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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Heinz announces profit fall in Ireland

Food manufacturer Heinz has posted results which show an 11 per cent drop in profits in Ireland as revenues from its iconic brands fall.

The company, which is best known in the UK and Ireland for its ketchup and bean products, recorded pre-tax profits in Ireland of €16.6 million (£14,962,067) for 2009. It also recorded an eight per cent drop in turnover since the end of April to €108.9 million.

Heinz ketchup and baked bean brands suffered a 13 per cent decline in operating profits. Heinz said this was down to "significant sales pricing activity and commodity cost inflation".

Over 60 countries in the world sell Heinz baked beans and the range includes baked bean meals and the new Mean Beanz range.

The directors said: "The commercial environment is expected to remain highly competitive in the year ahead... In addition to competition from other third party branded players, retailers are also expanding their own brand range."

They added that volumes had continued to grow year-on-year.

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