Edgar Filing: ALICO INC

Document

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K



þ	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017
	or
¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period
	from____________________	to_________________________

Commission File Number: 0-261

Alico, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Florida		59-0906081
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

10070 Daniels Interstate Court,
Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL		33913
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 239-226-2000

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:



Title of class:		Name of each exchange on which registered:
COMMON CAPITAL STOCK, $1.00 Par value, Non-cumulative		NASDAQ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that such registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filings requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 or Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):



Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	þ
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller Reporting Company	¨
		Emerging Growth Company	¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.) Yes ¨ No þ

The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common equity held by non-affiliates based on the closing price, as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market as of March 31, 2017 (the last business day of Alico’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $88,670,366. Solely for the purposes of this calculation, the registrant has elected to treat all executives, officers and greater than 10% stockholders as affiliates of the registrant. There were 8,244,357 shares of common stock outstanding at December 7, 2017.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions of the Proxy Statement of Registrant for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the Registrant's fiscal year), are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.

ALICO, INC.

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017



PART I
Item 1. Business	1
Item 1A. Risk Factors	8
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments	16
Item 2. Properties	16
Item 3. Legal Proceedings	16
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	17
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	18
Item 6. Selected Financial Data	21
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	38
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	39
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	75
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures	75
Item 9B. Other Information	75
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	76
Item 11. Executive Compensation	76
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	76
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	76
Item 14. Principal Accountants Fees and Services	76
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	77
Signatures	81

Cautionary Statement

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain “forward-looking statements,” as such term is defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). They are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding our business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often include words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates”, “estimates”, “projects,” “intends, “plans” and other words and terms of similar substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future actions, business plans and prospects, prospective products, trends, future performance or results of current and anticipated products, sales efforts, expenses, interest rates, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, plans relating to dividends, government regulations, the adequacy of our liquidity to meet our needs for the foreseeable future and our expectations regarding market conditions.

As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Our actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements.

We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). We provide in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” a cautionary discussion of certain risks and uncertainties related to our businesses. These are factors that we believe, individually or in the aggregate, could cause our actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. We note these factors for investors as permitted by Section 21E of the Exchange Act. In addition, the operation and results of our business are subject to risks and uncertainties identified elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as well as general risks and uncertainties such as those relating to general economic conditions. You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such risks. Consequently, you should not consider such discussion to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties.

PART I

Item 1. Business

Alico, Inc. (“Alico”) was incorporated under the laws of the state of Florida in 1960. Collectively with its subsidiaries (the "Company", "we", "us" or "our"), our business and operations are described below. For detailed financial information with respect to our business and our operations, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations which is included in Item 7 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes therein, which are included in Item 8. In addition, general information concerning our Company can be found on our website, the internet address of which is http://www.alicoinc.com. All of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") including, but not limited to, the Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed or furnished with the SEC. In addition, you may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. To obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference room, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our recent press releases and information regarding corporate governance, including the charters of our audit, compensation, executive and nominating governance committees, as well as our code of business conduct and ethics are also available to be viewed or downloaded electronically at http://www.alicoinc.com. The information on our website is not part of this report or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.

Overview

Alico is an agribusiness with a legacy of achievement and innovation in citrus and conservation. The Company owns approximately 122,000 acres of land in twelve Florida counties (Alachua, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Lee, Martin, Osceola and Polk) including approximately 90,000 acres of mineral rights. Our principal lines of business are citrus groves and conservation.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the Company acquired three Florida citrus properties for total consideration of approximately $363,000,000. These acquisitions make Alico one of the largest citrus producers in the United States of America.

Our mission is to create value for our customers and stockholders by managing existing lands to their optimal current income and total returns, opportunistically acquiring new agricultural assets and producing high quality agricultural products while exercising responsible environmental stewardship.

We manage our land based upon its primary usage and review its performance based upon two primary classifications - Alico Citrus (formerly known as Orange Co) and Conservation and Environmental Resources. In addition, Other Operations include lease income from an aggregates mine and leases of oil extraction rights to third parties among other insignificant lines of business. We present our financial results and the related discussion based upon our three business segments (Alico Citrus, Conservation and Environmental Resources, and Other Operations).

Recent Developments

Water Storage Contract Approval

In December 2012, the South Florida Water Management District (“SFWMD” or "District") issued a solicitation request for projects to be considered for the Northern Everglades Payment for Environmental Services Program ("Program"). In March 2013, the Company submitted its response proposing a dispersed water management project on a portion of its ranch land. The dispersed water management project ("Water Project") encompasses a large-scale water storage/nutrient reduction project over approximately half of the Company's 71,000-acre ranch located in southern Hendry County. The Water Project has the ability to store/treat 94,000-acre feet of water, making it one of the largest private storage projects proposed to date and the largest within the Caloosahatchee River watershed. The Water Project was approved by the South Florida Water Management District in late 2014, and the Company's engineering and environmental consultants immediately began working on a detailed design. As a result of the uniqueness of the project site, which consists of over 11,000 acres of wetlands and contains several cultural resource sites, considerable effort has been undertaken over the past 2.5 years in securing necessary regulatory approvals for the project from both the State of Florida and the federal government. In addition, the largeness of the project requires close coordination with adjacent landowners, as well as the water control districts that serve those landowner/properties. On September 29, 2015, the SFWMD amended the contract to extend it for an additional year.

The contract term is eleven years and allows up to one year for implementation (design, permitting, construction and construction completion certification) and ten years of operation, whereby the Company will provide water retention services. Payment for these services includes an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 of reimbursement for implementation. In addition, it provides for an annual fixed payment of $12,000,000 for operations and maintenance costs, as long as the project is in compliance with the contract and subject to annual District Board approval of funding. The contract specifies that the District Board has to approve the payments annually and there can be no assurance that it will approve the annual fixed payments. The Florida budget for the state’s 2017/2018 fiscal year as approved included funding for the Program. Permitting is currently underway with construction to follow immediately upon receipt of permits. Annual fixed payments will not commence until completion of construction. The Company anticipates receiving all necessary regulatory approvals within the next four to six months. The Company has not recognized any revenue to date from the contract. Operating expenses were approximately $1,794,000, $2,322,000 and $2,126,000 for the three years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Hurricane Irma

Florida’s citrus industry was hit hard by the recent impacts of Hurricane Irma. We estimate that production will be down 40-45% from the prior season that was completed in June 2017. While we lost a small percentage of trees, the force and duration of the storm impacted the majority of the groves. Based upon prior experience with serious storms of this nature, we expect it will take at least two seasons for the groves to recover to pre-hurricane production levels. We estimate production between approximately 4,000,000 - 4,400,000 boxes in fiscal 2018, an increase in production in fiscal 2019 and a return to pre-hurricane production levels by fiscal 2020. We maintain crop insurance and are working closely with our insurers and adjusters to evaluate and determine the amount of insurance recoveries we will be entitled to, if any. We are also working with Florida Citrus Mutual, the industry trade group, and government agencies on potential federal relief funds. As of December 1, 2017, the Company donated $45,000 to 8 local charitable organizations to support local relief efforts for individuals affected by Hurricane Irma.

Alico 2.0 Modernization Program

On November 16, 2017, we announced the Alico 2.0 Modernization Program (“Alico 2.0”). This program is transforming three legacy businesses (Alico, Orange Co., and Silver Nip) into a single efficient enterprise, Alico Citrus, so we will remain one of the leaders in the U.S. citrus industry. This initiative explored every aspect of Alico’s citrus and ranch operations, including corporate and operational cost structures, grove costs, purchasing and procurement, non-performing and under-performing assets, professional fees, and human resources efficiency.

Under this program, we expect to reduce citrus total expenses per acre from $3,314/acre in fiscal 2016 to $2,164/acre when Alico 2.0 is fully implemented. Overall, we expect the program to reduce the Company’s cost to produce a pound solid from $2.14 to $1.56. These efficiencies will be achieved through better purchasing, more precise application of selected fertilizers and chemicals, outsourcing work such as harvesting, hauling, and certain caretaking tasks, and by streamlining grove management. We also plan to deploy a more efficient labor model that is consistent and uniform for field staffing and grove operating programs and aligns with the geographical footprint of the citrus groves.

In addition to grove cost savings, Alico Citrus’ general and administrative expenses are projected to decline by more than 25% over the next two years, and recent information technology investments have already automated and simplified many administrative tasks.

Alico 2.0 led us to decide to divest assets that generated low rates of return and shut down parts of our operations that were not profitable. Alico Citrus has shut down its nursery in Gainesville, is in the process of selling its trucks and trailers, consolidating offices, and has either sold or is in the process of selling real estate assets that are not strategic to our business plan.

We plan on ceasing our direct cattle operations at Alico Ranch. The ranch has been a landholding for us for generations, but, even when profitable, ranch operations generated a minimal rate of return on capital. We will continue to own the property and still conduct our long term water dispersement program and wildlife management programs, but we will lease the ranch to a third party operator instead of conducting our own cattle operations. All of these decisions are intended to enable additional investment in the citrus business and redeployment of capital elsewhere.

Alico 2.0 also includes an enhanced program to plant more than 400,000 trees in fiscal year 2018, which is expected to drive growth beyond 2020. The Company believes that its current acreage can produce 10,000,000 boxes per year on a sustained basis, even in an environment where citrus greening continues.

Operating Segments

Operating segments are defined in Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") - Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") ASC Topic 280, "Segment Reporting" as components of public entities that engage in business activities from which they may earn revenues and incur expenses for which separate financial information is available and which is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to assess performance and allocate resources. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s CODM assessed performance and allocated resources based on three operating segments: Alico Citrus, Conservation and Environmental Resources, and Other Operations.

Effective October 1, 2015, which was the first day of Alico's fiscal year 2016, the Company operates three business segments related to its various land holdings, as follows:


•	Alico Citrus includes activities related to planting, owning, cultivating and/or managing citrus groves in order to produce fruit for sale to fresh and processed citrus markets, including activities related to the purchase and resale of fruit and value-added services, which include contracting for the harvesting, marketing and hauling of citrus.


•	Conservation and Environmental Resources includes activities related to cattle grazing, sod, native plant and animal sales, leasing, management and/or conservation of unimproved native pasture land.

•

Other Operations consists of activities related to rock mining royalties, oil exploration and other insignificant lines of business. Also included are activities related to owning and/or leasing improved farmland. Improved farmland is acreage that has been converted, or is permitted to be converted, from native pasture and which may have various improvements including irrigation, drainage and roads.

The Land We Manage

We regularly review our land holdings to determine the best use of each parcel based upon our management expertise. Our total return profile is a combination of operating income potential and long-term appreciation. Land holdings not meeting our total return criteria are considered surplus to our operations and will be sold or exchanged for land considered to be more compatible with our business objectives and total return profile.

