SALINAS, Calif., May 11, 2023 — Lowell Farms Inc. (“Lowell Farms” or the “Company”) (CSE: LOWL; OTCQX: LOWLF), a California-born vertically integrated cannabis company with advanced production capabilities including cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, and distribution, announces unaudited revenue and operating results for the first quarter of 2023 (ended March 31, 2023). All figures stated are in US Dollars.
First Quarter Financial Highlights
Revenues:
- Net revenue generated for Q1 2023 decreased 39% to $7.5 million, as compared to $12.4 million for Q1 2022. Net revenue was $9.3 million for Q4 2022, a decrease of 19%.
- CPG revenue decreased 49% compared to Q1 2022, and decreased 18% compared to Q4 2022.
- Bulk revenue from self-grown wholesale products increased 44% compared to Q1 2022 and decreased 9% compared to Q4 2022. In Q1 2023, there was a 31% decrease in volume and a 24% increase in realized price per lb compared to Q4 2022.
- LFS revenue decreased 86% compared to Q1 2022 and decreased 79% compared to Q4 2022.
- Out of state licensing revenue decreased 69% compared to Q1 2022 and decreased 23% compared to Q4 2022.
Gross Profits:
- Gross profit for Q1 2023 was $0.1 million reflecting gross margins of 1.8% compared to a gross profit of $1.6 million reflecting gross margins of 12.7% for Q1 2022.
Operating Loss:·
- Operating loss was $2.3 million compared to $2.5 million in Q1 2022, a 5% improvement. Operating loss improved by 64% from $6.4 million compared to Q4 2022.
- Net loss was $4.0 million compared to a net loss of $4.1 million in Q1 2022, and a net loss of $11.1 million for Q4 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA:
- Adjusted EBITDA was negative $1.1 million compared to adjusted EBITDA of negative $0.9 million in Q1 2022 and adjusted EBITDA of negative $4.1 million in Q4 2022. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information” below for further information and a detailed reconciliation to Net Loss, the closest comparable GAAP measure.
| Revenue Summary ($’s in ‘000) | |||||||
| Q1’23 vs Q4’22 | |||||||
| Q1’22 | Q4’22 | Q1’23 | Growth | ||||
| CPG Revenues | $9,077 | $5,682 | $4,659 | -18 | % | ||
| Bulk Product | $1,758 | $2,768 | $2,530 | -9 | % | ||
| LFS | $851 | $549 | $115 | -79 | % | ||
| Out-of-State Licensing | $723 | $289 | $222 | -23 | % | ||
| Total | $12,409 | $9,288 | $7,526 | -19 | % | ||
Subsequent events to the first quarter ended March 31, 2023:
- Tessa O’Dowd, who has been serving as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Finance, will assume the role of the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer effective immediately, following the departure of Brian Shure as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer on May 11, 2023.
“Tessa is an experienced financial executive who has a knowledgeable background in the Cannabis sector and can successfully lead our financial function through this interim period,” said Mark Ainsworth, Chief Executive Officer. “We also thank Brian for his service and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
“Despite a challenging first quarter, we are seeing improvements that we believe indicate the cost-cutting measures and operational efficiencies that we’ve employed are paying off. While we did experience a decrease in revenue, we are encouraged by the positive trend in our operating loss. As we continue to navigate a challenging economic environment, we remain focused on improving our financial performance and expanding our product offerings to achieve sustainable growth.”
Operational Highlights and Ongoing Initiatives:
We believe the Company’s focus and strategic planning of key initiatives continue to drive sustainable growth, with top priorities on its cultivation facilities, improving operational efficiency, and refinement of biological assets.
- Cultivation Quality and Efficiency:
- Continuing to refine its cultivation processes, genetics, and enhance facilities and systems is always at the forefront of the Company’s objectives.
- Lowell Farms saw flower product totaling 4,932 lbs during Q1 2023 compared to 8,355 in Q4 of 2022.
- The Company harvested 42 times in Q1 2023; in contrast to 41 harvests in Q4 2022.
- This was largely due to historic low temperatures, extreme rainfall, and low light levels.
- The average turn time for the flowering rooms remained consistent with 59 days in Q1 2023 compared to 58 days in Q4 2022.
- The Company harvested 42 times in Q1 2023; in contrast to 41 harvests in Q4 2022.
