Financial Performance - Scales Corporation's Underlying EBITDA for 1H25 increased by 43% to $86.7 million, compared to $60.5 million in 1H24[14] - Underlying NPAT for 1H25 rose by 48% to $56.9 million, up from $38.4 million in 1H24[14] - Underlying NPATAS increased significantly by 72% to $48.9 million, compared to $28.5 million in 1H24[14] - The company anticipates Underlying NPATAS to be between $45.0 million and $50.0 million for FY25[14, 67] Divisional Results - Horticulture division experienced exceptional growth, with Underlying EBITDA increasing by 77.4% to $53.2 million in 1H25, compared to $30.0 million in 1H24[14, 23] - Logistics division also showed excellent results, with Underlying EBITDA up by 59.9% to $6.1 million in 1H25, compared to $3.8 million in 1H24[14, 23, 56] - Global Proteins division maintained a steady performance, with Underlying EBITDA at $29.7 million in 1H25, a slight increase of 0.5% from $29.6 million in 1H24[14, 23, 37] Balance Sheet - Net debt decreased to $67.5 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $81.9 million as of June 30, 2024[25] - Approximately 55% of the Horticulture crop had been sold as of June 30, 2025, compared to 54% as of June 30, 2024[30] - Premium volumes accounted for approximately 75% of total export sale volumes, compared to 72% in 2024[52]

Core Insights - The export of fruits and vegetables from the Horgos port reached 307,000 tons in the first half of 2025, marking a 37.1% increase and setting a historical record [1] Group 1: Industry Overview - Horgos port benefits from unique climatic conditions and fertile soil, leading to the production of various fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, peaches, and apricots [1] - The increase in exports not only enriches the domestic market but also expands the reach of these products to international markets [1] Group 2: Supply Chain Process - The journey of the fruit from the farm to the international market involves several stages, including strict quality checks for appearance, sweetness, pesticide residues, and pest control [6] - After harvesting, fruits are stored in cold storage to prolong freshness, followed by another quality inspection before being labeled for export [10] - The fruits are transported in temperature-controlled vehicles, maintaining a consistent temperature of 4°C to ensure quality during transit [10] Group 3: Market Impact - The successful export of fruits from Horgos port illustrates the effective use of the "green channel" for rapid customs clearance of agricultural products between China and Kazakhstan [14] - Each exported fruit serves as a "sweet ambassador," telling the story of its origin and the journey it undertakes to reach foreign markets [14]

Q2'25 Financial Highlights - Revenue reached $2.4 billion, a 14% increase LFL(Like-for-like) [10] - Adjusted EBITDA was $137 million, up 12% LFL [10] - Adjusted Diluted EPS stood at $0.55, reflecting a 9% increase [10] Segment Performance - Fresh Fruit revenue increased by 14.2% to $972 million [32, 35], with Adjusted EBITDA up by 3% to $72.7 million [32, 35] - Diversified Fresh Produce – EMEA saw a revenue increase of 16.5% to $1.101 billion [37, 40], with Adjusted EBITDA up 14.7% to $49 million [37, 40] - Diversified Fresh Produce – Americas & ROW experienced an 8.5% increase in revenue to $386 million [42, 45], and Adjusted EBITDA increased by 27% to $15.4 million [42, 45] Capital Allocation and Debt - Cash CAPEX for continuing operations was $(19.4) million in Q2'25 and $(72.2) million in H1'25 [46] - Free Cash Flow from continuing operations was $(1.0) million in Q2'25 and $(132.6) million in H1'25 [46] - Net Debt stood at $(788.8) million with a Net Leverage of 2.0x as of June 30, 2025 [47] FY'25 Outlook - The company anticipates Adjusted EBITDA for continuing operations to be approximately $380 - $390 million [51] - Maintenance CAPEX for continuing operations is projected to be around $100 million [51] - Interest expense is expected to be approximately $67 million [51]

Core Insights - The Kroger Co. is promoting National Nutrition Month by encouraging customers to incorporate fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables into their meals and snacks [1][2] - The company emphasizes the availability of nutritious options and the ease of meal preparation using fresh produce [2][3] Group 1: Fresh Produce Promotion - Kroger highlights the benefits of using fresh, seasonal produce for healthy meals, stating that it offers limitless options for families as spring and summer approach [2] - The company provides recipes through its The Fresh Lane blog to inspire customers to explore the health impacts of fresh foods [2][3] Group 2: Nutrition Programs - Kroger's OptUP program allows customers to find nutrition options and check the FoodHealth Score of products, enhancing their shopping experience [3] - Kroger Plus loyalty customers can access a free 30-minute dietitian visit for personalized meal planning and product recommendations [3] Group 3: Accessibility of Healthy Choices - Many fresh foods can be purchased using food and over-the-counter benefit cards, making healthy options accessible to eligible individuals, including Medicare Advantage and some Medicaid members [4] - Kroger aims to provide value and healthy choices for all customers, supporting various supplemental benefits programs [4] Group 4: Shopping Options - Customers can shop for fresh ingredients in-store or through Kroger Pickup and Delivery, ensuring consistent low prices across all shopping methods [5] - The Boost by Kroger Plus membership offers potential savings of up to $1,100 per year on fuel and grocery delivery [5][7] Group 5: Featured Fresh Ingredients - The article lists various in-season fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, apples, asparagus, and spinach, highlighting their health benefits [6] - Specific recipes are provided, such as Grilled Steak Strawberry Salad and Green Pea Hummus, showcasing how to incorporate these fresh ingredients into meals [6] Group 6: Company Overview - Kroger operates with a purpose to "Feed the Human Spirit" and serves over 11 million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience [8] - The company employs nearly 420,000 associates and is committed to creating ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities [8]