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


                                    FORM 6-K

                            Report of Foreign Issuer

                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                October 17, 2002


                                  BUNGE LIMITED
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)


                                 50 Main Street
                          White Plains, New York 10606
                    (Address of principal executive offices)


         (Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)


                              Form 20-F  X   Form 40-F
                                        ---           ---

         (Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)

                              Yes            No  X
                                 ---            ---



                                    EXHIBITS
                                    --------

Exhibit 1   English translation of French press release dated October 17, 2002
            announcing filing of a request with the French stock exchange
            authorities for the standing offer to purchase outstanding Cereol
            shares



                                   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, thereunto duly authorized.



Date: October 17, 2002            Bunge Limited



                                  By: /s/ Theodore P. Fox, III
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Theodore P. Fox, III
                                     Controller and Principal Accounting Officer