French food giant Danone said today (15 April) it has made a “strong” start to the year with emerging markets boosting sales growth.
For the first quarter of 2010, sales increased by 8.3% to EUR3.98bn (US$5.40bn). Excluding the effects of foreign exchange, sales increased by 7% on a like-for-like basis.
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Danone said all its regions delivered double-digit sales growth, except for Western Europe where sales were stable compared to the first quarter of 2009.
However, in Western Europe, virtually all countries delivered positive volume growth, with particular encouraging sales performances in France and the UK, Danone said.
Chairman and CEO Franck Riboud said: “While emerging countries are boosting our sales growth, all our geographies are progressing, with notably strong performances of our dairy operations in the US and Russia. Our performance in the first quarter, coupled with our leading market positions and brands, allow us to confirm our targets for 2010.”
The firm, however, said it will continue to face a “challenging” financial, economic and social environment in 2010, with “continued difficult consumption trends” in Western economies, weak emerging currencies and inflation of raw materials.
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By GlobalDataClick here to read the full release and click here for more on Danone withdrawing its health claims on Activia and Actimel.
