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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 
 The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided to enhance the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, Part I, Item 1, “Business” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” For information on risks and uncertainties related to our business that may make past performance not indicative of future results, or cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see “General,” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” 
 
 OVERVIEW 
 Universal Corporation is a global business-to-business agriproducts company with over 100 years of experience supplying products and innovative solutions to meet our customers’ evolving needs. With operations in over 30 countries on five continents, we believe we are uniquely positioned to leverage our worldwide network to access a diverse, reliable supply of plant-based materials. This presence, combined with our supply chain expertise, integrated processing capabilities, and commitment to sustainability, enables us to deliver high-quality, customizable, and traceable value-added agriproducts essential to our customers’ success. 
 We have positioned our Company for long-term success by maximizing opportunities in the leaf tobacco business and investing in the growth of our plant-based ingredients platform. In fiscal year 2024, we continued to enhance and increase the capabilities across our two segments: Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. 
 • Our Tobacco Operations maintained its position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier, and primarily focuses on procuring and processing flue-cured, burley, dark air-cured, and oriental leaf tobacco for consumer product manufacturers. 
 • Our Ingredients Operations specializes in sourcing and processing vegetable and fruit ingredients, flavorings, and botanical extracts for consumer packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, and food and beverage companies. In fiscal year 2024, we continued our investments in our platform, including in our commercial sales team, research and development function, and ongoing construction of our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility expansion project. 
 
 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
 Amounts described as net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per diluted share in the following discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. Adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, and the total for segment operating income (loss) referred to in this discussion are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, diluted earnings (loss) per share, cash from operating activities or any other operating or financial performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) to consolidated operating (income), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share to diluted earnings (loss) per share are provided in Other Items below. In addition, we have provided a reconciliation of the total for segment operating income (loss) to consolidated operating income (loss) in Note 17. "Operating Segments" to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Management evaluates the consolidated Company and segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, provide investors with important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends. 
 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 
 Executive Summary 
 Universal Corporation had a positive finish to a strong fiscal year 2024 with notable financial and operational performance in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Fiscal year 2024 was an exceptional year for our tobacco business, as a favorable product mix, strong customer demand, and the sale of larger crops in Africa, compared to fiscal year 2023, drove our strong operating results. Fiscal year 2024 was also a significant building year for our ingredients business. We made important progress with our state-of-the-art expansion project, and we continued to invest in Universal Ingredients’ commercial sales team and research and development function. We also made advances in fiscal year 2024 towards our sustainability goals by entering agreements that move us closer to our operational emissions targets and by making continued progress towards our social supply chain targets. 
 Turning to current tobacco market conditions, while we expect leaf tobacco supply and demand to return to a more balanced position over time, we are currently seeing very tight tobacco supply and elevated green tobacco prices. We continue to leverage our diverse global footprint and financial flexibility to manage these conditions and to execute our tobacco strategies. For example, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 and into the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, we accelerated buying in Brazil to ensure access to the tobacco we need for our customers. This accelerated buying, combined with higher green tobacco 
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 prices, resulted in increased use of working capital and higher debt levels at March 31, 2024. We expect most of the net impact on working capital from our accelerated buying strategy to naturally unwind over the next two years. In addition, we remain committed to supporting our tobacco business while efficiently managing working capital and reducing leverage levels. 
 In our ingredients business, the expansion project at our Lancaster manufacturing facility is progressing as expected, and we anticipate the facility to be fully operational in the second half of fiscal year 2025. We are excited about this unique project as it will significantly expand our processing capabilities, including aseptic packaging, and enable us to considerably grow our product portfolio and supply existing and new customers with additional products. This project is expected to contribute meaningfully to the results of our Ingredients Operations segment in fiscal year 2026. 
 Our vision for our ingredients business is to be a provider of a complete, innovative suite of solutions and value-add products. We believe our investments in our Universal Ingredients platform’s commercial sales team and research and development function support our vision and will deliver value over time. During fiscal year 2024, we entered several new partnerships to supply innovative products that capitalize on our newly developed capabilities and portfolio across our three ingredients companies. Those new customer relationships and new product sales benefited our ingredients business by helping offset lower revenues from sales in fiscal year 2024 due to inventory recalibrations by existing customers and lower sales prices due to lower raw material prices. Earnings in fiscal year 2024, however, were below expectations due to higher costs related to our infrastructure investments, lower new crop raw material prices, inventory write-downs, and customer inventory recalibrations. We expect our new product sales to increase and contribute to our future earnings. 
 Going into fiscal year 2025, we remain steadfast in executing our strategy of maximizing tobacco opportunities while growing the ingredients business. We believe our leading market position, global footprint, and proven sustainability practices will continue to enable us to generate stable cash flow from our tobacco business. Universal Ingredients is also well positioned with its fully built platform to deliver high-quality, innovative products that drive top line growth, margin expansion, and earnings stability. 
 
 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 
 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, Change 
 (in millions of dollars, except per share data) 2024 2023 $ % 
 
 Consolidated Results 
 Sales and other operating revenue $ 2,748.6 $ 2,569.8 $ 178.7 7 % 
 Cost of goods sold 2,212.5 2,111.5 100.9 5 % 
 Gross profit margin 19.50 % 17.83 % --- 167 bps 
 Selling, general and administrative expenses 310.6 277.2 33.4 12 % 
 Restructuring and impairment costs 3.5 — 3.5 100 % 
 Operating income (as reported) 222.0 181.1 40.9 23 % 
 Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)* 230.3 181.1 49.2 27 % 
 Diluted earnings per share (as reported) 4.78 4.97 (0.19) (4) % 
 Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)* 5.08 3.77 1.31 35 % 
 Segment Results 
 Tobacco operations sales and other operating revenues $ 2,438.8 $ 2,258.3 $ 180.5 8 % 
 Tobacco operations operating income 222.4 172.9 49.5 29 % 
 Ingredients operations sales and other operating revenues 309.8 311.6 (1.8) (1) % 
 Ingredients operations operating income 3.9 10.6 (6.6) (63) % 

