Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - September 26, 2025) - MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO) (OTCQB: MGROF) (FSE: 0C0) (the "Company" or "MustGrow") today announced that the board of directors of the Company authorized and approved the grant of a total of 1,660,315 deferred share units ("DSUs") and restricted share units ("RSUs") to certain directors, officers, and consultants of the Company, effective September 25, 2025. This grants of DSUs and RSUs are made pursuant to the Company's Omnibus Equ ...

Industry Overview - The natural foods industry has transitioned from a niche market to a mainstream sector due to increased health awareness and environmental concerns among consumers [2] - There is a rising emphasis on clean eating, sustainability, and ethical sourcing, leading to the popularity of natural and organic food products [2] - Consumers are increasingly seeking transparency in sourcing and minimal processing, preferring organic, non-GMO, and preservative-free options [3] Market Growth Drivers - Governments worldwide are encouraging clean eating and implementing stricter food labeling regulations, which further boost market growth [3] - Natural food companies are experiencing increased brand loyalty and the ability to charge premium prices due to these trends [3] - The global healthy foods market is projected to reach $2.26 trillion by 2035, indicating significant growth potential [5] Company Responses - Companies like General Mills and Beyond Meat are responding to the demand for organic, clean-label, and ethically sourced foods [4] - Firms are investing in plant-based alternatives, functional foods, and sustainable farming technologies to meet consumer preferences [5] Key Players - Hain Celestial is a pioneer in the natural and organic food space, focusing on high-growth segments like infant nutrition and snacks [7] - Vital Farms emphasizes transparency and ethical farming practices, with a strong position in pasture-raised eggs and a goal of $1 billion in net revenues by 2027 [10][12] - Sprouts Farmers Market is recognized for its unique leadership in the natural and organic grocery segment, focusing on fresh, local, and innovative products [13] - United Natural Foods is advancing the natural and organic food movement through its wholesale distribution network, achieving 12% sales growth in its Wholesale Natural Products segment [16] Innovation and Infrastructure - Companies are investing in infrastructure and supply chain improvements to meet surging consumer demand while maintaining quality [11][15] - Hain Celestial is focusing on innovation and operational productivity to enhance competitiveness in the natural and organic category [9] - Vital Farms is scaling its supply chain by partnering with over 500 family farms and investing in production capacity [11] - Sprouts Farmers is launching over 350 new products in 2025, emphasizing organic certification and high-protein formulations [14] - United Natural Foods is streamlining processes through Lean Daily Management to improve service levels and ensure efficient delivery of products [17][18]

Company Announcement - ForFarmers announces that Erwin Wunnekink will step down from the Supervisory Board effective 1 November 2025 due to a new professional opportunity that conflicts with his role [1] - The Chair of the Supervisory Board, Marijke Folkers – In 't Hout, expressed gratitude for Wunnekink's contributions and wished him success in his future endeavors [2] - The Supervisory Board will consider Wunnekink's succession and redistribute his responsibilities among remaining members [2] Company Profile - ForFarmers N.V. is a leading provider of complete feed solutions for (organic) livestock farming, with a mission to promote sustainable agriculture [4] - The company sells approximately 10 million tonnes of animal feed annually and operates production facilities in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and the UK, exporting to various countries [5] - ForFarmers employs around 2,900 people and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam [5]

Core Insights - Vital Farms has surpassed 500 family farms in its network, increasing from 300 at the end of 2023, marking a significant milestone for the company [1][5] Company Developments - To meet the growing demand for its eggs, Vital Farms is enhancing its standards for attracting and retaining family farmers, focusing on fair compensation and incentives to mitigate rising construction costs [2][3] - The company is making substantial investments in its supply chain, including new production equipment at its Egg Central Station in Springfield, Missouri, which will increase capacity by approximately 30% when operational in Q4 2025 [3] - A second egg washing and packing facility is planned in Seymour, Indiana, expected to be operational by early 2027, projected to generate over $350 million in additional revenue capacity [3] Market Position - Vital Farms is recognized as the leading U.S. brand of pasture-raised eggs by retail dollar sales, emphasizing its commitment to ethical food production and sustainable farming practices [5]

Core Insights - ForFarmers experienced a strong quarter in Q1 2025, achieving growth in compound feed volumes and operational profitability, aligning with its long-term customer retention and market share growth ambitions [1][2] Financial Performance - Total volume increased by 17.5% compared to Q1 2024, primarily due to the acquisition of Van Triest Veevoeders; on a like-for-like basis, total volume grew by 1.3% [7] - Compound feed volume rose by 3.5%, partly driven by the consolidation of the joint venture in Germany starting March 1; like-for-like growth in compound feed volume was 1.1% [7] - Turnover increased by 9.1%, attributed to volume growth; gross profit rose by 11.2% to €138.1 million [7] - Operating profit saw a significant increase, with underlying EBIT up 61% and underlying EBITDA increasing by 38.9% [7] - The ROACE ratio on underlying EBIT improved from 13.0% as of December 31, 2024, to 13.8% as of March 31, 2025 [7] Strategic Developments - The integration of Van Triest's activities is progressing as planned, leading to a notable increase in co-products volume, in line with sustainability goals [2] - The joint venture with team agrar in Germany commenced on March 1, 2025 [7] - The sale of the second plant in the United Kingdom was completed in early April, following approval from the UK competition authority [2][7] Company Profile - ForFarmers is a leading player in the European animal feed market, with sales around 9 million tonnes and production operations in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and the UK [5] - The company employs approximately 2,700 people and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam [5]