Bonduelle

French convenience food specialist Bonduelle has reported an increase in turnover and profitability for the half year to 31 December 2012.

Turnover rose by 11.3 per cent compared with the year-earlier period to €979.3m, the company revealed, while operating profit rose by 14.2 per cent to €52.2m.

Performance in Europe remained stable for the first half, thanks to an improved second quarter performance. Sales rose by 1.2 per cent in the second quarter, which Bonduelle attributes to the company's support strategy on branded product innovations and its marketing activities.

Like-for-like sales outside Europe increased by 8 per cent, supported by the company's acquisitions last year in the US and Russia, as well as by solid growth in South America.