Dole deal to put Total in €2bn league

Irish fruit and vegetable distributor Total Produce could be transformed into a €2bn company in the next five years on the back of its investment in US fruit giant Dole, according to analysts, writes Geoff Percival.

The former general produce arm of Fyffes — currently valued at just under €800m — saw its shares jump by more than 6%, before paring back, after announcing an agreement to buy 45% of Dole for $300m (€241m).