Our land holdings and the operating activities in which we engage are categorized in the following table:



	Gross Acreage	Operating Activities
Alico Citrus
Citrus Groves	47,167	Citrus Cultivation
Citrus Nursery	385	Citrus Tree Development
	47,552

Conservation and Environmental Resources	70,962	Cattle Grazing; Sod and Native Plant Sales; Leasing; Conservation

Other Operations
Farmland	1,825	Leasing
Other Land	1,436	Mining lease; Commercial; Office

Total	121,775

Alico Citrus

We own and manage citrus land in Alachua, DeSoto, Polk, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Highlands, Osceola, Martin, and Hardee Counties and engage in the cultivation of citrus trees to produce citrus for delivery to the fresh and processed citrus markets. Alico citrus groves total approximately 48,000 gross acres or 39.1% of our land holdings.

Our citrus acreage is detailed in the following table:



	Net Plantable
	Producing	Developing	Fallow	Total Plantable	Support & Other	Gross
Alachua County	—	—	—	—	385	385
DeSoto County	15,013	1,090	482	16,585	4,623	21,208
Polk County	4,558	95	—	4,653	2,152	6,805
Collier County	4,468	—	—	4,468	2,823	7,291
Hendry County	3,517	97	175	3,789	1,696	5,485
Charlotte County	1,770	—	138	1,908	635	2,543
Highlands County	1,093	—	—	1,093	131	1,224
Osceola County	937	—	—	937	426	1,363
Martin County	551	—	—	551	123	674
Hardee County	403	—	—	403	171	574
Total	32,310	1,282	795	34,387	13,165	47,552

Of the approximately 48,000 gross acres of citrus land we own and manage, approximately 13,200 acres are classified as support acreage. Support acreage includes acres used for roads, barns, water detention, water retention and drainage ditches integral to the cultivation of citrus trees but which are not capable of directly producing fruit. In addition, we own a citrus tree nursery and utilize the trees produced in our own operations. The approximately 34,400 remaining acres are classified as net plantable acres. Net plantable acres are those that are capable of directly producing fruit. These include acres that are currently producing, acres that are developing (acres that are planted in trees too young to commercially produce fruit) and acres that are fallow.

Our Alico Citrus business segment cultivates citrus trees to produce citrus for delivery to the processed and fresh citrus markets. Our sales to the processed market were approximately 91.7%, 86.9% and 88.0% of Alico Citrus revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We produce Early and Mid-Season varieties, primarily Hamlin oranges, as well as a Valencia variety for the processed market. We deliver our fruit to the processors in boxes which contain approximately 90 pounds of oranges. Because the processors convert the majority of the citrus crop into orange juice, they generally do not buy their citrus on a per box basis but rather on a pound solids basis, which is the measure of the soluble solids (sugars and acids) contained in one box of citrus fruit. We produced approximately 42,611,000, 51,404,000 and 62,222,000 pound solids for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, on boxes delivered to processing plants of approximately 7,259,000, 8,829,000 and 10,014,000, respectively.

The average pound solids per box was 5.87, 5.82 and 6.21 for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We generally use multi-year contracts with citrus processors that include pricing structures based on a minimum (“floor”) price with a price increase (“rise”) based on market conditions. Therefore, if pricing in the market is favorable relative to our floor price, we benefit from the incremental difference between the floor and the final market price.

The majority of our citrus produced for the processed citrus market in fiscal year 2017-2018 will be under minimum price contracts with floor prices ranging from $2.05 to $2.15 and rise prices from $2.50 to $2.65 per pound solids. We believe that other markets are available for our citrus products; however, new arrangements may be less favorable than our current contracts.

Our sales to the fresh market constituted approximately 4.6%, 3.8% and 4.2% of our Alico Citrus revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. We produce numerous varieties for the fresh fruit market including grapefruit, navel and other fresh varieties. Generally, our fresh fruit is sold to packing houses by the box and the packing houses are responsible for the harvest and haul of these boxes. We produced approximately 328,000, 402,000 and 466,000 fresh fruit boxes for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The majority of our citrus to be produced for the fresh citrus market in fiscal year 2017-2018 is under fixed price contracts.

Revenues from our Alico Citrus operations were approximately 95.1%, 95.2% and 95.5% of our total operating revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Conservation and Environmental Resources

We own and manage Conservation and Environmental Resources land in Collier and Hendry Counties and engage in cattle grazing and sales, sod and native plant sales, land leasing for recreational and grazing purposes and conservation activities. Of our land holdings, Conservation and Environmental Resources totals approximately 71,000 gross acres or 58.3% of our total acreage.

Our Conservation and Environmental Resources acreage is detailed in the following table as of September 30, 2017:



	Acreage
Hendry County	66,940
Collier County	4,022
Total	70,962

We frequently lease the same acreage for more than one purpose. The portion of our Conservation and Environmental Resources acreage that is leased for each purpose is detailed in the table below:



	Grazing	Recreational
Hendry County	1,282	51,686
Collier County	4,000	3,493
Glades County	145	—

In fiscal year 2017, our cattle operation was engaged in the production of beef cattle in Hendry and Collier Counties. The breeding herd consisted of approximately 8,700 cows and bulls. We primarily sold our calves to feed yards and yearling grazing operations in the United States. We also sold cattle through local livestock auction markets and to contract cattle buyers in the United States. These buyers provide ready markets for our cattle. Revenues from our Conservation and Environmental Resources operations were approximately 3.7%, 3.9% and 3.5% of total operating revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

In November 2017, Alico changed its strategy about its cattle operations. A contract is pending with an experienced rancher who will lease the entire Alico Ranch for 10 years and graze cattle. The entire herd will be sold to this rancher, along with other assets, as part of this transaction. Once this contract is consummated, Alico will remain as the owner of Alico Ranch, will conduct its conservation and other leasing activities, will fulfill its water storage contract but will no longer produce beef cattle.

Our Strategy

Our core business strategy is to maximize stockholder value through continuously improving the return on our invested capital, either by holding and managing our existing land through skilled agricultural production, leasing, or other opportunistic means of monetization, disposing of under productive land or business units and/or acquiring new land or operations with appreciation potential.

Our objectives are to produce the highest quality agricultural products, create innovative land uses, opportunistically acquire and convert undervalued assets, sell under-productive land and other assets not meeting our total return profile, generate recurring and sustainable profit with the appropriate balance of risk and reward, and exceed the expectations of stockholders, customers, clients and partners.

Our strategy is based on best management practices of our agricultural operations, environmental and conservation stewardship of our land and natural resources. We manage our land in a sustainable manner and evaluate the effect of changing land uses while considering new opportunities. Our commitment to environmental stewardship is fundamental to the Company’s core beliefs.

Seasonal Nature of Business

As with any agribusiness enterprise, our agribusiness operations and revenues are predominantly seasonal in nature. The following table illustrates the seasonality of our agribusiness revenues:

Fiscal Year

Ending 12/31

Ending 3/31

Ending 6/30

Ending 9/30

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Harvest Fresh and Early/Mid Varieties of Oranges

Harvest Valencia Oranges

Deliver Beef Cattle

Competition

The orange and specialty citrus markets are intensely competitive, but no single producer has any significant market power over any market segments, as is consistent with the production of most agricultural commodities. Citrus is grown domestically in several states including Florida, California, Arizona and Texas, as well as foreign countries, most notably Brazil. Competition is impacted by several factors including quality, production, demand, brand recognition, market prices, weather, disease, export/import restrictions and foreign currency exchange rates.

Environmental Regulations

Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws regulating the discharge of materials into the environment. Management believes we are in compliance with all such rules including permitting and reporting requirements. Historically, compliance with environmental regulations has not had a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Management monitors environmental legislation and requirements and makes every effort to remain in compliance with such regulations. In addition, we require lessees of our property to comply with environmental regulations as a condition of leasing.

Employees

As of September 30, 2017, we had 283 full-time employees. Our employees work in the following divisions:



Alico Citrus	240
Conservation and Environmental Resources	15
Corporate, General, Administrative and Other	28
Total employees	283

None of our employees are subject to a collective bargaining agreement. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.

Capital resources and raw materials

Management believes that the Company will be able to meet its working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months, and over the long term, through internally generated funds, cash flows from operations, the sale of under-productive land and other assets, our existing lines of credit and access to capital markets. The Company has commitments that provide for lines of revolving credit that are available for our general and corporate use.

Raw materials needed to cultivate the various crops grown by the Company consist primarily of fertilizers, herbicides and fuel and are readily available from local suppliers.

Available Information

We provide electronic copies of our SEC filings free of charge upon request. Any information posted on or linked from our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov, which contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business and results of operations are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. The following is a description of the known factors that we believe may materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. They should be considered carefully, in addition to the information set forth elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, including the related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in making any investment decisions with respect to our securities. Additional risks or uncertainties that are not currently known to us that we currently deem to be immaterial or that could apply to any company could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Risks Related to our Business

Adverse weather conditions, natural disasters and other natural conditions, including the effects of climate change, could impose significant costs and losses on our business.

Fresh produce is vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, including windstorms, floods, drought and temperature extremes, which are quite common and may occur with higher frequency or be less predictable in the future due to the effects of climate change. Unfavorable growing conditions can reduce both crop size and crop quality. In extreme cases, entire harvests may be lost in some geographic areas. Citrus groves are subject to damage from frost and freezes, and this has happened periodically in the recent past. In some cases, the fruit is damaged or ruined; in the case of extended periods of cold, the trees can also be damaged or killed. These factors can increase costs, decrease revenues and lead to additional charges to earnings, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Our citrus groves are subject to damage and loss from disease including but not limited to citrus greening and citrus canker which could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our citrus groves are subject to damage and loss from diseases such as citrus greening and citrus canker. Each of these diseases is widespread in Florida and exists in our citrus groves and in the areas where our citrus groves are located. The success of our citrus business is directly related to the viability and health of our citrus groves.

Citrus greening is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world. Once a tree is infected, its productivity generally decreases. While the disease poses no threat to humans or animals, it has devastated citrus crops throughout the United States and abroad. Named for its green, misshapen fruit, citrus greening disease has now killed millions of citrus plants in the southeastern United States and has spread across the entire country. Infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter, unsuitable for sale as fresh fruit or for juice. Infected trees can die within a few years. At the present time, there is no known cure for citrus greening once trees have become infected. Primarily, as a result of citrus greening, orange production in the State of Florida has continued to drop. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Florida had its smallest orange harvest in 53 years in the 2016-2017 harvest season. The upcoming 2017-2018 Florida harvest season is expected to decline even further. The USDA's forecast of approximately 50,000,000 boxes of oranges for the 2017-2018 season is down more than 27.2% from the approximately 68,700,000 boxes harvested last season and 66.7% from the approximately 150,000,000 boxes during the 2004-05 season when citrus greening was discovered.

