Fresh Del Monte Produce has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2009, with improvements made in year-on-year sales.

Net sales through the quarterly period ended 1 January 2010 increased to US$872.1m (€643m) from US$831m (€613m) in 2008, driven primarily by an improved performance in the group's gold pineapple (up 19 per cent to US$137.6m, €101.5m) and fresh-cut (up 15 per cent to US$76.5m, €56.4m) product lines, along with higher net sales for the company's banana business segment (up 5 per cent to US$385.5m, €284.4m), Del Monte said.

The overall result was, however, negatively impacted by lower sales in the group's other product and service and prepared food business segments, with melon, tomato and non-tropical produce sales all falling.

Net income hit US$22.8m (€16.8m) compared with the US$26.2m (€19.3m) recorded last year, attributable to lower gross profit, higher selling and general and administrative expenses. Operating income fell to US$28.9m (€21.3m) from US$30.2m (€22.3m) in 2008, Del Monte said.

'We delivered a solid fourth quarter, particularly in the face of a prolonged economic slowdown which affected profitability in our Europe and Asia banana businesses,' said group chairman and CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh. 'Our performance was driven by strong sales in our gold pineapple and fresh-cut product lines.

'Moving forward, our primary objectives for 2010 are to continue expanding our core product lines, controlling costs, and maintaining our commitment to increase shareholder value over the long term,' Mr Ghazaleh added.

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