- Lowell Farms saw flower product totaling 4,932 lbs during Q1 2023 compared to 8,355 in Q4 of 2022.
- The portfolio of strains and consistent THC potencies coming from the cultivations in Q1 2023 are a result of the upgrades the Company has made to the electrical, mechanical, and environmental systems.
- These improvements resulted in an average potency of 26.3% in Q1 2023 compared to 27.6% in Q4 2022.
- All cultivation licenses have been converted from Provisional to Annual licenses, an achievement that very few other facilities have.
- Continuing to refine its cultivation processes, genetics, and enhance facilities and systems is always at the forefront of the Company’s objectives.
- Lowell Farm Services
- Lowell Farms’ cannabis processing facility is in Salinas Valley.
- In Q1 2023, the Company generated revenue of $0.1 million associated with Lowell Farm Services in comparison to $0.5 million in Q4 2022. LFS revenue includes sales of third-party bulk flower.
- Lowell Farm Services processed approximately 22,500 lbs of wet weight third-party flower in Q1 2023 compared to 70,000 lbs in Q4 2022.
- The decrease is attributed to seasonality as well as attrition within the Monterey County market.
- Continued efficiencies in processing functions have resulted in reduced labor costs.
- Lowell Farms’ cannabis processing facility is in Salinas Valley.
- California Market Trends
- Lowell Herb Co.
- Lowell achieved the highest 35s monthly revenue since the launch in Q3 2022 with approximately $350k in sales in March 2023 compared to the previous high of approximately $327k in December 2022. Total 35s revenue during Q1 2023 was $946k.
- Since launching the Lowell 35’s product in Q3 2022, Lowell remains one of the top three selling non-infused pre-roll brands in California, according to Headset data.
- Sales of Lowell branded products generated revenue of $3.9 million in Q1 2023, compared to $4.7 million in Q4 2022.
- Lowell Herb Co.
- Out-of-State Licensing
- Collectively out-of-state revenues were $222k in Q1 2023 compared to $289k in Q4 2022.
- Massachusetts
- Lowell Herb Co is the 15th top-selling non-infused pre-roll brand in the state, according to Q1 2023 BDS data.
- Three of the Lowell pre-roll pack SKUs are positioned within the top 25 non-infused pre-roll SKUs in the state, according to Q1 2023 BDS data.
- Illinois
- Lowell remains the 4th top-selling non-infused pre-roll brand in the state, according to Q1 2023 BDS data.
- Lowell products hold 8 spots within the top 50 non-infused pre-roll SKUs, according to Q1 2023 BDS data.
- Arizona
- Launched in Q1 2023 and in its first full month of launch, Lowell Smokes became the #1 selling pre-roll pack in both unit sales and revenue in its flagship account, Sunday Goods.
- The brand quickly added new accounts, drawing interest from dispensaries statewide.
- Colorado
- Lowell Herb Co recently launched in the state throughout the LivWell dispensary network.
- New Mexico
- Through its licensing partner, Schwazze, Lowell recently launched throughout the Star Buds network.
- Distribution and Sales Capabilities:
- The average order value has remained consistent with approximately $4,440 in Q1 2023 compared to $4,879 in Q4 2022.
Q1 Financial Results Earnings Conference Call Details:
The conference call with management at 5:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 11, can be accessed using the following dial-in information:
| U.S. and Canadian Toll Free: | 1-888-349-0084 |
| International: | 1-412-317-0455 |
| Webcast: | Link here |
Please dial-in at least 10 minutes before the call to register.
The conference call will be webcast live and archived on the investor relations section of the Lowell Farms website at https://ir.lowellfarms.com/.
ABOUT LOWELL FARMS INC.
Lowell Farms Inc. (CSE:LOWL; OTCQX:LOWLF) (“Lowell Farms”) is a California-based cannabis company with advanced production capabilities supporting every step of the supply chain, including cultivation, extraction, manufacturing, brand sales, marketing, and distribution. Lowell Farms grows artisan craft cannabis with a deep love and respect for the plant, and prides itself on using sustainable materials – from seed to sale – to produce an extensive portfolio of award-winning originals, including Lowell Herb Co, House Weed, MOON, and Kaizen, for licensed retailers statewide.
