Dole has announced it is in negotiations with Compagnie Fruitière to sell its operations in the UK and France.

JP Fresh in the UK and Dole France are both ripeners, importers and distributors of fresh produce.

At the start of the summer, Dole Food Company, which generated a turnover of $6.9 billion (£3.9bn) in 2007, announced its plans to sell some of its activities, notably its ripening facilities in the UK and France.

Dole has a 40 per cent stake in Compagnie Fruitière, with Fabre Holding owning the balance.

Compagnie Fruitière is the largest importer of fruit for the African, Carribean and Pacific (ACP) countries, with its production facilities based in West Africa. Compagnie Fruitière distributes over 450,000 tonnes of fruit a year in European markets and uses the Dole network as its preferred distributor in France and the UK.

It is anticipated the sale of JP Fresh and Dole France to Compagnie Fruitière would facilitate a closer connection for both companies with their ACP banana supply markets. Dole would continue to hold its 40 per cent stake in Compagnie Fruitière.

Any sale is expected to be finalised in the fourth quarter of 2008.

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