Greencore was bullish about the success of its convenience foods and ingredients divisions in the group’s latest trading statement.

Operating profit for convenience foods is expected to show at least 5% growth - up to E68.6m - despite rising energy costs. The announcement came ahead of its year-end on 29 September and suggested the ingredients, agribusiness and related property division was also expected to deliver profits of at least E25.2m.

Despite leaving the sugar processing market in March, Greencore Sugar has traded above expectations which it said compensated for a continued weakness in EU malt markets.