Del Monte increases pet product sales

The US pet food manufacturer Del Monte has reported net sales for the second quarter fiscal 2011 of $940.9 million, a decrease of 5.3 per cent compared with $958.9 million last year. According to the company, net sales of pet products were up at $433.2 million, however, an increase of 2.6 per cent. This was driven primarily by strong unit volume growth particularly in dry pet food and pet snacks and new product volume growth. Pet product operating income increased from $84.8 million in the second quarter fiscal 2010 to $92.7 million in the second quarter fiscal 2011, or by 9.3 per cent.