Chocolate maker Petra's Q3 net profit up 3.5%

CHOCOLATE and confectionary maker Petra Foods has posted a 3.5 per cent year-on-year rise in third-quarter net profit to US$14.8 million, helped by higher sales from its branded consumer division.

Revenue from the division rose 10.4 per cent to US$126.9 million on higher sales from Indonesia, which grew 8 per cent to US$92 million; other regional markets including the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore grew 17 per cent to US$35.3 million.

In Indonesia, which accounts for 72 per cent of revenue, the group's portfolio of brands - such as SilverQueen, Top, Cha Cha, Delfi and Selamat - all mounted strong performances.