British confectionery and soft drinks firm Cadbury Schweppes released results from this year's first four months trading, and said it was on track to hit the full year's growth targets.
CEO John Sunderland, said at a company AGM : "The first four months trading of 2002 have been satisfactory and we remain confident of achieving our financial targets for the full year."
North American beverage volumes rose 6 per cent during the first quarter of 2002, or 2 per cent net of acquisitions. The non-carbonated soft drinks portfolio overall continued to grow, said the company.
Brand transfers and refranchising in the carbonated soft drinks (CSD) business led to some softness, it revealed, but excluding this impact, CSD volumes were slightly ahead during the quarter.
Confectionery volume growth has also been encouraging in the majority of markets, said the world's fourth biggest chocolate maker and third largest soft drinks group.
In the UK, Cadbury Trebor Bassett had a good start to the year, continuing the stronger performance seen toward the end of 2001.