FrieslandCampina credits Asia for profits

Dutch dairy concern FrieslandCampina’s first half profits for 2012 were up 7.6% to €5.1bn, with profit increasing by 8.7% to €138m. Cees ’t Hart, the CEO of Royal FrieslandCampina, says Asia is where the co-op made approximately 25% of its revenue. “FrieslandCampina can look back on a good first half of 2012. Both revenue and result rose despite the difficult market conditions in Europe and the steep drop in the market prices for butter and milk powder,” he notes. “Asia made a major contribution towards the revenue growth and improved result. The volume of infant and toddler nutrition has increased in both the ingredients and consumer products international business groups.”

The Asian markets were receptive to dairy-based beverages, the co-op confirms. However, cheese, butter and milk powder saw a downturn due to low sales prices for butter and milk powder.