ALCO 10-Q Quarter ended March 31, 2013

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Commission File Number: 0-261

Alico, Inc.

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

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 the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. R Yes £ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, 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). R Yes £ No

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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

There were 7,299,619 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding as of May 1, 2013.

ALICO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands, except for per share amounts)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ALICO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands, except for share amounts )

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ALICO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ALICO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in thousands except for share and per share data)

Description of Business

Alico Inc. (“Alico”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is an agribusiness and land management company. The Company owns approximately 130,400 acres of land in five Florida counties (Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Polk). Our principal lines of business are citrus groves, improved farmland including sugarcane, cattle ranching and conservation, and other operations which includes rock mining.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2012, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management were necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results of the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim periods or the entire fiscal year.

The Financial Statements have been presented according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain information, footnotes and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted in accordance with those rules and regulations. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. The Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012.

Principles of Consolidation

The Financial Statements include the accounts of Alico, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Alico Land Development, Inc. (“ALDI”), Alico-Agri, Ltd. (“Alico-Agri”), Alico Plant World, LLC and Alico Fruit Company, LLC (formerly known as Bowen Brothers Fruit Company, LLC) (“Alico Fruit”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the fiscal year 2013 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on working capital, net income, stockholders’ equity or cash flows as previously reported.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates based upon future events. The Company periodically evaluates the estimates. The estimates are based on current and expected economic conditions, historical experience and various other specific assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable.

Seasonality

The Company is primarily engaged in agriculture, which is of a seasonal nature and subject to the influence of natural phenomena and wide price fluctuations. The results of the reported period herein are not necessarily indicative of the results for any other interim periods or the entire fiscal year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company does not believe that any recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, or the SEC would have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

A summary of the Company’s inventories is presented below:

Property, buildings and equipment consisted of the following at March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012.

Lee County, Florida Properties

On October 3, 2012, the final two parcels of our Lee County, Florida properties closed. The total sales price for the parcels was $2,475,000. At September 30, 2012, the parcels were included in assets held for sale on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet totaling $2,475,000 and a deposit for the parcels of $2,500,000 was included in restricted cash and other current liabilities. On October 3, 2012, the restriction on the $2,500,000 was lifted.

Alico’s effective tax rate was 39.0% and 38.1% for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company applies a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and non-recognition of tax positions. A change in judgment related to prior years’ tax positions is recognized in the quarter of such change. The Company had no reserve for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense and in income taxes payable.

On May 16, 2012, the Company reached a settlement with the IRS related to its examination of the returns of Alico, Agri-Insurance, Ltd., (a former subsidiary of the Company) and Alico-Agri for the tax years 2005 through 2007. As a result of the settlement, the Company paid Federal taxes of $613,000 and interest of $225,000. On October 9, 2012, the Company paid the State of Florida $318,000 for taxes and $5,000 for interest as a result of the IRS settlement. The Company accrued $149,000 at September 30, 2012, for additional state interest and penalties. The actual amount paid was $135,000 for state interest. No amount was due for state penalties and the remaining accrual was reversed during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Outstanding debt under the Company’s various loan agreements is presented in the table below:

The Company has a credit facility including a revolving line of credit (“RLOC”) and term loan with Rabo AgriFinance, Inc. (“Rabo”) totaling $97,000,000. The revolving line of credit and term note are collateralized by 43,991 acres of farmland and 12,280 acres of additional real property containing approximately 8,600 acres of producing citrus groves.

The $60,000,000 RLOC bears interest at a floating rate payable on the first day of each calendar quarter. The RLOC matures on October 1, 2020. At March 31, 2013, there was no outstanding balance on the RLOC. The Company pays an annual commitment fee on the RLOC equal to 0.15% of the difference between the annual average unpaid balance and the $60,000,000 loan commitment. The commitment fee is payable on February 1 of each year. Commitment fees of approximately $87,000 were paid during February 2013 and $15,000 was accrued at March 31, 2013.

The interest rate on the RLOC is based on the one month LIBOR plus a spread. The spread is determined based upon our debt service coverage ratios for the preceding fiscal year and can vary from 225 to 250 basis points. The rate is currently at Libor plus 225 basis points. On October 1, 2015, Rabo may adjust the interest rate spread to any percentage above one month Libor. Rabo must provide a 30 day notice of the new spreads; at that time, the Company has the right to prepay the outstanding balance.