Citrus canker is a disease affecting citrus species and is caused by a bacterium which is spread by contact with infected trees or by windblown transmission. There is no known cure for citrus canker at present although some management practices, including the use of copper-based bactericides, can mitigate its spread and lessen its effect on infected trees; however, there is no assurance that currently available technologies will control such disease effectively.

Both of these diseases pose a significant threat to the Florida citrus industry and to our citrus groves. While we use best management practices to attempt to control diseases and their spread, there can be no assurance that our mitigation efforts will be successful. These diseases can significantly increase our costs which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our citrus groves produce the significant majority of our annual operating revenues. A significant reduction in available citrus from our citrus groves could decrease our operating revenues and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our citrus groves are geographically concentrated in Florida and the effects of adverse weather conditions including hurricanes and tropical storms could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Our citrus operations are concentrated in central and south Florida with our groves located in parcels in Alachua, DeSoto, Polk, Collier, Hendry, Charlotte, Highlands, Osceola, Martin and Hardee Counties. Because our groves are located in close proximity to each other, the impact of adverse weather conditions may be material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Florida is particularly susceptible to the occurrence of hurricanes and tropical storms. Depending on where any particular hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall, our properties could experience significant, if not catastrophic damage. Hurricanes and tropical storms have the potential to destroy crops, affect cattle breeding and impact citrus production through the loss of fruit and destruction of trees and/or plants either as a result of high winds or through the spread of windblown disease. Such damage could materially affect our citrus and cattle operations and could result in a loss of operating revenues from those products for a multi-year period. We seek to minimize hurricane risk by the purchase of insurance contracts, but the majority of our crops remain uninsured. In addition to hurricanes and tropical storms, the occurrence of other natural disasters and climate conditions in Florida, such as tornadoes, floods, freezes, unusually heavy or prolonged rain, droughts and heat waves, could have a material adverse effect on our operations and our ability to realize income from our crops or cattle.

During September 2017, we experienced significant fruit loss as a result of Hurricane Irma, which will negatively impact both the Company's revenues and earnings for fiscal 2018 and potentially fiscal 2019.

A significant portion of our revenues are derived from our citrus business and any adverse event affecting such business could disproportionately harm our business.

Our revenues from our citrus business were approximately 95.1%, 95.2%, and 95.5% of our operating revenues in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our citrus division is one of the largest citrus producers in the United States and because of the significance of the revenues derived from this business, we are more vulnerable to adverse events or market conditions affecting our citrus business which could have a significant impact on our overall results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

We depend on our relationship with Tropicana for a significant portion of our business. Any disruption in this relationship could harm our sales. Additionally, if certain criteria are not met under one of our contracts with Tropicana, we could experience a significant reduction in revenues.

The Company's contracts with Tropicana accounted for 85.6%, 32.5% and 14.3% of the Company's revenues in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The revenue for Tropicana is generated among several contracts. Under one such contract, if certain criteria are not met, the pricing terms of the contract may be modified whereby we could experience a reduction in revenues. Should there be any change in our current relationship structure, whereby they do not buy our oranges, we would need to find replacement buyers to purchase our remaining crop, which could take time and expense and may result in less favorable terms of sale. The loss of Tropicana as a customer or significant reduction in business with Tropicana may cause a material adverse impact to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Our agricultural products are subject to supply and demand pricing which is not predictable.

Agricultural operations traditionally provide almost all of our operating revenues with citrus being the largest portion and are subject to supply and demand pricing. While according to Nielsen data consumer demand for orange juice has decreased significantly to its lowest level in almost a decade, we have been able to offset the impact of such decline with higher prices based on a lower supply of available oranges. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so if demand continues to decline. Although our processed citrus is subject to minimum pricing, we are unable to predict with certainty the final price we will receive for our products. In some instances the harvest and growth cycle will dictate when such products must be marketed which may or may not be advantageous in obtaining the best price. Excessive supplies tend to cause severe price competition and lower prices for the commodity affected. Limited supply of certain agricultural commodities due to world and domestic market conditions can cause commodity prices to rise in certain situations. We attempt to mitigate these risks by using contracts with citrus processors that include pricing structures based on a minimum (“floor”) price and with a price increase (“rise”) if market prices exceed the floor price.

There is no assurance that Alico 2.0 will provide the cost savings that we expect, or that we will fully realize the benefits we expect from the program.

On November 16, 2017, we announced Alico 2.0, which we expect will result in a significant citrus grove cost savings and a decline in Alico Citrus’ general and administrative expenses. There is no assurance that our Alico 2.0 will provide the cost savings that we expect, or that we will fully realize the benefits we expect from the program.

If we are unable to successfully develop and execute our strategic growth initiatives, or if they do not adequately address the challenges or opportunities we face, our business, financial condition and prospects may be adversely affected.

Our success is dependent, in part, on our ability to identify, develop and execute appropriate strategic growth initiatives that will enable us to achieve sustainable growth in the long term. The implementation of our strategic initiatives is subject to both the risks affecting our business generally and the inherent risks associated with implementing new strategies. These strategic initiatives may not be successful in generating revenues or improving operating profit and, if they are, it may take longer than anticipated. As a result and depending on evolving conditions and opportunities, we may need to adjust our strategic initiatives and such changes could be substantial, including modifying or terminating one or more of such initiatives. Termination of such initiatives may require us to write down or write off the value of our investments in them. Transition and changes in our strategic initiatives may also create uncertainty in our employees, customers and partners that could adversely affect our business and revenues. In addition, we may incur higher than expected or unanticipated costs in implementing our strategic initiatives, attempting to attract revenue opportunities or changing our strategies. There is no assurance that the implementation of any strategic growth initiative will be successful, and we may not realize anticipated benefits at levels we project or at all, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition and prospects.

We are subject to the risk of product contamination and product liability claims.

The sale of agricultural products for human consumption involves the risk of injury to consumers. Such injuries may result from tampering by unauthorized third parties, product contamination or spoilage, including the presence of foreign objects, substances, chemicals, other agents, or residues introduced during the growing, storage, handling or transportation phases. While we are subject to governmental inspection and regulations and believe our facilities comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations, we cannot be sure that our agricultural products will not cause a health-related illness in the future or that we will not be subject to claims or lawsuits relating to such matters. Even if a product liability claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image. Moreover, claims or liabilities of this sort might not be covered by our insurance or by any rights of indemnity or contribution that we may have against others. We maintain product liability insurance, however, we cannot be sure that we will not incur claims or liabilities for which we are not insured or that exceed the amount of our insurance coverage.

Our agricultural operations are subject to water use regulations restricting our access to water.

Our operations are dependent upon the availability of adequate surface and underground water. The availability of water is regulated by the state of Florida through water management districts which have jurisdiction over various geographic regions in which our lands are located. Currently, we have permits in place for the next 15 to 20 years for the use of underground and surface water which are adequate for our agricultural needs.

Surface water in Hendry County, where much of our agricultural land is located, comes from Lake Okeechobee via the Caloosahatchee River and a system of canals used to irrigate such land. The Army Corps of Engineers controls the level of Lake Okeechobee and ultimately determines the availability of surface water even though the use of water has been permitted by the state of Florida through the water management district. The Army Corps of Engineers decided in 2010 to lower the permissible level of Lake Okeechobee in response to concerns about the ability of the levee surrounding the lake to restrain rising waters which could result from hurricanes. Changes in availability of surface water use may result during times of drought, because of lower lake levels and could materially adversely affect our agricultural operations, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Changes in immigration laws could impact our ability to harvest our crops.

We engage third parties to provide personnel for our harvesting operations. The availability and number of such workers is subject to decrease if there are changes in the U.S. immigration laws. Immigration reform and enforcement is currently attracting significant attention in the current U.S. administration and U.S. Congress. If new immigration legislation is enacted in the U.S such legislation may contain provisions that could significantly reduce the number and availability of workers. The scarcity of available personnel to harvest our agricultural products could cause harvesting costs to increase or could lead to the loss of product that is not timely harvested which could have a material adverse effect to our citrus grove business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our acquisition of additional agricultural assets and other businesses could pose risks.

We seek to opportunistically acquire new agricultural assets from time to time that we believe would complement our business. For example, in fiscal year 2015 we acquired three Florida citrus properties, including Orange-Co and Silver Nip Citrus, which resulted in our citrus division being one of the largest citrus producers in the United States. While we expect that our acquisitions will successfully complement our business, we may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions, which could reduce our anticipated results. We cannot assure that we will be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate appropriate acquisition terms, or obtain any financing that may be needed to consummate such acquisitions or complete proposed acquisitions. Acquisitions by us could result in accounting changes, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, increased debt and contingent liabilities, reduce the amount of cash available for dividends, debt service payments, integration issues and diversion of management’s attention, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows. We may be unable to successfully realize the financial, operational, and other benefits we anticipate from our acquisitions and our failure to do so could adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition, and cash flows.

Dispositions of our assets may adversely affect our future results of operations.

We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain of our assets which could include the exit from lines of business. For example, in November of 2014 we sold significant sugarcane assets and we are no longer involved in the sugarcane business. While such dispositions increase the amount of cash available to us, it could also result in a potential loss of significant operating revenues and income streams that we might not be able to replace, makes our business less diversified and could ultimately have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

If a transaction intended to qualify as a Section 1031 Exchange is later determined to be taxable, we may face adverse consequences, and if the laws applicable to such transactions are amended or repealed, we may not be able to dispose of properties on a tax deferred basis.

From time to time we dispose of properties in transactions that are intended to qualify as Section 1031 Exchanges. It is possible that the qualification of a transaction as a Section 1031 Exchange could be successfully challenged and determined to be currently taxable and we could also be required to pay interest and penalties. As a result, we may be required to borrow funds in order to pay additional property taxes, and the payment of such taxes could cause us to have less cash available. Moreover, it is possible that legislation could be enacted that could modify or repeal the laws with respect to Section 1031 Exchanges, which could make it more difficult or not possible for us to dispose of properties on a tax deferred basis.

We may undertake one or more significant corporate transactions that may not achieve their intended results, may adversely affect our financial condition and our results of operations or result in unforeseeable risks to our business.

