Dutch food group Wessanen today (3 April) warned that its first-quarter profits would be “significantly lower” than in 2008 due to competition in North America and Europe.

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The company, which sells brands including Dr Ritter muesli and Kallo rice cakes, blamed “competitive market conditions” around a number of its branded businesses for the expected drop in operating profit.


Wessanen said its first-quarter numbers – which are due to be published on 13 May – will also include “some incidental charges”.


Last year, Wessanen posted first-quarter operating profit of EUR12.4m (US$16.7m).


Wessanen said sales for the first three months of 2009 would be “broadly in line” with the revenue booked in the first quarter of 2008, which reached EUR384.6m.

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The company declined to issue a forecast for full-year sales and earnings for 2009.


Officials at Wessanen could not be reached for immediate further comment.

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