Dole (DOLE) risk factors, FY2025 10-K

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

1. 01Adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, crop disease, pests and other natural conditions, including the effects of climate change, can impose significant costs and losses on our business
2. 02Tropical Race 4 (“TR4”) may impose significant costs and losses on our business
3. 03We are subject to the risk of product contamination and product liability claims
4. 04Some of the ingredients that we use in our products contain GMOs and we may in the future need to develop and market GMO products and products containing GMO ingredients based on adverse market conditions
5. 05Our future results of operations may be adversely affected by the availability of organic and non-GMO products and ingredients
6. 06Our operations are influenced by agricultural policies. Changes in these and other comparable programs could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of our operations
7. 07Our business is highly competitive, and we cannot assure you that we will maintain our current market share
8. 08We are subject to transportation risks
9. 09Our earnings are sensitive to fluctuations in market prices and demand for our products
10. 10Currency exchange fluctuations may impact the results of our operations
11. 11In the past, increased costs for purchased fruit and vegetables have negatively impacted our operating results, and there can be no assurance that they will not adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations in the future
12. 12Overall tightening of the labor market, increases in labor costs or any possible labor unrest may adversely affect our business and results of operations
13. 13Global capital and credit market issues could negatively affect our liquidity, increase our costs of borrowing and disrupt the operations of our suppliers and customers
14. 14Public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics have disrupted and may in the future disrupt, our business and could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations
15. 15We face other risks in connection with our international operations
16. 16Any change in economic trade or tariff policy could adversely affect our business, business opportunities, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows
17. 17Terrorism and the uncertainty of war may have an adverse effect on our operating results
18. 18We may be unable to service our debt with our current or expected cash flows and such debt may limit our flexibility and ability to pursue additional financing. In addition, financial covenants and other restrictions within our existing debt agreements may impact our ability to operate our business
19. 19Certain of our defined benefit pension plans are currently underfunded, and we may have to make significant cash payments to the plans, which would reduce the cash available for our business
20. 20We expect to expand our business, in part, through future acquisitions, but we may not be able to identify or complete suitable acquisitions, which could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations
21. 21We may be required to recognize impairment charges for our goodwill and other intangible assets, which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations
22. 22We depend on certain key customers and are subject to risks if such key customers reduce the amount of products they purchase from us or terminate their relationships with us
23. 23We typically extend credit to our key customers. Failure to collect trade receivables, untimely collection or customer defaults could adversely affect our liquidity
24. 24A portion of our workforce is unionized, and labor disruptions could decrease our profitability
25. 25Adverse perception, events or rumors relating to our brand could negatively impact our business
26. 26An interruption at one or more of our manufacturing facilities could negatively affect our business, and our business continuity plan may prove inadequate
27. 27If we lose the services of our key management, our business could suffer
28. 28We are dependent on our relationships with key suppliers to obtain a number of our products
29. 29Failure to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations can result in requirements to cease noncompliant operations, incurrence of additional capital or operating expenses to correct violations, or the assessment of significant fines and penalties
30. 30We may be subject to liability and/or increased costs for environmental damage from the use of herbicides, pesticides and other potentially hazardous substances or environmental contamination of our current and previously owned or leased property
31. 31We face risks related to our former use of the pesticide DBCP
32. 32Changes in immigration laws could impact the availability of labor to harvest our products and operate our manufacturing plants, or the availability of produce purchased from third party suppliers
33. 33Climate change laws and regulatory requirements could have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations
34. 34Our operations and products are highly regulated in the areas of food safety and protection of human health and the environment
35. 35If we are not in compliance with such laws we may be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement and other sanctions and remedial measures, and legal expenses, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity
36. 36If we are not in compliance with these laws, we may be subject to criminal or civil penalties, other remedial measures and legal expenses, which could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity
37. 37Antitrust & Competition laws
38. 38Litigation and regulatory enforcement concerning marketing and labeling of food products could adversely affect our business and reputation
39. 39We are or have been the subject of a number of legal proceedings, investigations and inquiries that could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations, and could result in additional claims
40. 40Inappropriate use of social media may negatively impact our brand and company image perception
41. 41We are subject to risks relating to our handling of information, operation of our information systems, and the information systems of third parties
42. 42Technological innovation by our competitors could make our food products less competitive
43. 43We rely on protection of our intellectual property and proprietary rights

Risks Related to Strategic Transactions

1. 44The terms of agreement for the sale of our Fresh Vegetables division include the provision of certain indemnities

Risks Related to the Ordinary Shares in Dole plc

1. 45U.S. investors may have difficulty enforcing judgments against us, our directors and executive officers
2. 46Our Articles of Association contain exclusive forum provisions for certain claims, which could limit our shareholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees
3. 47We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in the past, and we may identify additional material weaknesses in the future

Risks Related to Irish Companies

1. 48Certain provisions of Irish law and our Articles of Association contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a third-party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors
2. 49A transfer of our Ordinary shares, other than by means of the transfer of book-entry interests in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), may be subject to Irish stamp duty
3. 50In certain limited circumstances, dividends we pay may be subject to Irish dividend withholding tax
4. 51Dividends received by Irish residents and certain other shareholders may be subject to Irish income tax
5. 52Ordinary shares received by means of a gift or inheritance could be subject to Irish capital acquisitions tax