SWITZERLAND Nestle has reported consolidated sales of CHF41.2 billion (27.2bn euro) for the first six months of 2001, an increase of 6.3% on the same period last year.

Food sales accounted for 31.9 billion euro with the biggest increase 7.4% in the USA. Europe also experienced increased sales, as did Asia, Oceania and Africa at 1.8% and 2.3% respectively. Sales of milk products were up by 7.1% from 7.1 billion euro to 7.5 billion euro as were chocolate and confectionary, up 5.2% from 3.0 billion euro to 3.3 billion euro.

Net profit grew by 12.7% to 2.1 billion euro over the comparable period of last year, representing a record margin of 7.6%.

Commenting on the results, Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck said: “Based on the half-year results, with strong top line and bottom line growth, I am confident that Nestle will close 2001 with higher sales and profits than the ones reached in 2000.”