Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS:CVGW) today reported that fiscal 2009 third quarter net income rose 77 percent over the corresponding period last year, paced by a nearly 10 percent increase in revenue. Double-digit fresh avocado sales growth and continued strong gross margins drove operating results, according to the company, the global leader in avocado marketing and an expanding provider of other perishable produce items.

For the three months ended July 31, 2009, net income advanced to $2.5 million, equal to $0.17 per diluted share, from $1.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Revenues in the most recent quarter climbed to $106.3 million, the highest level for any quarter in company history, from $96.9 million in the like three months last year.

Gross margin equaled $9.9 million, rising 29 percent from $7.7 million in last year’s third quarter. As a percentage of net sales, total gross margin in the most recent quarter improved 137 basis points to 9.3 percent from 7.9 percent one year ago, propelled principally by contributions from a larger supply of fresh avocados, which also favorably impacted the company’s Processed Product segment.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lee E. Cole stated: “Calavo registered another outstanding quarter that was in line with plan. Our operating performance reflects the measured, disciplined strides we have made implementing our strategic business agenda, a central component of which is diversified sourcing for fresh avocados both to meet customer demand and provide a continuous stream of product through our distribution system.

“These efforts are serving us well and the beneficial effect is evident in Calavo’s rising gross margin trend line and improved utilization of our infrastructure,” Cole continued.

Fresh Products reporting segment sales advanced 12 percent to $94.7 million in the most recent quarter from $84.8 million in the fiscal 2008 third period. While the total Fresh Products unit volume was largely unchanged, segment results were propelled by a 78 percent increase year-to-year in fresh avocado units sourced from Mexico, which offset a cyclically smaller California harvest. Gross margin as a percentage of Fresh Products sales equaled 6.8 percent in the most recent quarter, which compares with 7.3 percent in the year-earlier third period.

Net sales in the Processed Products reporting segment totaled $11.6 million in the third period versus $12.1 million in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2008. Segment gross margin rose sharply to $3.5 million, a 128 percent improvement from $1.5 million one year ago, reflecting favorable fruit costs and management’s continued emphasis on achieving operating efficiencies. This translates to gross margin as a percentage of Processed Products sales of 30.1 percent in the most recent quarter versus 12.7 percent in the like period of fiscal 2008.

Net income for the nine months ended July 31, 2009 expanded more than three-fold—203 percent year-over-year—to a record $11.3 million, equal to $0.78 per diluted share, which compares with $3.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the initial three quarters of fiscal 2008. Revenues totaled $263.8 million versus $267.9 million one year ago. Gross margin reached a record $35.3 million, or 13.4 percent of revenues, advancing 68 percent from $21.0 million, or 7.8 percent of revenues, in the like period of fiscal 2008.

“As a point of considerable note to underscore the success of our strategy,” CEO Cole stated, “Calavo’s gross margin in the initial nine months of this year surpassed our total for the full fiscal 2008 year, which itself was the former all-time high.”

Cole continued: “To have outstripped that previous record with a quarter still remaining in fiscal 2009 is both enormously gratifying and strong indication of Calavo’s profit-generating potential. Our operating performance and sustained record level of profitability have further bolstered Calavo’s already-strong balance sheet. Viewed in the context of a continued, struggling broader economy, the company’s performance and enviable financial position are all the more impressive.”

The Outlook Moving Forward

Commenting on the final quarter, Cole stated that he looks forward to Calavo successfully completing “its strongest year ever in fiscal 2009 while the industry transitions into the next crop cycles.”

“Turning to 2010 and beyond, we maintain a genuine sense of excitement and confidence about Calavo’s prospects,” Cole continued. “According to Calavo’s estimates, available U.S. avocado supply is expected to expand to at least 1.5 billion pounds in the coming year from current 1.0 billion pound levels. Furthermore, this expansion is not anticipated to be a one-time anomaly or cyclical spike and, instead, is due to additional plantings and new fruit sources. It is, in effect, expected to be the baseline moving forward—building upon increased recognition of avocados’ health benefits, shifting demographics and mainstream acceptance.

“As the avocado market-share leader, this crop expansion offers the potential to significantly benefit Calavo in the form of larger volumes of fruit through our unit-driven business model. With overhead investments already in place—including leading-edge, value-added ripening programs to spur consumption—we possess considerable capacity to drive more fresh avocados through our existing infrastructure, while pursuing a larger share of this expanded market. We view these developments with considerable anticipation,” Cole concluded.

About Calavo Growers, Inc.

Calavo Growers, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the procurement and marketing of fresh avocados and other perishable foods, as well as the manufacturing and distribution of processed avocado products. Founded in 1924, Calavo’s expertise in marketing and distributing avocados, processed avocados, and other perishable products enables it to serve food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets and restaurants on a global basis.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements relating to future events and results of Calavo (including certain projections and business trends) that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results and events may differ from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: increased competition, conducting substantial amounts of business internationally, pricing pressures on agricultural products, adverse weather and growing conditions confronting avocado growers, new governmental regulations, as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, without limitation, the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2008. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.