Chiquita Banana Sales Volumes Increase

NEW YORK – Sep 14/04 - SNS -- Chiquita Brands International, Inc. said it handled more bananas during the company's third quarter, along with higher average prices in Europe.

North American banana volume rose 8% in the first two months of the third quarter compared to the year-ago period. New business from several major retailers since June 1 fueled the volume increase. The company's average banana prices in North America fell 1% in July-August 2004 versus the same period last year.

On May 1, 2004, the European Union expanded to 25 states by adding 10 new members from Eastern and Central Europe. These 10 countries are now subject to the E.U.'s banana quota and tariff system.

As a result of the enlargement, the company will now report its European pricing and volume data in two parts: (1) "core markets," which include the 25 countries of the European Union, plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland, and (2) "trading markets," which include other European and Mediterranean countries.

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