Baby and specialty food group Numico booked a 2% increase in net earnings last year, with operating profit up 295 at €483m. Turnover was up 32%, largely due to two major acquisitions dating from 2005.

Demand for baby food and milk products was strong, especially in the developing economies in Asia, Numico said. China and Vietnam booked particularly sturdy growth. The company’s Dumex baby food subsidiary saw sales rise 20%.