Kerry Group the food technology and consumer foods group, has announced that business volumes increased by just over 3% in the nine months to the end of September.

The group, which is in the process of making acquisitions in the US valued at $735m, has confirmed its earnings per share should rise by between 6% and 9% over the full year.

Its interim statement reports that revenues have increased by 4.3% - but the group also warned that demand in developed markets has remained weak - while developing markets remain volatile due to geopolitical instability and currency fluctuations.

In Ireland and the UK the group says that it has been repositioning its portfolio while these markets remain highly-competitive - here these brands include Dairygold, Denny and Charleville.

In a note Davy Stockbrokers commented that today's figures represent a "solid Q3 trading update" for the Irish group.