Fyffes reports strong results for 2009

FYFFES has reported its strongest profit for four years, but has also lowered its earnings guidance for 2010 due to the impact of the harsh weather in Europe since the turn of the year.

The Dublin-headquartered fruit distribution giant saw pre-tax profits jump by 33.3% — from €15.9m to €21.2m — last year and fully diluted earnings per share jump by 31.4% to 5.19c, although group revenue (inclusive of joint venture shares) fell by over 4% to €726.8m.

Last year’s total dividend for shareholders — of 1.65c per share — marked a 10% improvement on 2008’s figure.