Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 24, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTE 13 — FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Dole’s financial instruments primarily consist of short-term trade and grower receivables, trade payables, notes receivable and notes payable, as well as long-term grower receivables, derivatives, capital lease obligations, term loans, a revolving loan, and notes and debentures. For short-term instruments, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. For long-term financial instruments, excluding Dole’s secured and unsecured notes and debentures, and term loans, the carrying amount approximates fair value since they bear interest at variable rates or fixed rates which approximate market.

The inputs used to measure fair value are based on a hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used in valuation techniques. These levels, in order of highest to lowest priority are described below:

Level 1:    Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3:    Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The following table provides a summary of the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
	March 24, 2012			December 31, 2011
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	5,266		$	5,632
Bunker fuel contracts		2,613			1,563
	$	7,879		$	7,195
Liabilities:
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	(129,263	)	$	(194,034	)

For Dole, the assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis are the derivative instruments. The fair values of Dole’s derivative instruments are determined using Level 2 inputs, which are defined as “significant other observable inputs.” The fair values of the foreign currency exchange contracts and bunker fuel contracts were estimated using internal discounted cash flow calculations based upon forward foreign currency exchange rates, bunker fuel futures, interest-rate yield curves or quotes obtained from brokers for contracts with similar terms less any credit valuation adjustments. Dole recorded a credit valuation adjustment at March 24, 2012 which reduced the derivative liability balances. The credit valuation adjustment was $3.6 million at March 24, 2012 and $10.5 million at December 31, 2011. For the quarter ended March 24, 2012, the net change in credit valuation adjustment resulted in an unrealized loss of $5 million, which was recorded as other income (expense), net. In addition a $1.9 million unrealized loss was recorded in AOCI. For the quarter ended March 26, 2011, the net change in credit valuation adjustment resulted in an unrealized gain of $7.8 million which was recorded as other income (expense), net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The fair value of goodwill and the intangible assets recorded in connection with the acquisition of Mrs. May’s was determined using discounted cash flow models based on an internal estimate of future cash flows based on unobservable inputs, and as such, are considered to be Level 3 non-recurring fair values within the fair value hierarchy.

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, Dole is required to record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Nonfinancial assets such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets are measured on an annual basis during the second quarter, or as indicators of impairment arise, and recorded at fair value only when an impairment is recognized.

Credit Risk

The counterparties to the foreign currency and bunker fuel forward contracts and the interest rate and cross currency swaps consist of a number of major international financial institutions. Dole has established counterparty guidelines and regularly monitors its positions and the financial strength of these institutions. While counterparties to hedging contracts expose Dole to credit-related losses in the event of a counterparty’s non-performance, the risk would be limited to the unrealized gains on such affected contracts. Dole does not anticipate any such losses.