Q3 2025 Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #2: Good day , everyone , and welcome to Fresh Del Monte Produce third quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call . Today's conference call is being broadcast live over the internet and is also being recorded for playback purposes .
Speaker #2: All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise . After the speakers remarks , there will be a question and answer session .
Speaker #2: If you would like to ask a question during this time , simply press star . Then the number one on your telephone keypad .
Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, press star one again. For opening remarks and introductions, I would like to turn today's call over to the Vice President of Investor Relations with Fresh Del Monte Produce.
Speaker #2: Miss Christine Cannella , please go ahead . Miss Cannella .
Speaker #3: Thank you . Regina . Good day everyone , and thank you for joining our third quarter 2025 conference call . Joining me in today's discussion are Mr. Mohammad Abu Gonzalez , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Miss Monica Vicente , Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer .
Speaker #3: I hope that you have had a chance to review the press release that was issued earlier by a Businesswire . You may also visit the company's IR website at Investor Relations Fresh Del Monte Produce .
Speaker #3: To access today's earnings materials and to register for future distributions . This conference call is being webcast live on our website and will be available for replay after this call .
Speaker #3: Please note that our press release and our call today include non-GAAP measures , reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures are set forth in the press release and earnings presentation , which is available on our website .
Speaker #3: I would like to remind you that much of the information we will be speaking to today , including the answers we give in response to your questions , may include forward looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Federal securities laws .
Speaker #3: In today's press release and in our SEC filings , we detail risks that may cause our future results to differ materially from these forward looking statements .
Speaker #3: Our statements are , as of today , October the 29th , 2025 , and we have no obligation to update any forward looking statement we may make during the call .
Speaker #3: We will provide a business update along with an overview of our third quarter 2020 financial results , followed by a question and answer session .
Speaker #3: With that , I will turn today's call over to Mr. Mohammad Abu . Please go ahead .
Speaker #4: Thank you , Christine , and thank you for joining us for our third quarter 2025 earnings call . We delivered another quarter of steady progress , supported by strong execution across our portfolio .
Speaker #4: We saw continued gross margin expansion in our fresh and value added products segment . And our pineapple program continues to perform well . Overall , our third quarter results reflect our ongoing shift towards higher margin value added categories .
Speaker #4: A key driver of profitable growth . We also took important steps this quarter to enhance long term productivity and strengthen our financial performance .
Speaker #4: Most notably, we entered into an agreement to divest the operations of Man Packing, a business that has not met our profitability expectations.
Speaker #4: We believe this divestiture will strengthen our overall overall margin profile and enhance capital efficiency . Going forward . While this decisions are never easy , they underscore our disciplined approach to managing performance and ensuring that every part of our business contributes meaningfully to our bottom line .
Speaker #4: I would like to discuss a challenge facing the entire industry . The mounting pressure on global banana production , which I addressed last quarter and has since then only intensified .
Speaker #4: Fusarium wilt , tropical Race four , which which is known as TR4 , was confirmed in Ecuador . One of the world's largest banana producers , making a serious escalation in Latin America after previous detections in Colombia , Peru and Venezuela .
Speaker #4: It is a highly contagious soil borne disease with no cure , and it's already destabilizing the region and Peru . Where TR4 was first detected in 2021 .
Speaker #4: The impact is noticeable in the poorer region . The country's leading producer of organic bananas . A recent study found that 45% of farms are already infected , and about 10% have been completely eradicated .
Speaker #4: Small growers are under mounting pressure as black Sea spreads and TR4 reaches new countries with already thin margins across the sectors . Rising disease control costs are making survival increasingly difficult .
Speaker #4: At Fresh Del Monte . We have been preparing for these challenges for years . We are advancing work on TR4 resistant banana varieties and essential step toward long term resilience .
Speaker #4: But solutions of that scale take time . In the meantime , growers large and small are taking every possible measure to control these diseases .
Speaker #4: Each year, these efforts are becoming more demanding as the situation further deteriorates, placing new financial strains on growers across the industry.
Speaker #4: We are seeing the impact clearly in Costa Rica. As of August 25th, production in the industry has declined 22% year over year, which is roughly 18 million boxes lost, with most of that loss stemming directly from Black Sigatoka.
Speaker #4: For a country long recognized for its agricultural efficiency, that's a significant and concerning decline—one that inevitably drives costs higher across the industry.
