados, as well as tomatoes. These decreases were partially offset, however, by increased sales from pineapples. See details below.

Sales of Mexican sourced avocados decreased $36.5 million, or 16.8%, for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period. The decrease in Mexican sourced avocados was primarily due to a decrease in the sales price per carton, which decreased by approximately 25.8%, when compared to the same prior year period. We attribute this decrease primarily to a higher overall volume of avocados in the marketplace. Partially offsetting this decrease, was an increase in pounds sold of 18.2 million pounds or 12.1%, when compared to the same prior year period. Mexican grown avocados are primarily sold in the U.S., Japanese, and European marketplace.

Sales of California sourced avocados decreased $21.1 million, or 14.1%, for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period. The decrease in California sourced avocados was primarily due to a decrease in sales price per carton, which decreased approximately 42.6%. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in pounds sold, which increased approximately 42.2 million pounds or 49.7%. We attribute most of this increase in volume and decrease in per sale price per carton to the larger California avocado crop in 2012, when compared to 2011. California avocados are primarily sold in the U.S. marketplace.

Sales of tomatoes decreased $12.5 million, or 52.3%, for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2011. The decrease in sales for tomatoes is primarily due to a decrease in the sales price per carton of 52.7%, when compared to the same prior year period. We attribute most of the decrease in the per carton selling price to the higher volume of tomatoes from all sources in the U.S. marketplace.

Sales of Chilean sourced avocados decreased $1.5 million, or 19.9% for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period. The decrease in Chilean sourced avocados was primarily due to a decrease in pounds sold. Chilean sourced avocados sales reflect a decrease in 1.3 million pounds of avocados sold, or 18.5%, when compared to the same prior year period.

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Partially offsetting such decreases was an increase in sales of pineapples, which increased $2.6 million, or 59.9%, for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase in sales of pineapples was primarily due to an increase in units sold of 83.7%, when compared to the same prior year period. We believe this increase is due to a more consistent reliable source of fresh pineapples and a new offering of crownless pineapples, which has increased our sales volume.

Calavo Foods

Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012:

Sales for Calavo Foods for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2012, increased $5.2 million, or 11.2%. This increase is due to an increase in sales of prepared guacamole products which increased approximately $6.0 million, or 13.9%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase in sales of prepared guacamole was primarily related to an increase in overall pounds sold, which increased 4.3 million pounds, or 24.8%, partially offset by a decrease in the average net selling price per pound for both our frozen guacamole products and our refrigerated guacamole products of approximately 8.0%. The decrease in the average net selling price is primarily related to an increase in sales to high volume but lower margin customers. Partially offsetting this increase is a decrease of sales of Calavo Salsa Lisa products of $0.5 million or 21.8% and tortilla chips of $0.4 million or 32.7%.

Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011:

Sales for Calavo Foods for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2011, increased $1.3 million, or 2.8%. This increase was due primarily to an increase in sales of prepared guacamole products of $0.8 million or 1.8%, an increase in sales of salsa, which increased approximately $0.3 million, or 14.5%, and an increase of sales of tortilla chips, which increased approximately $0.2 million, or 26.3%. The increase in prepared guacamole products was primarily related to a 10.2% increase in the average net selling price per pound for our frozen and refrigerated guacamole products (formerly high-pressure), partially offset by a decrease in overall pounds sold by 7.8%.

RFG

Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012:

Sales for RFG for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same prior year period, increased $37.4 million, or 24.2%. This increase is due primarily to increased sales from packaged fresh cut fruit, packaged fresh cut vegetables and fresh prepared and packaged deli style salads, sandwiches and wraps. The overall increase in sales is primarily due to an increase in sales volume. Collectively, cut fruit, cut vegetable, and deli product sales increased 13.8 million units, or 24.0%. We believe the overall increase in sales volume is primarily due to an increase in demand for the variety of innovative packaged fresh food products that we offer.

Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011:

Sales for RFG for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period, increased $97.4 million, or 171.7%. As the acquisition was completed on June 1, 2011, only five months of sales are included in fiscal year 2011.