 *See Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Other Items below. 
 Net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, was $119.6 million, or $4.78 per diluted share, compared with $124.1 million, or $4.97 per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Excluding certain non-recurring items, as detailed in Other Items below, adjusted net income increased by $33.0 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased by $1.31 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Operating income for fiscal year 2024 was $222.0 million, an increase of $40.9 million, compared to operating income of $181.1 million for fiscal year 2023. Adjusted operating income, detailed in Other Items below, was $230.3 million, an increase of $49.2 million for fiscal year 2024, as compared to fiscal year 2023. 
 Consolidated revenues increased by $178.7 million to $2.7 billion for fiscal year 2024, compared to fiscal year 2023. The increase was largely due to higher tobacco sales prices, which more than offset lower tobacco sales volumes, as well as an improved product mix in the Tobacco Operations segment. 
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 Tobacco Operations 
 Revenues for the Tobacco Operations segment were $2.4 billion for fiscal year 2024, up $180.5 million compared to fiscal year 2023, on higher tobacco sales prices and a favorable product mix, partially offset by lower tobacco sales volumes. 
 Operating income for the Tobacco Operations segment increased by $49.5 million to $222.4 million for fiscal year 2024, compared with fiscal year 2023. Tobacco Operations segment operating income was up largely on higher tobacco sales prices and a more favorable product mix, partially offset by lower tobacco sales volumes. In fiscal year 2023, a large amount of lower margin carryover tobacco crops was shipped. Larger African crops positively impacted the results for the Tobacco Operations segment in fiscal year 2024. Carryover crop shipments from South America were significantly lower in fiscal year 2024, compared to fiscal year 2023. In fiscal year 2024, our operations in Asia saw an improved product mix, compared to fiscal year 2023. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the Tobacco Operations segment were higher in fiscal year 2024, compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily due to higher incentive compensation and benefit costs, as well as unfavorable foreign currency comparisons and costs related to a value-added tax settlement program in Brazil. 
 Ingredients Operations 
 Revenues for the Ingredients Operations segment of $309.8 million for fiscal year 2024 were down $1.8 million, compared to fiscal year 2023, as the sales of new products partially offset lower sales prices and volumes on core products. 
 Operating income for the Ingredients Operations segment was $4.0 million for fiscal year 2024 compared to $10.6 million for fiscal year 2023. Results for the Ingredients Operations segment for fiscal year 2024 were negatively impacted by higher costs related to infrastructure investments in the ingredients platform, lower new crop raw material prices, and inventory write-downs, partially offset by margins from the sale of new products. Customer inventory recalibrations mainly in the first half of the fiscal year 2024 also negatively impacted fiscal year 2024. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, selling, general, and administrative expenses were higher, compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2023, due to higher compensation and other costs largely related to our investment in expanding commercial and research and development capabilities. 
 Other Items 
 Cost of goods sold in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, increased by 5% to $2.2 billion, compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, largely due to higher green tobacco costs. Selling, general, and administrative costs for fiscal year 2024 increased by $33.4 million to $310.6 million, compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily due to higher incentive compensation costs as well as unfavorable foreign currency comparisons and costs related to a value-added tax settlement program in Brazil. Interest expense for fiscal year 2024 increased by $17.0 million to $66.3 million, compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily on higher interest rates. 
 For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, our effective tax rate on pre-tax income was 19.0%. 
 For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, our effective tax rate on pre-tax income was 8.3%. In fiscal year 2023, one of our subsidiaries in Brazil received a favorable final judgement from the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice. The lawsuit asserted certain tax credits on exported goods should be excluded from taxable income. The Brazilian revenue authority asserted certain tax credits generated on purchased goods and services that were ultimately exported from Brazil should be included in the calculation of taxable income. The Brazilian Superior Court of Justice affirmed the tax credits are non-taxable in accordance with the historical and existing tax legislation in Brazil. The ruling resulted in recognition of $26.6 million of Brazilian tax credits due to the recalculation of federal income taxes in Brazil for years 2015 through 2022. The net income tax benefit was partially offset by a $2.4 million income tax provision for U.S. federal income taxes. The ruling resulted in a net income tax benefit of $24.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The affirmative ruling also resulted in recognition of $5.0 million of interest income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. 
 In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, we sold our idled Tanzania operations and recognized $1.1 million of income taxes. Without this item and the favorable judgement in Brazil discussed above, the consolidated effective income tax rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, would have been approximately 25.5%. Additionally, the sale of our idled Tanzania operations resulted in a $1.8 million reduction to consolidated interest expense related to an uncertain tax position. 
 Sustainability 
 In fiscal year 2024, Universal continued making progress towards our sustainability goals. We made progress towards our operational emissions targets. We also entered into a virtual power purchase agreement, which will generate renewable electricity equal to our North American footprint beginning in 2026, and entered into an emission reduction agreement expected to provide benefits to tobacco growing areas in the Philippines, which will offset a portion of our emissions in Asia beginning in 2025. We continued monitoring our social supply chain targets, and for the second year in a row, substantially met our personal protective equipment distribution, farm labor accommodation, child labor elimination, and farm labor payment goals for our contracted tobacco growers. 
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 Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures 
 The following tables set forth certain non-recurring items included in reported results to reconcile adjusted operating income to consolidated operating income and adjusted net income to net income attributable to Universal Corporation: 
 
 Adjusted Operating Income Reconciliation 
 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 
 (in thousands) 2024 2023 
 As Reported: Consolidated operating income $ 222,009 $ 181,072 
 Value-added tax settlement costs (1) 
 4,754 — 
 Restructuring and impairment costs (2) 
 3,523 — 
 Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP) $ 230,286 $ 181,072 
 
 Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share Reconciliation 
 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 
 (in thousands except for per share amounts) 2024 2023 
 As Reported: Net income attributable to Universal Corporation $ 119,598 $ 124,052 
 Value-added tax settlement costs (1) 
 4,754 — 
 Restructuring and impairment costs (2) 
 3,523 — 
 Interest expense for value-added tax settlement (1) 
 245 — 
 Interest income related to final income tax ruling at a foreign subsidiary (3) 
 — (4,980) 
 Interest expense reversal on uncertain tax position from sale of operations in Tanzania — (1,816) 
 Total of Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes 8,522 (6,796) 
 Income tax benefit on final tax ruling at a foreign subsidiary (3)(4) 
 — (24,256) 
 Income tax expense from sale of operations in Tanzania — 1,132 
 Income tax benefit from Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes (4) 
 (1,010) — 
 Total of income tax impacts for Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes and Non-GAAP adjustment to income taxes (4) 
 (1,010) (23,124) 
 As adjusted: Net income attributable to Universal Corporation (Non-GAAP) $ 127,110 $ 94,132 
 
 
 As reported: Diluted earnings per share $ 4.78 $ 4.97 
 Adjusted: Diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP) $ 5.08 $ 3.77 

 (1) In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Company utilized a voluntary government-sponsored value-added tax program in Brazil to settle a previously contested assessment. The Company's participation in the settlement program eliminates any future litigation regarding the matter. 
 (2) Restructuring and impairment costs are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income, but excluded for purposes of Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income available to Universal Corporation, and Adjusted diluted earnings per share. See Note 4 for additional information. 
 (3) The Company recognized an income tax benefit ($24.2 million) and associated interest income ($5.0 million) in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 related to a favorable final judgement for one of the Company's operating subsidiaries in Brazil. The lawsuit related to the treatment of certain tax credits on exported goods in the calculation of taxable income. 
 (4) The income tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments was determined based on the timing and nature of the specific Non-GAAP adjustments and their relevant jurisdictional income tax rates (foreign, state, and local) and the applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. The Company considers current and deferred income tax rates to calculate the impact to income taxes for the Non-GAAP adjustments. 
 
