FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUNOPTA ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2016 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Toronto, May 10, 2016 - SunOpta Inc. (“SunOpta”) (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY), a leading global company focused on organic, non-genetically modified and specialty foods, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended April 2, 2016. All amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars and results are reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, except where specifically noted.

First Quarter 2016 Highlights:

“We started the year by posting strong sequential gains in revenue and EBITDA with good progress against our 2016 operational goals,” said Rik Jacobs, President and Chief Executive Officer of SunOpta Inc. “We have the assets in place to support growth and steady improvement in margins. Our top priorities remain improving our operational execution and adding new products and customers to increase our capacity utilization.”

First Quarter 2016 Results

Revenues for the first quarter of 2016 were $352.3 million, an increase of 11.4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 28.6% compared to the first quarter of 2015. The increase in revenues was driven primarily by acquired businesses, as well as growth in frozen fruit, aseptic beverage and re-sealable pouch products. These factors were partially offset by the effect of lower commodity prices and volumes of specialty raw materials, as well as the unfavorable impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on raw material exports. Excluding the impact on revenues in the first quarter of 2016 of acquired businesses, and changes in commodity-related pricing and foreign exchange rates, revenues increased 3.5% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the first quarter of 2015.

The Consumer Products segment generated revenues from external customers of $206.3 million, an increase of 19.3% compared to $172.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and an increase of 73.5% compared to $118.9 million in the prior year. The sequential growth was driven primarily by growth at Sunrise Growers, as well as growth in aseptic beverages and pouch products. Excluding the impact on revenues in the first quarter of 2016 of acquired businesses, Consumer Products revenue increased 5.4% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the first quarter of 2015.

The Global Ingredients segment generated revenues from external customers of $146.0 million, an increase of 1.8% compared to $143.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and a decline of 5.8% compared to $155.1 million in the first quarter of 2015. The sequential growth was driven by increased sales of internationally sourced organic ingredients, offset by declines in domestic raw material sourcing in part due to pressure from a stronger U.S. dollar on export sales. Excluding the impact on revenues of changes in commodity-related pricing and foreign exchange rates, Global Ingredients revenue increased 1.0% in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the first quarter of 2015.

Gross profit was $31.9 million for the first quarter of 2016, compared with $25.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 and $29.2 million for the first quarter of 2015. As a percentage of revenues, gross profit for the first quarter of 2016 was 9.1% compared to 8.0% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and 10.6% in the first quarter of 2015. The gross profit percentage for the first quarter of 2016 would have been approximately 11.6%, excluding the impact of an acquisition accounting adjustment related to the inventory sold by Sunrise in the first quarter of 2016, and start-up costs related to the ramp-up of production at our Allentown, Pennsylvania aseptic beverage processing facility. On this adjusted basis, the 1.0% increase in the first quarter 2016 gross profit percentage was driven mainly by acquired businesses and improved pricing for frozen fruit offerings, as well as improved plant utilization within our re-sealable pouch and sunflower operations. These factors were partially offset by a temporary shutdown of our San Bernardino, California premium juice facility while we investigated the cause of spoilage prior to the end of the prescribed shelf life of a private label orange juice product, which resulted in a voluntary product withdrawal of the product by a customer.

Operating income¹ was $2.6 million, or 0.7% of revenues, compared to an operating loss of $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and operating income of $10.0 million, or 3.6% of revenues in the first quarter of 2015. The decline in operating income year-over-year is attributable to lower overall gross profit as described above, and a $3.6 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, mainly reflecting incremental expenses from acquired businesses, as well as higher litigation-related legal costs, partially offset by lower employee-related costs. Foreign exchange rates also contributed to the decline in operating income. A foreign exchange loss of $2.2 million was recognized in the first quarter of 2016, compared with a foreign exchange gain of $2.1 million in the first quarter of 2015, mainly reflecting the impact of a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro on forward currency contracts within our international sourcing and supply operations. In addition, a year-over-year increase of $2.2 million in intangible asset amortization expense related to acquired businesses contributed to the decline in operating income. Excluding the impact of the acquisition related accounting adjustment and start-up costs at our Allentown, Pennsylvania aseptic beverage processing facility, operating income would have been approximately $11.5 million or 3.3% of revenues in the first quarter of 2016.

The Company reported a loss from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2016 of $9.7 million, or $0.11 per common share, compared to earnings from continuing operations of $6.0 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share during the first quarter of 2015. During the quarter, the Company recognized certain costs not reflective of normal operations, including $12.5 million of costs associated with the purchase accounting, financing, and integration of the Sunrise acquisition, $1.3 million of costs as we ramp-up production at our east coast aseptic facility, $0.6 million of costs related to ongoing litigation, $0.2 million write-off of debt issuance costs related to the previous North American credit facility, and $2.2 million of other expense items mainly relating to costs associated with a voluntary product withdrawal of private label orange juice and a voluntary recall of certain sunflower kernel products, as well as severance costs and adjustments to contingent consideration on previous acquisitions. Excluding these expenses, on an after tax basis, Adjusted Earnings¹ were $2.7 million or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Earnings¹ of $6.0 million or $0.09 per share in the first quarter of 2015.

Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $22.1 million in the first quarter of 2016, compared $15.0 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Balance Sheet

At April 2, 2016, SunOpta's balance sheet reflected total assets of $1.223 billion, total debt of $518.6 million, and a total debt to equity ratio of 1.25 to 1.00. At April 2, 2016, leverage was approximately 5.6 times pro forma Adjusted EBITDA¹ after factoring in the run-rate EBITDA of acquired businesses and cost synergies expected to be realized in 2016. The Company continues to expect to de-lever 1.0 to 1.5 times in the first 12 to 18 month following the Sunrise acquisition through a combination of EBITDA growth and positive cash flow resulting in debt reduction.

