Nestle’s sales up 11%

FOOD and drink giant Nestle SA has posted an 11 per cent increase in sales of dozens of its household brands for the first nine months of 2012.

The Swiss company said it had sales of 67.6 billion francs ($ A70.5 billion) to September, up from 60.9 billion ($A63.5 billion) during the same period in 2011.

The maker of Nescafe, Jenny Craig and HaagenDazs said it expected sales growth of 6.1 per cent this year, despite ‘‘the tough trading environment, especially in developed markets’’.

Chief executive Paul Bulcke said the outlook was helped by success in emerging markets and some easing of costs for raw materials.