We continuously evaluate the acquisition or disposition of operating businesses and assets and may in the future undertake one or more significant transactions. Any such acquisitive transaction could be material to our business and could take any number of forms, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and the purchase of equity interests. The consideration for such acquisitive transactions may include, among other things, cash, common stock or equity interests in the Company or our subsidiaries, or a contribution of property or equipment to obtain equity interests, and in conjunction with a transaction we might incur additional indebtedness. We also routinely evaluate the benefits of disposing of certain assets. Such dispositions could take the form of asset sales, mergers or sales of equity interests.

These transactions may present significant risks such as insufficient assets to offset liabilities assumed, potential loss of significant operating revenues and income streams, increased or unexpected expenses, inadequate return of capital, regulatory or compliance issues, the triggering of certain financial covenants in our debt instruments (including accelerated repayment) and unidentified issues not discovered in due diligence. In addition, such transactions could distract management from current operations. As a result of the risks inherent in such transactions, we cannot guarantee that any such transaction will ultimately result in the realization of its anticipated benefits or that it will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. If we were to complete such an acquisition, disposition, investment or other strategic transaction, we may require additional debt or equity financing that could result in a significant increase in our amount of debt and our debt service obligations or the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, thereby diluting holders of our common stock outstanding prior to such acquisition.

Our citrus business is seasonal.

Our citrus groves produce the majority of our annual operating revenues and the citrus business is seasonal because it is tied to the growing and picking seasons. Historically, the second and third quarters of our fiscal year generally produce the majority of our annual revenues, and our working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year coinciding with our planting cycles. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year or in future quarters. If our operating revenues in the second and third quarters are lower than expected, it would have a disproportionately large adverse impact on our annual operating results.

We face significant competition in our agricultural operations.

We face significant competition in our agricultural operations both from domestic and foreign producers and do not have any branded products. Foreign growers generally have an equal or lower cost of production, less environmental regulation and in some instances, greater resources and market flexibility than us. Because foreign growers have greater flexibility as to when they enter the U.S. market, we cannot always predict the impact these competitors will have on our business and results of operations. The competition we face from foreign suppliers of orange juice is mitigated by a governmentally imposed tariff on orange imports. A change in the government’s reduction in the orange juice tariff could adversely impact our results of operations.

Climate change, or legal, regulatory, or market measures to address climate change, may negatively affect our business and operations.

There is growing concern that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather patterns, and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. In the event that such climate change has a negative effect on the productivity of our citrus groves, it could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations. The increasing concern over climate change also may result in more regional, federal, and/or global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases. In the event that such regulation is enacted, we may experience significant increases in our costs of operations. In particular, increasing regulation of fuel emissions could substantially increase the distribution and supply chain costs associated with our products. As a result, climate change could negatively affect our business and operations.

Increases in labor, personnel and benefits costs could adversely affect our operating results.

We primarily utilize labor contractors to grow, harvest and deliver our fruit to our orange packing house or outside packing facilities. We utilize a combination of employees and labor contractors to process our oranges in our orange packing facility. Our employees and contractors are in demand by other agribusinesses and other industries. Shortages of labor could delay our harvesting or orange processing activities or could result in increases in labor costs.

We and our labor contractors are subject to government mandated wage and benefit laws and regulations. In addition, current or future federal or state healthcare legislation and regulation, including the Affordable Care Act, may increase our medical costs or the medical costs of our labor contractors that could be passed on to us.

We benefit from reduced real estate taxes due to the agricultural classification of a majority of our land. Changes in the classification or valuation methods employed by county property appraisers could cause significant changes in our real estate tax liabilities.

In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 we paid approximately $3,106,000, $3,196,000, and $4,054,000, respectively, in real estate taxes, respectively. These taxes were based upon the agricultural use (“Green Belt”) values determined by the county property appraisers in which counties we own land, of approximately $105,496,000, $89,922,000, and $123,617,000 for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively, which differs significantly from the fair values determined by the county property appraisers of approximately $539,790,000, $533,617,000, and $652,891,000, respectively. Changes in state law or county policy regarding the granting of agricultural classification or calculation of "Green Belt" values or average millage rates could significantly impact our results of operations, cash flows and/or financial position.

Liability for the use of pesticides, herbicides and other potentially hazardous substances could increase our costs.

Our agricultural business involves the use of herbicides, fertilizers and pesticides, some of which may be considered hazardous or toxic substances. We may be deemed liable and have to pay for the costs or damages associated with the improper application, accidental release or the use or misuse of such substances. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover such costs or damages, or may not continue to be available at a price or under terms that are satisfactory to us. In such cases, if we are required to pay

significant costs or damages, it could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Compliance with applicable environmental laws may substantially increase our costs of doing business which could reduce our profits.

We are subject to various laws and regulations relating to the operation of our properties, which are administered by numerous federal, state and local governmental agencies. We face a potential for environmental liability by virtue of our ownership of real estate property. If hazardous substances (including herbicides and pesticides used by us or by any persons leasing our lands) are discovered emanating from any of our lands and the release of such substances presents a threat of harm to the public health or the environment, we may be held strictly liable for the cost of remediation of these hazardous substances. In addition, environmental laws that apply to a given site can vary greatly according to the site’s location, its present and former uses, and other factors such as the presence of wetlands or endangered species on the site. Management monitors environmental legislation and requirements and makes every effort to remain in compliance with such regulations. Furthermore, we require lessees of our properties to comply with environmental regulations as a condition of leasing. We also purchase insurance for environmental liability when it is available; however, these insurance contracts may not be adequate to cover such costs or damages or may not continue to be available at prices and terms that would be satisfactory. It is possible that in some cases the cost of compliance with these environmental laws could exceed the value of a particular tract of land, make it unsuitable for use in what would otherwise be its highest and best use, and/or be significant enough that it would materially adversely affect us.

Our business may be adversely affected if we lose key employees.

We depend to a large extent on the services of certain key management personnel. These individuals have extensive experience and expertise in the business lines and segments in which they work. The loss of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our businesses. We do not maintain key-man life insurance with respect to any of our employees. Our success will be dependent on our ability to continue to attract, employ and retain skilled personnel in our business lines and segments.

Inflation can have a significant adverse effect on our operations.

Inflation can have a major impact on our citrus operations. The citrus operations are most affected by escalating costs and unpredictable revenues and very high irrigation water costs. High fixed water costs related to our citrus lands will continue to adversely affect earnings. Prices received for many of our products are dependent upon prevailing market conditions and commodity prices. Therefore, it is difficult for us to accurately predict revenue, just as we cannot pass on cost increases caused by general inflation, except to the extent reflected in market conditions and commodity prices.

We incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.

As a Company with publicly traded securities, we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules promulgated by the SEC and NASDAQ, requires us to adopt corporate governance practices applicable to U.S. public companies. These rules and regulations may increase our legal and financial compliance costs, which could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

System security risks, data protection breaches, cyber-attacks and systems integration issues could disrupt our internal operations or services provided to customers, and any such disruption could reduce our expected revenue, increase our expenses, damage our reputation and adversely affect our stock price.

Computer programmers and hackers may be able to penetrate our network security and misappropriate or compromise our confidential information or that of third parties, create system disruptions or cause shutdowns. Computer programmers and hackers also may be able to develop and deploy viruses, worms, and other malicious software programs that attack our products or otherwise exploit any security vulnerabilities of our products. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we produce or procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of the system. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate cyber or other security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and our efforts to address these problems may not be successful and could result in interruptions, delays, cessation of service and loss of existing or potential customers that may impede our sales, packing, distribution or other critical functions.

Portions of our IT infrastructure also may experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with systems integration or migration work that takes place from time to time. We may not be successful in implementing new systems and transitioning data, which could cause business disruptions and be more expensive, time consuming, disruptive and

resource-intensive. Such disruptions could adversely impact our ability to track sales and could interrupt other operational or financial processes, which in turn could adversely affect our financial results, stock price and reputation.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

We maintain a significant amount of indebtedness which could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and may limit our operational and financing flexibility and negatively impact our business.

As of September 30, 2017 we had approximately $186,000,000 in principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our secured credit facilities and an additional $85,000,000 is available under our revolving lines of credit. Our loan agreements, and other debt instruments we may enter into in the future, may have negative consequences to us and could limit our business because we will use a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to pay debt service costs which will reduce the funds available to us for corporate and general expenses and it may make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and adverse developments in our business. Our loan agreements require us to comply with various restrictive covenants and some contain financial covenants that require us to comply with specified financial ratios and tests. Our failure to meet these covenants could result in default under these loan agreements and would result in a cross-default under other loan agreements. In the event of a default and our inability to obtain a waiver of the default, all amounts outstanding under loan agreements could be declared immediately due and payable. Our loan agreements also contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. We expect that we will depend primarily upon our citrus operations to provide funds to pay our corporate and general expenses and to pay any amounts that may become due under any credit facilities and any other indebtedness we may incur and there are factors beyond our control that could negatively affect our citrus business revenue stream. Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by various financial, business, macroeconomic and other factors, many of which we cannot control.

Some of our debt is based on variable rates of interest, which could result in higher interest expenses in the event of an increase in the interest rates.

Our Credit Facility and certain of our term loans that we have currently bear interest at variable rates, which will generally change as interest rates change. We bear the risk that the rates we are charged by our lenders will increase faster than the earnings and cash flow of our business, which could reduce profitability, adversely affect our ability to service our debt, cause us to breach covenants contained in our Credit Facility and Term Loans, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risks Related to our Common Stock

Our largest stockholder has effective control over the election of our Board of Directors and other matters.

734 Investors, LLC ("734 Investors") and its two controlling persons, Remy W. Trafelet and George Brokaw, together beneficially own approximately 59.5% of our outstanding common stock as of December 7, 2017. Accordingly, by virtue of its ownership percentage, 734 Investors is able to elect all of our directors and officers, and has the ability to exert significant influence over our business and may make decisions with which other stockholders may disagree, including, among other things, changes in our business plan, delaying, discouraging or preventing a change of control of our Company or a potential merger, consolidation, tender offer, takeover or other business combination. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest could exist when we enter into related party transactions with 734 Investors such as the Silver Nip Citrus merger we entered into on February 28, 2015. The terms of the merger were negotiated and considered by a special committee comprised entirely of independent and disinterested members of our Board of Directors.

We are a “Controlled Company” under the NASDAQ Listing Rules and therefore are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements, which could reduce the influence of independent directors.

We are a “Controlled Company” under NASDAQ listing rules, because more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock is controlled by 734 Investors and its two controlling persons, Remy W. Trafelet and George Brokaw. As a consequence, we are exempt from certain NASDAQ requirements including the requirement that:


•	Our Board of Directors be composed of a majority of independent directors;


•	The compensation of our officers be determined by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; and


•	Nominations to the Board of Directors be made by a majority of the independent directors or a nominations committee composed solely of independent directors.

