Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the perishable food stocks, including Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) and its peers.

The perishable food industry is diverse, encompassing large-scale producers and distributors to specialty and artisanal brands. These companies sell produce, dairy products, meats, and baked goods and have become integral to serving modern American consumers who prioritize freshness, quality, and nutritional value. Investing in perishable food stocks presents both opportunities and challenges. While the perishable nature of products can introduce risks related to supply chain management and shelf life, it also creates a constant demand driven by the necessity for fresh food. Companies that can efficiently manage inventory, distribution, and quality control are well-positioned to thrive in this competitive market. Navigating the perishable food industry requires adherence to strict food safety standards, regulations, and labeling requirements.

The 11 perishable food stocks we track reported a slower Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.4% on average since the latest earnings results.

Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN)

Started as a simple trucking business, Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest producers of chicken, beef, and pork.

Tyson Foods reported revenues of $13.07 billion, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 0.7%, but it was still a strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

"We delivered another solid quarter with growth in both sales and adjusted operating income, driven by strong execution across the business. Our consistent focus on operational excellence, winning with customer and consumers, leveraging data and digital, and enhancing our financial strength has resulted in four consecutive quarters of year-over-year improvements in our top and adjusted bottom lines," stated Donnie King, President & CEO of Tyson Foods.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 5.4% since reporting and currently trades at $57.50.

Is now the time to buy Tyson Foods? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO)

Founded in 1983 in California, Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO) grows, packages, and distributes avocados.

Mission Produce reported revenues of $380.3 million, up 27.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 28.4%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Mission Produce achieved the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 14% since reporting. It currently trades at $12.02.

Is now the time to buy Mission Produce? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND)

A pioneer at the forefront of the plant-based protein revolution, Beyond Meat (NASDAQ: BYND) is a food company specializing in alternatives to traditional meat products.

Beyond Meat reported revenues of $68.73 million, down 9.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 8.3%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Beyond Meat delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 39.1% since the results and currently trades at $3.55.

Read our full analysis of Beyond Meat’s results here.

Pilgrim's Pride (NASDAQ: PPC)

Offering everything from pre-marinated to frozen chicken, Pilgrim’s Pride (NASDAQ: PPC) produces, processes, and distributes chicken products to retailers and food service customers.

Pilgrim's Pride reported revenues of $4.46 billion, up 2.3% year on year. This result came in 1.6% below analysts' expectations. It was a softer quarter as it also produced a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a miss of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

The stock is down 16.2% since reporting and currently trades at $45.73.

Read our full, actionable report on Pilgrim's Pride here, it’s free.

Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO)

With Wonder Bread as its premier brand, Flower Foods (NYSE: FLO) is a packaged foods company that focuses on bakery products such as breads, buns, and cakes.

Flowers Foods reported revenues of $1.55 billion, down 1.4% year on year. This print missed analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also logged a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 3.6% since reporting and currently trades at $16.44.

Read our full, actionable report on Flowers Foods here, it’s free.

Market Update

As a result of the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed’s 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025.

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