UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): September 28, 2004

Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey	1-1550	04-1923360
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
250 East Fifth Street, Cincinnati, OH		45202
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 513-784-8000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On September 28, 2004 Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (the "Company") elected Tanios Viviani as Vice President, Fresh Cut Fruit. Pursuant to his offer letter, the Company agreed that, following completion by Mr. Viviani of one full year of service with the Company, if his employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company for reasons other than "cause," he would be eligible for severance in an amount equal to one year of his then current base salary.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (Registrant)
October 4, 2004	By:	Robert W. Olson
		Name: Robert W. Olson
		Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary