The end of the earnings season is always a good time to take a step back and see who shined (and who not so much). Let’s take a look at how perishable food stocks fared in Q3, starting with Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE: FDP).

The perishable food industry is diverse, encompassing large-scale producers and distributors to specialty and artisanal brands. These companies sell produce, dairy products, meats, and baked goods and have become integral to serving modern American consumers who prioritize freshness, quality, and nutritional value. Investing in perishable food stocks presents both opportunities and challenges. While the perishable nature of products can introduce risks related to supply chain management and shelf life, it also creates a constant demand driven by the necessity for fresh food. Companies that can efficiently manage inventory, distribution, and quality control are well-positioned to thrive in this competitive market. Navigating the perishable food industry requires adherence to strict food safety standards, regulations, and labeling requirements.

The 12 perishable food stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues along with next quarter’s revenue guidance were in line with analysts’ consensus estimates.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 3.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Fresh Del Monte Produce (NYSE: FDP)

Translating to "of the mountain" in Spanish, Fresh Del Monte (NYSE: FDP) is a leader in providing high-quality, sustainably grown fresh fruits and vegetables.

Fresh Del Monte Produce reported revenues of $1.02 billion, flat year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1.9%, but it was still a very strong quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

“We delivered another quarter of strategic progress, with overall net sales slightly higher and gross margin expanding in our fresh and value-added products segment. These results reflect the strength of our execution and our disciplined focus on higher-margin, value-added categories that continue to drive profitable growth,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and CEO.

Interestingly, the stock is up 9.8% since reporting and currently trades at $37.72.

Is now the time to buy Fresh Del Monte Produce? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Best Q3: Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO)

Founded in 1983 in California, Mission Produce (NASDAQ: AVO) grows, packages, and distributes avocados.

Mission Produce reported revenues of $319 million, down 10% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 8.5%. The business had an incredible quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ gross margin estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Mission Produce delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 6.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $12.27.

Is now the time to buy Mission Produce? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Slowest Q3: Calavo (NASDAQ: CVGW)

A trailblazer in the avocado industry, Calavo Growers (NASDAQ: CVGW) is a pioneering California-based provider of high-quality avocados and other fresh food products.

Calavo reported revenues of $124.7 million, down 26.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 15.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

Calavo delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. Interestingly, the stock is up 12.9% since the results and currently trades at $25.49.

Read our full analysis of Calavo’s results here.

Dole (NYSE: DOLE)

Known for its delicious pineapples and Hawaiian roots, Dole (NYSE: DOLE) is a global agricultural company specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables.

Dole reported revenues of $2.28 billion, up 10.5% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 5.7%. Taking a step back, it was a slower quarter as it recorded a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

The stock is up 10.8% since reporting and currently trades at $14.56.

Read our full, actionable report on Dole here, it’s free.

Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT)

Standing out from typical processed pet foods, Freshpet (NASDAQ: FRPT) is a pet food company whose product portfolio includes natural meals and treats for dogs and cats.

Freshpet reported revenues of $288.8 million, up 14% year on year. This result beat analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also put up a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 29.6% since reporting and currently trades at $63.30.

Read our full, actionable report on Freshpet here, it’s free.

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