Table:
|  | Twelve months ended December 31, |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ($ millions except earnings per share) | 2019 | 2018 | % Change |
| Sales | $3,941.5 | $3,495.5 | 12.8 % |
| Net Earnings | $74.6 | $101.3 | (26.4)% |
| Basic Earnings per Share | $0.60 | $0.81 | (25.9)% |
| Adjusted Operating Earnings(i) | $145.4 | $215.6 | (32.6)% |
| Adjusted Earnings per Share(i) | $0.68 | $1.22 | (44.3)% |
Paragraphs:
1. THE BUSINESS
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (“Maple Leaf Foods” or the "Company") is a producer of food products under leading brands including Maple
Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Schneiders®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®, Swift®, Lightlife®, and Field Roast Grain Meat Co.™
The Company's portfolio includes prepared meats, ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve meals, valued-added fresh pork and poultry and
plant protein products. The address of the Company's registered office is 6985 Financial Dr. Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 0A1, Canada.
The Company employs approximately 13,000 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).
1. THE BUSINESS Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (“Maple Leaf Foods” or the "Company") is a producer of food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Schneiders®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®, Swift®, Lightlife®, and Field Roast Grain Meat Co.™ The Company's portfolio includes prepared meats, ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve meals, valued-added fresh pork and poultry and plant protein products. The address of the Company's registered office is 6985 Financial Dr. Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 0A1, Canada. The Company employs approximately 13,000 people and does business primarily in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).
Sales for 2019 were $3,941.5 million compared to $3,495.5 million last year, an increase of 12.8%. Excluding acquisitions, sales increased 5.2%, driven by favourable pricing, mix and volume in meat protein and accelerated growth in plant protein of 23.6%.
Net earnings for 2019 were $74.6 million ($0.60 per basic share) compared to $101.3 million ($0.81 per basic share) last year. Strong commercial performance and favourable resolution of income tax audits were more than offset by strategic investments in plant protein to drive top line growth and heightened volatility in hog prices. Net earnings were negatively impacted by $12.1 million due to non-cash fair value changes in biological assets and derivative contracts, which are excluded in the calculation of Adjusted Operating Earnings below.
Adjusted Operating Earnings for 2019 were $145.4 million compared to $215.6 million last year, and Adjusted Earnings per Share for
2019 were $0.68 compared to $1.22 last year due to similar factors as noted above.
For further discussion on key metrics and a discussion of results by operating segment, refer to the section titled Operating Review
starting on page 3 of this document.
Question:
Why did net earnings fall in 2019?
Answer: Strategic investments in plant protein to drive top line growth and heightened volatility in hog prices.