London, Sept 29 - Britain's Dairy Crest said on Tuesday its key brands all showed strong growth in the six months to September 30 and that milk sales to big retailers had risen 10 percent versus the previous year.
Lower borrowings and interest rates led to a reduced finance charge for the period, Dairy Crest, which supplies milk, cheese and butter under brands such as Clover, also said.
"Our five key brands have all showed strong growth," it said in a statement.
In the past year the dairy producer has been trying to cut costs and reduce debt, which currently stands 391 million pounds in loans outstanding, according to Reuters data.
"We have focused on cash management in the first six months of the year and our borrowing at 30 September will be below those at 31 March 2009," the company said, adding that seasonal increases in cheese production usually mean borrowings rise in the first half of the year.
Dairy Crest also said it intended to close its defined benefit pension scheme to future accruals from April 1, 2010, with consultations with employees completed.
Earlier this year, the company faced a pension deficit and in March sold its 49 percent stake in yogurt group Yoplait for 63.5 million pounds.
In May said it had cut its net debt by 12 percent to 415.8 million pounds in the preceding 12 months.