Fresh Del Monte Produce has posted quarterly results that beat analysts' expectations, driven by strong demand in its gold pineapple and fresh-cut product lines.

Net sales through the quarterly period ended 1 January increased to $872.1 million (£579.3m) from $831m in 2008, driven primarily by an improved performance in the group's gold pineapple - up 19 per cent to $137.6m - and fresh-cut lines, which were up 15 per cent to $76.5m.

Higher net sales for the company's banana business segment were up five per cent to $385.5m.

Jefferies & Co analyst Scott Mushkin said the company's results in Asia have been hit by lower selling prices.

However, banana pricing in its Asian market has improved sequentially, even as it is below year-ago levels, according to Del Monte.

The company posted fourth-quarter net income of $28.2m compared with $22.9m a year ago, although the latest quarter was a 14-week period compared with 13 weeks a year ago.

Revenue rose nearly five per cent to $872.1m, ahead of Reuters forecasts of $829.4m, in the quarter while sales of fresh-cut products rose in the quarter mainly due to their expansion in retail grocery stores, club stores and convenience stores.

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