Speaker #4: Demand for bananas remains strong . Was shifting . Is the balance between supply and demand and the underlying economics of the category . Understanding that shift is essential for everyone involved .
Speaker #4: Sustaining this category over the long term will require closer alignment across the value chain , ensuring that pressures in the fields are understood and shared throughout the supply chain .
Speaker #4: The farmer can no longer absorb these rising costs . It is easy to take the bananas for granted . Simple , familiar , always .
Speaker #4: There but behind that simplicity lies one of agriculture's most coordinated and collaborative supply chains . Protecting it is our shared responsibility . And if we don't act collectively to support growers and stabilize this supply chain , we risk seeing this fruit and the livelihoods behind it .
Speaker #4: Disappear before our eyes . That reality weighs heavily on me and drives much of our focus today . With that , I will turn over .
Speaker #4: I will turn it over to Monica Vicente , our CFO , to discuss our financial results .
Speaker #5: Thank you , Mr. Abu-ghazaleh , and good morning to everyone , and thank you for joining us today . Before reviewing our quarterly financials , I'd like to highlight several strategic actions we took during the quarter to strengthen our portfolio and drive long term value .
Speaker #5: We took important decisions to streamline operations and reallocate capital toward higher performing areas , which resulted in an impairment charge totaling $56 million , 18 million relates to the planned divestiture of Man Packing , which Mr. Abu-ghazaleh already mentioned .
Speaker #5: This supports our strategy to simplify operations and prioritize higher growth , higher margin categories . We acquired man Packing in 2018 and have now entered into agreement and agreement to sell the business , including substantially all operating assets .
Speaker #5: The buyer , Church Brothers Farms , will acquire machinery and equipment and customer lists for $19 million , plus the value of inventory at closing .
Speaker #5: The transaction excludes certain real property , including our Gonzalez , California facility , which we've agreed to lease for under a five year agreement with a renewal and purchase options .
Speaker #5: This divestiture is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2025 , subject to customary closing conditions . Man packing contributed $174 million in net sales during the first nine months , but was a headwind to our strategic margin targets for the fresh and value added products segment .
Speaker #5: We had previously pursued streamlining efforts , however , after further evaluation , we determined that a full divestiture better aligns with our long term strategy .
Speaker #5: During the quarter , we also recorded 37 million in impairment and other charges related to underperforming banana farms in the Philippines , which served our Asia and Middle East markets .
Speaker #5: Despite efforts to improve yields and manage costs , the farms continue to underperform , impacting profitability . After reassessing performance , we made the decision to abandon operations at these farms .
Speaker #5: This move enables us to reallocate resources to more productive supply channels . Continuing with our broader efficiency efforts , we sold a break bulk shipping vessel from our fleet during the quarter , and recently completed the sale of a second vessel .
Speaker #5: This reflects our continued shift away from legacy Breakbulk vessels , and we remain committed to our vertically integrated logistics model and operate six modern vessels supporting our global supply chain .
Speaker #5: Let's now review our financial results for the third quarter of 2025 , including adjusted results , which exclude the impact of demand packing divestiture .
Speaker #5: As Christine mentioned , reconciliations are available in today's press release and earnings presentation in our website . Net sales were a billion . 2020 2022 .
Speaker #5: Sorry , 1,022,000,000 . The increase reflects higher net sales in our banana and other product services segments , primarily driven by higher per unit selling prices in our banana segment .
Speaker #5: Contributing factors included the impact of tariff related price adjustments in North America and the favorable impact of fluctuations in exchange rates related to the euro .
Speaker #5: The increase was partially offset by lower sales volume in our fresh cut vegetable product line due to operational reductions taken during the fourth quarter of 2020 .
Speaker #5: For adjusted net sales of $960 million, gross profit was $81 million. The decrease was primarily driven by higher per unit production and procurement costs in the banana segment, along with increased distribution costs.
Speaker #5: Gross margin decreased to 7.9% . Adjusted gross profit was 88 million , and adjusted gross margin decreased to 9.2% . Despite margin compression this quarter reflects the resilience of our core business strength and early progress from our shift toward higher margin value added categories .
Speaker #5: We expect margin recovery and improved efficiency ahead , supported by the Manpack and divestiture and continued cost discipline . We reported an operating loss of 22 million , which reflects higher asset impairment and exit charges related to the underperforming banana farms in the Philippines and the impairment charges associated with divestiture of man packing , along with lower gross profit in the current period .
