EXHIBIT 24
                                                      -----------
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

       We, the undersigned officers and directors of Chiquita Brands
International, Inc. (the Company) hereby severally constitute and appoint
William A. Tsacalis and Robert W. Olson, and each of them singly, our true and
lawful attorneys and agents with full power to them and each of them to do any
and all acts and things in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 (the
Report) pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder including specifically, but without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the power and authority to sign in the name of the
Company and the names of the undersigned directors and officers in the
capacities indicated below the Report, any and all amendments and supplements
thereto and any and all other instruments and documents which said attorneys and
agents or any of them may deem necessary or advisable in connection therewith.


Signature              Title                      Date
- -------------------    -------------------------  --------------
                                            
/s/ Carl H. Lindner   Chairman of the Board and   March 29, 1999
(Carl H. Lindner)     Chief Executive Officer



/s/ Keith E. Lindner  Director, Vice Chairman of  March 29, 1999
(Keith E. Lindner)    the Board



/s/ Steven G. Warshaw Director, President and     March 29, 1999
(Steven G. Warshaw)   Chief Operating Officer



/s/ Fred J. Runk      Director                    March 29, 1999
(Fred J. Runk)


/s/ Jean Head Sisco   Director                    March 29, 1999
(Jean Head Sisco)


/s/ William W. Verity Director                    March 29, 1999
(William W. Verity)


/s/ Oliver W. Waddell Director                    March 29, 1999
(Oliver W. Waddell)