However, NASDAQ does require that our independent directors have regularly scheduled meetings at which only independent directors are present. In addition, Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) requires that a compensation committee of outside directors (within the meaning of Section 162(m)) approve stock option grants to executive officers in order for us to be able to claim deductions for the compensation expense attributable to such stock options. Notwithstanding the foregoing exemptions, we do have a majority of independent directors on our Board of Directors and we do have an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Governance Committee composed primarily of independent directors.

Although we currently comply with certain of the NASDAQ listing rules that do not apply to controlled companies, our compliance is voluntary, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to comply with these standards in the future. If in the future our Board of Directors elects to rely on the exemptions permitted by the NASDAQ listing standards and reduce the number or proportion of independent directors on our Board and its committees, the influence of independent directors would be reduced.

Sales of substantial amounts of our outstanding common stock by our largest stockholder could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our largest stockholder, 734 Investors, beneficially owns approximately 59.5% of our outstanding common stock as of December 7, 2017. Our common stock is thinly traded and our common stock prices can fluctuate significantly. As such, sales of substantial amounts of our common stock into the public market by 734 Investors or perceptions that significant sales could occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

Our common stock has low trading volume.

Although our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market, it is thinly traded and our average daily trading volume is low compared to the number of shares of common stock we have outstanding. The low trading volume of our common stock can cause our stock price to fluctuate significantly as well as make it difficult for you to sell your common shares quickly. As a result of our stock being thinly traded and/or our low stock price, institutional investors might not be interested in owning our common stock.

We may not be able to continue to pay or maintain our cash dividends on our common stock and the failure to do so may negatively affect our share price.

We have historically paid regular quarterly dividends to the holders of our common stock. Our ability to pay cash dividends depends on, among other things, our cash flows from operations, our cash requirements, our financial condition, the degree to which we are/or become leveraged, contractual restrictions binding on us, provisions of applicable law and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant. There can be no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash from continuing operations in the future, or have sufficient cash surplus or net profits to pay dividends on our common stock. Our dividend policy is based upon our directors’ current assessment of our business and the environment in which we operate and that assessment could change based on business developments (which could, for example, increase our need for capital expenditures) or new growth opportunities. Our Board of Directors may, in its discretion, decrease the level of cash dividends or entirely discontinue the payment of cash dividends. The reduction or elimination of cash dividends may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

There can be no assurance that we will continue to repurchase shares of our common stock.

In fiscal year 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7,000,000 of the Company’s common stock in two separate authorizations. In March 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning March 9, 2017 and continuing through March 9, 2019. In May 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning May 24, 2017 and continuing through May 24, 2019. Our share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended from time to time or terminated at any time prior to its expiration. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares in the future in any particular amounts or at all. A reduction in, or elimination of, share repurchases could have a negative effect on our share price.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

As of September 30, 2017 we owned approximately 122,000 acres of land located in twelve counties in Florida. Acreage in each county and the primary classification with respect to the present use of these properties is shown in the following table:



	Total	Hendry	Polk	Collier	DeSoto	Glades	Lee	Alachua	Charlotte	Hardee	Highlands	Martin	Osceola
Alico Citrus:
Citrus Groves	47,167	5,485	6,805	7,291	21,208	—	—	—	2,543	574	1,224	674	1,363
Citrus Nursery	385	—	—	—	—	—	—	385	—	—	—	—	—
Total Citrus Groves	47,552	5,485	6,805	7,291	21,208	—	—	385	2,543	574	1,224	674	1,363

Improved Farmland:
Irrigated	1,825	1,825	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Conservation and Environmental Resources	70,962	66,940	—	4,022	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Commercial	2	—	—	—	—	—	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
Mining	526	—	—	—	—	526	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Other	908	908	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total	121,775	75,158	6,805	11,313	21,208	526	2	385	2,543	574	1,224	674	1,363

Approximately 61,000 acres of the properties listed are encumbered by credit agreements totaling approximately $186,000,000 as of September 30, 2017. For a more detailed description of the credit agreements and collateral please see Note 4. “Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit.”

We currently collect mining royalties on approximately 526 acres of land located in Glades County, Florida. These royalties do not represent a significant portion of our operating revenues or gross profits.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

On March 11, 2015, a putative stockholder class action lawsuit captioned Shiva Y. Stein v. Alico, Inc., et al., No. 15-CA-000645 (the “Stein lawsuit”), was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial District in and for Lee County, Florida, against Alico, Inc. (“Alico”), its current and certain former directors, 734 Citrus Holdings, LLC d/b/a Silver Nip Citrus, 734 Investors, LLC (“734 Investors”), 734 Agriculture, LLC (“734 Agriculture”) and 734 Sub, LLC (“734 Sub”) in connection with the acquisition of Silver Nip Citrus by Alico (the “Merger”). The complaint alleged that Alico’s directors at the time of the Merger, 734 Investors and 734 Agriculture breached fiduciary duties to Alico stockholders in connection with the Merger and that Silver Nip and 734 Sub aided and abetted such breaches. The lawsuit sought, among other things, monetary and equitable relief, costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees) and expenses.

On May 6, 2015, a putative stockholder class action and derivative lawsuit captioned Ruth S. Dimon Trust v. George R. Brokaw, et al., No. 15-CA-001162 (the “Dimon lawsuit”), was filed in the Circuit Court of the Twentieth Judicial District in and for Lee County, Florida, against Alico, its current directors, Silver Nip Citrus, 734 Investors and 734 Agriculture in connection with the Merger of Silver Nip Citrus by Alico. The complaint alleged breach of fiduciary duty, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and tortious interference with contract against Alico’s directors; unjust enrichment against three of the directors; and aiding

and abetting breach of fiduciary duty against Silver Nip Citrus, 734 investors and 734 Agriculture. The lawsuit sought, among other things, rescission of the Merger, an injunction prohibiting certain payments to Silver Nip Citrus members, unspecified damages, disgorgement of profits, costs, fees (including attorneys’ fees) and expenses.

On July 17, 2015, the plaintiffs in the Stein and Dimon lawsuits filed a stipulation and proposed order consolidating their cases for all purposes under the caption, In re Alico, Inc. Shareholder Litigation, Master File No. 15-CA-000645 (the “Consolidated Action”) and seeking the appointment of a lead plaintiff and lead and liaison counsel. The court entered that proposed order on July 21, 2015.

On October 16, 2015, the lead plaintiff in the Consolidated Action reported to the Court that the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the Consolidated Action and other claims related to the Merger and that they were in the process of formally documenting their agreements. The proposed settlement contemplated that Alico would adopt certain changes to its corporate governance practices, policies and procedures concerning related party transactions; the Consolidated Action would be dismissed; and all claims that were or could have been asserted challenging any aspect of the Merger would be released. On March 31, 2016, the parties entered into a Stipulation of Settlement. The parties filed an Amended Stipulation of Settlement with the Court on April 22, 2016.

On April 28, 2016, the Court entered an order preliminarily approving the settlement and providing for notice to relevant Alico shareholders. Notice of the settlement was mailed to relevant Alico shareholders and a settlement hearing was held on September 12, 2016, during which the Court considered the fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement and plaintiffs' counsel’s request for an award of attorneys' fees and expenses.

Following the settlement hearing on September 12, 2016, the Court entered a final order and judgment that approved the settlement as fair, reasonable and adequate; directed the parties to consummate the settlement according to its terms; awarded plaintiffs’ counsel attorneys’ fees and expenses; and dismissed the Consolidated Action with prejudice.

From time to time, Alico may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. There are no current legal proceedings to which the Company is a party to or of which any of its property is subject to that it believes will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock Prices

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol ALCO. The high and low sales prices of our common stock in each quarter in the fiscal years 2017 and 2016 are presented below:



	FY 2017 Price				FY 2016 Price
	High		Low		High		Low
Quarter Ended:
December 31	$	29.85	$	25.25	$	45.82	$	37.55
March 31	$	27.95	$	25.55	$	38.56	$	20.99
June 30	$	32.65	$	27.40	$	32.66	$	26.02
September 30	$	34.45	$	29.75	$	31.95	$	26.50

Holders

On December 7, 2017 our stock transfer records indicate there were 248 holders of record of our common stock. The number of registered holders includes banks and brokers who act as nominee, each of whom may represent more than one stockholder.

Dividend Policy

The declaration and amount of any actual cash dividend are in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors and are subject to numerous factors that ordinarily affect dividend policy, including the results of our operations and financial position, as well as general economic and business conditions.

The following table presents cash dividends per share of our common stock declared in fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015:



Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Per Common Share
February 27, 2015	March 31, 2015	April 15, 2015	$0.06
June 4, 2015	June 30, 2015	July 15, 2015	$0.06
September 14, 2015	September 30, 2015	October 15, 2015	$0.06
December 11, 2015	December 31, 2015	January 15, 2016	$0.06
March 8, 2016	March 31, 2016	April 15, 2016	$0.06
May 11, 2016	June 30, 2016	July 15, 2016	$0.06
September 6, 2016	September 30, 2016	October 14, 2016	$0.06
November 30, 2016	December 30, 2016	January 16, 2017	$0.06
February 23, 2017	March 31, 2017	April 14, 2017	$0.06
May 23, 2017	June 30, 2017	July 15, 2017	$0.06
September 15, 2017	September 29, 2017	October 16, 2017	$0.06

Stock Performance Graph

The graph below represents our common stock performance, comparing the value of $100 invested on September 30, 2011 in our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P Agricultural Products Index and a Company-constructed peer group, which includes Forestar Group, Inc., Limoneira Company, The St. Joe Company, Tejon Ranch Co. and Texas Pacific Land Trust.



		INDEXED RETURNS
	Base
	Period	Years Ending
Company Name / Index	Sept 12	Sept 13	Sept 14	Sept 15	Sept 16	Sept 17
Alico, Inc.	100	132.87	124.12	132.92	88.66	113.64
S&P 500 Index	100	119.34	142.89	142.02	163.93	194.44
S&P Agricultural Products Index	100	133.95	177.50	152.64	175.99	180.23
Peer Group	100	114.92	135.24	110.98	132.64	178.89

(Includes reinvestment of dividends)

Equity Compensation Arrangements

Effective January 27, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) which provides for up to 1,250,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be available for issuance to provide a long-term incentive plan for officers, employees, directors and/or consultants to directly link incentives to stockholders' value. The 2015 Plan was approved by stockholders in February 2015. The adoption of the 2015 Plan supersedes the 2013 Incentive Equity Plan (the “2013 Plan”), which had been in place since April 2013. The 2013 Plan provided for the issuance of up to 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to Directors and Officers through March 2018.