 
 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022 
 For a comparison of our performance and financial metrics for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, see “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 25, 2023. 
 Accounting Pronouncements 
 See "Accounting Pronouncements" in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") that will become effective and be adopted by the Company in future reporting periods. 
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 LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 
 Overview 
 In fiscal year 2024, our liquidity was sufficient to meet our needs. We continued our financial policies and disciplines and returned funds to shareholders. Accelerated tobacco purchases due to market conditions in Brazil in the last quarter of fiscal year 2024 increased our fiscal year 2024 working capital usage. Most of the tobacco purchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 will be sold during our fiscal year 2025. Our working capital requirements in fiscal year 2024 were also higher than those in fiscal year 2023 due to increased cash outlays, including higher leaf tobacco costs. 
 Our liquidity and capital resource requirements are predominately short-term in nature and primarily relate to working capital for tobacco crop purchases, and our primary sources of liquidity are net cash flows provided by operating activities and our committed revolving credit facility. Working capital needs for tobacco crop purchases are seasonal within each geographic region. The geographic dispersion and the timing of working capital needs permit us to anticipate our general level of cash requirements, although tobacco crop size, prices paid to farmers, shipment and delivery timing, and currency fluctuations affect requirements each year. Peak working capital requirements are generally reached during the first and second fiscal quarters. Each tobacco production region follows a cycle of buying, processing, and shipping tobacco, and in many regions we also provide agricultural materials to tobacco farmers during the growing season. The timing of the elements of each cycle is influenced by such factors as local weather conditions and individual customer shipping requirements, which may change the level or the duration of tobacco crop financing. In contrast to our Tobacco Operations, working capital requirements for our Ingredients Operations tend to be lower and less seasonal. Despite a predominance of short-term needs for working capital, we maintain a portion of our total debt as long-term to reduce liquidity risk. We also periodically may have large cash balances that we utilize to meet our working capital requirements. 
 We believe that our financial resources are adequate to support our capital and liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. Our seasonal borrowing requirements primarily relate to purchasing tobacco crops in South America and Africa and can increase during the buying season for those crops by close to $400 million. The funding required can vary significantly depending upon such factors as crop sizes, the price of leaf, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar, and the timing of shipments and customer payments. We deal with this uncertainty by maintaining substantial credit lines and cash balances. In addition to our operating requirements for working capital, we expect to spend around $55 to $65 million during fiscal year 2025 for capital expenditures to maintain our facilities and invest in opportunities to grow and improve our businesses, including completing the project to expand Universal Ingredients' manufacturing capabilities at our Lancaster facility. We have no long-term debt maturing until fiscal year 2028. 
 Cash Flow 
 Our operations used about $74.6 million in operating cash flows in fiscal year 2024. That amount was about $70.1 million higher than the $4.6 million we used in fiscal year 2023, largely due to accelerated tobacco purchasing in Brazil which led to higher working capital requirements in fiscal year 2024. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we spent $66.0 million on capital projects, and we returned $83.1 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. At March 31, 2024, cash balances totaled $55.6 million. 
 Working Capital 
 Working capital at March 31, 2024, was about $1.4 billion, up about $30.3 million from last fiscal year's level, largely on higher working capital requirements due to accelerated tobacco purchases in Brazil and other higher cash outlays, including higher green tobacco costs. Tobacco inventories of $1.1 billion at March 31, 2024, were up $236.7 million compared to inventory levels at the end of the prior fiscal year, in large part due to accelerated tobacco purchases and higher green leaf tobacco prices. Advances to suppliers were down $31.8 million at March 31, 2024, from prior year levels largely on lower crop input costs and accelerated tobacco purchases. We generally do not purchase material quantities of leaf tobacco on a speculative basis. However, when we contract directly with tobacco farmers, we are obligated to buy all stalk positions, which may contain less marketable leaf styles. Our uncommitted tobacco inventories increased by approximately $90.1 million to $181.1 million, or about 17% of tobacco inventory, at March 31, 2024, compared to March 31, 2023 levels, largely on the accelerated tobacco purchases in Brazil. Uncommitted inventories at March 31, 2023, were $91.1 million, which represented 11% of tobacco inventory. While we target committed tobacco inventory levels of 80% or more of total tobacco inventory, the level of these uncommitted inventories is influenced by timing of farmer deliveries and purchases of new crops, as well as the receipt of customer orders. 
 Capital Allocation 
 Our capital allocation strategy focuses on four strategic priorities: 
 • Strengthening and investing for growth in our leaf tobacco business; 
 • Increasing our strong dividend; 
 • Exploring growth opportunities for our plant-based ingredients platform; and 
 • Returning excess capital through share repurchases. 
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 We have been positioning our company for the future by investing in and growing our Universal Ingredients platform, while leveraging our position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier to maximize opportunities in the leaf tobacco business. We will continue to make disciplined investments to take advantage of growth opportunities in tobacco and in our ingredients business. Through these actions, we believe we will be able to deliver enhanced shareholder value through earnings growth and the generation of free cash flow despite operating in a mature tobacco industry. As we look ahead, we will continually evaluate opportunities to return capital to shareholders. 
 Share Activity 
 Our Board of Directors approved our current share repurchase program in November 2022. The program authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of our common stock through November 15, 2024. Under the current authorization, we may purchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Repurchases of shares under the repurchase program may vary based on management discretion, as well as changes in cash flow generation and availability. During fiscal year 2024, we purchased 100,000 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $4.7 million (average price per share $47.44). At March 31, 2024, our available authorization under our current share repurchase program was $95.3 million, and approximately 24.6 million common shares were outstanding. 
 Capital Spending 
 Our capital expenditures are generally limited to those that add value, replace or maintain equipment, increase efficiency, or position us for future growth. In deciding where to invest capital resources, we look for opportunities where we believe we can earn an adequate return, leverage our assets and expertise, and support our farmer base. During fiscal years 2024 and 2023, we invested $66.0 million and $54.7 million, respectively, in our property, plant, and equipment. Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2024 included investments to expand Universal Ingredients' manufacturing capabilities in Lancaster. Depreciation expense was approximately $47.1 million and $44.8 million, respectively, in fiscal years 2024 and 2023. Typically, our capital expenditures for maintenance projects are less than $30 million per fiscal year. We currently plan to spend approximately $55 to $65 million in fiscal year 2025 on capital projects for maintenance of our facilities and other investments to grow and improve our businesses, including the completion of the Universal Ingredients expansion project. 
 Outstanding Debt and Other Financing Arrangements 
 We consider the sum of notes payable and overdrafts, long-term debt (including any current portion), and customer advances and deposits, less cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on our balance sheet to be our net debt. We also consider our net debt plus shareholders' equity to be our net capitalization. Net debt increased by $245.4 million to $996.2 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The increase reflects higher working capital requirements. Net debt as a percentage of net capitalization was approximately 41% at March 31, 2024, up from 35% at March 31, 2023. 
 As of March 31, 2024, we had $405 million available under the committed revolving credit facility that will mature in December 2027, and we, together with our consolidated affiliates, had approximately $425 million in uncommitted lines of credit, of which approximately $135 million were unused and available to support seasonal working capital needs. The financial covenants under our committed revolving credit facility require us to maintain certain levels of tangible net worth and observe restrictions on debt levels. As of March 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants of our debt agreements. We also have an effective, undenominated universal shelf registration filed with the SEC in November 2023 that provides for future issuance of additional debt or equity securities. We have no long-term debt maturing until fiscal year 2028. 
 Derivatives 
 From time to time, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. Currently, we have interest rate swap agreements that convert the variable benchmark SOFR rates on $310 million of our two outstanding term loans to fixed rates. With the swap agreements in place, the effective interest rates on $275 million of the five-year term loan and $345 million of the seven-year term loan were 6.46% and 6.66%, respectively, as of March 31, 2024. These agreements were entered into to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on our variable rate five- and seven-year term loans and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under the swap agreements, we receive variable rate interest and pay fixed rate interest. At March 31, 2024, the fair value of our open interest rate hedge swaps was a net asset of approximately $7 million. 
 We also enter derivative instruments from time to time to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, primarily related to forecasted purchases of tobacco, related processing costs, and crop input sales in Brazil, as well as our net monetary asset exposure in local currency there. We generally account for our hedges of forecasted tobacco purchases as cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2024, the fair value of those open contracts was a net asset of approximately $0.1 million. We also had other forward contracts outstanding that were not designated as hedges, and the fair value of those contracts was a net asset of approximately $0.2 million at March 31, 2024. For additional information, see Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. 
 Pension Funding 
 The funds supporting our ERISA-regulated U.S. defined benefit pension plan at March 31, 2024, were approximately $215 million. The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and PBO were both approximately $200 million and $205 million, 
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 respectively as of March 31, 2024. The ABO and PBO are calculated on the basis of certain assumptions that are outlined in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. We expect to make no contributions to our ERISA-regulated pension plan during the next year. It is our policy to regularly monitor the performance of the funds and to review the adequacy of our funding and plan contributions. 
 Contractual Obligations 
 Our contractual obligations as of March 31, 2024, were as follows: 
 
