Sales will be up 8-10 per cent in 2009, according to Del Monte’s latest forecast, up from the previous prediction of 6-8 per cent. The rise prompted a 17.7 per cent jump in the company’s stock, closing trading at US$6.51 on Wall Street.

The sale of the group’s StarKist tuna company in October netted Del Monte US$23.1m, but excluding that it made US$27.3m for the quarter ending 26 October, reported Forbes.

Chairman and chief executive officer Rick Wolford said an increase in price on vegetables had helped offset increasing costs.

He explained the higher sales prediction by saying consumers were eating at home more often instead of going out.

Del Monte has launched a marketing campaign to siphon off more market share. The online and print ‘Fruit Undressed’ campaign runs to the tune of US$20m.

Stock is down 31 per cent since the start of the year.