Today, 1 May 2018, Fresh Del Monte presents the figures of the first quarter of this fiscal year. Turnover increased from 1.03 billion dollar in 2017 to 1.1 billion dollar this year. This rising line is thanks to good results in the fresh fruit trade and bananas, although this was partially cancelled out by the processed segment.
In the first three months of this year, the company sold bananas for the amount of 453.2 million dollar, last year, this figure amounted to 445.1 million dollar. Volume was 8 per cent lower, but sales prices were 11 per cent higher globally, at 15.68 dollar per unit. Because of this, the gross profit amounted to 52.1 million dollar in this segment compared to 35 million dollar a year previously.
The other fresh fruit combined yielded 573.9 million dollar, an increase compared to the 506.2 million dollar of a year earlier. The increase is thanks to higher sales in practically all parts of this segment. Gross profit decreased to 46.7 million dollar (2017: 48.4 million dollar). Good figures were reported for the various product groups. The turnover of Golden pineapple rose by 8 per cent to 120.1 million dollar, volume was 16 per cent higher at a 6 per cent lower price. Avocados were good for 35 per cent growth in volume and a 12 per cent lower price, which results in a turnover of 84 million dollar (+19%). Non-tropical products saw their turnover decrease by 15 per cent to 66.1 million dollar. Volume decreased by 27 per cent, while prices were 17 per cent higher. The vegetable sales rose to 18.9 million dollar, this is nearly three times as high as in the previous year.
The turnover for processed products amounted to 79 million dollar (2017: 81.1 million dollar). This is mostly thanks to a lower turnover in industrial pineapple.