Dairy Crest core brands thrive

Butter cheese and milk supplier Dairy Crest saw strong sales of core brands as it focused on advertising its cheese and spread products and reduced milk production.The firm said it traded in line with expectations in the three months to June 30. Sales of key brands Cathedral City cheese, Country Life butter and the spreads Clover and St Hubert Omega 3 were up by 14% in volume and 8% in value. The growth in sales was helped by the firm continuing to increase spending on advertising, Dairy Crest said.Sales in the Dairies division were down by 3% after the firm reduced the amount of milk processed due to poor returns from dairy ingredients markets.Dairy Crest also said that Anthony Fry, who was appointed to the board in July 2007, will take the role of deputy chairman today and succeed Simon Oliver as Chairman on 1 January.