Gross Margins

Our cost of sales consists predominantly of fruit costs, packing materials, freight and handling, labor and overhead (including depreciation) associated with preparing food products, and other direct expenses pertaining to products sold. Gross margins decreased by approximately $0.5 million, or 0.9%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2012. See details below.

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The following table summarizes our gross margins and gross profit percentages by business segment:

Fresh products

Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012:

During fiscal 2013, as compared to the same prior year period, the decrease in our Fresh products segment gross margin percentage was primarily the result of higher Mexican sourced avocado fruit costs year-over-year. In addition, the U.S. Dollar to Mexican Peso exchange rate weakened in fiscal year 2013, when compared to the same prior period. We also focused on our current initiatives to expand our customer base and market share. Contributing to the decrease in the gross margin percentage was a decrease in the gross margin percentage for California sourced avocados for fiscal 2013, as compared to the same prior year periods. This decrease was primarily attributed to our current increased focus on initiatives to expand our customer base and market share. The combined effect of these negatively impacted gross margins. Any significant fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Mexican Peso may have a material impact on future gross margins for our Fresh products and Calavo Foods segments.

The gross margin and/or gross profit percentage for consignment sales, including certain Chilean avocados and tomatoes, are dependent on the volume of fruit we handle, the average selling prices, and the competitiveness of the returns that we provide to third-party growers/packers. The gross margin we earn is generally based on a commission agreed to with each party, which usually is a percent of the overall selling price. Although we generally do not take legal title to such avocados and perishable products, we do assume responsibilities (principally assuming credit risk, inventory loss and delivery risk, and limited pricing risk) that are consistent with acting as a principal in the transaction. Accordingly, our results of operations include sales and cost of sales from the sale of avocados and perishable products procured under consignment arrangements. For fiscal years 2013, we generated gross margins of $2.9 million from consigned sales. This is a $0.5 million increase in gross margin for consigned sales compared to previous year. This increase is due to an increase in tomato sales of 98.4% for fiscal 2013, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase in sales for tomatoes is primarily due to a combination of an increase in the number of cartons sold and an increase in the sales price per carton. Warmer than expected weather was experienced in both Florida and Mexico growing areas which delayed the start of the respective harvests and reduced the number of units available in prior year. We attribute some of this increase in the per carton selling price to the lower volume of quality tomatoes in the U.S. marketplace. Partially offsetting the increase in tomato sales is the decrease in Chilean avocado sales, which decreased $5.7 million, or 95.9%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same period for fiscal 2012. The decrease in Chilean sourced avocados was due to a decrease in pounds sold. Chilean sourced avocados sales reflect a decrease in 5.4 million pounds of avocados sold, when compared to the same prior year period. This decrease in sales is due to the high availability of other avocado sources, and an increased focus on Mexican and California sourced avocados for the year ended October 31, 2013.

Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011:

During fiscal year 2012, as compared to the same prior year periods, we experienced an overall increase in the Fresh products gross margin percentage. The increase was primarily related to an increase in the gross margin percentage for California and Mexican sourced avocados. The gross margin from California sourced avocados primarily increased due to a significant increase in the volume of California avocados sold for the year ended October 31, 2012, as compared to the same prior year period, which increased 49.7%. This increase was primarily related to the larger California avocado crop for 2012, when compared to prior year. This had the effect of decreasing our fixed per pound costs, which, as a result, positively impacted gross margins. The gross margin from Mexican sourced avocados increased due to lower fruit costs per pound, which decreased by 33.9%, when compared to the same prior year period. We believe this decrease was primarily related to the increase in the availability of avocados in the U.S. marketplace, when compared to the same prior year period. In addition, the U.S. Dollar to Mexican Peso exchange rate strengthened in fiscal year 2012, when compared to the same prior period. All of these combined had the effect of decreasing our per pound costs related to Mexican sourced avocados, which, as a result, positively impacted gross margins.