Speaker #5: On an adjusted basis , operating income was 40 million . Net loss attributable to Fresh Del Monte was 29 million , while on an adjusted basis , net income attributed to Fresh Del Monte was 33 million .
Speaker #5: Our diluted earnings per share was a loss of $0.61 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was income of $0.69 . Adjusted EBITDA was 58 million .
Speaker #5: We expect adjusted EBITDA margin to improve due to continued gross margin momentum in our fresh and value added product segment , and disciplined cost management .
Speaker #5: Let's take a closer look at the financial performance of our business segments , starting with our fresh and value added products segment . Net sales were 611 million .
Speaker #5: The decrease was primarily due to lower per unit selling prices in our avocado product line , driven by increased industry supply and lower net sales in our fresh cut vegetable product line .
Speaker #5: Following the operational reductions implemented during the fourth quarter of 2020 for previously mentioned offsetting factors included higher sales volume and per unit selling prices in our fresh cut Fruit product line , and increased per unit selling prices in our pineapple product line , along with tariff related price adjustments in North America .
Speaker #5: Adjusted net sales were $548 million. Gross profit was $68 million. The increase was driven by higher per unit selling prices in the pineapple and fresh-cut fruit product lines.
Speaker #5: Gross margin increased to 11.2% . An adjusted gross profit was 76 million , with adjusted gross margin increased to 13.9% . We aim to sustain gross margins in the low to mid teens for this segment , driven by continued improvements in our product mix .
Speaker #5: Within this segment . Now moving to the banana reporting segment . Net sales were 358 million . The increase was driven by higher per unit selling prices across all regions , including the favorable impact of fluctuations in exchange rates .
Speaker #5: Combined with the tariff related price adjustments in North America and higher sales volume in the Middle East . These gains were partially offset by lower sales volume in Asia and North America , reflecting softness in market demand during the quarter .
Speaker #5: Gross profit was $5 million, and the decrease was driven by higher per-unit production and procurement costs due to adverse weather conditions in our growing regions.
Speaker #5: In the first half of this year, increased distribution costs, along with an allowance recorded on a receivable from an independent grower in Asia.
Speaker #5: Gross margin decreased to 1.3%. Adjusted gross profit was $4 million, and adjusted gross margin decreased to 1.2%. Lastly, our other products and services segment net sales were $53 million.
Speaker #5: The increase was a result of higher net sales in our third party freight services business , partially offset by lower per unit selling prices in our poultry and meat business .
Speaker #5: Gross profit was 8 million . The decrease was due to lower net sales and higher production costs in our poultry and meats business .
Speaker #5: Gross margin decreased to 14.8%. Now moving to selected financial results for the third quarter of 2025. Our income tax provision was $4 million.
Speaker #5: The decrease was primarily driven by lower earnings in certain higher tax jurisdictions . Net cash provided by operating activities was 234 million for the first nine months .
Speaker #5: The increase was primarily due to working capital fluctuations, mainly lower accounts receivable, driven by timing of collections and reduced finished goods inventory.
Speaker #5: At the end of the third quarter of 2025, our long-term debt stood at $173 million. Our adjusted leverage ratio remains well below one times EBITDA.
Speaker #5: Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2025 totaled $36 million. Investments during the quarter focused on enhancing our banana and pineapple operations in Central America, as well as upgrading operations and production facilities in North America.
Speaker #5: Along with improving our pineapple operation in Kenya . As announced in our press release , we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share , payable on December 5th , 2020 , to shareholders of record as of November 12th , 2025 on an annualized basis , this equates to $1.20 per share , representing a dividend yield of 3.4% .
Speaker #5: Based on our current share price, during the third quarter, we repurchased just over 200,000 shares of our common stock for $7 million at an average price of $35.55 per share.
Speaker #5: We still have 135 million available under our share repurchase program . Taken together , these actions reflect our commitment to delivering long term value , supported by a strong , sustainable dividend and a balanced capital allocation strategy that includes opportunistic share repurchases .
Speaker #5: With that , let's turn to the outlook for the remainder of remainder of the year and the strategic priorities we continue to expect net sales growth of approximately 2% year over year , consistent with our prior guidance .
Speaker #5: As far as gross margins by business segment in our fresh and value added product segment , excluding the impact of the divestiture of Man Packing , gross margin is expected to be in the 11 to 13% range , primarily driven by strong performance in our pineapple product line and favorable product mix .
