Fyffes saw turnover increase to €1,018.1 million from €930m in the period ending June 30. This rise included first-time contributions from two significant acquisitions made in the second half of 2002. Fyffes acquired an 80 per cent stake in Interfrucht in Germany, and 70 per cent of Hortim International in the Czech Republic.

Operating profit in the first-half amounted to €40.6m compared to €36.5 last year, a rise of 11 per cent.

Chairman Neil V. McCann said: "In the banana division, volumes in the period were ahead of last year reflecting our acquisition of Interfrucht. The group's produce division also performed well in the period, benefiting in particular from the acquisition of Hortim. There were also good results in a number of other continental European businesses."

The group's share of operating profits of its joint ventures and associates amounted to €3.8m compared to €5.75m in the same period last year. This performance included start-up costs in relation to a number of super-sweet pineapple joint ventures in Central America.

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