Fresh Del Monte Produce has reported better-than-expected second-quarter profits after a boost in pineapple sales and strong banana prices.
The company reported sales were up by $6.2 million (£3.7m) to $978.4m and earned $70.4m compared with $55.6m in the corresponding second quarter of 2008.
The company's premium gold pineapples continued to sell well but quality issues, increased costs and lower production has led it to stop planting in Brazil, although it may continue to harvest fruit already in the ground.
Analysts had expected earnings of $975.1m, according to analyst Reuters Estimates.
Chief executive Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh said in a statement: "Our premium gold pineapple category continued to grow; we achieved significant efficiencies in our fresh-cut category; and importantly, we began to see signs of improvement in our melon product category during the quarter.”
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