Sales and profits rose for Chile-based berry multinational Hortifrut in the first quarter of 2016, as the company continued to make significant investments for future growth.

In its financial results, the company said sales were up 5.8% at US$171 million while EBITDA jumped 26.1% to reach US$30.6 million.

Part of the performance can be attributed to late harvests of some fruit in Chile which initially was planned for trading in the fourth quarter of 2015.

The delay was caused by heavy rains and the late arrival of adequate temperatures for fruit ripening.

Hortifrut also invested US$13 million in new plantations and infrastructure during the period.

With operations in North America, Central America, South America, Europe and Asia, Hortifrut is a global company covers a wide range of activities in the berry business, including fruit breeding, technological development, production, distribution and sales.

Photo: Hortifrut

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