Fresh produce giant Fresh Del Monte has reported on its results for the second quarter of the year, with positive figures in both the sales and net income columns of the spreadsheet.
The US-based multinational saw profit rise to US$62m from the US$57.2m reported in the year-earlier period, while operating income was US$51.2m compared with US$69.8m last year.
Net sales were US$1.02bn, the group revealed, up from US$957.6m in the second quarter last year, the result of increased selling prices in all of the company's business segments and higher sales volume in Del Monte's banana and other fresh produce business segments.
'We were pleased with the strong top line performance and momentum generated during the second quarter of 2013,' said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, chairman and CEO. 'Our growth in the second quarter was fundamentally driven by our ability to increase sales through core product line growth, extending our reach in non-conventional delivery channels, expanding our global brand presence, product innovation, and continued consumer demand for healthy, fresh produce.
'We believe Fresh Del Monte's financial depth and flexibility allows us to continue to leverage these capabilities and strengthen our leadership position in the global fresh produce industry,' he added.
