Fresh Del Monte Produce today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 27, 2024.
"We are pleased to report strong performance in the third quarter. Our strategic focus on high-margin, value-added products continues to deliver positive results, demonstrating the strength of our product innovations and our commitment to driving long-term profitability and value for our shareholders," said Fresh Del Monte Chairman and CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh. "As committed, we have announced our decision on Mann Packing following our strategic review—a defining step that we believe will boost profitability, reinforce resilience, and deliver sustained growth."
Financial highlights for the third quarter 2024:
Net sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $1,019.5 million compared with $1,003.1 million in the prior year period. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by higher net sales in the Company's fresh and value-added product segment due to higher sales volume, as well as increased per unit selling prices principally of avocado and pineapple, as a result of strong market demand. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in net sales in the Company's banana segment, primarily driven by competitive market pressures.
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2024 was $93.8 million compared with $74.4 million in the prior-year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by higher sales volume and higher per unit selling prices in the Company's fresh and value-added product segment, partially offset by higher per unit production and procurement costs, lower sales volume in the Company's banana segment, and the negative impact of fluctuations in exchange rates, primarily related to a stronger Costa Rican colon. Gross margin for the third quarter of 2024 increased to 9.2% compared with 7.4% in the prior-year period.
Gross profit for the third quarter of 2024 included $0.6 million of other product-related charges, net, primarily as a result of $1.0 million of additional logistic and inventory write-offs incurred as a result of Hurricane Beryl during July 2024, partially offset by $0.6 million of insurance recoveries related to shipment disruptions in the Red Sea during the second quarter of 2024. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2023 included $8.4 million of other product-related charges, net, comprised primarily of an inventory write-off and clean-up costs related to the flooding of a seasonal production facility in Greece due to heavy rainstorms. Excluding the net impact from the other product-related charges, Adjusted gross profit (1) for the third quarter of 2024 was $94.4 million compared with $82.8 million in the prior-year period.
To read the full report, click here.
For more information:
Claudia Pou
Fresh Del Monte
Email: [email protected]
www.freshdelmonte.com