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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and the accounts of all the subsidiaries and investments in which the Company holds a controlling interest. The consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of comprehensive income (loss), statements of stockholders’ equity and temporary equity and statements of cash flows of Limoneira Company and consolidated subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company considers the criteria established under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) – Accounting Standards Code (“ASC”) 810, Consolidations, and the effect of variable interest entities, in its consolidation process.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accounts Receivable
The Company grants credit in the course of its operations to cooperatives, companies and lessees of the Company’s facilities. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. The Company provides allowances on its receivables as required based on accounts receivable aging and other factors. As of October 31, 2023 and 2022 the allowances totaled $260,000 and $469,000, respectively. For fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, credit losses were insignificant.
Concentrations and Geographic Information
The Company sells its avocados and oranges, and sold its specialty citrus, to third-party packinghouses. Prior to fiscal year 2022, the Company sold a majority of its avocado production to Calavo. Sales of avocados to Calavo were $6,594,000 in fiscal year 2021.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to revenues and accounts receivable are limited due to a large, diverse customer base. One individual customer represented 13% of revenue for fiscal year 2023. One individual customer represented 11% of accounts receivable, net as of October 31, 2023.
No individual supplier represented 10% of accounts payable as of October 31, 2023.
Lemons procured from third-party growers were 54%, 52% and 52% of the Company's lemon supply in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. One third-party grower was 44% of growers and suppliers payable as of October 31, 2023.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
The Company maintains its cash in federally insured financial institutions. The account balances at these institutions periodically exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance coverage and, as a result, there is a concentration of risk related to amounts on deposit in excess of FDIC insurance coverage.
Cultural Costs
Growing costs, also referred to as cultural costs, consist of orchard maintenance costs such as cultivation, fertilization and soil amendments, pest control, pruning and irrigation. Harvest costs are comprised of labor and equipment expenses incurred to harvest and deliver crops to the packinghouses.
Certain of the Company's crops have distinct growing periods and distinct harvest and selling periods, each of which lasts approximately four to eight months. During the growing period, cultural costs are capitalized as they are associated with benefiting and preparing the crops for the harvest and selling period. During the harvest and selling period, harvest costs and cultural costs are expensed when incurred and capitalized cultural costs are amortized as components of agribusiness costs and expenses.
Due to climate, growing conditions and the types of crops grown, certain of the Company's other crops may be harvested and sold on a year-round basis. Accordingly, the Company does not capitalize cultural costs associated with these crops and therefore such costs, as well as harvest costs associated with these crops, are expensed to operations when incurred as components of agribusiness costs and expenses.
Most cultural costs, including amortization of capitalized cultural costs, and harvest costs are associated with and charged to specific crops. Certain other costs, such as property taxes, indirect labor, including farm supervision and management, and irrigation that benefit multiple crops are allocated to crops on a per acre basis.
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed annually for differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. Such deferred income tax asset and liability computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Tax benefits from an uncertain tax position are only recognized if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method at rates based upon the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows (in years):
Land improvements
10 – 30
Buildings and building improvements
10 – 50
Equipment
5 – 20
Orchards and vineyards
20 – 40
Costs of planting and developing orchards are capitalized until the orchards become commercially productive. Planting costs consist primarily of the costs to purchase and plant nursery stock. Orchard development costs consist primarily of maintenance costs of orchards such as cultivation, pruning, irrigation, labor, pest control and fertilization, and interest costs during the development period. The Company ceases the capitalization of costs and commences depreciation when the orchards become commercially productive and orchard maintenance costs are accounted for as cultural costs as described above.
