Chiquita Names Peter F. Smit as President of Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern Operations

CINCINNATI, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chiquita Brands International, Inc. announced today that it has appointed Peter F. Smit, 54, as president, Chiquita Fresh Group - Asia-Pacific and Middle East. Based in Singapore, he will be responsible for all aspects of the company's operations in the region, reporting to Bob Kistinger, president and chief operating officer of Chiquita Fresh. Smit most recently served as chief of the market development section for the International Trade Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, a United Nations agency specialized in assisting developing countries to improve their export performance.

Prior to his work at the International Trade Centre, Smit served for 25 years at Procter & Gamble in a variety of marketing and operating roles. He was general manager of P&G Russia, where he achieved profitability within three years. As vice president and general manager of P&G Egypt and East Africa, he built this emerging market to a $200 million business. His last P&G assignment was as vice president and general manager of P&G's baby care and feminine care business in Australia, Asean countries and India.

"Peter's extensive consumer products and international trade experience has given him the background essential for success," said Fernando Aguirre, chairman and chief executive officer. "I'm confident that Peter's entrepreneurial skills and energetic attitude will help us pursue profitable growth and enter new markets in the region."

Aguirre noted that the company's Asia leadership team will now be based in the region. "In my experience, it's critical to be close to both consumers and customers in the local marketplace," he said. Smit's appointment complements the previously announced hiring of Peter Foyston as general manager of China business development. Foyston, who is based in Guangzhou, has more than 16 years of consumer products experience, including a decade of successful work with Procter & Gamble in China.

"I believe there's a great deal of potential to take advantage of the recent growth Chiquita has enjoyed in this region," Smit said. "I am looking forward to leveraging our brand in Asia and the Middle East as we pursue additional opportunities for profitable growth."

Smit earned a master's degree in business economics from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He has spent his entire career internationally in locations such as Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Indonesia and Singapore.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (http://www.chiquita.com/) is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added produce, which is sold under the Chiquita(R) premium brand, Fresh Express(R) and other related trademarks. The company is one of the largest banana producers in the world and a major supplier of bananas in Europe and North America. In June 2005, Chiquita acquired Fresh Express, the U.S. market leader

in value-added salads, a fast-growing food category for grocery retailers, foodservice providers and quick-service restaurants.