Fyffes this morning reported pre-tax profits of €15.7 million for the first six months of the year in what was a fall of €2 million compared with the same period in 2006.
The company said when one-off items were removed, pre-tax profits were down from €19.5 million to €13.1 million on the back of sales worth €286.2 million, compared with €197.5 million during the same period in 2006.
However, the company said these year-on-year figures are not directly comparable as sales to Fyffes spin-off Total Produce are included as third party revenue in 2007.
Adjusted operating profit - before exceptional items, amortisation, interest and tax - amounted to €12.7 million in the seasonally stronger first half, compared to €18 million in the same period last year.
Fyffes had admitted earlier in this year that banana prices were lower year-on-year during the first six months while operating costs were higher, primarily due to higher oil prices.
A note within the Fyffes statement says that due to its Supreme Court appeal of the insider dealing case against DCC, Fyffes expects to obtain an order to allow it recover all of its costs.