Capitalized Interest
Interest is capitalized on real estate development projects and significant construction in progress using the weighted average interest rate during the fiscal year. Capitalized interest is included in property, plant, and equipment, equity in investments and real estate development assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Real Estate Development Costs
The Company capitalizes the planning, entitlement, construction, development costs and interest associated with its various real estate projects. Costs that are not capitalized, which include property maintenance and repairs, general and administrative and marketing expenses, are expensed as incurred. A real estate development project is considered substantially complete upon the cessation of construction and development activities. Once a project is substantially completed, future costs are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalized costs related to its real estate projects of $281,000 and $637,000 in fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Equity in Investments
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures in which the Company has significant influence but less than a controlling interest, or is not the primary beneficiary if the joint venture is determined to be a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”), are accounted for under the equity method of accounting and, accordingly, are adjusted for capital contributions, distributions, capitalized interest and the Company’s equity in net earnings or loss of the respective joint venture. The Company evaluates equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances exist that may indicate the investments are no longer recoverable or have incurred an other-than-temporary decline in value.
Long-Lived and Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships, trade names and trademarks and a non-competition agreement. The Company’s definite-life intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives ranging from eight to nine years. Acquired water and mineral rights are indefinite-life assets not subject to amortization. Assets held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated cost to sell.
The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including its property and equipment, real estate development projects and definite-life intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If the estimated fair value or undiscounted future cash flows from the use of an asset are less than the carrying value of that asset, a write-down is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. The Company evaluates its indefinite-life intangible assets annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment of the assets’ value may exist.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The decline in demand for the Company's products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the Company's sales and profitability since the beginning of the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic may continue to impact the Company's sales and profitability in future periods. The duration of these trends and the magnitude of such impacts are uncertain and therefore cannot be estimated at this time, as they are influenced by a number of factors, many of which are outside management’s control.
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or when an event or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill impairment is tested at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below the operating segment. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. Goodwill impairment testing involves significant judgment and estimates.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
Accounts receivable, accounts payable, growers and suppliers payable and accrued liabilities reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of the instruments.
Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of long-term debt is approximately equal to its carrying amount as of October 31, 2023 and 2022.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) represents all changes in a company’s net assets, except changes resulting from transactions with stockholders. Other comprehensive income or loss includes foreign currency translation items and defined benefit pension items. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is reported as a component of the Company's stockholders' equity.
The following table summarizes the changes in other comprehensive income (loss) by component at October 31(in thousands):
 202320222021
 Pre-tax AmountTax Benefit (Expense) Net AmountPre-tax AmountTax Benefit (Expense)Net AmountPre-tax AmountTax ExpenseNet Amount
Foreign currency translation adjustments$518 $— $518 $(2,430)$— $(2,430)$(685)$— $(685)
Minimum pension liability adjustments:
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications(355)135 (220)(254)71 (183)3,440 (940)2,500 
Amounts reclassified to earnings included in “Other (expense) income, net”2,700 (756)1,944 607 (169)438 — — — 
Other comprehensive income (loss)$2,863 $(621)$2,242 $(2,077)$(98)$(2,175)$2,755 $(940)$1,815 
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component (in thousands):
 Foreign Currency Translation LossDefined Benefit Pension PlanAccumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Balance as of October 31, 2020
$(3,069)$(4,479)$(7,548)
Other comprehensive (loss) income(685)2,500 1,815 
Balance as of October 31, 2021
(3,754)(1,979)(5,733)
Other comprehensive (loss) income(2,430)255 (2,175)
Balance as of October 31, 2022
(6,184)(1,724)(7,908)
Other comprehensive income518 1,724 2,242 
Balance as of October 31, 2023
$(5,666)$— $(5,666)
Foreign Currency
The Company has foreign subsidiaries whose functional currencies are the Chilean Peso. Their balance sheets are translated to U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and their income statements are translated at average exchange rates during the reporting period. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.
The Company's foreign subsidiaries incurred aggregate foreign exchange transaction losses of approximately $204,000 in both of the fiscal years 2023 and 2022 and $646,000 for fiscal year 2021. These losses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from contracts with customers, and recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following steps:
Identify the contract(s) with a customer;
Identify the performance obligations in the contract;
Determine the transaction price;
Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract;
Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
The Company determines the appropriate method by which it recognizes revenue by analyzing the nature of the products or services being provided as well as the terms and conditions of contracts or arrangements entered into with its customers. The Company accounts for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable. A contract's transaction price is allocated to each distinct good or service (i.e., performance obligation) identified in the contract and each performance obligation is valued based on its estimated relative standalone selling price.