 (in thousands of dollars) Total 2025 2026-2027 2028-2029 After 2029 
 Notes payable and long-term debt (1) 
 $ 1,264,019 $ 485,992 $ 81,505 $ 334,288 $ 362,234 
 Operating lease obligations 40,363 14,542 14,343 7,113 4,365 
 Inventory purchase obligations: 
 Tobacco 830,723 642,136 188,587 — — 
 Agricultural materials 41,332 41,332 — — — 
 Other purchase obligations 60,734 56,295 4,439 — — 
 Total $ 2,237,171 $ 1,240,297 $ 288,874 $ 341,401 $ 366,599 

 (1) Includes interest payments. Interest payments on $727 million of variable rate debt were estimated based on rates as of March 31, 2024. We have entered into interest rate swaps that effectively convert the interest payments on $310 million of the outstanding balance of our two bank term loans from variable to fixed. The fixed rate has been used to determine the contractual interest payments for all periods. 
 In addition to principal and interest payments on notes payable and long-term debt, our contractual obligations include operating lease payments, inventory purchase commitments, and capital expenditure commitments. Operating lease obligations represent minimum payments due under leases for various production, storage, distribution, and other facilities, as well as vehicles and equipment. Tobacco inventory purchase obligations primarily represent contracts to purchase tobacco from farmers. The amounts shown above are estimates since actual quantities purchased will depend on crop yield, and prices will depend on the quality of the tobacco delivered. We have partially funded our tobacco purchases in some origins with short-term advances to farmers and other suppliers, which totaled approximately $139 million, net of allowances, at March 31, 2024. 
 
