Northern Foods Profits on Track

Demand for sandwiches, salads and biscuits have boosted the trading expectations of Northern Foods which aims to meet analysts’ forecasts for a full-year operating profit of about £54m.

The food manufacturer said its like-for-like sales, excluding currency moves and discontinued operations, would fall 1.8% in the 14 weeks to 3 April due to its exit from the low-margin frozen food business.

Underlying sales for the same period would rise 1%, reflecting volume growth of 1.8%, the company said.

The group said it is also planning a joint venture project to build a factory in Swansea, Wales.