Spreads deliver growth for DC

UK – Dairy Crest has said that its Clover, Utterly Butterly, St Ivel Gold and Country Life ranges of spreads were key to its progress in 2004.

In a trading statement for the 12 months to 31 March, the company said that all of its key spreads brands delivered good year on year sales.

The company has not yet felt the full impact of losing contracts to supply milk to UK supermarkets. However, its deal with Tesco comes to an end this month, and it has not yet found a replacement for this volume. Liquid milk costs have also been impacted by higher plastic and transport packaging.

Elsewhere the company has won a contract to supply Asda with all of its own label British cheeses, and its Cathedral City gained market share during the year.