The Company recognizes the majority of its revenue at a point in time when it satisfies a performance obligation and transfers control of the product to the respective customer. The amount of revenue that is recognized is based on the transaction price, which represents the invoiced amount and includes estimates of variable consideration such as allowances for estimated customer discounts or concessions, where applicable. The amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price may be constrained and is included only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of the cumulative revenue recognized under the contract will not occur in a future period.
Agribusiness revenue - Revenue from lemon sales is generally recognized at a point in time when the customer takes control of the fruit from the Company’s packinghouse, which aligns with the transfer of title to the customer. The Company has elected to treat any shipping and handling costs incurred after control of the goods has been transferred to the customer as agribusiness costs.
The Company’s avocados are packed and sold by third-party packinghouses. The Company’s arrangements with its third-party packinghouses are such that the Company is the producer and supplier of the product and the third-party packinghouses are the Company’s customers. The Company controls the product until it is delivered to the third-party packinghouses at which time control of the product is transferred to the third-party packinghouses and revenue is recognized.
Revenue from crop insurance proceeds is recorded when the amount can be reasonably determined and upon establishment of the present right to payment. We recorded agribusiness revenues from crop insurance proceeds of $769,000 and $449,000 in fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. There were no proceeds received in fiscal year 2021.
Advertising Expense
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were immaterial in fiscal year 2023 and $165,000 and $178,000 in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Leases
Accounting for Leases as a Lessee - The Company enters into leases as a lessee generally for agricultural land and packinghouse facilities and equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease or contains a lease at inception. Operating and finance leases are included in other assets, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. Lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, measured on a discounted basis. Lease ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The Company uses either its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date, or the rate implicit in the lease, if known, in determining the present value of future payments.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Leases (continued)
Operating lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet as the Company has elected to recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company had material leases with related parties which are further described in Note 15 - Related-Party Transactions.
Certain of the Company’s agricultural land agreements contain variable costs based on a percentage of the operating results of the leased property. Such variable lease costs are expensed as incurred. These land agreements also contain costs for non-lease components, such as water usage, which the Company accounts for separately from the lease components. For all other agreements, the Company generally combines lease and non-lease components in calculating the ROU assets and lease liabilities. See Note 13 - Leases for additional information.
Accounting for Leases as a Lessor - Leases in which the Company acts as the lessor include land, residential and commercial units and are all classified as operating leases. Certain of the Company’s contracts contain variable income based on a percentage of the operating results of the leased asset. Certain of the Company’s contracts contain non-lease components such as water, utilities and common area services. The Company has elected to not separate lease and non-lease components for its lessor arrangements and the combined component is accounted for entirely under ASC 842, Leases. The underlying asset in an operating lease arrangement is carried at depreciated cost within property, plant, and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the useful life of the underlying asset. The Company recognizes operating lease revenue on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share
Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period without consideration of the dilutive effect of conversion of preferred stock. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect of conversion of unvested, restricted stock and preferred stock.
Diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated using the more dilutive method of either the two-class method or the treasury stock method. Unvested stock-based compensation awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends as participating shares are included in computing earnings per share. The Company’s unvested, restricted stock awards qualify as participating shares.
Defined Benefit Retirement Plan
The Company sponsored a defined benefit retirement plan (the “Plan”) that was frozen in June 2004, and no future benefits accrued to participants subsequent to that time. In fiscal year 2021, the Company terminated the Plan effective December 31, 2021. On November 4, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Principal Life Insurance Company for the purchase of an annuity contract in connection with the Plan termination. On November 10, 2022, the annuity contract was purchased for $12,617,000, payable with Plan assets and a $2,500,000 cash payment from the Company.