Dairy products bolster Danone sales

INTERNATIONAL – French food giant Danone has released its sales results for 2001, showing strong growth in the company’s dairy business.

In 2001, the company’s overall sales were by 5.1% up on 2000 to 14.47 million euro. Over the same period, sales of the company’s dairy products grew 6.8% to nearly seven million euro. Revenue from its beverage business grew 7.1%.

In a statement, the company said that growth had been especially strong in its fresh dairy market in the USA.

The company said that overall growth of 5.1% was due to a 1.9% rise in its products’ value and a 3.2% rise in sales volume.

Looking ahead, Danone said that it expects its revenue to grow a minimum of 5% in 2002.

Danone’s largest three sectors are dairy, beverages and biscuits, which it sells across Europe and the USA.