Speaker #5: While the divestiture of Man Packing is scheduled to close on December 15th . We expect to begin to begin realizing the benefits of the streamlined portfolio in the fourth quarter of 2025 , with a more pronounced impact on profitability and margin performance in 2026 .
Speaker #5: In our banana segment , gross margin is expected to compress below the historical 5 to 7% range , approaching 4% due to lower industry wide supply and cost pressures from deceased treatments .
Speaker #5: As well as weather related disruptions , which continue to cause shipping delays and port congestions . Both factors have significantly increased our costs .
Speaker #5: It's important to remember that with the banana segment , our focus remains on margin discipline over volume , and we continue to prioritize product quality and reliability for our customers even in the face of these extraordinary challenges .
Speaker #5: Bananas remain a foundational part of our product portfolio , essential for meeting customer expectations and supporting our broader commercial strategy , even if it's not a driver of growth for our products and services segment .
Speaker #5: Gross margin is expected to be in the range of 10 to 12% , slightly below prior expectations . This reflects lower selling prices in our poultry and meats business , which are pressuring margins .
Speaker #5: Selling general and administrative expenses are expected to be in the range of 205 to 207 million . Regarding CapEx , we now expect our full year spend to be in the range of 60 to 70 million .
Speaker #5: Down from 70 to 80 million previously communicated . This reflects updated project timelines , net cash provided by operating activities is expected to exceed the previously guided range of 180 to 190 million , coming closer to 190 to 200 million .
Speaker #5: In closing , we continue to actively manage external pressures , including elevated operating costs and macroeconomic uncertainty . The strategic actions we've taken this year , streamlining our portfolio , reallocating capital and enhancing supply chain resilience position us to navigate the rest of the year with agility and focus .
Speaker #5: These actions reflect our commitment to disciplined execution and long-term value creation. This concludes our financial review. We can now turn the call over to Q&A.
Speaker #5: Regina .
Speaker #2: We will now begin the question and answer session in order to ask a question , press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad .
Speaker #2: Our first question will come from the line of Mitch Pinheiro with Sturdivant and Company . Please go ahead .
Speaker #6: Yeah. Hey. Good morning.
Speaker #4: Good morning .
Speaker #6: Mitch . So want to start out with the look at the fresh and value added segment ? The . So the adjusted gross margin was kind of eye opening at 13.9% .
Speaker #6: And I know you're sort of guiding , you know , 11 to 13 . As you know , sort of your gross margin expectation .
Speaker #6: But I guess it's 13%. Is this the new normal for this business?
Speaker #5: I think we're getting there , Mitch . I think we'll be getting very close to that margin consistently . So yeah , you can see that the adjusted gross margin this quarter was very , very like you said , it's an eye opening now that we've excluded men .
Speaker #5: So we do expect to be very close to the 13% . We're still being cautious . We're doing the 11 to 13% . But we feel confident about this segment .
Speaker #6: And you know , I haven't seen the the Q yet . But you know , I'm curious . Pineapples . Obviously the supply has been down right now .
Speaker #6: But you're getting some pricing . You are your costs up in pineapples as well , like you talked about the bananas and you know , more cost for on the on the , you know , at the farm level .
Speaker #6: But is is there and actually at the port shipping . But is are pineapple . You know margins still going to be your strongest of your in that segment ?
Speaker #4: Yes . That's that's a fact . And you know , when it comes to cost , cost , the pineapple thank God doesn't have the same diseases or same , you know , kind of plagues that is happening to the bananas .
Speaker #4: So we don't see , you know , increases in terms of applications of certain chemicals to , to , to our farms , you in the pineapple business .
Speaker #4: So pineapple does not definitely . There is , you know , inflation adjusted cost increases , which is normal . You know , be on the labor side or , or other services .
Speaker #4: But all in all it's it's a normal kind of environment . So we don't expect significant cost increases on pineapples . And you are right .
Speaker #4: I mean , the pineapple category is volumes are more or less are static and and the demand is in general outstripping supply . So as we speak today , we we we don't have enough to allocate to every customer that we have .
Speaker #4: So it's more selective today than being in the past .
Speaker #6: Yeah , I've noticed , you know , you were obviously the leader in sort of innovation in pineapples and the marketing around it , but I'm also seeing some of your competitors start to like , I guess , start to try to emulate some some new product varieties .