On February 11, 2016, the Company entered into a five-year, $350.0 million global credit facility, which replaced the previous North American and European credit facilities and finances the working capital and general corporate needs of the Company’s global operations. At April 2, 2016, outstanding borrowings were $199.6 million on this facility, and the Company had approximately $90.0 million of available borrowing capacity.

Conference Call with accompanying presentation

SunOpta plans to host a conference call at 9:00 A.M. eastern time on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, to discuss the first quarter financial results. After opening remarks, there will be a question and answer period. This conference call can be accessed via a link at www.sunopta.com. The presentation that will accompany the conference call can be downloaded at http://investor.sunopta.com.

To listen to the live call over the Internet, please go to SunOpta's website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. Additionally, the call may be accessed with the toll free dial-in number 1 (877) 312-9198 or International dial-in number 1 (631) 291-4622. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived and can be accessed for approximately 90 days at SunOpta's website.

¹See discussion of non-GAAP measures

About SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc. is a leading global company focused on organic, non-genetically modified (“non-GMO”) and specialty foods. SunOpta specializes in the sourcing, processing and packaging of organic and non-GMO food products, integrated from seed through packaged products; with a focus on strategic vertically integrated business models. SunOpta's organic and non-GMO food operations revolve around value-added grain, seed, fruit and vegetable based product offerings, supported by a global sourcing and supply infrastructure.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation, which are based on information available to us on the date of this release. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our focus on strengthening operational execution, expected cost synergies to be realized in 2016 and our intention to de-lever our business over the next 12 to 18 months and grow EBITDA and cash flow. Generally, forward-looking statements do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are typically accompanied by words such as “continue”, “confident”, “should”, “believe”, “would”, “may”, “plans”, “expect”, “will”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “project”, “potential”, “continue”, “might”, “predict” or other similar terms and phrases intended to identify these forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on information available to us on the date of this release and are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, continued consumer interest in health and wellness, ability to maintain product pricing levels, current customer demand, planned facility and operational expansions, competitive intensity, cost rationalization, product development initiatives, and alternative potential uses for our capital resources. Whether actual timing and results will agree with expectations and predications of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, risks associated with acquisitions generally such failure to retain key management and employees; issues or delays in the successful integration of the operations, systems and personnel of recently acquired businesses with those of the Company including incurring or experiencing unanticipated costs and/or delays or difficulties, future levels of revenues being lower than expected, costs being higher than expected, inability to realize synergies to the extent anticipated and conditions affecting the frozen fruit industry generally; failure or inability to implement growth strategies in a timely manner; changes in the level of capital investment; local and global political and economic conditions; consumer spending patterns and changes in market trends; decreases in customer demand; delayed or unsuccessful product development efforts; potential product recalls; working capital management and continuous improvement initiatives; availability and pricing of raw materials and supplies; potential covenant breaches under our credit facilities; inability to re-finance or replace our second lien loan on satisfactory terms or at all; and other risks described from time to time under “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (available at www.sec.gov). Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized.

For further information, please contact:

SunOpta Inc.
Rob Litt, Director Global Communications
Tel: 952-893-7863
Rob.litt@sunopta.com

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the quarters ended April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015
(Unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
As at April 2, 2016 and January 2, 2016
(Unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

SunOpta Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the quarters ended April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015
(Unaudited)
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

SunOpta Inc.
Segmented Information
For the quarters ended April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015
Unaudited
(Expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(Segment operating income (loss) is defined as “Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following” excluding the impact of “Other expense (income), net”.)

¹Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company provides information regarding segment operating income, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and Adjusted EBITDA as additional information about its operating results, which are not measures in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Company believes that these non-GAAP measures assist investors in comparing performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance. The non-GAAP measures of segment operating income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The Company defines segment operating income as “earnings (loss) from continuing operations before the following” excluding the impact of other income/expense items; EBITDA as segment operating income plus depreciation and amortization; and Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding certain charges and gains that affect the comparability of operating performance. The following is a tabular presentation of segment operating income, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA, including a reconciliation to earnings (loss) from continuing operations, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure:

(a) The adjustments include all adjustments in the table “Reconciliation of GAAP Results to Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted earnings per diluted share” that affect cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses

The Company also reported Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations and Adjusted earnings per diluted share for the quarters ended April 2, 2016 and April 4, 2015. Adjusted earnings and Adjusted earnings per diluted share are also non-GAAP financial measures. When assessing our financial performance, we use an internal measure that excludes the results of discontinued operations as well as other charges and gains that we believe are not reflective of normal operations. This information is provided in order to allow investors to make meaningful comparisons of the Company's operating performance between periods and to view the Company's business from the same perspective as Company management. Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted earnings per diluted share should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a tabular presentation of Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations and Adjusted Earnings per diluted share, including a reconciliation to U.S. GAAP earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc. and U.S. GAAP earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc. on a per diluted share basis, which the Company believes to be the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Items affecting comparability of operating performance

For the quarter ended April 2, 2016, in addition to the results of discontinued operations, the Company recognized other expenses related primarily to business acquisitions, product withdrawal and recall costs, plant start-up costs related to our east coast aseptic facility, legal costs related to ongoing litigation, the write-off of debt issuance costs, severance and other costs. We do not believe these charges and gains are reflective of normal business operations. These charges and gains have been excluded to arrive at Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per diluted share.