The term loan requires quarterly payments of interest at a floating rate of one month LIBOR plus 250 basis points. It also requires quarterly principal payments of $500,000 through October 1, 2020, when the remaining principal balance and accrued interest will be due and payable.

At March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012, Alico was in compliance with all of its covenants under the various Rabo loan agreements.

On October 10, 2012, the outstanding mortgage note held by Farm Credit of Florida was paid in full. The payment included $1,794,000 for the principal balance and $66,000 for a prepayment penalty which was included in interest expense on our consolidated statement of operations. The mortgage was collateralized by 7,680 acres of real estate used for farm leases, sugarcane and citrus production. The collateral was released upon satisfaction of the mortgage.

Maturities of the Company’s debt were as follows at March 31, 2013:

Interest costs expensed and capitalized to property, buildings and equipment were as follows:

Lines of Business

The Company operates five lines of business related to our various land holdings. The lines of business are as follows:

Segments

The Company is organized into six operating segments which span our five lines of business. The operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately and decisions about allocation of resources are determined by our management team based on these strategic business units. The operating segments are as follows:

Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for by the Company as if the sales or transfers were to third parties at current market prices. Goods and services produced by these segments are sold to wholesalers and processors in the United States which prepare the products for consumption. The Company evaluates the segments performance based on direct margins from operations before general and administrative costs, interest expense and income taxes, not including nonrecurring gains and losses.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1, Description of the Business and Basis of Presentation. Total revenues represent sales to unaffiliated customers, as reported in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Information by business segment is as follows:

Effective November 1, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock through November 1, 2013 for the purpose of funding restricted stock grants under its 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan was approved by shareholders on February 20, 2009. The stock repurchases began in November 2008 and were made on a quarterly basis through open market transactions at times and in such amounts as the Company’s broker determines subject to the provisions of SEC Rule 10b-18. Effective April 1, 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the 2013 Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) which supersedes the 2008 Plan. The 2013 Plan was approved by shareholders at the February 22, 2013 shareholders meeting. Under the terms of the 2013 Plan, 350,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased and reserved for awards.

The following table provides information relating to purchases of the Company’s common shares on the open market pursuant to the 2008 Plan for the six months ended March 31, 2013:

Through March 31, 2013, the Company had purchased 163,376 shares and had available to purchase an additional 186,654 shares in accordance with the 2008 Plan which was superseded by the 2013 Plan on April 1, 2013.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations in general and administrative expenses was $174,000 and $315,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, and $125,000 and $246,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, respectively. Stock-based compensation is recorded for the Board of Directors fees paid in treasury stock and the Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan restricted common stock awards.

Long Term Incentive Plan

On May 26, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the adoption of the Long-Term Incentive Program (the “Program”), as part of the 2008 Plan. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company approved the contingent award of 152,403 shares of common stock to the Named Executive Officers (the “NEOs”) of the Company. On May 26, 2011, 58,610 shares were granted to the NEOs other than the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and on April 19, 2012, 93,793 shares

were awarded to the CEO under restricted stock award agreements. The total value of the awards at the grant date were $321,000. The value was determined by application of a valuation model. In addition to the various criteria outlined herein, the model assumed annual volatility of 53.3% and a risk free interest rate of 2.80%.

Performance Criteria:

Either the “Performance Criteria” or “Partial Performance” must be achieved during the five year period following the award date (the “Performance Period”) as well as certain service conditions for the CEO and/or the NEOs to receive the awards. The performance criteria will have been achieved if, at any time during the Performance Period, the average of the closing prices of the common stock over the most recent 20 consecutive trading day period exceeds (i) $46.00 for the CEO and $50.40 for the NEOs (representing 200% of the 20 Day Average Closing Price determined as of the Award Date at any time during the three year period commencing on the award date, or the “base stock price”), or (ii) $49.22 for the CEO and $53.93 for the NEOs (representing 214% of the base stock price) at any time during the one year period commencing on the third anniversary of the award date and ending on the fourth anniversary of the award date, or (iii) $52.44 for CEO and $57.46 for other NEOs (representing 228% of the base stock price) at any time during the one year period commencing on the fourth anniversary of the award date and ending on the fifth anniversary of the award date. If the 20 Day Average Closing Price equals or exceeds 100% of the applicable target average stock price on any day during the Performance Period, the recipients will be awarded, subject to vesting, 100% of the shares. Participants must be must be employed in an executive position through the following dates to receive their stock awards: (i) Fifty Percent (50%) of the Award Level shall immediately vest upon achievement of the Target Average Stock Price (the “Achievement Date”), (ii) Twenty-Five Percent (25%) of the Award Level shall vest on the first anniversary of the Achievement Date, and (iii) Twenty-Five Percent (25%) of the Award Level shall vest on the second anniversary of the Achievement Date.

