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FRESH DEL MONTE PRODUCE INC (FDP)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 delivered solid execution: net sales rose 4% to $1.1825B, gross profit increased 6% to $120.1M, and gross margin expanded 30 bps to 10.2%, driven by proprietary pineapple varieties and fresh-cut fruit momentum .
- Adjusted diluted EPS of $1.23 beat S&P Global consensus of $0.95, and revenue of $1.1825B exceeded consensus of $1.1575B; GAAP diluted EPS was $1.18 (consensus figures marked with asterisks and sourced from S&P Global)* .
- Segment trends: Fresh & Value-Added net sales up 4% with gross margin at 11.7%; Banana net sales up 4% with margin at 7.3% given weather and disease pressures; Other Products & Services saw modest margin compression .
- Balance sheet and capital allocation remained disciplined: long-term debt reduced to $201M; quarterly dividend declared at $0.30; no buybacks in Q2 (remaining authorization $142.4M) .
- FY25 outlook reiterated, with CapEx lowered to $70–$80M (from $80–$90M) and operating cash flow guided to $180–$190M; containerization shift in Asia and strong premium pineapple demand are near-term catalysts .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Premium pineapple demand and proprietary varieties drove pricing and margins: “Sales growth was fueled by continued demand for our core products, including our proprietary pineapple varieties” .
- Fresh-cut fruit momentum and geographic expansion: strong market demand, margin improvement, and plans for global fresh-cut facility expansion supporting low-teens gross margins in segment over time .
- Operating discipline and capital structure: debt reduced to $201M; adjusted EBITDA margin improved YoY to 8.1%; dividend maintained at $0.30 .
What Went Wrong
- Banana margins compressed (7.3% vs. 7.6% PY) due to adverse weather, disease (Black Sigatoka), and higher distribution/tariff-related costs; volume softness in Asia and North America .
- Tariff-related charges and port congestion increased distribution costs; Caldera port swells created 3–5 day delays and broader logistics impacts .
- FX and local inflationary pressures (Costa Rican colón strength) offset euro/GBP tailwinds, raising production costs in key sourcing regions .
Financial Results
Consolidated KPIs (GAAP and Adjusted)
Actual vs S&P Global Consensus – Q2 2025
Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Segment Performance (Net Sales and Gross Margin)
Additional KPIs
Value with asterisk retrieved from S&P Global.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Sales growth was fueled by continued demand for our core products, including our proprietary pineapple varieties, and strong momentum across our fresh-cut business… These results affirm the power of focus and execution” — Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, CEO .
- “We are continuing to build on this momentum as we work toward our goal of sustaining double-digit gross margins in the low teens for this segment” — Monica Vicente, CFO (Fresh & Value-Added) .
- “There is a global shortage in banana production… we are pleased to report that field testing of TR4-resistant gene-edited banana lines is expected to begin in the coming months” — CEO .
- “We plan to sell two older vessels later this year” and shift to containerized shipping in Asia to enhance efficiency — CFO ; confirmed via CMA CGM partnership .
Q&A Highlights
- Pineapple supply/demand: Management expects continued supply tightness into 2026; expansion underway in Costa Rica, Africa, Brazil, and the Philippines; Costa Rica growth “a little bit higher than mid-single digits” through 2027 .
- Pinkglow ramp: Regulatory approvals to expand acreage in Costa Rica; 18-month timeline for added supply; early Middle East entry shows strong pricing and sell-through (e.g., ~$30–$33 per fruit in UAE online) .
- Banana disease and pricing: Black Sigatoka materially impacting supply; costs rising; management notes industry pricing dynamics need to reflect reality to sustain suppliers .
- Logistics assets: Two Asia-serving vessels to be sold; container lines replacing breakbulk; North America logistics remains flexible .
- Equity earnings and FX: ~$6M equity income from unconsolidated food/nutrition investments; euro/GBP/JPY strength aided net sales while CRC strength was a headwind on production costs .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025 beat vs consensus: Adjusted EPS $1.23 vs $0.95*; revenue $1.1825B vs $1.1575B*. Management’s gross margin and segment commentary aligns with a positive revision bias to fresh-cut and premium pineapple expectations .
- Prior quarter context: Q1 2025 adjusted EPS $0.63 vs consensus $0.615*; revenue $1.098B vs $1.118B* (slight revenue miss amid banana/FX headwinds)* .
Values with asterisks retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mix-led inflection: Proprietary pineapple and fresh-cut fruit momentum continue to drive gross margin expansion toward low-teens targets in Fresh & Value-Added; this underpins earnings trajectory into H2 .
- Banana risk managed, not eliminated: Weather/disease (Black Sigatoka/TR4) remain structural headwinds; R&D (TR4-resistant lines) and sourcing diversification (Somalia, Brazil) are medium-term mitigants .
- Logistics modernization: Asia containerization and vessel sales should improve cold-chain quality and reduce handling-related losses; expect incremental efficiency and customer satisfaction benefits .
- Capital discipline: Debt reduced to $201M and dividend sustained at $0.30; buyback capacity ($142.4M) provides optionality if valuation dislocation occurs .
- Guidance largely intact with prudent tweaks: CapEx trimmed to $70–$80M and operating cash flow now $180–$190M; SG&A maintained; fresh-cut margin goals reiterated .
- Near-term trading setup: Positive Q2 beat on EPS/revenue and visible margin drivers in fresh-cut/pineapple could support estimate revisions; monitor banana disease/logistics to gauge sustainability .
- Medium-term thesis: Brand/moat in premium tropicals plus value-added innovation (e.g., fresh guacamole) and biomass initiatives create durable mix shift; execution on global sourcing and containerization is key .