First-half profits up at Dairy Crest

Dairy Crest made a pre-tax profit of £36.1m in the six months ended 30 September, interim results have revealed.

That was up 6% on the same period last year on revenue down 3% at £776.9m. The company said growth in sales of most of its five key brands (Cathedral City, Country Life, St Hubert Omega 3, Clover and FRijj) and milk to major retailers had been offset by lower sales to the doorstep and middle ground milk markets.

Excluding the effects of the disposal of DC’s majority stake in Wexford Creamery, group revenue was broadly unchanged on 2009.

“Dairy Crest has enjoyed another good six months,” chief executive Mark Allen said.

“Our strategy has proved successful in the challenging economic environment and positions us to deliver further value going forward. With operational efficiencies and selling price increases in certain categories limiting the impact of higher input costs, we are confident that we can continue to deliver profits in line with our expectations.”