The following table illustrates the common shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2015 Plan:



	Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights	Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights		Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity plans
Plan Category:
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders	750,000	$	3.53	482,500
Total	750,000	$	3.53	482,500

In fiscal 2015, the Company awarded 12,500 restricted stock shares to two senior executives and in December 2017, the Company awarded 5,000 restricted shares to one senior executive, both under the 2015 Plan.

Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities

None.

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

In fiscal year 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7,000,000 of the Company’s common stock in two separate authorizations (the "2017 Authorization"). In March 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning March 9, 2017 and continuing through March 9, 2019. In May 2017, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock beginning May 24, 2017 and continuing through May 24, 2019. Our share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended from time to time or terminated at any time prior to its expiration. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares in the future in any particular amounts or at all. A reduction in, or elimination of, share repurchases could have a negative effect on our share price.

In fiscal year 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 50,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock beginning February 18, 2016 and continuing through February 17, 2017 (the "2016 Authorization"). The Plan allowed the Company to repurchase its shares at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Company did not purchase any shares in accordance with the 2016 Authorization.

In fiscal year 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 170,000 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock beginning March 26, 2015 and continuing through December 31, 2016 (the “2015 Authorization"). Through September 30, 2016, we had repurchased 170,000 common shares in accordance with the fiscal year 2015 Authorization. The stock repurchases under the 2015 Authorization were made through open market transactions at times and in such amounts as our broker determined subject to the provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18.

We adopted Rule 10b5-1 share repurchase plan under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Plan”) in connection with share repurchase authorizations. The Plan allows us to repurchase our shares of common stock at times when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. Because repurchases under the Plan are subject to certain pricing parameters, there is no guarantee as to the exact number of common shares that will be repurchased under the Plan or that there will be any repurchases pursuant to the Plan. Subject to applicable regulations, we may elect to amend or cancel the Plan at our discretion.

The following table summarizes our purchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2017 for the 2017 Authorization:



	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share	Total Shares Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Program	Maximum Number of Shares (or approximate dollar value) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Program
Date:
July 2017	12,755	$31.75	—	3,936,183
August 2017	10,172	$31.48	—	4,113,817
September 2017	5,595	$31.75	—	4,434,017

The Company purchased 75,623 shares of common stock in the open market prior to July 2017 under the 2017 Authorization at a weighted average of $28.75 per common share.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following tables present selected historical consolidated financial information as of and for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended September 30, 2017. The Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 include combined financial statement balances with Silver Nip Citrus, as result of our common control acquisition in February 2015.

The selected historical financial data presented below should be reviewed in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	September 30,
	2017			2016		2015		2014		2013
Selected Statement of Operations Information:
Operating revenues	$	129,829		$	144,196	$	153,126	$	104,003	$	101,661
Income (loss) from operations	$	(6,094	)	$	21,846	$	18,964	$	9,383	$	11,935
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(9,451	)	$	6,993	$	13,214	$	9,495	$	19,646
Basic earnings per common share	$	(1.14	)	$	0.84	$	1.64	$	1.29	$	2.69
Diluted earnings per common share	$	(1.14	)	$	0.84	$	1.64	$	1.29	$	2.67
Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.24		$	0.24	$	0.24	$	0.24	$	0.36

Selected Balance Sheet Information:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,395		$	6,625	$	5,474	$	31,130	$	24,583
Property and equipment, net	$	349,337		$	379,247	$	381,099	$	142,610	$	131,071
Total assets	$	419,182		$	455,445	$	460,088	$	273,613	$	198,840
Current portion of long-term debt	$	4,550		$	4,493	$	4,511	$	3,581	$	2,000
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$	181,926		$	192,726	$	200,970	$	58,444	$	34,000
Total Alico, Inc. stockholders' equity	$	160,641		$	173,490	$	170,704	$	162,487	$	142,736
Noncontrolling interest	$	4,728		$	4,773	$	4,807	$	—	$	—

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, net income includes the gain on sale of assets of approximately $20,300,000 related to the closing of the Conservation Easement in fiscal 2013.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, net income includes the gain on sale of assets of approximately $7,748,000 related primarily to the Polk and Martin County land sales and a gain on settlement of contingent consideration of $6,000,000.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, net income includes the gain on sale of assets of approximately $13,590,000 related to the sale of real estate, approximately $8,366,000 of interest expense, approximately $1,051,000 loss on extinguishment of debt related to the refinancing of our debt obligations, approximately $1,145,000 gain on bargain purchase related to acquisition of citrus business and an impairment charge of approximately $541,000 on an asset held for sale.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, net income includes the gain on sale of assets of approximately $618,000 related to the sale of real estate and approximately $9,893,000 of interest expense.

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, net loss includes inventory casualty loss and net realizable adjustment of approximately $14,688,000 as a result of Hurricane Irma, additional asset impairments of long-lived assets of approximately $9,346,000, and interest expense of approximately $9,141,000. The net loss was partially offset by a gain on sale of assets of approximately $2,181,000.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

We provide forward-looking information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis and Results of Operations, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express our intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements relating to our future activities or other future events or conditions. These statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our business based, in part, on assumptions made by our management. Factors which may cause future outcomes to differ materially from those foreseen in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: changes in laws, regulation and rules; weather conditions that affect production, transportation, storage, demand, import and export of fresh product and their by-products, increased pressure from citrus greening and citrus canker; disruption of water supplies or changes in water allocations; pricing and supply of raw materials and products; market responses to industry volume pressures; pricing and supply of energy; changes in interest rates; availability of financing for land development activities and other growth opportunities; onetime events; acquisitions and divestitures including our ability to achieve the anticipated results of the Orange-Co acquisition and Silver Nip Citrus merger; seasonality; our ability to achieve the anticipated cost savings under Alico 2.0, customer concentration, labor disruptions; inability to pay debt obligations; inability to engage in certain transactions due to restrictive covenants in debt instruments; government restrictions on land use; changes in agricultural land values; changes in dividends; and market and pricing risks due to concentrated ownership of stock. These assumptions are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those Risks Factors included in Part I, Item 1A and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Introduction

Alico, Inc. (“Alico”), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company", "we", "us" or "our”), is a holding company with assets and related operations in agriculture, land management and natural resources. We are a Florida agribusiness and land management company with a legacy of achievement and innovation in citrus, cattle and resource conservation. We own approximately 122,000 acres of land in twelve Florida counties which includes approximately 90,000 acres of mineral rights. Our principal lines of business are citrus groves, cattle ranching, conservation, and related support operations. Our mission is to create value for our customers and stockholders by managing existing lands to their optimal current income and total returns. Alico opportunistically acquires new agricultural assets and produces high quality agricultural products while exercising responsible environmental stewardship.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help provide an understanding of results of operations, financial condition and changes in financial condition for the periods presented. This MD&A is organized as follows:


•	Business Overview. This section provides a general description of our business, as well as other matters that we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition.


•	Consolidated Results of Operations. This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2017. Our discussion is presented on a consolidated basis and includes discussion on future trends by segment.


•	Liquidity and Capital Resources. This section provides an analysis of our cash flows for the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2017 and our outstanding debt, commitments and cash resources as of September 30, 2017.

•

Critical Accounting Policies. This section identifies those accounting policies that we consider important to our results of operations and financial condition, require significant judgment and involve significant management estimates. Our significant accounting policies, including those considered to be critical accounting policies, are summarized in Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies," to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

Business Overview

Business Description

The Company generates operating revenues primarily from the sale of its citrus products and cattle ranching operations. The Company operates as three segments and substantially all of its operating revenues are generated in the United States. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, the Company generated operating revenues of approximately $129,829,000, loss from operations of approximately $6,094,000, and net loss attributable to common stockholders of approximately $9,451,000. Cash provided by operations was approximately $28,229,000 during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Fiscal Year Highlights and Other Developments

Water Storage Contract Approval

The contract term is eleven years and allows up to one year for implementation (design, permitting, construction and construction completion certification) and ten years of operation, whereby the Company will provide water retention services. Payment for these services includes an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 of reimbursement for implementation. In addition, the contract provides an annual fixed payment of $12,000,000 for operations and maintenance costs, as long as the project is in compliance with the contract and subject to annual District Board approval of funding. The contract specifies that the District Board has to approve the payments annually and there can be no assurance that it will approve the annual fixed payments. The Florida budget for the state’s 2017/2018 fiscal year as approved included funding for the Program. Permitting is currently underway with construction to follow immediately upon receipt of permits. Annual fixed payments will not commence until completion of construction. The Company anticipates receiving all necessary regulatory approvals within the next four to six months. The Company has not recognized any revenue to date from the contract. Operating expenses were approximately $1,794,000, $2,322,000 and $2,126,000 for the three years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Hurricane Irma

Florida’s citrus industry was hit hard by the recent impacts of Hurricane Irma. We estimate that production will be down 40-45% from the prior season that was completed in June 2017. While we lost a small percentage of trees, the force and duration of the storm impacted the majority of the groves. Based upon prior experience with serious storms of this nature, we expect it will take at least two seasons for the groves to recover to pre-hurricane production levels. We estimate production between 4,000,000 - 4,400,000 boxes in fiscal 2018, an increase in production in fiscal 2019 and a return to pre-hurricane production levels by fiscal 2020. We maintain crop insurance and are working closely with our insurers and adjusters to evaluate and determine the amount of insurance recovery we may be entitled to, if any. We are also working with Florida Citrus Mutual, the industry trade group, and government agencies on potential federal relief funds. As of December 1, 2017, the Company donated $45,000 to 8 local charitable organizations to support local relief efforts for individuals affected by Hurricane Irma.

Alico 2.0 Modernization Program

Alico 2.0 led us to decide to divest assets that generated low rates of return and shut down parts of our operations that were not profitable. Alico Citrus has shut down its nursery in Gainesville, is in the process of selling its trucks and trailers, consolidating offices, and has either sold or in the process of selling real estate assets that are not strategic to our business plan.