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The gross margin and/or gross profit percentage for consignment sales, including certain Chilean avocados and tomatoes, are dependent on the volume of fruit we handle, the average selling prices, and the competitiveness of the returns that we provide to third-party growers/packers. The gross margin we earn is generally based on a commission agreed to with each party, which usually is a percent of the overall selling price. Although we generally do not take legal title to such avocados and perishable products, we do assume responsibilities (principally assuming credit risk, inventory loss and delivery risk, and limited pricing risk) that are consistent with acting as a principal in the transaction. Accordingly, our results of operations include sales and cost of sales from the sale of avocados and perishable products procured under consignment arrangements. For fiscal years 2012, we generated gross margins of $2.4 million from consigned sales. This is a $1.1 million decrease in gross margin for consigned sales compared to previous year. This decrease is due to a decrease in tomato sales of 52.3% for fiscal 2012, when compared to the same prior year period. The decrease in sales for tomatoes is primarily due to a decrease in the sales price per carton of 52.7%, when compared to the same prior year period. We attribute most of the decrease in the per carton selling price to the higher volume of tomatoes from all sources in the U.S. marketplace.

Calavo Foods

Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012:

Gross profit percentages for Calavo Foods for the year ended October 31, 2013, as compared to the same prior year period, decreased primarily as a result of higher fruit and operating costs for our prepared guacamole products. Fruit costs for the year ended October 31, 2013, increased 19.7%, when compared to the same prior year period. We believe these increases in fruit costs are primarily due to an overall higher demand for avocados in the marketplace. In addition, the weakening of the U.S. Dollar compared to the Mexican Peso, year-over-year, increased our per pound costs. All of these combined had the effect of increasing our per pound costs, which, as a result, negatively impacted gross margins. In addition, included in the cost of sales was an impairment of $0.6 million for certain intangible assets related to the Calavo Salsa Lisa reporting unit. This impairment was a result of less than anticipated sales since acquisition and was calculated via a forecast projection analysis, with consultation from a third party consulting firm. We anticipate that the gross margin percentage for our Calavo Foods segment will continue to experience significant fluctuations due to the uncertainty of the cost of fruit that will be used in the production process. In addition, any significant fluctuation in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Mexican Peso may have a material impact on future gross margins for our Calavo Foods segment.

Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011:

Gross profit percentages for Calavo Foods for the year ended October 31, 2012, as compared to the same prior year period, increased primarily as a result of lower fruit and operating costs, partially offset by a decrease in total pounds sold. Fruit costs for the year ended October 31, 2012, decreased 33.9%, when compared to the same prior year period. These decreases in fruit costs are primarily due to the increase in the availability of avocados in the U.S. marketplace, when compared to same prior year period. In addition, the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar compared to the Mexican Peso, year-over-year, decreased our per pound costs. All of these combined had the effect of decreasing our per pound costs, which, as a result, positively impacted gross margins.

RFG

Fiscal 2013 vs. Fiscal 2012:

Gross profit for RFG for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same prior year period, increased $3.2 million, or 25.7%. This increase is due primarily to increased sales from packaged fresh cut fruit, packaged fresh cut vegetables and fresh prepared and packaged deli style salads, sandwiches and wraps. The overall increase in sales is primarily due to an increase in sales volume. Collectively, cut fruit, cut vegetable, and deli product sales increased 13.8 million units, or 24.0%. We believe the overall increase in sales volume is primarily due to an increase in demand for the variety of innovative packaged fresh food products that we offer.

Fiscal 2012 vs. Fiscal 2011:

Gross profit for RFG for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period, increased $8.1 million, or 189.5%. As the acquisition was completed on June 1, 2011, only five months of sales are included in fiscal year 2011.

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Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses include costs of marketing and advertising, sales expenses and other general and administrative costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1.9 million, or 5.7%, for the year ended October 31, 2013, when compared to the same prior year period. This increase was primarily due to the start-up operations of FreshRealm (totaling approximately $1.9 million, see Note 17), as well as higher corporate costs, including, but not limited to, an increase in the revalue adjustments on contingent consideration related to the acquisition of RFG compared to prior year (totaling approximately $1.2 million, see Note 16), salaries (totaling approximately $0.7 million), accounting fees (totaling approximately $0.2 million), and legal fees (totaling approximately $0.2 million), partially offset by decreases in management bonuses (totaling approximately $2.2 million), consulting fees (totaling approximately $0.1 million), data processing (totaling approximately $0.1 million) and a decrease in the revalue adjustments on contingent consideration related to the acquisition of Calavo Salsa Lisa compared to prior year (totaling approximately $0.1 million).

