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 was previously sourced from a single 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 2024, we approved and began sourcing from a second multi-national ingredient company to supply stevia leaf extract in order to diversify our source of stevia leaf extract, with the aim of mitigating price and 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 and U.S. foreign trade policies. The recent implementation of a 25% import tax by the new presidential administration on all steel and aluminum entering the U.S. could increase our operating costs. Our contract manufacturers’ ability to continue to procure enough aluminum cans at reasonable prices will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain.
We are seeking to diversify our sources of supply and intend to enter into arrangements to better ensure stability of prices of our raw materials.
Due to a change in supply chain processes during 2024, our contract manufacturers are now responsible for the procurement of raw materials to produce our products, which are then sold to us as finished goods. As a result, during the year ended December 31, 2024, we had three vendors accounting for approximately 89% of our total raw material and finished goods purchases. Refer to Note 14, Major Customers, Accounts Receivable and Vendor Concentration , included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Foreign Exchange Risk
The majority of our sales and costs are denominated in U.S. dollars and are not subject to foreign exchange risk. Our contract manufacturers source some ingredients and packaging materials from international sources, and as a result 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 our contract manufacturers increase sourcing from outside the U.S. or we 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 currency transaction losses for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 amounted to approximately $0.7 million and $0.0 million, respectively.
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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