Hortifrut

Strong berry prices helped net Chilean berry marketer Hortifrut a 27.1 per cent sales increase in 2013/14. Sales reached US$305m for the financial year from July 2013 to June 2014.

The average price per kilogram of berries rose by 17.8 per cent last year, while sales volume for the corresponding period increased by 7.9 per cent to 36,388 tonnes.

Fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries accounted for 94 per cent of the sales total, with value-added products making up the remaining 6 per cent.

The results showed EBITDA of US$42.2m, an increase of 48.3 per cent on the previous financial year. This was due to a strong performance by the company’s overseas subsidiaries; higher revenue from its organic berry production in the south of Chile; a rise in sales of the firm’s value added range and the expansion of its operations following its merger with Vital Berry Marketing in August 2013.