Chiquita Appoints Ritchey Chief Accounting Officer

CINCINNATI - Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB) announced today that the company’s board of directors has appointed Lori A. Ritchey, 45, as vice president, controller and chief accounting officer effective April 9, 2009. Ritchey will report to Jeffrey M. Zalla, Chiquita’s senior vice president and chief financial officer.

“Lori has extensive global experience in accounting, finance, and business processes with high-growth organizations,” said Zalla. “We look forward to her significant contributions as Chiquita’s global leader of accounting, financial reporting, and internal control functions.” She assumes the duties from Brian D. Donnan, who has decided to retire after ten years with the company.

“Brian provided solid leadership as controller both for the total company since late 2007, and prior to that, at Fresh Express, where he contributed to the company expanding market leadership in value-added salads,” said Zalla. “We appreciate Brian’s contributions to our global business during the past ten years and we wish him well in his retirement.”

Ritchey joined Chiquita in 2008 as vice president, internal audit. Prior to joining Chiquita, Ritchey was with MeadWestvaco Corp., a US$7 billion global provider of packaging solutions for consumer products, where she served as head of internal audit and earlier, as manager of external reporting. Her prior experience includes seven years at Deloitte, most recently as audit manager, and three years with Ethicon Endo Surgery, Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson, in financial analysis.

ABOUT CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Chiquita Brands International, Inc. is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products - from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita(R) and Fresh Express(R) premium brands and other related trademarks. With annual revenues of nearly US$4 billion, Chiquita employs approximately 23,000 people and has operations in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit www.chiquita.com.

Source: Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

Ed Loyd, Chiquita Brands International, Inc., +1-513-784-8935, eloyd at chiquita.com