 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS 
 In preparing the financial statements in accordance with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expense amounts reported. These estimates can also affect our supplemental information disclosures, including information about contingencies, risks, and financial condition. We believe, given current facts and circumstances, that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP, and are consistently applied. However, changes in the assumptions used could result in a material adjustment to the financial statements. Our critical accounting estimates and assumptions are in the following areas: 
 Inventories 
 Inventories of tobacco are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost determined under the specific cost method. Raw materials are clearly identified at the time of purchase. Other inventories consist primarily of unprocessed and processed food and vegetable ingredients, extracts, seed, fertilizer, packing materials, and other supplies. We track the costs associated with raw materials in the final product lots, and maintain this identification through the time of sale. We also capitalize direct and indirect costs related to processing raw materials. This method of cost accounting is referred to as the specific cost or specific identification method. We write down inventory for changes in net realizable value based upon assumptions related to future demand and market conditions if the indicated value is below cost. Future demand assumptions can be impacted by changes in customer sales, changes in customers’ inventory positions and policies, competitors’ pricing policies and inventory positions, and varying crop sizes and qualities. Market conditions that differ significantly from those assumed by management could result in additional write-downs. We experience inventory write-downs routinely. Inventory write-downs in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $9.2 million, $14.0 million, and $19.9 million, respectively. 
 Advances to Tobacco Suppliers 
 In many sourcing origins, we provide tobacco growers with agronomy services and seasonal crop advances of, or for, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies. These advances are short term in nature and are customarily repaid upon delivery of tobacco to us. In several origins, we have also made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to repay maturing advances. In those cases, we may extend repayment of the advances into the following crop year. We will incur losses whenever we are unable to recover the full amount of the loans and advances. At each reporting period, we must make estimates and assumptions in determining the valuation allowance for advances to farmers. At March 31, 2024, the gross 
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 balance of advances to tobacco suppliers totaled approximately $162 million, and the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $20 million. 
 Recoverable Value-Added Tax Credits 
 In many foreign countries, we pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When we sell tobacco to customers in the country of origin, we generally collect VAT on those sales. We are normally permitted to offset our VAT payments against those collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where our tobacco sales are predominantly for export markets, we often do not generate enough VAT collections on downstream sales to fully offset our VAT payments. In those situations, we can accumulate unused VAT credits. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, in some countries we can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. We review these balances on a regular basis, and we record valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that we do not expect to recover, as well as discounts anticipated on credits we expect to sell or transfer. In determining the appropriate valuation allowance to record in a given jurisdiction, we must make various estimates and assumptions about factors affecting the ultimate recovery of the VAT credits. At March 31, 2024, the gross balance of recoverable tax credits (primarily VAT) totaled approximately $72 million, and the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $21 million. 
 Business Combinations 
 From time to time, we may enter into business combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, “ Business Combinations ”, we generally recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as the excess of consideration transferred, which we also measure at fair value, over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the fair values of identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities including those related to debt, pensions and other postretirement plans, uncertain tax positions, contingent consideration and contingencies. This method also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. 
 Significant estimates and assumptions in estimating the fair value of developed technology, customer relationships, and other identifiable intangible assets include future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be increased or decreased, or the acquired asset could be impaired. 
 Goodwill 
 A majority of our consolidated goodwill balance relates to our reporting unit in Brazil and the acquisitions of FruitSmart, Silva, and Shank's.We review the carrying value of goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis and at any time that events or business conditions indicate that it may be impaired. 
 As permitted under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (“ASC 350”), at March 31, 2024, we utilized a quantitative assessment to evaluate goodwill for impairment. The quantitative goodwill assessment consists of comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value of that reporting unit. In the event that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment of the reporting unit's goodwill is recognized, up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Fair value was assessed using a discounted cash flow model, comprised of estimates of future cash flows and discount rates (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP). The calculations in the discounted cash flow models are not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore require significant management judgment with respect to operating earnings growth rates and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. Based on this quantitative assessment, the Company determined there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units as of March 31, 2024. 
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 In fiscal year 2023, as permitted under ASC 350, we elected to base our initial assessment of potential impairment on qualitative factors. Those factors did not indicate any impairment of our recorded goodwill in fiscal year 2023. Under the qualitative assessment, if any indicators of impairment had been determined we would then use discounted cash flow models to measure any expected impairment indicated by a quantitative assessment. 
 Significant adverse changes in our operations or our estimates of future cash flows for a reporting unit with recorded goodwill, such as those caused by unforeseen events or changes in market conditions, could result in an impairment charge. 
 Fair Value Measurements 
 We hold various financial assets and financial liabilities that are required to be measured and reported at fair value in our financial statements, including money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swaps, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. We follow the relevant accounting guidance in determining the fair values of these financial assets and liabilities. Money market funds are valued based on net asset value (“NAV”), which is used as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of those funds (not classified within the fair value hierarchy). Quoted market prices (Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy) are used in most cases to determine the fair values of trading securities. Interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued based on dealer quotes using discounted cash flow models matched to the contractual terms of each instrument (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). We incorporate credit risk in determining the fair values of our financial assets and financial liabilities, but that risk did not materially affect the fair values of any of those assets or liabilities at March 31, 2024. We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations by applying an income approach model that utilizes probability-weighted discounted cash flows. Each period we evaluate the fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations. Significant judgment is applied to this model and therefore acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. In fiscal year 2022, the evaluation of the contingent consideration for the FruitSmart acquisition resulted in the reduction of the remaining $2.5 million of contingent consideration of the original $6.7 million liability recorded in fiscal year 2020. 
 Income Taxes 
 Our consolidated effective income tax rate is based on our expected taxable income, tax laws and statutory tax rates, prevailing foreign currency exchange rates, and tax planning opportunities in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining the consolidated effective tax rate and evaluating our tax position. We are subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions, and could be subject to a tax audit in each of these jurisdictions, which could result in adjustments to tax expense in future periods. In the event that there is a significant, unusual, or one-time item recognized in our results, the tax attributed to that discrete item would be recorded at the same time as the item. 
 Our consolidated income tax expense and consolidated effective tax rate are heavily dependent on the tax rates of the individual countries in which we operate, the mix of our pretax earnings from those countries, and the prevailing rates of exchange of their local currencies with the U.S. dollar. The mix of pretax earnings and local currency exchange rates in particular can change significantly between annual and quarterly reporting periods based on crop sizes, market conditions, and economic factors. Our consolidated effective tax rate can be volatile from year-to-year and from quarter-to-quarter as result of these factors. 
 We have no undistributed earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries that are classified as permanently or indefinitely reinvested. We assume that all undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries will be repatriated back to their parent entities in the U.S. where the funds are best placed to meet our cash flow requirements. In addition, we strive to mitigate economic, political, and currency risk by following a disciplined annual approach to the distribution of excess capital back to the U.S. Based on these assumptions, in our income tax expense for each reporting period we fully provide for all applicable foreign country withholding taxes that are expected to be due on these distributions. 
 Our accounting for uncertain tax positions requires that we review all significant tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in income tax returns for all jurisdictions in which we operate. In this review, we must assume that all tax positions will ultimately be audited, and either accepted or rejected based on the applicable tax regulations by the tax authorities for those jurisdictions. We must recognize in our financial statements only the tax benefits associated with tax positions that are “more likely than not” to be accepted upon audit, at the greatest amount that is considered “more likely than not” to be accepted. These determinations require significant management judgment, and changes in any given quarterly or annual reporting period could affect our consolidated income tax rate. 
 Tax regulations require items to be included in taxable income in the tax return at different times, and in some cases in different amounts, than the items are reflected in the financial statements. As a result, our effective tax rate reflected in the financial statements is different than that reported in our tax returns. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not tax deductible, while others are related to timing issues, such as differences in depreciation methods. Timing differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized in our financial statements for which payment has been deferred or income taxes related to expenses that have not yet been recognized in the financial statements, but have been deducted in our tax return. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as 
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 a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns for which we have already recorded the tax benefit in our financial statements. We record valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when the amount of estimated future taxable income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. Determining the amount of such valuation allowances requires significant management judgment, including estimates of future taxable income in multiple tax jurisdictions where we operate. Based on our periodic earnings forecasts, we project the upcoming year’s taxable income to help us evaluate our ability to realize deferred tax assets. 
 For additional disclosures on income taxes, see Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. 
 Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans 
 The measurement of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and costs at the end of each fiscal year requires that we make various assumptions that are used by our outside actuaries in estimating the present value of projected future benefit payments to all plan participants. Those assumptions take into consideration the likelihood of potential future events such as salary increases and demographic experience. The assumptions we use may have an effect on the amount and timing of future contributions to our plans. The plan trustee conducts an independent valuation of the fair value of pension plan assets. The significant assumptions used in the calculation of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are: 
 • Discount rate – The discount rate is based on investment yields on a hypothetical portfolio of actual long-term corporate bonds rated AA that align with the cash flows for our benefit obligations. 
 • Salary scale – The salary scale assumption is based on our long-term actual experience for salary increases, the near-term outlook, and expected inflation. 
 • Expected long-term return on plan assets – The expected long-term return on plan assets reflects asset allocations and investment strategy adopted by the Finance and Pension Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. 
 • Retirement and mortality rates – Retirement rates are based on actual plan experience along with our near-term outlook. Early retirement assumptions are based on our actual experience. Mortality rates are based on standard mortality tables which are updated to reflect projected improvements in life expectancy. 
 • Healthcare cost trend rates – For postretirement medical plan obligations and costs, we make assumptions on future inflationary increases in medical costs. These assumptions are based on our actual experience, along with third-party forecasts of long-term medical cost trends. 
 From one fiscal year to the next, the rates we use for each of the above assumptions may change based on market developments and other factors. The discount rate reflects prevailing market interest rates at the end of the fiscal year when the benefit obligations are actuarially measured and will increase or decrease based on market patterns. The expected long-term return on plan assets may change based on changes in investment strategy for plan assets or changes in indicated longer-term yields on specific classes of plan assets. In addition to the changes in actuarial assumptions from year to year, actual plan experience affecting our net benefit obligations, such as actual returns on plan assets and actual mortality experience, will differ from the assumptions used to measure the obligations. The effects of these changes and differences increase or decrease the obligation we record for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans, and they also create gains and losses that are accumulated and amortized over future periods, thus affecting the expense we recognize for these plans over those periods. Changes in the discount rate from year to year generally have the largest impact on our projected benefit obligation and annual expense, and the effects may be significant, particularly over successive years where the discount rate moves in the same direction. 
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 As of March 31, 2024, the effect of the indicated increase or decrease in the selected pension and other postretirement benefit valuation assumptions is shown below. The effect assumes no change in benefit levels. 
 
 (in thousands of dollars) Effect on
2024 Projected
Benefit Obligation
Increase
(Decrease) Effect on
2025 Annual Expense
Increase
(Decrease) 
 Changes in Assumptions for Pension Benefits 
 Discount Rate: 
 1% increase $ (22,803) $ (1,455) 
 1% decrease 27,464 2,391 
 
 
 
 Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets: 
 1% increase — (2,358) 
 1% decrease — 2,357 
 
 
 Changes in Assumptions for Other Postretirement Benefits 
 Discount Rate: 
 1% increase (1,459) (104) 
 1% decrease 1,695 130 
 Healthcare Cost Trend Rate: 
 1% increase 110 33 
 1% decrease (102) (31) 

