Nutracea Announces Q1 2008 Financial Results

PHOENIX, May 12, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ —NutraCea (OTC Bulletin Board: NTRZ), a world leader in stabilized rice bran (SRB), nutrient research and technology, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2008. Consolidated net revenues rose 155% to $5.1 million for the first quarter of 2008, compared to consolidated net revenues of $2.0 million for the first quarter of 2007. The $3.1 million increase was primarily due to a $860,000 increase in sales of products produced in the United States, an increase of $17,000 in royalty revenues and $2.2 million in sales from the Company's Irgovel subsidiary in Brazil for the period February 19, 2008, through March 31, 2008.

The Company reported a net loss of $(6.8) million, or $(0.05) per share, compared to a net loss of $(247,000), or $0.00 per share for first quarter 2007. The loss was primarily due to a $4.5 million increase in operating expenses and a net decrease in Other Income and Expenses (net) of $1.4 million.

Sales, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses were $5.2 million, compared to SG&A of $2.3 million for the first quarter of 2007. This increase was primarily due to expanded investment in personnel, infrastructure and sales and marketing activities to meet anticipated future demands. In the quarter we wrote down $390,000 in connection with a doubtful note receivable. The Company's professional fees were $2.0 million compared to $459,000 for the same quarter last year. These expenses were primarily due to consulting and legal fees of approximately $621,000 in connection with marketing and business development, SOX 404 activities, the acquisition of Irgovel and our investment in PT Panganmas Inti Nusantara, an Indonesian Company (PIN), made through our Medan LLC subsidiary. We also incurred a $750,000 broker fee which included the estimated value of an option to be issued related to our investment PIN. Of the $5.2 million in SG&A during the quarter, approximately $1.5 million were non-cash charges.

Brad Edson, president and CEO of NutraCea, commented, "The revenues that we reported for our first quarter were significantly higher year-over-year and slightly lower than we anticipated over Q4 of 2007 as we purposely began to build inventory for product roll outs for new and existing customers that are expected to occur late in our third quarter and build into our fourth quarter. Currently, on a cost basis, we have approximately $2.8 million in domestic inventory, which is a large number for us but necessary in order for the Company to have sufficient quantities of supply to be able to meet anticipated sales demands later this year. We will continue to build our inventory from current levels and are in fact adding further temporary warehousing space to accommodate our inventory needs. When our expected new sales come in during the second half of the year, our inventory will decrease significantly.

"Our production capability will meaningfully increase this quarter and even though we will be adding to inventory during the quarter, we should see our revenue grow from our reported $5.2 million in sales in the first quarter to between $9.0 and $10.0 million in our second quarter."

Mr. Edson added, "We expect to see continued top line growth quarter over quarter for the balance of the year as additional production comes on line, and we later begin to pull down on our inventory. This should be accompanied by continued decreases in operating costs over the next few quarters. Furthermore, the Company anticipates it will be able to contractually secure additional international supply and production agreements for raw bran this calendar year that should increase our ability to satisfy the new and anticipated demand for NutraCea's products for future years."

About NutraCea

NutraCea is a leader in stabilized rice bran nutrient research and dietary supplement development. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, RiceX, the Company manufactures and distributes products and food ingredients made from rice bran through its proprietary technology and processes. NutraCea has developed intellectual properties to create a range of proprietary product formulations, delivery systems and whole food nutrition products. The Company’s proprietary technology enables the creation of food and nutrition products from rice bran, normally an underutilized by-product of standard rice processing. In addition to its whole foods products, NutraCea develops families of health-promoting "nutraceuticals," including natural arthritis relief and cholesterol-lowering products. More information can be found in the Company's filings with the SEC and at its Web site http://www.NutraCea.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements regarding expected product demand, revenue, inventory levels, production capacity, operating costs and the ability to secure international supply and production agreements, all of which statements are subject to market and other risks. These statements are made based upon current expectations and actual results may differ from those projected, due to a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements in this news release to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking information. Assumptions and other information that could cause results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking information can be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent periodic report.

Source: NutraCea

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