If the Performance Criteria is not achieved during the Performance Period, but at any time during the Performance Period the 20 Day Average Closing Price exceeds 90% of the applicable target average stock price, then fifty percent (50%) of the common shares will be awarded, subject to vesting, at the end of the Performance Period (“Partial Performance”). Participants must be employed in an executive position through the following dates to receive their stock awards: (i) Twenty-Five Percent (25%) of the Award Level shall vest on the last day of the Performance Period (“Partial Performance Achievement Date” in the case of Partial Performance), (ii) Twelve and One-Half Percent (12.5%) of the Award Level shall vest on the first anniversary of the Partial Performance Achievement Date and (iii) Twelve and One-Half Percent (12.5%) of the Award Level shall vest on the second anniversary of the Partial Performance Achievement Date .

No restricted common stock will be awarded under the Program unless the Performance Criteria or Partial Performance Criteria are achieved during the five year period following the Award Date as specified. Each participant signed an award agreement with the Company setting forth the terms of the award.

On February 8, 2013, the CEO’s restricted common stock award under the Program exceeded 90% of the applicable Target Average Stock Price in accordance with the Partial Performance Criteria. Additionally, on April 3, 2013, the NEO’s stock awards under the Program exceeded 90% of the applicable Target Average Stock Price.

The portion of stock-based compensation expense recorded in general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended March 31, 2013 for these market-based awards was $27,000. The Company used a binomial model to calculate the fair value at the grant date.

In the event of a change in control, reorganization, liquidation or sale of the Company, all shares awarded but unvested will become fully vested provided the recipient remains employed by the Company through such event.

Management Security Plan

The Management Security Plan (“MSP”) is a nonqualified, noncontributory defined supplemental deferred retirement benefit plan for a select group of management personnel. The MSP provides fixed supplement retirement benefits for 180 months. The MSP is frozen with no new participants being added. The MSP benefit expense and the projected obligation are determined using assumptions at the end of the fiscal year. The MSP currently is unfunded and benefits are paid as they become due. At March 31, 2013, the total balance of the deferred retirement benefits liability was $4,170,000.

The Company has established a “Rabbi Trust” to provide for the funding of accrued benefits under the MSP. According to the terms of the Rabbi Trust, funding is voluntary until a change of control in the Management Security Plan(s) Trust Agreement occurs. Upon a change of control, funding is triggered. As of March 31, 2013, the Rabbi Trust had no assets, and no change of control had occurred.

The Company is also involved from time to time in routine legal matters incidental to its business. When appropriate, the Company establishes estimated accruals for litigation matters which meet the requirements of ASC 450— Contingencies . Based upon available information, the Company believes that the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

Atlantic Blue Group, Inc.

Atlantic Blue Group, Inc. (“Atlanticblue” or “ABG”) owns approximately 50.6% of Alico’s common stock. By virtue of its ownership percentage, Atlanticblue is able to elect all of the directors and, consequently, control Alico. Directors which also serve on Atlanticblue’s board are referred to as “affiliated directors”. Atlanticblue issued a letter dated December 3, 2009, reaffirming its commitment to maintain a majority of independent directors (which may include affiliated directors) on Alico’s board. To be considered independent under Nasdaq rules a director may not be employed by Alico or engage in certain types of business dealings with Alico. In addition as required by Nasdaq rules, the Board is required to make an affirmative determination that the director has no relationships which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities as a director.

John R. Alexander, a major shareholder in Atlanticblue and a director on the Atlanticblue Board of Directors, retired as the Company’s Chairman of the Board at the February 2013 shareholders meeting. Mr. Alexander’s son, JD Alexander, resigned March 31, 2012 as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlanticblue and did not stand for re-election as a director at the June 2012 Atlanticblue shareholders meeting. In February 2010, JD Alexander was appointed Alico’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and he serves on Alico’s Board of Directors. Robert E. Lee Caswell, John R. Alexander’s son-in-law, served as a director on Alico’s Board of Directors until its February 2013 shareholders meeting; he did not stand for re-election. Robert J. Viguet, Jr., an Alico director, did not stand for re-election as a director of Atlanticblue at its June 2012 shareholders meeting. Dykes Everett was elected to the Alico Board of Directors at the February 2013 shareholders meeting; he was nominated by Atlanticblue where he serves as a director.

