Exhibit 5






                                 Robert W. Olson
              Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
                       Chiquita Brands International Inc.
                              250 East Fifth Street
                             Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

                                  May 17, 2002



Securities & Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Dear Sir or Madam:

         I have acted as counsel to Chiquita Brands International, Inc., a New
Jersey corporation ("Chiquita"), in connection with the registration of an
aggregate of 6,725,926 shares of Chiquita's Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share (the "Shares"), which may be issued pursuant to the Chiquita 2002 Stock
Option and Incentive Plan and the Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Stock Unit
Plan (the "Plans").

         I have examined such records and documents and have made such
investigations of law and fact as I have deemed necessary for purposes of this
opinion and, based upon such review, I am of the opinion that the Shares have
been duly and validly authorized and, when issued or sold in accordance with the
terms of the Plans, will be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an Exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by Chiquita to effect
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of the Shares.

                                         Very truly yours,


                                         /s/ Robert W. Olson