AG Barr posted a hike in interim profits and said turnover for the seven weeks subsequent to the reporting period was up 4 per cent compared with the same period last year.
It added it does not expect major costs to vary substantially during the second half of the year but neither can it foresee any hardening of prices in the market place.
Mr Robin Barr, the Executive Chairman, said: "The better weather pattern immediately following the half year end has enabled us to maintain our trading position at the beginning of the second six months but, as advised above, the market place remains very competitive.
"We intend however to continue progress during the remainder of this financial year with the development of our Irn-Bru brand in England and Wales."
The comments came as the Scottish based manufacturer of soft drinks including Irn-Bru, Tizer and Orangina, posted a pretax profit for the six months ended July 27 of £6.2 million against £5.7 million last year.
Turnover increased 5 per cent to 62.2 million from 59.4 million.
Earnings per share were 23.21 pence against 21.20 pence, with a maintained interim dividend of 7.35 pence.
PA