Fruit distributor Fyffes has said it expects underlying earnings for this year to come in ahead of current expectations after a strong start to the year.
In a trading statement covering the first six months of the year, Fyffes said the momentum of the early months of this year had continued as a result of favourable market conditions, particularly in continental Europe.
This meant adjusted earnings per share in the first half would be around 40% ahead of the same period last year, while the figure for the full year would be in the mid-teens in percentage terms.
Fyffes also said it was trying to counteract 'significant cost inflation' across the group, while it intended to invest €22m in new properties across Europe.
Shares in Fyffes initially jumped 5% after the news, and closed up 4.2%, up 10 cent to €2.43 in Dublin this evening.
