Looking back on perishable food stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Flowers Foods (NYSE: FLO) 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 strong Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Luckily, perishable food stocks have performed well with share prices up 44.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

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 $1.23 billion, up 3% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is down 12.5% since reporting and currently trades at $10.19.

Read our full report on Flowers Foods here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO)

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

Mission Produce reported revenues of $319 million, down 10% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.5%. The business had an incredible quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ gross margin estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Mission Produce scored the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 11% since reporting. It currently trades at $11.68.

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

Weakest Q3: 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 $70.22 million, down 13.3% year on year, exceeding analysts’ expectations by 2.1%. Still, it was a softer quarter as it posted revenue guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 23.4% since the results and currently trades at $1.03.

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 $4.76 billion, up 3.8% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. It was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ gross margin estimates.

The stock is down 2.6% since reporting and currently trades at $37.14.

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

Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT)

Standing out from typical processed pet foods, Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a pet food company whose product portfolio includes natural meals and treats for dogs and cats.

Freshpet reported revenues of $288.8 million, up 14% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also recorded a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 26.9% since reporting and currently trades at $62.01.

Read our full, actionable report on Freshpet here, it’s free for active Edge members.

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