US speculation surrounds Fyffes

Speculation is rife in the US as to interested buyers for a majority stake in Fresh Del Monte Produce.

Fyffes name has been linked in some reports to a 52 per cent stake in the US produce concern in partnership with Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearbon Partners (MDP).

A spokesman for Fyffes said the company would not comment on speculation and that a lot of potential buyers had been mooted in the US auction process.

Meanwhile, MDP is known to be looking outside the US for investment partners. JP Morgan is running the Fresh Del Monte Produce auction.