Former director Baxter Troutman filed a derivative shareholder suit against John R. Alexander and JD Alexander in which a settlement agreement (“Agreement”) was reached on April 1, 2012. On May 16, 2012 the Circuit Court of the 10 ^th Judicial Circuit in Polk County, FL approved the Agreement thereby settling the shareholder derivative action complaint. The Company, by determination of the Special Litigation Committee comprised of four independent directors of its Board of Directors, filed a motion seeking recovery of attorney fees and costs incurred in its defense. The Company is reimbursing Messrs.’ Alexander for legal fees used to defend themselves against the suit in accordance with the Board of Directors indemnification agreements. All reimbursements are approved by the Special Committee of the Board Reimbursements for litigation were $6,000 and $7,000 on behalf of John R. Alexander, and $0 and $2,000 on behalf of JD Alexander, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively. Reimbursements for litigation were $71,000 and $79,000 on behalf of John R. Alexander, and $69,000 and $182,000 on behalf of JD Alexander, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, respectively.

Alico Fruit is currently marketing citrus fruit for TRI-County Grove, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanticblue. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, Alico Fruit marketed 115,351 and 145,584 boxes of fruit, for approximately $1,056,000 and $1,307,000, respectively. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, Alico Fruit marketed 133,943 and 190,417 boxes of fruit, for approximately $1,073,000 and $1,627,000, respectively.

Ben Hill Griffin, Inc.

Ben Hill Griffin Inc. (“Griffin”) and its subsidiaries are controlled by Ben Hill Griffin, III, the brother-in-law of John R. Alexander, Alico’s former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. No citrus fruit has been sold to Griffin during fiscal year 2013. Citrus revenues of $254,000 and $374,000 were recognized for a portion of citrus crops sold under a marketing agreement with for Griffin the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, respectively. Accounts receivable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include amounts due from Griffin of $26,000 and $94,000 at March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. These amounts represent estimated revenues to be received periodically under pooling agreements as the sale of pooled products is completed.

Alico purchases fertilizer and other miscellaneous supplies, services, and operating equipment from Griffin on a competitive bid basis, for use in its cattle, sugarcane, sod and citrus operations. Such purchases totaled $8,000 and $17,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013 and $509,000 and $817,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, respectively. The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include accounts payable to Griffin for fertilizer and other crop supplies totaling approximately $0 and $10,000 at March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Other

Mr. Charles Palmer, an independent Board Member, leased approximately 2,300 acres with the Company for a recreational lease in fiscal years 2013 and 2012. He pays approximately $33,000 annually at the customary terms and rates the Company extends to third parties.

Forward-Looking Statements

We make forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report, particularly in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, 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 Quarterly Report 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. 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 described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We own approximately 130,400 acres of land in five Florida counties (Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Polk), and operate five lines of business.

Lines of Business

We operate five lines of business related to our various land holdings.

Segments

We are organized into six operating segments which span our five lines of business. Our operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately and decisions about allocation of resources are determined by our management team based on these strategic business units. Our operating segments are as follows:

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base these estimates on historical experience, available current market information and on various other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Additionally we evaluate the results of these estimates on an on-going basis. Management’s estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

There have been no significant changes during this reporting period to the policies and disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 1. Description of Business and Basis of Presentation in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) included in this report for recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on our consolidated financial statements.

Recent Events

On January 28, 2013, Atlanticblue, the holder of 50.6% of Alico’s common stock, informed Alico of its intention, in light of recent changes in the tax code relating to the sale of certain assets by “subchapter S corporations” such as Atlanticblue, to explore the potential sale of substantially all of its assets during the 2013 calendar year and, in connection therewith, to actively pursue the sale of its entire equity position in Alico to a strategic or financial buyer.

