French vegetable processor Bonduelle has reported a 5.4% year-on-year rise in sales to €1.318bn (US$1.486bn) for the fiscal year ended 30 June 2003.

Canned vegetable sales rose 4.7% to €692.7m, while frozen product sales edged up a more modest 1.3% to €375.9m. Fresh products recorded a marked improvement, rising 14.9% to 249.6m during the period under review, reported Boursier.

A strong performance in the fourth quarter, during which overall sales improved 11.3%, enabled Bonduelle to confirm its full year net margin forecast.

Bonduelle distributes its vegetable products under its own brand name in Europe and Latin America, as well as under the names Cassegrain in France and Marie Thumas in Belgium.