Healthy first quarter for Nestlé

SWITZERLAND – Nestle has reported consolidated sales of SFr19.4 billion (12.6m euro) for the first three months of 2001, an increase of 4.5% on the same period last year.

All geographic regions contributed to this growth with particularly good progress reported in Asia, Oceania and Africa. Milk products, nutrition and ice cream achieved sales of 3.4 billion euro, an increase of 5.5% on 2000. Milk in particular was well above the group average, said Nestle. Beverages continued to perform well with an increase of 5.7%.

With growth in the first quarter above target, Nestle believes it has started 2001 well. The company claims that, unless major negative economical influences are felt, it should be looking forward to ending the year with record sales and profits.