Fyffes has announced a 32.2 per cent rise in profits to €94.7 million, before exceptional items and goodwill amortisation. The comparable figure in 2003 was €71.6m.

Total turnover for 2004 was €2.1bn, compared to €1.9bn in 2003, which represents an increase of 11.5 per cent. The acquisition of Everfresh Group AB in Sweden, in May 2004, accounted for €177m of the increase.

Fyffes chairman Carl McCann said: “Fyffes is pleased to report record results for 2004, with profit before tax, excluding goodwill amortisation, exceeding €100m for the first time, helped by good profits from property activities.

"Strong performances in Continental Europe, together with first time contributions from acquisitions, have generated increases of more than 30 per cent in adjusted profit before tax and earnings per share."

Trading, he said, has "satisfactory" in the first two months of 2005, particularly in Continental Europe.

Fyffes also stated that it is seeking price increases to compensate for significant increases in shipping, transport and fuel costs.

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