Dairy firm on the crest of a wave

Dairy Crest yesterday said sales of its five key brands were up 5 per cent in the first half but warned that the consumer backdrop was “increasingly difficult to predict”.

The firm, whose core brands include Cathedral City cheese and Country Life butter, said pre-tax profits rose 9 per cent to £39.2 million after a “robust” performance in the six months to 30 September.

Chief executive Mark Allen added: “In line with our strategy, we have continued to grow our key brands, reduce our costs and control our debt.”