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.2 million, or 38.2%, for the year ended October 31, 2012, when compared to the same prior year period. This increase was primarily related to the acquisition of RFG which contributed $7.8 million in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended October 31, 2012, compared with only $3.1 million being contributed from RFG in prior year. As the acquisition of RFG was completed on June 1, 2011, only five months of selling, general and administrative are included in fiscal year 2011. The remaining is an increase of $4.5 million, which is due to higher corporate costs, including, but not limited to, management bonuses (totaling approximately $3.4 million), an increase in the contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of RFG (totaling approximately $0.6 million), a decrease in prior year’s contingent consideration liability related to the acquisition of CSL (totaling approximately $0.2 million), promotions and advertising (totaling approximately $0.3 million), stock option expense (totaling approximately $0.2 million), depreciation (totaling approximately $0.2 million), and data processing (totaling approximately $ 0.2 million). These increases were partially offset by decreases in legal fees (totaling approximately $0.2 million), broker commissions (totaling approximately $0.2 million), travel and entertainment expenses (totaling approximately $0.1 million), and director’s fees (totaling approximately $0.1 million).

Interest Income

Interest income was primarily generated from our loans to growers. The increase in interest income in fiscal 2013 as compared to 2012 is due to the borrowings by California avocado growers increasing in the current year compared to the prior year.

The increase in interest income in fiscal 2012 as compared to 2011 is due to higher principal balances for infrastructure advances to Agricola Belher. Infrastructure repayments from Agricola Belher were deferred to 2013.

Interest Expense

Interest expense is primarily generated from our line of credit borrowings, as well as our term loan agreements with Farm Credit West, PCA (FCW) and Bank of America, N.A. (BoA). For fiscal 2013, as compared to fiscal 2012, the decrease in interest expense was primarily related to a lower average outstanding balance on our non-collateralized, revolving credit facilities with FCW and BoA.

For fiscal 2012, as compared to fiscal 2011, the increase in interest expense was primarily related to a higher average outstanding balance under our term loan agreements and our non-collateralized, revolving credit facilities with FCW and BoA.

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Other Income, Net

Other income, net includes dividend income, as well as certain other transactions that are outside of the normal course of operations. The decrease in fiscal year 2013, compared to 2012 is due the sale to San Rafael of all our interest, representing one-half ownership, in Maui Fresh International in prior year. This transaction resulted in a prior year gain on sale of approximately $0.5 million. During fiscal 2013, we received $0.3 million as dividend income from Limoneira. During fiscal 2012 and 2011, we received $0.2 million as dividend income from Limoneira.

Provision for Income Taxes

The decrease in our provision for income taxes in fiscal 2013, as compared to 2012, is due to the income tax assessment payment of $1.8 million made in 2012, related to the Hacienda’s examination of the tax year ended December 31, 2004 (see below). In addition, we were able to take advantage of additional tax credits through California’s Enterprise Zone Hiring Credit Program (EZC) and an increase in the Section 199 (Domestic Production Activities) deduction in fiscal 2013.

In fiscal year 2012, we received an update from our outside legal counsel regarding the Hacienda’s examination of the tax year ended December 31, 2004. The appellate court, via a second resolution, upheld the lower court’s decision on two outstanding tax assessments from the Hacienda for which we had previously received unfavorable rulings. The income tax assessment amounted to $1.8 million. This had the effect of increasing our effective income tax rate for fiscal 2012. Substantially offsetting the impact of this assessment on our tax provision are tax benefits recognized due to a shift of income between taxing jurisdictions, tax credits received through California’s EZC and an increase in the Section 199 deduction.

The effective income tax rate for fiscal year 2011 is higher than the federal statutory rate principally due to state and foreign taxes.

