Danone has seen first half 2012 sales increase by 7.7% to €10,475 million in the first half of 2012. Excluding adjustments, sales in real terms were up 5.9%, reflecting a 2.2% increase in sales volume and a 3.7% increase due to the price/mix effect.
Fresh dairy products division sales increased by 2.1% like-for-like in the second quarter of 2012, reflecting a slight 0.3% decline in volume and a 2.4% increase in value.
Sales in Europe were down this quarter, affected by a rapid deterioration in consumer demand in Southern Europe, particularly Spain.
Sales in Latin America and the Africa-Middle East region remained extremely robust, said the company, with continued double-digit growth.
Danone said that the CIS region and North America are on track for their plans and second-quarter sales were up once again in both volume and value.
In the United States, the Oikos brand continued to win market share in the very fast-growing Greek yoghurt segment, strengthening what Danone says is its leading position in fresh dairy products overall.
The Group is heading into the second half of 2012 with additional production capacity and ambitious plans for innovation.
The waters division reported a 4.6% like-for-like increase in sales in the second quarter of 2012, driven by a 3.1% increase in sales volumes and a 1.5% increase due to the price/mix effect.
Danone noted that sales were adversely impacted by comparison with year-ago sales because of demand following the earthquake in japan in 2011, and the significantly poorer European weather this year.
The baby nutrition division reported what Danone described as excellent growth with sales up 13.6% like-for-like in the second quarter of 2012. Business is led by a very strong performance in Asia, particularly China, where Danone's market share increased this quarter.
The growing-up milk segment reported double-digit growth once again, while weaning foods continued to decrease.
