Fruit distributor Fyffes is now targeting double-digit earnings growth this year after a strong start to 2005.
Fyffes chairman Carl McCann told shareholders at the company's agm in Dublin today that market conditions have remained favourable through the first four months of 2005.
He singled out a "very strong" performance in the group's continental European operations and includes the first-time contribution from acquisitions.
He added that Fyffes continues to pursue price increases to address the lower margins being achieved in its UK/Ireland operations and noted the significant cost inflation being experienced by the industry.
Mr McCann said that Fyffes is now targeting a double-digit increase in adjusted earnings per share for the full year in 2005 and restated the company's ambition to expand both "organically and through further strategic acquisitions and alliances."