PERNOD RICARD, the owner of Irish Distillers, suffered a 3 per cent drop in sales in the six months to the end of December.

The French drinks group said its second quarter had brought a 2 per cent decline, after a 4 per cent fall in the first three months.

It still expects organic profit growth for the first half, however, signalling a positive return of between 1 and 3 per cent. This is in line with previous guidance.

In a pre-results update issued yesterday, investors were told the group had experienced a “positive” product mix, with spirits performing better than wines and champagne.

Pernod will issue detailed first-half results on February 18th.