Dole Food Reports Sharp Rise in 1st-Quarter Profit

Dole Food Co., a Westlake Village food concern, reported a sharp increase in its first-quarter profit after taking steps to bolster its European operations.

In the three months that ended March 23, Dole earned $30 million, up 27% from the $23.6 million in net income it posted a year earlier. Its revenue fell 4%, to $814.4 million from $849.1 million.

The company said increases in its pre-cut salad and fresh and processed pineapple operations helped offset weakness in its banana business.