Dole Food Co. - food industry company news 
US: Dole Q1 "in line" despite EU lawsuit hit
3 May 2013
Dole Food Co. has insisted its first-quarter results were in line with expectations after underlying earnings were hit by a fine for alleged anti-competition practices in the EU.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
18 March 2013
Morrisons last week announced firmer plans for an online food service - and the UK retailer could join forces with specialist Ocado. Larger rival Tesco, meanwhile, launched its own price-comparison scheme to lure in customers. Tesco, however, attracted more headlines on horsemeat with another recall. On a separate note, an Irish meat firm was said to know its beef was contaminated a year ago. Dole Food Co., Chiquita and Diamond Foods were among companies announcing results and, on the M&A front, UK firm Burton's Biscuit Co. could soon be up for grabs.
EU: Dole to take competition fine case to EU's top court
15 March 2013
Dole Food Co. has said it will appeal at the European Court of Justice over the EU's decision to fine the fresh produce giant for anti-competitive practices.
On the money: Dole unveils "strategic" capex programme
13 March 2013
US produce group Dole Food Co. has detailed plans to step up the capital expenditure programme behind its strategic initiatives in 2013.
Sustainability Watch - Narrowing the Atlantic divide
26 November 2012
It is often said that European companies are ahead of their US counterparts in how they view corporate sustainability, with the latter too narrowly focused on environmental impacts under their immediate control and failing to see the bigger picture. Ben Cooper found at this year's FMI/GMA Sustainability Summit that attitudes are changing.
US: Dole bottom line improves - but shares fall
16 November 2012
Dole Food Co. has reported a smaller third-quarter loss - but its shares fell after Wall Street forecast a profit.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
24 September 2012
This week's coverage on just-food had the World Retail Congress at its centre. The event, held in London, heard Tesco CEO Philip Clarke say retailers should look to "mass personalisation". It also gave us the chance to interview India's Future Group on the country's reforms to allow more foreign investment into its retail sector.
On the money: Disposals give "flexibility" for growth, says Dole
19 September 2012
Dole Food Co. has said the sale of its global packaged food and Asian fresh businesses to Itochu Corp. will cut its debt and allow it more "flexibility" to look at growth opportunities.
US/JAPAN: Dole strikes deal to sell assets to Itochu
18 September 2012
US produce group Dole Food Co. has sold its global packaged food and Asian fresh businesses to Japanese conglomerate Itochu Corp. for US$1.7bn.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
17 September 2012
Late on Friday, India's government stunned the country with a wave of reforms, including the return of plans to ease restrictions on foreign investment into the retail sector. Further east, Japanese conglomerate Itochu Corp. confirmed it was in talks to buy Dole Food Co. assets - and expansion in China could be a factor in its interest.
In the spotlight: China a factor in Itochu interest in Dole
14 September 2012
A chunk of Dole Food Co.'s business could end up in the hands of one of Japan's largest trading houses it was announced this week - and China appears to be central to the potential deal.
US/JAPAN: Dole in talks to sell packaged food arm to Itochu
13 September 2012
US food group Dole Food Co. has admitted it is in talks to sell two units, including its packaged food arm, to Japanese conglomerate Itochu Corp.
US: Texas factor vital in Paramount Citrus' Healds Valley buy
27 July 2012
Paramount Citrus has said Healds Valley Farms' presence in Texas was a key factor in its decision to buy its US fresh produce peer.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
23 July 2012
Anxiety grew this week that unusual weather in the US, UK and elsewhere could push up commodity prices. The row over milk prices in the UK continued, with farmers blockading retail and processor sites as anger remained over price cuts. And Metro Group, the German retail giant, announced cuts of its own, with 900 jobs to be lost as it looks to lower costs.
US: Dole mulls packaged food disposal
20 July 2012
Dole Food Co. has admitted it is considering selling its global packaged foods business and could complete the move by the end of the year.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food this week
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, this week at last planted its first flag in Europe with an investment in UK cereal firm Weetabix. Elsewhere in Europe, the CEO of Norway-based consumer goods company Orkla quit amid a disagreement with the company's board and German retailer Metro Group reported a quarterly loss. We also published our latest Sustainability Watch interview, which focused on US food giant General Mills. Click on the headlines for more.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
8 May 2012
Bright Food, the Chinese food group, was full of confidence this week about the prospects for UK cereal firm Weetabix, its first investment in Europe after missing out on companies including United Biscuits and Yoplait. Elsewhere, Orkla explained why its CEO had resigned from the Norwegian consumer goods group, German retailer Metro Group insisted its sales were improving after it reported a quarterly loss and UK peer Morrisons said it would not chase unprofitable volumes despite a fall in like-for-like sales.
US: Produce group Dole mulls spin offs
4 May 2012
US produce giant Dole Food Co. is looking at potentially spinning off one or more of its businesses.
UPDATE: US: Dole points to external source of salmonella
16 April 2012
Dole Food Co. has insisted the salmonella contamination that has sparked a recall of batches of its Seven Lettuces salad in the US did not originate with the company.
US: Dole recalles Seven Lettuces salad
16 April 2012
Dole Food Co. has recalled batches of its Dole Seven Lettuces salad in the US due to possible salmonella contamination.
US: Produce supplier Dole swings to FY profit
16 March 2012
US fresh produce giant Dole Food Co. moved back into profit in 2011 thanks, in part, to cost control, higher sales and improved earnings from its fresh fruit and vegetable divisions.
US: Dole buys snacks firm Mrs May's Natural
5 March 2012
Dole Food Co. has acquired US healthy snack firm Mrs May's Natural for an undisclosed sum.
US: Dole urges US to "Go Bananas"
13 January 2012
Dole Food Co., the US produce giant, has launched a major campaign to encourage consumers to eat more bananas.
US: Dole reports underlying Q3 loss
21 November 2011
Produce giant Dole Food Co. has posted an underlying loss of US$15m for the third quarter of its financial year.
US: Dole buys stake in yonanas maker Healthy Foods
14 November 2011
Produce giant Dole Food Co. has bought an equity stake in Healthy Foods, the producer of the yonanas device that makes frozen treats.
US: Dole launches fruit products in US
26 October 2011
Produce giant Dole Food Co. has launched two products in the US that it claims will help consumers follow a healthier diet.
FINLAND: Dole buys fresh produce firm Fafi Fresh Cuts
14 October 2011
US-based fruit and vegetables group Dole Food Co. has acquired Finnish produce company Fafi Fresh Cuts.
US: Dole Food buys berry producer SunnyRidge Farm
12 October 2011
Dole Food Co. has acquired US berry producer SunnyRidge Farm.
US: Dole to sell Spanish and Portuguese units
21 September 2011
Dole Food Co. is to sell its ripening and distribution units in Spain and Portugal to the Compagnie Fruitière Group.
US: Chiquita joins MyPlate programme
25 August 2011
Chiquita Brands International has teamed up with the US Department of Agriculture to promote MyPlate, the new food advice initiative.
