Cerebos Pacific, the manufacturer of Brand’s Essence of Chicken and other food and health supplements, announced net profit rose 82% to $22.7 million for the second quarter ending March 31, 2010 (2QFY2009/10) compared to $12.4 million in the previous corresponding quarter. 2Q turnover at $215.9 million was 27% higher than the previous corresponding. Excluding the exchange translation gain of $12.1 million, turnover would have increased by 20%, largely from higher sales in all three core businesses of Health Supplements, Coffee and Sauces. Sales grew across all markets with Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and China leading the way with double digit growth.

President & CEO Eiji Koike says: “Overall our strong brands in health supplements, coffee and sauces continued to maintain their category leadership positions and were not strongly impacted by the weak consumer sentiments experienced last year. Our strategy of strengthening brand equity, investing in innovations and expanding & upgrading our manufacturing capabilities enabled us to maintain a steady course and allowed us to move forward rapidly when global economic conditions improved this financial year.”

On the outlook for the rest of the financial year, Koike underscored his cautious attitude due to the recovering global economy and concern over Thailand: “The group remains optimistic on the outlook for the rest of the financial year due to the continued global economic recovery. However the group is monitoring the current situation in our Thailand market, which is the group’s biggest contributor to turnover.”