Fresh Del Monte Produce Reports Solid First Quarter 2008 Financial Results

Coral Gables, Fla., Apr. 29 - Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. today reported financial results for the first quarter, which ended March 28, 2008.

The Company reported earnings per diluted share of $1.07 excluding asset impairment and other charges, net, compared with earnings per diluted share of $0.84 in the first quarter of 2007, excluding other credits, net. Results for the first quarter of 2008 exclude asset impairment and other charges, net, totaling $4.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, primarily related to the Company’s closure of an under-utilized distribution center and the previously announced closure of its beverage production operation in the United Kingdom. Net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $63.6 million, compared with net income of $51.6 million in the first quarter of 2007.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2008 were $894.9 million, compared with $836.0 million in the first quarter of 2007. The increase in net sales was driven by: higher banana selling prices, primarily due to strong global demand for bananas; and industry-wide shortages, the result of inclement weather in Central America. The Company’s Del Monte Gold® pineapple and non-tropical product lines, along with its prepared food business segment also drove the increase in net sales during the quarter.

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2008 was $96.9 million, compared with gross profit of $99.1 million for the same period last year. The decrease in gross profit during the quarter was due to a $10.2 million negative impact from foreign exchange as compared to last year, as currencies in our producing countries strengthened against the dollar. Also, impacting gross profit was significant challenges in the Company’s melon product line, due to lower production caused by unfavorable growing conditions in Central America; and a decrease in the Company’s fresh-cut product line performance, primarily driven by higher labor costs. Gross profit for the first quarter in Fresh Del Monte’s pineapple product line was consistent with the prior-year period. The Company benefited during the quarter from a gross profit increase in its global banana business segment primarily in Europe, and a significant increase in gross profit in its non-tropical product line. In addition, Fresh Del Monte’s continued enterprise-wide initiatives to control costs and improve efficiencies enabled it to mitigate the negative impact of significantly higher costs associated with transportation, growing and procurement of fruit and packaging during the quarter.

The Company reported other income of $12.5 million in the first quarter of 2008, compared with $3.9 million in the prior year. The $8.6 million increase is primarily associated with gains in foreign exchange rate movements versus the dollar.

“We are proud of our results in the first quarter of 2008, and we are encouraged by the progress we made in managing the exceptionally high costs that continue to affect our business,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “These costs include the highest fuel and fertilizer prices in history and higher costs of packaging and labor. In spite of these challenges, our business is growing steadily and demand for our products is growing around the globe. We are firmly committed to our strategy of investing in markets that offer long-term growth opportunities. In the meantime, we are working to create greater efficiencies and control costs across our business. During the first quarter of 2008, we demonstrated that Fresh Del Monte is able to deliver solid financial results even in a tough market.”

Prior to March 31, 2008, the Company qualified as a “foreign private issuer” for purposes of filing and disclosure requirements under the United States securities laws. As a “foreign private issuer” under the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company filed its Annual Report with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F. Effective March 31, 2008, the Company no longer satisfied the definition of a “foreign private issuer” under the Exchange Act and the Company is now required to file its Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.