Orange-Co, LP Acquisition

On December 2, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of certain citrus and related assets of Orange-Co, LP pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement, which we refer to as the Orange-Co, LP Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2014 and 51% of the ownership interests of Citree Holdings 1, LLC ("Citree"). The assets purchased include approximately 21,000 acres of citrus groves in DeSoto and Charlotte Counties, Florida, which comprise one of the largest contiguous citrus grove properties in the state of Florida. Total assets acquired were approximately $277,792,000, net of $2,060,000 in cash acquired and $4,838,000 in fair value attributable to the noncontrolling interest in Citree, including: (1) $147,500,000 in initial cash consideration funded from the proceeds of the sugarcane disposition and new term debt; (2) $7,500,000 in additional cash consideration to be released from escrow in equal parts, subject to certain limitations, on December 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016; (3) the refinancing of Orange-Co, LP’s outstanding debt including approximately $92,290,000 in term loan debt and a working capital facility of approximately $27,857,000; and (4) the assumption of certain other liabilities totaling $4,705,000. On December 1, 2015 and June 1, 2016, the Company paid $3,750,000 of additional consideration, as contemplated by the Orange-Co Purchase Agreement. The Company's $3,750,000 irrevocable letter of credit securing the final payment of the additional consideration was terminated following the final cash consideration payment.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following discussion provides an analysis of Alico's results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015:



(in thousands)	Fiscal Year Ended											Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30,						Change					September 30,						Change
	2017			2016			$			%		2016			2015			$			%
Operating revenues:
Alico Citrus	$	123,441		$	137,282		$	(13,841	)	(10.1	)%	$	137,282		$	146,147		$	(8,865	)	(6.1	)%
Conservation and Environmental Resources	4,793			5,669			(876		)	(15.5	)%	5,669			5,394			275			5.1	%
Other Operations	1,595			1,245			350			28.1	%	1,245			1,585			(340		)	(21.5	)%
Total operating revenues	129,829			144,196			(14,367		)	(10.0	)%	144,196			153,126			(8,930		)	(5.8	)%

Gross profit:
Alico Citrus	11,494			34,935			(23,441		)	(67.1	)%	34,935			35,370			(435		)	(1.2	)%
Conservation and Environmental Resources	(4,021		)	(724		)	(3,297		)	455.4	%	(724		)	586			(1,310		)	(223.5	)%
Other Operations	1,457			848			609			71.8	%	848			(498		)	1,346			(270.3	)%
Total gross profit	8,930			35,059			(26,129		)	(74.5	)%	35,059			35,458			(399		)	(1.1	)%

General and administrative expenses	15,024			13,213			1,811			13.7	%	13,213			16,494			(3,281		)	(19.9	)%
(Loss) income from operations	(6,094		)	21,846			(27,940		)	(127.9	)%	21,846			18,964			2,882			15.2	%
Total other (expense) income, net	(7,248		)	(9,366		)	2,118			(22.6	)%	(9,366		)	5,124			(14,490		)	(282.8	)%
Income before income taxes	(13,342		)	12,480			(25,822		)	(206.9	)%	12,480			24,088			(11,608		)	(48.2	)%
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(3,846		)	5,521			(9,367		)	(169.7	)%	5,521			10,905			(5,384		)	(49.4	)%
Net income	(9,496		)	6,959			(16,455		)	(236.5	)%	6,959			13,183			(6,224		)	(47.2	)%
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	45			34			11			32.4	%	34			31			3			9.7	%
Net (loss) income attributable to Alico, Inc. common stockholders	$	(9,451	)	$	6,993		$	(16,444	)	(235.1	)%	$	6,993		$	13,214		$	(6,221	)	(47.1	)%

The following table presents our operating revenues, by segment, as a percentage of total operating revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015:



	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30,
	2017		2016		2015
Operating revenues:
Alico Citrus	95.1	%	95.2	%	95.5	%
Conservation and Environmental Resources	3.7	%	3.9	%	3.5	%
Other Operations	1.2	%	0.9	%	1.0	%
Total operating revenues	100.0	%	100.0	%	100.0	%

The following discussion provides an analysis of the Company's operating segments:

Alico Citrus

The table below presents key operating measures for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015:



(in thousands, except per box and per pound solids data)
	Fiscal Year Ended									Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30,				Change					September 30,				Change
	2017		2016		Unit			%		2016		2015		Unit			%
Operating Revenues:
Early and Mid-Season	$	45,999	$	43,909	$	2,090		4.8	%	$	43,909	$	51,926	$	(8,017	)	(15.4	)%
Valencias	67,146		75,311		(8,165		)	(10.8	)%	75,311		76,624		(1,313		)	(1.7	)%
Fresh Fruit	5,735		5,173		562			10.9	%	5,173		6,116		(943		)	(15.4	)%
Purchase and Resale of Fruit	2,331		8,188		(5,857		)	(71.5	)%	8,188		7,970		218			2.7	%
Other	2,230		4,701		(2,471		)	(52.6	)%	4,701		3,511		1,190			33.9	%
Total	$	123,441	$	137,282	$	(13,841	)	(10.1	)%	$	137,282	$	146,147	$	(8,865	)	(6.1	)%
Boxes Harvested:
Early and Mid-Season	3,215		3,634		(419		)	(11.5	)%	3,634		4,445		(811		)	(18.2	)%
Valencias	4,044		5,195		(1,151		)	(22.2	)%	5,195		5,569		(374		)	(6.7	)%
Total Processed	7,259		8,829		(1,570		)	(17.8	)%	8,829		10,014		(1,185		)	(11.8	)%
Fresh Fruit	328		402		(74		)	(18.4	)%	402		466		(64		)	(13.7	)%
Total	7,587		9,231		(1,644		)	(17.8	)%	9,231		10,480		(1,249		)	(11.9	)%
Pound Solids Produced:
Early and Mid-Season	17,950		20,167		(2,217		)	(11.0	)%	20,167		26,139		(5,972		)	(22.8	)%
Valencias	24,661		31,237		(6,576		)	(21.1	)%	31,237		36,083		(4,846		)	(13.4	)%
Total	42,611		51,404		(8,793		)	(17.1	)%	51,404		62,222		(10,818		)	(17.4	)%
Pound Solids per Box:
Early and Mid-Season	5.58		5.55		0.03			0.5	%	5.55		5.88		(0.33		)	(5.6	)%
Valencias	6.10		6.01		0.09			1.5	%	6.01		6.47		(0.46		)	(7.1	)%
Price per Pound Solids:
Early and Mid-Season	$	2.56	$	2.18	$	0.38		17.4	%	$	2.18	$	1.99	$	0.19		9.5	%
Valencias	$	2.72	$	2.41	$	0.31		12.9	%	$	2.41	$	2.12	$	0.29		13.7	%
Price per Box:
Fresh Fruit	$	17.48	$	12.85	$	4.63		36.0	%	$	12.85	$	13.12	$	(0.27	)	(2.1	)%
Operating Expenses:
Cost of Sales	$	84,909	$	64,824	$	20,085		31.0	%	$	64,824	$	74,237	$	(9,413	)	(12.7	)%
Harvesting and Hauling	21,520		25,949		(4,429		)	(17.1	)%	25,949		26,034		(85		)	(0.3	)%
Purchase and Resale of Fruit	2,134		7,815		(5,681		)	(72.7	)%	7,815		7,652		163			2.1	%
Other	3,384		3,759		(375		)	(10.0	)%	3,759		2,854		905			31.7	%
Total	$	111,947	$	102,347	$	9,600		9.4	%	$	102,347	$	110,777	$	(8,430	)	(7.6	)%

Gross Profit	$	11,494	$	34,935	$	(23,441	)			$	34,935	$	35,370	$	(435	)

Our citrus groves produce the majority of our annual operating revenues and the citrus grove business is seasonal because it is tied to the growing and harvesting seasons. Historically, the second and third quarters of our fiscal year produce the majority of our annual revenues, and our working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of our fiscal year coinciding with our growing cycles.

We sell our Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges to processors that convert the majority of the citrus crop into orange juice. They generally buy their citrus on a pound solids basis, which is the measure of the soluble solids (sugars and acids) contained in one box of fruit. Fresh Fruit is generally sold to packing houses that purchase their citrus on a per box basis. Other revenues consist of third-party grove caretaking and the contracting for harvesting and hauling of citrus.

Our operating expenses consist primarily of cost of sales and harvesting and hauling costs. Cost of sales represents the cost of maintaining our citrus groves for the preceding calendar year and does not vary in relation to production. Harvesting and hauling costs represent the costs of bringing citrus product to processors and varies based upon the number of boxes produced. Other expenses include the period costs of third-party grove caretaking and contracted harvesting and hauling activities.

The decrease in revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the harvesting of approximately 1,570,000 fewer boxes of fruit, partially offset by higher pound solids per box and higher price per pound solids. The decrease in revenues from purchase and resale of fruit and other revenues reflects the Company’s decision to reduce third party fruit purchases and discontinue third party harvesting and hauling activities.

The decrease in revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, as compared to fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, was primarily due to harvesting of approximately 1,185,000 fewer boxes of fruit and lower pound solids per box on higher price per pound solids. The resale of third party fruit increased by approximately 6,000 boxes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, as compared to the fiscal year ended 30, 2015. The increase in other revenues primarily relates to an additional 169,000 boxes contracted for harvest and haul for a third party, as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.

Total boxes harvested in fiscal year 2017 declined by approximately 17.8%, as compared to fiscal year 2016. Pound solids per box increased by 0.5% and approximately 1.5% for the Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges, respectively. The combination of these items resulted in approximately 8,793,000 less pound solids sold in fiscal year 2017, as compared to fiscal year 2016.

Total boxes harvested in fiscal year 2016 declined by approximately 11.9%, as compared to fiscal year 2015. Pound solids per box also declined by approximately 5.6% and 7.1% for the Early and Mid-Season and Valencia oranges, respectively, which resulted in approximately 10,818,000 less pound solids sold in fiscal year 2016, as compared to fiscal year 2015.

The decline in boxes harvested and pound solids produced for fiscal 2017, and the decline in boxes harvested and pound solids produced in fiscal year 2016, is believed to be mainly driven by growing season fluctuations in production which may have been attributable to various factors, including extreme weather patterns such as a drought and higher than normal temperatures during the Early and Mid-season harvest impacting all varieties. Other factors include changes in weather impacting bloom, horticultural practices, and the effects of diseases and pests, including Citrus Greening. The industry and the Company both continue to experience premature fruit drop, as well as smaller-sized fruit as a result of the factors described above. Additionally, on March 4, 2016, the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture exercised his authority under the Section 1B Emergency Exemptions provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to allow use of certain foliar bactericide applications. The Environmental Protection Agency approved the emergency exception effective August 15, 2016 through December 31, 2016 and subsequently approved for 2017. These bactericides are approved and successfully applied on other permanent crops throughout the United States. Alico Citrus began application of these bactericides to all of its groves in April 2016. While the Company is still evaluating the impact of the foliar bactericide treatments, it has reduced its usage.

The USDA, in its November 9, 2017 Citrus Crop Forecast for the 2017-18 harvest season, indicated that the Florida orange crop will decrease from approximately 68,700,000 boxes for the 2016-17 crop year to approximately 50,000,000 boxes for the 2017-18 crop year, a decrease of approximately 27.2%. The significant decline is believed to be primarily the result of Hurricane Irma and the related fruit loss experienced as well as the stress on the citrus trees for short-term fruit growth. The 2016-17 Florida orange crop declined by approximately 12,900,000 boxes, or approximately 15.8%, compared to the 2015-16 crop.