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table presents our operating results for each of the eight fiscal quarters in the period ended October 31, 2013. The information for each of these quarters is derived from our unaudited interim financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. In our opinion, all necessary adjustments, which consist only of normal and recurring accruals, have been included to fairly present our unaudited quarterly results. Historically, we receive and sell a substantially smaller volume of California avocados in our first fiscal quarter.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating activities for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 provided cash flows of $13.7 million, $21.7 million, and $7.9 million. Fiscal year 2013 operating cash flows reflect our net income of $16.7 million, net noncash charges (depreciation and amortization, income from unconsolidated entities, provision for losses on accounts receivable, interest on deferred compensation, deferred income taxes, revalue adjustment on contingent consideration, impairment on intangible assets and stock compensation expense) of $2.3 million and a net decrease from changes in the non-cash components of our working capital accounts of approximately $5.3 million.

Fiscal year 2013 decreases in operating cash flows, caused by working capital changes, includes an increase in accounts receivable of $16.2 million, an increase in inventory of $5.7 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $3.6 million, and an increase in advances to suppliers of $0.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in income tax receivable of $8.2 million, an increase in payable to growers of $7.7 million, an increase in trade accounts payable and accrued expenses of $5.0 million, and a decrease in other assets of $0.1 million.

The increase in our accounts receivable balance as of October 31, 2013, when compared to October 31, 2012, primarily reflects an increase in sales across all segments in the month of October 2013, as compared to October 2012. The increase in our inventory balance is primarily related to an increase in Mexico avocado inventory on hand at October 31, 2013, as compared to the same prior year period. The increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets is primarily due to an increase in the receivable of Mexican IVA taxes related to the increase of purchases of Mexican avocados as compared to prior year. The increase in advances to suppliers is primarily due to an increase in pre-season advances to our tomato grower Agricola Belher. The increase in payable to our growers primarily reflects an increase in California fruit delivered in the month of October 2013, as compared to the month of October 2012. The increase in our trade accounts payable and accrued expenses is mainly due to an increase in purchases of Mexican avocados from co-packers in the month of October 2013, as compared to October 2012. In addition, this increase is also attributed to an increase in freight accruals due to an overall increase in the volume of Mexican avocados in the month of October 2013, as compared to October 2012.

Cash used in investing activities was $7.7 million, $7.2 million, and $20.9 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011. Fiscal year 2013 cash flows used in investing activities include capital expenditures of $6.7 million and an investment of $1.0 million to the new joint venture which is expected to operate under the name of Agricola Don Memo.

Cash used in financing activities was $5.1 million and $10.2 million for fiscal year 2013 and 2012. Cash provided by financing activities was $14.8 million for fiscal year 2011. Cash used during fiscal year 2013 primarily related to the payment of a dividend of $9.6 million, payments on long-term debt obligations of $5.4 million, and the purchase and retirement of Calavo stock of $4.8 million. Partially offsetting these proceeds, however, includes proceeds from our non-collateralized, revolving credit facilities totaling $13.8 million, $0.7 million provided by the exercise of stock options, $0.1 million as a tax benefit of stock option exercises, and $0.1 million proceeds received from the issuance of FreshRealm stock.

Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash reserves, cash generated from operations and amounts available for borrowing under our existing credit facilities. Cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2013 and 2012 totaled $8.0 million and $7.1 million. Our working capital at October 31, 2013 was $12.4 million, compared to $9.7 million at October 31, 2012.

We believe that cash flows from operations and available credit facilities will be sufficient to satisfy our future capital expenditures, grower recruitment efforts, working capital and other financing requirements. We will continue to evaluate grower recruitment opportunities and exclusivity arrangements with food service companies to fuel growth in each of our business segments.

Effective May 31, 2011, the Company and FCW, entered into a Term Revolving Credit Agreement (Revolving Agreement). Under the terms of the Revolving Agreement, we are advanced funds for working capital purposes, the purchase and installation of capital items, as well as other corporate needs of the Company. Total credit available under the borrowing agreement is $40 million, up from $30 million, and expires on February 1, 2016. This increase was at our request and not due to any immediate cash flows needs. The credit facility and term loan contain various financial covenants, the most significant relating to tangible net worth (as defined), Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined) and Current Ratio (as defined).

Effective September 30, 2011, the Company and Bank of America, N.A. (BoA), entered into an agreement, Amendment No. 4 to Loan Agreement (the Agreement), which amended our existing credit facility with BoA. Under the terms of the Agreement, we are advanced funds primarily for working capital purposes. Total credit available under the borrowing agreement is now $25 million, up from $15 million and now expires on February 1, 2016. This increase was at our request and not due to any immediate cash flows needs.