Speaker #6: And I was wondering if , you know , if it's essentially raising the value of , of the , of the , the fruit with continued innovation and improved quality , is that do you get the sense consumers notice that ?
Speaker #4: Well , yes , of course . I mean , we yeah . I mean the better kind the better fruit that you deliver to the market , the more ripe , the more higher sugar content , better , you know , sweetness or taste .
Speaker #4: Definitely have an influence on the consumption and the and the buyer kind of . Appetite to buy it . I mean , there is no question that , you know , we I think as Del Monte , we have been , you know , pioneer and at the forefront of innovation and development , you know , and I wish everybody else good luck with whatever they are doing .
Speaker #4: But I mean , Del Monte has a history of being , you know , the forefront into this . And I think that will remain in place .
Speaker #6: And you still see from a supply point of view when, when what's your best estimate for when you start to see demand supply recover?
Speaker #4: I don't think that supply is going to , you know , as we go forward years ahead , you know , there is not too much land left in Costa Rica .
Speaker #4: We cannot double production. For instance, it's impossible, or let's say 20% or 30% more than what? What is happening right now?
Speaker #4: And Costa Rica is the major producing country in all Latin America . I mean , so and it's not easy to grow pineapples anywhere you want .
Speaker #4: You know , land is restricted environment as well . Concerns are part of this . You know , restrictions on on additional acreage or additional , you know , production .
Speaker #4: So I believe consumption on a global level is going to increase . And we see that actually not only in North America , but we see that in Europe .
Speaker #4: We see that in the Middle East . We see that in Asia . It's a it's a growing , let's say , commodity .
Speaker #4: It's it's becoming more fashionable for people to eat more pineapples . And especially because of the , the , the good quality of these pineapples today .
Speaker #4: So I can tell you , you know , the Middle East , we are almost 100% , almost 100% in the market . I mean , and because of our proximity from Kenya into the onto these markets , our Brazilian plantations are in progress right now in in about three years from now , we will start having production out of Brazil , you know , which will be the only company anywhere in the world that has production of md2 gold pineapple in Brazil .
Speaker #4: So that that will kick in . You know , it may take some time , but I think that will be very significant for us going forward in the future .
Speaker #4: And we're looking at other areas of expanding pineapples as well as we speak . So I mean , in terms of our positioning , you know , in pineapple are very confident and comfortable , actually with , with , with , with our pineapple business going forward in the future .
Speaker #4: Mitch .
Speaker #6: Okay . And then just just two more questions on the fresh and value added avocados . I know supply is is strong and pricing has been down .
Speaker #6: Do you see that kind of reversing here in the in the you the next six months as as you see a pricing firming I should say .
Speaker #4: It could happen . You know because actually you know with with Peru increasing volumes with Colombia increasing volumes and other countries , Chile and California and you know , the Mexicans did not have that opportunity .
Speaker #4: I mean , if you look at the prices year over year , I think that period , you know , we were talking about $70 , 60 , 70 , $80 , a box of avocado .
Speaker #4: Now it's selling for almost half of that . So you can see the the impact on the revenue itself . I mean , for , for as , as , as a seller ourselves , of course , that will impact our revenue , you know , selling the same volume for 80 or 70 or 60 , rather than selling at 30 or 35 .
Speaker #4: That makes a huge difference . But there could be maybe a pickup , you know , during the next 2 or 3 months , because Mexico will be more or less .
Speaker #4: Exclusive in one way, in terms of supply to North America. But I think it will not be a long-term kind of escalation.
Speaker #4: You know , escalation in prices . I think that prices will remain more or less in the region that we are seeing right now , between maybe 30 and $50 , but not more .
Speaker #5: And remember , in which we , we buy the , the product from the grower . So we , we have the , the margin based on what we buy and sell .
Speaker #5: So even though the sale price is much lower , our cost is lower as well . So our margins have stayed pretty , you know , pretty more or less even from last year .
Speaker #5: So unfortunately , impacts our sales . But a margin is not impacted as much .
Speaker #6: Yeah . And then so but with with pricing coming down , shouldn't that would you expect to see stronger volumes consumption .
Speaker #4: Well I don't see the prices of the retail to be really reflecting that adjusted .
Speaker #5: Yeah I'm a big backer of avocados and I'm still paying the same .
Speaker #6: Okay okay . Just switching gears to well , I did want to ask about how your fresh cut fruit business is doing . I didn't see any comments around that .