We estimate our 2018 processed boxes will decrease by approximately 40-45% compared to our fiscal year 2017 processed boxes, on a per acre basis. For fiscal year 2018, we expect that the forecasted decrease in the size of the statewide crop could cause the price per pound solids for fiscal year 2018 to be above the price per pound solid for fiscal year 2017. We expect that our operating expenses for fiscal year 2018 will remain consistent with fiscal year 2017 on a per acre basis.

The decrease in gross profit for fiscal year 2017, as compared to fiscal year 2016, related primarily to decreased revenues of approximately $13,841,000 discussed above, and the recording of an inventory casualty loss of approximately $13,489,000 relating to fruit loss as a result of Hurricane Irma.

The decrease in gross profit for fiscal year 2016, as compared to fiscal year 2015, related primarily to decreased revenues of approximately $8,865,000 discussed above, partially offset by decreased operating expenses of approximately $7,889,000, primarily related to decreased cost of sales.

In November 2017, we announced a plan for the Alico 2.0 Modernization Program (“Alico 2.0"). This initiative explored every aspect of Alico’s citrus and ranch operations, including corporate and operational cost structures, grove costs, purchasing and procurement, non-performing and under-performing assets, professional fees, and human resources efficiency. Under this Program,

we expect to reduce total expenses per acre from $3,314/acre in fiscal 2016 to $2,164/acre when Alico 2.0 is fully implemented, which is expected to be over the next two years. Overall, we anticipate the program should reduce the Company’s cost to produce a pound solid from $2.14 to $1.56. This efficiency will be achieved through better purchasing, more precise application of selected fertilizers and chemicals, outsourcing work such as harvesting, hauling, and certain caretaking tasks, and by streamlining grove management. We also will be deploying a more efficient labor model that is consistent and uniform for field staffing and grove operating programs and aligns with the geographical footprint of the citrus groves.

Conservation and Environmental Resources

The table below presents key operating measures for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015:



(in thousands, except per pound data)
	Fiscal Year Ended									Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30,				Change					September 30,				Change
	2017		2016		Unit			%		2016		2015		Unit			%
Revenue From:
Sale of Calves	$	2,672	$	4,078	$	(1,406	)	(34.5	)%	$	4,078	$	3,805	$	273		7.2	%
Sale of Culls	1,060		526		534			101.5	%	526		511		15			2.9	%
Land Leasing	699		852		(153		)	(18.0	)%	852		851		1			0.1	%
Other	362		213		149			70.0	%	213		227		(14		)	(6.2	)%
Total	$	4,793	$	5,669	$	(876	)	(15.5	)%	$	5,669	$	5,394	$	275		5.1	%
Pounds Sold:
Calves	1,737		2,503		(766		)	(30.6	)%	2,503		1,550		953			61.5	%
Culls	1,633		714		919			128.7	%	714		446		268			60.1	%
Price Per Pound:
Calves	$	1.54	$	1.63	$	(0.09	)	(5.5	)%	$	1.63	$	2.45	$	(0.82	)	(33.5	)%
Culls	$	0.65	$	0.74	$	(0.09	)	(12.2	)%	$	0.74	$	1.15	$	(0.41	)	(35.7	)%
Operating Expenses:
Cost of Calves Sold	$	2,552	$	3,395	$	(843	)	(24.8	)%	$	3,395	$	2,248	$	1,147		51.0	%
Cost of Culls Sold	975		299		676			226.1	%	299		220		79			35.9	%
Land Leasing Expenses	328		298		30			10.1	%	298		214		84			39.3	%
Water Conservation	1,794		2,322		(528		)	(22.7	)%	2,322		2,126		196			9.2	%
Other	3,165		79		3,086			NM		79		—		79			NM
Total	$	8,814	$	6,393	$	2,421		37.9	%	$	6,393	$	4,808	$	1,585		33.0	%

NM - Not Meaningful

Ranch

The decrease in revenues from the sale of calves in fiscal year 2017, as compared to fiscal year 2016, is primarily due to the decrease in pounds sold, as well as a decrease in price per pound. The increase in revenues from the sale of culls in fiscal year 2017, as compared to fiscal year 2016, results from an increase in pounds sold, partially offset by a decrease in price per pound. The decrease in gross profit for fiscal year 2017, as compared to fiscal year 2016, relates primarily to certain impairments which were recorded on assets associated with the Ranch. Approximately 1,144 calves from fiscal 2017 were retained.

The increase in revenues from the sale of calves in fiscal year 2016, as compared to fiscal year 2015, is primarily due to the increase in pounds sold, partially offset by a decrease in price per pound. The slight increase in revenues from the sale of culls in fiscal year 2016, as compared to fiscal year 2015, results from an increase in pounds sold, partially offset by a decrease in price per pound. The decrease in gross profit for fiscal year 2016, as compared to fiscal year 2015, relates primarily to the decrease in price per pound sold for calves and culls. The decrease in pounds sold during fiscal year 2015 relates primarily to the timing of calf sales and retaining calves to maintain the breeding herd. Approximately 892 calves from fiscal 2016 were retained.

In relation to Alico 2.0, we will cease our direct cattle operations at Alico Ranch. The ranch has been a landholding for us for generations, but, even when profitable, ranch operations generated a minimal rate of return on capital. We will continue to own the property and conduct its long term water dispersement program and wildlife management programs, but we will lease the ranch to a third party operator instead of conducting our own cattle operations.

Conservation

In December 2012, the SFWMD issued a solicitation request for projects to be considered for the Northern Everglades Payment for Environmental Services Program. In March 2013, the Company submitted its response proposing a dispersed water management project on a portion of its ranch land.

On December 11, 2014, the SFWMD approved a contract with the Company. The contract term is eleven years and allows up to one year for implementation (design, permitting, construction and construction completion certification) and ten years of operation, whereby the Company will provide water retention services. Payment for these services includes an amount not to exceed $4,000,000 of reimbursement for implementation. In addition, it provides for an annual fixed payment of $12,000,000 for operations and maintenance costs, as long as the project is in compliance with the contract and subject to annual District Board approval of funding. The contract specifies that the District Board has to approve the payments annually and there can be no assurance that it will approve the annual fixed payments. The Florida budget for the state’s 2017/2018 fiscal year was recently approved and included funding for the Program. Operating expenses were approximately $1,794,000, $2,322,000, and $2,126,000 for the three years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

During fiscal 2017, we recorded an impairment of two abandoned mines in the amount of approximately $3,165,000 based on independent third party assessments, and our decision to not pursue a Natural Resource business initiative.

Other Operations

The table below presents key operating measures for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015:



(in thousands, except per net standard ton and per acre data)
	Fiscal Year Ended									Fiscal Year Ended
	September 30,				Change					September 30,				Change
	2017		2016		Unit			%		2016		2015		Unit			%
Revenue From:
Other Leases	1,595		1,245		350			28.1	%	1,245		1,082		163			15.1	%
USSC Lease	—		—		—			-		—		503		(503		)	NM
Total	$	1,595	$	1,245	$	350		28.1	%	$	1,245	$	1,585	$	(340	)	(21.5	)%
Operating Expenses:
Land Leasing Expenses	138		397		(259		)	(65.2	)%	397		1,608		(1,211		)	(75.3	)%
Guarantee Payment to Global	—		—		—			-		—		475		(475		)	NM
Total	$	138	$	397	$	(259	)	(65.2	)%	$	397	$	2,083	$	(1,686	)	(80.9	)%

NM - Not Meaningful

Other Operations include lease income from an aggregates mine and leases of oil extraction rights to third parties, farm lease revenue, the generation of revenues from sod and tree sales and rental income for office space. The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to these revenue streams in the future, with the exception of the revenue stream from the lease of office space which will cease as a result of the sale of the corporate office building in Ft. Myers, Florida.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 were approximately $15,024,000 compared to approximately $13,213,000 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

The increase in general and administrative expenses in fiscal year 2017 primarily relate to salary and stock compensation expenses incurred with respect to employment agreements executed for new executives during fiscal 2017. In addition, as a result of one of the executives stepping down, the Company entered into a separation and consulting agreement with the executive. These items

resulted in an increase of approximately $2,100,000 over the prior year. See Note 16. “Related Party Transactions” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. In addition, the Company wrote off certain advances made related to excavating work in the amount of approximately $312,000. No significant reserves or write-offs were required in fiscal 2016. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in legal fees of approximately $1,000,000 relating primarily to a shareholder litigation which was settled in fiscal 2016.

The decrease in general and administrative expenses in fiscal year 2016 relates primarily to an approximate $4,700,000 decrease in professional and legal fees associated with the Orange-Co, LP and Silver Nip acquisitions in fiscal year 2015 and an approximate $138,000 decrease in separation and consulting agreement expenses, offset by certain fiscal year 2016 expenses including approximately $506,000 in legal fees and settlement charges related to the shareholder litigation.

As part of Alico 2.0, we anticipate that general and administrative expenses will decline by more than 25% over the next two years, as recent information technology investments have already automated and simplified many administrative tasks.

Other (Expense) Income, net

Other expense, decreased by approximately $2,118,000 in fiscal year 2017, as compared to fiscal year 2016, primarily due to an increase in gain on sale of real estate of $1,563,000 and a decrease in interest expense of $752,000. During fiscal 2017 the Company sold land and facilities located in Hendry County, Florida which resulted in a gain on sale of approximately $1,400,000. The decrease in interest expense is due to the Company continuing to pay down its term loan, which was partially offset by an increase in interest rates.

Other (expense) income, changed by approximately $14,490,000 in fiscal year 2016, as compared to fiscal year 2015, due to approximately $12,972,000 decrease in gains on sale of real estate and fixed assets and approximately $1,527,000 in increased interest expense primarily due to the refinanced term loan debt from the Orange-Co, LP asset acquisition in December 2014.

Provision (benefit) for Income Taxes

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the provision (benefit) for income taxes was approximately $(3,846,000), $5,521,000, and $10,905,000, respectively, and the related effective income tax rates were approximately 28.83%, 44.20% and 45.30%, respectively.

The changes in the provision for income taxes for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as compared to fiscal 2016 and from the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, as compared to fiscal 2015 was primarily related to changes in Net (Loss) Income.

Seasonality

Historically, the second and third quarters of Alico's fiscal year produce the majority of the Company's annual revenue. Working capital requirements are typically greater in the first and fourth quarters of the fiscal year, coinciding with harvesting cycles. Because of the seasonality of the business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A comparative balance sheet summary is presented in the following table:


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