Sausage producer Cranswick saw sales increase by 22% in the last three months of 2006 after demand for premium sausages continued to rise.

The increase followed a record rise in sales throughout 2006 for the company, which produces Taste the Difference pork products for Sainsbury’s, with sales up 14% to £248m.

The Hull-based producer, which also supplies Asda and Morrisons, said all its food products performed well, but premium sausages and bacon showed particular growth.

The increase was also helped by the easing of protein prices and settled energy prises, it added.

Shares in Cranswick leapt 18p to 945p on Thursday (25 January) following the announcement.