 A 1% increase or decrease in the salary scale assumption would not have a material effect on the projected benefit obligation or on annual expense for the Company's pension benefits. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information on pension and other postretirement benefit plans. 
 Other Estimates and Assumptions 
 Other management estimates and assumptions are routinely required in preparing our financial statements, including the determination of valuation allowances on accounts receivable and the fair value of long-lived assets. Changes in market and economic conditions, local tax laws, and other related factors are considered each reporting period, and adjustments to the accounts are made based on management’s best judgment. 
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 OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING TRENDS 
 AND MANAGEMENT’S ACTIONS 
 Our financial performance depends on our ability to obtain an appropriate price for our products and services, to secure the product volumes and qualities desired by our customers, and to maintain efficient, competitive operations. As the leading global leaf tobacco supplier, we continually monitor issues and opportunities that may impact the supply of and demand for leaf tobacco, the volumes of leaf tobacco that we handle, and the services we provide. Our ingredients operations similarly require us to monitor issues and opportunities that may impact supply and demand for the materials we source, the products we sell, and the services we provide. 
 Tobacco Operations Trends 
 We believe that a key factor to perform successfully in the tobacco industry is our ability to provide customers with the quality of leaf and the level of service they desire on a global basis at competitive prices, while maintaining stability of supply. We add significant value to the leaf tobacco supply chain, providing expertise in dealing with large numbers of farmers, efficiently selling various qualities of leaf produced in each crop to a broad global customer base, and delivering products and services produced in a sustainable manner that meet stringent quality and regulatory specifications. We also make the tobacco markets more efficient and provide crop development guidance at the farm level. As part of our commitment to our customers, we adapt our business model to meet their evolving needs and monitor new product developments in the tobacco industry to identify areas where we can provide additional value to them. 
 Mature Leaf Tobacco Markets 
 Leaf tobacco is sourced directly by product manufacturers, by global leaf suppliers such as ourselves, and by other smaller, mostly regional or local, leaf suppliers. We estimate that, of the flue-cured and burley tobacco grown outside of China in countries that are key export markets for tobacco, on average about a third is purchased directly by major manufacturers. Global leaf suppliers also usually purchase about a third of the tobacco, and the remainder is sourced by the smaller regional or local suppliers. In some markets the tobacco purchased directly by manufacturers is processed by the global leaf suppliers. Although we operate in a mature industry, we are committed to maintaining our strong position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. In recent years, we have been and believe that we will continue to be able to grow parts of our business and maintain performance despite declines in demand for leaf tobacco from product manufacturers. We have done this by continuing to increase our delivery of services, driving supply chain efficiencies, enhancing the range of services we provide to certain customers, including direct buying, agronomic support, and specialized processing services, and improving our market share. We intend to continue to work to expand our business while at the same time maintaining an appropriate return for the services we provide and believe that there are several longer-term trends in the industry, such as a focus on sustainability, that could provide additional opportunities for us both to offer additional services to our customers and to increase our market share. 
 We continually explore options to capitalize on the strengths of our core competencies and seek growth opportunities related to leaf tobacco and our operations around the world. For example, we have expanded our leaf purchasing, processing, value-added services, and grower support services in multiple origins in response to customer demand. We have increased our product offerings to meet demand for natural wrappers and related services in the United States and Europe. 
 Focus on Cost Management 
 Manufacturers naturally seek to mitigate raw materials cost increases, and they place increased emphasis on cost containment as they address declining demand. While this is not a new trend, it continues to offer us opportunities as we bring supply chain efficiencies to the leaf markets. We believe that, as a global leaf supplier, we add efficiencies to the markets through economies of scale, as well as through the vital role we play in finding buyers for all styles and qualities of leaf tobacco, which achieves overall cost reductions. To understand our business, it is important to note that tobacco is not a commodity product. Flavor and smoking characteristics as well as chemistries of tobacco vary based on the type of tobacco, the region where the tobacco is grown, and the position of the leaf on the stalk of the plant. Many different styles and grades of tobacco may be produced in a single tobacco crop. A particular manufacturer may only want and have use for certain leaves of a plant. The leaf tobacco supplier plays a vital role in the industry by finding buyers for all leaf grades and styles of tobacco produced in a farmer’s crop. This role helps to improve leaf utilization. 
 In addition to bringing supply chain efficiencies to the leaf tobacco markets, we bring operational efficiencies to the industry, which in turn helps reduce costs. These efficiencies include economical utilization of processing capacity, an established and scalable global network of agronomists and technicians helping to maintain a stable, productive, and sustainable farmer base, as well as agronomic and production improvements to optimize leaf yields and qualities. In addition, we are able to offer manufacturers a complete range of services from the field to the delivery of packed product that benefit from our efficiencies. These services include such things as buying station optimization, processing and blending to specific customer specifications or needs, storage of green or packed leaf tobacco, and logistical services. There has been an increase in the level of direct purchasing, sorting, processing, and other value-added services that we provide our customers, notably in the United States, 
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 Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. We believe this increase acknowledges the efficiencies and services that we bring to the entire supply chain. 
 We have also seen some reductions in sourcing from lower-volume tobacco growing origins by both global leaf suppliers and major manufacturers. Flue-cured tobacco is produced in about 65 countries around the world, and burley tobacco is grown in about 45 countries. However, over 80% of both the flue-cured tobacco grown outside of China and the worldwide burley tobacco production is sourced from the top ten growing areas for each type of tobacco. We believe that these moves to reduce sourcing areas and concentrate on major tobacco export markets are another way for the industry to increase efficiency and to reduce costs. We have contributed to cost reduction and elimination of excess capacity in the supply chain through the closure or realignment of programs in Argentina, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malawi, Nicaragua, Switzerland, Tanzania, and Zambia. We maintain a strong presence in all of the major tobacco sourcing areas and believe that any growth in these areas would favor global leaf suppliers such as ourselves. In the future, we expect that increased regulations requiring stringent monitoring and testing of leaf chemistry and compliant sourcing documentation will continue to place greater emphasis on major sourcing areas. 
 Importance of Compliant Leaf 