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Under the terms of these agreements, we are advanced funds for both working capital and long-term productive asset purchases. Total credit available under these combined borrowing agreements was $65 million, with a weighted-average interest rate of 1.7% and 1.8% at October 31, 2013 and 2012. Under these credit facilities, we had $34.0 million and $20.2 million outstanding as October 31, 2013 and 2012. These credit facilities contain various financial covenants, the most significant relating to Tangible Net Worth (as defined), Current Ratio (as defined), and Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined). We were in compliance with all such covenants at October 31, 2013.

The following table summarizes contractual obligations pursuant to which we are required to make cash payments. The information is presented as of our fiscal year ended October 31, 2013:

The California avocado industry is subject to a state marketing order whereby handlers are required to collect assessments from the growers and remit such assessments to the California Avocado Commission (CAC). The assessments are primarily for advertising and promotions. The amount of the assessment is based on the dollars paid to the growers for their fruit, and, as a result, is not determinable until the value of the payments to the growers has been calculated.

With similar precision, amounts remitted to the Hass Avocado Board (HAB) in connection with their assessment program are likewise not determinable until the fruit is actually delivered to us. HAB assessments are primarily used to fund marketing and promotion efforts.

We have amended our acquisition agreement with RFG in regards to the cash payment portion of the Stage II & III earnouts. We no longer will pay cash to settle the amounts, but will settle the earnouts (when met) in shares of our common stock. Pursuant to this amendment, for the Stage II earnout, we filed a Registration Statement and issued 172,117 shares of common stock, valued at $29.05, to the Sellers in October 2013. See Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance regarding the presentation of comprehensive income. The new standard requires the presentation of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new standard also requires presentation of adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The adoption of this standard had no impact on our financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued additional guidance on fair value measurements that clarifies the application of existing guidance and disclosure requirements, changes certain fair value measurement principles and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The updated guidance is effective on a prospective basis for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this standard had no impact on our financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued additional guidance to simplify the assessment of testing the impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill and will become effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The amended guidance allows us to do an initial qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying amounts prior to performing the quantitative indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test. The adoption of this standard had no impact on our financial statements.

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2013, the FASB issued a standard that revised the disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and requires entities to present information about significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component either (1) on the face of the statement where net income is presented or (2) as a separate disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of this amendment will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued a standard which requires the release of a Company’s cumulative translation adjustment into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this amendment will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued a standard clarify the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists as of the reporting date. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this amendment will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued a standard permitting the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes, in addition to the United States Treasury rate and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). In addition, the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges is removed. The Company is required to adopt these provisions prospectively for qualifying new or re-designated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The adoption of this amendment will not have a material effect on our financial statements.

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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, payable to growers, accounts payable, current and long-term borrowings pursuant to our credit facilities with financial institutions, and long-term, fixed-rate obligations. All of our financial instruments are entered into during the normal course of operations and have not been acquired for trading purposes. The table below summarizes interest rate sensitive financial instruments and presents principal cash flows in U.S. dollars, which is our reporting currency, and weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates, as of October 31, 2013.

Except as disclosed with the acquisition of Calavo Salsa Lisa and RFG (and related amendments), we were not a party to any derivative instruments during the fiscal year. It is currently our intent not to use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Additionally, we do not use any hedging or forward contracts to offset market volatility.

Our Mexican-based operations transact business in Mexican pesos. Funds are transferred by our corporate office to Mexico on a weekly basis to satisfy domestic cash needs. Historically, the consistency of the spot rate for the Mexican peso has led to a small-to-moderate impact on our operating results. We do not anticipate using derivative instruments to hedge fluctuations in the Mexican peso to U.S. dollar exchange rates during fiscal 2014. Total foreign currency losses for fiscal 2013, net of gains, was $0.4 million. Total foreign currency gains for fiscal 2012, net of losses was $0.1 million. Total foreign currency losses for fiscal 2011, net of gains, was less than $0.1 million.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)