Speaker #5: They're doing . Yeah . No , Prescott is doing excellent as well . Like you like , you know , we we view that together with the pineapple is one of the primary products .
Speaker #5: And it's it performed very well during the quarter . And we expect to continue with with a strong performance .
Speaker #4: I don't I don't remember if I mentioned , you know , earlier last year that we started fresh guacamole . You know , offering fresh guacamole in the market .
Speaker #4: You know , and we started this new category , which is 100% fresh guacamole . And it was like we started from zero .
Speaker #4: And today I think we will end at the end of this year with about $8 million in revenue on that category alone . So that tells you where our innovation is .
Speaker #4: And where we are going .
Speaker #6: Okay . And .
Speaker #4: Moving on with reasonably good margin .
Speaker #6: Yep . I just wanted to move on to the banana business . So . You know , pretty you laid out the issues pretty well from , from a category .
Speaker #6: What I was curious about was why banana volume or consumption is so high in North America. I'm not sure what it is in Europe, but why?
Speaker #6: Consumption is down . I've asked before we we really don't know . I guess , but I was wondering if you have any recent insights as to the consumption .
Speaker #4: Well , it's it's seasonal , I would believe . Mitch , you know , during the summer with all the summer fruits availability , you know , and people usually during the summer will go for more .
Speaker #4: Let's say , like watermelon and melons and grapes . And so I think it's , it's , it's , it's not a trend .
Speaker #4: I think it's a hiccup . Bananas more or less consumption wise , will will be . Will be stable . I don't believe that that we will see a huge drop into banana consumption in terms of consumer appetite .
Speaker #4: But my the problem is that the costs are going up and the prices are not moving in the same direction . So and that is the dilemma here .
Speaker #4: You know , I mean , and the diseases are not going away . The disease is , is , is , is continuing and spreading and intensifying .
Speaker #4: As a matter of fact . So I if you remember , a few years back , I said that we will see bananas at $20 a box .
Speaker #4: We are almost there . You know , I mean , today , you know , if you look at Ecuador , just the fruit alone is around 12 , 11 to $12 .
Speaker #4: The per box , just the fruit . Aside from all the other costs of packaging and services . So if you add up everything , you know you're talking about could be 16 , 15 , 16 , $17 and even more per box .
Speaker #4: So we are talking about , you know , I mean , substantial increases and , and , and the most important thing which people do not really .
Speaker #4: Focus on is the spread in , in in Central America as well as as I mentioned earlier , the , the for disease , which it's it's it's not if it's when it's , it's just a matter of time when it's going to be spreading and , and we saw that in the Philippines and , and the right of or that we took you know the Philippines and the soy yesterday , it was because of , of , of of that .
Speaker #4: I mean , we became I mean , the disease has no matter what you do , it's like a losing battle , you know , against that disease .
Speaker #4: You know , I mean , you can replant . And then three years later , four years later , you lose the tree again .
Speaker #4: So this is really people don't understand . And realize , you know , how how serious this , this issue is . And this is going to happen , be it tomorrow or after a year or 2 or 3 is going to happen .
Speaker #4: It's going to come . And I can assure you that that disease does not stop . It spreads . It's just a matter of time .
Speaker #5: And Mitch , you know , you you see our margin for the banana suffered this quarter and and we're projecting closer to 4% for the year .
Speaker #5: The impact of the Sigatoka is very significant , not only because you have lower volume coming out of the ground , but the cost to protect the , you know , the farms from Sigatoka is very high .
Speaker #5: So it's very obvious, personal results. The impact of these diseases.
Speaker #6: So . So . The one thing you know , bananas are obviously , you know , I guess the , the , you know , largest category of fruit , I guess in the United States .
Speaker #6: And maybe apples are , but certainly hugely important . And with all these added costs and the margins have always been kind of thin , you know , you'd expect pricing to , to rise .
Speaker #6: But there's always been some element of irrationality , you know , among all the major players and in pricing , maybe you excluded .
Speaker #6: But my , my question is I noticed that the four largest banana producers formed a new organization , the . You poodle fiefs and .
Speaker #6: The other the other one , whatever it is . Yeah .
Speaker #4: And of course .
Speaker #6: And then . You know , does that is this level of cooperation maybe a sign down the road that there's going to be a little more rationality to the quarter , and banana pricing relative to the increase in costs and lower supply .