 As we have said for many years, the production of compliant leaf for the tobacco industry continues to grow in importance. To be considered compliant, leaf tobacco must be grown in a traceable, sustainable manner utilizing GAP as well as adhering to ALP principals and monitored for environmental and social impacts. We have long invested significant resources in the programs and infrastructure needed to work with growers to produce compliant leaf and continue to enhance our ability to monitor and demonstrate this compliance for our customers. Our GAP and ALP programs focus on implementing international principles of sustainability by encouraging and training our farmers to employ sound field production and labor management practices that promote farmer profitability and minimal environmental impact. To assist farmers, Universal provides comprehensive training, technical support in the field, and crop analytics through ongoing research and development. Our commitment to compliance is reinforced through MobiLeaf™, our proprietary mobile device platform that captures and shares data in real-time, embedding sustainability throughout our supply chain and providing monitoring of GAP and ALP efforts, compliance with labor standards, and opportunities to enhance efficiencies. We believe that compliant leaf will continue to grow in importance to our customers and, as a result, will favor global suppliers who are able to deliver this product. 
 Growth of Next Generation Products 
 Most of the major tobacco product manufacturers have been developing next generation and modified risk products. These include ENDS, oral tobacco and nicotine products, and heated tobacco products. ENDS use liquid nicotine, which is predominately derived from leaf tobacco, and heated tobacco products use leaf tobacco. Oral tobacco and nicotine products may use liquid nicotine or leaf tobacco. At this time, it is unclear how these new products will affect demand for leaf tobacco. However, as our customers have been developing these products, we have been working with them to make sure we are able to meet their needs for both their traditional and new products. This is consistent with our commitment to efficiently and effectively adapt our business model to meet our customers’ evolving needs. Specifically, we have expertise in tobacco seed development, crop production methods, crop sourcing, processing, and manufacturing of reconstituted sheet tobacco, which is beneficial to our customers as they continue to develop alternative tobacco products. We also are able to provide high quality liquid nicotine through our subsidiary, AmeriNic. We continue to monitor industry developments regarding next generation products, including consumer acceptance and regulation, and will adapt accordingly. 
 Leaf Tobacco Supply 
 Flue-cured tobacco crops grown outside of China increased in fiscal year 2024 by about 20% to 1.7 billion kilos compared to fiscal year 2023, when production levels were below historical averages. Global burley tobacco production at about 430 million kilos in fiscal year 2024, also increased compared to the burley crops grown in our fiscal year 2023. Flue-cured tobacco production grown outside of China is projected to decrease by about 5%, and the global burley tobacco crop is projected to increase by about 3% in fiscal year 2025. We estimate that as of March 31, 2024, industry uncommitted flue-cured and burley inventories, excluding China are at very low levels. At this time, we believe that both flue-cured tobacco and burley tobacco supply remain in undersupply positions. 
 We also forecast that oriental tobacco production will decrease by about 6% and dark air-cured tobacco production will increase by about 16% in fiscal year 2025. We believe both oriental tobaccos and dark air-cured tobaccos are in undersupply positions. Over the long term, we believe that global tobacco production will continue to move in line with slowly declining total demand. Africa, Asia, North America, and South America will remain key sourcing regions for flue-cured and burley tobaccos. 
 China is a significant cigarette market. However, most of the cigarettes consumed in China and the leaf tobacco used in those cigarettes are produced domestically. Therefore, we normally view the Chinese market independently when evaluating worldwide leaf tobacco supply and demand. 
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 Leaf Tobacco Demand 
 Industry data from the TMA shows that over the five years ended in 2022, world consumption of cigarettes outside of China was relatively flat, growing at a compound annual growth rate of just under 1%, and consumption of American-blend cigarettes has been declining at a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. We expect that near term global demand for leaf tobacco will slowly decline in line with global cigarette consumption. 
 Our sales consist primarily of flue-cured, burley, and dark air-cured tobaccos. Flue-cured and burley tobaccos, along with oriental tobaccos, are used in American-blend cigarettes which are primarily smoked in Western Europe and the United States. English-blend cigarettes which use flue-cured tobacco are mainly smoked in the United Kingdom and Asia and other emerging markets. Industry data shows that consumption of American-blend cigarettes was declining for the five years ended in 2022. If demand for American-blend cigarettes declines at a higher rate than reductions in demand for English-blend cigarettes, there may be less demand for burley and oriental tobaccos and more demand for flue-cured tobacco. However, demand is affected by many factors, including regulation, product taxation, illicit trade, alternative tobacco products, and Chinese imports. To the extent that domestic leaf production and inventory durations in China do not meet requirements for Chinese cigarette blends, that tobacco could be sourced from other origins where we have major market positions. On a year-to-year basis, we are also susceptible to fluctuations in leaf supply due to crop sizes and leaf demand as manufacturers adjust inventories or respond to changes in cigarette markets. We currently believe that the supply of flue-cured tobaccos and burley tobaccos are in an undersupply relative to anticipated demand. However, inventories held by our customers may affect their near-term demand for leaf tobacco. We also sell oriental tobaccos, which are used in American-blend cigarettes, and dark tobaccos, which are used in cigars and other smokeless products. In recent years, we have seen increased demand for natural wrapper tobacco particularly for the European and U.S. machine-made cigar markets. While we expect demand for dark tobaccos used in cigar filler to be generally in line with supply, we are continuing to see strong demand for wrapper tobacco. 
 Pricing 
 Factors that affect green tobacco prices include global supply and demand, market conditions, production costs, foreign exchange rates, and competition from other crops, among others. We work with farmers to maintain tobacco production and to secure product at price levels that are attractive to both the farmers and our customers. Our objective is to secure compliant tobacco that is produced in a cost-effective manner under a sustainable business model with the desired quality for our customers. In some areas, tobacco competes with agricultural commodity products for farmer production. In the past, leaf shortages in specific markets or on a worldwide basis have also led to green tobacco price increases. 
 Global Regulation of Tobacco Products 
 Public Acceptance of Increased Global Regulation on Tobacco Products 
 Diminishing social acceptance of tobacco use and increasing pressure from anti-smoking groups have cultivated a political environment that accepts greater regulations on tobacco products, particularly in the United States and the European Union. While the impact of this cultural trend on our business is uncertain, the global acceptance of stringent regulations could reduce demand for tobacco products and have a material adverse effect on our results of operation. 
 Strengthened Global Cooperation in the Regulation on Tobacco Products 
 The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (“FCTC”) was ratified in 2005 to become the world’s first international public health treaty. Since its inception, the FCTC has continued to strengthen international cooperation and collaboration in tobacco control by advancing the implementation of the treaty’s 38 articles and increasing global participation. At the tenth Conference of the Parties held in February 2024, the FCTC worked diligently to consider amendments to the agreement and track progress in the treaty’s implementation, particularly as it relates to environmental impacts and novel/emerging products. 
 While we cannot predict the extent or speed at which the efforts of the FCTC will reduce tobacco consumption, a proliferation of national laws and regulations spurred by the recommendations of the FCTC would likely reduce demand for both tobacco products and leaf. 
 United States FDA’s Continued Enforcement of the Tobacco Control Act 
 In 2009, the U.S. Congress passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Tobacco Act”). This legislation authorizes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products. The Tobacco Act additionally prohibited characterizing flavors with the exception of menthol in cigarettes, restricted youth access to tobacco products, banned advertising claims regarding certain tobacco products, and established the Center for Tobacco Products. 
 