The Board of Directors of Alico has formed a Special Committee comprised of its independent Directors to explore working cooperatively with Atlanticblue, to investigate all transaction possibilities and to protect the interests of all shareholders. The Special Committee has engaged Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. to act as its financial advisors and Greenberg Traurig, P.A. to act as its legal counsel to assist and advise the Special Committee with respect to pursuing potential strategic and financial transaction alternatives, including merger, business combination and sale transaction involving Alico. The Special Committee intends to work with its independent financial and legal advisors to identify and evaluate all available strategic and financial alternatives to maximize shareholder value and that are in the best interests of Alico and its shareholders. Atlanticblue has informed Alico that it intends to work cooperatively with the Special Committee with respect to this process

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

The following table sets forth a comparison of results of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

Operating Revenue

The decrease in operating revenue of $15,687,000 or 29.0% and $20,378,000 or 25.5% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012, respectively, is primarily due to a decrease in the sale of citrus fruit by the Alico Fruit and Citrus Groves segments, partially offset by an increase in Sugarcane sales. See Segment Results below for further discussion of our revenues from operations.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased by $7,224,000 or 50.8% and $8,952,000 or 45.4% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the three and six months ended March 13, 2012, respectively, primarily as a result of the decrease in the Citrus Groves segment. See Segment Results below for further discussion of our revenues and expenses from operations.

Operating revenue and gross profit of our Citrus Groves and Alico Fruit segments were negatively impacted by a combination of lower citrus prices and a smaller overall citrus crop. The smaller citrus crop is being driven primarily by higher than average premature fruit drop. Several factors may have caused the early drop, including drought, unfavorable weather conditions during the crops growing cycle and Citrus Greening. Citrus Greening is a bacterial disease that decreases the productivity of infected trees and causes fruit to drop early. The disease, which was first introduced into Florida in 2005, is spread by Asian Citrus Psyllids.

This harvest season’s statewide environmental and horticultural factors have negatively impacted our crops, therefore, we expect the total number of boxes produced by our Citrus Groves segment and handled through Alico Fruit to decrease over the prior harvest season. The USDA, in its April 10, 2013 Citrus Forecast, indicated that it expects the Florida orange crop to decline by 8,700,000 boxes or approximately 6% versus the prior year. In each of its last five monthly estimates, the USDA has revised its estimate of the 2012/2013 Florida orange crop downward. Over the course of these revisions, the USDA has decreased its 2012/2013 Florida Orange crop estimate a total of 10%.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $657,000 or 36.4% and $475,000 or 12.5% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the three and six months ended March 31, 2012. The increase was primarily due to the expenses incurred by the Special Committee of our Board of Directors pursuing strategic and financial, alternatives, which totaled approximately $628,000 during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, partially offset by decreases in professional fees as a result of the IRS settlement and the settlement of shareholder derivative action complaint.

No expenses were incurred for the IRS audit appeals process in fiscal year 2013. Legal fees of $7,000 and $41,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively, were incurred by the Special Litigation Committee in their efforts to recover costs from the shareholder derivative action complaint which was settled on April 1, 2012. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, $175, 000 and $280,000 in legal fees were incurred as result of the IRS audit and appeals process, respectively, and $186,000 and $386,000 in legal fees were incurred in defense of the shareholder derivative action complaint, respectively.

Interest and investment income, net

Interest and investment income results primarily from our investment in Magnolia TC 2, LLC (“Magnolia”) and interest bearing bank accounts. Interest and investment income increased by $341,000 or 516.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, as compared with the same period in 2012, and $319,000 or 759.6% for the six months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the six months ended March 31, 2012. The increase in interest and investment income was due to our investment in Magnolia.

In May 2010, we invested $12,150,000 to obtain a 39% limited partner equity interest in Magnolia. Alico is accounting for the investment in Magnolia in accordance with the equity method of accounting in which we record our 39% interest in the reported income or loss of Magnolia each quarter. We recorded net investment income of $245,000 and $324,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, as compared to a net investment loss of $87,000 and net investment income of $10,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased by $156,000 or 33.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the six months ended March 31, 2013, interest expense decreased by $258,000 or 27.6% as compared to the six months ended March 31, 2012. The decrease in interest expense is primarily due to the reduction of our outstanding debt and the payoff of the $1,794,000 Farm Credit of Florida mortgage note in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 and, to a lesser extent, to a decrease in the average interest rates quarter-over-quarter. The decrease was partially offset by the pre-payment penalty incurred on the Farm Credit of Florida mortgage note of $66,000 which was included in interest expense for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

The weighted average interest rate for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, was 2.70% and 2.72%, respectively, as compared to 2.90% and 2.93% for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, respectively. See Item 1. Financial Statements, Note 5. Long-Term Debt in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

Provision for income taxes

Income tax expense was approximately $1,800,000 and $4,515,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Alico’s effective tax rate was 39.4% and 37.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Income tax expense was approximately $2,436,000 and $5,746,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Alico’s effective tax rate was 39.0% and 37.8% for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Segment Results

Operating Revenue