Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to certain market risks in the ordinary course of our business. These risks primarily consist of raw material prices, foreign exchange, inflation and commodities as follows:
Raw Material Risk
Our profitability is dependent on, among other things, our ability to anticipate and react to raw material costs. Currently, a key ingredient in our products is stevia extract. Our stevia leaf extract is procured by our contract manufacturers and sourced from a large multi-national ingredient company with whom we have a long-standing relationship through a two-year agreement that was entered into effective October 15, 2023 which includes fixed pricing for the duration of the term. During 2023, we also tested and approved the use of another stevia leaf extract supplier, whose stevia leaf is derived from a region different than the above supplier. We continue to seek to diversity alternative sources of supply to mitigate potential supply disruptions. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to secure alternative sources of supply. Additionally, the prices of stevia and other ingredients we use are subject to many factors beyond our control, such as market conditions, climate change, supply chain challenges, and adverse weather conditions.
Our aluminum cans are procured by our contract manufacturers through various can manufacturers. The price for aluminum cans also fluctuates depending on market conditions. Our contract manufacturers ability to continue to procure enough aluminum cans at reasonable prices will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain.
We, along with our contract manufacturers, are working to diversify our sources of supply and intend to enter into additional long-term contracts to better ensure stability of prices of our raw materials.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The majority of our sales and costs are denominated in U.S. dollars and are not subject to foreign exchange risk. As we source some ingredients and packaging materials from international sources, our results of operations could be impacted by changes in exchange rates. We sell and distribute our products to Canadian customers, who are invoiced and remit payment in Canadian dollars. All Canadian dollar transactions are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for the period for sales and expenses. To the extent we increase sourcing from outside the U.S. or increase net sales outside of the U.S. that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, the impact of changes in exchange rates on our results of operations would increase. Foreign exchange gains and losses were not material for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Inflation Risk
We believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If our costs were to become subject to further and prolonged significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs through price increases. Our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Commodity Risk
We are subject to market risks with respect to commodities because our ability to recover increased costs through higher pricing may be limited by the competitive environment in which we operate. Our principal commodities risks relate to purchases of aluminum, diesel fuel, cartons and corrugate.
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