Strong performance in 2008

The Provimi Group has announced its results for 2008. Sales increased by 12.3 per cent to € 2 154.1 mio, which was mainly a result of higher raw material costs, as well as a positive pricing and mix effect. On a like-for-like basis, sales growth was 14.5 per cent. The segment information by geographical area shows revenues of +17.4 per cent in France, +9.8 per cent in Poland, +9.2 per cent in the rest of Europe, +5.9 per cent in North America and 32.2 per cent in the rest of the world. Provimi reports difficult market conditions in the pet food market, especially in western Europe. Even though sales increased in the first half of 2008, particularly in central Europe, sales and profit decreased in the second half. This was also linked to the fact that an expansion of the production plant in Hungary was held up and the reorganisation of pet food operations in the Netherlands took longer than anticipated.