EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and subsidiary companies of our report dated February 26, 1996, included in the 1995 Annual Report of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and subsidiary companies. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and subsidiary companies listed in Item 14(a). This schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements and related prospectuses of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and subsidiary companies of our report dated February 26, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. and subsidiary companies incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. Registration Form No. Description ------ ----------- ---------------------------------------- S-3 33-58424 Dividend Reinvestment Plan S-3 33-41057 Common Stock issuable upon conversion of Convertible Subordinated Debentures S-3 33-51995 Debt Securities, Preferred Stock and Common Stock S-3 333-00789 Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Securities Warrants S-8 33-2241 Chiquita Savings and Investment Plan 33-16801 33-42733 33-56572 S-8 33-14254 1986 Stock Option and Incentive Plan 33-38284 33-41069 33-53993 S-8 33-25950 Individual Stock Option Plan S-8 33-38147 Associate Stock Purchase Plan Cincinnati, Ohio /s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP March 25, 1996