Speaker #4: I don't think that that association or that kind of gathering by the four banana companies was mainly to streamline the business better and not nothing to do with actually influencing volumes or pricing in the market .
Speaker #4: It's rather than to understand the business better and trying to find solutions , you know , in terms of hopefully , you know , agricultural practices and other logistical issues .
Speaker #4: But the point here , Mitch , and people don't understand and don't get it , that all of a sudden one day , everybody will wake up and all of a sudden there is not enough bananas to .
Speaker #4: And we we see that in other countries in the world , you know , I mean , I see that in the Philippines .
Speaker #4: I saw that in Africa . All of a sudden , you know , over years , the banana production is totally lost and or 50 , 60% down on the previous I mean , on the normal trend .
Speaker #4: And this is going to happen , you know , I mean , and we can see that actually , as we speak right now in Ecuador .
Speaker #4: Ecuador is the largest producer of bananas in the world . And right now you can see that the production is not picking up as it used to be .
Speaker #4: And that's an indication of , of of what's going on in the industry . And people don't understand that . You know , I've been all my life in this , in this business .
Speaker #4: And I know and I can , I can anticipate , you know , things and I believe that there will come a time that there will be a huge drop in production .
Speaker #4: And as you can see , as a company ourselves , we are very careful . We are very stringent and we are very we calculate our steps .
Speaker #4: I mean , we we're not here to lose money , you know , I mean , we are here to make money to our shareholders and we will do whatever is necessary to streamline our business in the best way we can be it on bananas or any other item .
Speaker #4: And I think for bananas in particular , there will come a time that people realize that there is not enough bananas in the market and the prices will shoot up in a way that will be a shock to the market .
Speaker #4: And and that's the reality . You know that if people really take this into consideration , it's better to really improve conditions for the growing side of bananas and supply side in order to maintain stability and continuity .
Speaker #4: But it's it's a short term , in my opinion . Short term vision and short term . Kind of strategy . That is happening right now .
Speaker #4: It's just like Monica mentioned a few minutes ago . You know , I mean , the chemical that we apply to Sigatoka , which is the black , it turns the leaves into totally black , you know , and then we lose the bunches on the , on the tree .
Speaker #4: The price of this product, the chemical, which is the only one in the world, doesn't have a choice. You only have one product that you need to use.
Speaker #4: And that product has increased over the last two years by over 50% , 40 , 50% . And still going up . And you have no choice either .
Speaker #4: You spray and the problem that the disease is getting immunity . I mean , that disease , the it's becoming adapting to that chemical .
Speaker #4: So you need to apply more to try to prevent it or control it . It's a vicious you circle . You know , if you don't apply or if you don't apply enough , you will lose more fruit .
Speaker #4: But if you're going to apply more cycles into , into into the field , that means more cost to you . So it's it's really I mean , if you look at our cost , it's about dollars , $30.40 today .
Speaker #4: But per box just for this chemical alone applications . So I think that's , that's the reality of the , of this situation .
Speaker #6: So 111 other question is about the black sigatoka . Is one one other mitigation effort can be , you know , fewer trees , more , more less canopy , more sunlight .
Speaker #6: That's that .
Speaker #4: That is exactly what I said earlier . 18 million boxes down in Costa Rica , production on a national level , that's mainly because of it's not because of anything else , mainly because of Saratoga .
Speaker #6: Right . So okay , okay , I got you .
Speaker #4: And and if this happens in Ecuador , if this happens in Guatemala , if this happens in Panama , it's the same story .
Speaker #6: Okay . And then just one other , one other question . And tariffs across across your entire portfolio . How much did tariffs add to the top line .
Speaker #5: We haven't given that that number Mitch . But you know we did we were able to pass on the tariffs in North America .
Speaker #5: But we haven't given the number .
Speaker #4: Okay . It's really minimal . It's not much . It's minimal .
Speaker #6: Okay . All right . And . That's that's all I have I appreciate the time . .
Speaker #4: Pleasure. Thank you, Mitch.
Speaker #5: Thank you Mitch .
Speaker #2: Once again, for any questions, press star one on your telephone keypad. That will conclude our question and answer session. I will now turn the call back over to Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh for closing remarks.
Speaker #4: Thank you everyone . I appreciate you joining us today and hope to talk to you in the next call . Have a good day .
Speaker #2: That will conclude today's call . Thank you all for joining . You may now disconnect .