Published October 30, 2009

Del Monte Pacific sued for breach of contract

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(SAN FRANCISCO) Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc has filed a US$100 million lawsuit against Del Monte Pacific Ltd, the Singapore-based beverage and packaged foods company, for breach of contract for allegedly selling pineapple concentrate in its territory.

Fresh Del Monte, the Grand Cayman-based fruit and vegetable packer and distributor, has exclusive rights to sell Del Monte brand food products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday in New York Supreme Court in Manhattan. Del Monte Pacific's Philippines unit attempted to sell pineapple juice concentrate in Africa in September, and Del Monte Pacific sells and ships the product in the Netherlands, the lawsuit says.

Fresh Del Monte filed similar lawsuits against the Singapore company in 2006, 2007 and 2008, the complaint says. The first two cases were settled and the third is pending. Del Monte Pacific's conduct violates the settlement agreements of the two earlier cases, the lawsuit says.

Wednesday's lawsuit seeks a court order banning Del Monte Pacific from further sales of Del Monte brand products in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, US$100 million in compensatory damages and unspecific punitive damages.

There was no answer at Del Monte Pacific's offices in Singapore. - Bloomberg