 
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 Over the past decade, the FDA has focused on establishing the scientific foundation and regulatory framework for regulating tobacco products in the United States. On May 10, 2016, the FDA released “deeming” regulations to extend FDA oversight over all tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigars, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco, dissolvables, and “novel and future products.” Additionally, Congress extended FDA’s authority to include regulation of tobacco products using synthetically manufactured nicotine in addition to naturally derived nicotine in March 2022. The regulations require tobacco product manufacturers to register tobacco products that were on the market on February 15, 2007, and to seek FDA authorization to sell any products modified or introduced after such date. All submissions require manufacturers to list ingredients in their products. In April 2022, the FDA released two proposed rules to advance product standards intended to ban menthol in cigarettes and characterizing flavors in cigars. These proposed rules remain pending. The flavored tobacco product category accounts for a significant percentage of the U.S. market, and these product standards would likely impact future leaf demand if adopted. It is also expected that if these bans are adopted, they will be challenged in the legal system so it is not possible at this time to predict when and if these bans will become effective. 
 Although less than 5% of cigarettes manufactured worldwide are consumed in the United States, the FDA is widely considered a global leader in the “science-driven” regulation of tobacco products. Thus, the continued implementation and enforcement of the Tobacco Act in the United States is likely to influence the tobacco control measures considered by other countries and international bodies, including the WHO. It is impossible to predict the ultimate impact these developing regulations will have on our business, but any reduction in the demand for our customers' products will adversely affect the demand for leaf tobacco. 
 Global Acceptance of the Continuum of Risk in the Regulation of Novel Tobacco Products 
 As novel tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn devices, emerge in the global market, governments are tasked with developing the appropriate, science-driven approach to regulation. In 2017, then Commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, announced a new regulatory approach for the regulation of tobacco products that embraced the placement of each product somewhere along a “continuum of risk”. This comprehensive plan on nicotine use sought to facilitate an adult tobacco consumer’s switch from combustible cigarettes to less risky products found lower on the continuum. As part of this regulatory scheme, the FDA approved the first “heat-not-burn” and “very-low nicotine” premarket tobacco applications to permit the sale of these products within the United States. Furthermore, the FDA approved their first modified risk tobacco products applications to permit certain products in the heat-not-burn and smokeless categories to make modified exposure or risk claims. Although the WHO FCTC has not embraced the harm-reduction language in the treaty, a growing number of countries have established tobacco control strategies incorporating a continuum of risk concept. In addition, the global tobacco product market is continuously diversifying to include a wide array of novel tobacco products to serve as alternatives to combustible cigarettes. 
 Regardless of the type, it is generally understood that most novel products on the market contain less leaf tobacco than combustible cigarettes. Therefore, the market-driven rise of novel products alongside a regulatory scheme designed to facilitate an adult tobacco consumer’s switch from combustible cigarettes could affect global leaf demand. It is presently difficult to predict whether this will result in a decrease or an increase in requirements for leaf tobacco production in the long or short terms. Since they are marketed as replacements for combustible tobacco products, the question remains whether novel products will replace traditional cigarettes in the future, add to the market, or have a balancing effect. 
 Increased Taxation 
 A number of governments, particularly federal and local governments in the United States and the European Union, impose excise or similar taxes on tobacco products. Further legislation proposing new or increased taxes on tobacco products is likely to continue. In some cases, proposed legislation seeks to significantly increase existing taxes on tobacco products or impose new taxes on products that have not been subject to tax (e.g. ENDS products and liquid nicotine). Increases in product taxation may reduce the affordability of, and demand for, tobacco products, which will affect requirements for leaf tobacco by tobacco product manufacturers. 
 Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can also affect our earnings. For example, numerous foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation related to the OECD’s Pillar Two model rules. We continually monitor potential and enacted tax changes, including the implementation of Pillar Two legislation, in the countries in which we operate. The impact of these potential new rules, as well as any other changes in domestic and international tax rules and regulations, could have a material effect on our effective tax rate. 
 Illicit Trade 
 Illicit trade is another factor which influences demand for legally and sustainably produced leaf tobacco. The WHO estimates that one in every ten cigarettes consumed globally is illicit. Individual governments like the United States, European Union, and Brazil have initiated substantial steps in combating illicit trade. In 2012, the WHO FCTC adopted an illicit trade protocol which has been so far ratified by only 68 parties. We continue to support both governmental and industry efforts to eradicate illicit trade. 
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 Ingredients Operations Trends 
 We have made significant strategic investments in Universal Ingredients. We acquired FruitSmart in January 2020, Silva in October 2020, and Shank's in October 2021. Additionally, we made additional investments to enhance operational synergies among the businesses and drive revenue and margin expansion by growing the platform offerings, including by investing in key sales and product research and development personnel to promote and expand the full range of our capabilities across Universal Ingredients. We have also invested in Universal Ingredients' infrastructure with the expansion of our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility which we expect to be fully operational in the second half of fiscal year 2025. This expansion will further enhance our product offerings and production capabilities. 
 We have been achieving operational synergies across Universal Ingredients among our businesses and have also made considerable progress on our vision for the segment, providing a total solution-based approach for our customers that utilizes our broad spectrum of capabilities in fruits, vegetables and botanical extracts and flavorings. Our commercial sales efforts allow us to market additional innovative products from across our platform to our existing customers, while also pursuing opportunities with new customers. We also see potential in providing our customers with product offerings that combine ingredients from across the Universal Ingredients platform; for example, combining fruit juice, dehydrated vegetables, and botanical extracts into a new beverage concept. 
 Product Development 
 Product development for food and beverage companies is crucial as it drives innovation, meets consumer demands, and ensures competitiveness in a dynamic market. Food and beverage companies must continuously evolve their product lines to cater to changing tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyle choices of consumers. Moreover, product development allows companies to leverage new technologies and processes ensuring sustainability and efficiency in production. In essence, product development is not just about creating new products; it's about sustaining a brand's relevance and growth in an ever-changing industry. 
 We have invested in research and development staff at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility and are able to offer solutions for our customers’ dynamic product needs. Through Universal Ingredients, we have been providing high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients for the food and beverage end markets, showcasing the importance of adapting to market trends and consumer preferences. 
 As Universal Ingredients continues to progress, we have made initial investments in market research to provide our customers with value-added trend data to help aid their strategic goals and visions. By evaluating the food and beverage market segments, we are able to develop innovative solutions for our customers and become proactive in product solutions for market gap opportunities. 
 When looking at markets, we study food and beverage trends that are relevant to our portfolio, and we also analyze consumer behavior. Consumer behavior is an indicator of how consumers act in their environments and what they value when it comes to purchasing products. Looking ahead, we see several ways consumers are choosing to look at brands and what they value. For example, transparency in labels is currently a leading factor in what consumers want to see in the market. Honest messaging about product claims is also important to consumers. 
 Health and Wellness 
 One of the markets Universal Ingredients serves is the growing global health and wellness market. Many consumers are focused on mental and physical health driving strong consumer demand for healthy foods. Consumers are looking to understand more about where their food comes from and what exactly it contains. They are looking for brands to help them recognize the benefits that processing can have on a product, especially if it will make it healthier and more functional. According to industry sources, consumers are concerned with whether products are highly processed or contain high amounts of sugar, fats, or sodium. With consumers becoming more educated within the health and well-being space, it is critical companies come to the table with full transparency on how their products are produced and what they contain. 
 Many of our ingredients can be used as additive components of healthy food products. We continue to believe that there will be strong demand for healthy foods going forward and that our ingredients portfolio can provide food manufacturers with innovative ingredients solutions to support these types of products. 
 Pet Food 
 Another of the growing end markets for ingredients products is the global pet food market. The global pet food market size was over $100 billion in 2023, according to industry projections. With "family" increasingly being redefined to include pets, there are rising opportunities within the market. We believe that consumers will value human-grade ingredients and healthy and gourmet offerings for their pets. Our platform is well positioned to take advantage of increasing demand in the pet food end market as well as for other natural and clean-label products across the end markets it serves. 
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 Beverages 
 The beverage category for Universal Ingredients will remain a strategic initiative moving forward within the retail and food service space. With our heavy investments in the new capabilities at our Lancaster location, we will be able to serve a broader audience of customers looking for new trends within the beverage sector. The beverage market can be segmented into several smaller subcategories, including alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, coffees, and juices. Our investments in our research and development function and in our Lancaster facility expansion are intended to provide us with the capabilities to service the entire beverage market whether it is enhancing flavors, providing juice concentrates, or developing future innovations. In addition to our product development team working with our customers, we also evaluate the market to understand what might be happening to the future of food and beverage. 
 In the current market, we are seeing increasing demand for functional beverages. Brands are focusing on consumer’s health and nutritional needs whether that is sugar reduction or by providing natural sources of caffeine such as yerba mate. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing product labels and ingredient lists, looking for more natural and healthy options that suit their dietary needs. The busy lifestyles of consumers have heightened awareness of the need to maintain a healthier diet. Our strategy is to deliver functional ingredients as well as convenience to our customers through customized solutions across the entire platform. 
 Vertical Integration 
 As we continue to grow Universal Ingredients, we will explore and develop targeted opportunities to vertically integrate certain plant-based ingredients from our tobacco growing areas to capitalize on our strengths and capabilities there. We have established grower networks and agricultural support infrastructure in origins where we source tobacco, and we also have strong, mature sustainability programs in those origins. We believe that ingredients produced in a sustainable manner will grow in importance to our customers and, as a result, will favor suppliers who are able to deliver these products. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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UNIVERSAL CORP /VA/ 10-K

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
