The leadership transition at Chiquita Brands International under new ownership continues with the announcement two more company executives will be moving on.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the produce multinational now under the private hands of Brazil's Cutrale and Safra Groups, said interim CEO Brian W. Kocher's employment was terminated effective March 31 for "good reason under this change in control severance agreement".

"In connection with the termination, Mr. Kocher entered into a severance agreement that: (1) confirmed the benefits paid or to be paid by the Company, after execution of a general release, pursuant to his change in control severance agreement; and (2) acknowledged and reaffirmed his existing confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants," the filing said.

Previous reports indicated Kocher would receive US$7.6 million if he were to be dismissed for "Good Reason Termination pursuant to a Change in Control".

In addition to Kocher's exit, vice president and chief accounting officer Joseph B. Johnson will resign his employment with Chiquita effective April 17 this year.

Other executives to have left the company include former CEO Ed Lonergan who received US$16.2 million, former chief financial officer Rick Frier (US$4.77 million), former chief people officer Kevin Holland (US$5.76 million) and former general counsel James Thompson (US$5.67 million).

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